I was staring at the notepad once again. I was trying to “assembly” the latest batch of thoughts. And it was not coming together like I thought it would in my head.
And I had this thought.
The Final Product of an idea is produced by the “force” of its creator and the resistance that it comes up against. The idea exists somewhere between “the hammer and the anvil”.
The “Formula” will also have these two parts in its equation.
The “Trick” is knowing when it all comes together.
I have been loading my MP3 player with a lot of movie soundtracks lately. A good soundtrack can add another level to a movie. Two examples of this are John William’s The Imperial March (Vader’s Theme) and Ennio Morricone’s The Ecstasy of Gold. These orchestrations create an image and invoke a reaction even without seeing the actual film.
There are other composers I like to listen to because their works helped to set a tone for their television shows.
Mark Snow- The X-Files, Millennium
Bear McCreary – Battlestar Galactica, The Walking Dead.
Raman Djawadi- Game of Thrones
I also like listening to movie soundtracks because it is interesting to hear and see how music works with storytelling. I also like movie soundtracks because I can find artists that I am not familiar with. I also hear songs I know. Sometimes they can be mixed together for some interesting albums. For example, listen to any of the soundtracks for Quentin Tarantino movies. (Especially Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill Volumes 1 & 2)
There are two soundtracks I want to highlight.
I heard this concept once on a radio show. The DJ’s were talking about playing a song because you sincerely like the song. However, playing it over and over again leads to playing the song to be “ironic”. The problem, I think is you may end of in that zone of “Stuff Hipsters Hate”. And that is a whole another level of “pretentiousness”.
I had this need to have every James Bond theme song whether they are good or bad. This album collected almost every one ever recorded. All I can say is you never want to be caught singing the Carly Simon alone in the shower. It could be “embarrassing”. I like the James Bond series because it holds to formulaic, escapist fun. It also points out the how “absurd” the idea of the Villain’s desire of “World Domination” is. You hear that Villain’s plan and think about it you come to the conclusion, “That is just crazy enough to actually work”. However, it is all undone by horny, martini-fueled guy dressed as a high priced waiter. So the reality of “World Domination” is just too silly. It also points out what we secretly miss in the current “War on Terrorism”- A sense of style and class. It needs to incorporate more women operatives with “politically incorrect” names.
I also want to make this other observation about the James Bond movie. For a guy who was supposed to be a “secret agent” EVERY Villain knew who he was. I think who ever ran the agency Bond work for had to constantly be writing the following memo. “TO EVERYONE who works in this office. Please follow this policy. SHUT THE FUCK UP about what we do. We need to comply with the “SECRET” part of this job.”
There is another soundtrack I picked up.
Sons of Anarchyis a show about people who choose to operate “between the rock and hard place.” The show may appear to be about an outlaw biker gang. It is more about “morality” of the characters given who and what they are. The album for me is another example of the “duality of the American Dream”. Desperation versus optimism.
One hand it is “Gimme Shelter”
And on the other hand “Forever Young”.
When Thomas Jefferson sent Lewis and Clarke into the lands that made up the “Louisiana Purchase” he forever altered the “American Psyche”. Since, then the American society always had a percentage of people becoming “nomads” in the search of their “fortune”. There will always be that notion of “Go West”. And when enough people achieved the means 100 years later to purchase their own automobile that notion was ingrained into the psyche.
Driving is always going to be in conflict with the “American Dream”. The car gives people freedom of mobility. And what you drive will always be the way you are judged by society. The cost of gasoline needed to make it run will never be at the right price. There will also be some “entity” try to claim it can “control” its supply. And that is nothing more than the “delusion of illusion”.
There is a freedom about being able to just go out for drive. Let the window down and just go. And have a chance to be able to get away from the immediate and just being able to think on your own. I go for long drives every now and then for that purpose. I just do not tell anyone when I do or after I have done it. They tend to “freak out” and assume that I am on some mission that will only end “dramatically”. Plus, I go without the “insurance” of a cell phone or a GPS unit. I look it as long as I remain on Planet Earth then I will be all right.
The only thing about driving that is probably fading into the realm of “nostalgia” is the radio. It is a format that is (for a lack of better term) “driving” itself into “irrelevance”. There used to be a thrill to driving and just singing along to the radio. Now the radio is same songs over and over interrupted by prolonged amount of commercials. And I will not even go into the sewer of “talk radio”. I will just say “being outrage and inflammatory” is not a good foundation for starting conversation or relaying information.
The Car is still a good source of inspiration for music about a person taking their personal emotional inventory and still having the desire to move forward.
I stumbled upon this song early in the week from Peter Wolf.
It may seem odd but this song reminded me of distant memory and what may have been. It is what it was. But every now and then I think I may have been living somewhere else. I was just one returned phone call away from it. Maybe. Who knows? I am not sure at this point if I even know that. But sometimes a memory can be just what we need it to be.
The other song that has been a repeated play lately is from Bob Seger. I know that he sometimes gets looked down on by the so called “hipsters and music snobs”. I am not sure why music that has that “blue collar” appeal is by that nature “dumb”. What makes “cryptic” lyrics from “art rock” bands as being “profound”? Sometimes a song needs to tell its “story” with a “straight forward” message.
It is a classic American song. It is about chasing dreams that are “fleeting” at the same moment. There is a desire to be somewhere and yet nowhere in the same moment. I am not sure how to exactly come up with the exact definition of what is the “American Dream” is. I think everyone should define it for themselves and then keep that definition it to themselves. However, I think this song tells the “duality” of the nature within the “American Dream”. It has both “a sense of optimism countered by desperation”.
Maybe this other song by Bob Seger tells that same idea a bit better.
“I Withhold Judgment” (Greek)
I can see more of the world than ever before because of the Internet. However, just because I can see it does not mean I am also getting its complete context. I am only experiencing it through at most two of my senses.
Information is being sent at amazing speed now. You can take a picture and post it to a website easily. Within moments it can be viewed by many with ease too. It seems like about every other week there is a new story that goes “viral” on the Internet. It is a story but more likely now to be a video. It causes people to be “outraged”. The problem is the “emotional” reaction comes quickly. However, a couple of days later “facts” and more information come out about the video that changes the initial “reaction”. The ultimate problem is once people accept their “storyline” (usual along a political ideology) they will hold onto regardless of the new information. I am not sure if an “enraged” community is necessarily an “engaged” society trying to make any real change. The Internet really is encouraging too much “Slackitivism”. Plus, there will be a new story coming next week to “stir the pot”. If not sooner.
I think the Internet needs to develop two apps in order to deal with “viral videos” or “stories”. The first is the “Penicillin App”. The reason for it is that anything labeled “viral” needs some form of the “preventative medicine” that should be injected in. The second the Internet needs to bring back the Fotomat Stands. You might remember that cameras actually needed to have their images printed on film. So you had to remove the film from the camera and take it to these outlets called “Fotomat” for processing. And that took at least a week to happen. So what I am proposing there is a “Fotomat App”. This is not meant to be a form of censorship. Everything will be published however it might take a little longer to be posted. It gives people a moment to take a breath before the “hot air of rage” comes up. Some things will be published right away while others may take a day or two. And to keeping with the tradition of the “Fotomat” business plan. A few will be lost completely. And a couple will be mixed up and posted somewhere else for no reason whatsoever.
I find myself watching a lot of things via the Internet. I can see more of this world than ever before. The world might be “seen”. However, you cannot “know” the world. So you need to “check” the ego.
I like reading people’s memoir from time to time. I just have to remember the basic truth of such book. The tale is being written by “the survivors and the winners”. After the James Frey incident a few years ago and the latest from about the Apple Factory in China (which turned out to be more “fiction” than “fact”. It all makes people a bit skeptical of this genre. However, you have to keep in mind that most of your “experience and knowledge” comes vicariously through the actions of others. Religion and politics are prime examples of that.
In my own personal reading habits I do not like getting “stuck” in one genre or one author for a long time. I also need to bounce back and forth between fiction and non-fiction. I also like to read people’s memoirs from time to time. It is a change in reading pace to read how their experiences happened upon them. I also have to remember two principals at work with this format. The first, history (even your own) is written by the “survivors and the winners”. Secondly, they tend to have a bit bias towards their “strengths” and the “weakness” of others.
I have to also admit to being a bit curious about how people’s experiences shape them to some degree. And the problem is that most of the people I know will never allow for my “inquiry”. So this genre is a way to examine someone else because they have “crack the door” a bit.
There are two author’s experiences I have read in the last couple of months when I needed to take a fiction break.
Anthony Bourdain’s memoir Kitchen Confidentialis book that has been around for many years. I do not think I could ever look at a “kitchen person” regardless of position in the same way. I enjoy his show No Reservations (available streaming on Netflix) because he uses food as a gateway into another culture. The problem with many “food shows” is that I have no “context” how the food smells and taste. There is also way to fully experience it unless I am there. It is kind of fun watching a show to see what is out there. I would like to experience different foods because the “American Diet on the Run” is beginning to lose its flavor. This show is a way I get to at least see what is out there to be explored if given the opportunity. Besides he makes a good tour guide. (Personally, I need to hand out some applications for a new “partner in crime”.) His show also highlights other parts of the place where he is visiting in the episode. There is “Road Bowling” in Ireland or the game of “Trugo” in Australia that look completely stupid yet a lot of fun at the same time. However, trying to find someone in this country to take part is asking too much. Especially, anyone in the “parental” occupation. And whatever you do not let the politicians, lawyers and insurance agents know that you may be up to some potential “fun”.
(Additional Listening. Anthony Bourdain had some good chats on the podcasts from Marc Maron and Joe Rogan)
From time to time I like to browse the bookstore looking for titles that I might find interesting. I know you “should not judge a book by its cover”. But you have to admit a “cover” gets your attention. If a “cover” did not do that than all the supermodels would be out of work and cereal boxes would not be so colorful. I have to admit this title did a good job grabbing my attention, God’s Middle Finger by Richard Grant. This is his journal of his travels throughout the Sierra Madres region of Mexico. It also includes a history of the region and culture that exists there. I came to one conclusion. There are places on this planet that are and will always simply “Be Nuts”. I liked his approach and when I stumbled by his latest book Crazy River, I knew I had to pick it up. This time he travels the Malagarasi River in the region of Africa. And once again he found another “crazy place” that defies (for lack of better term) Western Logic.
Both of these stories made me realize something. Hopefully, it is something others may pick up on. I can use the Internet or book to get a glimpse of someone, something or someplace I may not have any direct knowledge of. Their existence exists on their terms not mine. So I need to remember that when laying out some “judgment” of my own. I may be right or I may be wrong. Neither side should be firmly set. The places described in those two books will never exist the way any other country outside the region act. You can be in the safety of a book or in front of computer witnessing these places. However, you are never going to have the “context”. We all got postcards of places at one point. And maybe one day got to those locations. Changed your “context”? Didn’t it? The way your life operates from the confines of the space of your home does not necessarily translate outside of it. And you cannot force it upon others either. And you will not always being willing to accept what others want to put into your house.
We can all see a news video report. Remember at any given point an event is happening in 360 degrees. There is not a camera that will ever give the 360 degree view.
What you do see exists in the same moment as what you do not see.
In the end, you can never know the world as a whole. You can be aware. Then accept the reality between what can influence and what you cannot. And remember the same principal is working on you from the other side.
I know it is almost impossible to “withhold judgment”. You need some degree of “judgment” to survive. If people did not have any there would be more people playing in traffic every day.
Remember how the story of this photo changed from when it was first shown last year.
If there’s magic in boxing, it’s the magic of fighting battles beyond endurance, beyond cracked ribs, ruptured kidneys and detached retinas. It’s the magic of risking everything for a dream that nobody sees but you.
Eddie Dupris (Morgan Freeman)
Million Dollar Baby
I think one of the problems with movies is people watching them seldom take the time to think about the metaphors that are at work within the storyline. This is maybe true when it comes to “boxing” movies. I feel people turn away from the genre because the focus too much on the violence that is unavoidable when it comes to sport itself. Instead people should watch the movie as being about a person who happens to be a “fighter”. The plot line to all “Fight” (regardless of the technique) is basically the same. There is no doubt for the most part that the fighter will make it to that “big match”. The difference is it about the characters involved. It is really about what they reveal about themselves in the process of getting to the “big match”. There is the difference between a good and bad “fight” movie. In fact, the final match in a way is almost “anticlimactic”. A good one focuses on the characters and the journey. A bad one puts all of its focus on that “Big Fight Finale”
This format of movie is more about the metaphor at work than anything else. We all have something that we “fight”. And that same thing “fights” us back. It is all a matter of circumstances that we are all trying to escape. And yet we cannot do it. Eventually we all have to face it. The chance to have a “break-through”. And at the same time risking the “break down”. There is no “escape hatch”. It is something that many people would never understand. Or even try to make the attempt to understand. In fact, finding just one person who gets it is almost impossible. However, it is much easier to find “hyper-critical” people who will work against you. And that is a bit of irony there. A “critical” person is more often than not a person who is not willing to put in the “blood and sweat” needed. It is more than likely they do not have a “clue” on how to it either.
I think every writer at some point becomes attracted to “fight” genre. There is a layer of drama that exists along with the actual fight itself. There is a good background story that gives you someone or something to get behind.
I recently watched Warrior. This is not about boxing but mixed martial arts. It seems even more brutal than regular boxing. I do not enough about the techniques per say in this sport. This movie does not go into explaining them much at all. If had it would be more of “how to” movie that would lose its dramatic storyline. This move surprised me. It is the story of two distant brothers who are both into mixed martial arts. One is haunted Marine back from duty in Iraq. The other is a former fighter who is now married and physics teacher who has fallen behind in his finances. He sees this as his only way to get out from with under. However, this activity gets him suspended from his teaching job. I think this goes to why people might question these characters. Like in real life. Why would anyone do this to themselves? The truth is there will always be people who will physically punish themselves in order to get something. Every athlete does this. But why do some get praised for it? And others are condemned. The other thing why would two brothers want to fight each other in this matter? Another part in this movie to watch is Nick Nolte playing their dad who throughout their lives has made a lot of poor decisions. He also quotes a lot from Moby Dick. It adds yet another layer to story line to watch for.
For me it started with the first Rocky movie. I also came back to this movie recently when I picked up a copy of the soundtrack. I know this series is a source of a lot of jokes and parodies. I will give you that Parts 4 and 5 open the door to that for sure. However, you cannot make a good parody if you do not have some affinity for the original source.
Rocky Balboa (The Sixth One) and it really got the franchise back to the “spirit” of the original movie. This story is about how a person who gains notoriety can become almost a parody of himself. There is a cable sports station that does a video game match to see who would today in fight between “Rocky” and the current younger champion. This leads to a battle of egos that leads to a match to find out the answer. Rocky’s son is grown up and is trying to escape his father’s shadow. However, he is down on himself and wants his father not to go back into the ring one last time.
Million Dollar Baby I saw in the movie theater when it came out. First, I am a big Clint Eastwood fan and he directed and starred in this one. He is one of the few Hollywood icons left that will get me to into a theater instead of waiting for it to come out on DVD. This movie had a story that drew me in rather than “pummel” me which happens in a bad “fight” movie. This story for me gave me a sense of the “emotional toll” that may be involved in such a story.
This movie is one of the three movies I have seen in the theater in which the audience left in silence. (For the record the other two were Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan) It was an emotional drain to experience. It felt like the aftermath of fight if you had been in the ring yourself.
Finally, there is another boxing movie to check out.
Ignore the tone of the trailer. It is not a pure comedy. Nor is it pure drama. It is something in between. This is probably why the marketing division had a hard time promoting the film. Sadly, too many people need to watch something that is solely in one category. This was also a bit of surprise. It stars Adam Carolla (who surely has a reputation) and it is loosely based on his own life. He is day laborer who gets back to his boxing for another chance. I also like his role because he takes the approach of “This is how I am. You can take it or leave it”. It is a sentiment I can relate to. The real “twist” is what happens during the final “big fight” match that separates this movie.
All these films have one idea in common. The dream. And with that the circumstances they find themselves in that stand in the way.
Frankie likes to say that boxing is an unnatural act, that everything in boxing is backwards: sometimes the best way to deliver a punch is to step back… But step back too far and you ain’t fighting at all.
Eddie Dupris (Morgan Freeman)
Million Dollar Baby
