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Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008)

It's an in your face message to men, including gay ones, about the incomprehensible need women have for 'romance', the perversely increasing desirability of a man when he is already loved by another woman, and womens' disregard for men's looks. Let's just say Bardem is quite far from the gay male ideal. I didn't get this movie. Perhaps, I just don't want to. This is a Woody Allen film, no wonder. I've never liked his films, except maybe Match Point (and that one just a little), sorry to say.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Gran Torino (2008)

The midwest neighborhood is extremely volatile with teenage thugs around every corner in gangs of all races, seemingly egged on in testosterone filled quests to display dominance and carry out violence. The movie does a good job of side-stepping the need to explain this lack of chill behavior by focusing on old Korean war veteran Walt played by Clint Eastwood. A fascinating, direct, seemingly racist, somewhat tortured and crusty old man who just lost his wife, now seems disconnected from almost everyone except his barber perhaps. But violent happenings in the neighborhood come to pull him out of his isolation. A great story, and of Eastwood's recent films as an actor, actually I liked this role the best.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Revolutionary Road (2008)

It could otherwise be entitled, something like: the strange and unhappy things that happen when you marry a strange person. Both DiCaprio and Winslet are very good in this film about a tumultuous marriage. The movie does surprisingly well at allowing the viewer see this from both points of view. Later it becomes clear to the practical and realists in the audience, that one of them is a villian and far more strange than the other.

Friday, September 11, 2009

The Proposal (2009)

Several years ago, when there were sitcoms and I watched more tv: 2 guys, a girl and a pizza place had Ryan Reynolds in it. He was easy on the eyes back then. In this movie, he's in as good a form. The story has the usual romantic comedy contrivances, but overall funny and engaging, and pleasant to watch. Actually, it's too bad I saw it on a tiny screen on a plane.

I Love You, Man (2009)

The mysterious male bonding ritual as portrayed here is actually at points shown at its most powerful, where a male friend can be a great ally, sounding board for ideas, fun. Of course, we all know this, but its interesting in this story of a man who never found it interested him enough to try to develop such friendships until his fiancee worries that he'll be groomsmen-less at the ceremony. Nicely done.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Male clothing shopping in Paris

Department stores in Paris are generally very expensive and don't hold sales except twice a year. This seems very stupid, but it's the way they work. So generally I suggest not to waste time in the department stores unless you don't mind paying more than what you would pay in the US. There are a few standalone clothing store chains, not boutiques, which had men's clothing for more reasonable prices. These were:
  • H&M, a Swedish clothier, is in the Forum Les Halles and on Rue de Rivoli. Of course, H&M now has many US locations.
  • C&A, a chain started in the Netherlands, is on Rue de Rivoli
  • Celio, a chain started in Paris, has several locations including Forum Les Halles and Rue de Rivoli
  • Jules, a French chain, is in the Forum Les Halles
Actually, I'm sure these chains have other Paris locations, too. These were just more convenient for me.