The Rules of the Game (1939) was made by French director Jean Renoir about a decadent weekend at a wealthy estate. A sharp satire of society, the movie takes a bemused look at the French idle rich and the people who work for them. All of the characters scheme and lie to pursue their hearts desire but all must obey the rules of society and propriety. Most of the movie flies by at a rapid pace to allow the viewer to vicariously enjoy their pithy vapid existence. But the movie builds up to a sobering conclusion that places an exclamation point on its meaning: no matter what anyone wants all have to play their prescribed part in society.
Hoop Dreams (1994) is a documentary that follows the lives of two inner city kids who aspire to be NBA players. Dreams follows two incredibly talented young teens as they deal with peer pressure, poverty, drugs, teen pregnancy, talent scouts and career threatening injuries. It was educational to watch these players lives, being scouted and negotiating with junior high and high schools just like in college or pro basketball. All of the hopes of the person and his family rides entirely on his ability to win basketball games. Meanwhile, the surrounding elements of their lives cave in around them. In the movie's most memorable sequence, a boy shows off his basketball skills while his father buys drugs on the same playground before his eyes. Hoop Dreams starts off slow but is a moving film about the pressure placed on both young atheletes and American families living in poverty.
V for Vendetta (2006) is a futuristic sci fi film about a masked terrorist taking on a totalitarian British government. V revels in its pulpy comic beginnings with it's zippy camera work, dark atmosphere and outsider's viewpoint. The film is effective as a thrill ride and cautionary tale, yet it all seemed storyboarded to death. Even with all it's anarchic rage and Nazi zealot symbolism, V for Vendetta comes off as...safe. It tries hard to point out how the modern wave of conservatism can be transformed into state sponsored bigotry. Despite this, V for Vendetta was unrelatable to me-a movie that entertains but exists in a vacuum of it's own construction.
Another American Idol followup, Chris Sligh finally was given the boot after a few weeks of poor performances (his "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" was anything but magic). He was ejected a little later than I predicted, but not that much farther. I thought Haley Scarnato would be let go while watching the show, but I guess bringing Sexy back (She butchered "True Colors" but wore an tight dress with a bare cutout in the back) trumps Chubby back these days. Faux rocker Gina Glocksen gave the strongest performance with her version of The Pretender's "I'll Stand By You". Guest coach / performer Gwen Stefani gave useful tips abouit staying on the beat and gained some much needed pr for her recent CD. And the Malakar Express continues to roll on, rooster head mohawk and all.
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