All Consuming : Melissa Axel

Mixed Kiss (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 22:18:48 GMT

by Tony Goldwyn

I had mixed feelings about this movie, even though all along I felt it was an important film to be made (and yes, I’m in that just-turned-thirty target market). I agree with a few viewers that there was a predictability about it that I really wasn’t expecting, given what I’d read on The Last Kiss website and what lead actor Zach Braff has shared on his blog.

“No Hollywood BS” has been shouted from the rooftops by everybody getting geared up for this film, and I was very excited, too… but for some reason in the actual movie, the humanity of this scenario just kept phasing in and out for me. Some of the moments that make reference to sexuality just weren’t fully human to me… and so, very early on I had the notion that “Hollywood” had not been fully ousted at all – that they would work their clichés and sexual lures in somehow, no matter the good intentions of the film and its creative team. This may be sounding prudish here, but purity is not my point: raw, genuine passion is my point. I felt that rawness much more distinctly in the scene when Jenna’s mother spoke to her former lover in the park than in any scene involving a supposedly romantic or sexually thrilling encounter.

As far as Michael’s revelation that, through this mistake, he has realized that what he truly wants is to spend his life with the now-crushed Jenna [realistically and well played by Jacinda Barrett]... I wanted to see that epiphany take place, hit him like a ton of bricks, what-have-you. Not just, “I got caught and it’s clear that I was an idiot and each new consequence or uncomfortable moment makes me want this all to be over and go back to the way it was even more.” I think this is more of a structural/composition issue than a flaw in Braff’s acting abilities (kind of makes you wonder how this film would have turned out had he been the one adapting and directing the script from the Italian film it was based on). The stuck-on-the-porch concept was compelling… but we do have to wonder: what finally makes the difference in asking for and receiving forgiveness? It’s interesting that the actual topic of forgiveness wasn’t really discussed in the film, maybe only subtly alluded to. If only that subtlety was allocated to some of these other in-your-face elements and the head-on addressing was reserved for the true heart of the story…

I guess the bottom line for me was that, in some moments, I felt the truth of certain characters, and in others, they just became caricatures to me. Obviously certain actors are better with this type of material than others, and the veterans playing Jenna’s parents [Tom Wilkinson and Blythe Danner] made that clear on-screen. Kim’s character [played by Rachel Bilson] is admittedly a tough one, but I expected something else, something more real (still basing this on the movie’s website information – see “About the Film” in the menu bottom right). Again, I wonder if it had anything at all to do with her potential as an actor – seems just as likely there was some inexplicable indecision behind the way her character was written: “am I the philosophical young college student who feels I might connect more with an older guy who thinks and feels than students my own age, or am I just stereotypical alternately-seductive-and-needily-naïve party girl stealing the boy who seems ready to leave his ‘boring girlfriend’ (pregnancy unbeknownst, of course)?” We were also lightly following the involvements of so many characters that it was tough to see the real arc of any of them. Broad strokes mostly, though some of the details given in Jenna’s interactions with Michael [played by Braff] at home were quite realistic and humorous. Still, I wanted to see their own passion arise from their fear somehow, rather than focus on the scenario of the one girl being “the perfect girl to marry” and the other shown as “the perfect girl to…” well, you know. ;-)

I recognize that The Last Kiss’s content alone is enough to give people mixed feelings about the film, but in general, I wanted more. Or less. More or less. ;-) But I am glad the door to this discussion has been opened in a different way than say Indecent Proposal (eh) or Unfaithful maybe tried to do (not really sure what they were trying to do with the latter, actually). Now I’m very curious to see the original L’Ultimo Baccio. In reality (a.k.a. “real life”, though the lines are blurring more every day), the struggle being addressed in this film is quite often not so simple… cheating is more often a symptom of other internal conflicts (and sometimes conflicts in the relationship too, of course, but not always), and the person with whom an already-involved person develops an external connection with – however fleeting – is often not some random “hot chick” that was there at the right/wrong place at the right/wrong time. We briefly saw this angle in the situation of Jenna’s mother [Danner], which thankfully added another, albeit difficult, perspective to consider. It would be amazing if more films recognized that the internal conflicts driving human emotion and behavior will always be more moving than the superficial events and circumstances that make it into a big-screen “story.”

On an entirely separate note, while Zach had nothing to do with the writing or direction of this film, the soundtrack he put together for it is top notch and brings to light the emotional, pensive atmosphere that seemed to be the essence of making this film for all of the cast members. Since many of them were listening to much of this music while filming, that makes total sense – and when I think of the truly poignant moments of The Last Kiss (of which there were many, don’t misunderstand my overall reaction based on the points I chose to address above), they do mean more to me in the context of this music (as our own lives often take on more meaning in retrospect when paired with their own personal soundtracks). In any case, it’s wonderful to have someone in the public spotlight doing good for independent and emerging musical artists.

Why I recommend "crab cakes"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:08:22 GMT

crab cakes

The best crab cakes ever are the real lump crab meat ones made fresh at Legal Seafoods (you’ll also find them in other states like Massachusetts, etc. if you do a search). I highly recommend them. Fake crab cakes are so bad, so don’t let those color your opinion. You’ve haven’t had them ‘til you’ve had them at Legal!

YUM! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 07:34:01 GMT

Bubble Tea

by Bubble Tea Supply

Passion fruit snow bubble (with boba) at Lollicup in Denver… delish.

A question I have about "Saturday Night Fever: The Original Movie Sound Track"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 01:44:00 GMT

Saturday Night Fever: The Original Movie Sound Track

by Kool & The Gang

ummm, didn’t the BeeGees do most of this record? looks like Kool & the Gang only contributed one song…

A question I have about "JELL-O"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Wed, 22 Mar 2006 04:41:45 GMT

JELL-O

by Kraft Foods

Does anyone else think it’s weird that JELLO is made by boiling animal parts? I know a lot of people eat meats and cook with the bones and all, but, yeesh! At least it can be made with a vegetarian alternative, which brings me to the important question: when is JELLO not JELLO? When it’s agar. ;-)

5 ++++ stars! (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 23:55:10 GMT

How Can I Get Through to You? Closing the Intimacy Gap Between Men and Women

by Terrence Real

This is perhaps THE single most brilliant book I have read in I don’t know how long! It just rocked me to the core, especially hearing bits of what people suddenly remember from their youth and how it affects how they do or don’t connect with others as adults. I noticed that the YOU in the title is highlighted, which is kind of interesting, since when people say this sort of trite phrase, they seem to stress the “through” more, like “how can I get THROUGH to you, for #$%@’s sake?” But stressing YOU makes me think it’s like “how can I safely reach the REAL YOU” or something. Anyway, this is down-to-earth writing by a very knowledgeable and spiritually-aware expert psychologist who has done his homework on the modern psyches of both men and women and takes a really accessible sort of evolutionary approach to everyday connection. He’s also at times funny and poetic, sometimes both – makes for an enjoyable read as well as a potent presentation of piercing evolutionary human theory.

Why it's taking me forever to finish consuming "Troy (Two-Disc Special Edition)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 23:38:04 GMT

Troy (Two-Disc Special Edition)

by Wolfgang Petersen

Ok, so right before I started dating the cutie, this guy whom I had met through an acquaintance called and asked to hang out like a week after we met… on Thanksgiving night. Stuffed after my meal, I reluctantly agreed to watch a movie, but we had missed all of them by the time we finished playing text-tag, so once we finally starting talking on the phone he told me all the movies he had on DVD. Already I was suspicous of anybody coming over to watch a DVD as a “first date-ish” activity (see footnote), but I was not feeling so hot after whatever I ate, so I thought, “why not stay in?” Troy was the only movie in his long list of DVD possessions that was even remotely tolerable to me, and I hadn’t seen it yet, so over he came with it. Little did I know it was a three hour movie...

Of course, he made the move to get close to me once it started, and, in the funky mood I was in, I was like, did you come over here to watch the movie or not watch the movie?!? A little humorous banter ensued, but then he seemed to be all offended and wanted to turn my joking accusation around on me, ending with, “let’s just watch the movie.” And we did, in silence, for an hour and a half. One of those early communication fkups that you just can’t fix, el disconnecto.

So, after disc one, he announced that this movie was 3 hours long and he had to get up early the next day, so we’ll have to finish watching it another time. He then asked me if I could get disc 1 back out of the DVD player for him and went on his merry way. Needless to say, not an impressive whatever-it-was, though I felt a little bad for sarcastifying him right off the bat. He probably did have evil intentions though… later, when I told the friend what happened, I found out he was a total pot-head game player! And I don’t mean Xbox.

A near escape if you ask me, as I wasn’t looking for anything of the sort. Meanwhile, the movie was your typical overly dramatic blockbuster epic extravaganza… I don’t know how else to really do that story I guess, and neither does Hollywood, but it had some redeeming qualities that I can’t remember aside from really good color and scenic shots. I would like to see disc 2, if just for closure, but I don’t know whether I could sit through disc 1 again in order to do so. ;-)

Footnote: It’s interesting to note that my first datish activity with the cutie involved, you guessed it, me going over to his place to watch a movie he rented. That came about in an entirely different way, as we were randomly talking online and he mentioned he’d just walked in with this movie… and of course, he’s an entirely different guy – as he’ll tell you, nice guys run an entirely different race. Anyway, I trusted him, and rightfully so.

Not all gentlemen prefer blondes, but this redhead definitely prefers gentlemen. You’ll be happy to know (or possibly indifferent to the fact that) we have been having a great time together ever since. =)

Why I recommend "My Lover, Myself: Self-Discovery Through Relationship"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 22:25:46 GMT

My Lover, Myself: Self-Discovery Through Relationship

by David Kantor

About how our own childhood myths about love and our roles affect us throughout life until we decode them and embrace the mythology of our personal identity through which we relate to others… Amazing book.

Why I gave up consuming "Dave Chappelle's Block Party"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Thu, 02 Mar 2006 04:25:43 GMT

Dave Chappelle's Block Party

So… tonight I had not one, not two, but 10 free admissions to the screening of this movie in South Florida, courtesy of my radio show job at Radio X 88.5 FM. Little did I realize, so did everybody else and their uncle... so, when I foolishly arrive at my standard barely-on-time 7:30pm, there are (of course) zero seats left.

On the car ride back home, two separate people make the lovely point of telling me that you always have to go an hour early to film screenings, of f@#%ing course! May I brighten these two precious souls with this glaring observation: this is information that would have been helpful way the hell earlier than this moment you tell me now after the fact.

Looks like Dave Chappelle’s Block Party is coming soon to a DVD player near me.

A question I have about "Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Vista Series)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 10:33:52 GMT

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Vista Series)

by Robert Zemeckis

Why cannot I not stand this movie? I don’t know, but I have never liked it and it makes me crazy even thinking about it.

A story about the last time I consumed "Before Sunset"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 04:05:53 GMT

Before Sunset

by Richard Linklater

Another second-round viewing for this film as well as its predecessor... first viewing was on the big screen – by myself – which I thoroughly enjoyed, though I bawled at the end. Hopefully that doesn’t give anything away. ;-)

On this last viewing, just a few days after re-watching the aforementioned predecessor, I truly savored it, especially since I got to see it with two dear ones who were viewing both films for the first time. “Just in time…” as Nina Simone would sing. =)

A story about the last time I consumed "Before Sunrise"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Fri, 24 Feb 2006 03:47:23 GMT

Before Sunrise

by Richard Linklater

I watched this movie for the second time last month, many years after it first came out, and enjoyed it even more this time than I did upon first viewing. Maybe it’s because I’m in that nearly-thiry age range and the connection between this one and its follow-up 9 years later (in “real life” as well as in the film) seems that much more poignant when viewed from the threshold of “adult life”... or maybe it’s just one of those films that I’ll always enjoy. Whatever the case, it’s a thinker but also a funny little charmer – definitely my kind of film.

A story about the last time I consumed "Edamame"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Thu, 19 Jan 2006 07:11:06 GMT

Edamame

another round, this time ensconced in a light coating of sweetish soy sauce… delish new preparation, same edamame soy joy.

A story about "Diet Coke"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 05:37:23 GMT

Diet Coke

by Coca-Cola

YUCK.

A question I have about "Coca-Cola Classic"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Fri, 06 Jan 2006 16:00:46 GMT

Coca-Cola Classic

by Coca-Cola

Why not kick the addiction? or at least be open to other ideas… ;-)

A story about the last time I consumed "Edamame"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 22:06:41 GMT

Edamame

Just discovered that the pretty-good sushi-thai restaurant near my apartment is now the Amazing Sushi-Thai Restaurant. Literally, that’s what it’s called now. And it did not disappoint, including the infamous edamame.

Oh man, they’re so good. I just can’t handle how much I love them.

A story about "Sushi"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 23:38:24 GMT

Sushi

So I chose to “Upload a picture of yourself with this item” for sushi, unlike most of my other uploaded pics which are just of the food itself, and lo and behold, now it looks like a fair number of people have consumed… me. Along with a very nice plate of fancy sushi from the most amazing sushi place in the Boston area... yum!

A story about "Water"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Sat, 24 Dec 2005 23:31:08 GMT

Water

by Universe

I think the glass in water’s picture is the same as the glasses I have right here in my apartment! Imagine that.

How "Sideways (Widescreen Edition)" changed my life

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 02:51:55 GMT

Sideways (Widescreen Edition)

by Alexander Payne

It didn’t.

A story about the last time I consumed "Edamame"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 21:45:26 GMT

Edamame

had ‘em again at Lauren’s bday on Saturday. Can’t get ever enough edamame!

A review of "The Blue Day Book"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Melissa Axel) — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 21:24:58 GMT

The Blue Day Book

by Bradley Trevor Greive

Cute and funny… aminals!!! Clever looking pictures of them, with clever captions (not as cheesy as it sounds). =)