This past week has wreaked havoc with my schedules. I found that snow days seem a godsend on the outside but actually are rather dull. I have learned that daytime television is truly horrific. The sad thing is, I spent a great deal of time actually watching it. I guess laziness just took over and weakened my defenses. Luckily, in the past few weeks I have found something worthwhile in the realm of popular culture.
Film: The Reader
Although I don't know if it is Best Picture material, The Reader is a truly amazing film to watch. I knew little about the plot going in. I just knew that it had something to do with a teenage boy having lots of sex with an older woman and a concentration camp trial. I was enthralled by the entire thing. Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslet, and David Kross are amazing. Kate Winslet definitely deserves an Oscar nomination for this film, but probably not in the Best Actress category. (I worry that she may not win for The Reader over Meryl Streep in Doubt. But I digress.) The Reader is very controlled in its narrative. The move between present and past is seamless and never gets overused or trite (as can so easily happen). Holocaust films can sometimes over-demonize or swing the other way and over-sympathize with characters. The Reader does a nice job staying in the middle. Although I found myself feeling sorry for Hannah, that sympathy was never because of what she did in the concentration camps. The film's ending really did a nice job with the sympathy issue when the adult Michael goes to visit Ilana; it was a very powerful moment. Again, I'm not sure that this film has Oscar written on it but it certainly will be worth your two hours to watch it.
Television: Jon & Kate Plus 8
This show has been around for awhile but I just realized recently that I've never written about it. I love TLC for so many reasons (and hate it for so many other reasons). Jon & Kate is one of the reasons I love it. I remember watching the one-hour documentaries on the sextuplets and was pleased when it became a regular series. It has been fun to watch all the kids grow up and I hope they keep the show around for several more years, at least until the kids all go to school. What I really like about TLC's "life unscripted" is that it feels just that - unscripted. Jon and Kate argue, the kids act like brats, and everyone makes mistakes. However, unlike the major networks' reality television, Jon and Kate feels real. We've all said and done the things they say and do. Nothing is every truly over the top and unbelievable. These are two human beings who are doing the best they can. Do they often get freebies? Yep. Should they? Frankly I don't know. What I do know is that their children are adorable little human beings and Jon and Kate treat them as such. I like that.
Book: Born Standing Up
Steve Martin never ceases to surprise me. (Do we really need another Pink Panther film?) Luckily, his 2008 autobiography is a very good surprise. This is the first of his books that I have read. If the others are similar in narrative flow and voice, sign me up! It took all of three pages for me to laugh out loud. The book follows Martin's life from childhood to super-stardom. He is honest and pulls few punches. You'll learn that his family life was less than perfect. You'll also learn that he worked at Disneyland as a magician at the tender age of 15. He talks about both his sucesses and his failures. But if you're looking for personal relationship info, you'll get very little. Instead, Martin talks about his career as a stand-up comedian. Reading this while watching PBS's documentary Make 'Em Laugh was excellent timing. As I was reading through Martin's influences I was also watching clips of them on PBS. I would recommend this book for any fan of the wild and crazy guy.
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6 comments:
I see your "Cheaper By the Dozen" and raise you "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles."
Plus, his dentist character from Little Shop Of Horrors. "Son, be a dentist/You have a talent for causing things pain/Son, be a dentist/People will pay you to be inhumane." Really love it. :-)
"Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" is truly excellent but it always makes me cry at the end so I just couldn't bear to put it on the list. I chose "Cheaper" because his pairing with Bonnie Hunt (who I ALWAYS adore) is brilliant. And he is great in "Horrors."
Of course, this list made me realize that Steve Martin has the smarts to pair himself with great comedians/actors. In each of the films discussed so far he is good because he is playing off another good comic actor, especially Rick Moranis. (Who is an old friend according to "Born Standing Up.")
So many good movies, so little list space!
I just don't see how you can have a list of Steve Martin's greatest and not have Trains, Planes & Automobiles. The rental car scene is classic.
Re: John & Kate: Aiden is our favorite. Love his little glasses.
Having seen both The Reader and Revolutionary Road, I enjoyed Kate Winslet's performances in both; however, her acting in Revolutionary Road was outstanding. She should have been nominated for her portrayal as April Wheeler, a troubled, unhappy woman stranded in a sometimes painful marriage. She is phenomenal. Like you, Heather, I think she may lose to Meryl Streep (excellent performance in Doubt) because The Reader (in my opinion) was the wrong choice.
Personally, I've always liked Parenthood...but I'm not sure if that's because of Steve Martin or the incredible cast with whom he worked. The Jerk is also one of my absolute favorites.
"LA Story" anyone?
I heard some of Steve Martin's new banjo music this morning on "Good Morning, America." It was very good and I may have to invest in the download.
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