I went to Mass yesterday, then Duchezz and I headed out and ran some errands before taking in Frost/Nixon. Duchezz (la enfante) really wanted to see it "since I really didn't pay attention the first time around." Gee--really honey? Didn't all (gasp) 10 year olds find it positively riveting?
So, she now feels like she understands some of it. Truly--Langella was...wow. And even I, who has always found David Frost a bit of a poseur (legitimately, I guess, given what the movie indicates), was able to find some compassion and respect for the man. Michael Sheen did a really superb job, and it's a shame he's having to go up against Langella at the top of his form. I think people are missing the quality of the work Sheen's doing--this movie only works because it isn't a one-man-show.
That seems to be the pattern with him. His Tony Blair was eclipsed by Helen Mirren's Elizabeth II in The Queen, too, and frankly I thought much of the power of that film hinged on the conflicting, appropriate goals of Blair and Her Majesty Elizabeth. But, he is good enough I'm sure something will eventually fall his way.
Then it was home to a quiet night of class prep for me and puppy snuggles for her.
Today was my film class. I'd like to officially confess that there is a reason for Bill Gates to exist--he created the opportunity for the creators of PowerPoint to create it. Bless them. It's the only way I get through a lecture class. Now if I could just find a way to embed movie clips in I'd be in Seventh Heaven.
So now it's time to prep my EN 099 and EN 102 for tomorrow.
Wednesday the dermatologist is going to do some...work...(Ouch!!!!), but all I have to do is show a movie. I'm thinking Stagecoach (1939, Dir. John Ford) or Jean de Florette. The book has a long section on the Ford/Duke movie, and the Berri/Montand/dePardieu runs a little long, so probably the western. I'll do the Berri another time--still got 13 movies to pick yet.
Thursday my friend Donna is taking me out to lunch, the IEC chair is bringing a cake (I hope not!), and Duchess is making me French toast for dinner. There is a chance we are going to Coleman's for food on Saturday. If so, we'll let you know. Not the party we'd planned, back last summer--much smaller and quieter. Maybe next year.
So, there you have it. One foot in front of the other.
Which is only possible because of the amazing people in my life.
- Current Mood:
calm
Comments
Show, "The Grand Illuson" if you have to show a French Film, then ask, what was the Illusion of the film?
The blu-ray version of The Searchers has a really nice home-made film of Wayne & Ford as well as lovely coverage of Monument Valley where Ford filmed most of his westerns including Stagecoach. They've done a wonderful job of restoring Searchers to its original pristine state.
Next time I teach this there will be a list of "watch these films on your own" assignments, and The Searchers will probably be on it.
No little class, too little time.
Can I duz a class juz on Weztrns, pleez.
I found it interesting to watch the interview, just because it seemed so novel to have the President talking to a journalist like that. All I had ever seen were the news conferences and spokesmen.
--H
I think you have it backwards - both those performances show he already has. When an actor does such a good job that you forget about the _actor_, you know you've got something. My guess is his casting for Frost/Nixon was not just serendipity.
Smooches!
Frost/Nixon, hmmm seeing as Nixon resigned on my 12th birthday and I was raised in a republican family he vexed me most truly. I would like to see anyway.
I do not know Powerpoint.
Hugs.