Monday, December 27, 2004
A 9.0 quake in Indonesia. That's the most powerful earthquake to have occurred on Earth in my lifetime. It is a horrendous thing, yes, and the loss of life is staggering, but I cannot but be amazed at the force of such a phenomenon. There was enough energy released during this quake to move the island of Sumatra 100 feet SW. Tsunamis crossed the breadth of the Indian Ocean and reached as far west as Somalia.
Yesterday, the weather here was slightly warmer and the clouds had blown away south. I discovered that The Aviator was playing at the Plaza, an old theatre entirely lacking in the loathsomeness of multiplexes. So, we went to a 2:30 showing. The film is gorgeous and wonderful. Some critics are calling it Scorsese's best since Good Fellas, though I, personally, thought Gangs of New York was at least as accomplished as Good Fellas. Cate Blanchett deserves an Oscar-nomination for her role as Katharine Hepburn. After ten minutes or so, the fact that she didn't look that much like Hepburn became utterly irrelevant, she nailed the part so perfectly. And I think DiCaprio can at last be forgiven his part in such messes as Romeo + Juliet and Titanic. The cinematography is truly brilliant, and the aerial sequences are breathtaking. And the audience during the screening we attended was perfect. Not a single inappropriate giggle or comment was overheard. I can only imagine the nightmare this film could quickly become with a typical mall or suburban googleplex audience. Anyway, I urge you to see The Aviator. It might be the best of the year.
Today I must, must, must get back to work on Chapter One. Enough foolishness.
1:24 PM
Comments:
Post a Comment
