This was a movie whose trailer I spotted on Yahoo! Movies a while back. "Hmm..." I thought. "A western starring Viggo Mortensen and Ed Harris. I would like to see it when it is available at the dollar theatre." That was all my thought for it at the time, just another movie in a culture where we are entertained almost every second.
Then I saw it at my local library on display, and I recalled my former resolution to watch it. I sat down with my older sister and the remains of a tub of strawberry ice cream, and took it in. I was pleasantly surprised that it was just as good as the trailer had originally promised.
Viggo plays his role as he does in near every movie - a soft spoken loner who is devoutly loyal to few friends, has simple pleasures, and is never to be underestimated as weak. Viggo's character, Everett Hitch, always carries a 12-gauge shotgun, backing Ed Harris' Virgil Cole.
The plot is simple, the town of Appaloosa is overrun by Randall Bragg and his ranchhands. Bragg is a well spoken rancher, respectful, but firm. He takes Appaloosa for granted, they will take whatever his men do. His men are merely rude and unlawful, they don't terrorize the townspeople as much as ignore their pleas to be civil.
Appaloosa calls in Virgil Cole, a blue eyed marshall who cleans up towns on one condition - nobody questions his methods. Appaloosa will be Cole's town until the people learn to behave like civilized folk. Hitch backs his outspoken and straight talking partner with his quiet support and diplomacy.
Hitch considers his words carefully, while Virgil says what is on his mind and observes the consequences. The arrival of Ms. French, a piano player, stirs things up plot-wise.
Cole is attracted to the lovely lady, and Hitch watches as Cole grows attached to the idea of settling down in Appaloosa. Most of the movie's charm and humor is derived from the spoken interaction between Cole and Hitch. Often, Cole will stop midsentence, asking Cole what word he is searching for to describe his meaning.
The pacing of the movie suits its genre - it ambles on, its final destination in mind, but the knowledge of a sunset happening at the end is a mighty fine reason to enjoy the day as it passes.
Arcade Fire - The Suburbs (2010)
One of my friends was into the indie rock movement for a while and wanted me to check out some of this band's music. Their first two albums were entitled Neon Bible and Funeral.
What sets Arcade Fire apart from my previous experiences is the unwillingness that the band has for revealing their lyrics. Each album is a concept, the tracks merely parts to a whole idea. So, even when you learn the titles, they are curious for the reason of describing the overall track rather than one part.
They are a band concentrated on wholeness rather than individuality. This third effort is more relatable for me to enjoy. I think that this is their best album that they have released so far. The songs don't have the jarring, creepy feel that they held in Neon Bible, or the dreamy, vague feeling of Funeral. These are songs about life, fitting in, being comfortable, yet longing for more than safe. They alternatively praise their circumstances with a sense of accomplishment, and despair at becoming someone just like everyone expects.
"No man is an island, though some are peninsulas." - ______
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, by Seth Grahame-Smith (2010)
I admit that I felt compelled to read this book at some point in my life, and sooner came rather than later. This is a work of compelling fiction, historical inaccuracy, and ultimately thought provoking. I know that you think that I am stretching the issue a bit with the last description, but it is a book dealing with eternity vs. mortality.
Vampires live voraciously their first century, then read the classics and explore the world during their second. By their third, they have reached the height of life's potential and are desperate for an end. Most don't last beyond their third, preferring suicide to sustained torment of nothingness. When Abraham asks a vampire why such an end, the vampire replies, "Without death, life is meaningless. It is a song that can never be told. A song that can never be sung. For how would one finish it?" (page 77).
I highly recommend this book, as Grahame-Smith does a lovely job of spinning a tale out of an already well known story. He is a master restoryteller, it is not surprising that he should be accredited for starting this recent wave...
Midterms arising
I feel unprepared and weak
Press on! Seven days.
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