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8 out of 10Very good movie. One thing that I am frustrated by here, though, is -- why did they call each other Aimee and Jaguar? Just pet names? I don't get it -- I'm confused. And, I hate that. Maria Shrader has to be one of the captivating actresses I've ever seen, or at least in this performance. I love coming across these new actress who I can now follow. Awesome score. Here's the synopsis from Blockbuster.com : Awards
1999 - Winner - Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Actress Juliane Köhler 1999 - Winner - Berlin International Film Festival Silver Bear for Best Actress Maria Schrader 1999 - Nominee - Golden Globe Best Foreign Language Film
Full Synopsis
The opening film of the 49th International Berlin Film Festival in 1999, Aimée & Jaguar drew attention not only for the lesbian love story that it narrates, but equally for the political position of the lovers -- Aimée, the wife of a Nazi officer, and Jaguar, a Jewish journalist. The story is based on the memoirs of Lilly Wust (the Aimée character), who is 85 and still living in Germany. In 1943, as Allied bombers leave Berlin in ruins, Lilly Wust Juliane Köhler earns a Cross of Motherhood for bringing up four children while husband Günther Detlev Buck is away fighting on the eastern front. She leads a bourgeois existence, with occasional love affairs on the side, and the bust of Hitler is a prominent decoration in their flat. When Lilly receives a love letter signed 'Jaguar,' she suspects a male admirer. But it is the self-confident Felice Schragenheim Maria Schrader who initiates this forbidden romance. A passionate love affair begins amidst the bombing raids and the threat of persecution. Madly in love, Lilly wants to divorce her husband, which causes a terrible storm, not just because her lover is a woman, but because she is Jewish and fighting for the Resistance. But nothing stops the love-blind Lilly. The two women make a pact of love and marriage and try to block out the reality of war and persecution; however, the Gestapo soon catches up with them. Aimée & Jaguar is based on Erica Fischer's best-selling book, published in 1994 and translated into eleven languages; the real life Lilly Wust was 80 years old when she told Erica Fischer her story. Maria Schrader and Juliane Köhler shared the Silver Bear for the Best Actress at the 49th Berlin International Film Festival, for their roles in Aimée & Jaguar, while the film received the Teddy Award, given to films dealing with gay and lesbian issues. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, All Movie Guide
 7 1/2 out of 10A good movie, and I was pretty impressed. I wish I had actually seen it in the theaters when it was out, but for some reason (probably a feeling of hopelessness) I stopped going to the theaters during last summer. There's one scene that I'd read about and it was pretty remarkable when I was watching. When the planes hit the towers in NY, there's no picture -- just sound. These massive explosions. In a way, it's a touch of class to do that; in another way, it demagnifies the event, choosing not to go for the sensationalist approach; in yet another way, it makes it more dramatic than anything. Michael Moore is so twisted (in a good way) that he gets this one soldier on-camera talking about how they all hook up into the same intercom system so they can all listen to this jammin' music as they kill people. It's a remake of " The Roof is on Fire." I don't know who it's performed by, and I don't care, because it's really macabre-sounding. And, I can imagine these idiots immediately transformed from the hicks they are to Ultimate killing machines just by hearing the song. There's something wrong with someone who can tolerate killing others. It's called sociopathology. And, it's very dangerous. In fact, it's one of the few mental diseases which will NOT be successful if used as an insanity defense -- because you're too far gone, and way too dangerous, to be allowed to live. Huh. But, the real point I was going to make about that is that, Michael Moore, clever and ill in his own passionate way, has a scene of American soldiers bodies being burned and then later hung up for display in Baghdad, and he has the music for this horrible remake of "The Roof is on Fire" in the background. Burn motherfucker, burn. Other than that, I found the whole film was a little tame, for my taste, and pretty much had the biggest hard-on for George W. -- which, personally, I am starting to find a little exhausting, in my life, and really not much worth the effort. Almost like Michael has a vindetta (sp? How do I get spell check in these posts?) against W b/c W insulted him once. While I love a good slam against the president, I wish I could've seen more of the war and soldiers and New Yorkers reaction and why exactly those people flew planes into the towers. On the upside, I finally am able to tell how the war was really about oil, and why. Ah... Tilda Swinton was on the panel for the Cannes Film Festival that gave Michael Moore the Palm D'Or (sp?). I've started to notice, and find it curious, that people often speak of 9/11 and Ground Zero and The Towers and all that. And, we all know what they're talking about, instantly. I wonder if it will always be that way, even in 20 years.---------Update: I came back and removed 1/2 a point from my rating of this film. I had forgotten that I initially wouldn't go to the theater to see this movie because I've decided that what Michael Moore does is not make true documentaries. It's more like propaganda. And, while I usually agree with his estimate when he makes these kinds of movies, it's really transparent to me that his stuff is really just propaganda for a political stance he is taking. That makes it less enjoyable for me, and not really true to the artform. And, I adore documentaries. Highly recommended: Winged Migration: "Strongly recommendable for people who want to rest from violence, corruption, and all mankind in general. It is refreshing to the soul."
By Rion Vernon. Check it out. Click on the link to see more --  
The image on this movie poster disturbs me for some reason. Probably my gag reflex.
7 out of 10
A good movie, and interesting subject matter. I was struck by the ending, but realized that the "situation" (the economic situation, the state of what it means to be a woman, is what I mean by that) in Columbia, the world situation, was to blame for Maria putting in herself in this predicament of illegality that it seems so many other innocents become entangled in. I mean, consider this. And, this is part of what made the movie seem so real....
At one point, Maria is on the plane flying into the U.S. (United Stupids) and feels like she has to go to the bathroom REALLY BAD. What to do?? Hold it? Burst? Have diarrhea in your seat? No good. In the bathroom, you see her grab between her legs because one of those pellets is about to DROP IN THE TOILET! She's already been threatened that if any of them are missing, her family will pay for it (and not with money, which they have none of anyway). Of course, at this point, she's already too far in it - keeping the secret from her family, saying she's away in another city working as a secretary, threatened by the drug dude in Columbia, who it seems if you follow the logic down the road can keep her mule-ing for the rest of her youth, or until she dies or gets arrested. So, do you let a pellet drop in the communal plane toilet? NO. You catch the shitty pellets in your hand! Hopefully your stomach has stopped convulsing for just a few minutes so that you can stand up straight again. What a relief. Now, what to do with the pellets in your hand? Put them in your bag? In your bra? Never make it through customs, else you wouldn't have had to swallow the golf ball size things in the first place. What to do? What to do......?
Of course. YOU PUT THE SHITTY THINGS BACK IN YOUR MOUTH AND SWALLOW THEM AGAIN! Let me say that again. You SWALLOW the pellets that are now contaminated by your own repulsive feces, so that you can hopefully get out of this alive, and possibly return to your family a free woman, instead of getting arrested like the trashed-out-looking chick did. Ah, God!
What hits me most upside the head is this: at least some of the cocaine I've done in my life has come out of the ass of a young girl from Columbia. What's more, at least some of those girls are caught and/or have died either of an accidental overdose or by other foul play.
I am quite certain that I can never, ever, do cocaine again for the rest of my life.
On another note, I can see why Catalina Moreno was nominated for an Oscar. The look of guilt and hesitancy she consistenly had on her face - I'm almost positive it's impossible to act that.
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(Update: ok, I just read that the pellets contain heroine. Thank God I can still do cocaine. (not)).
MOOD: extemely cac kle-y They're finally going to air Prozac Nation on Starz! for a few weeks then released the DVD. I can't wait. I read this article in Slate today about it -- the article's classic -- all about how bitchy the author of the book, Elizabeth Wurtzel, is. ( big cackle for the woman whose other book is Bitch: In Praise of Difficult Women). Some highlights from this article I just can't help but cackle even more at:
negative publicity generated by Wurtzel's tacky comments to a Canadian newspaper shortly after September 11. After rhapsodizing about the "sheer elegance" of the towers' collapse ("It just slid, like a turtleneck going over someone's head. ... It was just beautiful"), Wurtzel concluded airily, "I just felt, like, everyone was overreacting. People were going on about it. That part really annoyed me."
Wurtzel herself was less tactful in a recent assessment of the film, telling the New York Times, "As you should have figured out by now, it's a horrible movie."
I kind of like the fact that Elizabeth Wurtzel's supreme bitchiness, her near-paranormal gift for divining the most offensive possible thing to say, backfired so grandly on the studio that was trying to tap into that very quality.
in her second book, Bitch, she coined the term "mental-health pornography" in a discussion of our culture's obsession with beautiful, suicidal women.
It's certainly no worse than Sylvia, another recent film about a depressed writer-lady, in which Gwyneth Paltrow played a doomed (yet curiously radiant! And WASP-ily indomitable!) Sylvia Plath.
Ricci's performance has nothing self-congratulatory or softening about it. Her Lizzie Wurtzel isn't a "difficult woman" (to crib from Bitch's euphemistic subtitle) – she's a total f***ing bitch. Maybe even a c**t, or a t**t.
(Side note: a ha ha ha ha ha ha!!! A toot? LMAO!)
La Lizzie offers an excuse for the ages: "It was, um, an accidental blowjob?"
Lizzie sits down on a cardboard box to strategize with her roommate about their college personae: "We'll be like these beautiful literary freaks … brilliant and dark and sexy."
But at times, the relentlessly intelligent Ricci manages to turn the author's cruel wit inward, allowing the viewer a glimpse of how awful it would be to be, well, someone so awful.
I cannot wait for this movie.
Nothing satisifes me
You Are 65% Normal
(Really Normal)
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Otherwise known as the normal amount of normal
You're like most people most of the time
But you've got those quirks that make you endearing
You're unique, yes... but not frighteningly so! |
(Side note: it also looks like I'm Really Huge in that pic!)
You speak eloquently and have seemingly read every
book ever published. You are a fountain of
endless (sometimes useless) knowledge, and
never fail to impress at a party.
What people love: You can answer almost any
question people ask, and have thus been
nicknamed Jeeves.
What people hate: You constantly correct their
grammar and insult their paperbacks.
What Kind of Elitist Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla
I just found out what it means. And, now, I cannot close my mouth, so I've got to put my hand over it to cover. And I keep snorting. I also feel extremely nauseous.  (Note: if you want to know the definition of the word, too, click on the title of this entry (I don't think many get it that the colored dots next to the title indicates it's a hyperlink)------ Update: I am CURSING myself for posting this picture everytime I scroll through my blog!
 I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!!! That's all I'm going to say.Except that I've watched it several times, and that I love, love, love fictionalized biographies - biopics, whatever. This one has a similar feel to it like Gods and Monsters, which is a completely awesome movie. Both are about artists, in one form or another, and have a bittersweet tone to them. This is my favorite kind of movie, and also reminds me somewhat of Amadeus, which is one of my all-time favorite movies. Highly recommended (all of these movies, really, but especially Hilary and Jackie). It is not about first ladies, BTW. LOL! Add this to your queue. And, make sure to look up biographical info on Jacqueline Du Pré in Google to get extra perspective and to find out why the world thought she was so very special. PS: I heart Emily Watson
Philosophical/Moral Issue
posed by Jackie of 86 Tips? Check it out, and add your opinion.
 Don't believe the hype. I did, and I am now bitter.5 out of 10And, 5 is pretty harsh from me, but I just kept sitting around for some epiphany, something real to grab onto, and it never came. So, a 5 is definitely deserved. A 5 represents average, but it's only one above being below-average. I do not enjoy things that are just average. Pity the thing which is below average. Positives:Very few. Peter Sargaard - this guy played the world's best villain in Boys Don't Cry, and though I shudder when I see his face, he is a superior actor with a wonderful, and distinctive, voice. The chick who played Char-lene on Designing Women as a trashed-out mom with a Pat Benatar haircut. The reveal that he pushed his mom and that's how she ended up paralyzed (and she eventually died because she was paralyzed). Natalie Portman in a semi-adult role, which reminds me I can't wait to see Closer. It better not suck like this movie did, and it's got Julia Roberts in it so I don't think it will. The Music - esp. Thievery Corp., Negatives:There are so many, I truly don't know where to start, so I'll just spew from here on out. Who gave this asshole millions of dollars to make a mainstream feature film, and why did he waste it? The composition of this film was off, and annoying. If the focus was that he's been troubled and separated over his family because of how his dad feels about him, why not spend MORE TIME showing him and his father interacting? After the clever reveal that he pushed his mother, why not make it some freak thing like he had a spasm, or he was pissed off and compulsively pushed her down the stairs or something? That would warrant people really thinking he was dangerous. Not that crap he told us, though. That is a huge gap and really makes no sense, so that you feel like you're supposed to be shallow or an idiot if you're expected to believe that. This kind of thing insults me, deeply. Other things I didn't like: The Transparent Pretension. As if boys think that deeply, especially if they are single and come from privileged backgrounds. Is this some kind of coming-of-age story? Well, of course, things are different now than they were in the Reagan Era. Why do boys always have to tell their coming-of-age stories and everyone watches and pats him on the back - where are the girl coming-of-age stories? This reminded me a silly Tom Sawyer tale, and I thought it was pretty dumb. How did the beginning scene of the plane going down relate to the movie? Are we expected to understand that it was a dream? 'Cause the connection is pretty tenuous, so that I'm not even sure; it's odd for me to be confused when I watch a movie, so I'm going to say it's because this one was poorly made. Boy ego-wanking - as if Natalie Portman would be with that guy. Keep dreaming. Though the music was good in it, the scene in slo-mo where they are walking into the hotel. Obligatory. The inapprooriate way that guy put his hand on his dad's chest during their "talk" which was really his "speech" which was, in the end, tiresome. That guy's acting, overall, was very bad, and not enjoyable to watch. His character was not even likeable. I don't know how someone can make a movie where the main character is not likable - one of the functions of having a main character is that the audience will immediately identify and like him or her. How did this guy pull it off that I didn't give a damn what happened to his character. Mystifying. Nothing happened in this movie, and I do not say that because it's endearing. A few movies can be good when nothing happens because there is so much going on below the surface. An excellent example is Lost in Translation, which, as far as I am concerned, is a masterpiece. This was typical, not well-written, and unoriginal in practicality. The ending. Why didn't he just get on the plane and crash on the way back to L.A.? That would've been a better ending. I can't believe people gushed about this movie when it was released. Someone even told me that it was deep, thought-provoking, and even painful to watch. That would've been an excellent movie - this movie was not that. I am going to have to find the person who gave me that review and slap him. This movie had a couple of positives but they were just not significant enough to make something out of NOTHING, which is what the idea for this movie was, and also which is basically what I sat watching for 1:40 mins or so. Nothing. What a waste.
Up date on Arctic National Wildlife Refuge legislation
MOOD: pissed SOUNDS: Grace Jones - La Vie En RoseSee my update on the issue in the Senate. I forgot to mention the other day that proponents of drilling in the Arctic Refuge have taken to the practice of always referring to the refuge by its acronym, ANWR, because it extremely depersonalizes the place, the concept, esp. for anyone who might otherwise care about the place and want to keep it as the refuge it is. Like me, and my man John Kerry. Does this look like an ANWR (AN-WAR) or does it look like a picturesque refuge?
 I mean, what is there going to be left? Consistently, these assholes, who represent assholes in the rest of the United Stupids, are raping and pillaging every natural resources we have. It has to end somewhere. Unfortunately, knowing human nature, it will end only when everything is gone, used up, destroyed, gobbled up and shit out. Mark my words. By that point, it will set off a series of events that will have long, long-lasting effects, and there will be no returning from that. People have no foresight. Or, they say, dumbly, it'll be just this one more thing, then we'll stop some of this shit. Yes, they even know it's shit, but they can't help themselves from greedily grabbing it to themselves. Disgusting jackasses. Props to John Kerry who has been ripping Republicans a new asshole left-and-right in the Senate. I really didn't even know during the 2004 elections that he was SO the man. Now, I'm really proud to have voted for him. Plus, he doesn't mince words and that's what this country needs.
7 1/2 out of 10We share 98.4% of our genes with chimpanzees.Positives:Archival footage from the 60s brought to life using digital technology. Cute footage of twin babies. Interesting footage of family dynamics. That one younger chimp throwing rocks at Jane and her protege, and hearing "Rat" off screen from Jane. That chimp had attitude problems, but this is really interesting, b/c they pointed out that he had a rather cold mother and now is always causing trouble for everyone in the family, doing ANYTHING to get attention - whether it's good or bad, he doesn't give a damn. That's something to think about when associating with human beings in our world. He doesn't care if he gets bad attention, he just desperately needs attention. And it's not his fault. All creatures need and want attention, unless they are solitary animals. We are not solitary animals. Now, think about this chimp, think about the complex family structure of chimps, with great dependence upon each other. Think about human beings, who are becoming increasing isolated from each other. Who spend more and more time alone, separated from society. Separated from the whole. Think about all the devices and inventions that are making your life so easy; each one makes it a little easier and seemingly more fun. But a little lonelier. Bit by bit by bit. I have somewhat changed my theories on the popularity of the cell phone. At least people are communicating more - at a wild rate, in fact. But, they can't see or smell or touch the person they're on the phone with. And, they ignore the people around them who they can. There's something completely illogical about that. I think it has something to do with trust issues, fear that we all have. But, I also believe that these devices make it easier to change our lives so we can avoid having to get over the hurdle of trust, and I fear that it's going to create a snowball effect - in that, we won't talk to strangers at all anymore, and then we'll fear them because we never talked to them, and then we'll teach future generations that strangers are bad because, well, we never talked to them, so there must be a good reason for it though we won't remember what the reason was. Eh, this is why I like watching animals and movies like these. They stimulate my mind. Forty years ago there were 3-4 million chimps in 25 African countries, now there are scarcely 150,000 left. In the past 10 years alone, I don't know the number exactly (I'll have to look it up, and I may or may not update this entry), but human beings have increased in number by about 1.5 billion and climbing. There's something wrong with those numbers. Chimps are being hunted, sold, eaten, taken as pets, their habitat burned and destroyed and paved over. Human beings, STOP BREEDING! Sterilize yourself! And, stop sucking up all of the oil of the earth - get your fat ass up and walk! I looked up something about Koko the Sign Language Gorilla today. I have this picture that rotates onto my desktop of her cradling this kitten, entranced by it, but also giving and receiving affection. The first kitten she had, I think it was called All Balls or something. The kitten escaped and got hit by a car. When they showed Koko a picture of a cat that looked like Balls, she signed "Sad. Cry. Frown." She had other kittens after that, but this kind of thing just makes me question how human beings can hunt these animals for their skulls and eat their testicles to become more manly and make their hands into ashtrays. Who would have such a thing in their house? And, why doesn't anyone burn their house down when they pull out the gorilla hand ashtray for guests? My cats watched this entire movie. Negatives:I don't know if there were any. I am going to have to think about this. I wished this movie/documentary had gone on for a lot longer. As it was, it was only 40 minutes, but supposedly we're told that this alone to 14 weeks to shoot. They also did an IMAX movie out of this footage, which showed you the wilderness from the perspective of a chimp. That must have been an awesome IMAx. But, it fits in with the whole mission of the Jane Goodall Institute in educating the public about the plight of chimpanzees and other great apes, so this was probably a very good idea to get the message out.
 Safe but Sick8 1/2 out of 10There are so many good things about this movie, it's almost tedious to list them all. Positives:Julianne Moore, Julianne Moore, Julianne Amber Waves Moore. I will watch anything that Julianne Moore is in, without exception. Plus, she picks such awesome projects, how can you not adore her? Subject Matter. Yeah, you can be Safe but also really Sick. It's a trade-off, as most of life is. 80s clothes. Perms. Slow pace, sometimes painfully so (this is a GOOD thing). The score. The husband's thinly-veiled assholeness - well acted. Mulholland Dr.-like beginning. "The Chemicals...!" "We need to be hearing from you." "Stop! Not allowed! You're contaminating the entire area!" "I see you." "Decaf? Herbal tea? Real coffee?" My cats watched this movie. Negatives:The second scene - the one sex scene. Yes, I know why it was in there, and it was well-acted, and well-placed. But, the memory of that dude humping on Julianne Moore while she coddles and 'baby's him, will remained burned on my soul forever. I have seen other seemingly realistic portrayals of this in movies before, and the women pet the men on the back and wait for them to cum. I am completely disgusted by this. The only other thing was the director/actor/producer commentary. I do not like much of what I heard from Todd Haynes, and he's got an awful laugh. What's worse is that they all just sat around and congratulated each other on what a good job they did, and how amazing each other was. This is dull and very uninteresting, and not what I look for in a DVD commentary. This was an excellent movie, and it's just my taste. These are the things I like to see, what I like to contemplate, what makes the film experience what it is, for me.
Happenings - Siouxsie on DVD
MOOD: ecstatic And, this really is a happening. I finally watched my Siouxsie and the Banshees Seven Year Itch concert DVD. Little Girl Sigh I love Siouxsie. You know that saying "I'd watch him/her read a phonebook"? Well, I'd watch her do that, spit, pick her nose, and fart all at once and think it was Heaven. She's just divine. I still don't think I'd let her put her feet on me, though. But, anything else I'm sure would be a most spectacular time. I can't wait to see them in concert again. 
From the "Dummies" book series. Sounds like the name fits today. Who's Your Daddy? About single parenting....
YES! I am so awesome!
MOOD: Fanta, Fanta, dontcha wanta?!! SOUNDS: Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam (memories of 8th grade, skating rink)  | You scored as Artistic. Congratulations, you scored Artistic. You're looking for the unique movie in the bunch. You've probably watched a lot of movies that nobody has ever heard of, and good for you. You also know good filmmaking when you see it. You just get it, no questions asked. Check out: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Amelie, Garden State, Lost in Translation.
Artistic | | 95% | Sadistic Humour | | 85% | Mindfuck | | 85% | Drama/Suspense | | 80% | Sci-Fi/Fantasy | | 50% | Romantic Comedy | | 50% | Mindless Action Flick | | 30% |
Movie Recommendation.
created with QuizFarm.com |
------------------- (Admin note: I HATED Garden State!! Find out how much I thought it sucked here. I absolutely love all the others they listed, though. Good call).
 Does anybody else do this? (little dance) "Fanta Fanta dontcha wanta"... Just me? OK. 
I never knew. Damn.
| You are |
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HEY!
You are a drumstick.
Absolutely insane. That is how most would describe you. You aren't afraid to take risks, and enjoy putting yourself in strange situations. Most people hang out with you because of your hilarious sense of humour. You light up any bad situation, and can help all of your friends with their problems, except for your own. Because of this, you enjoy being around people like you. Many shut you out for your very weird, random personality, but honestly, you shouldn't care.
Most compatible with: Guitar, and another drumstick.
Click here -- What Random Object Represents Your Inner Self?
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I am strange and off-putting. Yeah, go tell someone who cares.
Please do yourself a favor and read this blog post re: useless Tsunami aid sent from the United Stupids and other "coalition" countries.
Today's Lesson from the Buddha
MOOD: calmer Grasping is the source of all our problems. Since impermanence to us spells
anguish, we grasp on to things desperately, even though all things change.
We are terrified of letting go, terrified, in fact, of living at all, since
learning to live is learning to let go. And this is the tragedy and the
irony of our struggle to hold on: Not only is it impossible, but it brings
us the very pain we are seeking to avoid.The intention behind grasping may not in itself be bad; there’s nothing
wrong with the desire to be happy, but what we try to grasp on to is by
nature ungraspable.
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