Various: 9-11, murders, movies
9-11 Peace Movement
Since I've recently been talking about the U.S. lately, you may also want to check out this 9-11 Peace Movement art contest, and even participate! Everyone is encouraged to enter.
Media Coincidences
I've suggested that mainstream media seems to be conspiring to create specific new trends of consciousness by presenting people and subjects in certain ways. (I know that's a very vague statement, but it will have to do.)
Well, with Karla Homolka and her current boyfriend, convicted killer Jean-Paul Gerbet, being in all the news lately, the showing of Gun Crazy (aka Deadly is the Female) on TVO this evening, which I happened to watch briefly, seems rather timely (see reviews).
While serendipity does happen, I don't think the scheduling of this movie was merely 'coincidental' on TVO's part. It's more likely an example of how a feature from the film library is specifically chosen, which mirrors current news sensations - in this case, the upcoming release of convicted serial sex killer Karla Homolka. The dialogue and psychological tensions in Gun Crazy are so hauntingly realistic ('I don't know why - but we go together like a gun and ammunition, baby') in exploring the dark side of sexual passion. One may well imagine the whole Paul Bernardo-Karla Homolka killing-fest having gone on in a similar fashion.
Am I making a mountain out of a molehill here?
Well, what I find more intriguing is how similarly and tabloid-like both The National Post and The Toronto Sun have presented the about-to-be-released Homolka and lover Gerbet. [1] I can't find the coverpage story and photo I saw the other day, but The National Post showed a large photo of Karla Homolka lying on her prison bed, smiling, with bright red lipstick and a come-hither look. The Sun's, 'Meet Karla's Killer Lover,' had a very swanky photo of Jean-Paul Gerbet with a shaved head, wearing a sharp-looking suit. Both newscovers had a kind of fashionista, high glamour appeal to them, as did the corresponding headlines.
Am I merely imagining the revivalism of cool with the whole shaved-head look, which is strangely reminiscent of both skinheads and holocaust victims?
Funny how shaved head folks are popping into my life at every turn. Also, see this recent email dialogue among my relatives.
Here's an interesting scoop on Natalie Portman's new do - she apparently had her long locks shaved on live TV in Berlin. This naturally sparked many references to neo-nazism, S&M, and lesbianism.
'Natalie Portman still shaved'
'Natalie Portman Shaves'
Natalie Portman Arrives at Cannes Premiere with a Shaved Head
I found both Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and Kingdom of Heaven share some similar motifs.* And, like Portman's real-life buzz-cut, the female lead in Kingdom of Heaven shorns her hair in a dramatic moment. Both are excellent films worth seeing. They're the only movies I've seen in awhile, mind you, but I was struck by the compelling epic scale, powerful visuals, deep emotions, and overall choreography. The Star Wars series will always be a classic. In particular, the self-empowering and positive reclaiming of historical identity is important and quite inspiring.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith*
By the way, folks, you read it here first. I questioned (rather harshly, I admit) the break-up of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston in January, sensing that there was more to the story. Have you seen the movie previews for Mr. & Mrs. Smith?* Interesting that the 'new couple' - that is, Brad Pitt and Anglina Jolie - are now starring in a *spy flick* together (see reviews).
Remember how I made allusions to spy work and media's ways of moving the masses in this post? Jolie now claims to have no romantic interest in Pitt, whatsoever: they are simply 'good friends.'
I had also highlighted the fact that Jennifer Aniston apparently 'filed for divorce immediately,' yet never called a divorce lawyer. (It was mentioned on a TV entertainment news programme.) Overall, I'd say this turn of events makes for a pretty good publicity stunt, allowing Pitt and Aniston to happily resume their relationship (eventually), with no hard feelings all around. But who knows...?
*One adult movie ticket is $4.25 at Rainbow Cinemas. I'd like to point out my reasons for going out to the theatre, several times a year: 1) Spending time with my mother; and 2) doing something relatively 'mainstream.' Yet, I also spot future political trends, while viewing more exploits from my life on the big screen, so it's not exactly relaxing.
PS - I may often get into detailed political analysis, but I'm a lousy politician, myself - although I'm learning. Everything I say, do, or have undertaken is a testament to this fact: I have few allies, I never 'gain the upper hand,' nor is my reputation smooth and polished.
----------
[1] It's no secret that The Toronto Sun is actually a conservative-leaning newspaper written in an accessible style mostly for working-class folks. I can post various analyses to confirm this perception later, though who knows exactly when.
Since I've recently been talking about the U.S. lately, you may also want to check out this 9-11 Peace Movement art contest, and even participate! Everyone is encouraged to enter.
Media Coincidences
I've suggested that mainstream media seems to be conspiring to create specific new trends of consciousness by presenting people and subjects in certain ways. (I know that's a very vague statement, but it will have to do.)
Well, with Karla Homolka and her current boyfriend, convicted killer Jean-Paul Gerbet, being in all the news lately, the showing of Gun Crazy (aka Deadly is the Female) on TVO this evening, which I happened to watch briefly, seems rather timely (see reviews).
While serendipity does happen, I don't think the scheduling of this movie was merely 'coincidental' on TVO's part. It's more likely an example of how a feature from the film library is specifically chosen, which mirrors current news sensations - in this case, the upcoming release of convicted serial sex killer Karla Homolka. The dialogue and psychological tensions in Gun Crazy are so hauntingly realistic ('I don't know why - but we go together like a gun and ammunition, baby') in exploring the dark side of sexual passion. One may well imagine the whole Paul Bernardo-Karla Homolka killing-fest having gone on in a similar fashion.
Am I making a mountain out of a molehill here?
Well, what I find more intriguing is how similarly and tabloid-like both The National Post and The Toronto Sun have presented the about-to-be-released Homolka and lover Gerbet. [1] I can't find the coverpage story and photo I saw the other day, but The National Post showed a large photo of Karla Homolka lying on her prison bed, smiling, with bright red lipstick and a come-hither look. The Sun's, 'Meet Karla's Killer Lover,' had a very swanky photo of Jean-Paul Gerbet with a shaved head, wearing a sharp-looking suit. Both newscovers had a kind of fashionista, high glamour appeal to them, as did the corresponding headlines.
Am I merely imagining the revivalism of cool with the whole shaved-head look, which is strangely reminiscent of both skinheads and holocaust victims?
Funny how shaved head folks are popping into my life at every turn. Also, see this recent email dialogue among my relatives.
Here's an interesting scoop on Natalie Portman's new do - she apparently had her long locks shaved on live TV in Berlin. This naturally sparked many references to neo-nazism, S&M, and lesbianism.
'Natalie Portman still shaved'
'Natalie Portman Shaves'
Natalie Portman Arrives at Cannes Premiere with a Shaved Head
I found both Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and Kingdom of Heaven share some similar motifs.* And, like Portman's real-life buzz-cut, the female lead in Kingdom of Heaven shorns her hair in a dramatic moment. Both are excellent films worth seeing. They're the only movies I've seen in awhile, mind you, but I was struck by the compelling epic scale, powerful visuals, deep emotions, and overall choreography. The Star Wars series will always be a classic. In particular, the self-empowering and positive reclaiming of historical identity is important and quite inspiring.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith*
By the way, folks, you read it here first. I questioned (rather harshly, I admit) the break-up of Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston in January, sensing that there was more to the story. Have you seen the movie previews for Mr. & Mrs. Smith?* Interesting that the 'new couple' - that is, Brad Pitt and Anglina Jolie - are now starring in a *spy flick* together (see reviews).
Remember how I made allusions to spy work and media's ways of moving the masses in this post? Jolie now claims to have no romantic interest in Pitt, whatsoever: they are simply 'good friends.'
I had also highlighted the fact that Jennifer Aniston apparently 'filed for divorce immediately,' yet never called a divorce lawyer. (It was mentioned on a TV entertainment news programme.) Overall, I'd say this turn of events makes for a pretty good publicity stunt, allowing Pitt and Aniston to happily resume their relationship (eventually), with no hard feelings all around. But who knows...?
*One adult movie ticket is $4.25 at Rainbow Cinemas. I'd like to point out my reasons for going out to the theatre, several times a year: 1) Spending time with my mother; and 2) doing something relatively 'mainstream.' Yet, I also spot future political trends, while viewing more exploits from my life on the big screen, so it's not exactly relaxing.
PS - I may often get into detailed political analysis, but I'm a lousy politician, myself - although I'm learning. Everything I say, do, or have undertaken is a testament to this fact: I have few allies, I never 'gain the upper hand,' nor is my reputation smooth and polished.
----------
[1] It's no secret that The Toronto Sun is actually a conservative-leaning newspaper written in an accessible style mostly for working-class folks. I can post various analyses to confirm this perception later, though who knows exactly when.
posted by outside the box... at
12:40 AM
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