Miscellany

{anything goes}

Les Choristes (2004)

Rating: PG-13 (language, sexual reference, violence)

Genre: Drama

Language: French – English subtitles

The gist: Set in 1948, Les Choristes is the story of Clément Mathieu (Gérard Jugnot), a composer who has all but given up on his music. He accepts a Supervisory position at Fond de l’ Etang (“Bottom of the Well”) – a boarding school for orphans and problematic boys. Despite the fact that the school is administered by the cruel Rachin (François Berléand), problems abound. In an attempt to keep the boys from trouble, Monsieur Clément begins to teach them music. Along the way he discovers the musical ability of the rebel Pierre Morhange (Jean-Baptiste Maunier), the charm of Pierre’s single mother, Violette (Marie Bunel), and the unwavering hope of young Pépinot (Maxence Perrin) – the orphan boy who waits near the gate, every Saturday, for his father’s return. Though not as he might have envisioned, Clement’s brief stint at Fond de l’ Etang will change everyone’s life forever.

My take: Les Choristes is a charming look at a few of the forgotten ones, following WWII. Directed by Christophe Barratier, the story generates laughter one minute, tears the next. Subtle themes speak of the need to feel connected, the importance of a father figure. The boys do their own singing – and their voices are angelic. While all the actors perform well, Gérard Jugnot deserves extra kudos. His portrayal of the kind-hearted Clément Mathieu creates a character both easy to believe and easy to love. More than anything, however, the film is a simple tribute to the human spirit. For that alone I would recommend this film; the talents of the writers, director, actors and film crew are but added perks.

An aside: Don’t pass over a movie simply because it is not in your native language. Sure, reading subtitles may prove a bit awkward at first, but it will come naturally before you know it. Foreign films offer a glimpse into another culture – not to mention, they open a whole new world of great films.

The infamous 25

25_things

I’ve been tagged so many times my head is spinning.  So this is it.  I’m giving in.  I’m saying yes to the almighty internet meme.  For those of you who could care less, I’ve blabbered on long enough for you to take a hint and head elsewhere.  So without further ado, twenty-five FACINATING facts about me:

1. I’m an introverted extravert – the oddball extravert – whatever you want to call it, but I’m right smack-dab down the middle of the two.

2. I hate to be the center of attention. Hate it, with a capital “H” – as a matter of fact, there’s probably not a strong enough word to describe how I despise …  

3. If my voice carried – at all – I would be on stage.

4. Books make me giddy. Seriously … giddy.

5. I love stories. I love to hear them, watch them, read them, and write them. Before I could write, I would dictate stories, my grandma would pen them and I would illustrate; the first story I wrote myself was called “The Love Sick Frog” – I still have it.

6. I have never had a burning desire to be published. Which at the rate I’m going, is probably a good thing.

7. If I ever do get published: 1) it will be in large part due to the tireless encouragement of my family and friends; and 2) it will be under my pen name, A.J. Ikenberry – which is made up of my first and middle initial (obviously) and my great-grandmother’s maiden name.

8. There just aren’t enough opportunities for me to use my fountain pens and wax seal. Sigh. Pity.

9. My first “boyfriend” was a little towhead named Jesse; we fell in love on the playground in second grade.

10. In third grade, I moved to “the big city” and informed Jesse – over the phone – that we could no longer “go out.” What I didn’t tell him was I was already going out with two other boys. (In my defense, the boys were best friends and they bet one another who I would choose … then handed me the notes at the same time. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t choose one over the other, so I checked “YES” on both. Personally, I think they were secretly relieved because it was a very jovial threesome.)

11. I’ve worked a wide variety of jobs – including one that could be featured on an episode of “dirty jobs.” The things I had to do were definitely not right – but I like to think the work added to my glowing character.

12. If I ever get a tattoo, I’ll have my brother design it and get it on the small of my back. That’s right, a tramp stamp … which is a little ironic.

13. I tend to avoid pain like the plague. Ere go, #12 will probably never happen.

14. Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco, but I left mine in Copenhagen.

15. In elementary school, I once saved my friends from most certain death when I kept two of the-most-vicious-Dobermans-in-the-neighborhood at bay with my violin case – all while humming my own theme song. Okay, I didn’t really hum. But only because I was too busy yelling at my friends for leaving me to die alone.

16. My family keeps me strong. We may not always agree. We may disappoint. We may even occasionally break one’s heart. But we always love each other. And we laugh. A lot. When we get together I can usually count on laughing until I cry.

17. When it’s just the two of us, my mom and I like to make-up dialogues from various encounters throughout the day. It may consist of putting words in someone’s mouth – or maybe it’s something we wish we could have said. Yes, we are hi-larious … thanks for asking …

18. When I was a teenager, I awoke one morning convinced God had told me Hollywood was my calling. It wasn’t the fame, or the fortune, it was just the way it was. I didn’t think it impossible, or crazy – even when my friends and family looked at me as if I was – because God had told me. And that was that.

19. I think it’s sad too often “maturing” means we no longer believe God has grand plans for our lives.

20. Graceful. Wouldn’t that be lovely? But, alas, I’m a klutz of such magnanimous proportions that I’m a danger to myself and others. I actually smacked into a pillar during an interview once. I kid you not. Wrapped my arms around the sucker and everything. Thankfully, it was a non-profit; compassion must have won out because I still managed to get the job.

21. One of my far-off dreams consists of having my own clothing line – vintage inspired, naturally.

22. Despite the fact that my life seems to be made up of lessons-in-patience, I fail miserably on the subject.

23. I cannot imagine life without music. I love all sorts and varieties, from classical to reggae – however, more often than not jazz gets on my last and final nerve.

24. The first two songs I learned to sing were Jesus Loves Me and The Gambler. Really, what more do you need to know in life?

25. My life to date is nothing of what I had envisioned. Yet looking back, there is nothing I would change. All the people I’ve encountered, all the moments that have made up my life – the good, the bad, the ugly – they’ve made me who I am today; and that may be just the person to change a life tomorrow…

Be happy

I know a man on the verge of greatness.  One big break – that’s all it will take – and his dreams will come true. Then he can relax.  Then he can be happy.  And it’s been this way for as long as I can remember.  While he’s been frantically pursuing the “good life” – much of life’s goodness has passed him by. 

Not that he’s alone.  It’s easy to do actually. 

Especially here in the US where the measure of importance often lies with our employment, our title, our education, our net worth, our neighborhood, to whom we’re related, or what family we marry in to.  And so we throw all our energy into these things, fully expecting them to bring us contentment:  when we’ve graduated from high school, undergraduate, graduate school; when we’re married, have kids, when the kids have flown the coop; when we get a cat, dog, horse, or pet lizard; when the cat, dog, horse, or pet lizard are house trained; when we buy a house, when we sell the house; when we get that job, raise, or promotion.  Then we can enjoy the life that has been granted us. 

Yet the more I see, the more I’m convinced we’ve got it all wrong.  We’re backwards and upside down. 

Perhaps the first step in righting our wrongs is to take heed to the words of French poet Apollinaire, “Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” So whoever we are and wherever we may be – be it atop the peak of triump or the valley of despair – may we choose to live the happiness we seek. 

Brush those teeth

I suffered from some sort of sleepy syndrome this past week.  I was exhausted all week long – with nothing to explain for it.  Last night I was so tired I could barely wash off my makeup, let alone work up the energy to brush my teeth.  [collective gasp!, I know]  So I fall into bed and, apparently, into some fairly bizarre dreams. 

Take this one for example …

I was getting ready to go hiking with some friends (that, in itself is just plain weird).  I’m in the restroom – somewhere – getting ready with my good friend Angelina Jolie.  She, of course, is looking gorgeous.  She’s even wearing a dress.  To go hiking.  “Gosh,” I say, eloquent-like, “you look so good!  Maybe I should change my clothes.”  Angelina looks at me with disgust.  “You better at least brush your teeth.” 

Needless to say, I was ruined.  RUINED.  So tonight, no matter how tired I may feel, I will brush my teeth before jumping into bed.  Promise.

Stepford wives

So, I’m meeting a friend at the theatre on Saturday. We watch the movie and on the way out we chat about the Stepford Wives. We agree it’s creepy. We laugh. We part. I come back out to my car and parked next to me is a new Beetle. Now Beetles are usually friendly fellows – they tend to make you smile with just one look. This one, however, gave off an air of sinister. Why would you say such a thing? I will tell you why – because the whole back window was filled with mannequin heads. GASP! It was morbidly disturbing. So I did what any rational person would do – I took a picture. I ever-so-inconspicuously held up my cell phone, looked the other way, snapped the picture, jumped in my car and quickly drove away. Who knows what would have happened if I had stuck around …

Oh, and in case your wondering why said picture is not posted – here’s the thing: I got a new cell phone.  And I can’t figure out how to download.  Pitiful, I know.  Therefore, only close, personal friends get to view the alarming image – the rest of you must rely upon your imagination …