Back to school

Haven't been able to blog since August - back to school! Seems like we're off to a good start, but you'll have to ask my students how they feel.

Movies - watched a couple of good ones recently. My favorite was probably Whip It - a quirky coming of age story starring Ellen Page. She continues her terrific work as an actor from Juno. It's a story about a high school girl who finds her place in "Roller Derby" of all things. Not what I would want for my daughter - and the movie shows the mom's struggle with this. If you watch it, you might notice the "Hi - How are you" art work and T-shirt. Comes from an Austin area "musician" by the name of Daniel Johnson, who was a favorite of Kurt Colbain (did I spell that right?). There's an excellent documentary (as a documentary) about Johnson out entitled The Devil and Daniel Johnson - a documentary about the "world's greatest living singer/songwriter". Sorry, I just don't buy it - the guy's voice sucks and his guitar playing is amateurish. I liked his art work much better. But Ellen Page rocks in Whip It.

Also saw Crazy Heart - finally. Reminds me very much of Tender Mercies - possibly Robert Duvall's best film - and Duvall was a producer and actor in Crazy Heart, so any resemblances must be coincidence! That said, there were significant differences between the two - and both are well worth a watch (or two, or three...). Speaking of Duvall, one of his early screen appearances was in To Kill A Mockingbird - as Boo. The man has staying power. Jeff Bridges finally got his Oscar for Crazy Heart - and he certainly earned it.

Also saw a really mediocre movie - Amelia. Hilary Swank is amazing - again! - but she couldn't save this film. Poor editing, direction, screen writing - pretty much sinks whatever movie is afflicted with those problems.