Mens Rea

Babel

Last night I saw Babel with my sister-in-law at the cheap theater. The critics were all over in terms of their opinion. Some said it was disjointed. After watching it, I must say that it was disjointed! BUT... that was precisely the point. It was confusing. The three interconnected plots were all at different times. There were strong juxtapositions from scenes. But, considering the biblical nature of the films title, it was achieved its purpose brilliantly. I was completely impressed with it. It is only after you go home and think about the point of the film that it really starts to become profound. The acting was brilliant. Cinematogrphy was typically over-exposed which leant a surreal-like quality to the film (with the exception of the Japanese-scene which looked like a frenetic hallucination). I am glad to see that it is being nominated. Unfortunately, I have not seen all of nominated films; however, the Academy will most likely go with Little Miss Sunshine. It seems like a movie they will go for. Babel is took dark and provocative. Babel achieves this provocation, not by sensationalism, but by its starkness and subtlety. I am rooting for Pans Labyrinth and Babel tonight. Perhaps I may issue a corrective entry when I see the others, but somehow I doubt it.

The Arts are the first to go

I have blogged about this before, but I find it astonishing that in the United States when times get tough, the very first thing to go is funding for the arts. This has always been the case, but came into the forefront of Republicans and Libertarians in the Reagan years. I find it fascinating that in most of Europe it is the very last to be cut. Why? Art is more than a pretty picture on the wall. It is more than a compelling aria, it is more than a provocative play- it is a symbol of our humanity. It is a symbol of our rational mind and it is also, for the same reason, a symbol of hope. Hollywood has long served to fill in the void here, but Hollywood today plays everything safe today and moreover, that is but one part of the arts. We don't appreciate art in our puritanical society, especially in the Midwest where I live. People see no benefit of the fact that we have one of the most beautiful frescos in the world in the Detroit Institute of Arts (by Diego Rivera), yet the funding for the DIA is a constant struggle. When the economy is flourishing, people around here use the high arts to show off their sophistication. Art is not about class, it is about beauty and that is something that distinguishes the US from say, for example, Italy.

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There's Something About Mary

Last night I watched the updated version of "There's Something About Mary." I originally saw this movie in a packed theater in Ann Arbor. I recall laughing my ass off and coming away from the show thinking it was one of the best comedies in years. Yes, it the humor was crude, but it was quite funny. I also remember how shocked I was to see what was included in the film, particularly the zipper and hair gel scenes.

I recently purchased the DVD which included an extended version of the film. To my surprise I found it rather slow in pace. Perhaps it was the extra scenes, but it was not like the first experience. To be sure, there is no way you'd be able to re-live those experiences for you are expecting them, but absent the gimmick, the movie is wanting for substance. Cameron Diaz's girl-next-door character was charming, and Ben Stiller, played, well Ben Stiller. It seemed to work well, but no matter how good their performances as well as some excellent supporting roles, they cannot make up for the lack of substantive script. Yes, I know this is not supposed to be a high art film, but even when compared to other comedies, it does not seem to stand the test of time in the way that a Trading Places, Fletch, or even Spaceballs does