Hello Out There...Is This Mic On?

It's been awhile since I last wrote on this blog. I could make up all sorts of excuses but I'll spare you the list of reasons. Let's start with a clean slate, shall we?  It's been ten years since I started this web log. As I write these words, I keep stopping to take inventory on what I want to write next. I have the song Girl Crush by Little Big Town playing in the background. It's a simple song but it makes me ache. It reminds me that this cold dead heart of mine still has a little life in her yet.

It's been raining and snowing on this cold January day and I've been home with a bit of a migraine. Darn thing sneaks up on me sometimes. Oh wait...Sade is playing now...nope, can't listen to her tonight. I've changed it over to Sam Smith's, Stay With Me.

What have I been up to?  Let's see, I'm working on an application for a Fiction grant.  Ergh. Deadline is next week and I'm almost done with the package.  All I have left to do is upload the materials to the site. I can't do it today because migraines leave me loopy and I always make the oddest mistakes. I'm holding off until I'm a bit more clear headed. Tomorrow might be a better day.

I think I wrote about my escapist fantasies late last year and it keeps popping up for me.  The one where I cash out my 401K and go traveling. Of course, I start thinking about the "stuff" in my apartment and I think, could I do it?  Could I really pick up my life and go exploring? My gypsy soul is definitely singing that tune. I know what it is...it's a real visceral need to shake up my life.  I get too comfortable and I want MORE...I want something else...I want to FEEL something more. Instead of living this lukewarm existence.

Let's see...I've booked my airline ticket and hotel to Paris. I've wanted to go to France since I was 16 years old. Even the thought of the trip has me doing cartwheels in my head. Haha. See...that's what happens when I start thinking of traveling....it's my happy place.

Here are some of my most recent recommendations:
Music:  I'm still obsessed with Johnnyswim.  I went to hear them play last month and they were fantastic live.

Movie: Shape of Water by Guillermo Del Toro

Sci-fi show: Travelers on Netflix

Books:  I've read a slew of books on my hiatus but the best one had to be The Reader by Bernhard Schlink. The story stayed with me long after I put that book down.

That's all for now, I will write more soon.
Peace,
L~

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All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2018 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

More Words

Quick hits....the last couple of weeks I've gone to see a few movies:

1. Alien:Covenant-This movie made me nostalgic for the original movies. As much as I love Michael Fassbender...the movie was just meh.  Sorely disappointing. Made me miss Sigourney Weaver in a big way.  May just rent the first Alien movie to remind me of why I love Space Alien movies. *sigh*
2. My Cousin Rachel-I love period movies and I was really looking forward to seeing this film adapted from Daphne Du Maurier's novel. After seeing the actual film, there was so much wrong with the story line that I spent twenty minutes breaking down all the flaws. Rachel Weisz was quite stark and beautiful in her acting so she made it a little better. But Sam Clafin as Philip was just unbearable.  
3. Wonder Woman- I was really looking forward to this movie and I will admit it's better than most of the DC franchise. However, I wanted MORE from the film. I wanted some depth and for me it just skimmed the surface. I know fans of this film really LOVE it, just wish I did too.
4. Guardians of the Galaxy v2 - It was okay.  Decent sequel. But at this point, I'm just over the summer blockbusters and they've barely begun.  Not a good sign at all.  

That's all I have for tonight.  

Peace,

L~

  

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2017 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Reluctant Writer

May was a very busy month with my sister's wedding and it looks like June will be just as crazy.  Lots of big life upheavals are happening. My folks finally put our house up on the market and we've gone through an Open House this Sunday past. Looks like we have quite the interest going for the property but that also means I need to find an apartment, like pronto.  *sigh * Another move. Again. If I think about it too long I just want to bury my head in the sand * ostrich maneuver. *

A myriad of emotions are coming up for me because I grew up in this house.  I had some crazy notion that I was going to be able to buy this house some day but that's far from reality.  I'm trying to come to terms with that reality. Quite frankly, it's too expensive for me to upkeep anyway.  Hmph.

I haven't been able to write.  I write bits and pieces of things but nothing is gelling yet.  I'm not giving myself space and quiet to let something take hold.  Which is frustrating. I continue to journal in hopes that the act of writing out what's going on in this head will make some room for the creative stuff to come through.  But really the trouble is I'm quite blank.  A bit exhausted to be quite honest. I am turned off, tuned out, disconnected from that inner voice.  Writer's Block: When the voices in your head stop talking.  Yep, that's what's happening right now.  Double Hmph.

I've been reading. A LOT.  One of the few things I still get pleasure from and I can lose myself in the writing.  I've tried to write a blog or two on the books I've been reading but it's been hard to keep up since I seem to be devouring titles at the moment.  I finally finished Kathy Koja's Mercury Waltz.  It was quite the feat to finish that one. Despite the fact that Koja is one my favorite writers...this was by far the hardest book for me to read and follow.  It took me two-thirds way through the novel to finally understand what she was doing, jumping from scene to scene.  I may have to read it again some day but for now it's my least favorite book in her collection.

What else? I received my rejection letter from Carve magazine for my short story, Clara Betta.  I turned it around, worked for two solid days revising the piece and sent the story into a contest.  I had to whittle it down from 8,800 words down to 6,000 words.  It was no easy feat but I managed to get the word count down. I feels like I may have whittled it down too close to the bone but I had C. read the piece to make sure I didn't damage the story too much. With her thumbs up, I sent it out again.  Afterwards, drinks to soothe the sting of rejection. I'm going to keep sending it out to see if I can land it somewhere.  The other option is to put it up in my itty-bitty blog in two-parts.  Hmm.  At the end of the day, I just want folks to read my writing.

I've also seen a few films: Ex-Machina, Gemma Bovery, Far from the Madding Crowd.  All decent flicks.  My favorite of the three was the French film Gemma Bovery.  It was far funnier than I imagined. A film by Anne Fontaine.  The lead actress Gemma Arterton was perfect for this role.  

Yep, so this what I do when I don't write...
That's all I have for now.  
Peace,
L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2015 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

American Sniper

There was so much hype on American Sniper that I decided to go check this movie out on Saturday night.  Hmph.  I should have stuck to my indie flicks. As much as I like Clint Eastwood as a director and I do love the way he takes a quiet approach in shooting a script...this movie was too stark with not enough story arc. I thought the movie was way too long, it could have been edited down by at least 40 minutes.  I was yawning and shifting in my chair through half of it. I felt the soldier returning home and unable to connect with family could have been better developed.  The crying wife begging the husband to talk to her felt like every other relationship. I will say Bradley Cooper as Chris Kyle was pretty amazing. I didn't realize he had this much range as an actor so it was great to see him with some definite intention.  I know there are a lot of people out there who love this movie but I just don't get it.  What am I missing?

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Wild

Last Friday, I went to see Reese Witherspoon in Wild, written by Nick Hornby and Cheryl Strayed, directed by Jean-Marc Vallee.  This film goes deeper and darker than any movie I've ever seen Witherspoon in and she is really quite amazing in it.  The story is about a young woman who goes on a 1,100 mile solo hike across the Pacific Crest Trail to grieve the loss of her mother and the end of her marriage and to regain a sense of herself again. The emotional center of the movie was right on and I'm so glad I had a chance to see it.  It made me want to buy a backpack and head out for the nearest trail ...too bad I don't know jack about camping.  I may have to do a little research and see about joining a group.  Hmmm we shall see.

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) by Alejandro González Iñárritu

Saturday night, I went to see this film.  I absolutely loved it.  
Quick description: A washed-up actor must overcome his fears, insecurities and family trouble as he mounts a Broadway play in a bid to reclaim his past glory. 

The dark humor is so up my alley.  It's so funny that I missed follow up jokes because I was still laughing at the first ones. Edward Norton as Mike was by far my favorite character. There is a certain kind of genius whenever he's up on the screen.  I follow and believe his characters no matter how absurd he acts.  Wonderful performance. To be fair he had some of the funnier moments.

I have a confession to make: Michael Keaton has never been an actor that has ever left an impression on me.  There was one role that I thought he was so far out that I thought he was decent and that was Beetlejuice. But I was not a fan of his Batman portrayal and after Christian Bale in that role, I don't really remember Keaton. After this film, I am now a fan.  He's got so many really amazing moments but the ones that made an impression were the times he was the most desperate.  The argument he has with the critic gave me chills because of the way he bared his soul. 

Emma Stone as his daughter Sam had one strong moment early in the film.  It's the first lengthy confrontation with Keaton.  After that, I think Inarritu forgot about her as a character. The film was strong but not perfect.  Inarritu has one high Hollywood action sequence that I could have done without. 

All the theater backstage references were so right on that I was in tears, I laughed so hard.  Seriously I could go on and on, breaking down the nuances, of this movie
I thoroughly enjoyed this film and spent a couple of hours after the movie talking about it with a friend.  

                                                                                                 
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

A Most Wanted Man

I know I'm late on the upswing on this movie, it's been out for months and months but I finally saw A Most Wanted Man last weekend.  What an amazing film!  Phillip Seymour Hoffman is subtle and nuanced in this role and Robin Wright as the American counterpart is flawless.  It's filled with tense political intrigue and the ending made me gasp out loud. Truly. There is something about these spy movies that have always captivated me. I wouldn't have the stones to be in that life.  Who could you trust?  The world is such a dark and twisted place full of enemies of the state and national security is always at stake, how could anyone sleep at night? Ever?

Of course, this makes me think about how Power needs to create an "other"/ an enemy in order to justify torture, murder, rape all in the name of nationalist or religious rhetoric.  Wow!  How did I get here on this one?  You get my drift though, political structures and tactics created for the sake of power.  Maintaining that power.  Ends justifying the means.  We create this fear and FEAR is contagious.  I've gone down the rabbit hole. I won't go on tho'.  That's for a different entry on another blog.  :-)

Peace, L~


All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Kill Your Darlings

I watched Kill Your Darling the other night and man was it an awful film. This is one of those moments when I wish they had done more with the actual writings of Burroughs, Kerouac, Ginsberg.  Someone should have killed this movie.  What crap!

I did spend tonight working through some new poems for the reading next week, so that's something.

More later.
Peace,
L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

The Invisible Woman

Wednesday--what a needy bitch of a day it has been today. Work was crazy busy which I always enjoy. The busier it gets the calmer I get, or at least that's how I was on this day.  There is lots more to take care of tomorrow but hump day was all rock and roll.  It will be a low-key early night for me...trying to pay attention to my body cues for a change.  My cell phone keeps ringing which puts me on edge.  I may shut it off completely but I need an alarm clock if that's the case.

I did want to make mention of a movie I saw recently (and if I've already written about it forgive me) but it's worth a second and third mention if that's the case. The Invisible Woman, directed by Ralph Fiennes, screenplay written by Abi Morgan.  Ralph Fiennes played Charles Dickens and Felicity Jones plays the part of Ellen...It's a movie about Charles Dickens and a young woman that he took on as his lover despite his married state, in the height of his writing career.  He kept her a secret from the world but they were together until his death.  This movie is so well written and Felicity Jones is wonderful. I remember her from another favorite of mine, Like Crazy.  I will admit I have a soft spot for period pieces but the dialogue of this movie is exquisite and the quiet moments are heart-wrenching.  I watched this movie weeks ago and it's still lingering in my brain. Scenes still haunt me. Fiennes is amazing to watch. I love when movies affect me so deeply.  * happy sigh *

All for now, I am about to watch Kill Your Darlings.  How I do love movies about writers!!

Peace,

Lily~


All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Radio Silence is Over

Well folks it’s been awhile. I’ve been acclimating to my new schedule, 6 months into my new day job, and finding time at lunch or after work to spend time on the creative writing.  I’m currently working through a short story right now (not science fiction). The ending is bugging me.  I keep re-writing it but blah, it’s just not coming out quite right.

Let’s see, I’ve joined a new writing group since my old writing group has split off.  I present this month so I need to keep working through the problems of this short story before I send it out to the group on Saturday night.  That’s my internal deadline otherwise I’m going to be putzing with it until it’s a tortured mess of a story.  We want to avoid that result. 

Movies-Must make mention that my crush on actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt continues. I recently saw a few of his movies back-to-back.  An earlier movie called Mysterious Skin (2004) where he plays a young gay hustler and the key moments when the character is the most vulnerable are heartbreaking. I also watched Premium Rush, ‘cause who doesn’t love a good chase movie but really it was candy (no nutritional value). Then I watched Don Jon, this movie surprised me.  He wrote and directed this film which made it better for me.  His character Jon is a player who sleeps with anyone he can get his hands on.  He meets “the one” in Barbara played by Scarlett Johansson, who plays a Jersey girl so well she scared me a little. Haha.  But when Jon doesn’t get his happily ever after, he meets Esther, played by the the wonderful Julianne Moore. The movie was a lot better than I anticipated.  Sweet, sweet, sweet.  Don't you love it when a movie makes you smile from all the way inside?

Health, I have my good days and I have my challenging days.  All the doctor visits haven't helped pin-point the underlying problem but I've managed to strike off a few illnesses off the list.  I guess that's the silver lining. Then I came down with a rebounding migraine that left me feeling a bit hollowed out. The food restrictions had washed down the headaches to once or twice a month. So to have this last one come on so strong and for so many days was a surprise  This week, I've slacked off on the food restriction list, it's amazing how quickly the weight starts to creep up. I just have a soft spot for baked mac & cheese. I have to get back on my strict guidelines again. The one thing that I have been struggling with is going to yoga classes on a more consistent basis.  Being healthy is hard work sometimes.  I know i feel good after a class, just have to show up for them.

Peace,

Lily~ 

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2014 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Celeste and Jesse Forever

I know I am a year late with this but I finally saw the movie Celeste and Jesse Forever.

I absolutely LOVED this movie.  It was at times quirky but really smart in the way they handled a relationship breaking up.  Rashida Jones is EXCELLENT!! And I loved that she is a flawed human being in this movie.  Instead of a barbie cut-out who says all the right things and makes all the right moves.  There are these wonderful quiet moments that just break your heart. Anyway, if you haven't seen it...you have to check it out.
Sweet!  Enuf said.
L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2013 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Soggy Monday

July 1st. Monday. The day is wet and overcast and I am feeling soggy. My mood seems to be joining in with the weather.

On reading--Last week, I finished reading Neil Gaiman's new novel, The Ocean at the End of the Lane.  It was quite wonderful and there is this one moment, when I felt the writer looking into the abyss and the abyss looking back. It gave me goosebumps. It swallowed that book whole, I couldn't put it down. I admire his craft of writing.

On writing--I have to trust myself with my work...go out on that limb called faith...'cause right now I seem to be shying away from the writing. I spent last Friday writing up all my post-it notes for Indigo into a two-page cheat sheet to help keep me straight on characters and back stories. And there are so many holes...I'm afraid I am trying to plug the holes up while the dam is ready to break open. I seem to be continuing on the being all wet analogy.

On movies--Okay, I also went to see Much Ado About Nothing by my favorite writer/director, Joss Whedon.  It was really entertaining to see his modern version of this play in movie form. I'm not sure if it all of it worked but it was great to see so many actors from his previous shows join him in this venture.  I loved Nathan Fillion...he made me laugh the hardest but I think that was supposed to happen.  And Amy Acker as Beatrice really worked for me (she needs to be in a lot more movies) but I found Alexis Denisof's portrayal of Benedick a bit lackluster...with the exception of that one moment when he's working out and spouting his monologue. The act of working out helped his delivery of those lines. I really loved Denisof in Buffy and Angel and I wanted him to be funnier I guess.

On television--Lastly, Ray Donovan finally started on Sunday night on Showtime.  LOVE Liev Schrieber in this show...but more importantly Katherine Moennig is playing his assistant Lena. This woman is hot and I like her kick back acting vibe. God bless the working lesbians out (of the closet) in Hollywood!!

Peace,
L~

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2013 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Bury Me Monday

This morning I woke up to a paw smack to my face, I have a slight scratch over my lip as evidence. My cat Pandora was impatient for me to wake up. She made it a point to wake me up. And after her vet visit on Saturday morning, she was still “getting me back.” After I fed her at some ungodly hour, I went back to bed. I was in the in-between state of sleeping and waking and I just really didn’t want to get up to go to work. The shades were drawn and my bed was warm and I just wanted to bury myself under my duvet.

On Saturday, I managed to meet my sister to see the movie, Stoker. It was intense but really well done. Mia Wasikowska is amazing in it. This young woman is captivating. I loved her as Helen in Albert Nobbs, she was haunting in Jane Eyre, and now as India Stoker…well she gave me creepy chills. There is something unsettling about her steady gaze. I have yet to see her in Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp. Nicole Kidman and Matthew Goode are both eerily disturbing as well and you can’t help watch the story unfold. Stoker is definitely worth seeing.

I’ve also finished reading Jonathan Carroll’s Sleeping in Flames this morning. Oh man, his writing is delicious. He has this passage on love that I want to share but I’ve been having a hell of time finding it again. I keep looking for the passage and I must skim right by them over and over again because I've come up empty. When I do, I’ll copy it line by line and put it up on this blog as a separate entry. Reading his work, makes me want to write more stories. His work inspires me to better at my craft. I’ve only just begun. Must read more by him.
Peace,
L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2013 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Les Misérables

I went to see Les Misérables last night and I bawled my eyes out through 2/3rds of that movie. Anne Hathaway emoted such despair that I could hardly breathe through “I Dreamed a Dream.” Hugh Jackman as Valjean was raw and heartbreaking singing “What Have I Done.” And then Eddie Redmayne as Marius singing “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables” left me weeping into my tissue. Those songs were the highlights for me in this film. There were others of course but rather than list all the songs I thought I’d mention my favorites. Russell Crow was decent when he sang his songs on his own but harmonies he could not do…good try but singing opposite Jackman is no easy feat. At the end of the film, I was emotionally wiped out. I woke up with my eyes swollen and red from all the tears I shed during this movie, I looked like a bloated frog. I love being swept up and carried away by a musical in that way. It also shows me that the climax of my book needs to have more emotional investment. Right now it reads too bland. Too “eh.” It’s missing a beating heart and watching that movie last night reminded me of that fact. I think I’m going to buy the soundtrack and write the ending to my book while listening to it. Perhaps it will inspire a more glorious ending. * sigh *

OH MY GOSH-I completely forgot to mention Samantha Barks as Eponine singing "On My Own." I loved, loved, loved her rendition of the song.  :-)
Peace,

L~
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2013 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

A Day Late...

I know I’m a day late with this bit of news but I was distracted with my novel yesterday. Jack White is numero uno on the Billboard Album Charts. Hoorah!! A co-worker saw the album in Starbucks and told me he thought of me. Awww. It’s just because I’ve been raving about this album to anyone who will pay attention for 30 seconds. And even when they don’t pay attention I make mention of it. I warned everyone ahead of time that I have a music crush on White, so peeps have been duly warned.

Rolling Stone’s Steve Knopper writes: “Will the chart success last? Almost certainly not. No rock band – not even sales powerhouses Nickelback and Coldplay – manages to stick around the album charts for very long.”
Say it ain’t so!! I’m hoping all those fellow rockers out there looking for a sound that is not completely synthesized on AutoTunes will check it out. There is enough buzz happening out in the world that he may hold on to the spot for longer than a week.

I’m sporting indigo blue nail polish to show my enthusiasm.  :-)

Anyway, all this rock music has me revisiting music by Led Zeppelin and looking for new sounds like Black Keys.

Marvel’s The Avengers comes out this weekend and Joss Whedon directed this flick. I’m very excited! Folks are already lined up to see a midnight viewing of this film. I’d be out there too but I am not independently wealthy this week. So I may hold off till a Saturday viewing. I was trying to convince my younger sister to come along but she’s not really a fan of Whedon. I’m not really sure if we’re related once she broke that news to me but we’ve always suspected she may have been left on the doorstep. Hehehe. * I kid, I kid *

Rock on people, rock on!!

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2012 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

The Cabin in The Woods

The Cabin in the Woods is a movie written by Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard.  It's funny and clever and strange and yes, it even made me jump a few times. I love the way they re-tell this horror story.  My sister went with me and didn't really like it that much...and I'm sure she'll send out her negative review into cyber space....that only makes me want to write a positive review.  Hehehe.  I laughed a lot...there are some clever one-liners and some in-jokes that were great!!  It's really gory and bloody but then again this is a horror movie.  So love it or leave it...I'm still a huge Joss Whedon fan and will probably go see this a few more times with friends who will laugh along with me.  Yay!!  So go out to see it because it's a great twist to the classic genre!!  

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2012 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Ketch-up Entry

I’ve got some things rattling up inside my brain skull. Too much really and I keep taking my sweet time with writing blog entries so I am way behind here, bear with me. Been busy living life, I guess.

Nov 19- Went to see Ani DiFranco perform in Town Hall. Had a great time and I’m a bit peeved that my little cheap camera phone took crap pics. As in, unable to see anything really. So no uploadable shots. Security guards were also being annoying with people taking pics and kept removing people. *rolling my eyes* I will say that Ani D. was in rare form that night on her guitar. Every time I listen to her play, I want to pick up a guitar and learn how to play (just like her). Oh and who opened for her but none other than Melissa Ferrick...sweet Jesus can she rock! And it doesn’t hurt that she’s really hot in her tall gangly way. Ferrick just came out with her new album: She’s Still Right Here  It was a fantastic show.

Anyway, as I was walking to the train, I overheard some VERY young women talking about how disappointed they were that Ani D. didn’t sing more of her old material. But I totally get it. As a creative person, you move forward and showcase your newest material. Not to discredit the old material but a person has lived some life, gained new experiences, has created all this new work to showcase and that old material is done and over with. I really liked hearing her new material and she’s gone back to her home grown roots of political songs. Check out her new album: Which Side Are You On

Over Thanksgiving weekend-Went to see a couple of movies:
Melancholia by Lars Von Trier is gorgeous . It unfolds very slowly...so slowly in fact that there were several theatergoers near me leave the screening halfway through it. But when the movie hit the halfway point it seemed to blossom and pick up speed. After all, it’s about the end of the world and the way two sisters (Justine and Claire) fragmented by the impending doom come to grips with it in their own ways. The cinematography is phenomenal. The dialogue sparse. The emotional content wavering along tense and taut, on the brink of shattering. It’s stark. But the movie has stayed with me for days on end afterwards. I love when movies affect me that way.

The Dangerous Method written by Christopher Hampton, filmed by David Cronenberg is about the relationship between Carl Jung, Sabina Spielrein and Sigmund Freud (drawn from true events). Keira Knightly is raw and delish to watch playing fragile intellectual Sabina. Knightly is raw and painfully exposed in this role. Viggo Mortensen, as Freud, seemed a bit out of his depth at first but as the movie progressed, the ambition of the man seemed to take on a more “dangerous” quality, Mortensen crackled electric when that element came through. Michael Fassbender as Jung was restrained and subdued but when his own desires began to diverge from the “norm” he came alive. Both the internal struggle (personal desires) and the external power struggle with Freud made Fassbender’s performance layered and piercing.

Icarus Magazine I continue to be involved with Icarus Magazine in my capacity as reader. Always looking for that stand out story in a pile of submissions. If you’d like to submit your work to this magazine, please check out their guidelines at http://lethepressbooks.com/guidelines.htm#About_contributions_for_Icarus. Literary magazine guidelines are different from Lethe Press Books so please read carefully. Hey! I just realized my name’s not up on their website...I’ll have to go bug them about that too. Just add it on to my perpetual to-do list that seems to be growing by the minute.
 
Enjoy for now and I'll have more for you shortly.
 
Peace,
 
L~
 
All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Like Crazy...opening on Friday in NYC

I don't know if I've written about this film but....if you are a hopeful/hopeless romantic this is the movie to go see...Like Crazy is simply amazing.  I saw this movie at an early screening last month and it left me buzzing days after. Go to their official site: http://www.likecrazy.com/ 

What gets me excited about this type of movie is that the writers (Drake Doremus and Ben York Jones) didn't write a standard screenplay.  They wrote a treatment. They moved through a real collabrative effort with the actors to get the scenes they depicted.  With only an objective in mind, the actors really got a chance to shine in this beautiful film, directed by Drake Doremous.  Anton Yelchin as Jacob and Felicity Jones as Anna were able to bring a vulnerability to the piece that breaks your heart wide open.  God, when was the last time a movie did that? 

This tiny trailer barely does the movie justice.  The emotional content is so raw, it made my teeth hurt.  You've gotta check it out.  L~










All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Hesher

Hesher The Official Website

Sunday night I went to see a dark movie called Hesher.  It blew me away and I should point out this movie is not for everyone.  It’s gritty and violent and cruel but in the midst of all that dysfunction is a beating heart of humanity.  Theses broken characters are living and fighting in the only way that they know how and creating collateral damage along the way.  But when the movie grows quiet and the characters connect, it crackles. Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Hesher is scary dangerous and brilliant but Devin Brochu as T.J. steals this movie out from under this fucked-up grown-up world. And of course, Natalie Portman is the cat’s meow in these small indie parts. Story by Brian Charles Frank, screenplay written by Spencer Susser and David Michôd, directed by Spencer Susser.  This is one of those small indie flicks that you’ve got to see if you’re looking for a film with a bit of substance. It’s definitely out there and it will push some buttons but it’s so worth it.        


All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.

Wilted State

I can't sleep tonight.  
I went to see the newest remake of Jane Eyre.  There is something about period movies that makes my romantic sensibilities lose control.  Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, screenplay written by Moira Buffini. 
The language was lush and the quiet moments hummed with intensity.  Visually stunning, landscape as stark and bare as the protagonist.  Declarations of love, poetic.  The loneliness and longing so palpable it takes a strangle hold and dares not let go. Left in its wake is me in a bit of a wilted state.  I guess it does no good to wallow.  Must get some rest...


Peace,


L~    

All artwork, photos, and text © Copyright 2008-2011 Liliana Almendarez unless indicated otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Any downloading, copying or use of images on this website is strictly prohibited without express written consent by Liliana Almendarez.