Anemone: When the greatest living actor decides to return for a film, any film, then I will choose to seek it out. In this case, it is Daniel Day-Lewis, taking on a passion project undertaken by him and his son Ronan. Newly released I wanted to see this in the theatre. I saw a quick interview from Ronan where he talked about working through the script with his Dad, and then also directing his first major motion picture. Ronan had a self professed photography background and you can see it from the images in the film. The movie stars DDL as Ray Stoker, with Sean Bean as his brother Jem, and Samantha Morton as Jem’s partner who is raising teenage son Brian. It is a good cast. It tells an Irish story.
The movie starts with young Brian who is at home, and Sean Bean’s Jem tells him that he is going away for a few days. He embraces Mom, Samantha Morton and then heads out. Through the beautiful Irish countryside Jem seeks out the elusive, reclusive, quiet Ray, his brother. Even upon meeting very little is said between the brothers. The movie itself is sparse on dialog and much more about shots with silent characters, either panning in as a close up, or panning back. There are some beautiful shots, certainly those with the sky and oncoming weather. It takes time for the movie to get to the point. It seems that both brothers have military backgrounds, and years before they were dealing with the troubles in northern Ireland. Ray has stories to tell, and this is the strength for DDL. Day-Lewis embodies Ray, and takes his time in telling the stories that have profoundly impacted him. He has a number of soliloquies throughout which provide the background but also the desire for his brother. I just wish that there was more. There is plenty of brooding and quiet as men are wired to do it seems, but that doesn’t take away that as an audience we want to better understand it all.
Certainly there are some universal truths involved with relationships between partners, brothers and family but also fathers and sons. Add in some environmental turmoil, and the situation can turn toxic for those involved. Everyone has scars, and however much one feels that they can relate to one perspective, another party can view it quite oppositely. Boys grow to men and have particular relationships with their parents. Sometimes despite that history, they can unknowingly also have negative impacts on their own offspring, and can channel a parent that they didn’t feel served them well at all. Welcome to being a parent! The pace of the movie was slow. Some actions weren’t always explained. There was a Magnolia-like moment that takes place which in my interpretation was nature, viewed as a safety net by the humans, then having a sudden turn. Religion is also explored in depth and most starkly between the brothers. I am glad that I saw this. I don’t see this as a popular film for the masses, but for those who want to see more of a legendary actor it provides a taste to whet the appetite.
Love is Blind Season 9: The latest season of this franchise was dropped by Netflix October 1st. Nine episodes have now been released (the last three dropped October 8th) with the last two to be released on October 15th. The format remains the same, couples talk in pods with each other, without seeing one another to establish a relationship and become engaged. Only then do they get to meet one another. They then head off for a tropical vacation before returning to the real world of their cities. This latest group of hopeful romantics (or 15 minutes of fame TV wannabes) is from Denver. Note that there are some spoilers included below. You have been warned.
I cannot in recent memory think of a more disheartening group of people to provide cringe-worthy television than this crew. My goodness. I don’t even know where to start. From the first ever proposal in the first episode that I can recall, which is just shocking in its own right, to the later virtual pronographic descriptions used by a temptress (Kacie) to enshare her man (poor Patrick) for good. But then, just moments after setting eyes on her prey, confessing that she just “can’t proceed with the experiment any more”. Apparently love is definitely NOT blind for her, and her desire to find her “Chad”. A Chad is a good-looking, successful man with the three sixes; six feet tall, six pack abs, and six figure income. Now you know. But the men are also as disturbing if not more. From liars who blantently hide with a wink the number of tattoos they have, to another who professes his love to two separate women literally minutes apart and to the emotionally crippled man who can’t seem to stop crying while being passive aggressive with his fiancee at the most inopportune times. It all amounts to a train wreck, where I am genuinely shocked that in previews for the coming two episodes, there are actually couples who will be putting on wedding dresses and tuxedos! Really??!! It is a forgettable season with unlikeable people involved. A couple of seemingly genuine people were dissed earlier by those playing the multiple people juggling act (“my Number One just did [insert offensive act or speech]”). They should consider themselves very lucky to have dodged a bullet with those who chose otherwise. From my perspective, if you are so torn about which of your opposites might be the right one for you, then the answer is, neither! You’re not ready to be heading into marriage if there isn’t some true certainty for you. The fact that you bring your families and friends into this is quite shocking. So in the end, I cannot recommend this and you are welcome from being saved from almost eleven hours of mindless TV.
Mondays With Robbie 