Signs

Last night, Amanda and I went to a screening of Jeff, Who Lives At Home. The film, from the Duplass brothers, played at the Film Festival last year and stars Jason Segel, Ed Helms and Susan Sarandon. I went in expecting lots of laugh and not too much thinking.

The film delivered in humor, cringe-worthy moments and just complete absurdity. But that’s not what kept me engaged, the script was superb. The way everything tied at the end with a nice little bow you just didn’t see coming and it all was because Jeff (Segel) watched Signs one day and decides when someone calls him as a wrong number, it’s a sign he’s supposed to do something great with his life.

For me, I completely believe in signs, though I’m sure it’s just my imagination making something more in order to make me feel better about my decisions. But I couldn’t help but take it as a sign that I need to finish editing my book and send off when upon exiting the theatre, we walked right by my writing idol, Roger Ebert.

The film opens on Friday, March 16.

The Moving Talkie

I recently finished the book, The Film that Changed My Life by Robert Elder. It’s a collection of interviews that Elder has with many of today’s top directors as they tell the films that changed their way of thinking. Their way of making. And their way of editing.

It got me thinking too. While a ton of these movies I haven’t seen, I thought for sure I would pick a movie that was a classic as mine. I thought of movies I watched growing up and continue to watch today, but did any of them really move me the way these directors were moved?

And it was then that I realized the film that truly has stuck with me, shaped me and continues to amaze me.

That film: A League of Their Own. To my mom, high school and college friends, this probably comes as no surprise. It’s a movie that I quote frequently, a movie I’m always watching and a movie I’m constantly recommending.

In his book, Elder always asked “Where were you when you first saw the film?” and “What about this film stuck with you?” I’m not a director, but I have been editing a lot of video at work, so maybe I am…

Where were you when you first saw the film?

I cannot remember where I first saw this film. It came out in the Summer of 1992, which makes me think I probably saw it with either my mom or dad simply because it was girls playing baseball, and I was a girl, playing softball. But I can remember the day I unwrapped the VHS on my birthday a few years later and the joy I felt seeing Dottie Henson, Jimmy Dugan and All the Way Mae on the cover.

What about this film stuck with you?

Apart from being a gal who enjoyed baseball, I love the drama of this film. And how it encompasses pretty much everything: love, sports, girl power, sibling struggles, war, a singing number, a dancing number and 1940s dress.

But I think my love affair with the film began when I met a “real” All-American Girl, Pepper Paire. It was one of those sports conventions my dad took me to. And it was filled with trading cards everywhere and then I caught wind of this “girl” ball player there.

She signed a photo for me that has literally followed me wherever I am. Always hanging from the same spot in the room, right by the door.. from my bedroom, to college, to Phoenix and now, Chicago. It’s very faded, her writing, “To Hanna! My best friend! Best Wishes!” is barely even visible. I’m sure my 9 year-old-self loved that “best friend” sentiment.

In fact, my 26-year-old still does.

Is there a movie that’s shaped who you are? And one you just find yourself rewatching from time to time (despite being able to play the whole movie in your head)?

Act of Awe

Last night, went to a screening for Act of Valor. I’ll be honest, I didn’t look too much in to the film so literally walked in there not knowing what was about to happen. Which led me to sit in my chair with my mouth open in disbelief.

The film uses real U.S. Navy SEALs and documents them through faux missions. But I must say, seeing them go in to capture someone who was kidnapped immediately brought up a notion of the recent Somalia recovery.  So while it’s fiction, there’s some serious truth to this film.

This film ensures I’m always continually thankful for all the branches of the armed services. Because fighting is more than just shooting a gun. And serving is more than just patrolling. It takes a certain human being willing to do so. Someone who’s signing up to leave and go without much direction. Someone who’s selfless. And that act of valor leaves you in awe.

The film is scheduled for a mid- to late- February release.

Certain as the Sun

Last night while watching Grey’s, a commercial for Beauty & the Beast 3D came on. My heart fluttered. My pulse quickened. And then I smelled chocolate chips burning.

Beauty & the Beast is the first movie I can vividly recall watching in a theater. Or rather, it’s my first memory of sitting in a theater with one of my parents (I couldn’t tell you if it was Mom, Dad or a family outing). As the opening credits began and the music swelled with Bonjour!, the projection reel went crazy, the film stopped working, frames froze and a smell of burnt chocolate chip cookies filled the air. As it turns out, the man who was manning the film canister was making cookies, burned them and freaked out trying to save them, thus, ensuring I remember being 7 and attempting to watch a movie.

Theater personnel moved us out of the theatre and, I can only assume/hope, handed us vouchers as we left. I don’t remember the first time I sat down and actually made it past the first minute of the film, but it didn’t harness my love for the film. Being a not-so girly-girl growing up, I never really related to any of the Disney princesses. I thought they were cool, but that was about it. Mainly, I just liked those movies for the songs. But Belle was the first one I could relate to. All because she walked around “with her nose stuck in a book.”

The story, the battle, the sidekicks and of course Mrs. Potts ensured this movie left a mark on me. And it’s why I cannot wait to see it in 3D. Here’s to hoping the projection rooms don’t have Easy Bake Ovens…

New Year’s Kiss

Imagine that…Disney, hits New Year Kisses right on the head. And needless to say, this ad worked. I’m totally buying Lady & the Tramp now.

Sunrise Anniversary

Life has been pretty insane lately, which is why I think I’m completely blindsided that tomorrow is September 1. And that Summer Fridays end this week. As well as Summer Hours. Hell, Summer! Sigh.

After a pretty intense 2 Werk Weeks, I feel like I’m finally coming back up for air after swimming defiantly in a changing current. And it feels good. Because not only do I feel like I had a major accomplishment to tuck in my pocket, but I got to know some of the MDub team that I never really work with it. And since these weeks were filled with late nights and changing ideas, I learned to lean on them when I needed it.

Really, all of my co-workers. Everyone in the office knows how important this pitch was and really rallied to help me stay sunny throughout the process. Whether it was Jon sending musical inspirations for the day to help keep me from going postal (his best is below), or Sarah making sure we bike, pilates and zumba on a Saturday morning, I realized how blessed I truly am. And how I wouldn’t trade this place for anything (except maybe a TV show, movie and book deal, but they’d have to be rolled into all three).

And funny that this realization of how amazing my co-werkers truly are just so happens to land on my one-year anniversary with the company. This is officially, the longest place I’ve worked since the Dole Center back in Kansas (glory days).

I only hope everyone has the kind of support system I have here. Because it’s more than just being a team player. It’s that “Bud Light Fairy” who leaves you a brew when you go for a bathroom break at 9:30 at night. It’s those inside jokes you make when trapped in a room at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday when all you do is stare at the deck and laugh. That’s the best kind of support system. The green and orange walls are my Sunrise on Avenue C.

Beware, Mother-Daughter Date Night

Mom crushes on George Clooney. I crush on Ryan Gosling. And now, the two came together for a movie. And here’s the thing, it’s a movie that looks fantastic. Like Michael Clayton meets Fracture meets State of Play.

Clearly we’ve got a movie date on our hands this October. Trailer below for Ides of March.