LONG LIVE THE DVD SHOP!

As you all know I've recently moved to the beautiful Tasmania. Ive come here to get back to nature and to find God.
Well I did all that in the first day. Now what?
Im initially struck by the very unique breed of "Tasmanian"person.
They are quick with a joke (usually not funny)or to light up your smoke (which is unfortunate as Ive already quit)
Ive also sacrificed the booze and the bad boys in a place where the B&S ball was invented!
HELP!
I havent exactly been able to fit in at my cafe job either.
I suppose it doesnt help being the only 35 soon to be 36 year old there.
Alas, a 35 year old who wont sing kareoke or cant roll joints...
I assure them that Ive had a very textured life thus far. Lots of travel and study.
I am NOT just a barista for Goddsake!
I write a very successful blog (with all of its 6 followers)and I also plan to audition for the role of Lady Anne in the Playhouses' up and coming production of Richard 111.
Oh yeah I'm real busy.
Not.
The fact is my average day to date is -
wake,
eat AMAZING fruit,
work,
DVD,
sleep.
The DVD part is my favourite.
I have discovered a huge stadium building called VIDEO CITY. Every title Ive requested,they've come to the party.
When friends are nowhere to be found,Video City always has its light on.
As soon as I walk in and smell that stale carpet smell; I go weak at the knees.
Im home once more.
The tension in my shoulders starts to disappear as I pivot between the Foreign and Thriller sections.
I try to contain my excitement that Season 3 of "True Blood" will be in store in less than three days!
On my days off, I can spend a record 2 hours deliberating on which three titles to get for the mid week special.
A day spent in a DVD shop is a happy one. Made more complete with some portly pimply faced attendant and a bag of microwave popcorn.
Off to bed to commence a series called "The Wire"

Heard its FULL ON.

I say BRING IT ON!

JAX

The Unbearable Lightness of Being- Tomas' Poem

Aaaaah sweet Daniel. I used to squint my eyes and pretend this was me OVER and OVER.
More to come on this remarkable actor....xx

IRREVERSIBLE-TIME DESTROYS EVERYTHING.

Hello there.
I know I have been a little quiet of late.
Basically, there has been nothing that has rocked me to the core.
As I get older,I aim to be more succinct and not waste words.
The following feature however could not pass by without comment.
"Irreversible" is a 2002 French feature directed by Gaspar Noe.
My only prior knowledge was that it had a feature length rape scene in it.
As a woman, I inevitably refrained for a long time.
Eventually, curiousity won and I endured a 94 minute visual and emotional assault like no other.
This movie, like "Memento" is set in rewind. Beginning with the gruesome outcome and finishing with an optimistic start.
Each scene is shot with multiple takes before being digitally edited. This gives each scene the illusion of being shot in one take only.
The eratic cinematography at the beginning left me feeling scattered and a little queasy. A dingy Gay bar where ANYTHING goes set the scene for the most horrific execution Ive ever witnessed. (and I've seen Full Metal Jacket AND Passion of the Christ!)
I couldnt quite fathom the choices that Mr Noe had made. I had to look away several times during this scene.
Furthurmore, I pondered could it get any worse?!!!?
"Alex" then appears; played by the ridiculously good looking Monica Bellucci. (She's also a freakishly talented actress too)
Granted I knew it was coming;but found the sexual and physical torture of Monica's character unbearable. The director really soaks up the moment and does not censor one second. As the audience we are condemned to be in that very underpass with her without being able to help.
It confirmed to me that any man or woman who takes sexual advantage over another deserves the same fate as a murderer.
Without question.
This abuse of power may allow the victim to eventually recover physically but will permanently stain them emotionally. Fracturing all their relationships with others.
Just when I'd had enough,I saw one of the most tender celluloid love scenes between "Alex" and "Marcus" (played by Vincent Cassell-my pin up of the month)Interestingly enough this pair is married in real life.
We see them realistically chat and caress "postcoitus". The attention to detail is exquisite. Bellucci's hair, ever so greasy from her afternoon of ardent lovemaking with her new boyfriend.
Rachel also explains that she might be pregnant and we realize how both characters would be ok with it.
Having a relationship outside of the movie gives an actor so much to draw from. Hence the relationship is so much more real for the audience.Look at other successful screen/life pairings-Hepburn/Tracey, Taylor/Burton Allen/Keaton etc.
This film is powerfully obvious but equally symbolic.
Its juxtaposed plot and strong themes require no commentary from me.
We are sad that we see the fate of our protaganists violently spewed out. It stings even worse when we see them revelling in pleasure the very afternoon before it happens.
The essence of IRREVERSIBLE is simple-
such is life but ultimately in the end "time destroys everything"
Watch with caution.
JAX

So I Married An Axe Murderer

Another fave. I particularly liked the late Phil Hartman's cameo as a prison warden.

JAX WANTS MORE FOLLOWERS!

Gotta love the English...

THE SWIMMER

Denial ain't just a river in Egypt.

MARK TWAIN


Last week my elder sister informed me to get a hold of a 1968 film with Burt Lancaster called "The Swimmer" As she is my older sister, that's exactly what I did.
Its hard to explain the plot plausibly. A good looking bloke in his speedos goes from house to house swimming in each of his neighbours pools.
At first,we see how popular protaganist "Neddy"(played by a chiseled Burt lancaster) is with the folks of New England. He cant seem to make a false move.If he's not cantouring graciously in a green field with a beautiful horse; he's flirting outrageously with a young beautiful blonde.
You are forced to question the symbolism.
As the movie progresses,things start to take a nose dive. The horse run lands him tits up and the young blonde flees the scene when she feels that "Neddy" wants much more than friendship...
His friends begin to turn against him.They demand money and make glaring accusation that leave "Neddy" bewildered and confused.
Each scene is painted for us by cinematographer David L Quaid. He parades us through bright green manicured lawns to dark and vacant spaces. He also illuminates the grey archways we each pass through on lifes highway. Stunning work!
His ex mistress is cold and full of vengeance, the family have disappeared and the Norman Rockwell painting has long since faded.
Another cynic of Neddys is "Joan" A small role played by a much younger Joan Rivers. Well done Rivers! You were wonderful as the hard drinking,chain smoking New Yorker who wasnt going to be "played" any more! Why have you not been given more screen time?!?
The message of this film is not overtly clear but the vision is mesmerizing.
You as the audience cant help but be allured into it.
The character of "Neddy" was always going to be a hart act to swallow. How can you take a hottie in swimming trunks seriously when everyone else is fully clad?
The only man to pull it off is Mr Lancaster himself. Until now, I had only seen him in a 1986 feature called "Tough guys" with Kirk Douglas. An average exposition on two ex cons trying to find their way in the world of modern crime. Crap!
When I did my research;here was the lead in "The Birdman of Alcatraz" and an oscar winner for a flick called "Elmer Gantry."
Lancaster was crucial to the success of this film. This philosophical narrative required an actor with a theatrical background who was prepared to skillfully overplay each scene. That he did.
I believe this film would wonderfully translate to the stage. The theatrical dialogue is there, you would just have to get a little creative with the set.
Burt Lancaster makes us feel sorry for him. A highly challenging task for any actor.
He illustrates the power that denial plays in any humans life. A person in denial appears blissfully unaware of the wreckage falling on top of them.
Denial in this way IS a distorted choice.
DENIAL is dangerous-it kills and prevents.
This is all too evident in the final scene
Nothing survives denial.
A strong film before its time that holds an important message for ALL of us today.

Here and now, Jax.

THE SWIMMER

Clarke Griswold cuts sick

To me National Lampoons Family Vacation is the funniest in the series. Accordingly Chevy Chase is one of the funniest guys EVER. These quirky comedies from the 80's still warm the heart.
Now we're stuck with Martin Lawrence and "stoner" movies. BORING!
Ill take John Hughes and John Candy any day.
LOL !!!!