Open Letter to Ron Livingston

Bless your heart, Ron Livingston. You just may be the most persistent man in television. It seems you keep showing up in new series each year or so, only to have that series go down in the proverbial flames right before our eyes. And yet, you continue to try again. You find another interesting project to which you can lend your talent, and you bring the very most of whatever the character requires. You never seem to phone it in. You always seem to be giving each new role your absolute best, and each new character seems to have even more depth than your last. This can’t be all good writing — for in truth, some of the writing hasn’t been good at all on one or two of your series. I feel certain the depth comes from you. And that is what keeps me returning to each and every new series in which you star.
 
But Ron… it’s getting a bit ridiculous now. And I’m not sure my heart can continue to withstand the pain of investing fully in one of your new shows only to have it pulled away from me — from us! — yet again. I’m almost to the point of not wanting to watch at all for fear that I may lose you once again to the black hole of defunct series. But I can’t not watch! You have brought to me some of the best characters in all of television (and movies, too!), and I just feel I owe it to you to follow wherever you lead. How empty my life would have been without your Capt. Nixon in Band of Brothers or your portrayal of every office drone’s hero in Office Space. My television landscape would never have been the same without Standoff, and I wouldn’t have cared one bit for Sex and the City except that your Jack Berger was so ridiculously frustrating to watch. And now you’ve brought to me Defying Gravity, a series I honestly didn’t think would interest me at first but which quickly crawled beneath my skin solely because of your baseball-loving Maddux Donner. For a series that didn’t quite have a good grasp on what it was trying to become — for, really, there was no need for that supernatural/alien contrivance known as Beta; it could have been so fantastic all on its own simply by focusing on the human relationships of a crew out on a six-year space mission — your presence held the entire ensemble together and gave the series weight. I fear I may lose it, as well, just when I had become fully engaged. And honestly, I can’t take much more of this.
 
I’m thankful, Ron Livingston, that you continue to pursue film roles, as well, so that I’m not forced to wait two or three seasons at a time to find you appearing in another 8-13 episode mid-season replacement series. I love seeing you pop up where I least expect you, as in this summer’s The Time Traveler’s Wife. But I do hope that your day will finally come when the right TV series presents itself and you have a chance to play out a character to its fullest. That time seems to have arrived for your buddy (and one of my favorites) Michael Cudlitz in Southland, and I do hope it arrives for you very soon, as well. For I truly enjoy you when you’re around. And I honestly can’t take much more of these series cancellations. Here’s hoping Defying Gravity gets another chance. And if not that, then something even better for you, Mr. Livingston. You’ve earned it!

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image via 1416 and Counting

choosing my passion

I recently had an epiphany that seems to be changing my life… or rather, changing my pop culture landscape. I was sitting in the cinema waiting for the start of Julie & Julia and watching the trailer for The Time Traveler’s Wife when it hit me: both were books I always intended to read but never did, yet now I had the film versions at my disposal and probably would never go back to read the actual source material. Once upon a time this thought would have unnerved me. I would have protested greatly at the idea of choosing a movie version in lieu of the book itself. A true and dedicated reader, as I always was in my youth, would never dream of substituting one medium for the other but would, instead, make time for both and do a comparative study. Yet here I was, more than willing to take books off of my “To Be Read” list in favor of sitting for two hours and watching someone’s very subjective take on the stories. What had become of the girl I’ve always been? Leaving the movieplex I mentioned this realization to my parents, and my mother’s response was quick and on point, as usual. “I think a lot of your stress comes from trying to find time for all of your interests. If you did choose one over the others, you’d probably feel less stress.” Hmmm…
 
The fact that such a dilemma only belongs to a person of leisure is not lost on me. What a blessing to have so much time that my greatest stress comes from which entertainments to choose! And yet, even with so few responsibilities in my life, I don’t seem to find enough time to accomplish all that I wish. I’m either exhausted from the one thing that is taking over the most time — which is presently my job, ironically — and therefore, do not have the energy to even choose one passion over another. Or I’m so fully engaged in one leisure activity that my list of other plans keeps growing and growing without my ever deciding to be realistic with what I’ll actually accomplish. My heart has trouble letting go of things that once brought me much joy, even though I do not choose those joys on a regular basis any longer. For the past year I’ve spent more hours online in one activity or another than any other task in my downtime. I’ve logged plenty of blog posts and random status updates via Facebook and Twitter, and I’ve amassed a great list of blogs that I like to read for inspiration and general amusement. In the past few months I’ve even found the online activities to outweigh television watching, which had always been my biggest time-consumer. Both activities bring me great joy and provide much conversation in other areas of my life, yet both take time away from other so-called passions. I used to be an avid reader, but in all of 2008 I completed only six books! This year I have begun no less than five books since January but have completed none of them. And yes, this does bring me stress! I feel as if I should be ticking off titles on a list of some kind. I feel less than intellectual because I’m not reading anymore. And I’m not willing to say the words, “I’m not really a reader anymore.” It feels like a failure to my psyche and my soul. At the same time, I know that something must give for me to find peace with all I try to do in these leisure hours.
 
Perhaps there is solace in this: what I love at this moment in my life is sure to change at some point in the future. With new technology, there is so much more on which to place our focus. Though I love to watch television and make time for many, many hours each week, there just may come a day when nothing interesting remains on TV. And the people who write the blogs that I love may also find themselves in similar time dilemmas and could stop writing altogether. Where will it leave me when there is no longer interesting film or television or internet distractions? Well… there will be books! And once again, I will become an avid reader. I can accept this current shift in my heart, in my pop culture passions, because I know that I am extremely fickle and do not obsess over the same things forever. What I love today, whose films I’m following this summer, will be completely different next season and next year. So for now, I’m choosing which passions bring me the most joy at this moment in time. Television, movies, the world wide web. The only question that remains is… what in the world will I do with all these unread books?
 

SUNSHINE CLEANING

DVD viewing
 

 
When you see as many high-octane, under-developed films as I do, it’s easy to be surprised when a truly great story comes your way. In fact, I am often overwhelmed at the artistry of a well-told film, almost shocked by the fullness of plot and character. The fact that so many of these wonderful films fall under the category “independent” is a sad testament to the state of Hollywood today. If a rich story cannot find backing from the major players in the industry, I fear for the future of cinema even more now than ever before. Thankfully, there are still producers within the film industry who are willing to bet their money that an audience does exist for good storytelling and honest performances without the need for gloss or a big bang. Sunshine Cleaning was a bet worth taking.
 
The premise of Sunshine Cleaning does nothing more than provide the setting for a deeper story of family and grief. Two sisters, played by the divine and inimitable Amy Adams and Emily Blunt, venture into the business of crime scene clean-up for the simple purpose of earning higher pay that will enable Adams’s single mom to send her son to a better and more suitable school. The scenes at their various work sites are simply props around which to address the relationship between the two sisters and to direct us into their mournful past. As a result of finding themselves in such gruesome settings, the women are able to address key elements in their lives that have been holding them back and keeping them down. In the process of cleaning up the aftermath of death, the sisters are able to find deeper meaning in life.
 
Adams and Blunt are two of our finest young actresses, and together they are extraordinary. The entire film rests on the two of them, and each brings a very specific tone to the film. Sunshine Cleaning is profound and it is sublime. There is depth in the film’s easy pace that never seems present in movies that make noise. For this reason alone, it is superior to any other story I’ve seen this year. There is truth and there is grace in every scene. And I had almost forgotten how that looked.
 

THE THING CALLED LOVE

Most of my favorite films remain so because I am emotionally attached to them. This is the key reason I collect movies, knowing that I will want to revisit them again and again throughout my life in hopes of recapturing the feelings I had on first viewing. I may not watch a film for five years or more, but at some point I’ll think of something in that movie or get in a mood to watch a marathon of a specific actor’s work, and that will often lead me back to old favorites. This month I’ve been revisiting the films of Samantha Mathis, an actor who appeared in many films that I once enjoyed but who I wouldn’t call a “favorite” actor. What does distinguish her to me is the starring turn she had in one of my most cherished films from the 90s, The Thing Called Love. Perhaps it’s my country music phase that prompted it, but I’ve been anxious to rewatch the film recently, interested to know if it still feels as cherished to me as always before. Tonight, I finally found the perfect opportunity.

The Thing Called Love has the unfortunate distinction of being the last film made by River Phoenix prior to his death, but when I watch the movie no sadness enters my heart. In other films by River, I do feel some twinges of sadness at the premature loss of such talent, but not with The Thing Called Love. Instead, I am always completely caught up in the joy of seeing so many actors at early points in their careers. And I am charmed by the quiet little story of country musicians seeking their big breaks in Nashville by auditioning weekly at The Bluebird Cafe. The story is simple and the characters memorable, and there are catchy tunes to propel the film forward. Though it is by no means a masterpiece, it is charming and makes me happy each and every time I see it. Besides River and Mathis, the cast also includes Dermot Mulroney and Sandra Bullock before she was quote Sandra Bullock unquote. There are also numerous appearances by legendary country artists who were huge names at the time — K.T. Oslin plays a lead role as the manager of the Bluebird, and Trisha Yearwood appears as herself in one scene. The Thing Called Love, like so many older films, is a blast from the past of country music, but it’s also a timeless story. And I never tire of reliving that story and walking the journey with the lead characters.
 

 
Each time I revisit this film, I find something different that catches my attention and steals my focus. Most of the previous years’ viewing have kept me riveted to the love story between the characters played by River and Mathis, but even upon its release in 1993, I was always charmed by Dermot Mulroney’s lovestruck songwriter. I was familiar with Mulroney by that time, having first “discovered” him as Dirty Steve in Young Guns, and I had followed his career from time to time during the years since. Now that sixteen years have passed since The Thing Called Love, I have come to truly adore Mulroney. And in tonight’s viewing of the film, I found my focus entirely upon his character. Where he once added interest to the central story of Mathis’s character, he now becomes a primary reason to return to the film sooner rather than later. Simply put, he is adorable and deserving of more screen time than he received.
 
Such newfound interests have always been my reasoning for not just watching a film one time. If I am impressed on the first viewing, I will surely be impressed even more the second time. If a film is endearing once, it will become even moreso when viewing multiple times over the next few years. Such films never grow old, and even when the scenery and clothing is dated and even humorous, the story itself just intensifies and becomes beloved over time. The Thing Called Love is beloved to me. And revisiting it is always time well-spent.
 

Summer Film Series – Vol. 7, No. 5: NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM – BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN

August 18, 2009 at Movies 10 in Plano, Texas
 

 
I am a die-hard fan of Night at the Museum, so the decision to take another crazy ride with those living exhibits was the simplest movie decision ever. The fact that I visited Washington, D.C., once upon a time only served to make the film all the more treasured in my mind. I always enjoy settings that I’ve seen up close. Battle of the Smithsonian was meant to be pure, uninhibited fun, and I believe it fully succeeded in that endeavor. The true test of a film like this is whether I can enjoy it with my teenage nephew — who is more like me than any of the other kids in our family — so when we both found ourselves laughing more and more loudly as the film progressed, I knew Smithsonian had won our hearts. We enjoyed it even more than the first of the series, and that was quite unexpected since we were completely surprised by the first one and genuinely came to love it by the closing credits. But this second film was, by far, our favorite of the two. It was kooky, goofy, silly fun with characters we already loved and new ones who charmed us and made us laugh with gusto. We learned new facts about historical figures that led us to great conversation after the movie, and we were able to share yet another evening of mutual joy. There are very few films in theaters today that can provide the same amount of joy to a 14-year-old boy as to a 40-year-old woman without offending either one. But Battle of the Smithsonian did just that. It is pure and honest family fun, and we have no regrets.
 
Above all else in the film I was charmed by two specific moments: Amy Adams portraying Amelia Earhardt, and stunning visual imagery of paintings coming to life as if on a television screen while hanging in the Washington Art Museum. The paintings were all familiar works by the greatest artists of all time, and watching them come to life was a breathtaking moment for me. This is what I often see in my mind’s eye when touring art museums, but never before have I witnessed an actual representation of my thoughts as shown in this film. I must admit to a longing for such a feat to be possible, for art to come alive before my eyes. It was an extraordinary moment of film, to say the least. And Adams’s Earhardt spoke the greatest truth about it: “How can you pass up a dance with one of Degas’s girls?” Indeed! Watching Adams as the legendary aviator was equally extraordinary. She stole every moment of every scene, and she looked amazing while doing it. Adams’s portrayal was reminiscent of Katharine Hepburn at her best, and her Amelia was filled with joie de vivre that lit the screen. I know little of the real Earhardt’s personality, but I was completely enchanted by Adams’s rendition. The film could have followed only her character, and it would have been glorious.
 
What makes the Museum films so special and fun for my family are the characters themselves. Owen Wilson as cowboy Jedediah continues to bring the biggest smiles to me, and Hank Azaria was at his ridiculous best as an Egyptian king attempting to revive long-dead power. All of the supporting “exhibits” continue to make me laugh, and I appreciated the extra touch by the writers to take the bumbling idiocy of General Custer and redeem him by the end of the film. It was unnecessary, but it provided such a beautiful lesson for children to know that everyone has value, whether obvious to us or not. It is this kind of care that elevates these Museum films above many other “family” films. I am never offended, and I am always entertained. How I wish there were more films like this each year.
 

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image via Rotten Tomatoes

Summer Film Series – Vol. 7, No. 4: JULIE & JULIA

August 8, 2009 at Movies 14, McKinney, Texas
 

 
The more I view the work of Meryl Streep, the more I am convinced that she is our greatest living actress. Her talents are undeniable, but in recent years, as she enjoys an unexpected phase of her career, she has become larger than life. She portrays characters with abandon, utterly fearless in her performances and fiercely determined to remove all aspects of herself so that the viewers see only the characters of the stories and nothing of the actor playing them. Streep is brilliant in practically everything she does, and she seems to be having more fun now than ever before. This was never more evident to me than watching her embody the legendary Julia Child in Julie & Julia. She is a marvel. Having watched Julia Child on television in her later years, I had some expectations of what I wanted to see from Streep, but I never dreamed to fall in love with a woman who before had simply been an icon to the culinary world. Streep has transformed my opinions of Julia Child. She has done the very thing every actor should strive toward when portraying a real-life persona: she made me want to know more about Child and her life before the public met her.
 
The story of Julie & Julia is just as it alludes — the true stories of the two women. Julie Powell is a young woman struggling with her life’s purpose in 2002, and she becomes inspired by Julia Child to the point of creating each of the 524 recipes of Child’s book, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, and committing to complete such a feat in only one year’s time. As we follow Julie through this adventure, we are taken back to the early 1950s to walk with Julia Child as she sets out to discover her own life’s calling as a French chef. The movie is best when walking with Julia. Streep’s portrayal brings to life a woman who was incredibly joyful, mischievous, determined and overflowing with a love of life. As we witness the birth of the legend, we also are privy to a grand love story between Julia and her husband, Paul. Their romance softens every scene and gives the setting of mid-century Paris an even greater glow than just the vivid landscape can bring. It is through Paul’s eyes that we come to see the beauty of Julia. And in this film, played by Streep, Julia is a beautiful and remarkable woman.
 
I can’t imagine that many who see this film would not be inspired by it. I am the last person to ever find joy in cooking, and even I was completely galvanized. I wanted to run home and make Julia’s famous bœuf bourguignon! The film is nothing short of a foodie’s heaven. And it is also a testament to not giving up your dreams. Child was near 40 years old when she first attended Le Cordon Bleu school in France and began to truly understand the nature and pleasure of food. The remainder of her life was devoted to this one passion, and she, along with her husband, created a legacy that continues to inspire people half a century later. Julie & Julia is that rare kind of film that envelops you and challenges you and invites you to laugh without inhibition. I cannot remember the last time I found a film so completely joyous from beginning to end, nor can I recall feeling such warmth toward a “character” as I did toward Julia Child. Julie & Julia inspires nothing short of happiness in a way that movies haven’t been able to do in many, many years.
 
images via Rotten Tomatoes

the legacy of John Hughes

It should come as no surprise that director/writer/producer John Hughes is hugely responsible for my being a pop culture junkie. His biggest films were staples of my teen years, the first movies I saw that seemed to speak to and about my generation. And Hughes introduced me to actors who have remained favorites throughout my life. These actors, in fact, were some of my first celebrity interests, and since the ’80s were also a time of teen gossip magazines, I had plenty of opportunities to follow their lives, as it were. Though I loved movies long before John Hughes, it was his work that changed the way I saw them. I’d even go so far as to say that Hughes films took my great love of movies and catapulted it into an obsession. I’ve never been the same since.
 
It all began, of course, with Sixteen Candles, in which I first met ’80s teen queen Molly Ringwald, the incredibly awesome and geeky Anthony Michael Hall, and one-off crush Michael Schoeffling. I saw the film again and again and again, and like most others my age, could quote most of the great moments verbatim. Though I didn’t remember him until a few years later, Sixteen Candles also introduced me to John Cusack. I’ll always be indebted to Hughes for this above all else.

 
 
Despite the greatness of Sixteen Candles, it was certainly The Breakfast Club that spoke to me the most. Never before had I seen a film that told the truth about school cliques, about the deeply felt angst of a teenager, and about how much easier it is to make a judgment about someone instead of discovering who that person really is below the surface. And The Breakfast Club was honest about the fact that even when we realize our prejudice and wish things were different, it still doesn’t change the way we act on a daily basis. We would certainly hope to become different people, but the realities of high school dictate that we probably follow our crowd even when we don’t agree with them. It’s a harsh truth — harsher still for those of us standing on the fringes — but it’s reality, and John Hughes didn’t sugar-coat it. I’ve never realized just how important that was to my 16-year-old psyche until now. Hughes’s movies helped me understand that I wasn’t the only one who felt so alone. And that was a saving grace at the time.

 
 
But above all others, for me, is Some Kind of Wonderful. To this day, in all of the films and tv series I’ve watched in my lifetime, there is no one cooler than Eric Stoltz and Mary Stuart Masterson in Wonderful. The film, the story, the characters never get tired. It all continues to resonate — with me and with generations of kids who follow. In every sense of the word, it’s a classic. But it’s not the plot that make it so special. It’s the heart of the film, the depth of the friendship between the two main characters played by Stoltz and Masterson. Their subtle performances interject layers that can’t be written into any script, and there has never been another film that captivated me in quite the same way. Some Kind of Wonderful reminded me that sometimes my dreams have been staring me in the face the whole time, if only I’d look a little closer to home.
 
 
The list of Hughes classics goes on and on: from the legendary characters in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off to the perfect soundtrack (and wardrobe!) of Pretty in Pink, from the brilliance of the Vacation and Home Alone series to the unexpected depth of Dutch. My lifelong entertainment interests were almost single-handedly shaped by John Hughes. My love of actors is a direct result of loving the people he cast in his films. Maybe I would have discovered some of them on my own eventually, but what would life be like without Jon Cryer’s Duckie, or the Breakfast Club gang of Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez and the inimitable Anthony Michael Hall? I owe John Hughes for introducing me to the incredible Elias Koteas in Some Kind of Wonderful. And we all owe the man for the creation of Uncle Buck. Hughes is truly an icon to those of us who grew up in neon-colored t-shirts and leg warmers worn over our jeans. He told the rest of the world what life was like for teenagers at that time, and I believe his message is still relevant today.
 
A sad farewell to a visionary. Here’s hoping someone can follow in his footsteps for future generations.

 
images via Internet Movie Database and River Blue
 

5 things I love this week

July 26 – August 1, 2009

	Spending a day at the art museum. I never tire of walking around museums and seeing masterful works created hundreds (and thousands) of years ago, and to have the opportunity to examine favorite pieces up close after years of reading about them in books is one of the greatest privileges on earth. I spent the day in a state of awe.
	This little comic strip. Don’t miss the dog on the last panel.
	This little video about being a woman. My favorite line is the very last one. Listen for it!.
	Days With My Father by Phillip Toledano. This week began with Parents’ Day, and Toledano’s story is a great reminder to cherish all the moments we have together. (Note: On the website, place your cursor over the body of the page and use the scroll button on your mouse to advance the frames.)
	Celebrating the life of my one and only niece. As a child she called herself Kiwi Chelle, and though she is turning 15 next week I still think of her as that beautiful little girl with the great big smile. I love you, Kiwi, and love the relationship that we are developing throughout our lives. Happy birthday!

 

Wednesday shuffle

The concept is simple: Click shuffle on your iTunes music library and in the order each track comes up, answer the following questions with the song titles. It’s like a Facebook version of Mad Libs! Let’s see how it “shuffles” down today.

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HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
Rattlesnake Smile (Kane)
 
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A GUY?
All We’d Ever Need (Lady Antebellum)
 
HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Rock With You (Michael Jackson)
 
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Warning Sign (Coldplay)
 
WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO
Solidify (Sheryl Crow)
 
WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her (George Strait)
 
WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
If I Never See Your Face Again (Maroon 5 with Rhianna)
 
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
A Change Would Do You Good (Sheryl Crow)
 
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR FIRST KISS?
Strong Enough (Cher)
 
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Ghost in the Guitar (Keith Urban)
 
WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey)
 
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
New Slang (The Shins)
 
WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LOVE?
Piñata Novia (Kane)
 
WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
Let’s Fall to Pieces Together (George Strait)
 
WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
I Shall Believe (Sheryl Crow)
 
WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
I’m Taking the Wheel (SheDAISY)
 
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
One Day You Will (Lady Antebellum)
 
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
America High (Kane)
 
WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Three Chords and the Truth (Sara Evans)
 
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
As Far As It Goes (George Strait)
 
BONUS TRACK:
Crazy (Patsy Cline)
 

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What’s interesting to note in this mix of songs is that even with my entire music library at iTunes’ disposal, the selected tracks weigh heavily on the country side of music. It seems this year is my Country year. Who would’ve guessed that?
 

5 + 1 things I love this week

July 19-25, 2009

	Online tutorials. I’ve learned more this week about basic Photoshop tasks than I ever did on my own. And having videos at my fingertips to show me step-by-step processes is invaluable. Yay for technology!
	This little green avatar that gets randomly assigned on Typepad blogs and the fact that I seem to always get assigned this very one. It’s obviously my favorite, what with the color and the little daisy design, but how cool is it to always get the same one!
	Abandoned places of New York City. Using his own photographs, artist Nathan Kensinger is telling the stories of once-glorious buildings and locations of NYC. It’s, at once, sad and moving. These are truly visions of days long gone.
	How mulling things over for a few days can sometimes bring epiphany. When I watched the movie Hide earlier this week, I was struck by the realization that I couldn’t actually write a blog post immediately after viewing. The ending confused me so much that I honestly didn’t know where to begin, and though I enjoyed the movie, I couldn’t quite form coherent thoughts on what I’d seen. Waiting a couple of days brought new insight into the reasons I love films that feature prominent violence and unstable characters, and much of what I realized had not been written out or even considered before. I love the fact that I continue to learn new things about myself, that I continue to see new levels of my own psyche and can even surprise myself when attempting to put my thoughts into words. That happened with my blog post on Hide and it was supremely satisfying to me.
	Finding favorite celebrities on Twitter. Three of the stars from Leverage are now tweeting — Beth Riesgraf, Aldis Hodge, and Christian Kane (the last two only because Beth Riesgraf pestered them about it… ha!). Love this kind of insight into how the actors go through their days. And Kane’s profile picture is simply awesome!
	Clayne Crawford. I’ve recently become extremely enamored with this little-known actor and have begun working my way through his filmography as best I can. What I quickly discovered is that I’ve been watching Clayne Crawford, enjoying Clayne Crawford, for years now in various one-off episodes of many favorite tv series. He’s been on a handful of CSI’s, Cold Case, and most recently on Life as the memorably named Eval. He popped up earlier this year in a single fight scene on Leverage (thanks to his real-life best pal Christian Kane), and I even watched him on Roswell back in its day, though I can’t recall a thing about it. He’s appeared in small roles in films like The Great Raid, A Love Song for Bobby Long, Swimfan and even A Walk to Remember. I’ve seen him again and again and again, made note of how enjoyable he was at the time, and then promptly forgot to look into his career. But that’s all changed now. Now I’m pursuing it. Now I’m watching every moment I can find to get to know this actor better. I had the great treat this week of seeing his 4-episode stint on Jericho — which left me wishing I had watched the entire series, it was so good — and I have found a handful of film titles to add to the queue. I can look forward to his work as a feature player in the upcoming movie The Forlorn, again with Christian Kane, about the journey taken by the Donner Party. And he has also just been cast in the next season of 24, and that just makes me kinda giddy. I hope this all means that Clayne Crawford’s star is finally rising and that I’ll have more opportunities to see him develop his talents. The more I see, the more I love this charming Southern boy with the lazy Alabama drawl. And those who know me will tell you: that’s the most surprising thing of all.
Christian Kane photo via Christian Kane’s Twitter page. Clayne Crawford photo via CinemaRx.

HIDE

DVD viewing
 

 
While standing in a lobby waiting to see Pulp Fiction back in 1994, a friend’s husband said to me, “You actually liked Reservoir Dogs? I’ve never known a girl who liked a Quentin Tarantino film. They usually find them too gruesome.” I simply smiled and said, “I’m not like most girls.” This has been reiterated again and again in my lifetime; my friend Meredith calls my interests “boy movies”. And that’s true, I guess, if I must put labels on films. I’m rarely interested in sweet fairy tales with girls swooning over guys and men modeled after Prince Charming (with the exception of maybe Hugh Jackman in Kate and Leopold). I prefer the messy realities of life. The relationships that are doomed from the start. The Greeks termed it “tragedy”, but modern-day stories of this type are filled with just as much romance and emotion as chick flicks, only mixed in with violence and suffering. It’s simply presented with hard edges and gut punches and moments that rip the heart out. And I love these stories. I will generally wade through all the gunplay and gore and profanity just to see a story told well and told realistically. Rage and angst and despair are much more interesting emotions to me than happily-ever-after. I’m fascinated by the depths of the human soul, and I find the journey riveting and provocative. And my most recent excursion into this realm provided much to ponder.
 
The recent DVD release of Hide came to my attention through its lead actor, Christian Kane, though it was released independently last year. It is the story of Billy and Betty, sociopathic lovers in the vein of True Romance and Bonnie and Clyde, who struggle to rediscover their relationship after a seven-year prison separation as a result of a killing spree. The film begins with the fallout of the initial crime spree — a scene quite reminiscent to me of Pulp Fiction’s opening diner scene between Tim Roth and Amanda Plummer — and then it switches to the reunion of Billy and Betty and their attempts to track down stolen cash that was hidden during the initial takedown. The film is, in essence, a road trip in which Betty attempts to restore their past glory as lovers and partners while Billy wrestles with a desire for redemption and penance that came upon him during the prison stint. He is in every way torn and broken, and yet Billy is also a man in love. His struggle is just as much against his lover as it is against his own self. As the story progresses we see just how Billy became the man he was and the man he is at present, and we come to understand the vast chasm that has developed in his psyche. The character of Billy is fully evolved, with all credit to Christian Kane for what I consider the best performance of his career. There is a depth to the character that would not exist in the hands of some actors, and, by his own admission, Kane chose to own every aspect of Billy and tap into some dark personal traits in order to portray him fully. Rachel Miner, as Betty, is equally astounding, allowing herself to disappear before our eyes so that all we see throughout the film is a fearless, volatile and deeply dissonant woman in search of something to ground her. Without these two performances, alongside the stunning landscape of Argentina, Hide would not carry as much depth as it does.
 
Were this the expanse of the movie, Hide would be nearly perfect. Instead, there is a subplot that plays like a horror film and there is a final scene that is so mind-bending I had to watch three times and still did not understand. The pieces just don’t fall into place as they should. I’m guessing this is a writer’s issue, for the actors truly embraced all that was asked of them and the director shot the film with languid beauty. Which makes the unraveling of the story so disappointing. I found myself a little dumbfounded when I stopped the disc, then decided that I needn’t tax my brain about the story’s details. Instead, I’m embracing the characters and the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and good-versus-inherent-evil. And for those elements I thoroughly enjoyed the film and will watch it again and again through the years. It’s not for the faint of heart or mind, and it’s not even for those who simply enjoy violent films. Instead, Hide is a character study packaged with psychological brokenness and tumultuous relationships. My kind of movie, no doubt, but not something I would recommend to just anyone.
 
film image via Starz Channel

5 things I love this week

July 12-18, 2009
 

	Fancy Fast Food. The website tagline says it best: “Yeah, it’s still bad for you, but see how good it can look!” Never before has fast food been so… gourmet!
	The Philanthropist. This show was a winner with me as soon as I saw its premise: billionaire playboy gets an up-close-and-personal look at the ongoing tragedies in Africa and sets out to do whatever he can to make things better. That itself gets me in my heart, and the casting of James Purefoy in the lead role and Jesse L. Martin in a supporting role appeals to the fangirl in me. I’m loving it more and more each week, and find so much joy in seeing favorite Brits on American television. Keep ‘em coming, network guys! TV is so much better with these talented actors.
	The series conclusion of my beloved Prison Break. Yes, the series ended in May but I opted to watch the season all at once after its final airing. I wanted to savor this, to let it linger and increase anticipation, knowing that this was truly the end. I’d followed every moment for four years, suspending all belief to allow the stories to wash over me without judgment or expectation, and I’d suffered through a misstep Season Three in hopes that the writers would redeem themselves in the end. And as I watched the final hour I was happy to see that they did. Prison Break was fully satisfying in its final moments, even with the death of my favorite character being the last word. I’m always saying that I don’t care as much for happily-ever-after stories, so I cannot complain that this series didn’t give it to me. I was shocked by the ending, shocked by the death, but I hold the series as an all-time favorite and respect that the producers and writers chose to go out as they did. It hurts, but the series is better for not taking the easy route and wrapping it up with a bow. I will truly miss Prison Break but am grateful for the cast of actors who are now on my radar. I can’t even imagine what will take its place in my obsessive little heart but I’m dying to find out.
	Warehouse 13 on the new ::ahem:: SyFy network. At first I thought this would be a really cheesy science fiction series that had little appeal to me, but the premise seemed to be a cross between a quirky crime drama and that government warehouse from the Indiana Jones movies so I decided to give it a try. It’s actually more like The-Librarian-cum-Bones, as the warehouse is full of history’s greatest treasures and the two federal agents in charge (one quirky and believing, the other straight-laced and logical) spend their time tracking down strange phenomena and retrieving the items that must be kept from doing harm in the world. After two episodes, I’m officially intrigued and entertained enough to stick with it, and I’m loving that familiar faces keep popping up as guest stars (so nice to see you, Tricia Helfer!). Warehouse 13 is the perfect kind of summer entertainment — easy, breezy, silly fun.
	Taking a week off and not having any responsibilities pecking at my brain. In two weeks I have to return to the regular working world of telephones and schedules and coworkers and to-do lists, but this week I could just “be”. And oh, how I loved it! Far too much television, an insane amount of sleep, All-Star Week, and the return of Leverage (Parker, how I’ve missed you!). All in all, this week was the perfect kind of vacation… the type with nothing to do.

5 things I love: MLB All-Star Game

1. The crazy awesome beard of St. Louis closer Ryan Franklin. Oh, and his pitching was pretty good, too.
2. The return of Josh Hamilton and his continued joy, amazement and gratitude at being where he is in his life.
3. President Obama’s visit to the players’ locker rooms and the sheer reverence given him by the players themselves (especially Ichiro’s wide smile while asking for an autograph and Derek Jeter’s quiet responses to the President’s questions). It was also very cool to see Mr. Obama enjoying the night as a pure fan.
4. The continued domination by the American League in this Mid-Summer Classic, in which they once again secure home field advantage.
5. Discovering new players that I’ve never known before. This year it’s Joe Mauer, power-hitting catcher of the Minnesota Twins. Since when does a catcher hit like this? And just how tall is this guy anyway? He towered over Jeter, even! But he played a good game and he seemed to enjoy every minute.

It’s the MLB All-Star Game that reminds me, year after year, why I love this game so much. And how well it can be played. Mid-summer classic, indeed.
 

5 things I love this week

July 5-11, 2009
 
1. These photos and the stories being told by my friend Becky, whose family is making a life in South Africa. I am equally proud and envious, as she is living out one of the dreams that has lingered in the corners of my mind for a decade now. These sunsets are just one reason.
 
    
source::The Fudge Five
 
2. Cereal Box Storage Bins. The instructions, which feature a bit of sewing, terrify me but I love love love the idea of using what you have to create something beautiful, functional and fun!
 
3. The Uniform Project. That one woman wore the exact same dress every single day for one year is astounding. That she made it look fresh each and every time is truly inspired. And it’s all for an extremely important cause. This certainly has my mind whirring!
 
4. The Power of Story, Part One. Angie Lucas, of Yeah, Write, had an encounter with a neighbor that proves how important our personal stories are and that it’s never too late to begin writing them down. If you’re not inspired by this man’s efforts, then I would ask you this: “Do your children, grandchildren, family and friends know all the stories of your life? Will they wonder just who you were and what you loved and what influenced you in life when you’re no longer around to tell them?” Everyone has stories to tell. It’s time to start sharing yours.
 
5. The Power of Story, Part Two, by David Masters (reprinted from Write to Done)

---

King Shahryar of Persia loves his newlywed wife more than all the world. It is his greatest happiness to meet her every wish, and to treat her with the finest jewels – diamonds, rubies, and sapphires – and beautiful silk dresses.
 
Shahryar’s Queen, however, is in love with another man. For many years, the Queen and her lover have a secret affair.
 
When King Shahryar finally discovers his Queen’s infidelity, he is furious. Breaking down and losing his mind, he has the Queen executed. As revenge on his former wife, he decrees that all women are unfaithful.
 
He soon marries a new bride, but has her executed the next morning, before she has a chance to cheat on him. He marries again, and again executes his new wife the next day. He repeats this pattern until his chief advisor can find no more women for him to marry. The only single woman left in the whole kingdom is the advisor’s own daughter, Scheherazade. Reluctantly, the chief advisor agrees to let her marry the king.
 
On their wedding night, Scheherazade tells the king a story. At the climax of the story, she stops her storytelling, and refuses to continue. The king is determined to discover the ending to the story. He begs her to finish, but she will not tell the ending.
 
The next day, the executioner knocks on the king’s door, as has become custom the day after each wedding. The king sends the executioner away. Scheherazade’s execution can wait until tomorrow; he must first hear the end of her story.
 
That night, Scheherazade finishes her story. The king is satisfied, and will have her executed the following morning. However, while he is plotting Scheherazade’s demise, she begins another story. Again, she stops telling the story at its climax, and refuses to continue. Again, the king holds off her execution so he can hear the ending to her story. And again, that evening, when she finishes the previous story, she starts another.
 
For 1,001 nights Scheherazade captivates the king in this way, holding his curiosity each night with a new story.
 
During these years of sharing stories, the King has fallen in love with Scheherazade. He can no longer imagine having her executed. Scheherazade, too, has fallen in love with the King. Together, they live happily ever after, with a reign of justice and truth, always listening carefully to the stories of their subjects.
 
“If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” ~ Rudyard Kipling
 

Summer Film Series – Vol. 7, No. 3: PUBLIC ENEMIES

July 5, 2009, at Movies 14 in McKinney, Texas
 

 
At this point I’m a full-fledged fan of both Johnny Depp and Christian Bale, so the idea of both starring in one film — and a gangster film set in my beloved Chicago, no less — really just sealed the deal for me with regard to Public Enemies. The two actors could have done nothing more than sit across from each other and talk throughout the entire two-hour running time and I would have considered the film a complete success. Depp has been consistently entertaining me for twenty years now, and Bale has become fully reliable in his characterizations. That the story of Public Enemies is based on the pursuit of John Dillinger by Melvin Purvis, newly appointed agent-in-charge of Chicago’s Bureau of Investigation field office, is just icing on an already perfect cake. Thankfully, nothing in the film disappointed me.
 
That is not to say that Public Enemies is a perfect film; so much more could have been done by way of story and character. But what story there is has been told with great elegance and beauty. The look of the film is exquisite, evoking all of my own imaginings of the Depression-era Midwest, and every detail has been finely tuned to ensure that the audience is never jolted from this period. Set design, costuming, art direction are astounding, and all of the expected details are present, including the infamous Tommy guns and multiple getaways on the running boards of a Ford Coupe. I’ve seen these iconic images all of my life, so I would have been greatly disappointed to not see them in this film. Additionally, the film is given a soft focus by centering Dillinger’s story around the love of his life, Billie Frechette, played by the enchanting Marion Cotillard. While this gives the film its heart, it also serves to detract from the legend of John Dillinger and the criminal history that made him an icon. I would have enjoyed more outlaw elements and fewer romantic scenes but Depp played both sides effortlessly, bringing to life a Dillinger that I’d never considered before. Which is, of course, the specialty that makes Johnny Depp a legend even now.
 
Public Enemies could have been a better film, but I appreciate that director Michael Mann has given us something we didn’t expect from him nor from the subject. And I have to respect this and praise everyone involved for choosing the less obvious route and creating true art in the process. This film is the kind of movie that will draw me back to it again and again throughout my life. And that is the highest praise I can give.
 

Summer Film Series – Vol. 7, No. 2: UP

June 25, 2009 at Movies 14 in McKinney, Texas

When the first trailer appeared for Pixar’s latest film, UP, my reaction was, “Um… no.” I was thoroughly disappointed in the concept, despite the beauty of the film itself. A story about a cranky old man and his balloon-powered flying house didn’t have appeal. It seemed… weird. But because the film came from Pixar, and I have loved almost every film they’ve produced, I was willing to refrain from judgment until I saw more. It took practically a year for me to care at all about this new film, and that interest didn’t even begin to flame until it was released last month and some trusted bloggers began proclaiming its delights. Suddenly I found myself ready to take another Pixar journey, knowing full well that they would have to truly WOW me to overcome my initial reservations. In the end, I wasn’t wowed, but I did find enough joy in the film to not feel I wasted any money on the ticket.
 
The grumpy old man was successfully tempered by a nostalgic sequence involving the romance between him and his wife, including a montage depicting a full lifetime of being friends and spouses. This alone helped me care about the character and find him fun to watch. This also resulted in grounding the film when all of the quirky characters began popping up. A chatterbox little boy, a troupe of talking dogs, and a hugely colorful bird (in every sense of the phrase) often threatened to push the film over the top, but the determination of the old man to steer his home to a paradise location in South America kept the film from veering into too much camp. And that, for me, saved the film.
 
Visually, UP is everything I expected from Pixar: rich detail, stunning animation, and vivacious coloring. I’m sure the 3D version is remarkable. But I felt the film lacked the punch of previous Pixar offerings. UP is simply… sweet. A sweet film. Not a great film, and not a film I care to see again. But it was sweet and, at times, touching. I was disappointed, however, in how very “adult” the theme of the film was. It’s a story of love and loss and reclaiming dreams — concepts that hit the core of an adult much more readily than a child. This thought was underscored by the cinema full of children with whom I viewed the film; there simply wasn’t the same energy in the room during this latest film as I have witnessed in previous years. The kids did seem to enjoy it, but their laughter and their interest was only evident during the movie’s outrageous moments (almost entirely involving the child character, the bird and the dogs). Because these moments were fewer than any others in the film, UP did not come off as a movie made for children as much as it seemed a film for adults. And I’m not sure of the reasoning behind this. I was also extremely disappointed in Pixar’s decision to include a villain who, at one point, wielded a shotgun and fired it at a house with a child inside. It disturbed me to the point of questioning their judgment, and I’ve never questioned them before.
 
Ultimately, the film was a good Father’s Day outing for me and my dad. We enjoyed it but felt the same thing: this isn’t the best Pixar can do. Because my mother is not a big fan of animation, she chose to skip this one, and I never felt she was missing anything. Which disappoints me. I’m truly a fan of all Pixar has done and can do. I hope that next year’s offering returns to former glory and that they return their focus to children as a target audience. History has proven that Pixar’s films for children are just as enjoyable to the adults who accompany them, and there are very few moments of regret. That’s what I expect from Pixar.
 
film image from Rotten Tomatoes
 

Summer Film Series – Vol. 7, No. 1: TERMINATOR SALVATION

June 22, 2009 at Movies 14 in McKinney, Texas

You might think I’ve always been a fan of the Terminator films, given my love of sci-fi and action movies, but the truth is that I didn’t actually realize that love until the last decade or so. Before that I enjoyed science fiction like Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind but felt these were more mainstream and did not hold the stigma of “science fiction”. As such, I never really cared at all for movies like Terminator, and didn’t see the first film until college, around the time the second film was being marketed. My roommate had seen The Terminator and kept insisting I would love it, but her interest had always been fully focused on Michael Biehn, whom she adored, and I really couldn’t trust her judgement anyway. This is the same friend who loved Jackie Chan and Chuck Norris films, and with whom I would spend practically every weekend at the video store walking around for hours because we couldn’t agree on which films to rent. [Thus, our prepetual renting of most all of the Michael Madsen B-movies.] Eventually, though, I did watch The Terminator and was interested enough to see Judgment Day soon after. And that sealed the deal. Linda Hamilton and Edward Furlong provided the story that interested me — mother and son united to save the future — and Robert Patrick’s liquid terminator put the excitement and fear into my viewing experience that had been missing in the first film. At that point I embraced all things Terminator. I saw the third film, ridiculous as it was, and I anticipated each weekly installment of this past season’s tv series The Sarah Connor Chronicles, hoping to gain more insight into the mysterious future of John Connor and his Resistance fighters who battle the machines. So naturally, when this most recent film was announced with Christian Bale in the role of John, I knew it was a must-see for me.
 
I know the critics have not embraced Terminator Salvation, and the audience has not flocked to the cinema, but I found the film to be everything I wanted and so much more. It’s not perfect, of course, but it’s filled with all the right elements: action, war, meaningful relationships, sympathy for the underdogs, and straight-up heroes and villains. Though there is a complex mythology to the Terminator series, this film does a very good job at laying out the major points for the uninitiated. And for those of us who have followed the stories through all the incarnations, this newest chapter is mostly satisfying and fills in some of the gaps we’ve been hoping to understand. The ending is a little hokey, a little too convenient for the furtherance of the series and mythology, but up until that point I found very little to criticize. And I can forgive that moment if it means there can be another film set post-Judgment Day. The setting of a post-apocalyptic earth is much more engaging to me than having terminators continually return to the past on assassination missions. I much prefer to see the adult John Connor fighting on their turf. And Christian Bale is a perfect, perfect actor to portray the legend. Every command he gives, every look of grief and remorse, and every gentle touch given to his wife (played by Bryce Dallas Howard) bring to mind all the John Connors we’ve seen in the past and wrap him up in a neat little package. He’s everything I expected the character to become, and he’s so much more than I realized he would be. All credit to Bale, of course, who has become one of the actors I look forward to seeing the most these days. I would say that this Terminator film belongs to him, but if you’ve read anything at all about the story you’ll know that it really doesn’t. And that this is due to Christian Bale, as well.
 
The media has been focusing on Sam Worthington as a mysterious character named Marcus Wright who survives a nuclear explosion and meets up with a teenaged Kyle Reese and the Resistance. The story of Terminator Salvation really finds its focus in Marcus. And Worthington is phenomenal, playing up the mystery of the man but retaining sincerity and compassion despite a backstory that would lead us to believe otherwise. And while he is enough to provide all the best character moments, there is also Moon Bloodgood to add to his emotional journey. She is impressive, as well, and I look forward to seeing her gain some notoriety and substantial roles in the future. She is the perfect accompaniment to Worthington, steely and strong and confident and wise. It is their two characters that move Terminator Salvation beyond a war movie and into a true relationship drama. And that gives the film its heart.
 
I don’t know if plans are being made for another film in this series, but I hope it happens. The story is not yet complete for me, and this film proves that it can be fresh again. I was impressed by camera angles and characterizations and performances and, yes, the machines. But this film has proven that the focus need not be on the machines, as in previous installments; it has much more depth when following the human characters in their struggle to save the world. I hope there are screenwriters who can tap into that and give us one more satisfying film to conclude the entire series.

images from Rotten Tomatoes and Internet Movie Database
 

Seriously, Coca-Cola? Have we not learned?

Can we not come up with a suitable alternative than these plastic rings? Have we not learned anything in the past 20 years? Seriously, Coke? Seriously?
 

 
I hear your question: Why did I buy the product if it offends me so much? It’s a valid question. I admit that I never even thought to look at the packaging when I picked it up but probably would have purchased it anyway. Because even though it does offend me that a global company can’t find a better packaging solution, it offends me just as much that a concessioner* will charge me $3.00 for only one of these bottles when I found the six-pack for that very price. I’m on a budget and I refuse to play that game. But that doesn’t mean I can’t wish companies were better than they are or that they were making greater strides in their enviro-efforts. I mean, surely someone has figured this out by now, wouldn’t you think?
 
* Yes, I’m that girl in the cinema who pulls snacks from a bottomless purse.
   But I do draw the line at a bag full of cheese fries. Jus’ sayin’.
 

5 things I love this week

May 31 – June 6, 2009
 
1. This quote by Stephen R. Covey: “We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey.”
 
2. Water’s Edge 2009 Summer Bash, and the fact that you’re never too old for a slip-n-slide. (This is my beloved pastor in the video!)
 
3. The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency on HBO. Jill Scott is perfection as Precious Ramotswe, Anika Noni Rose as Mma Makutsi is better than I’ve ever seen her, and I have decided that their greetings of “Dumela Mma” and “coco!” are much sweeter than anything we have in the English language. I am instantly and absolutely in love with the series and its favorable views of the oft-overlooked quiet life in Africa.
 
4. The Cryptic Canvas, celebrating Empire Magazine’s 20th anniversary, and the fact that I got 44 of the 50 movie titles with no help at all! So proud to keep my Movie Geek badge! [Let me share two great hints: for the high-kicking cheerleaders, "Use the Force", and when looking at the building of C's, think in numbers.] It’s just such a great game!
 
5. The Cupcake Rodeo from Maker Faire in the Bay Area, California. I mean, seriously… is there anything better than confection on wheels?!
 

 

5 things I love this week

May 17-23, 2009
 
1. Frightened, a post by Karen Russell about stepping out of her comfort zone and documenting the process. Beyond the poignant photograph at the conclusion of her story, I love how she so completely and fully expresses my own thoughts and struggles in the exact same area. This post made me laugh and nod my head in complete understanding, and it reminds me to document ALL of life’s moments, regardless of my comfort level.

 
2. The spring’s first baby birds, born on both my doorsteps. Although I saw this same process last year with the exact same type of birds in the exact same locations outside my flat, I am still amazed and awed by the wonder of Creation. Watching the nesting process for the past month or so, and now seeing these new little baby birds, less than a week old, is the purest form of joy one can experience.
 

click image to view entire photo set more closely

 
3. The Bloghop at Cards for Heroes. Is there anything more inspirational than seeing creative endeavors solely for the sake of kindness and support? The Cards for Heroes mission is “to support our nation’s armed forces by sending blank greeting cards to write home on, as well as cards of gratitude to encourage them throughout their deployment.” Today through Memorial Day, all the artists involved in the project will be posting a single creation on their personal blogs, and we are the lucky ones invited to join in the celebration. I’m so inspired by the project itself, but there’s no better jumpstart to my own creativity than viewing the work of others.

 
4. A gift from Down Under. I was surprised by the postman stopping at my door this week to deliver a package with an exciting shipping label…
 

As a member of BookCrossing, I’m accustomed to receiving books through the mail, and this one was no surprise as the owner sent a message a while back asking if I was still interested. I responded with gratitude at the random gift, but never checked the sender’s profile to know where it would be coming from. To see the package from the land that is my heart’s desire was even better than the gift within. I am floored by the gesture, amazed at the mailing of it in these times of increasing postal rates, and I’m honored to have been the recipient. We don’t know each other, but I will forever feel connected in a small way to this reader from around the world. There’s nothing more fun than a good mail day, but it’s a priceless moment when that mail arrives from the land of your dreams.
 

 
5. The finale of Survivor: Tocantins and its winner, J.T. Thomas. I still find Survivor to be a fascinating social and psychological experiment, but as the seasons pile up I often do not recall many of the players from previous years. Not even the winners. But I’m certain this season will be different. J.T. is not an easy guy to forget. He didn’t actually register on my radar until well into the second half of the season, but as he began to emerge in the power position, I became more and more drawn to him. Interestingly, while most seasons of late had no final players that kept my attention (must less made me root for them), the Tocantins season gave me three strong players to love and support. In Taj, Stephen and J.T. the game came alive as it hasn’t in a very long time. I would have been thrilled with any of those three taking home the big prize. That it was J.T. in the end is probably the most special of all; he is easily the most charming contestant ever on the show. And by the finale he was completely under my skin. What is most fascinating to me, however, is how strong a reaction I felt when the final episode switched from last competition day to present-day in the studio on live television. The J.T. who appeared before us in the studio was clean-shaven and dressed in a bright shirt and blazer, and I actually recoiled at the sight of him. The guy who charmed me was that jungle creation covered in 39 days of mud and rain and sand and campfire smoke, all scraggly beard and wild hair. The cleaned-up version threw me so much that I found no appeal in him at all. Of course, once he lost composure over his win and began to speak with tears in his eyes, I remembered just what made him so lovable. I’m still partial to the unwashed version, but no matter how he looks, J.T. Thomas is worthy of everything he achieved. I can’t imagine another Survivor season that will compare.
 

images from CBS