Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Slumdog Effect?
Here we are two hours before the Oscars and once again, I'm neither hosting nor writing for it. Hosting would be unrealistic, but I wonder if writing could've been a reality had I stuck with my dream from 25 years ago...but that's a topic for another blog entry (or perhaps an entire book, not to mention a prospective lifetime of therapy).
I'm predicting Penn over Rourke for Best Actor. I think Rourke's winning the Golden Globe means the Academy will want to recognize Penn not only for his incredible portrayal of Harvey Milk, but also for his years of phenomenal performances, including Spicoli! I think Kate Winslet is a shoo-in for Best Actress, and it's not just because of her Oprah-approved natural breasts.
I'm feeling, like many experts, that Slumdog Millionaire could sweep the categories in which it's nominated, certainly: Best Film, Director, Editing, at least one of the Sound awards, score and original song. It's a brilliant movie, masterfully shot, convincingly acted, hypnotically scored. The story is compelling, with themes of looking for love and rooting for the underdog which are universal...or at least universally American.
Which leads me to wonder whether Slumdog Millionaire will do for interest in Indian culture and perhaps Indian film in America what Sideways did for wine and Pinot Noir.
Sideways served as a catalyst for interest in wine, especially Pinot Noir. Sales of Pinot and interest in wine generally--was already increasing when Sideways caught the nation's attention. But the film helped catapult wine more into the mainstream culture, and sales of Pinot in particular skyrocketed (while those of Merlot dropped off). It's amazing how, despite our having more information to make our own decisions, we still follow the lead of popular culture.
Indian culture, like wine, is on the rise in America. I just read that more than half the start-ups in Silicon Valley in the past 10 (?) years were started by Indians. Indian food, including restaurants specific regional Indian cuisines, is becoming more prevalent. I wonder if Slumdog Millionaire will help further mainstream American interest in Indian culture. It's further evidence of the rising influence of Asia in the U.S. So any glimpse we get into cultures about which we are less familiar is valuable for opening our eyes to a world beyond our own.
The parallel to increased interest in Pinot Noir would be increased interest in Indian film in the U.S. I don't necessarily think Slumdog will launch a wave of mainstream interest in Indian film. I don't believe Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon spawned significant interest in Chinese film, but it was emblematic of the rise of Chinese culture and influence in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Regardless of whether this film catalyzes a fuller interweaving of Indian culture into mainstream America, it's a masterpiece worth seeing.
I'm predicting Penn over Rourke for Best Actor. I think Rourke's winning the Golden Globe means the Academy will want to recognize Penn not only for his incredible portrayal of Harvey Milk, but also for his years of phenomenal performances, including Spicoli! I think Kate Winslet is a shoo-in for Best Actress, and it's not just because of her Oprah-approved natural breasts.
I'm feeling, like many experts, that Slumdog Millionaire could sweep the categories in which it's nominated, certainly: Best Film, Director, Editing, at least one of the Sound awards, score and original song. It's a brilliant movie, masterfully shot, convincingly acted, hypnotically scored. The story is compelling, with themes of looking for love and rooting for the underdog which are universal...or at least universally American.
Which leads me to wonder whether Slumdog Millionaire will do for interest in Indian culture and perhaps Indian film in America what Sideways did for wine and Pinot Noir.
Sideways served as a catalyst for interest in wine, especially Pinot Noir. Sales of Pinot and interest in wine generally--was already increasing when Sideways caught the nation's attention. But the film helped catapult wine more into the mainstream culture, and sales of Pinot in particular skyrocketed (while those of Merlot dropped off). It's amazing how, despite our having more information to make our own decisions, we still follow the lead of popular culture.
Indian culture, like wine, is on the rise in America. I just read that more than half the start-ups in Silicon Valley in the past 10 (?) years were started by Indians. Indian food, including restaurants specific regional Indian cuisines, is becoming more prevalent. I wonder if Slumdog Millionaire will help further mainstream American interest in Indian culture. It's further evidence of the rising influence of Asia in the U.S. So any glimpse we get into cultures about which we are less familiar is valuable for opening our eyes to a world beyond our own.
The parallel to increased interest in Pinot Noir would be increased interest in Indian film in the U.S. I don't necessarily think Slumdog will launch a wave of mainstream interest in Indian film. I don't believe Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon spawned significant interest in Chinese film, but it was emblematic of the rise of Chinese culture and influence in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Regardless of whether this film catalyzes a fuller interweaving of Indian culture into mainstream America, it's a masterpiece worth seeing.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
A New Social Networking Site
I’m still getting used to Facebook. The ability to reconnect with everybody you’ve ever met in your entire life is both remarkable and frightening. The life-affirming, kumbaya side of me finds it exciting to catch up with people you liked but lost track of through life’s vicissitudes, or even to apologize to people you once wronged and still feel guilty about hurting. It’s gratifying to know that friends and acquaintances are doing well. There are many people who have reappeared in my life—at least virtually—who give me warm feelings and make me smile.
But there’s a reason you haven’t been in touch with some of those people….life’s too short. The really cynical side of me says it’s a stalker’s paradise, a way to sidestep restraining orders and caller ID blocking.
…which made me think about a new social networking idea: Assbook.
I’m sure there’s a porn site that’s already glommed onto this name, but my idea doesn’t go down that path. Assbook is a social network site connecting everyone you’ve had the misfortune to know at some point in your life and thought, “what an asshole!”
Here’s a list of assholes you might know… Look, 74 other people think he’s an asshole, too!
Instead of friend requests, you have “asshole designations” so you can post the names of every shithead, douche-bag, jerk-off who ever: stole your toys, wrecked your sandcastle, spit at you, spited you, smiled at you then badmouthed you when you weren’t around, snapped you with a towel in the locker room, told you you weren’t good enough, put you down in front of your friends, cut you off on the freeway and then gave you the finger for honking, didn’t hold the door for you in a downpour when your hands were full carrying their stuff, took credit for something you did well and they had nothing to do with, blamed you for something they did wrong and you had nothing to do with, promised you a raise then didn’t recommend you for a promotion, gave you bad investment advice, told you they loved you then never called again.
Let’s see what this asshole’s doing right now…
Oh look, they’re writing all over your wall…the 2009 version of spray-painting your locker in 10th grade.
Personal interests: bullying, belittling, berating, beguiling, being priggish, prickish and punkish.
Of course, they love the “poke someone” feature. It’s something they’ve been doing to people’s chests or between people’s eyes all their life.
Instead of plain old “tagging,” there’s “antag-ing,” where they antagonize people by tagging them every few minutes with all kinds of stupid shit to clutter up their Assbook page. It’s a lot like Facebook in that way.
Go ahead and leave a comment like, “I see you’re still an asshole. In this topsy-turvy world, it’s good to know some things never change.”
But there’s a reason you haven’t been in touch with some of those people….life’s too short. The really cynical side of me says it’s a stalker’s paradise, a way to sidestep restraining orders and caller ID blocking.
…which made me think about a new social networking idea: Assbook.
I’m sure there’s a porn site that’s already glommed onto this name, but my idea doesn’t go down that path. Assbook is a social network site connecting everyone you’ve had the misfortune to know at some point in your life and thought, “what an asshole!”
Here’s a list of assholes you might know… Look, 74 other people think he’s an asshole, too!
Instead of friend requests, you have “asshole designations” so you can post the names of every shithead, douche-bag, jerk-off who ever: stole your toys, wrecked your sandcastle, spit at you, spited you, smiled at you then badmouthed you when you weren’t around, snapped you with a towel in the locker room, told you you weren’t good enough, put you down in front of your friends, cut you off on the freeway and then gave you the finger for honking, didn’t hold the door for you in a downpour when your hands were full carrying their stuff, took credit for something you did well and they had nothing to do with, blamed you for something they did wrong and you had nothing to do with, promised you a raise then didn’t recommend you for a promotion, gave you bad investment advice, told you they loved you then never called again.
Let’s see what this asshole’s doing right now…
Oh look, they’re writing all over your wall…the 2009 version of spray-painting your locker in 10th grade.
Personal interests: bullying, belittling, berating, beguiling, being priggish, prickish and punkish.
Of course, they love the “poke someone” feature. It’s something they’ve been doing to people’s chests or between people’s eyes all their life.
Instead of plain old “tagging,” there’s “antag-ing,” where they antagonize people by tagging them every few minutes with all kinds of stupid shit to clutter up their Assbook page. It’s a lot like Facebook in that way.
Go ahead and leave a comment like, “I see you’re still an asshole. In this topsy-turvy world, it’s good to know some things never change.”
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