Mark L. Van Name's Blog, page 216
February 22, 2012
Two movies I'm unreasonably excited about
I love me a good spy action film, and this one promises to be just that.
Don't start with me about Matt Damon not being in it. The reason for Jeremy Renner to be the lead is clear enough, and he'll do a fine job in the role.
Now, combine vampires, one of my favorite presidents, Tim Burton, and Timur Bekmambetov, the Russian-Kazakh director of Night Watch and Day Watch, and you have a film I can't resist.
Why Honest Abe has a superpowered ax is beyond me, but who cares? Let's watch him behead some vampires with it!
Here's hoping each lives up to its potential!
Don't start with me about Matt Damon not being in it. The reason for Jeremy Renner to be the lead is clear enough, and he'll do a fine job in the role.
Now, combine vampires, one of my favorite presidents, Tim Burton, and Timur Bekmambetov, the Russian-Kazakh director of Night Watch and Day Watch, and you have a film I can't resist.
Why Honest Abe has a superpowered ax is beyond me, but who cares? Let's watch him behead some vampires with it!
Here's hoping each lives up to its potential!
February 21, 2012
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Okay, you can laugh at me now, but I went to see this movie last week with my brother and his son. I even chose it (it is kid-safe).
Why would I pick it, you may reasonably ask?
I'd love to be able to tell you that Journey 2 is a great family film, but I can't. It is a very uneven family film that I enjoyed at times and that at other times left me grimacing at its cliches.
All the right character ingredients are present: the dad who makes a plausible but reluctant adventurer, the plucky lead teenage boy with a wild imagination and a gift for science, his hot but wholesome love interest, the wacky granddad who motivates it all, and so on. The settings, which manage to throw Atlantis and all sorts of wild creatures into a single island, also provide the requisite exotic points of interest.
Unfortunately, the mixture never fully gels, so you spend parts of it captivated and other parts groaning.
On balance, I enjoyed the movie well enough and don't regret seeing it, but I suggest waiting for DVD or at least catching a matinee.
Why would I pick it, you may reasonably ask?
1. The Rock (Dwayne Johnson, now that he's appearing in movies that the WWE doesn't own) demonstrating "the pec pop of love" while playing the concerned stepfatherPlus, any movie that promises to show me another take on Nemo's submarine is always going to interest me. I'm a sucker for anything related to Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
2. Michael Caine, who's looking squirrelier and squirrelier with every passing year, as the eccentric (you think?) grandfather
3. A plot based on an entirely improbable mash-up of Verne, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Jonathan Swift is just too much to pass up
I'd love to be able to tell you that Journey 2 is a great family film, but I can't. It is a very uneven family film that I enjoyed at times and that at other times left me grimacing at its cliches.
All the right character ingredients are present: the dad who makes a plausible but reluctant adventurer, the plucky lead teenage boy with a wild imagination and a gift for science, his hot but wholesome love interest, the wacky granddad who motivates it all, and so on. The settings, which manage to throw Atlantis and all sorts of wild creatures into a single island, also provide the requisite exotic points of interest.
Unfortunately, the mixture never fully gels, so you spend parts of it captivated and other parts groaning.
On balance, I enjoyed the movie well enough and don't regret seeing it, but I suggest waiting for DVD or at least catching a matinee.
February 20, 2012
Now this is a great photo
of Sarah, here on her blog, at home, on her twenty-first birthday yesterday, enjoying a bowl of snow and wearing a decidedly hipster outfit.
I am the luckiest dad in the world to have such a smart, ethical, caring, talented, and beautiful daughter.
The t-shirt she's wearing, by the way, is for the band doing this song.
I am the luckiest dad in the world to have such a smart, ethical, caring, talented, and beautiful daughter.
The t-shirt she's wearing, by the way, is for the band doing this song.
February 19, 2012
Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance
I admit it: I went to see this Nic Cage sequel--and in 3D, too. As I said to Kyle when we were discussing it, it's a movie full of strong pluses and minuses.
Plus: Action sequences. They were invariably fun and full of the trademark Neveldine & Taylor trademark crazy cuts and impossibilities.
Minus: Non-action scenes. When the moments turn tender, Neveldine & Taylor show why the Crank films never pause.
Plus: Nic Cage as Ghost Rider. When he's crazily burning up the scenery--and his opponents--Cage is big fun.
Minus: Nic Cage as human. He really doesn't play humans well, and that weakness shows here.
Plus: Any scene with Johnny Whitworth in it. His early appearances as Ray Carrigan are good and contain classic bad-guy scene-chewing mania, but when he turns into the white-faced demon with the power to make anything rot, he is absolutely wonderful.
Minus: Almost every shot of Violante Placido. She was good in The American, but here she's lips and eyes and a talent-free zone so completely devoid of charisma that you can almost see the other actors being sucked into the void.
Plus: Great cameos. How good is it to see Anthony Head getting work? To watch a bald Christopher Lambert, his face covered in writing, chewing the scenery for just enough seconds and words to ensure him scale? Pretty damn good.
Minus: The 3D effects. As in most 3D films, they added almost nothing to this Ghost Rider.
Overall, if you're jonesing for the third Crank film (or its equivalent) and are willing to accept a lower-octane substitute, check out Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. If you're seeking a deeply spiritual contemplation of good and evil, stay home and read a book.
Plus: Action sequences. They were invariably fun and full of the trademark Neveldine & Taylor trademark crazy cuts and impossibilities.
Minus: Non-action scenes. When the moments turn tender, Neveldine & Taylor show why the Crank films never pause.
Plus: Nic Cage as Ghost Rider. When he's crazily burning up the scenery--and his opponents--Cage is big fun.
Minus: Nic Cage as human. He really doesn't play humans well, and that weakness shows here.
Plus: Any scene with Johnny Whitworth in it. His early appearances as Ray Carrigan are good and contain classic bad-guy scene-chewing mania, but when he turns into the white-faced demon with the power to make anything rot, he is absolutely wonderful.
Minus: Almost every shot of Violante Placido. She was good in The American, but here she's lips and eyes and a talent-free zone so completely devoid of charisma that you can almost see the other actors being sucked into the void.
Plus: Great cameos. How good is it to see Anthony Head getting work? To watch a bald Christopher Lambert, his face covered in writing, chewing the scenery for just enough seconds and words to ensure him scale? Pretty damn good.
Minus: The 3D effects. As in most 3D films, they added almost nothing to this Ghost Rider.
Overall, if you're jonesing for the third Crank film (or its equivalent) and are willing to accept a lower-octane substitute, check out Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. If you're seeking a deeply spiritual contemplation of good and evil, stay home and read a book.
February 18, 2012
I'm past ready for a new album
from these guys, but until one appears, enjoy this.
Okay, and this.
Okay, and this.
February 17, 2012
The memorial service
As planned, we held it today at Mom's church, The First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg. The family reception started at 11:00 a.m., and for an hour we visited with many different people. Some were current friends, some were old friends, and others were folks I've never met. The common thread that tied us all was Mom. She touched a lot of lives. I'm proud of her for that.
The service included music Mom loved, courtesy of the choir and music director/pastor of worship, Greg Crane. Somewhere around 50 choir members came out to sing; Mom would have loved it.
Senior Pastor Walter Draughon, III ran the service and did an excellent job. I am not of any particular religious persuasion, but Mom was a devout Christian and member of this church. Walter conducted an excellent sermon that reflected Mom's respect for all religious beliefs. Walter struck me as a guy I would have enjoyed discussing religion with.
My sister, Liza, and I spoke as well. I delivered a tightened and somewhat reworked version of the blog entry I posted last Saturday, and it was rough going. I teared up way more than I had hoped I would.
Afterward, friends in the church supplied food, and many people ate and socialized more. I visited with people, but I just didn't want to eat, not then.
My brother, Martin, then took me to the airport. It was great to get to spend time with him and his family this past week, though obviously I wish the circumstances had been different.
After a long time and two delays at the airport, we flew home.
When I landed, I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere, but that feeling will pass. My normal life will resume. I'll have to conclude Mom's financial affairs, a process sure to be more annoying and lengthier than I would like. As I drive to work, I'll probably start to call her and remember I can't, and that will hurt. A lot will hurt, but less with time.
I won't stop missing or loving her, though, nor should I. Nor will those many other people who came today, nor the many who knew her and cared for her and could not attend.
All of this is as it always is and always has been with the death of someone you love, as natural a part of life as eating and sleeping, but that knowledge does not, right now, make it any easier.
I'm going to stop writing about Mom's death, at least for a while, because I need to deal with my life, with the overdue book, with all the people I care about.
But, wow, do I miss her, and wow, do I wish that just one more time I could tell her...
...I love you, Mom.
The service included music Mom loved, courtesy of the choir and music director/pastor of worship, Greg Crane. Somewhere around 50 choir members came out to sing; Mom would have loved it.
Senior Pastor Walter Draughon, III ran the service and did an excellent job. I am not of any particular religious persuasion, but Mom was a devout Christian and member of this church. Walter conducted an excellent sermon that reflected Mom's respect for all religious beliefs. Walter struck me as a guy I would have enjoyed discussing religion with.
My sister, Liza, and I spoke as well. I delivered a tightened and somewhat reworked version of the blog entry I posted last Saturday, and it was rough going. I teared up way more than I had hoped I would.
Afterward, friends in the church supplied food, and many people ate and socialized more. I visited with people, but I just didn't want to eat, not then.
My brother, Martin, then took me to the airport. It was great to get to spend time with him and his family this past week, though obviously I wish the circumstances had been different.
After a long time and two delays at the airport, we flew home.
When I landed, I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere, but that feeling will pass. My normal life will resume. I'll have to conclude Mom's financial affairs, a process sure to be more annoying and lengthier than I would like. As I drive to work, I'll probably start to call her and remember I can't, and that will hurt. A lot will hurt, but less with time.
I won't stop missing or loving her, though, nor should I. Nor will those many other people who came today, nor the many who knew her and cared for her and could not attend.
All of this is as it always is and always has been with the death of someone you love, as natural a part of life as eating and sleeping, but that knowledge does not, right now, make it any easier.
I'm going to stop writing about Mom's death, at least for a while, because I need to deal with my life, with the overdue book, with all the people I care about.
But, wow, do I miss her, and wow, do I wish that just one more time I could tell her...
...I love you, Mom.
February 16, 2012
A generation passes
For most of the part of my childhood that I can remember, I didn't have a dad. Ed, whom Mom married when I was sixteen or so, arrived too late to ever really be my father.
Mom was my only parent.
And now she's gone.
In my family, the generational clock just ticked forward a notch. I have no parents, no grandparents; I am the senior one of my generation.
I can't honestly remember the last time I consulted Mom for advice, but it was always nice to know that she was there. I took her for granted in the way that we always do our parents; they're fixtures in our lives, people we can count on.
And now she's gone.
Tonight, I am very sad. I expect I will be sad off and on for some time. Life will resume its normal pace. I'll think of her and talk of her, and most of the time it'll be with laughter and love and the occasional "you know Mom" shake of the head, but sometimes it'll be with sadness, because I won't be able to call her the next day.
Tonight, though, it's almost all sadness. As awkward as hugging her always felt, I sure wish I had done it more.
Hug your parents while you can. It ought to be a rule somewhere.
I know there's so much funny and loving and good and frustrating and silly and powerful and just plain boring stuff to remember about her, as there is about each of us, but I can't get to those things right now. I can feel only the sadness.
I suppose that's natural and healthy, but it sure does suck.
Damn, Mom, I miss you.
Mom was my only parent.
And now she's gone.
In my family, the generational clock just ticked forward a notch. I have no parents, no grandparents; I am the senior one of my generation.
I can't honestly remember the last time I consulted Mom for advice, but it was always nice to know that she was there. I took her for granted in the way that we always do our parents; they're fixtures in our lives, people we can count on.
And now she's gone.
Tonight, I am very sad. I expect I will be sad off and on for some time. Life will resume its normal pace. I'll think of her and talk of her, and most of the time it'll be with laughter and love and the occasional "you know Mom" shake of the head, but sometimes it'll be with sadness, because I won't be able to call her the next day.
Tonight, though, it's almost all sadness. As awkward as hugging her always felt, I sure wish I had done it more.
Hug your parents while you can. It ought to be a rule somewhere.
I know there's so much funny and loving and good and frustrating and silly and powerful and just plain boring stuff to remember about her, as there is about each of us, but I can't get to those things right now. I can feel only the sadness.
I suppose that's natural and healthy, but it sure does suck.
Damn, Mom, I miss you.
February 15, 2012
New Bruce
Mom was big on loyalty, and so am I.
The Boss's new album, Wrecking Ball, is due March 6. This song is its first single.
Let it roll.
Many kind folks have asked what I need to get through all of this. My usual answer is one form of truth: "Nothing." I don't. I get through it, whatever "it" is. That's what I do.
At another level, I don't really know what I need. I don't even consider the topic to be relevant; what matters are the tasks in front of me, the people I need to take care of, the things I need to do.
I do know that I'm very fortunate to have a lot of folks who care about me, and their support, the support of all who have written me, does touch me. Thank you, all; forgive me if I'm not good at expressing that gratitude.
The Boss's new album, Wrecking Ball, is due March 6. This song is its first single.
Let it roll.
Many kind folks have asked what I need to get through all of this. My usual answer is one form of truth: "Nothing." I don't. I get through it, whatever "it" is. That's what I do.
At another level, I don't really know what I need. I don't even consider the topic to be relevant; what matters are the tasks in front of me, the people I need to take care of, the things I need to do.
I do know that I'm very fortunate to have a lot of folks who care about me, and their support, the support of all who have written me, does touch me. Thank you, all; forgive me if I'm not good at expressing that gratitude.
February 14, 2012
Nothing is simple
Dealing with my mom's death at times makes me feel like I'm in a Monty Python sketch. "The toughest thing about death," they might say, "is the paperwork."
Really, nothing is simple. You can't make progress without a death certificate, which you can't get without clearing other milestones, and on and on. I simultaneously have nothing to do and more than I can do. I expect dealing with her affairs will be a part-time task for multiple months--and her affairs were extremely simple.
Meanwhile, for those interested, here's another Mom Fun Fact: when I was a teenager, I learned that she had for many years loved the music of jazz piano great Erroll Garner. I'm not a jazz fan and never have been, so to me his music generally sounded like most jazz does: as if the players are just noodling about endlessly. I accept, however, that this reaction is probably simply a reflection of how little I understand music.
In Mom's honor, here's Garner playing one of his most famous songs.
Really, nothing is simple. You can't make progress without a death certificate, which you can't get without clearing other milestones, and on and on. I simultaneously have nothing to do and more than I can do. I expect dealing with her affairs will be a part-time task for multiple months--and her affairs were extremely simple.
Meanwhile, for those interested, here's another Mom Fun Fact: when I was a teenager, I learned that she had for many years loved the music of jazz piano great Erroll Garner. I'm not a jazz fan and never have been, so to me his music generally sounded like most jazz does: as if the players are just noodling about endlessly. I accept, however, that this reaction is probably simply a reflection of how little I understand music.
In Mom's honor, here's Garner playing one of his most famous songs.
February 13, 2012
Progress
Most of my days follow the same basic pattern: work, write, etc. Today was rather different, as I spent it with my brother at a funeral home, a bank, and a church. All the people we encountered were helpful and very nice, and we made real progress, but I found it all exhausting. I suppose everyone does.
Because I lived far from her, my mom existed primarily for me on the phone and in my head. I can't call her any longer, but she's still in my head, as she always will be. As I meet more people she touched, I learn with a certain bit of pride in her that she's in the heads of far more people than I had ever realized.
I don't expect anyone reading this to attend a memorial service for her, but I've had so many requests for information about the service that I'm putting it here.
This Friday, February 17, 2012, at the First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg, a reception, with the family greeting guests, will start at 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will follow immediately at noon. Should anyone feel inclined to send flowers or some such thing, Mom asked instead for donations to the Student Scholarship Fund of the First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg.
Now, because Mom's all over my thoughts, I thought I'd share a Mom Fun Fact. Like me, she very much enjoyed the silly movie, Bandits. She was particularly fond of the strange tics of Billy Bob Thornton's character, such as the line he utters at the end of this short scene.
My favorite scene in the film is the one in which this lovely Pete Yorn song plays.
You know, it's always hard to remember that your mom was once the girl someone loved, the woman who made the hearts of multiple men sing, the one who loved fiercely and was fiercely loved, but I think it's good to remember those facts, at least on occasion, at least on this occasion.
Because I lived far from her, my mom existed primarily for me on the phone and in my head. I can't call her any longer, but she's still in my head, as she always will be. As I meet more people she touched, I learn with a certain bit of pride in her that she's in the heads of far more people than I had ever realized.
I don't expect anyone reading this to attend a memorial service for her, but I've had so many requests for information about the service that I'm putting it here.
This Friday, February 17, 2012, at the First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg, a reception, with the family greeting guests, will start at 11:00 a.m. A memorial service will follow immediately at noon. Should anyone feel inclined to send flowers or some such thing, Mom asked instead for donations to the Student Scholarship Fund of the First Baptist Church of St. Petersburg.
Now, because Mom's all over my thoughts, I thought I'd share a Mom Fun Fact. Like me, she very much enjoyed the silly movie, Bandits. She was particularly fond of the strange tics of Billy Bob Thornton's character, such as the line he utters at the end of this short scene.
My favorite scene in the film is the one in which this lovely Pete Yorn song plays.
You know, it's always hard to remember that your mom was once the girl someone loved, the woman who made the hearts of multiple men sing, the one who loved fiercely and was fiercely loved, but I think it's good to remember those facts, at least on occasion, at least on this occasion.
