It's November, Are You Feeling Thankful?

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20/20: Simpson Deposition Tapes

Timing can be an ironic bitch, can't it?  I can think of a handful of times that things didn't work out for me (sometimes in my favor, sometimes not) because of some very minor timing.  It makes me wonder "what if" and what my path might have been had that timing been different.

I know, you're probably wondering what the hell this has to do with O.J. Simpson and the so-called trial of the century.  I'm getting there but, as always, I like to talk.

It's been twenty years since the verdict was rendered in the criminal trial.  Like 9/11, like Princess Diana's fatal accident and JFK Jr.'s plane going down, I know exactly where I was when the reading of the verdict happened.  Like the infamous white Bronco chase, which I also remember in vivid detail, I recall with exact clarity my feelings at the time and my emotions in general because I was in an unhappy relationship and time has allowed me to equate the Simpson case with that relationship.

Being one of the lucky that deals with Southern California traffic on the daily (and I say that with heavy sarcasm), I listen to audiobooks as a way to cope and not commit a felony.  In a bizarre touch of irony, I downloaded How I Helped O.J. Get Away With Murder last week.  No idea the twenty year anniversary was rearing its ugly head or that 20/20 was airing previously unseen deposition tapes of Simpson on Friday night.  Nope, just a weird coinky-dink.



Ron Goldman on 6/12/94, the last day of his life

Watching 20/20 brought back a minefield of frustration, anger and disappointment.  Back in June of 1994, I knew of O.J. Simpson but mainly as an actor of sorts.  I knew very little of football then so had no idea of his iconic status in the sports world.  No, I felt no connection to O.J. Simpson or his history; I felt connected to Ron Goldman. 

I had never met Ron, never would, but we were the same age.  In fact, Ron was born twenty-four days before I was.  Hearing of a vibrant young man, the same age I was, being murdered - - a victim of unfortunate chance, guilty only of being in the wrong place at the wrong time - - filled me with a horrible sympathy. 

Throughout the last twenty-one years at various times I have thought of Ron Goldman.  I have had many life events, moments, that he has not had - - happy, sad, traumatic, joyous.  He will never have them.

Watching his killer's nonchalant and dismissive attitude on the deposition tapes aired on 20/20 brought all those feelings back to the surface.  This appeared to be a game to him, nothing more and nothing less. 

While I believed he was guilty of those horrible murders from the beginning, I do wonder if those people who believed in his innocence can still hold on to that after viewing the tapes.  Never mind the physical evidence, which led to no one else but Simpson.  Never mind the evidence of Simpson's abuse.  Never mind Simpson's eventual incarceration in Las Vegas.  If Simpson were truly innocent, wouldn't he have commended Ron Goldman?  This young man attempted to save the mother of Simpson's children.  He should have been a hero in Simpson's eyes and yet he, and his family, are met with nothing but contempt by the killer. 

Ron was a hero, he still is.  He may be the only person who ever stood up to Simpson, stood up for Nicole, and he died for it.   He won't be forgotten; he will be remembered for being an honorable, heroic young man.  I hope at least this small bit of knowledge gives the Goldman family some measure of comfort, knowing Ron has not been forgotten.

What do you think?  Did you watch 20/20?  Are you surprised by the tapes?  Disappointed?  Justified?

Advance Screening: "The Intern"

I love Nancy Meyers.  I've been a fan since Baby Boom and can watch that movie (along with the Father of the Bride remakes with Steve Martin, The Holiday, It's Complicated, et al.) on repeat.  She's witty and she just gets relationships so well which translates in her movies.  The gold medal casting is a bonus.

When I was offered the chance to screen The Intern in advance of its opening date this week, I quickly jumped at it.  And I am certainly not sorry I did.

The Intern is a different type of relationship movie.  It's not a rom-com although it centers around the professional relationship between Robert DeNiro's Ben and Anne Hathaway's Jules.  Ben, a widower who has been retired for two years spends his days at Starbucks and attending funerals but still feels that he has something to offer and can be useful.  Jules is a young wife and mother and the brainchild behind About the Fit, a booming e-commerce business she forsaking sleep and food to run.  From the start, Meyers threw us a curve ball by having the 30-ish Hathaway be the 70 year old DeNiro's boss.  There are gestures to Ben's old school ways of working (suit and tie, an attaché case) and to Jules' new age way of working (riding a bike around the office, very long hours.)  Some differences are remarkably subtle, others played very much for a laugh.

Anne Hathaway does a wonderful job playing a character that could be brash and ultimately unrelatable but while Jules is driven and focused, she is also allowed to have a soft, emotional side that is revealed at exactly the right time.  Rather than becoming a Miranda Priestley knockoff, Jules is more of a Devil Wears Prada Andy, after a few years in the trenches.  We understand Jules, feel for her when the judgy moms at the playground are being, well, judgy, over her career and, even better, want Jules to succeed. 

As well cast as Hathaway is, Robert DeNiro is even better.  He is the heart and soul of The Intern, with a performance so achingly sublime it's miles away from the intensity of Taxi Driver and the in-your-face comedy of Meet the Parents.  He makes the movie for me and any time he was off the screen (fortunately not often) was wasted in my opinion.  I'm glad that Meyers didn't go cliché or stereotypical with his Ben - - no romance with Jules, no health crisis, no mourning over his situation.  Ben keeps it moving and that's refreshing. 

The chemistry with DeNiro and Hathaway was true but I also enjoyed seeing his interactions with the younger (i.e., twenties) interns he was working with.  Their confusion over his attire, his customs was humorous and it was gratifying to see that while they picked up some tips from him, he also learned from them.

Nancy Meyers not only wrote the script but was at the helm of this movie.  To repeat, she is a nuanced writer who understands relationships, whether they be romantic, platonic or familial.  You name it and she nails it.  She did a splendid job here, writing and directing, showing the relationship between Ben and Jules developing organically, with the seeds of a real companionship taking root. 

If you're familiar with previous Meyers movies, yes, there is a nice bit of house porn and even office porn.  I always notice this - - love Jules' brownstone, which reminds me of Meg Ryan's in You've Got Mail.   Even About the Fit's office is a sharp space, a modernized former factory that reminds me more than just a little of Steve Martin's Sidekicks factory/office from Father of the Bride.  And the flowers we see scattered here and there are gorgeous.

Will everyone like The Intern?  No, probably not.  It's about a relationship but not as talky as When Harry Met Sally.  It's humorous but there are also some deep, emotional scars that need to be tended.  Nothing explodes or blows up and there is no nudity. Part of Jules' struggle may be difficult for some or offensive to others.  If you're not a fan of Hathaway or DeNiro, you may want to take a pass.

I enjoyed it and felt that it was pleasing to the majority of the audience in attendance.  Sure, I heard a man behind me say that he was glad he didn't pay but overall, the movie was sprinkled with laughter from the viewers and a satisfied round of applause upon the conclusion.  While I couldn't help but wonder if Meyers' muse Diane Keaton would have been cast if Ben had been written to be a female, I left The Intern feeling content, satiated and yes . . . wanting to move into that brownstone.

The Intern opens nationally Thursday evening.     

Let's Talk Sports Movies

Mark Wahlberg as Vince Papale in Invincible

I was raised on baseball, bred to be a diehard Atlanta Braves fan no matter what.  I supported my team back when Joe Torre was manager and the Braves couldn't win a game to save themselves.  That was back when they finished in the basement and the few people that showed up at the old Atlanta Fulton County Stadium wore paper bags on their heads because being a Braves fan wasn't something to be proud of. 

Later on I would add Nascar and hockey to the sports I enjoyed watching, and thanks to an ex, football and basketball.  I guess it's true that he did do something good for me.   Okay, I jest.  I did get a Kindle, auto start for my car and my dog from him.  But I digress.

I love sports movies.  I'll watch any and all of them.  I don't care what sport so long as it's a underdog type tale and then I'm in.  I can't remember the first sports movie I fell victim to - - maybe it was The Bad News Bears (the original with the great Walter Matthau) or maybe it was being an extra in The Slugger's Wife (which is quasi-sports.)  Point is that sports movies are a mean master to me.

Invincible was on cable last night.  I own it on DVD and yet I still stopped what I was doing to sit and watch.  And cry.  I cry when Mark Wahlberg, as Vince Papale, is told he ran a 4.5 from Greg Kinnear as Coach Dick Vermiel.  I cry when Kinnear tells Wahlberg "Welcome to the Eagles."  I cry when Vince tells his best friend Tommy, the underrated Kirk Acevedo, he's a Philadelphia Eagle.  I cry when Vince rips up the note his ex wrote him, telling him he was nothing and would never amount to anything.  I cry when Vince picks up a fumble and scores a touchdown against New York.  I cry at the end when we see clips of the real 1976 season and the real Vince Papale.  Yep, I love this football movie.  I love Mark Wahlberg in the role and I love the feel-good nature of it.  And let's be honest, the soundtrack kicks some ass.

And it's not just Invincible.  Major League, Remember the Titans, Draft Day, The Replacements, The Pride of the Yankees, Rocky, Field of Dreams, Bull Durham, 61*, Miracle, Rudy, Eight Men Out, We Are Marshall . . . the list could go on and on.  They all require me to have tissues handy while watching, even those that are comedies.  Is it a hormonal imbalance?  Weak tear ducts?  Improper diet?  No idea but these flicks make me an emotional mess.  And I love them.

I dare you to watch The Pride of the Yankees, with the amazing Gary Cooper portraying Lou Gehrig, and not cry.  It's simply not possible.  Or how about the closing scene of Field of Dreams where Kevin Costner has a catch with his dad?  (Although I start bawling when Archie "Moonlight" Graham steps off the field to become Burt Lancaster's Doc Graham and then walks off into the cornfield amid a variety of "good games" from his fellow players. It's a heart tugging moment and it's Burt Lancaster so there you go.) 

So talk to me, friends.  What do you think about sports movies?  To cry or not to cry?  Which is your favorite?

Chill Out, September

My parents visited for Labor Day weekend and that was fun.  It's always good to show your parental units that you are doing okay, you're not eating Top Ramen and sleeping on a futon over the age of thirty-five and you do have some good friends.  The weather was decent and (surprisingly) the SoCal traffic wasn't cringe-inducing.  Did everyone leave Cali for the holiday? 

So with Labor Day over, that means summer is over (although not officially until the end of this month.)  Normally I love summer but I am ready for it to end this year.  August was not the kindest month (boo, August!) and the heat . . .

I know, I know.  We Californians complain about the weather incessantly. It's either too hot, too cold, it's not raining, it's raining.  Yeah, yeah, yeah.  I really think weather complaints are a Californian hobby.  But ninety degree temps at the beach suck.  Unacceptable.  Especially when you don't have a/c - - because you shouldn't need it at the beach! 


I am ready for autumn.  I am ready for chilly nights.  I am ready for fall clothes (although we really don't have much use for them until winter here.)  This time of year reminds me of two things - - the huge fall/back to school issue of Seventeen magazine from my adolescence and the line in You've Got Mail about wanting to buy school supplies ("Don't you just love New York in the fall?").   As much as I love Southern California, I do miss the obvious change of seasons you see on the east coast.   Who else considered the fall issue of Seventeen magazine their bible? 

Speaking of - - well, relatively - - watching movies like You've Got Mail, When Harry Met Sally, Serendipity . . . and even shows like Sex and the City make me crush on New York.   Who wouldn't want a gorgeous brownstone like Meg Ryan's Kathleen Kelly in You've Got Mail?  (Not to mention that beautiful little bookstore.)  Or Carrie Bradshaw's completely unrealistic rent controlled writer's paradise with a closet full of Manolos?  Sign me up. 

Back to Labor Day.  Quiet low-key day for me, since my parents flew back home.  Not that I minded since I was pretty beat.  I flipped channels and ended up watching a Kardashian marathon.  Don't judge.  What I took away from the episodes I saw?  I liked the Jenner house from the early seasons much better than the larger one they upgraded to later on.  The first house looked homey and comfy.  I also thought Kim K. looked so much better pre-Kanye.  Sorry but there it is.  She looked more natural and I thought her clothing choices were better.  Sorry, Kimye. 

Hard to believe the show has been on for what?  Seven or eight years?  They certainly did a stellar job creating an empire out of a family that really didn't do all that much initially when you think about it.  Kris Jenner is most definitely a shrewd business manager.

Anyone else get stabby over traffic today?  First day of school gives us Californians a legitimate gripe.

Happy Hump Day!

Why Keanu Reeves Should Call Me

I don't much go for writing fan letters (or fan emails, as the case may be) - - and I'm not labeling this a fan letter because I'm not the president of a fan club, I'm not asking for an autographed picture and I'm not going to show up in someone's pool (not uninvited anyhow) - - although I did send Scott Baio a birthday card when I was nine or ten.  I used my hard earned chore money to go into Revco Drugs to buy him a card and I never received a response, not even a publicity still with a stamped signature.  If by chance Scott Baio is reading this, I'm still waiting.

In all seriousness though, I do have a group of people that I greatly admire.  Basically all of them are on social media, whether it be Twitter, Facebook, Instagram (am I practically the only person not on Instagram?) or have a webpage.  Yet the one person without the social media presence is the one I feel drawn to address.  (Quite naturally, I rarely take the easier path.)

I have liked Keanu Reeves since seeing him onscreen for the first time in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure.  The movie is great goofy fun and watching it now, nearly thirty years later, makes me giggle and gives me warm fuzzies.  (I still bust out with "something strange is afoot at the Circle K" because it's that classic to me.) Ted Logan, as portrayed by Keanu, made me laugh, leading me to keep an eye on him.  I followed his career throughout the years, finding that even if I didn't particularly care for the movie itself, I always enjoyed his performances as he always managed to entertain me at the theater. 

Now this could be true for a handful of actors or actresses, right?  Sure.  So I have tried to put my finger on what it is exactly about Keanu Reeves that drives me to make this post and why he is a person I would genuinely like to meet.  And I've come up with the fact there isn't just one specific thing that I like and respect about him.  If you know me, you know this is me being true to form.  I can sum up very little in a few words so why would I be able to explain something quickly and easily?   Exactly, I probably can't.  But I will try.

He seems genuinely nice and there is something infinitely appealing and fascinating about a truly nice person.  Can we ever know enough nice people?  I say no.  I'm always amiable to adding someone to my circle who is kind enough to give up their seat on the subway (Google it) and be charitable without the fanfare.  I'm pretty sure that's being humble and I don't know enough of those types of people either.

I greatly respect and connect with creative people; I never tire of chatting with them because we get each other and understand what we're passionate about.  He's a writer and so am I.  He's creative and so am I.  I love to read and I've heard that Keanu is a reader.  I definitely enjoy talking books, authors, plotlines, characters . . .  There is a reason I call Barnes & Noble The Mother Ship.  I never tire of the bookstore.  We would not lack for conversation.

I used to be extremely introverted when I was younger (stop laughing, this is 100% the truth) so I understand the nature of the introvert. (Writing is generally a solitary endeavor as well.)  Keanu is reportedly introverted so I get it (if said reports are true.)  In the past I've been called stuck up and aloof from people who didn't know me or understand my then-shy personality so I can relate to people making an assumption that isn't necessarily true.  The Sad Keanu memes are bullshit in my opinion.   Just because the man eats a sandwich by himself does not mean he's sad and the nation needs to go into overdrive to make him happy.  He doesn't mind being in his own company and he's secure with that.  Hell, if going solo at times or looking serious equates to being sad, change my name to Eeyore now.

Not to brag but I have a pretty good sense of humor (okay, I'm bragging).  I do like to laugh, make others laugh and surround myself with people who appreciate it as well. Watch the YouTube clip of Keanu being "interrogated" as Mark Wahlberg for proof that he also has a sense of humor.  That bit will never not be funny to me.   No way could he poke fun at himself if he didn't have a sense of humor - - something I appreciate and is so underrated in life.  We should all laugh more.

Speaking of laughter, Keanu wants to make (another) sequel to Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, at least according to word on the street.  Okay, Bill & Ted wasn't Shakespeare and any proposed new sequel certainly won't be either.  But it will be entertaining and it will surely be funny and don't we go to the movies to be entertained?  Keanu seems to embrace the quirkiness and campy love people have for Bill & Ted which would make him awesome on its own.   Sign me up to see it because I cannot wait.

These are just a few reasons why I admire Keanu Reeves and yeah, he should call me.  And to be totally shallow, I love a man on a motorcycle.  One day I am going to learn to drive one myself (see my bucket list) but for now I am happy to enjoy the ride. 

Keanu, if you'd like to meet someone who enjoys a good conversation, laughter and is a catch according to her dog, and you're not trapped under a heavy piece of furniture, call me!  

"Bride Wars" - What Went Wrong

Last weekend I was being a slug and watching Bride Wars on one of my handful of cable channels.  Even though I own it on DVD.  Don't judge either statement.


I like Kate Hudson.  She seems like a cool chick, someone you could hang out with, have a drink with and kick back with.  Truth be told, I'm jealous of that hippie vibe she gives off - - laid back, easygoing, hair that always looks good, pretty skin.


So . . . Bride Wars should be good, with Kate's presence, despite the name (not a fan) and yet it doesn't quite reach its potential for two main reasons.


The first should be fairly obvious if you've seen the film because it's a relatively large plot hole.  The characters of Liv and Emma go to see wedding planner extraordinaire Marion and are told there are three openings in the month of June at the exclusive Plaza, two on the same day and one a couple of weeks later.  Liv is going to take one of the days and Emma the other.  All is fine and good.  However, Marion's not so intrepid assistant mixes up the dates and gives Liv and Emma the same day.  If you're a man you may not think it's that big of a deal but for these two best friends, each of whom wants the other to be their maid of honor, this is a nightmare.  Marion tells the besties this and suggests that one of them change their date (with the next available June date being three years in the future) since the other available date was given to a third bride. 


And herein lies the first problem.  Since this was a technical/computer entry foul up, why wouldn't Marion tell the third bride that date was not available but this other June date is?  Someone as in demand and well respected as Marion is supposed to be surely would have no problem doing just that, rather than simpering to Liv and Emma about the mix up and how she can't possibly share the third bride's name with them due to confidentiality (while also having binders with brides' names on them located on a shelf in full view of everyone walking in but that's another issue.)   Candice Bergen, who plays Marion, has probably never simpered a day in her life.  If this was a 1930s screwball comedy, it would be believable but for today?  Hmmmm . . .

Of course if Marion had done that, the movie would have been over because there would have been no conflict.  So what should have happened?   Why not have only one date available in June at the Plaza from the start?  Liv and Emma could have reserved it together and then tried to figure out who would get it - - coin toss, house of cards, arm wrestling, rock, paper, scissors, whatever.  They could have discussed the double wedding scenario and then could have acted like crazy women.


And that leads me to the second issue with the story.  Liv and Emma are lifelong friends, absolute besties.  The thought that these two would immediately begin backstabbing each other and going to lengths such as tampering with hair dye, spray tans and pregnancy rumors is farfetched, even if we suspend reality for the enjoyment of entertainment.  Wouldn't it have made more sense to have the two of them be frenemies or roommates or something like that, in order to somewhat explain why they went absolutely BSC on each other? 


I know some women hate this movie with a passion, mainly because they feel it makes women in general look petty and unhinged when it comes to getting married.  Look, this is pure entertainment and I hardly take it as a course in reality.  Have you ever seen the show Bridezillas?  There are truly people out there that lose all capacity for reasoning and logic when planning a wedding.


That said,  Bride Wars does have entertaining spots (Kristen Johnston is hilarious in a supporting role) if you look past the plot hole.   I liked  Anne Hathaway in The Devil Wears Prada (anything with Meryl Streep is gold) but didn't care for her as much here.  Let me correct that - - her character didn't resonate quite as well with me.   The film overall does have some cute and funny moments and it's not a terrible way to spend two hours of your time. 


Any opinions from those who have seen Bride Wars?