What I ended up doing in movie class was different than what I'd originally planned. Not surprising at all for babs. Two weeks ago I chose to compare/contrast Blue Velvet and The Fly, both 1986 releases, different genres.

Blue Velvet = intense, masterpiece, reason to prefer Heinekin. The Fly = exploited opportunity to couple gore with hints at modern issues. Cronenberg's preoccupation with the actual Fly was reinforced by Jeff Goldblum's inappropriate sense of humor. Geena Davis' character smoking just because. Enough said.

The following week was Ghost World (2001, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, well done perspective of the alternative teenager) and Casablanca: same genre, (very) different time period.

Ghost World = so cute. Great stocking stuffer from mom to teenager. Important message to share. Casablanca = perfect.

This week the original Italian Job with the new. The original was super smart. The new only did justice to the Mini Cooper and to Donald Sutherland's character, who was killed off early. Both had a rhythmic musical score for interest and pace, but the first one had such a well executed "job" that the music was silenced so the action could speak for itself. The second one still needed the music during the heist, which served as a heartbeat to ensure the audience wouldn't be put to sleep. Weak. Even for Dirk Diggler. Wonder, though, if the movie spurred the Mini Cooper movement in America. Think so. The 1969 Italian Job ends impressively: crime doesn't pay? The new: crime does pay, unless you're Edward Norton?

Oh! Also wrote about Little Miss Sunshine, which I watched a million times to fully grasp. I am in love with this movie. There's nothing I don't love about it. See how beautiful the scene after the bad thing that happens is, when the camera follows the van for the first time, as it heads under curvy freeways pictured against sky (curvy lines in film mean joy, euphoria, exaltation) and Olive wonders about heaven. The same freeways become straight lines once the van has passed under them. The words Little. Miss. Sunshine. as they appear against Steve Carell's character, the final character we meet, are remarkable too. And the funny scenes are LOLable, which is rare if ya ask me. I even like how the waitress says, "A la mode-y, right?"

In between current class and next I plan to paint the bathroom ceiling blue and the kitchen ... not sure what color(s) yet. Tan, light turquoise, and yellow orange are on my mind. Also want to crochet another double-yarn blanket in celebration of being able to watch movies without taking notes.

Everyone in my house is sleeping right now, this chilly but sunny Sunday afternoon. Hope the sun is shining by you :)