Movie Review - Casino Royal

Terrible. Just awful. What a travesty to a rich movie heritage.

If you really are a Bond afficianado, go see it. You'll likely appreciate Pierce Brosnan all-the-more. If you are not, keep the $10 in your pocket. You're not missing anything.

Trust me. There are a lot of other really good movies you can spend your time and money on.

James Bond 007 is supposed to be a class-act, not a thug. Come on guys! How long have we seen Bond movies for? All of the previous 007s were suave and sophisticated, from Connery to Moore to Brosnan. Even Timothy Dalton wasnt half bad as Bond in The Living Daylights. Damn, was that really 20 years ago!

The problem is that the producers of this latest effort think the audience seems to be desperate housewives. Obvious? I mean, Daniel Craig is the stereotypical badboy, beefcake with the pretty blue eyes and incredible pecs. (Ok, I admit it. I was jealous of his chest. I think I'll have to up my chest routine at the gym.)

I wanted to see the real James Bond. The one scene that really summed it all up was when his sidekick (the female government accountant), literally had to force him to where a tuxedo to a high stakes poker match. I mean... James Bond is supposed to where a tux like you and I wear a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. And the woman has to dress him up to look good?

Typical. The good, sensible woman has to help fix the badboy so he can win the day. Ugh. So cliche. And what's with her saving his ass so many times? Bond is always supposed to have a stash of clever tricks and gadgets up his sleeve to be a self-sufficient, elite, government operative for the Queen, no less. Sad, really sad.

Thankfully, at least the bad guy - Le Chiffre, was decent.

And oh-by-the-way... where was the really great music? The easily recognizable Bond score was very subtle this time. Music can sometimes really take scenes, and sometimes even entire movies and their audiences, over the edge. Again, this movie had a weak soundtrack and was not able to deliver me.

Oh, and producer-guys. A couple of more tips. James Bond does not quit his job for anything... EVER. He does not fall in love with the women he encounters... EVER. He seduces them and enjoys their passions while they lose their breath over him. It's that simple. And that's why the rest of the male population wishes we were James Bond. He is extrememly passionate about his job (I mean, who wouldnt be with a government-issued licence to kill) and is king-stud with the most beautiful, worldly women. He drives the nicest cars and has access to the coolest toys.

I just knew I should have instead gone to see The Holiday. Chick-flick? Maybe so. But at least it's not pretending to be otherwise, like Casino Royale.

Oh, and one final comment: BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I Want To Leave

I can smell my impending freedom, like a prisoner about to be let out on early parole. Though, I do not know where I am heading to. I can see the iron gates, as I collect my belongings. There is freedom, just a few, bittersweet steps away. What is on the other side of that wall? Everything I dreamed of? Or an anti-climatic nothingness, staring at the ground before me in an unsettling silence.

For so long, I have unconciously let myself be validated by others, soaring to heights with their praises and then again, driven into the ground by their disapproval, or worse still, their indifference. Which leads me to question, just who the hell am I?

I have never been on my own. There has always been someone there to influence and guide me and to drive or gently push me into becoming the embodiment of what they hold true. Like a lamb, I willingly submit. It is easier to follow direction, blindly, than to blaze my own trails. As a result, I have come to depend rather heavily on others for said direction.

This leaves me to wonder. Do I perpetuate this, as a recognition and acceptance this is who I am? OR, do I rebel against it and take myself into uncharted territories, hopefully gaining myself amidst the clouds of uncertainty? Endeavouring towards 'freedom'? Or to a reclusive oblivion, with not a care for others, only for myself. Is it possible or even realistic to aim for some sort of middleground? Can I be true to both, while giving myself wholly to neither?

I want to be in my own place. Decorate it my own way, take care of it how I want to. Paintings of French cafes, comfortable yet sophisticated. Clean, with little clutter. I dont want to depend on anyone else for its upkeep or maintenance. It has to be small and simple, just a place to sleep and find refuge.

I Finally Saw the Movie - Borat

I had heard so many good reviews from my friends about the movie - Borat, but I was hesitant to see it. It just looked very low-brow and just plain dumb. I watched the trailer on-line a couple of times, and I still was not very inspired to see it. Note: do not base your opinion on the trailer.

http://www.boratmovie.com/

My brother-in-law saw it and told me that it was really good and it delivered a good message. So, I finally broke down and went to go see it. And I am glad I did.

I needed a really good, gut-busting, laughing so hard I cry, kinda laugh. And it surprisingly delivered. I mean, I havent laughed that hard at any movie for a looooong time. It reminded me of when I was a kid and my reaction to seeing movies like Mel Brook's Blazing Saddles and Cheech and Chong's Up In Smoke.

So is there a moral to the story? If there is, it is very subtle. I mean, I spent so much time laughing that I wasnt over-intellectualizing. And that's ok. A good, sincere laugh is just as important.

You definitely realize that Borat uses the backdrop of his 'simpleton' nature to exagerate the short-comings of the cross-section of Americans that he meets and interacts with. It's like when you stick your shovel in the dirt of your garden and un-earth some interesting findings.

Low-brow? Yes. But that is what makes up the fabric of society - the everyday 'joe'. I couldnt help but snicker at the people he was interviewing and thinking: this is everyday America?

There is so much more I could write, but I dont want to over-analyze it. It was a good laugh that I needed. Very timely... 'nuf said.

Strombo

You have to read this article in Toronto Life Magazine about George Stroumboulopoulos. The only label I can think of for this guy is neurotic. But in a very endearing, stray-cat that only shows up at your house when it's hungry, sort-of-way. It needs to be fed, and your attention feeds it.

Could it be that he is longing for his father that left him when he was young? Like, "...watch this Dad!"

I wont say much more. This is just my initial impression. I feel like his pain is driving him. And if he just stays insanely busy, he will not have to think about his 'losses'.

I am still in the process of internalizing what I've read. It'll grow and I'll have more to say. The guy is a nut... I love it! It's vailed authenticy on steroids.

Enjoy the read. I did.

http://www.torontolife.com/features/rebel-rebel/?pageno=1

Politics Corrupt? Ya think?

Foreward - this writing is a response I wrote to an email my brother-in-law sent me about the recent discovery of corruption at Hydro One by the CEO - Tom Parkinson.

My response:

This stuff is just so typical. I personally have become quite desensatized to it, as a result. It certainly does not make what happened ok. Cuz it isnt. Corruption is always present wherever their is layer upon layer of beurocracy and crafty people to take advantage of the shadows of secrecy.

Unfortunately, if Tom Parkinson had a legal contract that guaranteed him that money in severance, then the government would have to spend even more money to fight him in court to avoid paying it. And there is no guarantee they would win or even collect. Sad, but true.

It was like the computer leasing scam with Tie Domi's brother - Dash Domi. The City of Toronto ended up paying a huge settlement to the leasing company, since fighting them in court would have cost even more money... and no guarantee of a win either. Sucks, but it happened.

Or what about the Chretien government's $250M advertising scam? I mean, how could Paul Martin or Jean Chretien get off the hook for that? But they did... and some small-time shmo got a slap on the wrist for that. At least they lost the election, which just shows that, at least, the taxpayer / voter wasnt about to let them off-the-hook... thankfully.

It's the element of human nature - greed, that is all-too-often abused on small and large scales every day in the public arena. In the private arena, it has become more difficult, especially for large companies since the exposure of Enron and Worldcom. But, the public sector is a shadowy world that is much more insulated and immune to investigation. It runs the show and we - the voters, give it the mandate to do so, and assume it holds our trust in high regard. They are virtually 'untouchable'.

I remember a few years ago a ward councillor went public (*sorry, cant remember his name) about the budget that he needed to run his office. He only needed $15K a year to run his office, whilst other councillors were spending between $45 and $60K a year to run their offices. Why? Well, he either rode his bike or took a bus to his office. Never expensed his meals, did not have a secretary or take limos, etc. But did those other councillors become accountable? Nope.

And we keep re-electing them.

In Ottawa, an MP only has to be elected once and sit for approximately 2 years and he / she automatically qualifies for a life pension. Ummm, I dont know about you, but I gotta work for many years and keep working to be eligible to collect my pension. Why do you think people want to get into public life - the perks. There are some politicians that are honest, genuine and hard-working, no doubt. But their are others that are not, and they take advantage, cuz the system allows them too... with very few checks and balances. So the chances of getting caught, especially if you are clever, are slim to none.

PS - My parents' neighbour worked for Hydro One for many years. Due to several rounds of layoffs, he was consisitenly working 70 to 80 hour work-weeks. Here's the kicker... he just got laid off recently. I'm sure his severence was not $3M.

But hey, we cant all be CEO's.

Too Attached

I felt like I was being graded by my my teacher. I was anxious. This wasnt just about my daughter, this was about me as a parent, and as a person.

Yesterday, I went to my first parent-teacher interview as a parent. I was really proud of what the teacher was telling me about my older daughter - Ourania. But, there was one thing she said that Ourania needed to work on. That was to be more sociable with other kids, and not just to get too attached to one person.

It seems that she was spending all of her time with one of the other girls in the class. Several weeks ago, we went to that girl's birthday party and Ourania became frustrated and sad because her friend was spending so much time with the other kids at the party. She felt betrayed.

I tried to explain to her that she wouldnt like it if she was allowed to spend time with other people, so why should she hold that expecation of this girl? And that there were lots of other kids to play with.

At first, I didnt realize the personal significance of this experience. But the interview with the teacher somehow triggered a feeling within me, that she could just as easily be talking about me. They say the apple doesnt fall very far from the tree, after all.

I have had many friends over the years. But, what has become clear is that I am not very good in groups. One-on-one, I feel really comfortable and thrive. But when I am in a group, I feel anxious and out-of-place. Where I really noticed it the most is at family functions for my in-laws.

There was always lots of chatter and lively conversations. I noticed that several of the people there were able to speak to the group, as though they were speaking to one person. However, I always felt scared to speak up. Instead, I would clam up or I would strike up a conversation with the person sitting next to me. I would try to pair off with that person in our own private conversation, so that I wouldnt have to address the group.

Where am I going with this? I dont know.

I am who I am. But on the other hand, I dont like the fact Ourania is doing it too. Having said that, it would be hypocritical of me to push it on her but not hold the same expecation of myself. And as a parent, I have come to appreciate that the best way to teach my kids is through leading by example.

The teacher set up a program of doing different activities and assigning Ourania with a different partner each week. Thereby encouraging her to develop relationships with new people, and not become so attached to one person.

Hmmm... wait a second. My Spidey-senses are tingling. I have nagging feeling deep inside that this would be a good idea for me, too.

Thing is, that I have no problem meeting new people. It's that I am not good at participating in groups.

Damn, this is complicated. But simple, really.

Full circle... is this really a problem? Or am I anxious for nothing? Do I hold Ourania to the same?

At least I am aware and conscious of it now. And like GI Joe used say, "knowing is half the battle."

Moon River

I just finished watching the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's, starring Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly and George Pepard as Paul Varjack.

I'm sad. Sad because I know that so much was possible, so much was attainable. It was there, for the taking. Holly says to Paul, dont ever attach yourself to a wildheart, because they'll just end up getting stronger and then run off into the woods, jumping to higher and higher trees. He wants to save her... he loves her because he wants to save her! Is that what you call love? He says that people need each other. He says that that's the only chance we get at true happiness.
What would you do if you were in Paul's place? What? I can tell you that I've been in his place. Pulling so goddammed hard at the woman I loved the most, tasting the chance for realizing the dream. Watching it all just slip through my fingers, like the tug-of-war rope that no matter how much you dig in your heels, no matter how much you pull with all your might... in the end, you've not got destiny on your side. You know you're going to lose... your fingers are aching and are going to fail. What's the use.

"No matter where you run to, you'll always just run into yourself", Paul says. True. True. But alas, only as true as I want to it be. The truth is I felt sorry for her. To this day, I still feel sorry for her. I feel obliged to help her every way I can. So you see no matter what I do, I'll always just run into myself. I'll keep running into myself as long as I keep perpetuating this pattern of wanting to save her.

I'm terrified I'll do the same for the next. I dont want a next, but I do want a next. Dammit, what am I going to do? Is the purpose of my life to just save? If it is, could that be so bad? I mean, wasnt Jesus' life dedicated to saving us? Am I supposed to serve my marriage like Jesus served the people, like Steve said? To be a lamb? To be sacrificed? Oh God, that doesnt sound very appealing. It's all so bloody confusing. There is an unrest in my soul, my very being, and I have not the wit to calm it. I have not the answers, but only more questions... more and more of them.

I've said that I can never trust her again, but the real problem is that I cant trust myself. And no matter where I run to, I'll just keep running into myself. I'm chicken. I'm chicken to stand up and fight. So it's just easier to run.

So for now, I run.

Take very good care, Kia... my Huckleberry friend. We were chasing rainbows together... to bad our ends of the rainbow took us in different directions. There's such a lot of world to see, indeed.

Album "Gasoline" by Artist - Theory of a Deadman

First off, this album is not recommended for anyone looking for positive and uplifting messages. If you are currently suffering from depression, I dont recommend listening to it. It might just push you over the edge. Then again, maybe you'll listen to the words and realize, "hey wait a minute, I'm not the only one feeling this way!"

It's absolutely ideal if you have experienced a relationship gone bad. You'd think they wrote the words just for you. Hmmm, I better check to see if my room is bugged.

http://www.theoryofadeadman.com/

Although I like all the songs on this album, my personal fave tracks on this are: Santa Monica, Better Off, Hello Lonely, Me & My Girl and Since You've Been Gone.

I'd like to thank "Sal" for recommending this album to me. I am totally obsessing it now.

Album "1X" by artist - Three Days Grace

This album is very dark. It allows you to feel comfortable with singing along to some pretty angry songs, which is very typical of this Canadian band.

My personal fave tracks are: Pain, Animal I Have Become, Never Too Late, Riot and Get Out Alive.

http://www.threedaysgrace.com/

Album "Wintersong" by artist - Sarah Mclachlan

Please take this review with a grain of salt. You have to remember that Sarah Mclachlan is my all-time favourite musical artist. As far as I am concerned, Sarah can do noooooooo wrong. I'm a teency-weency biased.

Having said that, I had to say that I was hesitant on buying this album. When an artist puts out a XMas album, I tend to think that they are on the down-side of their career with a next stop to a smoky loung in Vegas.

I'd like to thank "S" very, very much for buying this CD for me. You are far braver than I, my friend!!! I am ever so thankful that you did, cuz this album is GREAT!

I have listened it over and over and over and over and... you get the point. It just gets better every time I listen to it.

Sarah picks the darker, more introspective XMas songs for this particular album, and I am just fine with that. It goes back to her darker roots, not referring to her hair, of course.

If you are a Sarah fan like me, you will likely enjoy this album, too.

http://www.sarahmclachlan.com/

Excerpt from the novel - The Fountainhead, by Ayn Rand

I have been reading the classic novel by Ayn Rand, called The Fountainhead. The basic premise is that there are 2 young men who are architects - Peter Keating and Howard Roark. They both have very different outlooks on life and how it should be lived. They, along with the many other characters who orbit around them, add colour and insightful commentary on human nature and how this affects the condition of their own lives and, ultimately, that of mankind.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fountainhead

I find it to be a bit of a soap opera, BUT (and this is a big but), one that inspires or angers. It is a wonderful read and I have certainly come to identify with some of the characters for some of the wrong reasons. I also now aspire to emulate some of the qualities of the characters who maddened me.

I'd like to thank "L" for recommending this book to me. She told me that it changed her life, so as you could imagine, I had very little choice but to read it.

Here is the first of the excerpts I'd like to share with you...

"... If I found a job, a project, an idea or a person I wanted - I'd have to depend on the whole world. Everything has strings leading to everything else. We're all so tied together. We're all in a net, the net is waiting and we're all pushed into it by one single desire. You want a thing and it's precious to you. Do you know who is standing ready to tear it from your hands? You cant know, it maybe so involved and so far away, but someone is ready, and you're afraid of them all. And you cringe and you crawl and you beg and you accept them - just so they'll let you keep it. And look at whom you come to accept."

"I take the only desire one can really permit oneself. Freedom."

"To ask nothing. To expect nothing. To depend on nothing."

Stranger Than Fiction - movie review

Last night, I saw the movie - Stranger Than Fiction, starring Will Ferrell. It has a very good supporting cast, including Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman and Queen Latifah.

http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/strangerthanfiction/index.html

I wanted to write this review last night, but I have to tell you that this movie is challenging both intellectually and emotionally. I tried very much to pay attention to the nuances and subtle, albeit, deep messages, that it posed. It took me overnight to properly digest and reveal my feelings about it.

Just this process is enough for me to recommend this movie.

If you are thinking this will be a "slapstick comedy", because it stars Will Ferrell, it is most certainly not. It is quite the opposite, but it has incredibly subtle humour that makes you lightly laugh at the absurdity of it.

The premise is that the main character - IRS agent Harold Crick, hears his life being narrated inside his head. It concerns him, so he is referred to a literature professor at the local university - played by Dustin Hoffman. btw - the narrator inside his head is a fiction-writer, played by Emma Thompson. Along the way, he falls head-over-heals in love with a woman he is auditing.
It's a wonderfully puzzling entanglement that takes some time to fully appreciate.

What I took away from this was that we all have a "narrator" inside of us that is telling us what to do. Of course, we dont actually hear the narrator, but he / she is there guiding our daily, often mundane existence. I can certainly relate to this, and it inspires me to be more conscious of missing "living my life" because of blind, unconscious, familiar and safe routine.

For example, Harold is auditing a woman who owns a bakery. Though he is very attracted to her at first sight, his inner routine and embedded code of ethics keep him from telling her how really feels about her. Sensing this, she offers him some cookies she baked just for him, but he refuses, out of sense of duty to his job. But really, it is a blind following of his inner narrator. The point of this is that we so often get caught up in daily routines that are so deeply embedded within that we tragically miss the opportunities for happiness that are standing right in front of us.

There are so many other messages this movie gave me, but going into them all would be a bit impractical, and then not much left to surprise if you were planning on seeing it.

At the end of the movie, I felt at tear roll down one cheek. It touched me that much.

PS - I'd like to thank "V" for recommending this movie to me. You were right, it is a 9 out of 10.