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| Oscar Isaac in The Card Counter |
Went to a movie theater for the first time in twenty months on Monday. Unlike all previous visits to the cinema, I had to show proof of vaccination and an ID. Also, I had to wear a mask. I didn’t mind.
I was one of only two people viewing the 4:05 showing of The Card Counter. As much as I love watching films in the comfort of my home, it was delightful to be in theater again, indeed it was like I’d never been away.
First, of course, there was an assault of commercials, the first cleverly disguised to initially appear to be a trailer. I tuned out the ads, I’ll never accept or get used to seeing them before a film. Then came the previews. I like previews, except for when there are several dozen of them before the feature. My favorite on Monday was for Wes Anderson’s latest, The French Dispatch, which opens later this month. Can’t wait.
I was really looking forward to The Card Counter. I loved Paul Schrader’s previous directorial effort, First Reformed (2017), an absolutely brilliant film. I admired the Card Counter, which features Oscar Isaac as William Tell, a professional card player who’d done a stint in prison for his role in torturing prisoners in Abu Ghraib. He is now repentant and takes under his wing a young man whose father was also guilty of abusing prisoners in the same prison and took his own life in response to being thrown under the bus. The young man wants revenge against the unprosecuted civilian who was the real mastermind and leader of the torture practices. Meanwhile William has an affair with La Linda (Tiffany Haddish) who is William’s link to his rich sponsors on the pro poker circuit.
Card Counter is unrelentingly dark but compelling. It is film that explores a number of themes and is a great character study. As one would expect from Schrader (he was also the screenwriter of Taxi Driver) it avoids cliches or easy answers to the complex issues it presents. It is an exploration of, among other things, the empty sadness of the casino going experience and professional poker. I wasn’t totally satisfied with its climax but I don’t think the ending went against the film’s flow.
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Tuesday evening I had my first book chat for my second novel, Threat of Night. It was via Zoom, a format I’m not totally comfortable but it went swimmingly nonetheless. I read an excerpt from the book and then fielded questions. Here I was in my element as it was very much like being a teacher. My wife, sister-in-law, a niece and a nephew all watched and all said I did an excellent job, which pleased me greatly. One reason for my “success” was that I know the subject matter so well (hell, I wrote the damn thing) and love talking about it. When a book absorbs so much of your time, you end up having a lot to say about it. I know all the characters intimately, including their backstories, how they met one another and in many cases, their exact addresses. They come alive for me when I talk about them and their stories. Have you checked out my book yet? You really should.
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I saw the following tweet this morning: “What old classic movies like #TopGun can I watch now? I’m in the mood!” Excuse my language but, oh my God, seriously? Top Gun is considered a “classic?” One wonders whether it would be preferable to laugh or cry. And the responses blew what little remained of my mind. Here are some tweeters suggestions: Hot Shots, An Officer and a Gentlemen, Cocktail, The Game, Goonies, The Hunt for Red October, Big Trouble in Little China, Weird Science, Dumb and Dumber, Ghost, The Firm and Turner and Hooch.
Turner and Hooch? A Classic? The mind boggles, it reels, it sways, it rumbas, it goes into full spin cycle.
I’m singling out Turner and Hooch, but literally anyone of the above-mentioned films is a good example of not a classic film.
Call me old-fashioned, or just old (the latter certainly applies) but aren’t classic films supposed to be from the twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties and maybe the seventies? And isn’t a classic film supposed to be good? I mean really, really good and widely acknowledged to be. Shouldn't it be revered by cinephiles and casual film watchers alike? Actually, beyond really good, shouldn't it, dare I say it, be a recognized classic? Here are a few examples of classic film: Gold Rush, The Seventh Seal, Citizen Kane, The Big Sleep, On the Waterfront, Seven Samurai, Grand Illusion, Bonnie and Clyde, 2001, Chinatown, The Godfather.
Turner and Hooch? Just wow.
What world are we living in where people call films like Top Gun and The Firm as classics? Need we start having mandatory film appreciation classes taught in public schools, yearly, perhaps starting in middle school?
Come on, now, Turner and Hooch? Was someone having a laugh? Jesus.
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Tomorrow will be my 36th and last day of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) treatment. I’m elated to report that I’ve not suffered any depression in several weeks and my overall mood is much improved. A tremendous weight has been lifted from me for depression feels like a tremendous weight. I may yet suffer some depression in the future and may indeed have to go back for further treatment, but we know that TMS works for me. I’m beyond grateful to the good people at Bay Psychiatric Associates. If you’re suffering from depression talk to your health care provider and find out if TMS might work for you too. This is not an ad it is a sincere thank you.
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