'Knowing'- Film Review

In my film studies class today, the teacher asked some of us to review an interesting movie we'd seen recently and post it online. The last movie I saw was 'Knowing', starring Nicholas Cage and Rose Byrne.

I hadn't read the plot summary beforehand so found the film to be rather ambiguous in terms of genre. I felt like I was being led into several different realms throughout: horror, thriller, science fiction, mystery and drama.

The ending is neither happy nor unhappy: it just is. What I mean is that the film sets up an ending that cannot help but leave the viewer feeling powerless and small in relation to the universe as a whole (another movie with a message?).

The acting does not disappoint. If you enjoyed Cage's character in 'The Wicker Man' you will enjoy his performance here. Although Byrne's character is central to the story line she does not appear until later in the film but she is not missed, playing a woman just as bland as herself.

The special effects are 'grand' but although they remain colourful, appropriate and well-timed throughout, I would not go on to say that they are the best I have seen. The cinematography however was very good. It was an easy film to watch due to the framing of the subjects, the recurring contrasts of colour and most notably, the motifs (or forms of symbolism) which appear throughout.

Overall, I really want to buy my own copy of this but think I can wait until it comes down in price. If you have the time to see it, do, because after doing the B&T weekly readings you'll really appreciate the effort that has gone into making 'Knowing'.

9/10

THE LOST POST! 'A wise man once said "Change will come". Thank you, Fall Out Boy.'

(I just found this blog on my computer, from late Feb 2009.)

Besides seeing a tarot reader on campus yesterday who told me wonderful things that related quite clearly to my personality and life in general, Uni has been great this first week back. It's felt like a whole new start for me. I am focused on getting great marks and hope to do Honours after I complete my Bachelor of Arts degree in November this year. If I had to base my thesis on any topic, I'd most likely focus on how gender and race is prevalent and portrayed through media such as literature text and film. But the future aside, I'm loving my classes so far this year. I am doing Children's Literature (sounds easy but will be a lot of work as it is a level 3 subject), Representing Crime, Aesthetics and New Ethnicities/Old Racism's. I like that last one, which I had today not only because my tutor is a bit of a spunk but it seems well-organised and just plain interesting in general. Wow. I really have become a nerd.

I ran into my friend Max after class today which was nice as we used to work together and have only seen each other on the odd 'movies and ice-cream' night where some of our work cronies get together and enjoy a simple night out: no drinking allowed. I also heard from another friend, Josh who asked that I film his jazz band's first video clip. Needless to say I said "yes".

So in a nutshell I'm feeling very good about this year. I went to the Fall Out Boy concert on Saturday night (support acts Hey Monday and The All-American Rejects were amazing) and had a great time. The car ride home was a blast as my friend Ant kept good company. University is great as I mentioned earlier and I as the tarot reader said (and I had felt earlier) I have a lot of good things to look forward to. I don't know what I'll do in terms of work: the travel is becoming a bit of a nuisance but I do need funds to survive so perhaps I will stick in there. We'll have to see.

But for now, I'll be off to organise my assignments for the semester. I feel lost without my usual University wall planner!

I Want To See Those Jazz Hands!... I Said Jazz Hands! Not Spirit Fingers!!!

Besides having a topsy-turvy, upsy-downsy kind of week, the one highlight was being named Production Manager of the University's first ever Musical Production. It's nice to be recognised by your teachers for something unrelated to the studies at hand, too. My Thursday teacher is unbelievably kind and supportive, Monday teacher has made mention of the Musical in class and I'm convinced I am a favourite of Wednesday's teacher because I participate in class discussions (usually leading them- I love my Crime class) and get high marks so I must make her look good! Anyway, I think I've gone on a tangent. 

I'm watching The Da Vinci Code with my brother at the moment. It's late and I'm sitting here in the dark with my Mac on my lap, enjoying the art and cinematography that shows itself on the screen as well as listening to the respectable Tom Hanks. I'm a fan of Tom. He was on the Hamish and Andy show last week: such a funny guy, but there's also that sense of importance. I'm not sure how to explain it, but I guess if someone were to say to me: "You can work for any celebrity in the world. Now choose." it would without a doubt be Tom Hanks. Besides being an actor, owning his own company and being a writer as well, he has a lovely wife in Rita Wilson who he has been happily married to for a while now. Kudos! (I've just noticed: Hanks' only friend on the island in Cast Away is a ball he names Wilson... Interesting... "Wilson!!!") To wrap up the Hanks rant, I cannot wait to see Angels and Demons which I believe was released in cinemas yesterday. I bought the Dan Brown novel last week which I will read in my holidays. 

Another book I bought recently was the Penguin Classics version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I can't wait to read it. I love the Penguin Classics editions: I have the Truman Capote true-crime novel 'In Cold Blood'. I just love the feel of the book, the size of the font, the colour of the pages and the new yet old-fashioned smell of the book. I am weird. Back to Austen: I have never read an Austen novel. I have only seen the film starring Anne Hathaway called 'Becoming Jane'. It makes me cry everytime, it is so tragic yet so beautiful. So honest yet also sensationalised. I look forward to reading Pride and Prejudice, even if the film stars the hideously skinny Keira Knightly (can you tell that I am not a fan?). 

So, to sum up: my life at the moment consists of study, planning, books and music. I'm sure Eskimo Joe wrote of a similar circumstance... 

'Til my next blog!

Life Within a Box

So it's Week 9 of the Autumn Uni semester which means we have no classes due to study week. Study week is great if it doesn't coincide with the primary/secondary school holidays (which it did this time around). My brother and sister are impossible: they argue most of the time (and are really loud when they do so) or they are the best of friends and still cause havoc throughout the house. I don't mind living with my family, but of course there are times where I just want to up and leave: find a place of my own. No more living by my parents rules because as much as I hate to say this, in many ways I'm starting to feel like I do know better than them, and that must be really annoying from a parents perspective.

But really, my parents aren't the major problem. The problem is me. I can't stand being here half the time. My nerves are always on edge and for the past two weeks I've been breaking down into tears for no real reason. Maybe I just feel segregated from my friends seeing as I am no longer working. Or maybe it's the bullshit facade my sister puts on everyday without fail (and is doing right now) pretending to cry to get attention and get her own way. Anyway, I can rant and rave all I like: it won't change the fact that I'll be stuck here for another three years.

On the flip-side, Uni is going great. I got my first High Distinction last week: 93% for my Crime essay! The teacher was very pleased with that. I'm hoping she will tell us what the highest overall score, soon. I'm also interested to see what mark I get for my Philosophy essay where I discussed Immanuel Kant's understanding of the beautiful being subjective and yet devoid of all interest. A bit if a concept, huh? Most recently though, I had a class test for my favourite subject which is based on racisms and ethnicities in Australia. The lecturer is great and will be my supervisor for Honours next year but it's my classroom teacher (a second year Ph.D. student) who I get along with best. He's only young and we have been talking quite a bit for the past two months. I just hope we do stay in contact after the semester is over because of all my new friends this semester, it's his opinion that I value the most and his help that is most appreciated. I guess I'll keep you updated on that.

In other news, I am on the Show Committee for our Musical Society at Uni. It's a new 'club' and we will be putting on a student production by the end of the year, with the aim of producing a larger scale show by Christmas 2010. It's been a lot of fun with the fortnightly Musical workshop/meetings where we do improvisation, singing exercises and next week we will start dancing!

Keep you posted but in the meantime, read Truman Capote's 'In Cold Blood': an amazing part-fiction/part-journalistic true-crime account of the Clutter murders. Also track down the film adaption, directed by Richard Brooks. Amazing.

"Do these glasses make me look smarter?"

I picked up my new glasses today. Vogue black rectangular frame. I love them! I can see the screen without straining and I can read fine print without squinting like an oldie. I'm all set for Uni, except that I would like to find some nice pens. I have the highlighters and the colourful notebooks but all I need now are some pens. I'm looking forward to my subjects this semester. I'm doing Children's Literature (sounds easy but it's a level 3 subject so will be a lot of hard work), New Ethnicities & Old Rascism's, Aesthetics and Representing Crime. Should be dandy, especially considering I have friends in at least two classes this semester. 

But in more national news, the bushfires are still ravaging through Victoria. There's been a lot of news coverage, national and international which is good because New Zealand and Indonesia have offered assistance to help the firefighters, Australian army and other such individuals and organisations that have volunteered their help. I donated a small amount to the Red Cross online today. It wasn't much but it was all I could afford in keeping to my tight 'full-time student/retail worker' budget. You should donate too, if you haven't already. http://www.redcross.org.au

But for now, I think I will be off to read a book or just rest my head. I think my body is fighting off the flu. I had a dizzy spell after going to bed last night: I was lying down, what the?! Anyway, I can't get sick because I'm going to the Art Gallery to feel smart tomorrow! I hope I remember what I learnt at Uni in Renaissance to Impressionism. 

Progression and Changes

I'm here to tell you that I finished the video. It is filmed in black and white and includes footage of the wide, open roads and myself (mostly behind the wheel). Fittingly, the footage is synced to the song 'Open Road' by Irish band The Walls. I happen to have made friends with lead singer/guitarist Steve following the Crowded House reunion concert in Sydney back in 2007 and since we've kept in touch with all things music. I'll send him the link soon enough, although I am still not 100% happy with the shots captured. 

On another topic, I have so many study options for the years to come. My options are:

a) finish my course this year, then study a Masters somewhere in Sydney.

b) finish my course this year, complete Honors by November 2010 and study a Masters somewhere unknown. 

or my favourite so far...

c) finish my Arts course this year and then study a 2 year Masters of Teaching course at the University of Melbourne in 2010-2012. 

So many descisions to make this year, especially considering if I do move to Melbourne I'll need my own car to get between Uni, work and school pracs. It's all very scary but also really exciting!

From Beyond the Lens

I love making movies. I love to film and see what the end result brings. What frustrates me with this process is that I can't star and film at the same time. It is imperative that I appear as the protagonist in this film clip I am making for a friend in Ireland and yet any footage now captured on my camera consists of bad angles and half-head shots. It seems I was just not meant to be in the eye of the lens. Take my captivating, daredevil-esque stunts yesterday for example. 

I filmed others jumping off rocks several metres high and into a five metre deep pool, but when it came to my turn the footage stopped the second I stepped off the rock. Now for all you know, I am lying and I never jumped but you will have to take my word for it. It was one of the scariest experiences and I'm still stunned that I did it. Do you know what it's like to feel an endless sensation of falling: not knowing when you will hit the water because you are so terrifed that you sealed your eyes shut on the way down? I do now.

It was good to do something so daring but it also would have been nice to have a reminder of it on film. But for now, I'm heading to do some self-filming for this music-movie.