Date with destiny

Alas, I'll be leaving you for a couple of days seeing as I've got a rendez-vous with Winnie the Pooh in Paris. So long...

The pain of pilates

I recently started doing pilates and I have to say, I'm feeling the burn in places that were previously comfortably numb. I've been wanting to take exercise classes for a while now since I basically like doing it (strange but true) and hate all other kinds of sport. Let me tell you why: first of all I'm required to go out into the world which is a real buzz kill at 7 pm on a cold and dreary night and secondly I'll be confronted with my fellow man. Don't get me wrong, I like the human race and all, I just don't like them there when I'm huffing, puffing and sweating all over the place. And that is why, people, I decided to buy some exercise DVDs so I can work up a sweat in the comfort of my home. Some might call me crazy for jumping around and clenching my buttocks in front of the warm glow of my TV but all I can say is, in a few weeks (hopefully) I'll have buns of steel, what about you?

Pondering

Rehearsal started yesterday and I have to say I'm not quite sure exactly what And Then We Changed the Screenplay is going to be like. It's all still so vague and cryptic. All I know is, 6 characters, 4 dialogues, 2 versions, a movie theater, an auto queue and the only thing visible will be the back of my head which is a shame since the front is much more appealing.

Two of the other cast members were sick yesterday, making it difficult and very confusing to make out who's who as certain people had numerous roles and we already have 8 each depending on the version of the dialogue. Still with me? We weren't in the theater but in a gallery in Ghent which due to it being a white gaping void didn't feel as comfortable as a dark and plush movie theater. We were all sitting in a circle facing each other, something that's just not done on the opening night as the whole point of the performance will be us talking to a big screen. This artsy version of Big Brother also contains a mystery guest, namely the audience who are supposed to fill in the blanks quite literally. I wonder if it'll work.

Anyway, it's all still a work in progress. Although the dialogue is a bit confusing at times, the characters are fun ranging hysterical mistress to mysterious nocturnal guide and they're both mine, hallelujah. I wonder if we'll be able to pull it off.

Love me, if you dare

Personally, I don't really like romantic movies as they are usually filled with clichés and are oozing so much sweetness that I just get pissed off. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a romantic comedy from time to time and I occasionally even liked being carried away by a bold and beautiful romantic epic although the romance part usually is a minor inconvenience.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a romantic at heart, I like romance but just not the cookie cutter, obligatory pre-packaged kind. And over the years we've seen every possible version of boy meets girl, boy loses girl and eventually (90 minutes later) gets girl again. Situations change, names change, actors rarely change (Meg Ryan, Kate Hudson, Hugh Grant,... usually pop up) and ultimately it all turns to predictable mush, that is why I basically don't like romantic movies as they all tend to be the same.

Now, I may be prejudiced but that doesn't make me a cynic. There are a few romantic comedies that I really love and that I'll probably elaborate on sometime in the future. The movie that renewed my faith in the genre was the utterly inventive and colorful Jeux d'Enfants. I loved the movie so much that I even went to see it twice in the cinema.

Sophie (Academy award winner Marion Cotilliard) and Julien (Guillaume Canet) are best friends. When they were children they invented a peculiar game: whoever had the tin box could dare the other to do anything. The dares were simple but as they grow older the stakes got higher and a lot more dangerous.

Yann Samuell has created a true ocular treat, reminiscent of Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain, in which the scenes are simply vibrant, original and fun adding a quirky and contemporary French twist to the tale. Samuell's visual style turns a quite ordinary tale into an adrenaline fueled extravaganza aided by a wonderful cast and some outrageous dares. In the end he proves that you don't have to be sweet to be romantic and I couldn't agree more.

Ginny Jones, actress extraordinaire

On a lighter note, I may not be able to get a regular job after a mere 8 years of university but I did get the part I auditioned for, shocking I know. So for all those who are interested:

And Then We Changed the Screenplay

Who knows, maybe I'll change course yet again...

Do panic

Last night I watched the film adaptation of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Ever since I read the book a few years ago I've been charmed by Douglas Adams' ingenious stories, remarkable wit and charming characters. Needles to say I became a huge fan who has thoroughly enjoyed the wacky adventures of Arthur Dent, Ford Perfect and Marvin the paranoid android to name but a few.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was originally supposed to be a trilogy but ultimately ended up being 5 enthralling books. Adams even wanted to write a sixth : "I suspect at some point in the future I will write a sixth Hitchhiker book … I would love to finish Hitchhiker on a slightly more upbeat note. Five seems to be a wrong kind of number, six is a better kind of number." Alas on May 11, 2001 he died rather unexpectedly.

A few weeks back, September 17 to be precise, I read something rather shocking. After years of negotiation (and probable harassment), Adams' widow has granted Penguin Books the right to create the sixth installment to our beloved and inaccurately named trilogy. They have approached Eoin Colfer to create the next episode entitled "And Another Thing..." Colfer may be a bestselling children's author but he certainly is no Adams. Personally I think it's disgraceful, even sacrilegious, to use another man's legacy to promote not only your own career but to prey on the hunger of unsatisfied fans that will only end up being disillusioned in the end as Colfer's unholy version will not be able to compete with Adams' brilliance. When will people learn not to mess with the original just for the sake of a few million pounds?

Alas death is only a minor glitch in the road of publishing.

PG Porn

I just stumbled on a new and very interesting web series called PG Porn. Writer/director James Gunn (Slither) teams up real life porn stars with mainstream Hollywood actors in order to create some very appealing sexless pornography. His motives were simple: "How many times have you been watching a great porn film – you're really enjoying the story, the acting, the cinematography – when, all of the sudden, they ruin everything with PEOPLE HAVING SEX?"

The utterly adorable Nathan Fillion (I can't help it, I just want to hug him to death) stars in the first installment as a construction worker who is seduced by his boss' wife played by adult movie star Aria Giovanni. Staying true to his style, Gunn adds a very "tasteful" ending.

May I present: Nailing your Wife

the dangling diva speeks

The past few days have been rather hectic to say the least. I've just returned from a funeral which was as you might have guessed not that amusing despite the fact that the minister sneezed on the microphone and we were all witness to a colorful display of mucus dripping down ever so slowly for the remainder of the ceremony.

What else? I booked a trip to Paris which I'm really excited about. We're also going to Eurodisney and I'm finally going to meet Winnie the Pooh, in the flesh so yippee! Besides our next "vacation" I'm also going to have a lot of planning and possibly even baking fun as I'm helping my dear friend Katrien organize her undoubtedly exceptional 26th birthday party.

I made an excursion to the toy store which was a lot of fun as I haven't been in one in years. I highly recommend it, it takes off years instantly! Especially if you happen to be in the presence of a ferocious Boing Boing Tigger. I was actually brainstorming for a present seeing as my godson will have his first birthday next month. Although the options are endless, my budget isn't so numerous field expeditions will still be required.

I've also done quite a bit of reading: The Wind-up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakami, highly recommended (although I haven't finished it yet) but I finished watching Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and am convinced of Hollywood's gradual retardation seeing as they axed this sublime show.

And finally I also had an audition in Leuven on Wednesday. As I'm not having any luck finding a job backstage, I decided to make the transition to center stage if only to quench my inner diva's thirst.

LouLou, c'est moi

Some of you might know that besides independent film, I truly love Classic (meaning 1940s and 1950s) Hollywood movies. They exude a lavish era full of glamour, style, wit and sophistication that is lost in contemporary Hollywood. Movies back then relied purely on a well written script and stellar performances and were able to be utterly amazing without help (?) from special effects. They were pure and simple works of art that entertained you with engrossing stories and chilling adventures.

Another aspect that I love about the period is that the actors weren't just entertainers, they were stars that shined brightly in the grueling wonderland that is Hollywood. Despite maybe George Clooney (sigh) there isn't an actor today that has as much masculinity, style and humor as Cary Grant, James Stewart or Clark Gable. When we look at actresses it's even worse, name one contemporary actress that exudes as much glamour, sophistication and femininity as Marilyn Monroe, Rita Hayworth or Carol Lombard. Tough question isn't it?

One of the first real stars (be it from the silent movie era) was the engaging Louise Brooks, who was ironically enough most famous for her haircut namely the original bob. She had a short but incredibly fruitful career from 1925 until 1938 during which she starred in numerous comedies and flapper films which were very popular at the time. Brooks, a true flapper (Jazz loving, short skirted, scorning sexual misfit), made her big break in Georg Wilhelm Pabst's Pandora's Box (1929) in which she played Lulu, a sexually adventurous woman and the first lesbian to be captured on celluloid. This role only enhanced her now iconic image. Sadly, Brooks started to lose interest in films after that. Although she withdrew from the spotlight, she wasn't forgotten.

Louise Brooks was a fine actress but the reason she'll live on in every film buff's and fashionista's heart is her unique style and look. She even inspired Chacharel to name a fragrance after her. Brooks is The quintessential 1920's glamour girl. It is my personal belief that some of the countless black and white photo's that she posed for are the most elegant, feminine, seductive and simply breathtaking pictures ever taken. Whenever I look at one of her photographs I am simply in awe of the woman who is the epitome of girly grace.

Welcome to Zamonia

There isn't a lot you can do on a cold and wet Sunday afternoon except read the latest Facebook gossip (check), do dishes (check), watch a movie (check), blog (almost check) or read a book. I personally love curling up on the couch on a rainy day with a cup of cocoa and an exciting book full of fantastical tales and unique characters that take you to the outer limits of your imagination. No, I'm not talking about His Dark Materials, The Chronicles of Narnia or even the latest addition to the Inheritance Cycle but of the astounding creative talents of Walter Moers.

Moers is a German writer and illustrator who already has quite a reputation in his homeland for his not only fantastical but utterly compelling novels in which he combines ingenious drawings with eloquently told tales. He started his career drawing comics with an ironic and politically incorrect world view, an example is the now infamous Adolf, die Nazisau (watch the video, you won't regret it). His characters especially, are responsible for his success. Never before were such uniquely colorful and oddly lovable creatures created, examples are Captain Blue Bear (a blue bear (duh) and professional liar escaping from the world's largest ship) Little Asshole (a nasty but nice boy who always outsmarts the adults), The Old Curmudgeon (an old, sarcastic and very funny dying fella) and Optimus Yarnspinner (dragon, dinosaur, who knows)

My personal favorite is The City of Dreaming Books which is basically a dazzling ode to literature. It is the fourth part of the Zamonia series, a fictional land that Moers has created and where most of his characters reside. He shows the wacky yet influential nature of books as they can not only entertain and move but also kill you... Moers is not only able to create immensely entertaining and engrossing worlds but also characters and stories accompanied by exactly the right amount of illustrations and inside jokes like his beloved anagrams (Aliesha Wimperslake = William Shakespeare). Children will love his novels but my guess is that it'll be the adults who will truly cherish them.

The City of Dreaming Books, a whimsical roller coaster ride of a novel that combines adventure, horror, romance, larger than life characters with Moers' love for literature making it the perfect Sunday afternoon delight.

Damn you little pig!

I went to the hospital this morning to get my stitches removed and have the doctor take a look at a nasty case of gingivitis. My stitches had to, supposedly, dissolve by them selves but didn't and caused an incredibly painful and disgusting infection. Needless to say I'll spare you the details but I'm just gonna add that I almost made myself faint. Try it, it ain't easy.

Furthermore, I have to confess that I've got a new addiction. It's not exactly new but it's been getting out of hand lately ever since my significant other did something to the computer (I have to admit I'm a real girl when it comes to computers) to make it bigger, better and able to induce a compulsive habit. It's unbelievably embarrassing but I'm hooked on a very simple and stupid (significant other's words, not mine) game called Goldminer. You basically have to aim and catch as many gold nuggets as you can in 60 seconds. When you're a few levels ahead they let loose these incredibly cute and infuriating pigglets who get in the way and screw everything up, bless 'em. And as you can see, I'm not the only one who desperately needs some rehab.

I have my reasons

A while back a reader (Oh Happy Day!) asked me why I always write about out of date books, movies and what not. Every topic that ends up on The City is something dear to my heart and something that I personally believe deserves more recognition or a reminder that it's still out there waiting to be discovered by a fresh audience.

Newly released books and movies already get enough coverage and blogs that review them are a dime a dozen. That's why I think it is more interesting to dig up the dirt on some forgotten gems rather than spilling my guts about why I hate the latest Will Smith movie or Ian McEwan novel, both are true.

The bigger the glasses, the better the movie

From the moment I saw Happiness, I was hooked. For me, this pitch black (dare I say) comedy is the highpoint of the indie genre and has everything a truly great movie should have: excellent performances, compelling characters, quirky story, wry humor, controversy and above all humanity. The movie presents us with a dozen characters who have interlocked lives ranging from utterly shocking to incredibly endearing and it is also constantly walking the fine line between satire and brutal honesty. Happiness isn't afraid to delve into our collective subconsciousness and portray not only the disturbing but delightful traits that make us human and it does so without shame or sugarcoating. This masterpiece was created by a highly underappreciated genius, namely Todd Solondz.

Solondz's movies are all very cynical and despite the depressing stories they sometimes (actually always) tell, he is in fact a self-confessed optimist who is just trying to show that we're a flawed, lonely and dysfunctional race and there is nothing to be ashamed of 'cause we're not alone.

His first feature film was 1995's Welcome to the Dollhouse which won the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. It tells the tale of Dawn, a bespectacled 13-year-old girl who is not only being bullied by her peers but also neglected by her parents. You're probably thinking garden variety adolescent abuse issues but where Dollhouse excelled was in making the characters so humane and easy to relate to that you even started to feel compassion for the nastiest of them because at some level their actions simply made sense. Solondz has a way of making us confront not only ourselves but our demons, for better or worse.

In 1998 Happiness followed and is still one of the most honest, touching and thought-provoking satires of middle class suburbia out there. This movie turned Solondz into a respected filmmaker, aided by the International Critics Prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

In 2001 Storytelling premiered at Cannes. This movie has an ingenious plot stucture: Fiction / Non-Fiction and develops the same story in various ways. Storytelling had its fair share of controversy as the film includes a rather graphic and if you're a catholic sinful sex scene between a white woman and a black man, a scene Solondz refused to cut. Being a firm believer that all censorship is bad, Solondz was able to include the scene. Still, a bright red box was placed over the actors, you can't have it all once you enter Hollywood apparently.

His last film was 2004's Palindromes which was entirely self-financed as he wasn't able to find backers for his oddly moving tale of statutory rape, abortion and child molestation.

As we speak, Solondz is in the middle of the production of Life During Wartime which is supposed to be "A dark comedy of sexual obsession" starring Emma Thompson and Demi Moore. Knowing Solondz, it'll definitely be dark.