Lately, both the big screen and small have been popular in my world. Here’s the latest on what I have been watching:
Side Effects
It is worth seeing this psychological thriller (check your local Redbox). Long after the film ends, you will find yourself pondering questions about who knew what when and how that knowledge or ignorance was used for gain by the individual and those around them. It’s practically a side effect. If you watch at night, be prepared to have strange dreams (another potential side effect). Continue reading Side Effects, Lone Ranger, & Weeds→
On Thursday night, I saw MOMIX: Botanica, and I was dazzled. If you wanted to pigeon-hole MOMIX, I think “modern dance” would be the title given, but this does not even begin to do justice to the visual sorcery of the performance. From the moment the curtain rises, the dancers bring you under their spell.
Creating illusions with their bodies and their dress, the boundaries of reality were extended. I was amazed at how simple costume alterations, a black line here or an all-brown body suit there, could metamorphose the human figure into another being. The entire production was a demonstration of our ability to seamlessly transfigure ourselves.
Light and dark become play things as your perception is bent this way and that. For instance, a deep red backlight with no front, side, or above lights transforms the dancers into black shapes without distinct features, or the trickery of a black light on reflective sleeves worn on the arms and legs opens new stretches of the imagination.
The dancers also make deliberate use of props, objects that are often lithe in design and motion while bold in statement.
Altogether, the show is captivating. I highly recommend seeing it if you have the chance.
My original weekend plan – a 10k race in Asheville and spending time with good friends – was rudely altered by foul weather. Rather than sulk under grey skies, I made the most of the time with some much needed R&R, including two movies: Winter’s Bone and Gangster Squad. Read on for my reviews:
Available on Netflix, Winter’s Bone starring Jennifer Lawrence, affectionately known as JLaw, hunts for her missing father in order to save her family. You may remember JLaw from Hunger Games and Silver Linings Playbook. The movie is excellent, dark and confrontational, about people whose lives are ruled by the decisions of others. You are also witness to the strength and love of a young person who has matured out of necessity and endures struggles most of us will never face. I was also struck by the similarity of the pretense of Winter’s Bone to Hunger Games: a young girl grown up too quickly, forced by tragedy to care for young sibling(s) and a “sick” mother, and willing to risk anything to protect her family. Watch this.
With surprising comedic moments, Gangster Squad proved better than I anticipated. However, there is not much new to report about a war between two tribes: the corrupt wealthy vs the loyal servicemen. We have all seen it, heard it, or read it before. In this particular installment, it does help that Ryan Gosling is easy on the eyes. I do wish that Robert Duvall had played the cowboy; I imagine him like he was in Lonesome Dove. There are other movies up for Oscars that I would recommend first, but if you are looking to be entertained, this will certainly do the trick.
