Reviews by Tranquilrain

Tranquilrain says "Barack Obama Makes History + Breaks Down Barriers!" about MSNBC: The 2008 Presidential Election

Tranquilrain — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 09:17:48 GMT

(in praise of Barack Obama)

I've never felt as politically involved or as patriotic as i do tonight. The anticipation felt while watching the states and electorial votes pile up for Barack Obama was so exciting! We started watching at seven pm eastern time thru MSNBC so we would not miss a thing. We watched til after one am eastern time. We watched the crowd and speeches which were so incredibly moving and beautiful.

Even more moving were the people in the crowd [with TEARS in their eyes, crying. Jesse Jackson crying and later at the speech, Oprah crying] at Grant Park in Chicago [a place i am familiar with because i used to live there]. Our friend in chicago, called us briefly from Grant Park to tell us he was there. this made everything even more exciting!
Watching the people as they announced Obama to be the next president of the united states was something to behold and when this was revealed, it was one of the most touching displays in my entire life and both my fiance and I were...

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Tranquilrain says "Compared to What? [off bow down to the exit sign]" about David Holmes

Tranquilrain — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:26:08 GMT

Song relevant to the state of America. Funny how the psychedelic era echoes so much of what we are now faced with today. History DOES indeed repeat itself. This song is passionate and true. I LOVE it. I played this in the car so often, I have lost count. Classic.

Compared to What

by Eugene McDaniels

as performed by Les McCann

1. Love the lie and lie the love
Hangin' on, with a push and shove
Possession is the motivation
that is hangin' up the God-damn nation
Looks like we always end up in a rut (everybody now!)
Tryin' to make it real - compared to what?

2. Slaughterhouse is killin' hogs
Twisted children killin' frogs
Poor dumb rednecks rollin' logs
Tired old ladies kissin' dogs
Hate the human, love that stinking mutt (I can't stand it!)
Try to make it real - compared to what?

3. The President, he's got his war
Folks don't know just what it's for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
We're chicken-feathers, all without one gut (God damn it!)
Tryin' to...

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Tranquilrain says "My Chronicles of 2008's Presidential Election Coverage- Vote Now" about Presidential Election 2008

Tranquilrain — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:01:24 GMT

October 9, 2008: a dirty race- fear mongering indicates SORE loser.

mccain deeply failed at this past tuesday's debate with barack obama. as usual - he threw out jokes and cheap remarks that were hardly even funny or appropriate. he even seemed to insult the moderator tom brokaw. how does someone fall so far below grace and not realize it? i realize that he is perhaps an idiot and a moron but can anyone really be that oblivious or far away from themselves and their actions?

when i watch mccain, whether it be debate or town rally - i am continually reminded of some weird freak side show. his whole campaign is nothing more than a fluke and a sham, full of lies, hypocrisy and contradiction.

critics said that mccain would need to make some 'game-changing' moves in this recent debate in order to take over the lead in the race. but if there was any 'game-changing', it wasn't in front of the cameras rolling, no doubt. instead what i watched was a rather pathetic cringe-worthy performance of...

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Tranquilrain says "Our World is Enlightening- chronicles of 2008 election- pt. 1" about Presidential Election 2008

Tranquilrain — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:43:18 GMT

September 27, 2008: Our World Is Enlightening.

wamu- seized by govt, bought by jp morgan.

that was my bank. quite unsettling although i know everyone says its nothing to worry over.

what is this world heading towards?

really, i shudder to think!

mccain's attempt to POSTPONE + bail-out of debate due to his supposed concern with economy.

McCain Halts Campaign Due to Economy

barack obama vs john mccain debate.

watched it in full. amazed at the inability for mccain to speak without stuttering, shifting, floundering, and waffling with his words, and body movements. was not very convicing and rather pathetic. he also used a sympathy tactic to get voters in regard to veterans and men of military service. this rather turned me off and it was so obvious it was and is a tactic.

the more he brags of his military service and patriotic spirit- the more desperate and pathetic he looks. im tired of him bragging of this and his use of the word 'maverick' on himself when its nothing more than a big fucking...

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Tranquilrain says "Some true gems from 2008-" about Quick list of Films from January- Spring 2008:

Tranquilrain — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:20:15 GMT

Bold Films- like or love a lot.

Normal size font [minus bold or italics]- means film was OK, nothing great.

Italics- HATED it

+++

2008

King of Comedy [Martin Scorsese- hilarious, loved dinero in this and kept repeating lines. this is in my fiance's dvd collection, he is a big fan of this director and he made me watch this. ironically the film and director is also my dad's favorite]

Eagle Vs. Shark [Taika Cohen- disappointing]

Waitress [Adrienne Shelly- bordering on chic flick sappy which i personally do not like. i hate chic flix for most part. this one was interesting tho cos of who the director is and i wrote a review and about her earlier this yr which i will publish in future] Cactus Flower [Gene Saks]

Ben Stiller Show series

Slacker

The Sea Inside [Javier Bardem- too depressing for my taste]

Screaming Masterpieces [Iceland Music Scene doc. feat. Sigur Ros]

No Country for Old Men [Coen Bros. theater]

Away from Her [Sarah Polley]

There Will Be...

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Tranquilrain says "Some Notable + Some Not-So-Notable Film: Pt. One" about Quick List of Film Seen from 2006-2008:

Tranquilrain — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:08:46 GMT

To give readers an idea of the amount of films I watch in a year, here is a quick list of the main films, tv sitcom series, documentaries, indie/foreign film, and ones we go to the theater to see in person- that we have seen since we've been dating and living together. it will include 2006- Spring 2008 most noteable or unnoteable films- I will BOLD the ones i loved and make the ones I HATED as Italicized.

That said the list goes something like this:

2006

Eyes Wide Open

[Kubrick- one of the first films my fiance shared with me when we first began dating in 2006- the kubrick film with nicole kidman and tom cruise was bizarre, eerie and eccentric, well acted and had a great underlying theme of the idea that these people were living in a fantasy/facade world, with their eyes closed, and that they needed to open them and wake up, to see what was right in front of them, and appreciate what they had in real life, to not take what they had for granted and to appreciate life. kind...

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Tranquilrain says "Girl-Interrupted, closer to home than I ever anticipated. " about Girl, Interrupted

Tranquilrain — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:55:25 GMT

[I wrote this a long time ago right after I saw the film on opening day at the theater in chicago. So this was written between 1998 and 1999.]

+Girl, Interrupted+

This is a realistic and powerful drama, one that is filled with darkness, tragedy and realism. I have heard some compare this to a Lifetime movie, and I have to say that I do not agree with this assessment as often tv movies are filled with action, suspense, and exaggeration in order to keep the viewers interest in between commercials...

If you are looking for a drama filled with tension and anticipation, then this is not the film for you, for the realism of the story often makes it feel slow moving as you experience what it must be like to go through something like this...The most amazing thing about Girl,Interrupted is that you know that this is REAL, and that it really did happen, particularly during a time period when little was known about mental illness.

Girl, Interrupted explores the boundaries within "mental illness"...

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Tranquilrain says "Does religion save? This film seemed to suggest so." about Felicia's Journey

Tranquilrain — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 22:29:24 GMT

+Felicia's Journey+

[spoiler alert: if you do not like knowing the main plot or story line or any revealing details, I do not recommend you read this one.]

Last nite, I watched Felicia's Journey, which was directed by the Canadian director Atom Egoyan, who is also known for, The Sweet Hereafter. Like The Sweet Hereafter, this is a dark and somber film that explores loneliness...This film definitely leaves a mark on your brain. It also really takes you into the main character's mind and gives you a perspective of the serial killer's mind.

The story is not fast paced. Rather, it is one of those films which focuses more on the characters and the acting. It is filmed in a way that captures the surroundings and the characters expressions and feelings quite well.

Felicia (Elaine Cassidy) is an Irish girl who goes to England in order to find the boy whom she is in love with. He had promised to write her but never does. So, she travels alone to England in order to find him. It slowly becomes apparent...

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Tranquilrain says "Dysfunction in the heart of Suburbia" about American Beauty

Tranquilrain — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 21:13:01 GMT

+American Beauty+

[ this was originally my first ever attempt at writing a review and for an english writing class i was taken at university level in my jr. yr of college. i was in my late 20's and it was autumn of 1999 when i first wrote this. will share this and a slew of original past reviews i wrote when i first developed a passion for film analysis and reviewing years ago]

This was a strange, yet not surprising movie, as we all know people who aren't really what they seem, especially behind closed doors. The disturbing parts in this movie add to the heaviness and darkness of this movie, but are used as a tool to dramatize and emphasize the main point in the movie, which is that we should take the time to enjoy the little things in life, to " take the time to smell the roses" as they say...

Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) is your typical man in society with a career and family who feels as though there is something missing in his life. When he sees his daughter Jane's(Thora Birch)...

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Tranquilrain says "You Must Remember This" about Away From Her

Tranquilrain — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:40:48 GMT

Being a terribly nostalgic person and one who feels memory is everything. Being a writer and one who loves the preservation of all things in life- I could not even imagine what this is like.

The one who loses all memory and reason, and idenitity must experience a tortorous hell of confusion, fear, confliction, pain while the one who has to witness their partner or lover go through this affliction, suffers incredibly too. It is a very real disease and my heart goes out to those who have people in their lives suffering from alzheimer's.

"Away from Her" was a real eye-opener and I feel like everyone should see this film. It was so profoundly moving - compelling- touching- and yes even beautiful amongst the sadness.

The most inspiring part of the film is the way the husband sacrifices himself for his wife. That was the ultimate gesture of unselfish, unconditional love. By the end, i wanted to cry. This film --- is so poignant.

Away from Her

shows what its like to lose--...

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Tranquilrain says "Power, Corruption, and Lies." about There Will Be Blood

Tranquilrain — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:53:21 GMT

The main character Daniel Plainview (played by daniel day lewis) was a person you rather loathed from start to end and it only got worse as time wore on. He was despicable and he never got any better. It was disturbing that this character didn't move or grow but I felt for this film, it was not necessary. The point of the film was to make people see what happens when you live a life full of greed and excess- not caring for anyone but yourself. Everything was all about gain, a means to an end- for Daniel Plainview.

I think that the importance of the film, of this story is to show how greed/money/power really does corrupt society. it happened back then [the film is set in the old west and in the 1800's and 1900's, based on upton sinclair's novel- OIL!] and i believe it continues to take place in present society in many ways. It is very relevant to our current time.

Daniel Plainview is greedy, selfish, corrupt, and destructive. always wanting more, always lusting for excess....

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Tranquilrain says "You Can't Stop What's Coming." about No Country for Old Men (Book)

Tranquilrain — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:32:19 GMT

All of the acting was amazing and unforgettable, especially the evil villain, cold + calculating force of what I would term as death or the grim reaper- played by Javier Bardem. He was, in many ways, all-knowing, almost omnipotent in presence.

This character known as, Anton Chigurh, was one of the most bone-chilling, sinister, and without feeling- of characters I have seen in recent years. He made your skin crawl. He was like a machine. The only comparison I can conjure up- is that it was reminiscent to the way I felt when I first viewed The Terminator - when that kind of terror was new. Maybe not half as violent, maybe not completely identical but he evoked a similar fear in me. This character seems unstoppable, indestructible, as if he is not human.

The action in "No country for old men" was non-stop, at the edge of your seat, slow, paced- out tension that just kept building. It had everything to do with the way it was shot and the sequence of scenes as well as the...

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Tranquilrain says "Photo Lovers- this is the one for you!" about Hewlett Packard HP HP PHOTOSMART A526 PHOTO PRINTER InkJet

Tranquilrain — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:02:04 GMT

I got the HP Photosmart printer for Christmas and absolutely love it. It is small, compact, and easy to use. The quality of digital photo printing by far exceeds any of the digital printing companies out there. For those who love to take pictures and for those whose memories are everything to them- this is the perfect product for you!...