14 posts from September 2009

While I really enjoyed it and thought I got my $12 worth, I don't expect this movie to do too well for various reasons, including:

1. People will take the movie too literally.
2. People will be expecting "Juno".
3. People tend to prefer movies where men have the control.
While I love them, slasher movies always have helpless females chased around by psychotic men. And action movies always have a lead hero with a helpless woman by his side. This is a formula that sells because it's what people want to see. (And yes, I know there are exceptions, but get real. You'll only be able to name a few movies. And those will pale in comparison to the amount of all the rest.)
4. Oh, and people will take the movie too literally.


Sure, on the surface, this movie is about a boy-eating teenager and her best friend that has to stop her.
But, really, this movie is about women claiming some control and about toxic friendships.
It's a metaphor.

Women claiming some control: Jennifer is lashing out at being abused/exploited by men. By seducing/eating them, she is taking something from them the way that many men have/will take something from women.

Toxic friendships:
Do you know those friendships you can find yourself in where you find that you don't really even like your (best) friend? Friendships where it seems like the two of you seem to be working against each other instead of with each other? Friendships that have passive-aggressive tendencies and that are full of backhanded compliments...


But maybe many people watching the movie won't recognize it because they don't recognize these things in their own life. Many women will continue to let men take advantage of them because they're not strong enough to stand up for themselves.

And many people will continue to stay in these friendships that just aren't any good for them because maybe they don't know any better. Or maybe people cling to any sort of contact because they're afraid of being alone. Or maybe people are just fucked up---pardon the language---and are just sadomasochists. (I personally believe it's a mix of all three of those.)


I'll end my rant here.
The movie just stirred up a lot of feelings in me that I haven't felt in a long time, and that's a good thing.
It's not as good as "Juno", but it's definitely worth seeing. And it's kinda funny sometimes.
Maybe you'll relate to it, too.


P.S.
And in case you didn't know, "Jennifer's Body" is the name of a good Hole song.

It's making me very uncomfortable.
But I just can't look away.



Anyway, my flight to Texas leaves at 7:59AM. Very excited because the first stop after being picked up at the airport is Mexican food (real Mexican food, not like these poor excuses for Mexican food that you find in NYC) and a margarita or two. =)

Janet, I think I'm going to leave your sweater here in NYC while I'm away. It's getting pretty bulky and difficult to work on anywhere other than my room. I'm sure that's fine with you, though. Just running it by you.

It's looking very nice. And it's been fun to knit!
I'll probably photograph it before sending it to you.

This week has been devoted to work, but I feel like I have so little to show for it.

Currently watching lots of episodes of Jem and the Holograms. And a lot of documentaries about weapons of mass destruction, WWII, and the Holocaust.

Reading zombie fiction (short stories) on the subway and bus.

Knitting a hybrid sweater for Janet L.
Using size 10.5 needles makes the work go by so much quicker. (Most of my garments are made using size 6 needles.)

Dionne Warwick and Steely Dan and Jem songs play in my head.


I'm excited about going home to Texas, but when I get back on the 30th, Osa, the little chihuahua that lives with us, won't be there since her owner is moving out. I feel like crying just saying that since I've grown so attached to that little dog. I've never been this attached to a dog before, especially a little diva that growls and bares her teeth at me so often.

I love coming home to a dog that's excited to see me and tell me about her day. And I love waking up and seeing her big, watery eyes under the covers. And having her jump on my chest and licking me all over the face, telling me it's time to wake up.

I'm going to miss that so much. SO MUCH.


=(


Be strong, Craig.

I'm really into her work.
And I hope I'm lucky enough to work with her in the future!


A Cubist Literature look book is in the works, friends...

About to book a flight to Texas.
Will be there Sept. 20-30th.
I'm very excited to see my family and my Texas and my friends.

As you can see, it came out pretty much how I planned it to.

Remember?

Except that I would like for the hood not to be so pointed.
So, I'm going to see what I can do about that.

But overall I'm happy with it.
Can't wait to give it to you!


xo
craig

I've already written you a message about the specifics.



If you didn't win this time around, just try again next month.
(In case you haven't noticed, I've been doing these giveaways at the beginning of each month.)