I just bought the movie Waitress. I hadn't seen it in the theaters, but I bought the DVD anyway. I was feeling a bit adventurous and was in the mood for what I thought the movie would be.

It's was everything I thought it would be and more.

The movie was a lot like The Good Girl, but with much better writing. Adrienne Shelly wrote, directed and performed in the film. This woman was fierce and her talent undeniable. (Sadly, she was killed in her home in Tribeca, November 2006).

Shelly had a knack for storytelling and understood the importance of truth in comedy. Here are three of my favorite quotes from the film (clear evidence of Shelly's genius):

#1
Jena: Cal?
Cal: Yeah?
Jena: Are you happy? I mean, would you call yourself happy man?
Cal: Well if you're asking a serious question, I'll tell you, happy enough. Don't expect much, don't give much, don't get much. I generally enjoy whatever comes up. That's my truth. Summed up for your feminine judgement. I'm happy enough.

#2
Jena: Dear baby, I hope someday somebody wants to hold you for 20 minutes straight and that's all they do. They don't pull away. They don't look at your face. They don't try to kiss you. All they do is wrap you up in their arms and hold on tight without an ounce of selfishness to it.

#3
Jena: And then I was addicted baby. I was addicted to sayin' things and having them matter to someone.

Just a good movie, plain and simple. Rent it. Buy it. Enjoy it.

Wild Thing

This weekend I saw the new film, Into the Wild.

There are few films that live up to their hype, and this was one of them. Sean Penn, the movie's director, has come a long way from Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

The nearly 3 hour movie was breathtakingly beautiful and completely inspiring. To watch someone wrestle their demons while they embark on a spiritual (and literal) journey of a lifetime, all but held a mirror up to my own life. The reflection? Well, it confirmed a few things, suggested a few answers, but more than anything it caused me to ask some important questions. (Yes the film was that good).

If that weren't enough, the sheer beauty of nature depicted in this film, was downright hypnotic. I couldn't help but feel pulled in by the siren song of Mother Nature; emerging from the film wanting to sell all of my possessions and to give my self fully to her. (Or at least try to live in harmony with her a little more). Anyone know where I can find a dream catcher, spam and something tie-dyed?

Pride and Sense

The story, in short, is that of the effect Jane Austen on the lives of a group of people. And that reminded me of the power words have. It's not like I totally forgot words had power, but I was reminded how long it's been since I've been really moved by literature. (My last motivating read was, Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts). So, yes. I've read some cool things lately, but it's been a while since a book has moved me emotionally and physically (to actually DO something) the way Austen moves the women and men in this film.

So, I bought her books. All of them. I bought a collection of all her published books and essays, and I started reading from the beginning. This is not a declaration that I will get through all 7 books, but I'm going to give it a go.

Lord knows, I'm not so naive to think that my reading Jane Austen will serve as any sort of catalyst in my own life. But for the first time in a while, I'm not just excited about reading, but about what happens after you read.