Not only is Thanksgiving one of the biggest travel weekends of the year, it’s also one of the biggest retail weekends.  You can’t turn on the radio or TV, or open a newspaper without hearing about sales, deals and doorbusters.  How can a visitor connect with the shopping options in North Dakota?  The best way is through the convention and visitor bureaus (CVBs) in major cities.  North Dakota Tourism links to all CVBs and Chambers on the official travel website, but to make it one-click easier – here are the major cities.  Don’t forget to check out travel specials and packages!

• Bismarck-Mandan
• Dickinson
• Fargo
• Grand Forks
• Jamestown
• Minot
• Williston

North Dakota Tourism is in the news today locally, nationally and internationally.  It all stems from a press conference held in Fargo yesterday, announcing that North Dakota tourism growth is outpacing the nation.  While visitation has been falling to many destinations in the U.S., in North Dakota we had an increase of visitors in 2008 led by our Canadian brothers and sisters who took advantage of great city experiences and shopping while our currency was at par.  Domestic visitors also sought out North Dakota for outdoors experiences, special events, touring and business trips.  We’ve heard from numerous visitors who’ve fallen in love with North Dakota’s hospitality, with unexpected scenery, and with the great value found in a vacation here.  Visitors find all these and more in North Dakota.  We have the tools – and personal travel counseling – to make your trip planning a breeze.  Make your plans to visit North Dakota.

AAA ranks North Dakota the most affordable state vacation destination and Cambridge University reported North Dakota as the friendliest state.

Ah, a new post.  And I love the big blue “Publish” button on the right hand side of my screen.  To think!  All the real paper, and ink, and candlelight, and blood, sweat and tears it used to require to publish something.  Thanks to the internet, we can all be published, and published immediately, for better or for worse.

Though I usually love writing, I often struggle with writing at work.  Partly that’s because copywriting is a totally different kind of animal.  There’s no room for stream-of-consciousness, diary-style, emotional downpour in the world of words for money.  You have to sell benefits (NOT features!), be succinct, grab attention, connect with YOU the reader, be witty.  There are rules.  So when I’m not feeling in the zone, copywriting is not all that fun (forget that I had a copywriting business for a few years… lol  but writer’s block falls on the just and unjust alike.)

The other difficult thing about writing at work is just the committee factor.  Granted, I hate having to write something that will go out to the masses without anyone offering me any feedback or even a simple proofread.  But on the other hand, there’s nothing more maddening than 3, 4, 5, 6 or more people continually sending you their edits on a piece.  This happens often at my job.  One is tempted to slap oneself silly when such a process not only happens, but sprawls out across email after email (and they use 4 colors!  Red for deletions, blue for additions, orange… see?  Can’t remember.  I am pretty sure this is why change tracking was developed by the fine folks at Microsoft.)

I also find it funny when people argue with you over something subjective.  Do I just nod my head and agree, or do I fight for my word choice?  I try to go the “I disagree, but no matter…” route as much as possible.  These type of things just aren’t worth fighting over.  I just find it amazing that people feel something subjective can be treated as objective.

Anyway, I’m just a person who loves her job but today is a little frustrated by some of the minutiae that make up a day of work… and I’m not even getting into the REAL details! : )

It is probably because it’s day one of a two-day work week… day two being Tuesday.  And days three through seven being Thanksgiving week vacation time!  My brother and sister-in-law are driving down from Minnesota (they literally live on the river in Fargo, ND, but they live in Minnesota).  (Ooh, I think you need a picture for that.  There you go.  Although I don’t know why the two cities look so far away in the map — they are just one city really.)

Anyway, so all I can think of doing right now is cooking, baking, watching our two dogs play together (cousin dogs!), seeing family, going for walks, sitting near the fireplace, watching the Macy’s parade, watching movies, drinking Miller Lite (heh), playing pool, watching Tom and Michael work on some household projects, uhh… that about sums it up.  Oh, and maybe going down to the Plaza for the big Christmas lighting!  Hopefully no shopping though.  I don’t want to be in a store on Black Friday.

Well this has been cathartic… I’ve realized that my writing/work frustrations, at least on this day, are nothing more than a girl who is longing for a family holiday. lol  See, stream-of-conscious writing is useful after all (but not for selling products!).

May you, whoever and wherever you are, having a happy Thanksgiving.  I am coming to think of Thanksgiving as a holiday that is just as spiritual as Christmas and Hanukkah (if not more… since the retail establishment has yet to totally ransack the fourth Thursday in November.  They can have the fourth Friday — bah humbug).  The starting point for all spirituality, from my humble point of view, is realizing that everything we have is a gift… and basking in that gratitude.  If we can celebrate rather than expect things in life, well then even the most simple thing is a cause for real joy.

(Also, who doesn’t like a holiday that has to do with pilgrims, Indians and the early colonial era? : )

A Serious Man, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, 2009

shrink-wrap for the soul

HOOK: Is the cat in the house, dead or alive?

 LINE:  “Even though you can’t ever figure anything out, you will be responsible for it on the midterm.”

 SINKER: How can someone ‘who hasn’t done anything’ be blamed for everything? A Book of Job treat with a razor hidden in it. 

JOHN: As our friend Bob (at Coffeespew) points out the new suburbs of the fifties and sixties are old territory for authors like John Updike. So why do the Coen brothers revisit them (other than the fact that this is where they grew up in one around Minneapolis)? I think there’s a broader question concerned with the difference between comedy and drama—a line they’ve crossed with mixed results in the past. In drama we in the audience want to identify with the protagonist, feel that what is happening to him is happening to us. We are curious and relieved (even if things turn out badly, “It is only a movie.”). Comedy requires more distance. We recognize the situations but want to laugh at the characters, not ourselves. Whether or not the Coens relate to the Larry Gopnik character (superbly played by newcomer Michael Stuhlbarg in a career launching performance), we don’t, even if the fact that this involves his Jewishness makes it a bit of an uncomfortable laugh. The genius of this film is that it doesn’t stay in the mid sixties. The last moments, like impending doom, roll out at us today. I found the movie funny, at times stereotyped and slow, but ultimately a masterpiece that leaves you gasping.

GO GO GO GO (4 GOs out of four) 

SPANKY: The fact that you have to do all this rationalizing, John, seems to me to indicate that the film isn’t making it on its own terms (like Fargo). We can debate great films, like those of Bergman and Fellini, all night, but whether or not we do they stand as great films. This one has some magical moments: the sequence with the young rabbi, the tale of the message on the teeth of the Jewish dentist’s client, Sly Abelman—beautifully played by Fred Melamed—even the dark, sub-titled prologue. And I agree, the shift of vantage point from the father to his son toward the end gives the conclusion knock-out power. But it also seems to me the movie has to work a little harder than it should have to. And we in the audience do too. Plus the two-dimensional, hair-washing daughter, the Jewish lawyers, the Nazi-like neighbors and the desperate housewife next door…com’on. This may be much better than their other recent movies, but the Coen boys are still a long way from home.

BARK, BARK (2 BARKs out of four)

Michael Stuhlbarg, Fred Melamed, Richard Kind, Aaron Wolf, Sari Wagner, Jessica McManus, Joel Coen, Ethan Coen,  Sari Lennick , A Serious Man, Fargo, Comedy, Drama, Coen Brothers, No Country For Old Men, Man Who Wasn’t There, Woody Allen

I was surprised this morning to see an article in the Fargo Forum, for about an effort to bring a Trader Joe’s to Fargo! I have already submitted about 20 requests and plan to keep on doing it through out the day. I’ve noticed the response that you get back is taking even longer to get back to you. That must mean their inbox is flooded with requests. Well, Fargo. I hope this works. I think it would do good here and get a lot of business!

Online Effort seeks to bring Trader Joe’s to Fargo!

Every time I talk about top 10 lists,  I always start with the  disclaimer that I know  how pointless they are.

And then I ask myself:  OK, if they are  so pointless, why do I have so much fun reading them and doing  them and sharing them?

No good answer, In fact, making lists is far from the only pointless thing I do.

Today, I am adding some new films and slightly changing the order.   It is not a 10 best list.  It is a list of my ten favorites. A  list of 10 best films  would be beyond nervy given how many films have a legitimate claim to inclusion.

But it seems perfectly fair to make a list of ten favorites since they are, in fact,  only my favorites.

My favorites have stayed the same for over a year.  But for the last few months I have been mulling over “No Country for Old Men”  and “The Lives of Others.” (Now I can really hear you saying: This guy need a life! Who has time to mull anything over?)

Seriously, I want to make some changes to my list.  But according to ground rules that some friends of mine and I set up many years ago in a UCLA dorm room, I have to remove one film for each one I add.  I posted my last 10 favorite about a year ago. Here is my new one along with a list of contenders.

Comments welcome. Lists welcome. Ridicule welcome.

My Ten Favorite Films as of November 15, 2009

1. Dekalog

2. Godfather 1/Godfather 2

3.  Salesman

4. The Lives of Others

5. Amarcord

6.  Goodfellas

7  No Country for Old Men

8  Fargo

9. Rear Window

10 Night and Fog

__________________________________

Other Contenders (not in order)

Midnight Cowboy

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Au Revoir les Enfants

Shop on Main Street  (1965)

It’s a Wonderful Life

Jeux interdits

Come and See

Smile

Atlantic City

Three Kings

Das Boot

The General

Paris, Texas

Shoah

Invaders from Mars

Strangers on a Train

The Graduate

The French Connection

Double Indemnity

Les Enfants du Paradis

Les Diaboliques

Psycho

Le Salaire de la peur

Sunset Boulevard

The Exiles

The Last Laugh

Hotel Terminus

Happiness

The Third Man

M

The Marriage of Maria Braun

Recently I was able to head up to North Dakota to do interviews with a variety of people in the town. This video was just used in the announcement for the Microsoft Hohm partnership with Excel Energy.

Big Lebowski, The (1998)
★★★ / ★★★★

I usually don’t like screwball comedies because the characters are stupid without any sort of redeeming qualities, the jokes are rude and sometimes mean-spirited, the story has no idea where to go, and I quickly get bored watching them because they fail to get me to think. Strangely enough, I enjoyed “The Big Lebowski,” written and directed by the Coen brothers, because of such qualities except for the fact that it is far from mean-spirited. Jeff Bridges stars as The Dude, whose real name was Jeffrey Lebowski, a guy who was mistaken by two miscreants as the millionaire Lebowski. Since the two didn’t get what they wanted from The Dude, one of them decided to pee on his carpet. What started off as a story about a slacker who wanted compensation for his carpet ended up being about a lot of things: a kidnapped woman (Tara Reid), an artist who had intentions of her own (Julianne Moore), nihilists who craved money, and the dynamics among bowling buddies (Steve Buscemi and John Goodman). All of such disparate elements came to together in a way that didn’t necessarily make sense–in fact, sometimes I had no idea what was going on–but it was very funny because each character was driven by well-defined motivations (no matter how strange they might have been). I did not expect this kind of movie from the Coen brothers because I’m more familiar with their thrillers (“No Country for Old Men,” “Blood Simple”) and dark comedies (“Intolerable Cruelty,” “Fargo”), but after watching the film I was glad that I got a taste of their lighter side. The only real complaint I had with this picture was it had no reason to run for almost two hours long. Somewhere after the half-way point, I began to wonder when it was going to be over because at that point it still did not try to put the pieces of the puzzle together. The characters were still too busy running around like children and it made me restless. Nevertheless, despite its flaws, I still enjoyed watching this movie because of the characters’ funny fixations and interesting mistaken identities. And considering I detest stoner comedies, I think it’s a solid accomplishment.

I’m finally allowing myself to admit there may be diminishing returns with every subsequent Coen brothers movie I view. It’s the formula that gets to me. For all their mastery of every aspect of the art of film – from script to soundtrack to direction to cinematography to editing – the plot of nearly every Coen brothers movie can be reduced to the single phrase: “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.”

That said, I still laughed my ass off at Burn After Reading.

On a continuum of their films, with No Country representing the darkest extreme and Big Lebowski representing the lightest, and Fargo at dead center, I’d place it about midway between Fargo and Lebowski.

Brad Pitt, as always, is an unfortunate distraction in the proceedings. You know what it’s like: you’re trying to get into a movie but can’t get past the fact that Brad Pitt is there being Brad Pitt, all ham and fist, blocking you from actually connecting with the story.

And George Clooney. How many times is he going to play a fast-talking shifty womanizer for the Coen bros? I actually enjoyed it in Oh Brother, but it’s become a pretty thin schtick.

The others are top-notch, however. The Coens always seem to elicit the best from their crew. I thought Richard Jenkins in particular as the tragicomic gym manager with a somewhat unusual past played his role with superb understatement.

We are back from our quick trip to Fargo.  We did eat at Taco John’s and it was all that we had hoped.  We did swim in the deep end of the pool (or I did) and paddling without your feet hitting the bottom was exactly what the doctor ordered.  The big highlight of our weekend was honestly seeing the people of Fargo Moorhead come out and support roller derby in a way I haven’t really seen before.

Last night marked the inaugural bout of the FM Derby Girls.  They played skaters from Winnipeg Roller Derby League.  The match up started out with a fairly close score but after the half things changed.  Don’t quote me but I think that the final totals were 101 FMDG and 58 WRD.  These leagues were both skating in their first real bout and it was absolutely amazing.  Let me tell you why.

I’ve seen beginner derby up close and very personal.  Fresh skaters can often be as awkward as young colts walking for the first time.  The reason for this is that you haven’t strapped on roller skates in a decade or two and now you are decidedly taller, making the fall to the ground that much more frightening.  I’m not trying to poke fun because my skating remains just as bad today as it did when I began my derby dealings five years ago.  What I’d like to point out is that these skaters didn’t look all that much like beginners.  Their fans were even more advanced.

The fans understood that there was a jammer who scored points and they figured out that lead jammer was a great thing to be.  They cheered on their team with such enthusiasm that it was really exciting to be a part of it all.  Of course, I was stoked just to be on the same stage that Gordon Lightfoot occupied about a month ago.  Announcing such an amazing bout was really a royal bonus.

Now I will say that the skaters weren’t as fast as the leagues I saw competing in North Central Regionals – aka The Brawl of America – in September.  That’s too be expected.  As time goes on and these skaters meet other teams the speed will come.  I’m just glad to see the skills that are already built in.

And holy moly, did that crowd every love roller derby.  These Great Plain-sers were new to the sport but they had pompoms and signs to wave.  They hollered and clapped.  When there was a grand slam you could hardly hear us announce it due to the noise in the stands.  My only suggestion to the FM Derby Girls in regards to their fans is get them another bout NOW.  I kid you not.  These people have a fever for more derby and currently the next bout is scheduled for January 30th… in Winnipeg.  That long a wait might dim the memory of this night in people’s minds.  Yes, they had a sold out house and had to turn people away (!) but come spring they might forget what all the fuss is all about.

These ladies also knew how to throw an after party.  They were gracious hosts and the defeated Winnipeg skaters made me wish (once again) that I was Canadian.  The Mister and my long lost friend got to see drunken derby girls up close and personal.  We loved it.

Best of luck FM Derby Girls.  Thanks for allowing me to help you roll out your new league.  And to my co-announcers Julia Childless and John Maddening, it was a pleasure.  I’m pretty sure I told you that eight or nine times last night in between karaoke and the electric slide.  Just thought I’d reiterate.

And now to recuperate from an afternoon on I-94.  Happy Sunday everyone!

What can the Coen Brothers not do?

In a jealous rage, Texas tavern owner Julian Marty (Dan Hedaya) hires unscrupulous private detective Loren Visser (M. Emmett Walsh) to not only tail Marty’s two-timing spouse(Frances McDormand, in her big-screen debut) but also murder her and her paramour (John Getz). But events take a surprising turn when the gumshoe double-crosses his client.

This is the directorial debut of the Coen Brothers, and I have got to say this is some of their best work I have ever seen. Put this up against Fargo, Big Lebowski, and Barton Fink, they are nothing compared to this film.

Let’s just say if you want a stylized film neo-noir you have one right here. The cinematography from Barry Sonenfield. There are just scenes where they just have one image throughout a whole scene, and then there is one scene where it literally jumps over a guy laying his head down at a bar. The camera feels like another person itself, and you are that person as the story goes on.

Though this is big in this film, the Coen Brothers never really let that get in the way of their great story they have here of double-crossing, and then double-double-crossing, and who’s really dead and who’s actually alive.

I liked how everything that happened, happened for a reason and went with the story. The scenes weren’t put in just to be funny or more bloody but put in to add to this amazing story.

The screenplay is what is really rich, and becomes so realistic by the end of the film, I’m wondering if this was based on a true story. There are elements of irony, black comedy, and dark words in the screenplay, and all of the touches really felt genuine and not just put on to change to mood a little bit.

The acting from M. Emmett Walsh is really magnificent. He plays this character that we don’t know if we should hate or like because though he is a hit man, and a low-life. He still has that little charm that makes this film reasonably funny. John Hedaya, is very good in this film as well, and I just wish there were more scenes with him the main power point of it.

There was only one problem that I didn’t like about the film and it was that the ending really did have me confused. When it ends you know there’s a point that the film is trying to make but it really didn’t come across me too well.

Consensus: The Coen Brother’s debut is slick, rich, and most of all creatively told, and features some of the best material from them I have ever seen.

9.5/10=Full Pricee!!!

Say it with me "velvet smoking jacket"

This Saturday I’m announcing at the first FM Derby Girls bout in Fargo, NoDak.  In fact, we’ll be staying in the very same hotel and the bout is at the very same place as the Gordon Lightfoot concert in September.  I’m looking forward to swimming in the pool that actually has a deep end.  Last time we were there I was still recovering from food poisoning.  I barely had the energy to sit up and listen to the radio, forget doggy paddling.  The Mister is looking forward to eating at Taco John’s.  He rediscovered this fine eatery when we were in Fargo last and is not a little sad that we have Taco Bells here in Minneapolis.

More important than the pool and even the tacos is seeing my old friend.  When we were in high school we were in a play called You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.  I was Lucy and he was Charlie.  We became good friends during this play.  Such good friends that during my senior year I asked him to my prom.  Not realizing our error, we went to Taco Bell for dinner before the dance.  Had I known that Taco John’s superiority I might have fought the good fight and enjoyed some potato oles in my finery.

My friend visited me when I was a freshman in college and he was managing another year of high school.  That was the last time that I saw him.  That was 1997.  (Maybe Taco Bell was better back then?)  That’s a long time to go without seeing someone you genuinely like.  Though I’ve said far too many times that Facebook is quite evil, I’m thankful that my friend and I were able to use it to stalk each other and now we can meet up and enjoy the wonder of roller derby.

And perhaps more tacos.

A Rasmussen College graduate, Nick Wheeler, was profiled in an article in the Worthington Daily Globe.

Wheeler began his company, Wheeler Bread, after taking business classes at Rasmussen College. Wheeler is now a local celebrity in his hometown of Worthington, Minn. He now sells his creations in three locations around the Worthington area.

Fraud In Other Movies

Stop by your local video store, grab a bucket of popcorn and study these films about fraud and fraud deterrence. Get the books at your local library or bookseller to discover even more details about the fraudsters and investigators.

Movies – New Listings Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room The Prime Gig The Inspector General Scroll down for the movie and book summaries, and more alphabetical listings

1. Catch Me If You Can (Film released 2002, VHS 2003, DVD 2003)Based on the bestselling book, this is the autobiographical story of Frank Abagnale Jr. Pursued by the FBI, Abagnale spent four years of his life impersonating an airline pilot, doctor, and attorney – all before he was 21. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Martin Sheen, Christopher Walken, James Brolin, and Jennifer Garner. Frank W. Abagnale Jr. appears in the movie as a French policeman. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Studio: Dreamworks Book: New York Times bestseller. “Catch Me If You Can: The Amazing Story of the Youngest and Most Daring Con Man in the History of Fun and Profit” by Frank W. Abagnale. Hardback, 1980. Hardback, publisher Mainstream, 2001. Paperback, publisher Broadway, 2000. Audio cassette, Audio CD, and e-book also available. 2. Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (Film April 2005, DVD January 2006)) An excellent documentary about the fraudulent, fast growth of Houston-based Enron Corporation into the seventh largest US company and its rapid destruction. It was worshiped by investors and feared by rivals. The leaders were lauded as visionaries. Major banks, brokerage firms, politicians, and auditors at Arthur Anderson were caught up in the frenzy. It seems like an entertaining fairytale, but it changes into a catastrophic shocker as more facts are revealed. The movie includes videos from the energy company’s meetings and television coverage, arrogant phone conversations, internal memos, and document shredding. Oddly-named schemes like “Mark-to-Market,” “Raptor,” “Death Star Transactions,” “Ricochet Purchasing,” “Get Shorty,” and “Rolling Blackouts” are explained. The movie shows how greedy executives like Kenneth Lay, Jeff Skilling, Andrew Fastow, and Lou Pai were involved in the schemes. The executives reaped millions of dollars in compensation and left the employees,  pensions , and the State of California in a financial crisis. Obviously, Enron did not follow one of its own mottos – “Ask Why.” The film includes interviews with whistleblower Sherron Watkins and the authors of the book. Directed by Alex Gibney Studio: HDNet Films/Magnolia Pictures The movie is based on the best-selling book “The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron.” It was written by Bethany McLean and Peter Elkind, senior writers for Fortune magazine. McLean also wrote “Is Enron Overpriced?” for the March 2001 issue. Hardcover, 2003, Penguin Group (USA). Paperback, 2004, Portfolio.

3. The Prime Gig(Film 2000, VHS 2002, DVD 2002) Pendleton “Penny” Wise is a gifted telemarketer who can sell almost anything over the phone. He works for a small-time operator who goes bust and doesn’t pay Penny his sales commissions. Broke and out of a job, Penny is approached by Caitlin Carlson, who is recruiting telephone salesmen for Kelly Grant. Grant is a legend in the telemarketing industry, but not always for positive reasons; one of his previous operations landed him in jail, and Penny isn’t sure if Grant’s latest scheme — selling shares in a gold mine — is on the level. Greed, distrust, and betrayal are at the core of this drama of high-pressure boiler room operations. Starring Vince Vaughn, Julia Ormond, Ed Harris,  George Wendt, and Wallace Shawn. Directed by Gregory Mosher. Studio: New Line Home Video

4. The Inspector General(Film released 1949, VHS 2004, DVD 2004) An illiterate stooge is fired from a traveling gypsy medicine show. He wanders into a Russian village begging for food and is picked up on a vagrancy charge. The villagers and corrupt officials mistake him for the inspector general, they think is traveling in disguise. Fearing he will discover they’ve been pocketing tax money, they make several bungled attempts to bribe and kill him. He falls in love with the only honest person in the village. This is a hilarious view of loyalty, deception, mistaken identity, and friendship. The film was also released under the title “Happy Times.” It is included in several boxed sets of comedy classics. Starring Danny Kaye, Walter Slezak, Barbara Bates, Elsa Lanchester, Alan Hale, Alan Hale Jr., Gene Lockhart, and John Carradine. Music by Johnny Mercer and Sylvia Fine Directed by Henry Koster. Studio: Warner Brothers   The film was based on the Russian masterpiece “The Government Inspector” by Nikolai Gogol (1809 – 1852). When the satirical play was first performed in 1836, Gogol was driven into exile. Student edition, paperback, 2003, Methuen Publishing. The Government Inspector has been translated 17 times by other publishers. A new paperback will be available in April 2006.

Movies – Alphabetical Boiler Room Catch Me If You Can Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Eight Men Out The Emperor’s New Clothes Fargo The Flim-Flam Man The Freshman The Grifters Matchstick Men The Music Man Quiz Show The Scam (Afera) Shattered Glass Six Degrees of Separation The Sting The Sting II Traveller Waking Ned Devine The Yards Scroll down for the movie and book summaries.

5. Boiler Room (Film released 2001, VHS 2002, DVD 2002) In this morality tale, a college dropout abandons his illicit casino to please his father who is a judge. He joins a low-end stock brokerage firm which turns out to be a bigger scam. High-pressure salesmanship is used to bilk families out of their life savings. Starring Ben Affleck, Giovanni Ribisi, Nia Long and Vin Diesel. Directed by Ben Younger. Studio: New Line Studios

6. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Film released 1988, VHS 2002, DVD 2003) Two international con artists cross paths as they ply their trade on gullible wealthy women up and down the Riviera. Freddy Benson (Steve Martin) is a loud crass American. His competitor, Laurence Jameson (Michael Caine), is a suave European. The two are forced into a rivalry which results in a wager to see who can be the first to bilk an American heiress out of $50,000. The winner gets to stay in the area to continue his schemes and the loser has to leave. Is there honor among thieves? Starring Steve Martin, Michael Caine, and Glenne Headly. Directed by Frank Oz Studio: MGM/United Artists This hilarious comedy is a remake of the film farce “Bedtime Story” starring Marlon Brando, David Niven, and Shirley Jones  (Film released 1963, VHS 1994). A musical adaptation of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” premiered in 2004 at the Old Globe Theater in San Diego. It moved to Broadway in March 2005 and stars John Lithgow, Norbert Leo Butz, and Joanna Gleason.

7. The Emperor’s New Clothes (Film 1987, VHS 1993) A funny satirical tale by Hans Christian Anderson about vanity, incompetence, corruption, and lies. It interweaves schemes by the Emperor’s court and tailors to deceive him. Two swindlers persuade the emperor that their magical cloth can’t be seen by any person who is foolish or incompetent. Only one young lad dares to tell him the truth. Starring Sid Caesar, Clive Revill, and Robert Morse. Original music by Sid Caesar. Directed by David Irving. Studio: MGM/United Artists   8. Eight Men Out (Film released 1988, VHS 1999, DVD 2001) Based on the 1977 book, “Eight Men Out: The Black Sox and the 1919 World Series” by Eliot Asinof. A historical portrayal of bickering baseball team owners, famous crooks, lowlife gangsters, and the low-paid baseball players of the Chicago White Sox. It details the conspiracies, payoffs, scandals and trial of the team that won the pennant and intentionally lost the World Series. Starring D. B. Sweeney, John Mahoney, Charlie Sheen, John Cusack, Studs Terkel, and Christopher Lloyd Directed by John Sayles. Studio: MGM/United Artists Book: “Eight Men Out: The Black Sox and the 1919 World Series” by Eliot Asinof. Hardcover, publisher Henry Holt, 1977. Paperback, publisher Henry Holt, 2000. Audio download also available.

9. Fargo Film release 1996, VHS 2003, DVD 2003) A dark, funny thriller about a rural  Minnesota car salesman who scams General Motors and he’s about to get caught. In desperation, he orchestrates the kidnapping of his own wife for ransom and things go horribly awry. A very pregnant sheriff runs across the scheme while trying to solve multiple murders in the middle of a snowy winter. Starring Frances McDormand (who won the Academy Award with this performance), William H. Macy, Harve Presnell, Jose Feliciano, and Steve Buscemi. Directed by Ethan Coen and Joel Coen Studio: MGM/UA Video Awards: Academy Award for Best Screenplay

10. The Flim-Flam Man (Film released 1967, VHS 1997) A comedy-drama about Mordecai Jones with his quicksilver tongue, the hands of a grifter, and a heart full of pure larceny. It follows the scams of Jones and his apprentice Curley Treadaway on their train-hopping travels in North Carolina. Starring George C. Scott, Harry Morgan, Jack Albertson, Alice Ghostley, and Slim Pickens Directed by Irvin Kershner Studio: 20th Century Fox   Book: “Ballad of the Flim-Flam Man” by Guy Owen. Hardcover, publisher AMS Press, 1965. Paperback, publisher Coastal Carolina Press, 2000.

11. The Freshman (Film released 1990, VHS 1991, DVD 1998 and 2002) Carmine Sabatini is a powerful New York importer, who bears a funny resemblance to Don Corleone in “The Godfather.” Clark Kellogg is a naive film student who is short on cash and accepts a job working for Sabatini. His misadventures involve lost luggage, the boss’s beautiful daughter, contraband, and an organized crime family. As if he is trapped in a comic nightmare, Clark finds himself drawn deeper and deeper into an ingenious scam involving an endangered Komodo Dragon and an illegal gourmet club.  When the FBI asks Clark to snitch on his colorful employer, he discovers a strange loyalty to this wry and wise fatherly figure. Starring Matthew Broderick, Marlon Brando, Bruno Kirby, Penelope Anne Miller, and Bert Parks. Directed by Andrew Bergman. Studio: Columbia Tristar

12. The Grifters (Film released 1991, VHS 2002, DVD 2002) Based on the novel by Jim Thompson. The story of a mother, her son, and his girlfriend who are con artists caught in a world of ropers, suckers, grifters, and squares at the race tracks, bars, and the streets in between. Starring John Cusack, Anjelica Huston, Annette Benning, Sandy Baron, Pat Hingle, Jeremy Piven, J. T. Walsh, and Martin Scorsese Directed by Stephen Frears Studio: Miramax   Book: “The Grifters” by Jim Thompson. Paperback, publisher Vintage, 1990. Audio cassette also available.

13. Matchstick Men (Film released 2003, VHS 2004, DVD 2004) There is no honor among thieves – or is there? This is a dramatic comedy that centers on Roy, a divorcee whose career as a master con artist or matchstick man is complicated by his ongoing struggle with obsessive compulsive disorder with various quirks and rituals and his distrust of banks. He and his partner swindle elderly people out of money by posing as telephone marketers who promise trucks, package vacations, and other fabulous prizes which they never get. For a quick buck, they follow up with schemes using money couriers, overhyped water filteration systems, rescams and mutilated lottery tickets. His wily partner Frank has criminal ambitions that are greater than Roy suspects. They are on the verge of a lucrative swindle involving money laundering and a Jamaican switch when a punky 14-year-old girl arrives claiming to be the daughter Roy has never known. It turns out that she has a knack for dad’s profession. Starring Nicholas Cage, Sam Rockwell, and Alison Lohman, and Bruce Altman. Directed by Ridley Scott Studio: Warner Home Video   Book: “Matchstick Men” by Eric Garcia. Hardback, 2002, Random House. Audio book, 2003, read by Stanley Tucci, HarperCollins Publishers.

14. The Music Man (Film released 1962, VHS 1998 and 2000, DVD 1999 and 2004) This musical is based on Meredith Wilson’s 1957 Broadway hit. A fast-talking traveling salesman, Professor Harold Hill, goes from town to town selling citizens on starting a boys band. He extracts money from them to order instruments and uniforms, with the promise that he will reduce crime and teach the kids to be musicians. After collecting his bankroll, he usually skips town. Marian the librarian in River City considers him a fraud when he promotes The Think System of learning music. This is a masterpiece of con games, romance, and fun. Starring Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Paul Ford, Hermione Gingold, Pert Kelton, Mary Wickes, and Ron Howard. Directed by Morton Da Costa. Studio: Warner Home Video Awards: Academy Award for best adapted screenplay. Golden Globe Award for Best Picture – Musical.

15. Quiz Show (Film released 1994, VHS 1998, DVD 1999) An entertaining thriller based on true stories of the 1950s game show scandals, when TV shows were rigged to attract higher ratings and lucrative sponsorships. The story focuses on the Congressional investigation of the quiz show “Twenty-One.” Popular contestant Charles Van Doren agrees to win by using answers supplied by the show’s producers. They even coached him on his facial expressions, so that he appeared to be struggling with difficult questions. The reigning champion Herb Stempel is unfairly beaten and blows the whistle on the scam to deceive the players and the TV viewers. Starring John Turturro, Ralph Feines, Rob Morrow, Paul Scofield, Hank Azaria, Mira Sorvino, Martin Scorsese, Calista Flockhart, Ethan Hawke, and Barry Levinson. Directed by Robert Redford Studio: Hollywood Pictures Awards: Oscar nominations for Best Picture and Best Director. Golden Globe nomination for Best Director.

16. The Scam (Afera) (Film released 2001, VHS 1993, DVD 2004) Successful businessman and former physicist Andrei Davydov plots an unprecedented scam aimed at causing the downfall of the world’s financial markets. He has no doubts that he will succeed, but speculating on an ecological catastrophe is a dangerous gamble. Especially when love interferes with his carefully thought out scheme of operation. Starring Mariya Globkina, Alexander Lazarev, Jr., Emmanuil Vitorgan, and Vladimir Siminov. Directed by Yevgeny Lavrentyev Studio: Image Entertainment / Alchemy-Film Russian with subtitles in Russian, English, French, Spanish, and German.

17. Shattered Glass (Film released 2003, VHS 2004, DVD 2004)This drama is the true story of a fallen journalist and pathological liar Stephen Glass. It demonstrates how Glass could single-handedly betray the trust of vigilant editors, writers, fact-checkers, and copy editors. He falsified 27 praised articles for The New Republic, a weekly political magazine in the late 1990s. Glass gets caught when a writer for the online Forbes magazine tries to research the sources in the articles and no one can trace them. The revelations of fraud had a profound effect on the ethics and operations of the publishing business. The disclosures were as shocking as those about Janet Cooke at the Washington Post and Jayson Blair at the New York Times. Starring Hayden Christensen, Peter Sarsgaard, and Hank Azaria. Directed by Billy Ray. Studio: Lions Gate Home Entertainment   Book: “The Fabulist” is a novel by Stephan Glass. Hardback, Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group, 2003.

18. Six Degrees of Separation (Film released 1993, VHS 2000, DVD 2000) Based on John Guare’s hit Broadway play about an Upper East Side New York couple that gets bilked by a charming young black man who claims to be Sidney Poitier’s son. Inspired by a true story, it reveals that art dealers and wealthy people have scams as well. Starring Will Smith, Donald Sutherland, Stockard Channing, Ian McKellan, Mary Beth Hurt, Bruce Davison, Anthony Michael Hall, and Peter Duchin Directed by Fred Schepisi Studio: MGM/United Artists   Book: “Six Degrees of Separation” by John Guare. Paperback, publisher Vintage, 1990. Hardcover, publisher Bt Bound, 2001. Audio cassette, Audio CD, and Audio download also available.

The Sting (Film released 1973, VHS 1998 and 2001, DVD 1998) Winner of 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture. Set in 1936, a bogus bookie joint is set up to run a variety of cons with lots of twists in Chicago. It’s a high-stakes game of small time grifters played against the police and the master of all cheating mobsters. Starring Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Ray Walston, Robert Shaw, Charles Durning, Eileen Brennan, Harold Gould, and Leonard Barr Directed by George Roy Hill Studio: Universal Studios

19. The Sting II (Film released 1983, VHS 1998) The sequel to The Sting. Starring Jackie Gleason, Mac Davis, Teri Garr, Karl Malden, Oliver Reed, and Harry James Director: Jeremy Paul Kagan Studio: Universal Studios

20 Traveller (Film released 1996, VHS 1998, DVD 2000) A gypsy-like clan of Irish con artists sells defective trailers and runs construction scams in the southern United States. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Bill Paxton, Julianna Margulies, and Jo Ann Pflug Directed by Jack N. Green Studio: Hallmark Home Entertainment

21. Waking Ned Devine (Film released 1998, VHS 2001, DVD 2003) A clever comedy about 51 inhabitants of a village in Ireland who devise schemes to deceive lottery officials and share the new wealth of  Ned Devine, who died of shock when he discovered he had a winning ticket worth 7 million pounds. Starring Jackie O’Shea, Michael O’Sullivan, David Kelly, Ian Bannen, and Jimmy Keough Directed by Kirk Jones III Studio: Twentieth Century FoxBook: “Waking Ned Devine: An Original Screenplay” by Kirk Jones, Danny Boyle and Andrew MacDonald. Paperback, publisher Screenpress Books, 1999. Includes deleted scenes.

22. The Yards (Film Released 2000, DVD 2001) Leo is a young, poorly educated ex-con who is out on parole for a crime he didn’t commit. He seeks an honest job from his relatives, so he can support his ailing mother. Soon he discovers his uncle’s business and family loyalties are not what he expected. The dark gritty business of repairing New York City subway trains involves bribery, racketeering, sabotage, political corruption, contract rigging, a conspiracy of silence, and revenge. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Charlize Theron, James Caan, Ellen Burstyn, Faye Dunaway, Tony Musante, and Steve Lawrence. Directed by James Gray Studio: Miramax

Notes: DVD – Digital Video Disc, a five inch optic disc that has more storage capacity than a compact disc (CD). DVDs were introduced in 1996. VHS – Video Home System, a half inch wide video tape format, packaged in a plastic cassette and introduced by JVC in 1976.by Larry C. Adams

- por Luiz Carlos Freitas

.Premiações de ‘Melhor Filme’ tanto podem ser o empurrão à fama como ao abismo para uma obra. Exemplos não faltam, indo da mega-produção Titanic, de James Cameron (verdadeiro sucesso à época, mais pela penca de Oscar’s arrebatados que por sua qualidade em si) ao mais recente O Cavaleiro das Trevas, de Christopher Nolan (as especulações acerca do Oscar póstumo de Heat Ledger contribuíram para que o longa encabeçasse numa velocidade sem precedentes a lista das maiores bilheterias da história). Todavia, o efeito inverso tem tanta ou mais força ainda.

Lançado em 2007, Onde os Fracos Não Têm Vez, dos irmãos Ethan e Joel Coen, sofreu bastante com a fama adquirida à época de seu lançamento, levando multidões a saírem decepcionadas dos cinemas após verem que não se tratava de um “novo suspense de um assassino cruel em uma caçada humana cheia de sequências eletrizantes de ação”. Entretanto, essa definição não se mostra nem um pouco incoerente. O grande problema à luz da maior parte do público é o modo como isso é apresentado. Temos aqui talvez o maior representante da já característica quebra das convenções cinematográficas sempre presente no cinema dos Coen, tão perigosa ante esse público acostumado às formulas de fácil assimilação quanto corajosa.

A trama [aparentemente] é sobre Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), um ex-combatente do Vietnã que, numa tarde de caça no deserto, depara-se com um cenário de morte, aparentemente uma chacina promovida por traficantes mexicanos. Em meio aos corpos, encontra uma bolsa com alguns milhões de dólares e, sem pensar muito, foge do local com ela, passando a ser perseguido por Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), assassino extremamente frio e cruel contratado pelos traficantes para recuperar o dinheiro. Em seu encalço está o xerife Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones – personagem que também narra os acontecimentos do filme) e Carson Wells, um segundo assassino contratado para encontrar Llewlyn e Anton e garantir o retorno do dinheiro (uma vez que Chigurh poderia não ser tão confiável).

O “aparentemente” acima, além de uma observação mais que pertinente quando se trata de uma obra dos Coen (as tramas de seus filmes geralmente são pouco mais que um pretexto para desenvolver e [des]construir seus personagens), já serve também para refutar o principal argumento de 97,12% dos detratores da obra: não, esse não é um filme sobre um cara de cabelo engraçado correndo atrás de uma mala.

Aliás, a tal mala é o que o mestre Hitchcock chamaria de McGuffin, um determinado elemento dentro da trama (objeto, indivíduo ou acontecimento) que tem, à primeira vista, grande importância dentro da obra, mas que serve apenas para desencadear uma série de acontecimentos maiores que tragam à tona a verdadeira ‘mensagem’ do filme. Dizer que o filme é sobre a caçada a uma valise é o mesmo que afirmar que Janela Indiscreta é sobre um assassinato na vizinhança, O Poderoso Chefão conta a história de uns carcamanos mafiosos, Blade Runner fala sobre robôs assassinos revoltados ou que A Mosca é sobre um cientista que vira um monstro.

Hitchcock nos levou, a partir de um possível assassinato no prédio da frente, à mais perfeita viagem metalingüística já filmada sobre a força do fascínio do cinema em nossas vidas; Coppola construiu uma das mais completas análises das relações de poder na sociedade; Ridley Scott nos brindou com um sci-fi referencial sobre fé e religião; Cronenberg fez, por meio da escatologia, uma brilhante relação entre o avanço da tecnologia e a regressão dos valores humanos. Aqui, Joel e Ethan Coen tornam esse objeto primordial para o desenrolar dos fatos e, ao mesmo tempo, o fazem quase completamente irrelevante perto do que realmente eclode após seu desaparecimento. Seu papel era dar início a uma onda de violência e brutalidade que, assim como a enorme sombra negra que cobre o deserto logo na primeira cena do filme, inevitavelmente se apodera de nosso mundo pelos motivos mais variados e (numa conclusão assustadora) cada vez mais insignificantes. A famigerada mala é tão irrelevante que o entendimento dos fatos não seria alterado mesmo que dentro dela tivesse Césio 137 ao invés do dinheiro (ou mesmo se ela não tivesse seu conteúdo revelado).

Após essa breve análise, pode-se perceber que esse não é um filme tão ‘fácil’ como boa parte do público esperava. E não só pela mala, mas também pela construção dos personagens, todos carregados de uma simbologia tão complexa quanto próxima de nosso entendimento.

Começando pelo assassino Anton Chigurh, largamente ridicularizado por seu visual esdrúxulo, é fácil um dos personagens mais viscerais do cinema, tanto pela interpretação do Bardem (indiscutivelmente a melhor de sua carreira – até agora) quanto por seu ar emblemático. Ao mesmo tempo em que mata sem maiores remorsos (atentem à estranha arma de ar-comprimido que ele carrega durante o filme – usada normalmente para abater animais, mostra o quanto a vida de um homem vale tanto quanto a de uma vaca), possui um questionável código de honra regido por um jogar de moeda. Tem as expressões de um demônio em contraste com seu estranho corte Chanel. É cruel em essência, mas carrega inconscientemente certa ‘doçura’ (a pronúncia de Chigurh é quase idêntica a de ‘sugar’). Isso tudo o distancia da imagem de um assassino comum, dificultando a cada nova aparição uma possibilidade de identificação com um ser real, tornando-o mítico, até.

Porém, mesmo sendo o personagem de maior destaque dentro do filme, não se destaca tão largamente ante os demais. Tanto Josh Brolin quanto Woody Harrelson merecem a referência (mesmo esse último não tendo tanto tempo em cena quanto os demais). Até Tommy Lee Jones, que mesmo numa interpretação cuja indicação ao Oscar pode ser considerada certo exagero, merece destaque haja visto a importância de seu personagens (de todos, aliás – mas isso será citado mais adiante).

As glórias maiores nem devem ser direcionadas às interpretações (por melhores que sejam), mas ao conjunto como um todo. A interação entre os demais personagens e os elementos cinematográficos concede à obra ainda mais força. Os Coen imprimem aqui seu maior exercício de direção até então, firmando-se definitivamente entre os maiores gênios de qualquer esfera cinematográfica. Fica difícil saber o que é mais poderoso numa análise individual (sem cair novamente em elogios a já citada construção de personagens).

A mise-en-scène é espetacular. Incrível como eles conseguem aliar a riqueza de conteúdo a um forte apelo visual e, dadas algumas atmosferas, sensorial. Da fotografia aos elementos em cena (a própria arma de ar do Chigurh parece ter vida própria – as sombras ou recantos de paredes nunca tiveram tanta importância antes em nenhum de seus filmes). A ausência de trilha nem chega a ser sentida, uma vez que até a respiração ofegante dos personagens são mais que suficientes para embalar as cenas (vide a perseguição no deserto ou nas ruas da cidade). Eles fogem dos preceitos do estilo, mas fazem uso dos mesmos com maestria quando necessário, provando que possuem total domínio dos elementos cinematográficos e escapando da subversão pela subversão simplesmente, evidenciando mais ainda seu compromisso com o cinema.

Mas voltemos à trama. Não ao que está ali, explicitado em qualquer sinopse do filme, mas no que há de verdadeiramente representativo, que está por trás de tudo e realmente motivou às ações e omissões dos envolvidos. O que diabos essa correria toda quer dizer afinal? Várias são as interpretações sobre, e apegar-se apenas a uma delas pode ser um erro. O fato é que há uma grande dose de violência transpirada por cada frame. Não a violência física explícita, muito além: assim como Anton carrega certa doçura em seu nome, os demais trazem consigo a brutalidade de uma degradação moral tão crescente quanto inconsciente. Temos vilões, mas não verdadeiros heróis, e isso graças ao meio em que tudo ocorre.

Indo mais além, os quatro personagens principais representam mais que classes ou posturas sociais. Alegoricamente seriam os quatro elementos principais da existência da humanidade: Chigurh seria a morte, implacável e que sempre segue seu curso, independente de quem esteja em seu caminho (nem mesmo uma mulher grávida tem seu perdão), não podendo ser detida por contra-propostas ou argumentos, apenas por um lance de sorte (a moeda que oferece as mesmas chances de viver ou não); Llewlyn é seu maior (e eterno) oponente, a vida, e sua odisséia após adquirir a mala seria o início de nossa jornada de fuga que inicia com o nascimento (ele começa a preparar sua fuga logo que pega a maleta, mesmo sem saber se alguém iria atrás dele – seriam os anos da inocência em que ainda não sabemos do destino inevitável a todos?).

Wells representa a redenção ou, numa concepção que todos nós conhecemos bem, a religião, que entra na trama para apresentar a Llewlyn uma forma de salvação por meio da renúncia, quando diz que ele poderia escapar de seu algoz se desfazendo do dinheiro (não por acaso ele entra em cena quase na metade do filme ou, no caso, da ‘jornada’ de Llewlyn – valores religiosos são adquiridos com o tempo, não se nascem com eles). Ele também mostra que, apesar de certo conforto, ela ainda não pode impedir o decurso da morte (o diálogo desesperado entre ele e Chigurh – um dos tantos pontos altos do filme – evidencia isso).

Por último (e talvez o mais importante), o xerife Ed Tom, a voz da justiça e, tal qual, em maior parte do tempo, faz as vezes de narrador e expectador, transitando em paralelo a tudo que acontece, tentando dar sua visão imparcial e, como esperado de si, mediar. E seria ele bem a representação do título do filme que, originalmente traduzido, seria de uma terra ‘onde os velhos não têm vez’. Ele representa a necessidade da renovação dessa justiça, a inevitável inversão dos valores. O mundo deveria evoluir de acordo com o que se tem por ‘justo’, não o inverso (como ficara cada vez mais evidente), onde os conceitos do que é justo deveriam se adaptar à sociedade (mesmo que esta esteja cada vez mais podre e corrompida).

Bem, à parte do virtuosismo da direção dos Coen e das interpretações do elenco principal, estes acima de qualquer crítica, essas foram minhas modestas impressões sobre a obra e seus significados. No fim há um pessimismo enraizado que se manifesta mesmo nas situações de acalento (como no diálogo de Llewlyn com a sogra: “Não se preocupe, tudo vai ficar bem!” – “Como vai ficar bem? Eu tenho câncer!”) e que acabam, ao término dos quase 130 minutos de projeção, convergindo e ratificando seu título original: cada vez mais o mundo se corrompe e se você quiser continuar nele, tem de se corromper também.

Pode soar excessivamente pragmático e, realmente, o é. Evoluímos tanto e nos distanciamos dos animais para, no final, acabarmos regredindo ao ponto de sermos abatidos com tanto desdém quanto a uma vaca, e se você for um dos ‘fracos’, não irá muito além de um mero expectador e terá de se contentar com a justiça ‘dos velhos’ somente em sonhos como os de Ed Tom no final do filme, mesmo sabendo que, assim como o velho xerife, toda e qualquer forma de esperança irá findar em um “… e aí eu acordei!”.

.PS.: Ainda assim, todos têm o direito de gostar ou não. Mas, por favor, que venham com um argumento que  não seja “é só um filme sobre um cara de cabelo fálico correndo atrás de uma mala!”.  É o mínimo de respeito que essa obra-prima merece.

.5/5

Ficha técnica: Onde os Fracos Não Têm Vez (No Country for Old Men) 2007, EUA – Dir.: Joel e Ethan Coen – Elenco: Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Tommy Lee Jones, Woody Harrelson, Stephen Root, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Tess Harper, Barry Corbin, Beth Grant, Gene Jones.

Eerder aangekondigd in Vox, maar vandaag pas in première: twee films die ook al in de sneak te zien waren.

Partir
Voor een goed drama moet je kunnen meevoelen met de personages of helemaal meegaan met het verhaal. Dat is in beide gevallen onmogelijk bij Partir. Hoofdpersoon Suzanne verandert van gelukkige huisvrouw in een instant bakvis als ze de harige Spaanse klusjesman Ivan ontmoet. Dat loopt gierend uit de klauwen. Zeker met het ego van haar echtgenoot Samuel, voor wie scheiden geen optie is. In de eerste seconde van de film is al te zien hoe het afloopt en omdat de rest van de film ook voorspelbaar is, slaat de verveling al snel toe. En dan moet je je ook nog door vele scènes vol oude mensenseks heenworstelen. Kristin Scott Thomas weet met haar spel de meubelen nog enigszins te redden, maar ook zij kan niet tegen het beroerde scenario op. Uiteindelijk is het vooral de titel die goed getroffen is, want partir is precies de gedachte die de bezoekers van deze film treft.

A Film With Me In It
Mark heeft pech. En niet zomaar pech, nee meer pech dan de overvallers die een restaurant binnenstormden waar een politiefeestje aan de gang was. Meer pech dan de twee jongens die dachten enkele travestieten in elkaar te slaan en er te laat achter kwamen dat het verklede kickboksers waren. Mark heeft alle pech van de wereld, het is zonde om te verklappen wat dat is. Hij is een oppersul die volledig vertrouwt op huisgenoot Pierce die ook al niet het buskruit heeft uitgevonden. Als het compleet misloopt bij Mark is Pierce er als de kippen bij om hem van de wal in de sloot te helpen met zijn goede advies. A Film With Me In It is een soort kruising van Fargo en Shaun of the Dead. Absurd en droogkomisch. Het flauwe en voorspelbare einde detoneert daar iets mee. Het geeft niet, A Film With Me In It pretendeert niets anders te zijn dan licht vermaak

Pas op, trailer verklapt veel.

What would you do with 4 million dollars?

When two brothers (Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton) find a body and a bundle of cash in a downed plane, they plot to hide the loot and split it later. It’s a simple plan, until things go murderously awry.

Like the Coen brothers’ FARGO, Sam Raimi’s A SIMPLE PLAN is an ice-cold neo-noir as chilling and bleak as its snow-covered Minnesota locale.This a fine suspense thriller that digs deeper and deeper into the values and dreams of these small town characters. A Simple Plan is suspenseful, powerful, and as merciless as Fargo. Its very great to see how all these characters seem so real and you can tell their motives at every moment so every moment that happens seems to have a reason.

The most significant thing about this film is that you can see what leads them to the next step. Each of their ideas are shown at the right amount of pacing so they don’t go to quickly in showing these characters reactions but also don’t take too long in showing. The mood is something else of extraordinary, as you can feel just through the music and the expressions of the characters that this is how you should feel if this was happening to you right then and there.

Director Sam Raimi does a wonderful job at creating the right pace, mood, and overall right script. Much of the movie’s script is very similar to the novel’s script as well. Though some motives and character traits are changed Raimi still sticks close too the novel without getting too obvious. A great directing job from a guy who would later go on to direct the Spider Man movies.

The heart of this movie lies within the strong performances from its trio of leads. Bill Paxton is great as a man who just wants what’s best for his family and Bridget Fonda is his wife who just wants get out of her ordinary miserable life. Much of the acting credit goes to Billy Bob Thornton who’s understated and profoundly moving performance is what gave this movie its heart. Each stars have a chance to show their acting skills and each do very well and fully make this film as effective as it was.

The only problem I had with this film is not that bad at all really. The film being much like Fargo did not have as much comedy in it, if any at all. To be realistic in any depressing situation there will always be comedy to lighten things up and since this was such a realistic movie I wondered where the comedic tone to it was. In my opinion the film was way too dark without any light tone whatsoever.

The film kept me on the edge of my seat and with every twist and turn in the story, I felt myself hooked even more. A Simple Plan is a very simple movie to get used to just don’t watch this after King of Queens myself.

9/10=Full Pricee!!

NEW YORK (AP) — Wells Fargo & Co., the nation’s fourth largest bank by assets, is set to report its third-quarter results before the market opens on Wednesday.

The market wants to see signs that loan losses are stabilizing and that the bank’s core retail banking business is on solid footing.

Sector Snap: Banks rise after sector upgrade (AP)Bank errors often cause mortgage aid rejections

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- …იმედი მაქვს ხვდება, რომ ჩვენი საინფორმაციო მხარდაჭერის გარეშე, მისი შედევრი, რომელზეც მხოლოდ ისინი იცინოდნენ, ვისაც 900 მილიგრამი “ლირიკა” ჰქონდათ დალეული, ან შიზოფრენიით იყვნენ დაავადებულნი, საქართველოში ბიუჯეტს ვერ ამოიღებს.
- არა მხოლოდ ხვდება, არამედ უკვე დურეკა ჩვენს ხალხს, რათა დაერეკათ მისი ხალხისათვის, ფინანსური კუთხის განსახილველად. ისე, ეგ დაიკიდე, მაინც დიდი ხანი მოგვიწევს მოცდა. ახლა იმ ჰონორარის ათვისებას მივყოთ ხელი, რომელიც ჩვენთვის უცნობმა მამებმა გადაგვიხადეს.
- რა თანხაზე მიდის საუბარი?
- 4 ციფრიანზე.
- ჩვენს ვალუტზე, თუ ტაჯიკეთის?
- ჩვენსაზე, ჩვენსაზე.
- აუ, ასეთი “ჟმოტი” როგორაა, ერთი ნულიც დაემატებინა. წინა ფილმზეც კი არ გადაუხდია მთლიანი თანხა, ჩვენ კი ლამის რეპუტაციის ფასად დაგვიჯდა ის რეცენზია.
- ამჯერად შეფერხების გარეშე შეგვპირდა. თან ავანსიც გადაგვიხადეს წინასწარ.
- ოო, მაშინ სხვა საქმეა. გთავაზობ დავიწყოთ ასე:”ძნელია იკამათო იმაზე, რომ ავთანდილ ვარსიმაშვილის ბოლო ფილმი, ქმნის სრულიად ახალ საფეხურს, ქართულ კინოინდუსტრიაში. ჩვენი კინემატოგრაფისტებისათვის მეტად არასასიამოვნო ჟანრში – სატირაში. მინდა აღვნიშნო, რომ “ყველაფერი კარგად იქნება”, არის უკამათო შედევრი, ღირსი იმისა, რომ ერთ კონტექსტში მოიხსენიებოდეს ისეთ კლასიკასთან, როგორიცაა “მონტი პაიტონი”, “დოქტორი სტრეინჯლოვი”, “ფარგო”, “მოთამაშე” და ა.შ.”. აბა, როგორია?
- გენიალური.
- ჰეჰ, სპეციალისტის დაწერილია.
- ისე, ნახე საერთოდ ეგ ყლეობა?
- უჰ, ყველაზე საშინელი საათნახევარი იყო ჩემს ცხოვრებაში. იმაზე საშინელი, სკოლაში რომ ჩავიჯვი და მასწავლებელმა დაფასთან გამიძახა.
- სექსის სცენა გახსოვს?
- ეგეთი სექსის სცენები უხვად მაქვს ნანახი, სამასწავლებლოსთან, ხელფასის რიგებში.
- შიშველი შორენა ბეგაშვილი?
- ფლეხ, 11 წლის რომ ვყოფილიყავი, გამისწორდებოდა, მასტურბაციისათვის კარგი მასალა მექნებოდა. ახლა კი, ყოველგვარ საჭიროებას მოკლებული სცენა, სილამაზესა და მიმზიდველობას მოკლებული, სილიკონის ქალის მონაწილეობით – ანტიპათიის მეტი არაფერი მიგრძვნია.
- აჰა. ჩემს გვერდით ვიღაც დედა-შვილი იჯდა. ბავშვი იქნებოდა მაქსიმუმ 8-9 წლის. როგორ მინდოდა იცი ავმდგარიყავი და დედამისისთვის ყბაში მომედო?! იაფფასიან ბორდელში წაეყვანა ბარემ შვილი.
- მე ხალხი რომ იცინოდა იმაზე გამოვყლევდი. ან ეს დედამოტყნული, სად უნახავთ სომხები ეგეთი წაკნავლებითი დიალექტით მეტყველებდნენ?
- კარგი, ძალიან გავიჯვით ახლა, დავუბრუნდეთ რევიუს.
- მოკლედ, ამაზე რას იტყვი: “იდეალურადაა სურათში გაშარჟებული დღევანდელი ყოფა ქვეყნისა. ფარული ქვეტექსტები რიგ ეპიზოდებში, ცხადყოფს უნიკალურ ხედვას რეჟისორისა. თავისუფლად შეგვიძლია შევადაროთ ბატონი ავთო, ძმებ კოენებს და “ყველაფერი კარგად იქნება”, “ო, ძმაო სად ხარ?”-ს და “დაწვი წაკითხვის შემდეგ”-ს”.
- ზედმეტი მოგდის მგონი. არ დაგავიწყდეს, ჯერ მხოლოდ ავანსი გვაქვს აღებული.
- ხო, ხო, მართალი ხარ. ისე, ეს გომელაური ძაღლის მძღნერით იხეხავს კბილებს, თუ ოსტინ პაუერსობას აწვება?
- რავიცი, გულის რევის შეგრძნებას და კბილის ჯაგრისის ჩუქების სურვილს რომ აღმიძრავს, ეგ ცალსახა. სხვას ვერაფერს გეტყვი.
- განვაგრძე მე: “ცეკვის სცენა პლაჟზე, ისეთივე ეპიკური მნიშვნელობისაა, როგორც თურმანისა და ტრავოლტას ტვისტი “Pulp Fiction” – ში და ისეთივე სასაცილოა, როგორც ჯონ ჰიდერის სოლო, “ნაპოლეონ დინამიტში”.
- მაგარია. მუსიკაზე გვავიწყდება რამის თქმა.
- არ დამვიწყებია მუსიკის შექება. შენი არ ვიცი და მე რომ მომაჭრა და უკან გამიკეთო, ამას არ ვიზამ.
- 4 ციფრიან თანხაზეც კი?
- გინდაც 5 ციფრიანზე! კარგი რა, სულ ხომ არ უნდა ჩავიჯვათ სულში. თავმოყვარეობა დავიკიდეთ, ჯანდაბას, მაგრამ ვერაფერი მაიძულებს მაგ ყლეობაზე დადებითი ფრაზა დავწერო.
- მაშინ ვწერთ: “ერთადერთი მინუსი ფილმისა, გახლავთ მუსიკა, რომელიც იმაზე უფრო ცუდი მოსასმენია, ვიდრე სახინკლის ტუალეტის კაბინაში, კოლიტით გატანჯული ადამიანის ჭინთვების მოსმენა, რომელმაც რამდენიმე წუთის წინ, დიდი ულუფა ხაშლამა მიირთვა. ერთი სიტყვით, თავიდან-ბოლომდე ყლეობაა”.
- მოიცა, სიტყვა “ყლეობა”-ს ხმარება შეიძლება შეკვეთილ რევიუში?
- ჩვენთვის ყველაფერი შეიძლება კაცო, ტრაკზე მეამბორონ თუ რამე არ მოეწონებათ რა.
- დასკვნით ნაწილში ავღნიშნოთ, რომ ემოციური ფილმია. პატრიოტიზმს აღვივებს და პოზიტივით გავსებს.
- აჰა, და სუიციდისაკენ გიბიძგებს. აუტანელი სიძულვილისაგან მეზობელ სავარძელში მჯდომისათვის მინეტის გაკეთების სურვილს გიჩენს…
- რა გჭირს, მაგას ხომ ვერ დავწერთ?! აუ, ის გახსოვს რა ყლეობ იყო? კუტუმოცახცახე ძაღლი რომ ბარბაცებდა და რაღაც ზე-სირული ტექსტი ედო, მე მაინც გავიმართები წელშიო თუ რაღაც ეგეთი?
- ო, კარგი გამახსენე. “ავთანდილ ვარსიმასვილის გენიალური ეპითეტი, ფილმის დასაწისსა და დასასრულში, წამსვე გვაგონებს ვაჟას და მის “არწივს”. ეს ერთგვარი მოწოდებაა რწმენისა ნათელი მომავლისადმი, რომ ისევ გავიმართებით წელში და კვლავ ვიხილავთ მტრის ბუმბულს, ველად გაშლილ-გაფანტულს”.
- ვირტუოზი ხარ!
- არადა მაგ მომენტზე სულ დედის მუტელი ვიგინე. პრინციპში მთელი ფილმის განმავლობაში, სხვა არაფერი მიკეთებია.
- არ დავასრულოთ? დავიღალე მე. ისე, ბრწყინვალე გამოგვივიდა, როგორც ყოველთვის.
- ფეერიული. ისე, თავი არ გეზიზღება, დადებით რევიუს რომ წერ ფილმზე, რომელიც უფრო მეტად გძულს, ვიდრე უცნობის გადაცემა?
- “საკანზე” მეტადაც მძულს და ვენერიული დაავადების მქონე ვაგინაზეც, მაგრამ რა ვქნა, სამუშაო გვაქვს ასეთი. ობიექტურობაში ფულს არავინ გვიხდის.
- ხო, მართალი ხარ. წამოდი, მეგობრები მაინც გავაფრთხილოთ, რომ ამ დედამოტყნულობაზე არ წავიდნენ.

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