The Year of Living Dangerously

So I totally LOVE Billy. He's kind of creepy but has that super knowledgeable and wise thing going for him. I loved the when he was explaining his puppets and mentioned the quote, " All is clouded by desire". The cinematography was pretty cool too. It was very shadowy and dark but it added to the darkness the movie the story was based on. It made it seem like paintings. Overall the acting was really great but in my opinion, Billy stole the thunder. He was so passionate about people and what was going on. I also really enjoyed the ties to Tolstoy

I was also super surprised when I found out Billy was played by a WOMAN! Linda Hunt did a great job. At first I thought his voice sounded very womanly but yeah, she did a GREAT job! Even won an academy award!

War Photographer

Such a moving man and with such a heart breaking vision! I absolutely LOVE James Nachtwey and his work breaks me but moves me.
The movie was good. I think what I liked most about it was the fact that this movie introduced me to James and his legacy. I was on his website so fast exploring more pictures.

Trouble in the Wind @ Boar's Crossing

On November 13th a handful of friends and I went down to check out Boar's Crossing's house band, Trouble in the Wind. The band is made up of five members with instruments including the acoustic guitar, accordion, stand up bass, drums, banjo, and melodic. Their sound is really unique and lively. Everyone was tapping their foot to beat of every song. The singer's voice is very distinct and rich with emotion which added to the band's overall presence. Aside from their sound and good music I really enjoyed the crowd that went to see them. Like I said, everyone was into it. Feet were tapping, people were dancing and even singing along. No one moved from their spots when the band took a break. They wanted to be right up front. My favorite songs were definitely the ones with the banjo. I love the twang that the banjo offers and it also perfectly complimented the vocals. I also loved the accordion. You don't see many of those in bands in USA and it's a crying shame. It has such a fun and funky sound. Jumping back to the crowd, it was people of all ages...people of all ages but it didn't seem like it. The 50+ group were just as rowdy (if not rowdier) than the younger crowd. I also am a sucker for dancing, so when a hired DJ mixed oldies and pop hits while Trouble in the Wind was taking their break, the dance floor opened up with my favorite crowd bumping to the jams.

Very fun and entertaining night. I look forward to their next show!

Whale Rider

The scenery of this film was absolutely beautiful. I adored the accents and the acting was pretty good too. The story was compelling and easy to follow. I loved Pi's determination. Her ability to know the truth and hold firm for it even though she was not supported by her grandfather. The grandfather's stubbornness and regulations for his beliefs were pretty annoying. I know he was just abiding by tradition but everyone seemed to know about Pi except him. Enjoyed the ending. 

Manufactured Landscapes

A film about Edward Burtynsky's photography of the man-made landscape. His camera's view of what nature has been sculpted or simply turned into. I thought his work was pretty interesting and very compelling. The colors and shapes and the "natural" order of things was just remarkable. I liked the mix of still photos and pans of the camera. Overall I thought he was a very interesting artist but it was a semi-difficult movie to watch. I think it might be more enjoyable if it wasn't so drawn out and more condensed.

Viva la Revolucion!

(Not sure if we had to write about it this in our blog but since I did for my other blog, I decided to post it here as well.)
A few weeks ago I had the amazing homework assignment of checking out the latest exhibit in downtown at the Museum of Contemporary Art...Viva la Revolucion: A Dialogue with the Urban Landscape. It is absolutely INCREDIBLE (and free if you are under twenty-five!) and I HIGHLY recommend seeing it for yourself because my pictures do it little justice. Not only are there pieces in the museum but there are also many pieces throughout the city adorning walls and parking structures. The exhibit will be showing until January 2, 2011, so get out and see something that will blow you away!! (and if you want company, let me know, I'll totally go again!)

A painted
brick wall that I am guessing the artist chipped away to get this
stunning masterpiece! I love how the artist left the brick debris there.
 So breathtaking (and HUGE)

I love this. So playful :)

This is amazing.

ghetto fab!

The LOVE cab!

Rosebud interior with a crystal chandelier. Everything was pink, purple, or red, haha

 

And probably one of the most amazing things I have ever seen and heard...ladies and gentlemen, the garbage can!!

Shall We Dance (Japanese)

I have that it was better than the American version at least! I am pretty interested in cultural differences so it was neat to see and learn what is considered correct in Japanese culture that would be totally odd in ours (example: not touching your partner). I also thought this one was easier to watch than the American version because the plot makes a lot more sense for Japanese culture. I suggest just requiring one of the two, preferably this one...hedging your bets that people have more than likely seen the American version.