Yes, I know I haven't posted in awhile. I am now running the blog for work and I have to post something every day there. I then end up in the situation where either I don't have enough time to do everything... or I don't have anything else interesting to say. I have been working on a post about our recent trip to Kenyon College, but... I'll try to actually finish that today.
But a short and sweet... We went to see Crash last night, which is the best movie I have seen this year... and there really isn't a second place. I won't give anything away, of course, because one of the things I loved about this movie was I went in with almost no expectations. We had been trying to see the movie for weeks. We went a few weeks ago, but because of a fire in the neighborhood, traffic was terrible and we ended up seeing Monster In-Law. I'm trying to think if there could be a more stark contrast.
Crash is difficult to describe. It is a wonderful movie where there are multiple story lines that all come together through chance and circumstance. The first movie using this writing style that I remember was Pulp Fiction. I generally the writing style because I am in awe of it. I cannot imagine the work it must take to bring all these people together without making a movie seem phony. The careful writing, keen direction, and phenomenal directing ensures that you care about these people even though some of them are distasteful. You get a passing glance into each person's life, yet you feel like you know them and care about them, to one degree or another, even despite their sometimes egregious faults.
At the crux of it all is the race issue. Every race is in the movie -- black, white, Chinese, Arab... sorry, Persian... and the underlying story is about how all of these races deal with one another -- or don't, as the case may be.
There are a few negative reviews and, to be honest, I don't know what movie these folks saw.
It is rare that we are ever shocked these days. We've been there and done that. After Janet, Michael and Dean's crazed scream, is there really much that can surprise us? Check out this movie because it is shocking in its honesty. There is race talk that we all know goes on, but is never really addressed publicly. The white woman who wants the locks in the house changed because a black man has put them in... The black man who complains that he wasn't served coffee at a restaurant -- he says because he is black -- even though he doesn't drink coffee.
It isn't a light film, but it is amazing and wonderful.
Crash is just amazing and it will leaving you thinking for days.
CJD's grade: A
One irony... I actually had to switch seats because the group of people behind us were talking through the movie. And yes, it was a group of some minority. Perhaps I could be a character in the movie?
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