Monday, December 22, 2008

Milk

Milk

I know, I know! the movie came out a while ago, but I felt compelled to write this review on Milk because I think it's one of the most important films released this year. Now mind you, I didn't say "the best" because lets face it, I don't think ANYTHING can top the Dark Knight (then again, i haven't seen the wrestler yet). So before you all start your bitching, hear me out.

Milk is the story of Harvey Milk, who is masterfully portrayed by Sean Penn. He was a gay man who ultimately just wanted to be accepted for who he was and his lifestyle choices. He wanted gay and lesbian people to have the same rights as straight people. He had a powerful influence in the area he lived in in San Francisco, so he used that popularity and influence and decided to run for the office of city supervisor. After numerous attempts, he achieved enough of a following to win. He was in office for 11 months before he was murdered by a fellow city supervisor, Dan White, who was played by Josh Brolin. Brolin did an excellent job portraying the insecure White. There is also an amazing supporting cast: James Franco plays Scott, Harvey's first love interest and Diego Luna plays Jack Lira another love interest. Also in the film is Emile Hirsch playing Cleve Jones, who played a vital role in the gay rights movement.

The film is very much in usual style of Gus Van Sant's movies: gritty, sometimes dark, the camera work gave you the feeling like you were pretty much in the crowd watching Milk give his famous "Hope Speech" or one of the guys in the camera shop listening in on what the campaign plans were and his male leads are always spot on. I think this is Van Sant's best film, then good will hunting, elephant, and finally my own private idaho.

I highly recommend everyone watch this. It's moving, a "think" movie, it makes you want to get out there and make a difference in your life and your community and the acting is phenomenal.

To hear parts of THE Harvey Milk's "Hope Speech", check out the link below.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

7 Deadly Things....

or not.

This is the second request to write on my blog 7 things about me so here it goes (Thanks to Karen and Heidi for the requests)

#1. I almost died when I was about 10. My brother and I were visiting family in El Salvador and went to a beach area and we got stuck in a rip tide. We couldn't swim. We were yelling and struggling to stay afloat and nobody could hear us. Finally I felt a rock with my foot, immersed my self down while holding my bro and pushed as hard as I could so we could doggy paddle to shore.

#2. I find Seth Rogen VERY attractive. Like its sick. I have a thing for "doughy" guys with facial hair and a sense of humor. If you want to win me over, have a beard and crack jokes.



















#3. I don't have any blood sisters, so I tend to cling on to and embrace the friendships I have with girls I let into my life, which aren't very many. We fight alot (mostly my fault) but I know that I can always turn to them when I need them. The bestest girlfriends nearest and dearest to my heart are and always will be Jenna, Mel, Liz and Esther... whether they like it or not!
Very close seconds are Heidi, Becca, and Karen



































#4. I REALLY enjoy boy things. Let me explain. I enjoy the same things that guys enjoy because growing up I only had my brothers and my father was a huge influence in my life. My dad would take us to the L.A. auto show, every Sunday we would go to the comic book store and pick out spawn comics or marvel cards, we would go to museums and gawk at the dinosaurs, one of our most recent trips together was a motley crue concert and an AC/DC concert. I loved that my both my parents instilled in all three of us the love of heavy metal. I think my love for these things is also the reason I tend to get along with boys sometimes better than girls.

#5. I was a bully in high school. I would cut in front of people in line and I would take lunch money. I really did. I will someday regret it.

#6. I've used my womanly wiles to get what I want... and it worked. A more recent example: Adam, Andrew and I were at Vons buying food to BBQ and we wanted chicken. The chicken wasn't on sale, so I went to the guy behind the meat counter and asked him if there was anyway he could find some chicken that was on sale. He smiled and said, "Sure sweetheart." The chicken came out to like $7. Awese.

#7. I like kissing. Alot. And I'm only writing this because I didn't know what else to write when I know there's gotta be alot more things, but I just saw that Keanan logged onto g-chat and he reminded me that I do enjoy kissing and that he's a good kisser. :)

I tag Chris, Sasha, Amy, Jessica, and Tanner.