The Future: Or What Could Be...

So I have finally been given a sign on what I should actually do upon finishing up with this whole college thing. For so long, I have wondered what to do immediately after the dreaded walk up the stage; however, with one email...I know that there may be some resemblance of an idea. What I speak of is the Fullbright program.

In all honesty, I have received information regarding this program since my first year in college (odd considering one must, at the very least, be a senor to even apply), so the program has always been in the back of my head. Other programs that have had this "back burner" status are the "Teach for America" program and Greenpeace; however, neither really offered a an ideal situation (not the best wording, but will have to due for now).

With this program I will have the opportunity to travel to Southeast Asia (paid for by the government) and teach. It is almost too perfect, which means it may be to good to be true, but that is life for you. I guess I should just take a shot and see what happens, eh?

Now to be honest...I mainly write this entry for myself...as I feel as though by simply putting it into writing (albeit over the internet), I will be more determined to actually put the plan into action. So there we have it...a future unknown.

28. High Fidelity

Rob: "What came first, the music or the misery? People worry about kids playing with guns, or watching violent videos, that some sort of culture of violence will take them over. Nobody worries about kids listening to thousands, literally thousands of songs about heartbreak, rejection, pain, misery and loss. Did I listen to pop music because I was miserable? Or was I miserable because I listened to pop music?"

The year is 2000. That number alone signifies a new beginning for many across the globe, as well as fears of the world coming to an end (sorry Y2k). So what does a film about a music obsessed, moody, apathetic, and (most importantly) nostalgic shop owner have to do with any of this? Quite a bit actually.

Although it was most likely not the intention of the director of the film, much less its stars, High Fidelity is the perfect film to be released in the year 2000, as it is a visual presentation of several of humankind's basic feelings: longing for the past, depression, and love. You see, it is the first of those that make this film so perfect, as it goes against the prevailing thought of society (unless you count those that are far too into "vintage"), yet still succeeds at presenting humans. No matter the person, we are all Rob. Everyone on this planet carries their doubts, regrets, and past pains with them, which is what Rob embodies. It is these things, as well as our hopes and dreams, that make a person complete. As simple a character as Rob is, he is the embodiment of what it is to be human.

Now, I admit that I may be taking it a bit far for this film, as most would describe it as a clever comedy with a tale that all could relate to. Or.....maybe it was the fact that the director, Stephen Frears, did an amazing job adapting a British novel for the united States, thus proving the universal quality of music.

I guess the simple reason for my love for this film....comes in my ability to connect to Rob. It could stem from his constant over-thinking or his love of music (some really great music humor throughout the film). Overall tis a fantastic film that all music lovers can enjoy.

Top Thirty Film (Take-Two)

once again according to the Other Karamazov

30. Blazing Saddles (1974)
29. The Machinist (2004)
28. High Fidelity (2000)
27. Sid & Nancy (1986)
26. Half Nelson (2006)
25. 12 Angry Men (1957)
24. The Night of the Hunter (1955)
23. Chungking Express (1994)
22. Children of Men (2006)
21. Schindler's List (1993)
20. There Will Be Blood (2007)
19. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
18. Dancer in the Dark (2000)
17. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
16. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
15. Memento (2000)
14. Chinatown (1974)
13. The Graduate (1967)
12. Brazil (1985)
11.The Seventh Continent (1989)
10. Grave of the Fireflies (1988)
9. Magnolia (1999)
8. Blade Runner (1982)
7. The Thin Red Line (1998)
6. Network (1976)
5. Toy Story (1995)
4. In the Mood for Love (2001)/ 2046* (2005)
3. City of God (2002)
2. Mulholland Dr. (2001)
1. Dr. Strangelove Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

I promise not to see this through to the end and that this is my final list. Expect to see High Fidelity tomorrow.

A note from our sponsor

First a note on this misconceived project: I have decided to finish the project, but feel as though it is incorrect. Upon further reflection, I realized there were many films that I would have liked to place on the list or moved up/down the list; however, once the project began...it became impossible to "control z," which simply made it more difficult to update, as it felt like a lie.

So some notable omissions: Schindler's List, Do the Right Thing, Brick, The Elephant Man, Sid & Nancy, Psycho (1960), Half Nelson, and It's A Wonderful Life.

Movies I would leave out: Citizen Kane (gasp!), 8 1/2 (odd considering its placement, but upon more reflection on the film, I really need to review the film again, to warrant its placement), and the Third Man (an amazing film, that really only made it on the list for the most beautiful closing shot I've seen; however, the opening quarter really drags the film off the list).

So how shall we fix this....a new list of course. Alright, so the only two I wrote about stay where they are and the new list will be up shortly. See, this is why you do not compile a list in a hurry or with care of trying to have classics represented.

Regret

"I loved her so. And she knew what I did. She knew all the fucking stupid things I'd done. But the love... was stronger than anything you can think of. The goddamn regret. The goddamn regret! Oh, and I'll die. Now I'll die, and I'll tell you what... the biggest regret of my life... I let my love go. What did I do? I'm sixty-five years old. And I'm ashamed. A million years ago... the fucking regret and guilt, these things, don't ever let anyone ever say to you you shouldn't regret anything. Don't do that. Don't! You regret what you fucking want! Use that. Use that. Use that regret for anything, any way you want. You can use it, OK? Oh, God. This is a long way to go with no punch. A little moral story, I say... Love. Love. Love. This fucking life... oh, it's so fucking hard. So long. Life ain't short, it's long. It's long, goddamn it. Goddamn. What did I do? What did I do? What did I do? What did I do? Phil. Phil, help me. What did I do?"

-Magnolia

No, this is not a movie review, but an introspective piece into my psyche. The above quote is a tad over dramatic, but it sets the tone rather well.

So over the past several days, weeks, and months....the topic of regret has been brought up quite a bit with regards to many of the choices I've made throughout my life. I'll be frank....I do have regrets and I do believe it to be healthy to have them (show me one person without a regret and I will show you a liar). Honestly, I believe it to be our regrets that truly make us human. I mean this not only in the sense of species classification, but also in our ability to express things like emotions (something I still need to work on) or empathy.

Like everyone else I regret not telling that one person I love them (still haunts me), not trying hard on that (fill in with random assignment or class), or not letting my mind go wild with the possibilities with a different future. These are all rather common, so let us not get into them (not tossing them aside as unimportant, but as they are not a part of the crux of this post, we can save them for latter).

There is one thing I will not regret and that is sticking by what I believe to be right. Even if I lack the support by all those around me...I feel as though it would betray my essence to shamelessly give up on what I believe. If I were to do this (which I have)....the simple act of looking at myself would be unbearable. I cannot do this again, even though the current cost is very dear to me. This is not a battle between good and evil or love and hate, but a battle of futility. No matter the outcome of this conflict, everyone loses and there is very little chance that a recovery can occur.

So this is the path I choose, one of pain and strife. It will end badly, but hell....so do many things in life. I now enter the abyss with little to guide me, but let's hope that at the end of the day (and for the remainder of my days), I can still cal myself Damien. With that said, let us part on a fitting end:

"No. Not even in the face of Armageddon. Never compromise."

-Watchmen

29. The Machinist

Trevor Reznik: Right now I wanna sleep. I just want to sleep.

When asked to describe the Machinist, I often hesitate with my response. To be rather honest, the film seems to drift between genres with little to know regard to how it effect the audience...which makes it rather difficult to categorize. Also, I feel it would be a disservice to the complex and moving story found in this film....to simply give it a several line summary. I guess one could say that this is a film that demands one's attention from the opening shot to the final line.

Of course, what can be said is the obvious, which is the massive amount of weight loss that Christian Bale went through in order to make this film. Although difficult to watch (especially the opening shots), the weight loss put on by Bale is only their to accentuate the brilliant performance given by Bale as an insomniac that is plagued by what appears to be living dreams. One final note on the on the acting, is that the performance offered up by Aitana Sánchez Gijón, as the single mother, Maria, is heartbreaking.

The cinematography of the film is perfect for the subject matter, as it lulls its audience into a false sense of security, with its dream like pans and dark contrasts. To be rather honest, dream is the wrong term to use, as the film appears to be more of a nightmare, suffered by a deeply disturbed man.

Overall this film is a perfect example of how a modern horror/mystery/drama should be done: with respect to the intelligence of the viewing audience and one that continues to haunt you long after the credits have finished.

30. Blazing Saddles

Mongo: "Mongo only pawn... in game of life."

How does one begin to dissect and discuss a film that is of the comedic level of Blazing Saddles? To be quite honest, there is no real prescribed method to perform this task (made all the more difficult by films in this genre in particular), I will simply describe what makes this film so perfect: its complete and total lack of care towards film conventions (this will be a common theme on this list).

Of course, this is nothing new for Mel Brooks and his plethora of comic masterpieces (Young Frankenstein, The Producers, The History of World Part I, etc...); however, it is this film where his brand of irreverent and playful humor is perfected. Brooks's utter disregard towards film dogma (such as racism, sex, and violence) and signature wit make this film rather endearing....even in an age where comedies are plentiful (many of which never matching the sheer genius of this film).

Also, to only lay accolade on Brooks would be a grave error, as much acclaim should be poured onto the entire cast of the film. From the always brilliant Gene Wilder, as the washed up Waco Kid (or Jim as he is called), to Cleavon Little, as Sheriff Bart, the ensemble connects in such a way that make the humor displayed on screen all the better. This can be seen in everything from Mongo's face upon receiving his telegram to Lili Von Shtupp's somewhat glazed over and exhausted appearance in her song 'I'm so Tired."

Lastly, how could anyone fault a film with an ending that is so ridiculous that it actually outmatches the insanity found throughout the film?

Note: Blogger is not cooperating with me currently, so the article must be italicized. Damn you Blogger.