Lost In Translation

Film Notes: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

The only movie I was really looking forward to seeing in America this time around was Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind which was written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry. I've been a big fan of films written by Kaufman (Being John Malkovic, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Adaptation). I guess there's a sort of backlash against him and others who make nontraditional films (i.e. Memento, Mullholland Drive, etc...), which I don't quite understand. Sometimes I want a challenge or long to see something that I've never seen before, there's always room for a well-crafted traditionally made film (i.e. Mystic River) and those will always be made. So why not an ironic or inventive movie once in a while? To me, it's like choosing a genre film, i.e."Tonight I'm in the mood for a comedy."

Anyway, the strength of this movie doesn't lie in the cleverness of the script or the special effects, even though both are impressive. The heart of this movie lies in the emotional and dramatic content of a story about love gone bad, memory, and the bitter sweetness of life. Jim Carrey is impressive in a straight dramatic role, cast against character, which provides little opportunity to mug for the camera. His foil is the charming Kate Winslet, who has never been more appealing as the capricious and spontaneous love interest. The supporting actors are appropriate, but the main thrust of the film is the romantic struggle between Carey and Winslet. The cinematography and special effects are impressive, but they don't overtake the film. Basically, it is an exceptionally well-made film all-around, which I highly recommend. I am curious to revisit the first collaboration between Kaufman and Gondry, Human Nature, which was panned ruthlessly the first time around, which is why I gave it a miss. I'm willing to cut them some slack after seeing this wonderful film and give it a chance.

Book Notes: The Glass Key

I had heard years ago that one of my favorite movies, Miller's Crossing, was based on Dashielle Hammett's crime novel, The Glass Key. It wasn't until just recently that I got around to reading it for the first time. It is typical Hammett in that it has tough talking, hard drinking protagonists and shady, violent underworld figures galore, not to mention femme fatales and hard, tough talking women to boot. The plot is complex and hard to follow as well, but I think the Coens borrowed heavily from the book despite the differences in plot. For example, the relationships among the main characters, as well as some of the plot lines are different. It was entertaining, so I suppose I'll have to read The Maltese Falcon one of these days as well. I think Hammett's influence on film noir and crime literature is undeniably profound.

The College Inn Pub

Every time I go back to Seattle I usually spend some time at The College Inn Pub in the University District near the University of Washington. It was our college drinking spot, where several of my friends worked after college. It is now co-owned by my high school friend Anders and Seattle friend Shea. It hasn't changed much, good beer (local and imported beers), good pub food (I recommend the nachos), however, now you can order hard liquor there as well.

From left to right, me, Pat Okell, and Anders Lorenson, co-owner of The College Inn Pub.

Seattle Nite Life

Whenever in Seattle I always like to check out the new trendy watering holes. This time I went to The Chapel, a converted Methodist? church. It had a very cool sleek modern design with high stools at the bar and aloft overlooking the floor. I had an excellent seared salmon dinner and several cocktails and beers. They had a large list of speciality martinis of various flavors, I had one that tasted like honey dew melon, it was a little too sweet. I was also impressed that they had Stella Artois, one of my favortie Belgian beers on tap. We had some local beers, ie Rainer, at The Cha-Cha Lounge after, one of my finds from my last visit.

Anna downs her drink as Lynn makes a point in the ultra trendy Chapel bar.

Bunkyo Ward Office Building

I thought this looked quite futuristic. I had to go there to renew my foreign resident card. Today I'm off to Seattle/Spokane for 11 days, expect a slow down/stoppage of entries during that time.

The Office

A friend of mine just lent me the British TV series The Office, I guess it has been shown on American TV and won some awards, deservedly so. I really enjoyed it. It took me a few episodes to get into it, but it is very funny, and very well written. It is done in a sort of mockumentary style ala Christopher Guest (Spinal Tap, Waiting For Guffman, Best In Show, Mighty Wind), with the characters making asides to the camera on occasion. It is somewhat poignant as well; there are moments of drama that come through as well. The American version contains a very funny glossary for British terms like "wanker", "pull"," get off", "wally", etc... The actions of some of the characters display some of the worst character traits of the English:merciless ridicule, arrogance, aggressive ladish behavior (chauvinistic), racism, etc... That being said I'm looking forward to the next season, which a friend lent me, but I won't have time to watch it before I head off to Seattle tomorrow.

Smoking Manners

So, if I smoke three packs a day, does that make me a "good smoker?"

Actually, these posters are part of a smoking eitquette campaign. See this hilarious poster making a reference to "passing gas." It's actually not so bad here, it's the only place where I have seen smokers take out their own portable ashtrays and put their discarded butts into it. Then again there's a lot of losers who immediatley light up everytime they get outside and throw their butts anywhere.

Chiyoda-ku has passed an ordianace which has make it illegal to smoke outside, and they fine people who do it. They cite litter and the danger presented when adults walk with lit cigarettes that are at eye level for small children. Tokyo is not as draconian as NYC or California, but there's a healthy growing awareness about the dangers of smoking here, finally, a place where the governemnet owns the majority share of the largest tabacco company, Japan Tobacco.

Ni-jikai

Ni-jikai is the second party, which we decided to have at my friend Timo's event at club PLUG in Shibuya. So that's Timo second from left and on the right is Shuji, one of the owners of the bar ADLV. I don't know who the two girls were but they have funky hair.

Mixmaster, Kei, this is the first time I've seen him DJ.

I guess I really liked these girls or something.

Birthday Party

Here I am (do I really look like this?) at The Pink Cow, a funky wine bar with a great buffet. It's big, so it's good for birthday parties. It was a good chance to catchup with friends. That's my friend Marcus and the owner Tracy in the background.

I love this lamp.

Here's Jason and Tony with two hot girls who unfortunately, were not part of my party.

Baby Blog Post

This is my friend Nicola and her new baby boy Ronan, I believe he's three moths old. I went to Nicola's wedding in Ireland about three years ago. I've know her ever since I came to Japan, we were on the JET Program together. Kudos to Nicola and Ronan for making it out for my birthday party. Apparently Ronan is an Irish name, but I think it sounds very Japanese, which is why they chose it.