3 Paws
Seen recently at Film Streams
He's a hulking man with an ego to match who apparently cheats on his wife - not exactly hero material in my book.
But there's something about his conviction that immediately puts you in his corner and makes you wish you had the guts to fight for your beliefs as he does, despite the consequences (imagine being whacked in the head so hard by the police that it requires brain surgery to alleviate the damage or being detained by the authorities for 81 days while no one - not even your family - knows what's become of you).
I first heard about Ai Weiwei on Bravo's Work of Art (the Project Runway-style show that's looking for the next great artist). In one episode, one of the "contestants" cited the Chinese artist/activist as his inspiration for a particular project. He's become an inspiration outside art circles as well, as thousands the world over follow him on Twitter (if you're interested, make sure you choose the English version). If you ever doubted that art is important, you need to see this documentary - wowwow.
Bonus Bones: 20
I counted at least four dogs in Ai Weiwei's compound, but I've also got to give it up for the cat who can open doors with his paws.
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Arbitrage
2 Paws
Seen recently at the Dundee Theatre (still musty, still waiting for the rehab to start)
There's no denying that Richard Gere, at 63, still has his swagger (I became somewhat obsessed with it after Breathless). But despite it and a cast full of big-time acting talent, this one's a bit of a disappointment.
I don't for a minute pretend to understand the lifestyles of the uber rich, although I do admire the wardrobe (I want that grey coat Susan Sarandon is wearing when she gets into her car after her conversation with Tim Roth). But if this is how they live and how they conduct their relationships, I could care less about learning more. That's the problem with this one - there's really no one to root for, other than Nate Parker (Jimmy Grant), the kid who does Gere's dirty work.
It was over for me after the car accident, when Gere turns into Zack Mayo from An Officer and a Gentleman. You remember the scene - Louis Gossett Jr. is busting his ass as punishment while everyone else is on leave and, while doing sit-ups at the end of a long, physically punishing day, he screws up his face and yowls, "I've got nowhere else to go - I ain't got nothing else." Maybe that's the only way he can do agony.
Bonus Bones: 1
Susan Sarandon is holding a fluffy white cutie when we first see her on screen, but that's it.
Seen recently at the Dundee Theatre (still musty, still waiting for the rehab to start)
There's no denying that Richard Gere, at 63, still has his swagger (I became somewhat obsessed with it after Breathless). But despite it and a cast full of big-time acting talent, this one's a bit of a disappointment.
I don't for a minute pretend to understand the lifestyles of the uber rich, although I do admire the wardrobe (I want that grey coat Susan Sarandon is wearing when she gets into her car after her conversation with Tim Roth). But if this is how they live and how they conduct their relationships, I could care less about learning more. That's the problem with this one - there's really no one to root for, other than Nate Parker (Jimmy Grant), the kid who does Gere's dirty work.
It was over for me after the car accident, when Gere turns into Zack Mayo from An Officer and a Gentleman. You remember the scene - Louis Gossett Jr. is busting his ass as punishment while everyone else is on leave and, while doing sit-ups at the end of a long, physically punishing day, he screws up his face and yowls, "I've got nowhere else to go - I ain't got nothing else." Maybe that's the only way he can do agony.
Bonus Bones: 1
Susan Sarandon is holding a fluffy white cutie when we first see her on screen, but that's it.
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