now that mitchell has set up instant netflix in our bedroom we're doing more cozy together. my friend recommended "la mission" starring benjamin bratt, written and directed by his brother...these guys were raised in the mission district of san francisco, and the movie takes place in my old neighborhood. the film is an homage to where and how they were raised...
there's one scene that was so beautiful it has become one of my top favorites...the lowriders were driving "low and slow" in their friday night parade. the song "stop, look, listen to your heart" by the stylistics was playing (i forgot how much i love that song)...no words were needed...a very sweet piece of film art...
and then there is the hollywood blockbuster "bridesmaids"... i'm not usually big on the biggest movies, but there were so many good reviews, men falling off their chairs, and thumbs up, that i couldn't wait to see it...i love me some good laughs...sorry to say, in my opinion, it was pretty awful...as usual, every stereotype was in full play, there was a big vomit scene (which is all the rage these days)...and stupid stupid jokes across the board that i could see coming a mile away...there was a story in there, a love and friendship story, and a few honest chuckles, but overall it was pathetic...just my two cents...i also hated "the hangover", which i guess is the male version of bridesmaids, or visa versa...and one of the biggest hits of all time...
once, at jim carrey's house, i met judd apatow, the executive producer of bridesmaids...at the time he wasn't famous, but he was the main writer for "freaks and geeks". i told him that it was one of my favorite shows on television. he told me how hard it was to get good scripts made into television shows and movies...and now, 10 years later, he's one of the biggest shots in hollywood...no more "freaks and geeks" coming from him.
oh, but there is a good documentary, "to die in oregon"...if you gotta go, oregon is a pretty good state to go in...people with terminal illnesses have the right to die with dignity...that includes the compassionate and legalized medicine to help them go. the film followed a number of people through their transitions. one woman was the same age as i am and of course i related. she had outlived her prognosis. she had that medicine in her room, and felt the security of knowing it was there.
things she said about having a terminal illness rang so true to me. the way she prepared for going, gave away her jewelry, and did the stuff you do when you think you're about to leave... and then, she didn't die and was faced with a whole other dilemna - what to do with the rest of her life (i so get that)...it's not like she was going to look for a job or anything, so it was about making her way day by day...
eventually, her cancer progressed and it hurt too much. she, her doctor, and her family planned the day and time of her death. everyone was there...they were singing and saying "i love you" and then she drank the bitter drink that helped her leave her body... but she wasn't bitter...her leaving was sweet...right before she went to sleep she said something that another person in the film said right before he died, "this was easy"...they were grateful for the ease in the transition...i wish california and the rest of the united states would be as compassionate as oregon...
besides the fact that i'm doing far more watching than doing, i'm sort of okay these days. cancer is weird because there seems to be no rhyme or reason for when things hurt or when they don't...but today is good. thanks everyone for asking, caring, writing, calling...it's an interesting process, this life...and i'm still glad to be here...
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