Adaptation

I've seen many parts of today's movie - Adaptation, directed by Spike Jonze in 2002 - before today. I often saw it in screenwriting classes. Obviously because the film is about screenwriting, it is educational in some way. I always liked the parts that I saw, but I never watched the whole thing until now. I'm glad I finally did! It's such an awesome and different film. I guess it is a little bit educational about screenwriting, as well. I know that I could certainly relate to the main character, Charlie's writing process. He does exactly what I to - trying to set up reward systems for himself ("If you write, then you can have coffee"), and eventually, out of frustration, writing himself into his screenplay. I think I've done both of those things before!

It's going to be really hard to write about this movie without spoiling it, and because I so badly don't want to spoil it, I'll probably keep this post a little short. I think probably everyone should watch this movie, and I'd feel terrible if I ruined all the best parts!

Leaving Las Vegas

This is a hard movie to write about. It's always hard for me to explain how I can love a movie that is depressing but yet wonderful. Maybe it's because I know a lot of people who tend to shun "sad" movies, just for the reason that they are sad. I get that not everyone is always in the mood for a sad film. but personally. being forced to watch them at all times because of this project, I find it really hard to dismiss them. Life can be, and often is, sad. It is only fitting that our art reflects this.

Today I watched Leaving Las Vegas, directed by Mike Figgis in 1995. It's not a happy movie, but it still has traces of optimism. There is something good that can be found even in extreme depression. The film is wonderful, with a realistic portrayal of alcoholism and other tough issues. It's not wonderful because it made me feel happy afterward, but because I could see that it was real. It deals with ugly, painful, topics, and they are often tough to watch. I really applaud the film for showing this side of the issue. I am not a big Nic Cage fan, either. I sort of hate Nic Cage. I have been mislead by Ebert to see Nic Cage films before, but here, he could act! That is something else, really.