The GENIUS of Woody Allen #film #romance #comedy #legend

The 1975 Allen offering LOVE AND DEATH was the first Woody film that made me feel he had written a film to directly make fun of me during my university years. I was obsessed with intellectual debate and as he put it 'mental masturbation with concepts and ideas that truly have no answer.' Actually it would be more accurate to say I loved ideas that could be argued around in a circular defense and attack at the same time; such as fate or destiny vs. free will or choice. But attending a Woody Allen film festival during my university days in the late 80's opened my mind to Woody's love of making fun of the exact character I was trying to become; the dreaded pseudo-intellectual.

I was laughing so hard at the conclusion of this film my date asked, 'what was so funny about that?' 'Just a bit of self-degradation I guess. Nothing is funnier than someone drawing universal truths with an etch a sketch.'
I don't think she thought I was funny or that the film had been. Never ask someone from the accounting program to go see an art film. Dating 101 I guess.

Anyway, the film LOVE AND DEATH is dated, in face I would guess today's audiences would have a lot of trouble getting into the film. I would encourage students of film to take a look at the masterful timing of the cast and the way they used their dramatic touch to deliver the comedy. The scenes in the film rely heavily on dialogue and create a comical sense of Russian life without an extensive budget. At times Diane Keaton is so good that she completely takes over this male dominated cast with her eye contact with other actors, her waiver in voice to express her uncertainty or lies, and perhaps best of all she kept the straightest face during some of the most absurd scenes written in this era. 

If you enjoy this clip, give the film a try.

BLADE RUNNER 2049 #art #flim vs #action film

The original Blade Runner was the topic of my first lesson in my introduction to film studies course. My professor showed the film's introduction and we deconstructed the opening scene with nerd vigilance and inexperienced critical assumptions. Scene by scene we rolled the film and debated it's use of futuristic images that pull us back to historical deity references and universal human quandaries. Perhaps because this was my first experience like this, I have always had a deep respect and love for this film. It truly was, especially when considering the early 80's budget and special effects limitations, a masterpiece of extrapolation about the future conundrum of  the meaning of life, existence and human development beyond scared children bending their knee to lighting and thunder  and into the roll of life creating GODS.

 

Now finally 35 years after it's predecessor, comes Blade Runner 2045. Much like the original this is an art film advertised and packaged to movie viewers as an action sci-fi flick, but it truly is an art film. It explores so many current and future issues of the human condition, it's hard to focus on an individual one, but certainly the most talked about is that of soul and it's idea that soul begins with the birth canal. So that one is too obvious and a bit over discussed, so let me bring up the concept I found more interesting; 'Sibling rivalry as a proof of humanity.' After a brutal fight one of the replicants  screams at it's defeated foe, 'I'm the best one!' This trigger line takes made me think back to the film's development and the constant sharp tongued banter between replicants. It's subtle at times, but thinking back on the film it is an ever present sub theme that is quiet interesting at the film reaches it's crescendo late in the final act. 

And of course, the theme of LOVE and what it means to love is captivating and strikes a cord across AI and I alike. The heartbreak of a Replicant is as heartbreaking as any felt by a human and that scene, when our Blade Runner understands the truth of his love, is an echo to the truth everyone comes to before a breakup. 

Driving in the #rain #Thailand #bkk

RAINY days just keep coming in the Kingdom of Thailand. I'm not sure if it is because of the release of the Blade Runner sequel or just the over all global warming causing the rainy season to stretch for what seems like 6 months instead of 4, but rainy season has become a ceaseless season.

But I must say the blur of the window and the splashing through puddled and flooded streets, still makes me happy.

#GOLF #THAILAND #TROPICAL #ASIA #TRAVEL #Tips

GOLFING THAILAND

 The courses in Thailand are amazing. If you're a golfer that suffers through winter layoffs, how can you not by a ticket to the land of smiles and enjoy the tropical courses.

So there are some things to consider when you come here to play, and as a veteran of the golf scene here for more than 12 years I compiled a list of things to consider.

1. COST: The price has gone up steadily over the years, but there are ways to save. Most courses offer 50% off if you T-off after 1 PM. Last week I played a course that usually costs 1500 and by playing in the afternoon we paid 750 baht and that includes the caddie, but not the TIP for the caddie, which is absolutely expected.  The usual tip for a solid caddie is 300 up to 500 for the kind of caddie who can read greens like a local pro. So all in my last outing was 1050 baht or basically $30 US dollars.

2. CARTS: Carts are just now becoming a thing in the Thai golf scene. They have always been at courses that focus on foreign tourists or mountain courses; however, now more and more courses are not only offering carts but suggesting them -- of course at a fee -- but you can't blame them for trying to make a little extra money. I actually don't believe in using carts because let's face it this sport doesn't offer much exercise at all except for the cardio of walking and taking that away just seems wrong.

3. HEAT: Don't pack your polo shirts for playing in Thailand, they will be TOO hot. Shorts are okay on most courses and I recommend it because it is going to be HOT. But don't make the mistake that you can go collar less or sleeveless, this is a sport the Thai's consider to be posh and they will reject you. Also, watch the alcohol and drink lots of water. Heatstroke in the tropical heat of Thailand takes a few foreigners every year.