An Eventful Day

Today was quite a full day. It started with me driving down to Pauls Valley. I went there to meet with the lady I'm designing a website for. We drove all around the area, and I took a lot of photos of various landmarks for use on her website. We ended up eating lunch at the Wynnewood Steakhouse where there were cast iron skillets all over the walls. I'll be writing about that experience for my Creative Writing class. On my way back to Oklahoma City, I stopped in Norman at my friend Mindie's house. We're writing a play together, and we discussed days we are going to meet to get the damn thing finished. All in all it was a productive day, and I had a good time in the process. It's always good to have fun while you're getting things done.

The Lion of the Senate

After a yearlong battle with brain cancer Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts has died. I don't know what this says, but the first thing I thought of when I heard the news of his passing was the tragic incident when Kennedy drove off a bridge in Chappaquiddick. He escaped, but his passenger, Mary Jo Kopechne, drowned. This is not because of political bias, as I am as liberal as they come. No, I think there are many of us out there who grew up seeing Ted Kennedy portrayed as a boozer; the stereotypical Irishman who likes to knock a few back. But that really isn't his legacy. Kennedy somewhat cleaned up his act, and became a well respected leader in the Senate, someone who could reach across teh aisle and get things done. It's sad that he didn't live to see meaningful health care reform passed, as this was a cause dear to his heart that he championed to the very end. If health care legislation passes, I think they should put Kennedy's name on it in honor of his memory.

Inglourious Basterds: A Review

I have always been a big fan of Quentin Tarantino. I remember seeing Pulp Fiction for the first time in early 1995 when my mom rented it on VHS. She and I watched it together, and at first I didn't quite know what to make of it. It was a movie that demanded repeated viewings to understand its complexities. Over the years, I watched it many times, and loved it more and more each time. I learned of Tarantino's first film, Reservoir Dogs, and fell in love with it too. Tarantino had a knack for long stretches of dialogue that kept me engrossed, and putting his characters in all sorts of difficult situations. His films really connected to me. I became somewhat of a Tarantino devotee, and eagerly anticipated each new film he directed.

I say all this to make it clear I am obviously biased when it comes to Inglourious Basterds. I came into the theater expecting something great, and was not disappointed. In fact, my expectations were exceeded.

Based on the marketing, one would think Basterds is a men on a mission story with Brad Pitt's Aldo Raine leading a group of Jewish American soldiers on a Nazi manhunt. This is not entirely true. Aldo and ragtag punch are but a small piece of the puzzle. There are many more characters and situations, among them a outstanding performance by Christoph Waltz as the "Jew Hunter" Colonel Hans Landa.

Much of the film is in German or French with English subtitles; I'd say more than 50%. This may turn off some viewers, but I thought it was a good move to not pander to American audiences and have the characters speak English instead of the language they would have really spoken.

I realize I haven't given away any plot details, and that is intentional. I feel one must go see this movie for his or herself with an unspoiled mind, and really soak it all in. Their are some explosions of violence, but really this movie is more about building tension than violent payoffs. Tarantino crafts each scene meticulously to build maximum suspence and tension. I was literally on the edge of my seat many times throughout the film. He is a master of scenes with long bits of dialogue that never get boring.

All in all I would highly recommend Inglorious Basterds. If you don't mind reading subtitles, can appreciate lots of tension, action, dark humor, beautiful women, and suberb acting, this is a movie you should check out.

4 and 1/2 out of 5 stars

And so another semester begins.

This week, I embarked on my third semester at the University of Central Oklahoma. When I started as a transfer student, I thought I was a Junior, but apparently I was a Sophomore. Now I think I am officially a Junior. Who knows how that works? It's already been a hectic first week. Such is the life as a Theatre Performance major. Besides attending classes, I've already had to attend two meetings, and last night I auditioned for the Fall shows. I got a call back for Antigone which is later tonight. I hope that goes well as I would really like to work with the director. All in all, it's shaping up to be a exciting and busy semester. I've set my sights on really applying myself this semester since I kind of slacked off in the Spring, and it affected my grades quite negatively. It's time to work hard, and raise my grade point back up to a 3.7. Here's hoping.