Saturday, March 15, 2003 :::

My new film policy: Never again will I tell someone my thoughts on a movie that he or she has not seen; at most, I will tell them whether or not i recommend it. I know that I prefer to go into a movie with as few expectations as possible...and given how seriously I take film, I think it best that others try to do the same... - in any case, I am not going to cast upon others that which I myself prefer to be absent from. However, from time to time, I'll include my opinions on certain films in this blog, preceeded by a disclaimer. Thus, here's the first

DISCLAIMER: IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN ROAD TO PERDITION AND INTEND TO, DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH.

Road to Perdition - nothing groundbreaking...never a real moment where i thought to myself "man, this is an excellent movie," but I definitely enjoyed this film. MAN it broke my heart at the end... - I knew that it had to go down that way, but still...it was set up so perfectly that it shattered me...and herein lies the problem. While I'm glad that it went down that way, I can't say that I enjoy being struck down into sadness, so it's unlikely that I'll ever really want to see this movie again. I guess I'm a sucker for happy, or at least ambiguous, endings. However, I thought it to be a great story of a father and his son...and on the surface, I don't see anything wrong with it... - it's just not one of those films that has a strong replay value for me. Nonetheless, I wouldn't mind owning it - a year or two down the road, I'd be fine with watching it again. Most emotionally-draining films have the same impact on me - Forrest Gump is the first exception that comes to mind, since there's soooo much plot in that movie. Strange coincidence that it's another Tom Hanks movie... - anyway, Road to Perdition is a fine example of superb filmmaking - especially in terms of cinematography - but as far as replay value is concerned, the story is too simplistic and emotionally exhausting. It's strength is it's weakness...but overall, I give it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Spring break is practically over...from a critical standpoint, it was too quiet and uneventful - the story of my life, as of late, but that's another topic for another time. If only UF would stop being retarded and synch our break with that of pretty much every other state college...or at least with UCF's. No beach yet, but hopefully, we'll make it out there today, weather-permitting. Highlights so far: um...getting my hair cut, combined with much shorter sideburns; hangin' out with the friends and family a little bit; Road to Perdition...and sadly, that's about it. I could blame it on being sick, or maybe the medication... - I dunno. I've been in something of a funk lately. I feel the need to do some real soul-searching...a week by myself, maybe... - I dunno. Going back to Gainesville should help a bit, if I can get a handle on school. So much work to get done...

It may very well be that I've previously (and unsuccessfully) resigned myself to getting myself on something of a schedule, but this time around, I truly want to. This latest urge was sparked by the drive to Orlando last Friday. I left Gainesville around 8 in the morning - something I'd never done before - and literally felt like I was taking a new route home. In the light of the morning sun, everything had a glow to it...almost as if it was waking up with me... - it was nice. Of course, this sensation was probably due, in part, to the fact that I hadn't slept for two days straight...but regardless...I need to stop wasting my days away. In the end, sleep logic doesn't hold any weight as a respectable excuse. This all seems so childish, but it's time to admit that I'm being childish. If I get to bed earlier, I'll have less trouble waking up earlier. If I get more exercise, I'll have more energy, and will be able to spend more time awake than asleep. Naturally, if I'm awake during daylight, I'll be more inclined to spend time outside, which will result in better health, both physically and mentally. So...it's not like I don't know what I need to do...it's just the "doing" part that poses a struggle. One step at a time...

More on the UF versus UCF issue: everyone and everything seems to be telling me to come back home. There are more opportunities for furthering my knowledge in Digital Editing here...my family and friends are here...the scenery and citylife is much more to my liking here...perhaps the greatest immediate appeal - i'm closer to water. But the reasons for coming back are the same reasons for staying in Gainesville, and they accumulate to form this reason: There is more room and potential for personal growth in Gainesville than there is in Orlando. Yes, it is a hell of a lot harder for me, emotionally and mentally, to live at UF, but nothing truly worth doing is easy - or so I'm told. By staying In Gainesville, depriving myself of tools that, in Orlando, could practically be laid at my feet for a greater understanding of Digital Editing, but this forces me to take more initiative...to decide if this is truly the direction that I want to take with my life, and to take that extra step to stand out and take what I need, instead of simply sitting back and receiving it. I had a short chat with Daniel Moctezuma the other day at my brother's weightlifting match, and he really helped me to put things into perspective - whether or not he was truly being honest is up in the air, but he seemed completely heartfelt, and he seriously boosted my morale and self-confidence, telling me that he knew that I had talent...that I'd make it through...that every situation is what one makes of it. Anyone who knows Daniel knows that he's a huge success story - immense talent and dedication through discipline, dedication and God-given abilities...but for him to say "I know you can do it," - it really meant something...and I need to thank him. I wish I had his drive and his passion... - I intend to work towards attaining it. Of course, this all looks great on the screen...when will I supply all the thinking with action? Tomorrow's as good a day as any...

::: posted by AJBrotz at 2:45 AM

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