War Inc, another little film that could, had a limited realese in movie theaters. Thanks to John Cusack's MySpace campaign, the word was spread far and wide about this film by regular fan's and critics of President Bush's policies and politics alike.
When I said, see this movie and open yourself up to new ideas, I meant it.
Right now, we are at war and in the middle of a recession driven by greed and ignorance. The idea that corporations, like the fictional Tamerlane Industries, exist and operate the way they do for profit is not far fetched. It is frightening.
It is also a very close reality. See the film and then do the research for yourself. You can't learn everything from a blog.
Showing posts with label John Cusack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Cusack. Show all posts
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Review: WAR INC.
Another film that was looked over by this year's Golden Globes, WAR INC. John Cusack co-wrote and stars in this political satire set in fictional, war-torn country of Turaqistan which is occupied by a fictional American corporation Tamerlane industries.
In this bleak version of the immediate present and future, America is a country that is in the business of making war for profit--i.e. after blowing the country to smithereens we sell and spoon feed Democracy to the Turaqistani's. It is a bitter pill to swallow. A future where great coporations spend vast amounts of dollars shaping the worlds nations into what they see as profitable ventures. Where everything even human life and limb is profitable. This is a frighteningly real concept, and alot of truth can be said in jest.
As "Hauser" John Cusack is a hitman hired by the corporation's CEO (played by Dan Ackroyd) to kill a Middle Eastern oil minster. Hauser's cover will be that of a Trade Show producer hired to put together some kind of show and organize the wedding of Central Asian popstar Yonica Babyyeah (played very well by Hillary Duff). Rounding out the cast are Marisa Tomei, Joan Cusack and Ben Kingsley.
As the film progresses, we see Hauser is not unlike John Cusack's hitman in the film Grosse Pointe Blank. He is very charming, enigmatic, and other than Hagelhuzen (Tomei) the only one with a heart and a conscience. I mean, the man tortures himself by drinking hot sauce straight up from a shot glass. What a guy. And while the moral and emotional implications of what he has to do mount around him in a mass of dark humour, we the audience can't help but laugh.
Marisa Tomei's character, is a left wing investigative repoter who also becomes a love interest to Hauser along with Yonica Babyyeah. It is an interesting triangle to say the least.
Overall, after giving you this little bit, the film is a well told tale. Much better and funnier then Wag the Dog. War Inc is a polically scathing black comedy that pokes holes in the image of American Captalism and reveals greed for what it is--evil.
See this movie and open your mind to new ideas.
In this bleak version of the immediate present and future, America is a country that is in the business of making war for profit--i.e. after blowing the country to smithereens we sell and spoon feed Democracy to the Turaqistani's. It is a bitter pill to swallow. A future where great coporations spend vast amounts of dollars shaping the worlds nations into what they see as profitable ventures. Where everything even human life and limb is profitable. This is a frighteningly real concept, and alot of truth can be said in jest.
As "Hauser" John Cusack is a hitman hired by the corporation's CEO (played by Dan Ackroyd) to kill a Middle Eastern oil minster. Hauser's cover will be that of a Trade Show producer hired to put together some kind of show and organize the wedding of Central Asian popstar Yonica Babyyeah (played very well by Hillary Duff). Rounding out the cast are Marisa Tomei, Joan Cusack and Ben Kingsley.
As the film progresses, we see Hauser is not unlike John Cusack's hitman in the film Grosse Pointe Blank. He is very charming, enigmatic, and other than Hagelhuzen (Tomei) the only one with a heart and a conscience. I mean, the man tortures himself by drinking hot sauce straight up from a shot glass. What a guy. And while the moral and emotional implications of what he has to do mount around him in a mass of dark humour, we the audience can't help but laugh.
Marisa Tomei's character, is a left wing investigative repoter who also becomes a love interest to Hauser along with Yonica Babyyeah. It is an interesting triangle to say the least.
Overall, after giving you this little bit, the film is a well told tale. Much better and funnier then Wag the Dog. War Inc is a polically scathing black comedy that pokes holes in the image of American Captalism and reveals greed for what it is--evil.
See this movie and open your mind to new ideas.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Grace is Gone
Sometimes life throws something at us we can't handle, whether it be common or uncommon. Somethings happen that in time we must live through. The loss of a loved one is one of those times.
I have just seen a powerful, moving film called Grace is Gone starring John Cusack. "Grace" is the story of a man named Stanley. From the beginning of the film, you get the impression of a man who is just going through the motions of living his life, keeping his family stable, and working a job he really doesn't like while his wife does a tour in Iraq.
Stan is not very forthcoming in the spousal support group he is in and at times he can be a really mean dad to his two girls. But, as the film progresses, we begin to see a man who loves his children, and misses his wife desperately.
Upon the news of his wife's death (the news no family wishes to receive), Stan decides to take his children on a road trip instead of telling them outright that their mother would not be coming home. Stanley is a man who is disconnected from his life and his children emotionally. What could have unfolded into a bigger tragedy, instead becomes a journey of rediscovery and acceptance for Stanley. He is able to appreciate what he does have in this two girls and grow stronger as an individual.
This is a very touching film in many ways. It made think, especially, of the families that have to go through this everyday. One day this war is going to end (thank God), but for the families of loved ones on tours in Iraq and Afghanistan a part of them will be lost over there.
There is an organisation called TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)and thankfully it exists for the families with loved ones lost in the war. Hopefully, we can all take time out in our own individual communities to help someone dealing with this profound loss.
The website is www.taps.org
The movie is called Grace is Gone and it is a privilege to see the film to reflect on our fallen heroes and making sure they are not forgotten is a worthy cause to become involved in.
I have just seen a powerful, moving film called Grace is Gone starring John Cusack. "Grace" is the story of a man named Stanley. From the beginning of the film, you get the impression of a man who is just going through the motions of living his life, keeping his family stable, and working a job he really doesn't like while his wife does a tour in Iraq.
Stan is not very forthcoming in the spousal support group he is in and at times he can be a really mean dad to his two girls. But, as the film progresses, we begin to see a man who loves his children, and misses his wife desperately.
Upon the news of his wife's death (the news no family wishes to receive), Stan decides to take his children on a road trip instead of telling them outright that their mother would not be coming home. Stanley is a man who is disconnected from his life and his children emotionally. What could have unfolded into a bigger tragedy, instead becomes a journey of rediscovery and acceptance for Stanley. He is able to appreciate what he does have in this two girls and grow stronger as an individual.
This is a very touching film in many ways. It made think, especially, of the families that have to go through this everyday. One day this war is going to end (thank God), but for the families of loved ones on tours in Iraq and Afghanistan a part of them will be lost over there.
There is an organisation called TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)and thankfully it exists for the families with loved ones lost in the war. Hopefully, we can all take time out in our own individual communities to help someone dealing with this profound loss.
The website is www.taps.org
The movie is called Grace is Gone and it is a privilege to see the film to reflect on our fallen heroes and making sure they are not forgotten is a worthy cause to become involved in.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Ideal Husband, circa 1989
Let's face it, all women are trying to find that ideal man. Or woman. Depending on how you swing. However, that's not where I'm going with this. Women collect this dossier of information in their heads about their perfect other. He has to be tall, or he has to be an astronaut. It doesn't matter how unrealistic or how unattainable these qualifications are. We still hold them in our mind and judge every man who we meet against them. When we go out on a date with someone and we say, "You know, I don't feel that connection," it really means, "Sorry, you don't meet at least one or two of my standards." It's shallow to some extent, but everyone does it.
Sidenote: I never realized until my last viewing that Jeremy Piven is totally in Say Anything! God, that man is amazing.
Films have a lot to do with building my dossier. Which is probably a bad thing. I'm completely buying into this unrealistic image of a man. But at least I know it. Let me give you an example of what I mean. Every since my dad showed me Indiana Jones, I've had this obsession with rugged men like that, as I'm sure every straight woman has had. But the one man that I constantly try to find in the real world is Lloyd Dobler.
Say Anything is hands down, the pinnacle of 80s teen cinema. Which is
funny, because it comes at the end of the 80s. Maybe it's so good because it's actually realistic. Don't get me wrong, I love The Breakfast Club and all those Molly Ringwald, John Hughes movies. But at the end of the day, is that really going to happen? I wish. I prayed that on my sixteenth birthday the attractive jock would realize I was the girl for him and not that bimbo cheerleader he always fucked around with. But Say Anything is a realistic story. The end of high school is the end of innocence. You're now being thrown into the real world, where the decisions you make will affect what happens when you graduate and get a job (hopefully). And Lloyd Dobler isn't like that. He just wants a "dare to be great" situation. That's what he wants after he graduates. College is meaningless unless you've done something meaningful. What fucking high school did he go to!? I want to go there! My high school just stressed being successful.
funny, because it comes at the end of the 80s. Maybe it's so good because it's actually realistic. Don't get me wrong, I love The Breakfast Club and all those Molly Ringwald, John Hughes movies. But at the end of the day, is that really going to happen? I wish. I prayed that on my sixteenth birthday the attractive jock would realize I was the girl for him and not that bimbo cheerleader he always fucked around with. But Say Anything is a realistic story. The end of high school is the end of innocence. You're now being thrown into the real world, where the decisions you make will affect what happens when you graduate and get a job (hopefully). And Lloyd Dobler isn't like that. He just wants a "dare to be great" situation. That's what he wants after he graduates. College is meaningless unless you've done something meaningful. What fucking high school did he go to!? I want to go there! My high school just stressed being successful. He's the perfect man. Good musical taste (he listens to RHCP in the car, awesome), sensitive, funny, respectful. And what does his "dare to be great" situation turn out to be? Loving Diane! And she's so fucking stupid! How does Lloyd Dobler, the perfect man, end up with a twat? She has no idea that all of us are on the other side of the screen cursing her name. Why would you ever consider giving up a man like Lloyd Dobler? I seriously think every man should watch this movie and learn one thing from it and apply it to everyday life. It could be that women can't resist "In Your Eyes." It could be that phone calls are overrated and letters are the real deal. I don't care. I hope Cameron Crowe is actually a real life Lloyd Dobler. I hope he seriously wrote this movie about himself. That would give me a little hope for my romantic life.
At this point I may be coming off like some angry single woman who eats Oreos constantly and stalks Jude Law. I'm not, although I do like Oreos in moderation. I've dated fantastic men, and I've dated the scum of the Earth. I think everyone can say that about their romantic life. I'm just saying that this film showed me that men can be mature after high school and I shouldn't deal with juvenile bullshit. It's a great thing to realize, and if you haven't done so I urge you to try. So every time you hear Peter Gabriel on the radio, nod your head in appreciation. Because the light, the heat is in your eyes Lloyd Dobler. Wear that ridiculous trench coat proudly.
Sidenote: I never realized until my last viewing that Jeremy Piven is totally in Say Anything! God, that man is amazing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Livewire