CourtneyP

This weekend, K and I went to see Supersize Me, a documentary film about a fellow who conducted a grueling experiment upon himself. He subjected himself to nothing but foodstuffs from McDonald’s for thirty days… breakfast, lunch and dinner. He would not eat or drink anything unless he could buy it at the Golden Arches… even bottled water.

Within the first few days of his “diet”, Morgan Spurlock was already feeling ill (and seeing his lunch return back up), but claimed that once he passed the three day mark, his stomach was stronger. It’s funny and eerie at the same time.

It’s incredibly difficult to see the physical trauma that Morgan puts his body through… he was perfectly healthy to begin with. During the course of his McD’s binge, he turned his health upside-down, and gained twenty-something pounds. It’s something most normal people won’t do, but I’m glad someone did… this goes to show America what it’s doing to itself. Bravo, Mr. Spurlock.

Subjects also touched upon are the lack of good nutrition in public schools, the corporate machines & the commercial aspect of food in the modern world, as well as the artificial ingredients in our foods. Losta information to absorb, but it’s all good to know.

I was pleased to see that after a couple of weeks in wide release, this film was being shown in multiple theaters in our area (not just the Camera 3! Amazing!), and apparently 197 screens nationwide. The showing we attended also had a fairly decent amount of people of all ages in attendance. I’m glad to see that the message about America’s gluttony and excess is getting to a wider audience.

This has also pushed me more towards a career in food science/nutrition (which I have been heavily considering lately anyways; more on that soon)… there simply just is not enough convenient and good for you food available to the masses, and it’s way overdue. Something needs to be done, even if it’s one person at a time.

On a related note, I have also been reading (on and off… I’m sure it’s overdue at the Library, oops) Fat Land by Greg Critser, which I recommend for a more in-depth look at the obesity problem in America.

See this movie and read this book… it’s a sobering look into the fat underbelly of our country. It really is enough to make you change your ways.

I enjoy film. I guess the word “film” is starting to be an inaccurate term, since we are quickly moving further and further into the digital age. I don’t really like to say “movies” when I refer to them as pieces of art, not exactly sure why, but maybe it seems a bit too mundane of a word. Motion pictures? Most certainly. When I attended art school, I majored in Motion Pictures. Seems like more words than necessary, but I feel it is the most accurate term.

The past three, ahem, motion pictures that I’ve seen have all been animated films, and that isn’t half bad. They are arguably the best films I’ve seen so far this year. I’m no expert (wink wink), but I know enough to know what I like and enjoy.

Following is a short personal review of these three films, in the order that I saw them, oldest to newest.
» Read the rest of this entry «

Why is it that the majority of movies these days are just mindless entertainment? Because it is the upbringing of the modern moviegoer… they were never taught to appreciate movies, and never really seem to want to learn. Why should they? Movies are just a source entertainment to them, so why should they have to think about it?

I found myself nodding in agreement with this article from Salon, paragraph after paragraph: Out of the Past.

“Since almost all of us grew up watching movies, we never feel that we have to learn how to watch them, in the same way that we have to learn how to read novels, listen to opera, watch dance or look at paintings. Part of the pleasure of movies is the energy that can seem so much more exciting and immediate than all that approved high culture.”

There seems to be a great deal of people have an interest in knowing and learning from classic movies, but what holds them back from doing so? The accessibility to such materials is so much greater… more than it has ever been, with DVDs aplenty and specialized cable channels such as TCM, IFC, etc. So why not abuse it?

At the same time, our information age has spoiled us. The mass quantities of information that we get fed daily is so overwhelming, we forget to slow down and remember (and fully appreciate) our roots.

I also appreciate this theory:

“There is something antithetical to the American character in believing that movies that are familiar and pleasurable to us are also works of substance.”

Another issue/factor is that modern day audiences laugh or scratch their heads at the dated behaviors and dialect in some of these classic movies (this is addressed in said article as well). What they may not understand is the effect(s) that these films have had on the industry and the art. Don’t get me wrong, there was a share fair of crappy movies made in those days as well, but how can we just write off the movies that inspire the artists and moviegoers of motion pictures past and present?

What do you want out of your moviegoing experience? Do you have any desire to get to know classic movies? What are your favorite classics, if any?

I’m all excited and stuff. Spirited Away opens today in the US, and I’m itching to see it.

“Spirited Away” is the latest film written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, best known as the director of great films such as “Princess Mononoke” and “My Neighbor Totoro”. If you have never seen his films, I suggest you do so soon! He has been in the business a long time, and has a real knack for engaging storytelling and beautiful cinematography.

A lot of people seem to think that Anime is all cute cute creatures or giant robots or teenage girls in school uniforms. Give it a chance and open your mind! Don’t judge Anime at all until you see a Miyazaki film.

17 May 2002 is an important day.

No, it’s not just Bob Saget’s Birthday!

The 17th is the day of the West Coast Premiere of “Gigantic”! For those of you not in the know, “Gigantic” is a documentary film all about my favorite band of all time, They Might Be Giants!

The premiere is during the 2002 Docfest in San Francisco. More specifically, at Studio Z (formerly the Transmission Theater) 314 – 11th Street at Folsom.

Be there or be square.

Oh, and if you *are* there, let me know. We’ll go get some pie or something.