I just don't know.

Apologies. Not so much to you, because you probably don't give a damn. Apologies to myself. For not keeping up with this damned blog. Like most journals and diaries of my past, I have slacked and neglected.

Here's the problem:

Every time I think of something I want to write about, I end up asking myself, "Is this truly blog worthy?" But why? I invented this thing, and it can live or die by my hand. Maybe I don't want to limit this blog to movies. For example, I enjoyed writing that last post, which was only peripherally related to a movie-review. Maybe I should just make this blog a review of... whatever? It might be more interesting. And I might have more interest in keeping it maintained. Sure, I will still have insecurities. Am I interesting? Am I saying anything original? Who cares? What's the point? When am I going to do laundry?

I'm all over the place on this one. Bottom line: I need some inspiration. Since my last entry earlier this month, I've watched Kinsey, Born into Brothels, Ordinary People, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Rachel Getting Married, and Jesus Camp. You will notice that I haven't reviewed any of these films and frankly, I don't intend to review them. I am rebelling against my own system! (Foiled again!) But why!? Kinsey made me shrug. Born Into Brothels was sad but I forgot it 20 minutes later. Ordinary People is way dated in every way possible... and not in a great sense. Cuckoo's Nest had me watching the clock. Rachel impressed me, but my critique ended there. And Jesus Camp.... well let's just say I almost vomited. And that was about the strongest reaction I had to any of the above.

Yesterday my mailbox surprised me with Kramer vs. Kramer, the next film on my agenda. And, though I've had over a day to take it in, I have stalled. I think I need to give myself permission to just go wherever this thing takes me. It's like wandering around in a city I hardly know... I have sort of an idea of what I'd like to see, but if I don't get there, I'll probably still enjoy myself. I hope....

In closing, a picture of the #1 Victorian Novel you should avoid this year. Or ever...

Ralph Fiennes vs. Liam Neeson

Ok, this is not a review of anything. I just have to put this out there.

I have this problem. I thought by acknowledging it and talking about it with other people, maybe it would resolve itself. I thought I could laugh it off. I thought this would heal itself. But no. As time goes on, it just worse and worse. And I don't know what to do.

I cannot tell the difference between Ralph Fiennes and Liam Neeson. Seriously. It's like, I know they're two separate people, and I can recognize that, side by side, they look different. But when I'm looking at just one of them, I literally cannot imagine the other one. When I saw The Reader a few weeks ago, I spent the whole movie thinking how impressed I was with Liam Neeson's performance, only to realize DURING THE CREDITS that the whole time, it was definitely Ralph Fiennes. Please consider this comparison: black and white photographs including nondescript hand gestures.
















Am I right or am I right? I mean, seriously.

So, after The Reader incident, I really focused on learning the difference between these people. Then I ended up 'flixing Kinsey (which I am yet to write a review of, basically because I feel uninspired). On the box, of course it has Liam Neeson's name printed in big letters. And during the opening credits, once again, "Liam Neeson." Alas, without fail, 45 minutes into the movie my mind wanders a little and I realize that I've been thinking, "Wow, this role is so different than The Reader. That's pretty impressive, Ralph Fiennes." Umm.... what is wrong with me? Example #2 for comparison: color photo with similar dramatic intensity.
















To make matters worse, I sometimes also mix Colin Firth into this equation. This rarer problem, objectively, makes less sense - I recognize this. But for whatever reason I just can't figure it out. Then complicate the whole thing with crazy make-up and special effects... I am just a lost cause.


Yeah... no chance. I have no idea who any of these people are.