So, after 6 months of delaying it, I finally saw Crash (by Paul Haggis). I already wrote about why it got best picture (in a few words, it takes place in LA), now I know it didn't deserve it.
This is the perfect example of a mediocre movie, of a wasted good idea. It should be shown to movie students, to illustrate how you can use lots of good actors, writing, not to mention money, to go absolutely nowhere, and create a movie that doesn't advance anything. Not ideas, not art, and certainly not the state of racism in LA.
Cause as you might now, that's what Crash is about: racism in LA. Oh sure, you see plenty of it. Anti-black cops, anti-white black men, anti-latino Persian shop-owners, anything you want: it's here.
During the course of the movie, most characters change, whether they go from racist to tolerant, or from tolerant to racist. And you see lots of reasons. Some of them obviously stupid (because a latino has a tattoo, he's a gang-member), some of them that make you think twice about it (a white men employing 20 black employees loses his company because of some affirmative action law).
But it never tells you who's right and who's not. The characters never speak about their racism, never apologize or even defend their ideas. The movie doesn't judge them: it is no more than a reality-check.
I don't like reality checks, not in American cinema. Give me the state of poverty or AIDS in Africa, show me minors working in mines in South America. I'll take it. But if you're an American filmmaker dealing with an LA issue, you'd better do something about it: because you can. Tell me: "yes, he lost his company because of affirmative action, but it doesn't prove anything. You can not generalize." Or: "Maybe he's a gang member, then why don't you show him how to get out of there". You Paul Harris, say something for god's sake!
A woman get successively molested, then saved from certain death by the same man the next day. Then walks away crying, obviously confused. What does she think? What process of thought goes through her mind? We'd like to know, but the movie says nothing. It barely states, shows, and walks away. Pity.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Thursday, June 22, 2006
The Cell
Earlier today, as I was writing (typing? pushing? dialing?) a text message, I pushed 1 three times, hoping my cell's smart system would recognize :-) Instead, :-( appeared on my screen.
It's official, Either T-Mobile or Motorola wants its user to feel depressed. Why? Maybe cause depressed people talk more, calling all their friends to tell them about what's gone wrong. Or don't go out, therefore interact more with a phone than anything else.
T-Mobile, also the smart carrier that ends every ad with their jingle, which is also most of its users' ring. How many of us check our cell every time the ad airs on the TV we left open in the background? Thank God for Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Anyway, with Jan Ullrich once again the center of the T-Mobile Tour de France team, depression will be once again on the menu in July. Along with drugs, amphetamines and all kinds of doping products.
That's it for today. My mood, therefore my frequency of writing in the next few days, entirely depends on France winning its game against Togo tomorrow. Write me down for 3-0.
PS: Interestingly enough, the spell checker recognizes words like Motorola and Zeta-Jones, but not Ullrich.
It's official, Either T-Mobile or Motorola wants its user to feel depressed. Why? Maybe cause depressed people talk more, calling all their friends to tell them about what's gone wrong. Or don't go out, therefore interact more with a phone than anything else.
T-Mobile, also the smart carrier that ends every ad with their jingle, which is also most of its users' ring. How many of us check our cell every time the ad airs on the TV we left open in the background? Thank God for Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Anyway, with Jan Ullrich once again the center of the T-Mobile Tour de France team, depression will be once again on the menu in July. Along with drugs, amphetamines and all kinds of doping products.
That's it for today. My mood, therefore my frequency of writing in the next few days, entirely depends on France winning its game against Togo tomorrow. Write me down for 3-0.
PS: Interestingly enough, the spell checker recognizes words like Motorola and Zeta-Jones, but not Ullrich.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Battle of the motherlands
I know, it's a lot of soccer for a blog dedicated to Pop Culture. But after all, the World Cup is the biggest event of them all. Is that not pop culture?
For info, the NBA Finals are watched by an average of 20 millions people. The Superbowl, 90 millions.
Wow, good job americans! Now listen to this.
The final of the World Cup will be watched by approximately 1.3 billions people. Thats 1300 millions. Almost 15 superbowls at the same time. And the total of the competition will be watched by 20 (non cumulative) billion viewers. Oh, you do the maths!
Anyway, right now, Germany is battling Poland. For me, it's like Dad against Mom, because yes, even though I'm a frenchie, I'm really germano-polish.
Another way to look at it, is, who to root for? The murderers or those who watched and didn't say a word?
Damned, I almost want to call this game "The Anschluss, the return". We could make t-shirts and stuff, you know?
OK, back to work.
(Yes, I am kidding. I love Germans. If they're under 60. And have black hair. And green eyes. And have proof of their parents' whereabout during the war.)
For info, the NBA Finals are watched by an average of 20 millions people. The Superbowl, 90 millions.
Wow, good job americans! Now listen to this.
The final of the World Cup will be watched by approximately 1.3 billions people. Thats 1300 millions. Almost 15 superbowls at the same time. And the total of the competition will be watched by 20 (non cumulative) billion viewers. Oh, you do the maths!
Anyway, right now, Germany is battling Poland. For me, it's like Dad against Mom, because yes, even though I'm a frenchie, I'm really germano-polish.
Another way to look at it, is, who to root for? The murderers or those who watched and didn't say a word?
Damned, I almost want to call this game "The Anschluss, the return". We could make t-shirts and stuff, you know?
OK, back to work.
(Yes, I am kidding. I love Germans. If they're under 60. And have black hair. And green eyes. And have proof of their parents' whereabout during the war.)
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
National Shame
The terrible loss the US Soccer team suffered today in the hand of the Czech Republic was the best thing that could happen to the future of American soccer.
Two weeks ago, as the US played Jamaica in North Carolina, ESPN aired a short "behind the scene" clip, showing players and staff members talking in the locker room. The lack of organization was obvious everywhere, from the coach saying "let's forget about our last loss, it was a stupid game", to the way the players talked to the press, with no professionalism whatsoever (the relation between players and media is almost as important as training, for mental and supporting reasons).
And the anchor signing off, with a big smile flashing his ignorance.
But since then, the world cup frenzy started. People believed the 5th place of their team in the official and incredibly stupid FIFA ranking meant something (in reality, this ranking depends on which region a team plays in, and does not consider the quality of the opposing team when counting a win, which means that a victory of USA over Jamaica has the same impact that a victory of Germany over Italy!).
So, expectations flew high. On every Sport Center, in every magazine, every website, Americans started talking about their great team and the fantastic road it would take in this world cup.
And then, the US got a beating. 3-0 against the Czechs, the first goal coming in the 4th minute. And now, for the first time, the reaction seems a professional one. The coach is talking about players not stepping up, the media are performing "reality czechs", reminding everyone of the true nature of US Soccer: just beginning.
There's one thing the united states care about more than anything else, it's pride. And today, the US are ashamed. So at last this country starts taking the sport seriously, because with the loss came the realization that America sent an ambassador to the world it could not be proud of.
I suggest you read today's New York Times article. If you're American, it hurts. If you're from anywhere else in the world, you'll recognize a typical media reaction to its national soccer team losing a world cup game. At last.
Two weeks ago, as the US played Jamaica in North Carolina, ESPN aired a short "behind the scene" clip, showing players and staff members talking in the locker room. The lack of organization was obvious everywhere, from the coach saying "let's forget about our last loss, it was a stupid game", to the way the players talked to the press, with no professionalism whatsoever (the relation between players and media is almost as important as training, for mental and supporting reasons).
And the anchor signing off, with a big smile flashing his ignorance.
But since then, the world cup frenzy started. People believed the 5th place of their team in the official and incredibly stupid FIFA ranking meant something (in reality, this ranking depends on which region a team plays in, and does not consider the quality of the opposing team when counting a win, which means that a victory of USA over Jamaica has the same impact that a victory of Germany over Italy!).
So, expectations flew high. On every Sport Center, in every magazine, every website, Americans started talking about their great team and the fantastic road it would take in this world cup.
And then, the US got a beating. 3-0 against the Czechs, the first goal coming in the 4th minute. And now, for the first time, the reaction seems a professional one. The coach is talking about players not stepping up, the media are performing "reality czechs", reminding everyone of the true nature of US Soccer: just beginning.
There's one thing the united states care about more than anything else, it's pride. And today, the US are ashamed. So at last this country starts taking the sport seriously, because with the loss came the realization that America sent an ambassador to the world it could not be proud of.
I suggest you read today's New York Times article. If you're American, it hurts. If you're from anywhere else in the world, you'll recognize a typical media reaction to its national soccer team losing a world cup game. At last.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
World Stages
OK, I promised to myself that the re-beginning of my blog would not suffer from the world cup. It's gonna be tough.
Living the world cup in the US is kind of weird. Everyone acknowledges and informs its neighbor that this is the greatest sporting event in the world, yet no-one really cares.
What's missing from the experience is not the broadcasts (each game airs live, either on ESPN or ABC), but the surrounding media frenzy, in magazines, tv shows, and every other part of the entertainment for mass audience world. Here's for my take on this. It won't stop me from watching tons of game, and supporting France (yes, when it comes to soccer, I stand behind my native country).
So, here are a few very short notes on other noticeable events this week.
Tonight on CBS, the TONY awards are given to the best of Broadway. I should probably write much longer sometime about Broadway, this centennial New York institution that regroups the biggest and most expensive stage productions in Manhattan, whether it's a play or a musical, about the thrill of a live act, the relation between money and quality, and about the power of legends like "Les Miserables" or "Cats" which might have no equivalent in film or literature.
Cars, the new Pixar (or Disney-Pixar) opened in theatre. It was their 3rd best opening after The Invicibles and Finding Nemo, but the first time a new Pixar doesn't top a previous one. I'm puzzled as to the marketing campaign John Lasseter and his boys led for Cars, with a very poor preview, which was very little played anyway. Instead, ads for auto-insurer State Farm and Hertz seemed to be leading the charge, which is never a good sign. But it seems that the audience, just like me, would trust Pixar with their - cinematic - life. And for good reasons, when you look at the masterpieces they've created. Toy Story 2 is high, high in my top 30 (or is it 35 now?).
That's all for now. Check back later.
Living the world cup in the US is kind of weird. Everyone acknowledges and informs its neighbor that this is the greatest sporting event in the world, yet no-one really cares.
What's missing from the experience is not the broadcasts (each game airs live, either on ESPN or ABC), but the surrounding media frenzy, in magazines, tv shows, and every other part of the entertainment for mass audience world. Here's for my take on this. It won't stop me from watching tons of game, and supporting France (yes, when it comes to soccer, I stand behind my native country).
So, here are a few very short notes on other noticeable events this week.
Tonight on CBS, the TONY awards are given to the best of Broadway. I should probably write much longer sometime about Broadway, this centennial New York institution that regroups the biggest and most expensive stage productions in Manhattan, whether it's a play or a musical, about the thrill of a live act, the relation between money and quality, and about the power of legends like "Les Miserables" or "Cats" which might have no equivalent in film or literature.
Cars, the new Pixar (or Disney-Pixar) opened in theatre. It was their 3rd best opening after The Invicibles and Finding Nemo, but the first time a new Pixar doesn't top a previous one. I'm puzzled as to the marketing campaign John Lasseter and his boys led for Cars, with a very poor preview, which was very little played anyway. Instead, ads for auto-insurer State Farm and Hertz seemed to be leading the charge, which is never a good sign. But it seems that the audience, just like me, would trust Pixar with their - cinematic - life. And for good reasons, when you look at the masterpieces they've created. Toy Story 2 is high, high in my top 30 (or is it 35 now?).
That's all for now. Check back later.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Special 6/6/6: My brother is the AntiChrist!
As you all know, today is a big day. Today is the day Satan is supposed to rule the Earth, daemons come out of darkness, and the work of the devil will be complete.
Today is June 6th, 2006, today is 6/6/6.
Today is also the day "The Omen", the remake of the great horror movie from the 70s, is released. The Omen feature Julia Stiles, Liev Shreiber , and Pete Postlethwaite, the greatest character actor ever.
He was Kobayashi in The Usual Suspects, he was the father in Romeo+Juliet, he was the hunter in Jurassic Park 2, he was one of the prisonner in Alien3. I noticed him for the first time when I happened to watch Alien3, Jurassic Park 2 and the Usual Suspects on the same, quiet day - what a coincidence, will you tell me.
Back to the Omen. The film is the story of Damien, played by Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, a young kid who is thought to be the reincarnation of Satan himself, the Antichrist. You can believe my surprise when I saw for the first time the picture of the actor playing Damien, and who is... the clone of my brother, David. But a picture tells more than a thousand words, so take a look here:
Scary right? Now I got to figure out why a Germano-polish Jew looks so much like an Irish-american.
No explanation? It must be the work of the Devil...
Today is June 6th, 2006, today is 6/6/6.
Today is also the day "The Omen", the remake of the great horror movie from the 70s, is released. The Omen feature Julia Stiles, Liev Shreiber , and Pete Postlethwaite, the greatest character actor ever.
He was Kobayashi in The Usual Suspects, he was the father in Romeo+Juliet, he was the hunter in Jurassic Park 2, he was one of the prisonner in Alien3. I noticed him for the first time when I happened to watch Alien3, Jurassic Park 2 and the Usual Suspects on the same, quiet day - what a coincidence, will you tell me.
Back to the Omen. The film is the story of Damien, played by Seamus Davey-Fitzpatrick, a young kid who is thought to be the reincarnation of Satan himself, the Antichrist. You can believe my surprise when I saw for the first time the picture of the actor playing Damien, and who is... the clone of my brother, David. But a picture tells more than a thousand words, so take a look here:
Scary right? Now I got to figure out why a Germano-polish Jew looks so much like an Irish-american.
No explanation? It must be the work of the Devil...
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Return of the Blog
Yes, I know, you can't believe it. Benzona is back. After a false start, this blog is definitely under way.
I don't promise super long posts every time, or insanely smart comments. But, at least a few times a week, a note, a thought, maybe not much, but something.
To start with, some amazing pictures I've taken in the Brooklyn neighborhood I work in, DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), Friday under the rain...
I don't promise super long posts every time, or insanely smart comments. But, at least a few times a week, a note, a thought, maybe not much, but something.
To start with, some amazing pictures I've taken in the Brooklyn neighborhood I work in, DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass), Friday under the rain...
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