Falling for "The Fall"

As I jump back into school (eeek!), I'm sure it will be hard to find time to blog. In fact, for the next few days, I might have to blog with a purpose (unheard of!), as I have several essays to brainstorm for Scholarship Applications. This seems as good a place as any to get some thoughts jotted down.

But, for tonight, I want to talk about a film. And not just any film, a truly incredible awe-inspiring, rave-worthy film my family recently saw. It's called, simply, The Fall.

As a quick summary, The Fall is set at a hospital in the 1920's. A little girl who is staying there while her broken arm heals befriends another patient named Roy. Aiming to entertain her (and to achieve other, darker ends), Roy begins to tell the little girl a story. The story takes shape around the people in the girl's life, around Roy's past, and around other events in the plot.

Sure, it sounds simple, but let me add the kicker. The Fall was filmed over a four-year period, in over 18 different locations. It used no green-screen or special effects. Check out the trailer (see the link below) and you may begin to understand why this achievement is so spectacularly marvelous. I remain firmly convinced that Tarsem, the director, found the most beautiful locations possible for this film. And location isn't everything. The plot packs quite a punch as well.

Now, I won't bother truly rating this movie - I like pretty much everything I see (with the exception of perhaps one Kate Hudson movie, and the Fantastic Four films). But this, well, this film just took my breath away.

In my mind, it takes filmmaking back to its roots. Back to a time when there was no green-screen, no Gollum or Davy Jones, no Dragons, CG environments, or magical yet physically impossible worlds. Tarsem did something truly incredible. He captured our world, just as it is, and wove it in with a beautiful story, creating a wondrous work of art. Don't get me wrong ... I'm fully intrigued by all the possibilities modern day CG techniques have to offer. It's just nice to see something so simply beautiful.

Anyway, if there's anyone out in the ever-expanding World Wide Web currently reading this, anyone who hasn't seen this film, let me just finish with two words: You must.

For more information on Tarsem's The Fall, check out the following links:
IMDb Info
Official Site
Trailer

A Few Words of Wisdom

Okay, yeah, not so much with the "every day" concept, but I'm still working on it. (Who knows what this will be like once school is actually in session again, right?) Anyway, on that note, tonight's blog has a few words of wisdom, though not my own - of course.

I've just begun sinking into Merlin's Dragon by Boulder author and my personal favorite writer T.A. Barron. This latest book is set between his Lost Years of Merlin series and the Great Tree of Avalon books. Of course, it's shaping up to be quite a wonderful read.

Basically, at the beginning of each chapter, there are a few lines of, well, thoughts. I haven't figured out exactly whose thoughts they are - but they seem to be coming from the main character, a dragon/lizard/unknown creature named Basil. I've been continually astounded by the wisdom and quotable-ness these few lines seem to contain. So, I've decided to share a few of my favorites with you. My favorites so far that is. I'm only about 100 pages into the book. Here we go...

Chapter 6:
I learned something valuable that day - a lesson I've never forgotten. It's worth listening well to what you hear. No matter how bizarre the story ... or how bizarre the storyteller.

Chapter 9:
Change. What a paradox! The more you do it, the more you don't. The farther you seek it, the nearer you find it. The less it's in your world, the more it's in you.

Chapter 10:
Wisdom, like those who possess it, comes in all shapes and sizes. That much I've learned, often the hard way. yet despite all their differences, truly wise people share this same understanding:
No matter how much you know, you still have a lot to learn.

So there you have it, a few pearls of wisdom... inklings of thoughts... gems to ponder. T.A. Barron sure knows how to string words together!

Blogging, Day Two: Haunting Tunes

Okay, I promise I won't just having "counting" titles for ever and ever, but as I make good on my new blogging goal, it's a good reminder. Here we go, Day Two.

Today's topic focuses around the sweet, haunting, and powerful tunes currently assailing my eardrums: The soundtrack (or rather, "score" as they're calling it) from the movie Twilight. Composed by Carter Burwell, an artist I'm not aware of other than this work, this music has definitely amazed me. I admit that Twilight itself wasn't a Grade-A movie. For a fan of the books, it hit dead on. It was like living in the story for a sweet 2-hour period. For an outsider, a critic, and basically anyone who's not a "Twihard," yes, it might fall a little short of a great movie.

However, the music is a different story altogether. I admit I barely noticed it during the movie. Whether this is the sign of its perfection - that it blended in so well it was not noticeable - or it's shortcomings, that I'm not sure, but I can truly say I haven't heard a soundtrack like this in a while.

Every now and then, a movie's music takes me by surprise. National Treasure's score by Trevor Rabin was an excellent example of this. It was a change from the John Williams and Hans Zimmers of the composing world (not that I have anything against either of those amazing composers). What these two soundtracks have in common is a freshness - an electric vibe and a jarring burst of noise that brings you back to the moment, and makes you stop whatever you're doing to simply listen.

This particular score is extremely expressive. From the first haunting notes of the first track, my mind immediately goes to Bella and Edward's story - to their predicament and Romeo + Juliet esque love story. The pounding drums of "Humans are Predators Too" seems to work through to your very heart as you listen. The jarring feedback of the electric guitar later on in the soundtrack brings yet another layer of sound. Yet it always comes back to the simple guitar notes and haunting violin that is simply beautiful and heart-renching.

And, as a final note, Bella's Lullaby is amazing. As not only a piece of music but a part of the plot, this little "ditty" had a lot to live up to, and I think it did so quite well. I don't know what I imagined on my own terms for this tune, but what they have is great.

Plus, I've been getting more and more amused by soundtrack "remixes" ever since the Pirates Remixed CDs started coming out. The remix on this particular CD certainly amuses, between the mix of the dialogue, and the contrast of the piano and the electronic beat... it's enough to keep one entertained without becoming annoyed.

So, there you have it. This may not be the first new soundtrack I've listened to non-stop or ranted about, and maybe someday it will be lost among my thousands of CDs that sit on my silver harddrive, but it won't be anytime soon, for Twilight's haunting music is hard to stop listening to.

Blog Goal, Day One.

Whew, long time no see! Life got pretty crazy there for a while... but I have a new resolution. I want to try blogging at least once a day, every day. If I miss a couple here and there, that will be fine, but other than that, I'd like to see if I could do it. I think it'd be a good writing exercise, a good way to express myself and to get some thoughts out there, and a good way to unwind and relax. It will be fun.

I'm sure it will be on any topic... I've been meaning to write about Twilight, Quantum for Solace, 24... plus other, non-movie topics like Jane Austen, and Facebook.

See, I have ideas! It shouldn't be that hard. Here we go then.... This is my goal, to post a blog every day, and I hope I can keep to it.

I guess it's a New Year's Resolution come early.

See you tomorrow!