Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Altra Magazine, My Life Disoriented, and the Oscar Goes To...

I was interested in the Academy Award nominations announced this morning. I have seen The Queen, The Departed, and Little Miss Sunshine, all very good films, and I was especially pleased to see Little Miss Sunshine nominated in the best film category. It probably has no chance to win, although Shakespeare in Love beat out Saving Private Ryan one year, so I suppose anything can happen.

I won't be able to see all the nominated films by February 25, but I hope to see Babel at least. Has anyone seen it? Fresno Filmworks showed Half-Nelson recently, which features Ryan Gosling, who was nominated in the Best Actor category. That seemed like a surprise, but I suppose I should see it to judge for myself. (By the way, check out Fresno Filmworks' new website, designed by the super-talented Erik Fritz).

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I wish the folks at the new magazine, Altra, good luck. Its focus---Asian Americans in the media (arts, entertainment, fashion, and more). Check them out and subscribe. Just launched in November.

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I am very hopeful and excited to hear about My Life Disoriented, a new television program which features two Asian American actresses in the lead roles. I watched the trailer---it looks very good. Directed by Eric Byler of Charlotte, Sometimes fame.

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The book of poems I am currently loving---Ben Lerner's Angle of Yaw. Mercy.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Lee-
Just came across your blog! It's great, Love the photo of your daughter, congratulations!! I'm enjoying your poems.

Kenley & I saw babel...it's good. made me think about a lot of things, especially how the mind, body, and spirit respond to stress and crisis.

Hope Fresno is treating you well. Hope to see you next time we're in town, or when you're in Ojai.

Leslie

Emmy said...

Hi Lee - I liked Babel but was disappointed with the Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett side stories. I felt like they were included to bring folks into the theater, but hey, I went to see Gael, even though his character was pretty minor too. Hats off to Adriana Barraza and Rinko Kikuchi for excellent acting. The soundtack is awesome too. I can't get that last song out of my head.

Lee Herrick said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Lee Herrick said...

Leslie....good to hear from you! Tell Kenley I said hello. We'll be in Ojai/Carp early April, so maybe we can get together.

I've heard so many good things about Babel---Michael (I'm also kind of rooting for The Departed, but I also really liked Little Miss Sunshine)...

and Emmy, I know what you mean. I like Blanchett well enough, but I really don't like Brad Pitt much. But maybe this film will change my mind...who knows. Have you seen Volver? That's another one I need to see.

Anonymous said...

oops, i just wrote a post and think i lost it... i'm still figuring out the new blogger.

I really enjoyed VOLVER, probably my favorite of Almodóvar's past four films, though each one has its stengths and I enjoyed them all tremendously, especially Talk to Her. I need to catch myself up on his other films. I did want Volver to keep going and going...

I also enjoyed Departed (well except maybe the literal rat running around at the end) and Little Miss Sunshine made me laugh so much--a wonderful film.

Lee Herrick said...

hi emmy (i just figured out this is you)---yes, i agree that the rat running around at the end of The Departed was a bit much. I'll have to see Volver as soon as I get a chance...