September 7, 2005
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WEDNESDAY MOVIE(S) And now for a refreshing change of pace, three wonderful films about mental illness. After this past week or so of watching madness hit the Gulf Coast, I think we can all relate. Off the Map (2005) is a coming of age story, a love story, and a story of remission from despair. It stars the fabulous Joan Allen looking her physical best, a not-seen-enough Sam Elliott getting a great part for once, and a newcomer in the narrator’s role, Valentina d’Angelis. This little family unit has created a self-sustaining existence in the New Mexico desert and all would be Totally Neat if it weren’t that one of them is clinically depressed, one of them is more patient than Joab, and one of them is ready to bust out. When a stranger stumbles into their triangle, it’s like he’s the moving piece in a mobile that includes them, forcing them all to change. A
marvelous story that the whole family can enjoy. (PG-13). Tarnation (2004), at the other end of the spectrum, is a documentary created and filmed by its protagonist, self-taught filmmaker, Jonathan Caouette. This young man is an absolute banshee with the camera, capturing his childhood through young adulthood with an at least borderline psychotic mother and grandparents. Her personality shattered by repeated shock treatments authorized by her parents, Jonathan’s mother nevertheless defines him and it is clear he loves her deeply. It’s a story of her deterioration and his climb out of the pit. You need to have strong nerves to watch this, but you’ll never see a better scrapbook of a family from hell 
and the artist who can put it on film. (No MPAA rating) Walk on Water (2004) is an Israeli film that qualifies for the mental illness category by being about the angst of a young German guilt-ridden by World War II and the angst of a young Jew guilt-ridden by the suicide of his wife. When Eyal, a highly trained Mossad assassin sets out to kill a former Nazi war criminal, he meets his victim’s adult grandchildren, Axel and Pia, who are both estranged from their parents and the grandfather who has been in hiding all their lives. Together they find a solution that works for them all. (R) You can find all three of these movies on the shelves at your local video store. 
Deep Thought: “Dad always thought laughter was the best medicine, which I guess is why several of us died of tuberculosis.”
Today I am grateful for: Unconventional solutions
Guess the Movie: “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.” Answer: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, 2001.
Winner: CanadianNational.
Firing Michael Brown Is Not Enough. How About Bush and Cheney?
by Norman Solomon
Calls for firing Michael Brown are understandable. Aptly described as “the blithering idiot in charge of FEMA” by columnist Maureen Dowd a few days ago, he’s an easy and appropriate target.
President Bush met with Brown last Friday and publicly told him: “You’re doing a heck of a job.” (Rest of article here.)
End of Day: 8:50 pm
+ = Last super summer day for awhile, I guess.
- = It’s bodies and lost pets time in New Orleans now.
Comments (18)
Michael Brown. I just don’t even know what to say about how poorly FEMA did during this disaster. It’s performance certainly did not inspire confidence, did it?
Pay It Forward.
LOTR: FotR. Great movie reviews. I’m gonna check them out.
Great guess. Think sequels.
And a different small person.
Solomon is definitely on the right track…
Back from a trip to the drug store. Yesterday was fun. Leaving house in two minutes. My next guess is: A.I.
Remember the sequels part. Think trilogy.
interesting…
Lord of the Rings, Return of the King. Feelin’ good about what is still a guess. As soon as I left the house (to visit Ginny at the hospital and donate blood for Katrina victims), I realized I’d blown the sequel clue. Finally just now read your movie reviews, and all of them look intriguing. Thank you so much!
Yay, you got it! And bless your heart for the blood donation.
Off the Map looks good.
Hello
I just read your biography . I cant beleive all the places you’ve seen, the people, expieriences. I feel as if I know you just a little.Not to sound presumptious.
You have lead an interesting life.
Felix, an Aquarian. They are unique.
Of your poems, I liked best September and October.
I found it very comforting, the old man who made the cane, the voice, it was comforting.
I will keep looking for anything new.That was a very enjoyeble read.
I also am an isfj, or was it isjf?
I thought it fit me.
I have ssen none of the movies above. I have seen LOTR triology all in one night on dvd’s. I loved the movies , but the books better. I still have my old paper back of The Hobbit.
Peace and Love:)
Oops, I missed that CanadianNational for the movie first. Sorry Twoberry.
Unfortunately, since Bush has given out medals or promotions to pretty much everyone who has fucked up while he’s been President, I’m guessing Brown will just be gold-plated…
thanks! i like your xanga. cool layout.
Who’s this now?
that metaphor about adding someone to a family mix and haaving it function like a shifting mobile, causing each person to change positions/functions in the family system, that’s one i first heard from a gifted family therapist, (blow on the mobile and every piece shifts place, an intervention or change in behavior is like blowing on the mobile….) and is how i often come at speaking of changing something to someone in a family system that needs changing.
thanks for the movie suggestions. i might even look at one, lily who seldom looks at movies….