New Yankee Stadium

Really nice, but sort of impersonal.

-- Posted From My iPodPhone

(500) Days of Summer & the Birth of a Film Genre

Well, birth might be a strong term, but I'm officially "naming" a genre of films that, to this point, has seemingly been un-categorized. A movie genre bris/baptism, if you will.

My girlfriend and I went to see "(500) Days of Summer" last weekend.

We both thoroughly enjoyed it for a mixture of reasons. Good acting, awesome music, clever time-bending narrative, a bashing of the greeting-card industry, Zooey Deschanel's eyes, a friendly take on the unfriendly downtown LA, Zooey Deschanel's name, etc.

We exited the theatre, rehashing our favorite parts of the film. She mentioned that she really appreciated that the film was told, pretty honestly, from the male point of view; something atypical of a romance/date movie. Thinking about it, I replied, "yeah, sort of like Almost Famous." When she gave me a blank stare, I explained:

The movie shows how guys are typically uncomfortable expressing emotions, except in big swings or when it's too late. We typically listen to music that will exactly complement (ie exacerbate) whatever mood we are in. We are most attracted to females that we can have or can't figure out, but who show a slight interest in us and some common interests. We talk to our guy friends about all the goings on in our personal lives, just in a less emotionally open and honest way (ie, we joke...a lot). When the time comes for us to do the hard things/make the hard decisions, we can...just sometimes with it takes some prodding. At the end, we may or may not get the girl, but we generally come away feeling like we'll be ok. When we're really lucky, there's another one out there.

I jokingly said that there should be a specific genre/name for these type of movies. With the Apatow crew having mastered the "Bromance," I came up with "RoMENce movies."

Must have a male main character who is likable, but fully capable of being an ass. Not an asshole. There is a distinction. An ass could worry that his new girlfriend isn't as interested in him as he is in her and maybe say some stupid things. An asshole would sleep with her best friend.

Movie must be about/contain/have a soundtrack with ridiculously awesome music. It can be from that era, a previous era or a mix. The music should not only be of high quality, but it must be finely tuned to the tone of the scenes in which they appear and the overall movie. This is much harder than you think. It's really easy to be too obvious here.

There can't be too much deus ex machina unless it fits into the story line. This also means that boy doesn't always get girl. Guys can't relate to a romantic movie that always has a perfectly happy ending. The ending can be happy, just not too happy.

Generally, the female love interest should be attractive, but not too attractive. I know this is splitting hairs considering we are talking about Hollywood actresses, but hear me out. While guys may sit around talking about which actress/supermodel/athlete is so incredibly attractive, dating that kind of person is sort of like dating an alien (unless you are also an alien/Brad Pitt). Normal guys are looking for a female they are attracted to that is also "attainable." If we are going to sit in a movie theater and relate to a relationship on screen, it can't be between Martin Starr and Bar Refaeli because the writers thought it would be clever to have them meet on J-Date.

The movie must make you think. And it can't just be, "This movie is so right, all guys are insensitive pricks who only want to get laid," or "why doesn't he see who she really is behind those glasses," or "if guys were only more like women wanted them to be, they wouldn't screw up all the time." This is true for both males and females in the audience.

Other Notable "RoMENce" movies:

Almost Famous - As mentioned, this might be the movie that defined the genre (if it's a modern phenomenon. William Miller (aka Cameron Crowe on film), aptly played by Patrick Fugit, loves music, loves a girl, loves a band whose lead guitar player is also in love with the girl. He's conflicted and confused by his love for these things and his desire to write about them honestly. He's voice of sanity is an insane music writer (my favorite Philip Seymour Hoffman performance). He goes on the road, exploring all of these relationships, with his story (and his actual experiences) narrated by a rich mix of music of the era: Elton John, The Beach Boys, The Who, Simon and Garfunkel, Led Zeppelin and Rod Stewart. The music mixes well together in the film and the film doesn't work without the mix of music. Every male who sees the movie can empathize with William's heartache, earnestness and desire to score Goldie Hawn's daughter. Credit to Frances McDormand for playing every Jewish mother ever without actually playing a Jewish lady.

High Fidelity - This one is sort of a cheat, because it was based on the terrific book by Nick Hornby. The book, set in England, hits all the notes perfectly: music to match emotional moods (doesn't every guy sulk with sulky, emotional British pop?), never feeling quite satisfied that everyone in a relationship is just as perfect as it could/should/might be, never feeling like you have any control of the relationship and, most common, overthinking all of the possible things that your girlfriend/wife/significant other might be thinking/doing/enjoying after you have a fight? I think Cusack (who originally optioned the book rights) and Director Stephen Frears did a really job staying true to the "RoMENce" aspect of the book while translating it for American audiences. They left certain music the same and made some appropriate changes to help make it more relatable to American audiences. The story is told entirely from the point of view of Rob Gordon (Cusack), a record store owner who is just trying not to get in the way of his own happiness. He's honest about things that are his fault, both before and after the fact (we often know when we are being idiots...well, sometimes). Watching this, I cringe at the awkward scenes/interactions, not just because they are awkward, but because I can specifically remember doing similarly awkward things. Special props to Tim Robbins for his role as "Ray" the upstairs neighbor and potential love interest for Rob's ex/current/on-again/off-again girlfriend.

What are your thoughts? Other movies that fit into my new genre? I totally forgot "Garden State!" I feel like you could make the argument for some classics (Casablanca?). Also, I would argue that John Cusack went from the star of the "RoMENce" era (Classic Cusack Trio: "The Sure Thing," "Better Off Dead," and "One Crazy Summer") to a regular RomCom whipping boy (Not-Classic Cusack Trio: "America's Sweethears," "Serendipity" and "Must Love Dogs") overnight. Who might take his place?

What Does Chicago Say & Some Chicago Music

I've had a number of conversations in the past year about my new home - the city of Chicago - and the Midwest in general. Having already lived in Boston & Los Angeles, and spent a good deal of time abroad, I feel like I have experienced more cities than the average person and therefore feel qualified to discuss city living.

When I arrived in Chicago last August, I loved it. It's big and clean; you can find great houses and apartments at reasonable cost; it's relatively inexpensive & very "live-able;" people are friendly and generally peaceful (unlike, say, many Bostonians); there is unbelievable live music and great food; and it's full of solid bars with people drink like there's no tomorrow (this, I would contend, is a good thing when combined with the general peacefulness). Aside from the absolutely mind/body/soul-crushing weather for like 8 months of the year, it has everything you could ever want in a city. It's even easier to get to most places around the country from here than any other major city. A lot to like.

But Chicago lacks a certain "something" that neither I nor the few people with whom I had spoken about this could put our fingers on. Was it a Midwestern lack of "worldliness?" Maybe. The missing intellectualism of a Berkeley or Cambridge? Possibly, but it's hard to argue that with the University of Chicago and Northwestern around. Is it a sarcastic edge that adds character (to put it charitably) to people from the Northeast? Likely, but that can't be the whole story.

In my many searches through the vast expanse of crap - and I mean the good & the bad - on the internet, I came across the website of Paul Graham, a Computer Science professor, essayist and artist who is one of the partners at Y Combinator. His essay called "Cities & Ambition" suggests that cities "say" something about themselves and their inhabitants. A highly recommended read...as are a number of his essays.

For instance, he says that Cambridge says "you should be smarter." NYC says "you should be more successful/wealthy." The Bay Area says "you should live better." Silicon Valley says "you should be more powerful."

Whether or not you agree with exactly what Graham suggests for each city, he's on to something interesting here. I have been trying the past few days to think about what Chicago says. I have no definitive answers, but I think something along the lines of "you should live contentedly" might get at it. There's a simplicity implied in being content that is very much present here. That's not meant as any kind of slight: as anyone who knows me knows, I'm all about maximizing my personal happiness. But that covers the music, food, heavy drinking and friendliness with just a touch of "high culture" that really define the city.

So I'm curious, fair reader, as to what you think Chicago - or any other city - has to say.

And just for suffering though my lengthy diatribe, I'll throw you a semi-related bone: music from a favorite Chicago musician. Devin Davis's album "Lonely People of the World, Unite!" came out about 4 years ago and remains in steady rotation on my iPod. It's all completely self-produced and recorded (minus one or two instruments on a few songs) and it is, frankly, a masterpiece of simple, heartfelt, straightforward pop/rock. His influences are quite apparent throughout the album (name checking off the major classic rock bands & artists is easy to do as you listen), and I will likely go into much greater detail on him and the album at some other point, but for now, enjoy a sampling...

Devin Davis - Turtle & the Flightless Bird

Harry's At It Again

Could Reid’s timing be any worse?  Even if he knows he can’t get a vote until after the August recess, did he have to step on Obama’s toes by announcing this in the immediate aftermath of last night’s press conference when BHO took such a forceful position on the timing issue?  Geez, wait until the Friday afternoon news dump and don’t embarrass your own President.

MMJ & Eddie Vedder Cover The Band

Since I'm going to be either referencing or virtually fellating The Band throughout many of my posts, I figured it would probably be a good idea to introduce you to some of their music. I'll try not to get overly obsessive about them in particular (but they're just SO damn good), and I will never post "The Weight" - other than to maybe discuss its relevance as one of the greatest songs ever written and performed - and wherever possible I'll post some other bands covering their stuff. Just to mix it up. No one likes a one-trick blogger/fanboy.

Killing two birds with one stone, I'm posting My Morning Jacket - my favorite band of the past 6-7 years - covering one of my favorite Band songs, "It Makes No Difference," with Eddie Vedder on guest vocals.

MMJ & Eddie Vedder - It Makes No Difference (live)

The song is completely soul-crushing, but absolutely beautiful, and a fantastic companion for post-breakup self-loathing (err, so I'm told). This recording, which hopefully comes across alright via the interwebs, also demonstrates one of the reasons why MMJ is so awesome: not only is its original music epic and its live show incredible, but they also cover a bunch of songs from some of my favorite bands (a live version of Jim James and company covering The Rolling Stones' "Loving Cup" will absolutely make an appearance sometime soon). For those interested, this song and a whole boatload of The Band covers can be found on the CD, "Endless Highway: The Music of The Band."