This weekend, Toby Joe and I decided to have a “feel-good” weekend in film. We watched Tarnation and The Machinist, and Hotel Rwanda, three of the most depressing movies I have seen in quite some time.
The Machinist was OK. It pulled out a few film cliches but Christian Bale did an excellent job, probably TOO excellent a job considering he nearly killed himself preparing for the role.
At times I had trouble looking at the TV.
Hotel Rwanda was pretty good, too. As usual, Cheadle ruled. I have a crush on Mr. Cheadle. I have since Boogie Nights. The film is educational and disturbing and I couldn’t help but wonder how we could let a million people die in Rwanda. It’s shocking to me—the whole story, and unbelievably sad.
Lastly, I found Tarnation absolutely amazing. It’s original, disturbing, brutally honest, and, at times, seemingly vengeful. I was completely fixated on this film from its beginning to its end. I even watched every last name roll through the credits. Wow, just wow.
It seems that Jonathan Caouette lived in Greenpoint, right down the street from us, when he made the film. It was a little odd seeing him in the local Key Foods and making snow angels in a park a block away.
I can’t help but wonder if he’s still around.
Mihow 
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