'The Lego Ninjago Movie' A Review

The Lego Ninjago Movie is an action/comedy the latest installment in the Lego Movie franchise. A young boy wanders into a relic shop and is told the tale of Ninjago by mysterious owner Mr. Liu(Jackie Chan). Ostrizied high schooler Llyod(Dave Franco) grapples with his father being the evil Lord Garmadon who perpetually attacks the city. The attacks are thwarted by Llyod and his five friends who moonlight as the Power Rangers-esk secret ninja force. Garmadon eventually triumphs but a monster is unleashed and the secret ninjas join forces with Garmadon on a quest to overcome it.

The aesthetic of the movie is predictably sharp and compelling, in keeping with what we've come to expect from the Lego Movies however the story doesn't have near the punch of The Lego Movie nor even the coherence of The Lego Batman Movie. The voice performances are all appropriate in keeping with the tongue-in-cheek tone of the franchise however there is nothing below the surface. The performances are all adequate but fail to form any dimension, part of the issue being the cast is vast and packed with stars, no time is really given to any character save Llyod whose arc is reductive and kind of confusing.

Inarguably entertaining because of the visual style and pumping soundtrack but the story(credited with something like 15 contributors) falls flat. Clearly re-written and edited into predictable cookie-cutter mediocrity the promise of The Lego Movie has yet to be recaptured.

Rent It.

New Orleans IS Weird

There is drinking and a striking lack
of inhabitations from the children to the
elderly. Shops and food and face paint and
masks and music and fortune tellers and pralines
sellers and haunted houses and hanging gardens
and gutter punks and vagabonds and on and on.

But there is no pretentous and bleating
refrain to keep New Orleans weird because it is.
Unaffected, perhaps enhanced, by the parade
of tourists pounding the cobble stones
in search of release and pleasure and a little risk.

If you need to constantly call for the mainteince of weird
it's already long ago and far away.

Swamp God

So lazy
and majestic,
I'd have brought an offering
of bloody meat
if not for all the signs
warning me not to.

Fontainebleau State Park

We got to the park yesterday and went for a hike along their marsh walk. It was a beautiful clear day. Hot and clear.

We even saw a gator.

The cabin we're staying in is right on the water, on stilts, great spacious accommodations. The view is spectacular.

The sun sets right across the water.

We got up a little early this morning and went for a longer trek on the one extended hiking trail in the park.

It ends at a group lounge by this pond, we saw another gator.

On the way back we found this abandoned, damaged, observation deck.

Another wonderful sunset tonight.

It's really relaxing to be out here. To be surrounded by the water and silence and almost no one for miles.

StoryLand

Walking into StoryLand I can't help but think
of the apocalypse,
some future near or distant
when we have destroyed ourselves
be the cause nuclear or climate.

Ragged survivors stumbling upon the jagged ruins of this
day-glow fiberglass memorial
to forgotten Fairy Tales,
they'll shelter here and perhaps a cult will form
In worship of the Whale and the Wooden Boy-

A false society built on walking pigs
wolves in night dresses
and an overlarge blond girl
in a tiny house,
scavengers capering in the graveyard of 20th century children stories.

City Park

Took the streetcar up to City Park this morning, there are tons of tourists out and about and its amazing how patient not only the RTA employees are but the locals too. The laid back reputation of the New Orleans citizens is not unearned.

There's a mini railroad that runs through the park, presumably some kind of ride but it wasn't in operation today.

We went through the botanical gardens which were gorgeous and extensive. The first section is a sculpture garden from artist Enrique Alférez.

The rest of the gardens were immaculate, we got there right when it opened so it was relatively deserted.

Next to the gardens is StoryLand this incredibly bizarre kids park with huge fiberglass fairytale characters and playground equipment.

On our way out of the park we walked through the art musuems sculpture garden. Also very striking.

I was surprised about how much stuff was out in the open air throughout the park, shouldn't be a surprise really given how temperate the climate down here is. It's our last night in New Orleans tonight and before we leave tomorrow were going to Dooky Chase's.

Uptown

Nicole and I are on vacation this week, three days in New Orleans and three days in a cabin on the other side of the lake. Today we took a streetcar uptown to see the city.

Lot of old mansions along St. Charles.

Lot of huge old trees too.

Per my parents suggestion we had a late breakfast at The Camellia Grill a famous diner which had incredible memorizing food.

After we walked around the Tulane quad a little bit.

Then through Audubon Park on the way to the zoo.

It was a great walk and the zoo was immaculate, clearly extensively renovated in the past couple years but the heat here is no joke. Whew!

Where My Parents Met

Forty years ago two Tulane Law students met
and amongst the numerous ramifications, falling action, and results
my sister and I were two
for the first time I visit the spots
of my familial genisis
eating where they ate
walking where they walked
riding the famed streetcars as they used to,
presumably with much less agility.
It is pleasant but eerie
ghosts of my parents long-haired hippie youth,
joyful, on the periphary.
I must imagine what they're life was like
because they never spoke about it much.
I assume because the decadence and inhabitation
of the Big Easy isn't something you freely share
with your progeny.

Lady of the Lake

Nicole and I sat by the lake this afternoon and read. Nice to take advantage of the gradually dissipating summer. We've both had it pretty hard the last couple weeks at work so some calming lake time was much needed. We're gearing up for our vacation in a week but still have to power through another work week to get there. For now I'm finding distraction and contentment in the company of my loving partner.

'Columbus' A Review

Columbus is a meditative drama about two people who meet in architectural point of interest Columbus, IN. Jin(John Cho) is in town after his architect father goes into a coma. He meets Casey(Haley Lu Richardson), a young local woman interested in architecture but constrained by her relationship with her recovering addict mother. The two explore Columbus and its various structures learning from and finding solace in each other.

Cho is quiet, vulnerable, and compelling. He doesn't shed the magnetic charm he's consistently displayed in some of his bigger budget fare but the performance is smaller, more realistic, understated. I would guess as close to himself as Cho has ever played. It seems clear he relishes the opportunity to play a more nuanced interpretive character and he excels. Richardson has dimension and emotes but never at the expense of reality, there is a lived-in natural quality to her performance that anchors the film, provides authenticity. The two have good chemistry and there is a lot of pleasure in simply watching the two walk and talk. The supporting turns also have the same grounded yet engaging quality with good turns from Parker Posey, Michelle Forbes, and Rory Culkin.

The cinematography is the other star. The interesting cityscape and interiors are filmed in such a way to enhance the ideas of form and space discussed within the dialogue. There are some striking and beautiful shots throughout the film that almost surpass the story in their arresting grace. The only fault of the film is the occasional false note with the script, the fault doesn't fall to the performers its just the a periodic slip into melodrama that rings slightly false when put into the modern, sleek, minimalist surroundings.

Simple and elegant, inspiring and reflective.

See It.

Frushi

When I moved to Chicago
the hot thing was Frushi
(fruit sushi)
The hot place to get it
was Orange restaurant
the weekend wait was insane
(maybe it still is I doubt it though)
I went once early on
waited an hour plus
and got the Frushi
it was pretty boring
and bland
not to mention over priced
(like $8 for a two bite serving)
but that was 11 years ago
and no one talks Frushi
anymore
and walking by the Clark Street Orange
it looks in dire need of a remodle
Frushi is dead, long live fruit sushi

Chris Rock

Summer after freshman year of high school I watched Bigger & Blacker when it premiered on HBO and it's only slightly hyperbolic to say it changed my perception forever. Rock's aggressive but relatable, his astute consternation, his searing commentary was a type of comedy I'd never seen. Funny but with a message, with a punch. His takes on gun control, race, relationships(among other topics) illuminated things I'd never really seen or understood. He made me laugh but also drew conclusions and commonalities that made me see and understand the world differently, better. I was bolled over, stunned, up to that point nothing hit me like Bigger & Blacker. After that viewing I religiously checked HBO for a replay and then caught Bring The Pain by happenstance which hit me almost as hard.

After that summer I was a life long Rock fan, watched all his movies, devoured The Chris Rock Show and waited with bated breath for his two follow up specials 2005's Never Scared and 2008's Kill The Messenger. I even watched(and rewatched) his episode of MTV's Diary. I always love watching him but nothing really had the impact like those first two specials until recently with Top 5 which has that great blend of emotional truth, comedy, and bite that I associate with Rock. He's helped shape my taste and world view for almost 20 years.

A couple months back he announced his Total Blackout tour and I got tickets as soon as they went on sale. Tonight was the show. He's a hero of mine so I went into it with high expectations for what the show would be like and it exceed those.

Rock prowled the stage with his indelible energy, relayed his searing insight, and had the packed crowd laughing for an incredible 90 minute set. It was an experience I'll never forget. And I realized that he does two things that little to no comedians, or artists of any kind, do. He brings people together and he offers solutions. For as controversial as some of the topics he addresses may be he approaches them in a way that are relatable, that include rather than exclude, that make you feel you are a part of.  Regardless of race, age, gender, or class everyone was there to see him and for a brief and precarious amount of time we were united, we were a community. He also offers solutions to problems, some may be punchlines some may be absurd, but they are solutions, and sometimes they are simply straightforward honest applicable ones. He offers insight and advise, imparts real world knowledge and hard won experience. He doesn't operate from an ironic remove, his material isn't pedestrian, it has an edge and a purpose. You laugh of course but you also, perhaps, see the world more clearly.

'IT' A Review

IT is a horror film, an adaptation of the Stephen King novel of the same name. The film opens on a rainy day in 1988 Derry, Maine. Bill(Jaeden Lieberher) is sick but makes his little brother Georgie a boat to go play outside with. Georgie meets Pennywise the Clown(Bill Skarsgård) through the storm drain and then disappears. The following summer mysterious disappearances increase and Bill and his group of friends, the Losers Club, are plagued by horrific visions. At Bill's instance the Losers seek to discover and thwart the dark force infecting Derry.

Of the seven members of the Losers club all the actors give good performances but some better than others not because of a disparity of talent but material and screen time. Notably Jeremy Ray Taylor as Ben the overweight and more intuitve member, Sophia Lillis as Bev the only female member, Lieberher as the leader Bill on whom a lot of the heart of the film rests, and to a slightly lesser extent Finn Wolfhard as Richie who has a lot of the more outlandish lines and the majority of the comedic relief. The other members simply aren't given room to develop, character dimension sacrificed for pacing in an already sizable run time. Skarsgård is uniquely menacing as the titular villain but some of his nuance is undercut by a number of stereotypical CGI horror sequences.

Visually the film is compelling, with some evocative interpretations of famous scenes and settings from the source material however for each new and interesting image there is a mainstream style jump scare that seems out of place in this surreal and haunting story. This isn't about a haunted doll or house this is a story about an eternal demon that consumes fear and gluts itself every 27 years. And there are times when the film realizes this uniqueness and times when it doesn't.

A mostly successful adaptation of a modern horror classic, occasionally constrained by the yoke of contemporary horror.

Rent It.

'The Trip To Spain' A Review

The Trip to Spain is a buddy comedy, the third installment in the Trip series staring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon as versions of themselves going on a restaurant tour, this time through Spain. Coogan is attempting to write a book, the trip mirroring one who took as a young man. Brydon is eager for a break from his toddler. The two discuss history, fame, fatherhood, and of course swap impressions.

Both Coogan and Brydon continue to add subtle dimension and layers to their faux counterparts as the series progresses. As the series has progressed the lines between the character and the person are blurred with some actual life developments incorporated and some not. It makes for two surprisingly compelling performances considering the nuance that this kind of distinction requires. Coogan more so than Brydon feels like he is truly creating an alternate version of himself playing up various flaws and idiosyncrasies. Brydon, very charming and funny, seems to be playing a more straight forward version of himself. There isn't much in the vein of supporting cast aside from various locals along the two friends journey but they are all serviceable.

The film delivers beautiful scenery, beautiful food, great conversation, and consistent humor. There's nothing to distinguish this installment from the others save for the location and that Coogan and Brydon are a little order. Even so there is great pleasure in revisiting these characters, their comfortable camaraderie, their wit and playful competition, their waxing and waning existential crises. Given the glut of superhero franchises, reboots, and remakes the Trip series delivers the most reliable and compelling product.

See It.

Risk and Reward

It pays to remember
that even a moment
of inattention
can be disastrous

and those things
that bring us joy
and freedom
may have a price.

There is relish
and satisfaction
in exhilaration
and thrill

but harm, handicap
even death
can be the unwitting
consequence.

Not to say
lives should be
suffocated
by caution

but awarness
of the cost
and resolute focus
are vital
to avoid accident
and ignorance
-buy the ticket take the ride-
and although there may be tragedy
there will be no blame or accusation of responsibility.

'Wind River' A Review

Wind River is a mystery/thriller set on the Wind River Indian Reservation in Wyoming. Fish and Wildlife agent Cory(Jeremy Renner) is called in to hunt a cougar but discovers the body of Natalie, an 18-year-old resident, frozen solid. FBI agent Jane(Elizabeth Olsen) is called in to investigate and the two begin to gradually unravel the circumstances of Natalie's barefoot flight into the wilderness.

Renner is solid and stoic as the defacto lead. Playing, essentially, the competent man. He serves as a good audience ambassador to the Native community in which most of the story takes place, he does this with surprising grace and little presumption. Olsen is grounded and compelling with little back story to work with. Both function remarkably well given they focus on solving the central crime and little time is spent on developing their characters. Their performances have nuance but it is mostly inferred, on the edges, they are first and foremost detectives. The more emotional and deep performances are given by the supporting cast Julia Jones as Cory's ex-wife, Gil Birmingham as the father of the Natalie, and in a brief but inspired flashback Kelsey Chow as Natalie and Jon Bernthal as Matt her semi-secret boyfriend.

Breathtaking cinematography pairs perfectly with an eerie score to evoke the danger, isolation, and beauty of the Wyoming wilderness. The story shows the cultural, economic, and societal complexity of the Wind River Reservation in a way that few films that involve Native Americans rarely do. Perhaps not perfect it clearly strives to be balanced, honest, and human.

An intriguing mystery, a thrilling setting, a surprisingly gripping and involved emotional arc.

See It.

HP's Wedding

One of my oldest friends got married yesterday. I've known Heather, who I've always called HP, since 2000 when we started working together at a local day camp. We went on to do plays together in high school and have been friends ever since. The ceremony was beautiful and right outside the Fort Hunter Mansion overlooking the river. It was a relatively intimate affair and I got to catch up with some old friends, all in all a really wonderful celebration.

Mikey and HP were originally going to get married in Illinois where both their families are from. They were compromising with their folks to have a smaller wedding but with extended family invited. That kind of fell through and the result was they would get married in Harrisburg, where they live, with their parents and friends in attendance then go back west for a more typical family reception. Although I'm guessing how that all shock out might have been a little bit contentious I think the result was very cool. The majority of weddings, to me, feel the same, feel kind of innocuously public. So realizing that totally excluding extended and distant relatives wasn't an option but wanting a more intimate gathering they decided to do both. I thought that was a great compromise. And as a wedding attendee actually being able to interact and talk with my friend who was getting married, as opposed to a perfunctory hug and a brief exchange of pleasantries, I found it to have much more meaning. Hopefully its the beginning of a trend.

Late Night Check In

After work yesterday I went to O'Hare to catch a flight to Baltimore, the flight was delayed so I didn't land until half past ten. I rented a car and drove to Harrisburg(for a friend's wedding) and didn't roll into my hotel until a little before one in the morning. I took a bus to a train to a plane to a bus to a car.

I like traveling. There's a comfort in the isolation of it, your separate and apart from all the day-to-day stuff that shapes how your normal life operates. There's lots of time to think, reflect, and imagine. I always look forward to all that time- to dive into a good book, write, or just sit quietly. I also find it relaxing in a way. Buses and airports and planes and car rentals all have their specific routines that don't really change. Rest stops always have beef jerky. Airport McDonald's are always busier then regular McDonald's. Everybody pees after a flight. There's also just something pleasurable about being on the move, being in transit, in simple motion.

That is all to say no matter the circumstances I like getting out of Chicago and away from my normal schedule. But. Checking into the hotel last night was one of the most bizarre traveling experiences I've ever had. The hotel is located, basically, on the Susquehanna River so the route to get there was kind of circuitous. Once I got there it was clear the place was under construction, the "night check-in" was a glass window with a safety drawer like at a currency exchange. Evidently the place was full to capacity. I had to wait while the attendant called the manager in order the authorize an "upgrade" for me because all the rooms of the type I booked were occupied. That took about 20 minutes and it was clear the attendant thought I was going to throw a fit, which I didn't I just waited, too tired by that point to do much of anything save pray I didn't have to find alternative shelter. I finally got my key and headed to my room.

I was immediately on guard when I saw the door to the room was open and the TV was on. I peeked in and the bed was unmade and the furniture moved around. I stood in the doorway for a minute wondering if I had been given it by mistake and it was occupied. In the room there was a kitchenette with a partial stove and a refrigerator. This was the type of hotel people actually lived in which was another warning sign. I went through the room to make sure there wasn't anyone's stuff in it, there wasn't, and eventually came to the tentative conclusion that the person must have checked out late and housekeeping hadn't got around to turning over the room. Whether the attendant knew the circumstances and banked on it being too late for me to make a stink or if they were ignorant I just accepted it and dead bolted the door. Half anticipating an angry resident would return during the early hours. Thankfully my sleep was uninterrupted.