Tag: Love is Blind 7

October 27, 2024

Lee: Any film that has Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, and Alexander Skarsgard is worthy of some attention. This movie is the life story of model and war-time photographer American Lee Miller. Miller led a fascinating and full time, which I think viewers in 2024 should view with an understanding of her times (late 30s and into war-time 1940s). These are not exactly times where women are viewed as anywhere near equal and capable, while ironically the women were expected to contribute to the war effort in previously held positions solely of men (like in factories, munitions, mining etc.). Before the war begins, Lee Miller is living in France with her bohemian friends discussing politics and how it isn’t possible for the German to be electing the despot Adolph Hitler. They believe as they sit topless outside, sipping wine and enjoying the bounty of a life of freedom in late 30s Europe. By happenstance at this gathering, she meets a handsome Brit, Roland Penrose, played by Skargard, who was an historian, art collector and supporter of those against the growing German power, and by definition the independent French. They become romantically linked.

Miller was a former successful model, we learn, who later decided to get behind the camera. She had some very good skills. We explore more of the story through the lens of a discussion with a young man in her living room. Miller is at this stage much older, drinking more heavily and still an avid smoker. Her older pictures have been found by the young man and he would like to know the stories behind them.

Winslet admirable plays this woman who for her time was a force of nature. She would not take No for an answer. Her experience as a model leads her into a role at the British Vogue magazine where she is blessed with a supportive and forward-thinking editor and boss. Miller hears how photographers are being solicited to travel to mainland Europe as the build up continues and the inevitable invasion into France. Miller wants to be there. The British refuse. She finds a way around that and becomes an on-the-ground photographer first relegated to pictures of medics on the back end of the battle but moving closer to the front lines. She depicts scenes in war that show time and again the atrocities involved. As the war is nearing the close, she finds what has been unknown until this time at the concentration camps. The pictures she takes along with her fellow American Life magazine photojournalist, played by Andy Samberg, are some of the most impactful of the time. The movie delves deeper into censorship, protection of the public versus the need for the truth to be known far and wide. It also explores family, parents, being known and how one’s legacy can be shaped by one’s own view of your contribution. This is a remarkable life of someone who refused to do what was expected of her, and put herself at risk to journal what was happening in a troubled time. In 2024, we can talk about crisis after crisis and the “world never being the same again” but in the mid-1940s millions were being killed, and battles were taking place which shaped that world, and in this one. For those on the front lines, they lived day to day. As we enter into November and Remembrance Time, we should not forget the sacrifice made for the freedoms we hold dear, and will hopefully with some common sense, well into the future. I enjoyed this, and I especially enjoyed the ending and how it was presented.

Love is Blind – Season 7: The wedding show was dropped last week as the viewers learned how managed to get to the alter and commit to their partner, rather than walking away. Funnily enough, the one couple didn’t make it there as they had a break up with one deciding that he talked to family and friends and “just wasn’t sure”. Prior to that others had crashed and burned in more or less predictable fashion. I do believe that the premise itself is flawed. Falling in love and proposing not ever setting eyes on someone is one thing, but there are all the other real world impacts (financial, geographic, cultural and political issues) all have material impact on compatability.

For this season, there was some due diligence seemingly not undertaken by the producers. I would like to think that if a contestant has children, that this would be something that would be explored fully before they entered into such an experiment. I would further expect that if that was fully vetted, that there is a follow up to ensure that it is disclosed to those people that they are talking to. I would further expect that if a contestant for a show based in Washington DC is deeply committed to living in California that this also be disclosed up front. Better yet, why not have that contestant wait for another season in California be filmed and throw your name into the ring there. I think it is unfair to expect compromise where you are already living in DC, but later talk about looking to move. I was pleased to see that parents who throughout the process were against being involved and on camera decide that they wish to set aside their trepidation about the process and show up for a memorable day for their adult child. In any way, it would be a later regret in my view. The reunion show will be a spectacle (dropping this Wednesday) and should show the aftermath of the decisions made in this season. I didn’t enjoy this season as much as the previous LIB UK version, where the people involved seemed more genuine and committed to the process. This is mind candy for those who desire some escapism.

October 7th, 2024

Tragically Hip No Dress Rehearsal: This documentary was released this year at TIFF, directed by the older brother of the deceased lead singer Gord Downie, and with the attendance and full cooperation of the remaining members of the band. I feel as though I should be listening to the song “Courage” or “Wheat Kings” as I write it. The Tragically Hip are a Kingston Ontario based band that gained massive popularity and fame within this country, from sea to shining sea. Their principal song writer (lyrics to be sure) came from the lead singer who in his early 50s was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. He died in October 2017. The last concert that they played on a farewell tour was the second most watched TV show in Canadian history, watched by almost half the nation’s households. Such was the notoriety of the band. The thorough four-part documentary goes through warts and all the bands rise, popularity, struggles and then the ending with the final appearances for Gord.

Much is made by the fact that this band never “made it big” in the United States, but they defend this as a conscious choice. They are small town Canadian band. Small town Ontario and write very Canadian stories, like about former Toronto Maple Leaf Bill Barilko from reading the back of a hockey card (the song Fifty-Mission Cap). From playing high school auditoriums and bars in Kingston, they grew to be filling arenas around the world. But nowhere were they so beloved as in Canada. It has taken 7 years for these very private remaining members to come forward with this very personal memoir of their times in the band, both good and bad.

I love the creative process, and it always astounds me where ideas come from, seemingly from out of thin air. How words, for which we see Gord mastering the art as he jots down ideas incessantly into an ever-present notebook, can later be turned into lyrics. The rest of the band comes in to help bring it to life. They are a band of brothers, and we see the closeness. It is a moving tribute, and pays it due respect to the family members who for love of their children, supported them with a vehicle to allow touring. Then there are later wives and children who see their Dads go off to perform and return many weeks later. These boys lived their childhood dreams of playing music for a living. They learn along the way the business of music too. Making choices which reflect their own sensibilties, like refusing to do a concert and promotion for Tower Records which wanted to make a big splash in Canada – and these devoutly loyal customers of Sam the Record Man, declined. Much of the music, and those tunes that you recognize were produced in places like New Orleans and other places well away from Ontario. For me I like The Hip, but I am no superfan. I have a number of their songs on my IPhone. I didn’t watch their last concert until the end, as having seen Gord in his prime at a concert in Darien Lake, I didn’t like seeing him courageously performing this last time. At the end you could see the toll that it took on him. For those who don’t know the music, seek it out. Lots of Youtubes out there for their popular songs. Songs from Road Apples, Fully Completely and Day for Night are three albums with success that many bands cannot duplicate. They are worth a listen, at least to understand what Canadians choose to listen to those of their own. I think there is plenty of hyperbole surrounding the band as “the greatest poetry ever put to music in Canada”. There are so many great Canadian acts and artists that this is arogant, including among many Neil Young, Robbie Robertson, Joni Mitchell, Sarah McLachlan, Tom Cochrane, Guess Who, BTO, Bryan Adams and many many others. This is worthy of your time.

Bill Gates: What Is Next? The Future: Also on Netflix is this documentary with Bill Gates and various celebrity guests (like James Cameron, Lady Gaga, or Dr Fauci, Bernie Sanders) which addresses topical issues like Artificial Intelligence, Global Warming, Fake News and Social Media, Billionaires and being too rich and Outsmarting Disease.

It is fascinating listening to this man address the issues of the day and how he, after stepping down as CEO of Microsoft, has been spending his time trying to make the planet a better place, one issue at a time. His charitable company, started when he and his wife were still together, has spent billions of dollars in the hopes of making a difference. He challenges other billionaires to do the same with their wealth. He takes no pleasure it seems as being acknowledged as the Richest Man in the World. With great wealth, comes great responsibility it would seem.

He will further acknowledge that the tech moguls he stands with at Facebook, Google, Amazon have created the social media where the long term effects weren’t fully understood or realized. How could they be? But much like the proverbial toothpaste, it can’t be put back into the tube. So he poses to the next generation the questions of dealing with massive issues like global warming, which they note needs immediate attention on a number of fronts (transportation, energy, food, etc). For those who are interested in this perspective, you also see how many won’t be interested as they see this as “liberal left” thinking. But for a man who deals with facts and business, he has some keen insight while not having all the solutions. But if were to rely on an opinion as to where things could be going, this is someone that I would want to listen to. He did foresee the personal computer on every work desk, and in every home. He didn’t foresee it being in the palm of our hands in the beginning but not everyone bats 1.000. Well worth your time.

Love is Blind Season 7: This new season just dropped is set in Washington DC. It follows the familiar pattern where it will be the contestants who will decide and reveal whether it is worth watching. The first season was very watchable for likeable people who you cared about. I am only an episode and half in, and already I am undecided. I am hopeful that the second half of episode 2 will show us a large cross section of the contestants. It is early days in the pods as people talk, and try to connect. The over-use of the word “like” admittedly hurts my ears for these mid-20-somethings and early 30s people. But that is me showing my age. All of these seasons are mind candy, which I can watch after a day of work and decompress. Watch at your own risk. 🙂