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We used to wonder where war lived, what it was that made it so vile. And now we realize that we know where it lives, that it is inside ourselves. |
Wednesday, June 10, 1998
One year ago: Entangling Alliances
I went to the dentist this morning, for a six-month cleaning. I always like to get the first appointment of their day, and Dr. I---'s office opens at 7:30 AM. The hygienist gave me some news from the anti-gum disease front: Mixing Listerine and baking soda into a paste, dipping your toothbrush in it, and brushing your gums has been shown to be effective in preventing gum disease; and Colgate has a new toothpaste with an anti-bacterial agent in it which has shown up well in studies in Canada and Europe. I think I'll try both!
Because of my cleaning, I decided that today would be the day I'd take off from work and attend the press screenings. Any full-series pass holder can attend these, and lots of folks do! That's how they maximize the number of films they see. I've chosen not to take a bunch of vacation time during the festival. One of these years I will.
Delivered
This film, filmed in Seattle, is a comedy thriller, perhaps in the "Scream" vein, but not as gory. A pizza delivery man unwittingly inspires a psycho killer. Ron Eldard is good as the nut. This would be worth a dollar rental, especially if the Seattle connection interests you, but otherwise I'd pass.
A group of us ate lunch in the Seattle Community College cafeteria in between screenings. Leg of lamb; yum! I waved to Tami Vining, and chatted with her for a few minutes.
When Trumpets Fade
I liked this WWII combat story much more than I expected to. Ron Eldard (again) is superb as a private who gets promoted in the field, because everyone else is killed. Graphic depictions of battlefield injuries made me cover my eyes. My fave Martin Donovan was a laconic superior officer. Highly recommended, even if war movies aren't really your thing.
Jugofilm
Austrian movie about a Serbian family living in Vienna, and their trials and tribulations. I was dozing off repeatedly during this.
The Wrongs and Rites of Passage
Another compilation of short subjects. "Fish Belly White," about a boy whose best friend is his chicken, has a "shock" ending that I think we all saw coming a mile off. "Much Ado about Puberty" has an Elizabethan family in the middle of the suburbs, which was pretty funny, and not too long.
Comedia Infantil
Another movie that exceeded my expectations. A young boy who has been living on the streets of an African city touched by guerilla war tells his story to a friendly baker. A nice fairy tale or magic realism atmosphere, and the boy (Sergio Titos) reminded me of the boy from "Fresh" a few years ago, in his directness and honesty. Based on a novel by Swedish author Henning Mankell.
I skipped the 9:30 show and went dancing at the Century Ballroom. It was fun as always, but many of my usual partners weren't there. There is a swing dance camp going on in Catalina, CA, and about fifty local dancers have flown down there.
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