participating in a harvest

Over the weekend I enjoyed my second parisian-cinema-bound french film.  Les Aventures extraordinaires d’Adèle Blanc-Sec was beyond over the top.  And I don't say that in a snooty way: from start to finish, your eyes are graced by so many quick-wit words, creatures, ancienticities, fantasma, clothes, vehicles, characters...  You can't help but enjoy the overload of sensory artificats that are being thrown your way.

The fim is based on the series of comics by Jacques Tardi dating back to the late 70s.  This cinematographic feat belongs to the renowned french fim director, writer, and producer Luc Besson, who had to wait beggingly for 6 years before he convinced Tardi to give him the rights to this magnificent story.

There is really no way to give a short summary of the film, [my poor attempt at this would be something like "it's a story about a woman trying to save her sister, and somehow, talking mummies, a giant omelette, and a pterodactyl fit into this quite snugly"] for I could never bring together the various story lines in a succinct and comprehensive fashion the way Besson's film does so.  Watching the film is almost like participating in a harvest where you pick up delicious fruits a long the one-and-a-half-hour journey until you finally reach the finale with a bucket of treasure.  You don't really understand how the bucket is going to turn into treasure, but you have faith that is does, and well, it did.

Although critics were quite harsh in regards to Louise Bourgoin, the star of the flick, I thought she was divine.  She had a spark to her, never letting anything get in her way, whether it be a giant prehistoric monster or flowers being offered to her by a charming young jardin associate.

Another reason why my heart goes out to this fim is because one of the central locales to its plot, the Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle, stands at a nearly two minute walk from my apartment.  Hurray for living in a city which holds such grand cinematic attention.

clever lines that spark fiery discussion

So I might be a little bitter towards Sciences Po for making my life, well, academically difficult, but I do love this grand école.  Students are engaged here.  Case in point: the Sciences Po bathroom graffiti.  Instead of inviting phone numbers and sexual visuals [don't get me wrong, I do love these], this is what you'll find on the inside of the toilet stalls:

"Les enfants croient au Père Noël, les adultes votent"

"Children believe in Santa Claus, adults vote"

How powerful is that?  Yeah, it is a little - or a lot - pessimistic, and I do prefer positive thoughts, but wow, point taken.

Here's another:

"Please leave the State in the toilet in which you found it"

Okay, this one is also pessimistic.  But these clever lines spark fiery discussion.  Abstention rates in France are very high - half of the population didn't vote at the last regional elections.  But the action taken away from the polls hasn't disappeared.  It still exists, in the bathrooms, during strikes, on blank ballots.  Bathroom trips have never been so inspiring.

yes, you'll cry if you see it

Whoa.  So I saw Cher John.  First remark: Channing and his jaw line did us well - delivered all of the goods.  Second remark:  I actually kind of liked it.  It is the most unpredictable of his movies yet.  The story has a couple non-foreshadow-able twists, which literally left my mouth wide open in shock.  It is a really clever film and it made me think.  Army romances must be so difficult - I really couldn't imagine having to be like 'okay man-I-love, go over to that far away place, kick some booty, and I'll see ya in a year!  Ciao!"  I have so much respect for army wives.

It is also a mega draining film.  Yes, I cried.  Yes, you'll cry if you see it.  The one good thing is that the very end bit isn't extremely sad.  I hate it when that happens, cause then the movie theater lights will start to come on, and I'm lookin'  all a mess - trying to wipe the tears off my face quickly in order to maintain my Xena reputation.  Sparks was nice enough to give us a couple minutes before the end of the film to re-compose ourselves.  Thanks bud.   

On a much more lighthearted note, another film that I saw with romantic tendencies was l'Arnacoeur - a french film (the first french film I've seen since I've been in Paris - ouch).  It was absolutely hilarious.  I loved it.  It made me proud of my french brethren.  Go see it.  

discover the capital on two wheels

I have this list : a list of all of the things I must do before I leave this magical place.  I have less than two months.  That's less than 8 weekends.  That's rough.  I am going to use this list as a way to make sure that I take full advantage of the wondrous world that surrounds me.

Checking items off of a list is splendid.  Yesterday/today I checked off vélib'ing.  Vélib' is the public bike rental service in Paree.  There are 1,700 (!!) stations around the city, and for 1€ a day, you can go to any of these stations, pick up a bike, and discover the capital on two wheels.  I have wanted to vélib' since I got here in August, but I've always been too scared of traffic and crashing and such to actually rent one.

My cousin and her Aussie boyfriend visited this weekend.  Nothing is more inspiring, in regards to appreciating the cool things around you, than being a mini guide to visiting friends.  Ainsi, we got our bikes and we rode.  And it was amazing.  Not only is it not scary - but it is completely thrilling and useful.  ,And I thought buses were cool.  Bikes totally trump 'em.  AND - and, and, and - when the metro is closed and all of your taxi money has been spent on beer, there is no better way to get home from a night out than on a chunky gray bike.


Vélib' Vélib' Vélib'
cheers cheers cheers

on a visual level

Shabam -- it has been decided: I am going to make music videos for a living.  All the crazed hype about Gaga's "Telephone" clip inspired me.  Music videos have lost (or never had?) their well-deserved reverence and it's time that their potential be appreciated.  MVs don't have to merely accompany a song; they can tell the lyrics' story on a whole new visual level - and that's cool.

Over Easter weekend I trained down to the South of France, where I told my family of my professional career's new destiny.  One of my cousins guided me toward the unofficial video for Soko's giggle-tastic "I'll Kill Her."  Soko, or Stéphanie Sokolinsk, is a french singer slash actress brought to fame via the internet with this lightly angry anthem with a humoristic twist.  She sings the lyrics as if she was reciting them on the front step of her lover's place.  As the song plays out, you can imagine "the other woman" peeking from behind his shoulder, beach-blonde hair in tow.  You can't help but fall in love with the songstress as her soft voice and adorable french accent cushion the murderous refrain line.

The black and white of the fan-made [Joerg Barton] music video of the track is fabulous.  

I can't wait to be living the dream.