(A nice little sandwich place with moderate to low business rests in a nice little city with moderate to low business. AVA, a fashionably, yet casually, dressed, young lady enters the restaurant/bistro/whatever. She quickly spots and walks over to her already-sitting boyfriend, NOAH. Noah is dressed comparatively to Ava but has noticeably less enthusiasm. Only two glasses of water sit on the table and Noah keeps both hands near his glass but not touching it. Ava watches him for a while.)
AVA: You okay?
NOAH: You know how I am.
(Ava's phone plays a jingle to inform her, and Noah, that she received a text message. Ava reads it. Noah looks at the phone, only guessing what it says. Ava puts it away and they both keep looking at Noah's water.)
AVA: Is this all you've been up to?
NOAH: I think we should break up.
(Beat.)
AVA: Whoa.
NOAH: I'm sorry.
AVA: Whoa.
NOAH: Things have changed.
AVA: I mean...whoa.
NOAH: We can still be friends, just not with the “couple stuff.”
AVA: Just yesterday. Yesterday you said you loved me.
NOAH: Yeah.
AVA: Did you mean it?
NOAH: I don't know.
AVA: What about weeks ago, when we played on the playground?
NOAH: Yeah.
AVA: You meant it then? And at Hailey's party?
NOAH: I always meant it.
AVA: Do you love me now?
NOAH: No.
(Ava gets another text message. She reluctantly reads it and puts away her phone.)
AVA: I deserve to know more.
NOAH: It's just, I don't know, things have changed.
AVA: Things can improve.
NOAH: Don't do that. Don't do your flippy-lawyer-type logic spinning on me. Not now.
AVA: Okay fine. But look at me. Look at me and say this has nothing to do with the fact that you lost your aqua-kinetic superpower.
NOAH: Okay, that's part of it. But it's more than that. It wasn't just the power to move water--it was my identity, my individuality. I don't feel like an individual; I can't be happy in a relationship until I can be happy with who I am. And right now, without my superpower, I don't know who I am. I'm a nobody. I'm everybody.
AVA: But you're still a somebody to me.
(Ava gets another text message. She hesitates. Noah waits for her to look at her phone so she does, but she doesn't bother to respond.)
AVA: I can help you find yourself. Your new self.
NOAH: Why?
AVA: Because you helped me find a version of me I never knew possible. This last year has been the best year of my life. I understand you're going through some stuff right now, stuff I can never fully understand because I've never gone through it myself. But I can still help. I can offer perspective, I can listen, I could maybe even be a distraction.
NOAH: You think I'm going to forget who I was? Who I am?
AVA: No. But you can imagine who you will be.
NOAH: I'm sorry, but for at least a while, I just don't think I'm going to be much fun to be around. I don't feel fun. Or good. You can do better.
AVA: I can do better with you.
(Ava takes Noah's hands, breaking their focus on the glass of unmovable water.)
NOAH: No. You've been drifting away for weeks now. I'm just letting you go.
AVA: I know I've been busy. I'm sorry.
NOAH: Your phone is making music non-stop.
AVA: I'll put it on silent.
NOAH: That's not what I mean.
AVA: It's just other people.
NOAH: No, that's good. I want you to have a life outside of me. And that's the life to focus on right now. That's the life with a future. And with powers.
(Ava's phone starts ringing.)
NOAH: And there's your damn phone again.
(Ava takes her phone and drops it into Noah's glass of water, splashing some on to the table. Noah jerks back a little, baffled--and impressed.)
AVA: See? You still have a power with water.
(Noah returns Ava’s smile.)
NOAH: That's why I loved you.
AVA: Want to try again?
NOAH: That's why I love you.
AVA: Cool. Now let's get some lunch. I’m starving.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Hours of Commentary
DVD commentary is an often over-looked present. Of course it can also go down as one of the worst ways to waste two hours this side of re-coloring arm hair. So maybe I can help with some brisk, and rather random, commentary commentary.
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS - Wes Anderson takes this commentary solo and balances light humor with light trivia well and consistently. The most shocking insight offered comes up every couple of scenes, that the seemingly deliberate movie has a lot of nuances even Anderson himself doesn't know the origins too. What is the difference between randomness and depth? Watch to find out.
TROPIC THUNDER - Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. really make this commentary a feature-length piece of entertainment. Staying true to his hyper-method-acting character, Downey Jr. stays in his Osiris character until dropping the character in the movie itself. And while there is a bit of ass-kissing ("Robert here is absolutely brilliant", etc), the guys seem like fun people to be around.
THE MATRIX - One of the older DVDs I own, I found it appalling the cast and crew (minus the Wachowski brothers) failed to properly use the microphones required for the commentary. Seriously, one person's voice is captured by a microphone I can only assume is placed two rooms over. Baffled by the technology, the people behind the techno-iest film since TRON often forget to talk about the movie and opt instead to watch the film like a polite audience. Boring.
ROBOCOP - Like Wes Anderson, director Paul Verhoeven manhandles the task of talking to no one for two hours. Unlike Anderson though, Verhoeven goes to great length to explain the Christian symbolism in ROBOCOP. Though his Dutch accent is heavy, and oddly intimidating, Verhoeven makes sure you won't toss aside his movie like so many other robot-cop escapades captured on film.
THE GODFATHER (part I and II) - Francis Ford Coppola may be one of the best directors of all-time, entirely thanks to his exceptional craft in these two films (and APOCALYPSE NOW). If one believes I over spoke, listen to the steady commentary of THE GODFATHER and learn how to make good movies. However, I can't make the same recommendation for Part II. Coppola drifts in and out of the film and, on no less than fifty occasions, mentions the relative ease in the production compared to Part I.
STAR TREK - The commentary by the filmmakers (led by J.J. Abrams) actually made me appreciate the movie more than the first (and only other) time I saw it in theaters. They show an appropriate amount of love to the Star Trek canon but also took more risks than I originally credited them for. Abrams especially seemed to have an impressive insight to the iconic characters and was even somewhat apologetic for the over-use of lens flares throughout the film.
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS - Wes Anderson takes this commentary solo and balances light humor with light trivia well and consistently. The most shocking insight offered comes up every couple of scenes, that the seemingly deliberate movie has a lot of nuances even Anderson himself doesn't know the origins too. What is the difference between randomness and depth? Watch to find out.
TROPIC THUNDER - Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr. really make this commentary a feature-length piece of entertainment. Staying true to his hyper-method-acting character, Downey Jr. stays in his Osiris character until dropping the character in the movie itself. And while there is a bit of ass-kissing ("Robert here is absolutely brilliant", etc), the guys seem like fun people to be around.
THE MATRIX - One of the older DVDs I own, I found it appalling the cast and crew (minus the Wachowski brothers) failed to properly use the microphones required for the commentary. Seriously, one person's voice is captured by a microphone I can only assume is placed two rooms over. Baffled by the technology, the people behind the techno-iest film since TRON often forget to talk about the movie and opt instead to watch the film like a polite audience. Boring.
ROBOCOP - Like Wes Anderson, director Paul Verhoeven manhandles the task of talking to no one for two hours. Unlike Anderson though, Verhoeven goes to great length to explain the Christian symbolism in ROBOCOP. Though his Dutch accent is heavy, and oddly intimidating, Verhoeven makes sure you won't toss aside his movie like so many other robot-cop escapades captured on film.
THE GODFATHER (part I and II) - Francis Ford Coppola may be one of the best directors of all-time, entirely thanks to his exceptional craft in these two films (and APOCALYPSE NOW). If one believes I over spoke, listen to the steady commentary of THE GODFATHER and learn how to make good movies. However, I can't make the same recommendation for Part II. Coppola drifts in and out of the film and, on no less than fifty occasions, mentions the relative ease in the production compared to Part I.
STAR TREK - The commentary by the filmmakers (led by J.J. Abrams) actually made me appreciate the movie more than the first (and only other) time I saw it in theaters. They show an appropriate amount of love to the Star Trek canon but also took more risks than I originally credited them for. Abrams especially seemed to have an impressive insight to the iconic characters and was even somewhat apologetic for the over-use of lens flares throughout the film.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
NFL Predictions: Divisional Weekend
Things learned last week: Cardinals are perpetual "David's," the Cowboys' curse is bunk and you can disregard the last two statements because apparently I don't understand NFC games at all--though was perfect on the AFC side.
Baltimore at Indianapolis
The Colts arguably have more to prove than anybody in the playoffs after basically throwing their last two games, spitting at their chances of an undefeated season. By now, Peyton and the others have had nearly 4 weeks off and I am one to argue that is too much. Conversely, the Ravens beat up on a wounded Patriots team (no small feat) last week. Still...during the regular season the Ravens played 7 games against playoff teams and lost 6 of them. I think the Ravens will be back in this position next year, and I like their chances better next year. Indianapolis can't lose this early without murderous consequences. The Colts win.
Arizona at New Orleans
The Cardinals were the best NFC team in the playoffs last year and the Saints were the best NFC team in the regular season this year. When I imagine the Cardinals walking into the Superbowl and upsetting the Saints, I also imagine Al Davis showing up at my doorstep and presenting me with a nine-million dollar check to sit on the Raiders' bench. This is just a circuitous way of saying the Cardinals need some irregularities to win this game. And while many Saints' games have irregularities, they usually look like the work of God inexplicably and unprecedentedly blessing New Orleans. Saints win.
New York (Jets) at San Diego
I feel more confident about this game than any other game this weekend. The Chargers can't remember the last time they lost and they've made notably runs to the Superbowl every year, always falling just short. The Chargers have home field, (only) one week bye and most importantly: more talent. L.T. is going to force New York safeties into the box and Rivers will play keep away from the secondary in the second half. Coined term for the game: Jet Lag. Chargers win.
Dallas at Minnesota
Okay, so I went against a lot of early season predictions and said neither the Cowboys nor the Vikings would make the NFC championship despite their star-studded rosters--still rumors at this point. So I'm going to be half-genius and half-idiot no matter what here. Perhaps out of personal vendettas more than any actual observing, I still feel Dallas' success is balancing on toothpicks. Likewise, the Vikings have crashed 3 of their last 4 games. What it comes down to is who would I personally prefer to see in the NFC championship, or more theatrically, the Superbowl? Tough decision when I don't have faith in either. Vikings win.
Baltimore at Indianapolis
The Colts arguably have more to prove than anybody in the playoffs after basically throwing their last two games, spitting at their chances of an undefeated season. By now, Peyton and the others have had nearly 4 weeks off and I am one to argue that is too much. Conversely, the Ravens beat up on a wounded Patriots team (no small feat) last week. Still...during the regular season the Ravens played 7 games against playoff teams and lost 6 of them. I think the Ravens will be back in this position next year, and I like their chances better next year. Indianapolis can't lose this early without murderous consequences. The Colts win.
Arizona at New Orleans
The Cardinals were the best NFC team in the playoffs last year and the Saints were the best NFC team in the regular season this year. When I imagine the Cardinals walking into the Superbowl and upsetting the Saints, I also imagine Al Davis showing up at my doorstep and presenting me with a nine-million dollar check to sit on the Raiders' bench. This is just a circuitous way of saying the Cardinals need some irregularities to win this game. And while many Saints' games have irregularities, they usually look like the work of God inexplicably and unprecedentedly blessing New Orleans. Saints win.
New York (Jets) at San Diego
I feel more confident about this game than any other game this weekend. The Chargers can't remember the last time they lost and they've made notably runs to the Superbowl every year, always falling just short. The Chargers have home field, (only) one week bye and most importantly: more talent. L.T. is going to force New York safeties into the box and Rivers will play keep away from the secondary in the second half. Coined term for the game: Jet Lag. Chargers win.
Dallas at Minnesota
Okay, so I went against a lot of early season predictions and said neither the Cowboys nor the Vikings would make the NFC championship despite their star-studded rosters--still rumors at this point. So I'm going to be half-genius and half-idiot no matter what here. Perhaps out of personal vendettas more than any actual observing, I still feel Dallas' success is balancing on toothpicks. Likewise, the Vikings have crashed 3 of their last 4 games. What it comes down to is who would I personally prefer to see in the NFC championship, or more theatrically, the Superbowl? Tough decision when I don't have faith in either. Vikings win.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Travel Log Blog: Episode Two: Utah's Plane and Kansas Two
Continuing my one-day travel log blog, in an airplane over Utah:
9:00 AM - Still circling Salt Lake City, the location of my one-hour layover. I'm drifting in and out of consciousness but can't fall asleep. I can't see the city because of really heavy fog--or because the window shade is down.
10:00 AM - So my flight to K.C. was delayed but I feel better after eating some Chinese food (a first?). I'm watching CNN in the boarding area but there is a rather affectionate couple directly under the TV. Man, I really hope they don't think I'm watching them and then writing about them in my notebook...though I guess I just did. Dammit.
11:00 AM - Finally in the new airplane. We actually drove around the tarmac so long I figured the pilot had a change of heart and was just going to drive this plane to Kansas City. My head hurts and the guy sitting next to me doesn't think I'm funny--but those two tidbits aren't related.
1:00 PM - I just want to cut off my legs so that I don't have to feel them anymore. And if planes have gas masks, why don't they let us wear them when we want? It's not that I can't breathe, but that I just want some excess oxygen (gets you high)--'sides, they already serve alcohol on planes. Also, I'm back in the Central Time zone, or as the locals call it: Cen-Ti.
2:00 PM - Same as 1:00 PM, except I accidentally spilled water on my lap and now have wet pants.
3:00 PM - On the road with Tyson. We're going to Lawrence then Manhattan, all in all, another two hours in a car. Most obvious lesson of the day: driving through Kansas City is not a stress-reliever for Tyson. Related, I'm not going to update this log for a little while, I'm going to have fun with a friend.
6:00 PM - In Manhattan, Kansas but only to pick up some stuff that needs to go back to Lawrence. I grabbed a quick bite but also turned on the news. I'm a news junkie--which actually carries with it a lot of similar traits to other junkies...hey, I think I got an idea for another blog post!
8:00 PM - Finally back in Lawrence, again. But this time at home. Granted the place isn't how I left it but it is how I'd expect it...goofy roommates. Frankly right now I feel grimey and suspect my breath could kill a small horse. After a shower and another obsessive check of my email inbox, I think I'll go to bed. I'll set my alarm for next week so that I don't sleep too long.
Good night.
9:00 AM - Still circling Salt Lake City, the location of my one-hour layover. I'm drifting in and out of consciousness but can't fall asleep. I can't see the city because of really heavy fog--or because the window shade is down.
10:00 AM - So my flight to K.C. was delayed but I feel better after eating some Chinese food (a first?). I'm watching CNN in the boarding area but there is a rather affectionate couple directly under the TV. Man, I really hope they don't think I'm watching them and then writing about them in my notebook...though I guess I just did. Dammit.
11:00 AM - Finally in the new airplane. We actually drove around the tarmac so long I figured the pilot had a change of heart and was just going to drive this plane to Kansas City. My head hurts and the guy sitting next to me doesn't think I'm funny--but those two tidbits aren't related.
1:00 PM - I just want to cut off my legs so that I don't have to feel them anymore. And if planes have gas masks, why don't they let us wear them when we want? It's not that I can't breathe, but that I just want some excess oxygen (gets you high)--'sides, they already serve alcohol on planes. Also, I'm back in the Central Time zone, or as the locals call it: Cen-Ti.
2:00 PM - Same as 1:00 PM, except I accidentally spilled water on my lap and now have wet pants.
3:00 PM - On the road with Tyson. We're going to Lawrence then Manhattan, all in all, another two hours in a car. Most obvious lesson of the day: driving through Kansas City is not a stress-reliever for Tyson. Related, I'm not going to update this log for a little while, I'm going to have fun with a friend.
6:00 PM - In Manhattan, Kansas but only to pick up some stuff that needs to go back to Lawrence. I grabbed a quick bite but also turned on the news. I'm a news junkie--which actually carries with it a lot of similar traits to other junkies...hey, I think I got an idea for another blog post!
8:00 PM - Finally back in Lawrence, again. But this time at home. Granted the place isn't how I left it but it is how I'd expect it...goofy roommates. Frankly right now I feel grimey and suspect my breath could kill a small horse. After a shower and another obsessive check of my email inbox, I think I'll go to bed. I'll set my alarm for next week so that I don't sleep too long.
Good night.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Travel Log Blog: Episode One: There Are No Stars in L.A.
Expecting my solid day of cross-country traveling after a 21st birthday party to be mildly to undeniably humorous, an inspiration of mine suggested I keep a travel log. Well, I did and here it is in all its authenticity:
12:30 AM - Dan and myself talked about all there is to talk about, once again, until this point. He has an early morning class tomorrow (today?) and I should get a couple hours of shuteye before my ridiculously timed airport shuttle pickup. Today was a good day, but it was long and started too early. Hopefully tomorrow will be similar...by which I mean "today."
1:30 AM - Just kidding. I checked my email again for some reason and circled the inter-web for nigh on 60 minutes. I'll get to the end of Wikipedia later this week. So tired though.
2:30 AM - Woke up as quickly as I feel asleep. You hear a sound so offensive it knock you into the present. The cell phone alarm is off before I know where I am. I have everything ready to go, but won't pack this notebook.
3:30 AM - The shuttle bus picked me up and one other guy who could probably be me in a different universe. He asked me where I'm from, and I said "Lawrence, Kansas." I don't think I've ever said that before.
4:00 AM - At LAX already. Just waiting in line to go through security. The guy in front of me looks like Gary Oldman. That would also explain why nobody is talking to him.
4:30 AM - The security guards took my toothpaste but let me keep my harmonica. Yeah, I got patted down, but I appreciated the human contact. Also, forget body scanners, they undressed me with their eyes--I could feel it. Physically I'm tired again but expect a third or fourth wind to kick in later tonight, I mean last night, I mean this morning. Whatever.
5:00 AM - Bored in the terminal. Legs are sore. A little hungry but I'm not about to pay four American dollars for a bagel. I wonder if my deep eyes keep me from ever looking suspicious. I don't remember being patted down when I looked like the Unibomber's bohemian nephew.
6:00 AM - About to finally leave this stink town. Nah, I like L.A., so I understand why so few people are on this plane. Maybe one-third full? Also, according to Sky Mall, I need a personal oxygen bar.
8:00 AM - My foot has cramped up some 35,000 ft in the air; but I am on Mountain Time now--speaking of which, "Mountain Time" would be a sweet name for a pro wrestler.
To Be Continued...
12:30 AM - Dan and myself talked about all there is to talk about, once again, until this point. He has an early morning class tomorrow (today?) and I should get a couple hours of shuteye before my ridiculously timed airport shuttle pickup. Today was a good day, but it was long and started too early. Hopefully tomorrow will be similar...by which I mean "today."
1:30 AM - Just kidding. I checked my email again for some reason and circled the inter-web for nigh on 60 minutes. I'll get to the end of Wikipedia later this week. So tired though.
2:30 AM - Woke up as quickly as I feel asleep. You hear a sound so offensive it knock you into the present. The cell phone alarm is off before I know where I am. I have everything ready to go, but won't pack this notebook.
3:30 AM - The shuttle bus picked me up and one other guy who could probably be me in a different universe. He asked me where I'm from, and I said "Lawrence, Kansas." I don't think I've ever said that before.
4:00 AM - At LAX already. Just waiting in line to go through security. The guy in front of me looks like Gary Oldman. That would also explain why nobody is talking to him.
4:30 AM - The security guards took my toothpaste but let me keep my harmonica. Yeah, I got patted down, but I appreciated the human contact. Also, forget body scanners, they undressed me with their eyes--I could feel it. Physically I'm tired again but expect a third or fourth wind to kick in later tonight, I mean last night, I mean this morning. Whatever.
5:00 AM - Bored in the terminal. Legs are sore. A little hungry but I'm not about to pay four American dollars for a bagel. I wonder if my deep eyes keep me from ever looking suspicious. I don't remember being patted down when I looked like the Unibomber's bohemian nephew.
6:00 AM - About to finally leave this stink town. Nah, I like L.A., so I understand why so few people are on this plane. Maybe one-third full? Also, according to Sky Mall, I need a personal oxygen bar.
8:00 AM - My foot has cramped up some 35,000 ft in the air; but I am on Mountain Time now--speaking of which, "Mountain Time" would be a sweet name for a pro wrestler.
To Be Continued...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)