Oh Captain, My Captain.

About a year ago I did a post about The Crazy Ones. I said it possessed promise as a new show. I'm glad season one exists, though it was short lived. It allowed Robin Williams to figuratively come into my apartment once a week. It provided me an opportunity to simultaneously giggle and marvel at the immense talent, fast-talking wit, and overall warmth that I grew up watching. 

"I don't have very much time these days so I'll make it quick. Like my life. You know, as we come to the end of this phase of our life, we find ourselves trying to remember the good times and trying to forget the bad times, and we find ourselves thinking about the future. We start to worry, thinking, 'What am I gonna do? Where am I gonna be in ten years?' But I say to you, 'Hey, look at me!' Please, don't worry so much. Because in the end, none of us have very long on this Earth. Life is fleeting. And if you're ever distressed, cast your eyes to the summer sky when the stars are strung across the velvety night. And when a shooting star streaks through the blackness, turning night into day... make a wish and think of me. Make your life spectacular. I know I did."

- Jack

This Frances Ha is very aware of itself

Frances Ha (2012)
Written by: Noah Baumach & Greta Gerwig
Directed by: Noah Baumach
Starring: Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner

My Rating: 7.8
Worth: 2 hours multitasking, cost of rental
Clairometer: Erin Brockovich

Andy: What do you do?

Frances: It's Complicated. 

Andy: Is it because what you do is complicated?

Frances: No. It's because I don't do it. 

If you've ever said, "well that was a little too 'indie'" after watching a movie, avoid Frances Ha. For example, it is in black and white, for no explained reason, cigarettes are practically a main character in the first half of the film, and it's filled with lines like "I internet-acquired three pair of very rare  Ray Bans; I'm doing awesome." However, if you can weed through the urban-outfitters wardrobe and Girls'-minus-the-nudity vibe, Frances Ha is a very good film.

"Sophie, I f*&cking held your head when you cried, I bought special milk for you, I know where you hide your pills, don't treat me like a three hour brunch friend!" - Frances

This is a love story of two best friends, Sophie and Frances. They lived together in college, then got a small apartment in New York together after graduation. But as life often does, it separated them. Frances must learn to grow up and live without Sophie by her side. Frances' dependence on Sophie is not a matter of finances or because Frances has trouble being alone. Sophie gives her a confidence to be herself that no one else can. Frances Ha is a grown up  Frozen, with less singing and more dancing. 

It's About Time for a Good Rom Com

About Time (2013)
Written and Directed by: Richard Curtis
Starring: Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Billy Nighy, Lydia Wilson

My Rating: 8.0
Worth: cost of rental, undivided attention
Clairometer: Mathilda


"Oh goody, Rachel McAdams with another time traveling lover.""Man that trailer looks cheesy." "Yet another movie relying solely on Rachel McAdams' perfect face and adorable personality." These were my thoughts when I saw advertisements for About Time. But I was happily disproved when I went against my better judgement and watched it. I should've known with Richard Curtis behind the scenes. Forgive me Working Title. I'll never doubt you again.

"It's very bad for a girl to be too pretty. It stops her from developing a sense of humor. Or a personality." - Tim's mum 

About Time is filled with vibrant characters and the most beautiful settings outside of a constructed Nancy Meyers set. You wish you had Tim's sister, uncle, mum and dad. You wish you grew up in Tim's house. The character development is perfect, not lacking, but not excessive. The lines are unpredictable but fit the overall theme. Domhnall Gleeson is delightful in an untraditional but not unreasonably quirky way.

"And so he told me his secret formula for happiness... part one of the two part plan was that I should just get on with ordinary life - living it day by day - like anyone else." 

About Time is about a time-traveling father and son who use this power to harness the true meaning of life.

"But then came part two of dad's plan. He told me to live every day again almost exactly the same. the first time with all the tensions and worries that stop us noticing how sweet the world can be but the second time noticing."

Keep in mind, this is a romantic comedy. There are obviously time travel plot holes. Even JJ Abrams can't fix his, so why would Richard Curtis be able to? Just ignore them and admire Rachel McAdams easy going demeanor, laugh at Billy Nighy's artfully humorous comments and learn to love each moment the way Tim does. The film leaves you with a new appreciation for ordinary. 

What I'm Watching This Month

Derek (2012 - present)
Created and Written by: Ricky Gervais
Starring: Ricky Gervais, Kerry Godliman, David Earl
Where to watch: Netflix

My Rating: 9.1
Worth: a Netflix subscription, and 30 minutes of undivided attention
Clairometer: Mrs. Doubtfire


The cliche "It made me laugh it made me cry" is necessary to describe Derek. Every episode literally makes me laugh and makes me cry. Apparently the now cliched use of literally is necessary as well. Derek is heartfelt, funny and like nothing I've ever seen. We all knew Ricky Gervais was a mean comic genius, but who knew he could be a kind comic genius. Derek shows his acting chops and his ability to put his plethora of random animal facts to good use (insert any Daily Show interview clip here).

The show is about a man who lives in a nursing home. Derek is mentally retarded and loves everyone. Anyone who has ever watch Gervais host the Golden Globes would rightfully be weary of him portraying a mentally retarded man surrounded by the elderly. But rest assured neither of these facts are ever the punchline. The delicate situation is ripe for political incorrectness but is not. It's lovely. Watch it. Laugh. Cry. Then call your grandma and tell her you love her.

P.S. Season (series) 2 has just been added!

Leon the Bouquet Full of Tarantinos

Violet & Daisy (2011)

Starring: James Gandolfini, Alexis Bledel, Saoirse Ronan
Written and Directed by: Geoffrey Fletcher

My Rating: 6.1
Worth: No money, multitasking
Clairometer: Jenny Curran


The title of this post makes no sense and neither does this movie. However, from the limited interviews I watched with Geoffrey Fletcher (yes that is what I do for fun and in preparation for this blog that no one reads), that was his intention. He answers no questions about the plot or the strange, seemingly irrelevant scene during the credits. He merely hopes you will create your own interpretation for everything. Creatively generous, no? In an attempt to explain my title: the film is a combination of Leon the Professional, Pulp Fiction, and taking a stroll through anthropologie. I say Pulp Fiction with a caveat though, as there is only one plot line. And bouquet, because the girls are "delicate" flowers. It is slow, gory, and colorful. It would be painful to watch without Ronan and Bledel's beautiful blue eyes. The four of them are practically characters in the same way Zooey Deschanel's eyes are in any role she plays. The film is also on the semi-recent bandwagon of not establishing a decade. Until Violet uses a cell phone, I thought this was a period piece from the 70s. Perhaps it's the lighting. Or perhaps it's an attempt to create a timeless work.

The girls are technically adults and yet they play pattycake and thumb war. Oh and they also kill people. It's quite an obvious juxtaposition. The girls' boss* assigns them a new kill and this particular assassination is a bit difficult. It's a lovable, fatherly James Gandolfini. That, added to the girls being so pretty and seemingly innocent equals only one ending right? Daddy issues coming out in an R-rated sexual display. In the words of Borat, NAAAT. Gandolfini takes me back to The Mexican and reminds me how he can add heart and chivalry to an action film [you are missed papa bear]. That surprising turn of events, and the beautiful cinematography made this an interesting and, at times, heartfelt movie. It's slow and strange, but you fall in like with the brutal killers.

*played by Danny Trejo. But Trejoites be warned, he's on screen less than Drew Barrymore in Scream. 

More Than Alright Alright Alright

Mud (2012)
Starring: Tye Sheridan, Jacob Lofland, Matthew McConaughey*, Reese Witherspoon
Written and Directed by: Jeff Nichols


My Rating: 8.3
Worth: 2 hours fully paying attention, cost of purchase
Clairometer: Holly Golightly

Two young boys give the most outstanding performances by "children" since Keisha Castle-Hughes in Whale Rider. They are witty, believably from the small river town in Arkansas, and they frankly steal the show from the main-credited and Golden Globe-winning dramatic actor under whose name the film was advertised. The main character Ellis, shows a side to young boys rarely seen in film. When young people play major roles in a film, nothing is more obvious than when adults write their perception of teenagers. Snotty, shallow, and bored are the three adjectives that come to mind. But thankfully, Jeff Nichols is different, and Ellis is special. Ellis is respectful, insightful, and active. The depth to his character is deeper than the river in which he resides. He is affected by old-fashioned stories of adventure, as are most teenagers. However, he sees as part of that adventure protecting a woman he loves. And what decent woman wouldn't love him back? He witnesses no one in his town embodying this archaic idea of romance and it rattles his sensibilities. Ellis then meets Mud, and finally sees a man in whom he can confide about his ideals.

Mud is an adventure story. It is a love story. And both sides to this story turn out to be far more complicated than a teenage boy is able to fully comprehend. How do we cope when someone on whom our foundations of life are built turns out to be fraudulent? What do we do when the entire world around us provides absolutely no indication that true love is forever, or even possible? Where do we turn when everyone around us fails to live up to our self-imposed standards for them? Mud teaches them that life is full of mistakes and momentary bliss, but as men they must fight for what they want. Ellis shows us a level of integrity only found in the rarest of heroes. Watch Mud and your perception of love and friendship will be slightly altered for ever after.

*In case you're thinking this is the first movie ever where he keeps his (lucky) shirt on, you're wrong. C'mon, It's still the same Matt. I'm pretty sure it's in his rider.  

I'm back...

As obvious in my intro, I am in law school. This requires time and effort all year, but especially November and December, and April and May. January however, has been spent binge watching television of course and traveling - my two favorite activities. I apologize to my three readers for my absence. I missed sharing my insights, complaints and blatherings with you desperately. So, until April....