My Birthday Wish ... Well, Two Wishes

CG / MG usual hang in Malibu

There resides in every man's heart, a desire to be heard, to speak, to make a difference.  Okay, perhaps not in every man, but a least in most men.  Most sane men, one hopes.  But, let's be honest, some men don't give two rat turds about making a dent in the universe. About posterity.  Truly.  Sad. Man.  But whatevs.  To each his own.  And, my own? Well, I have two of my own, sons that is. Amazing young, college men, who have more of a clue at their young prodigious age than I (or many of my cohorts) ever did at their age. Truth be told, they are very much like their mother in that regard (driven to get out of school and make a living ... now!).  Don't get me wrong, I encourage and guide and suggest like any concerned parent. And, they'd both tell you I'm a bit too hands-on, I'd wager, and always giving them too many fountain pens and journals to fill, and books to read.

Jg. for FatScribe

So, those two young men above are my posterity (that squishy fella there in the gray cardigan? C'es moi). My oeuvre is nada. My words, my stories, my scripts, my online consulting, companies, my startups, my business aspirations? Worthless compared to my sons.  I hope (and often pray) that they represent 100x better/more than what I ever could bring into this world, its mesosphere and below, its business ecosphere and its all-around ethosphere.  Wherever they lay their heads, their hearts and their talents, I pray (and expect) that they will add to and not detract from; that they will love more, live more, lie less (if ever) and leverage less (if ever -- from a personal debt perspective) than ole pops did. I pray that they have six kids each in the fecundity department, are as lovely and loving and languid as their mom is in the personality department, and as entrepreneurial, enthusiastic, and ecclesiastical as their dad has been. That's my b-day wish today, viz., for my kids to be happier, yes, but to be better.  Okay -- my two wishes, I'll be greedy -- are represented by these two most beloved cherubs (in their dad's opinion at any rate), that they be oh-so-much-better men that this man.  Hopefully after I'm long gone, their uncles (bio & otherwise) will help see to it.  To know God, and to make him known in whatever they choose to do.

Supreme Collab w/ LV 2018 LA Time Capsule

Meanwhile, like many young men today in the US, UK, Japan, South Korea, and a bit in the EU, my sons are intrigued, piqued, and unfortunately attracted by the shiny object, the objet d'art with the luxe commercial impulse.  They've seen street and skate brands that have been brilliantly handled/marketed with an assiduous and adroit hand to blow their market cap 100x.  What was interesting to observe was the phenomenon of the musical group, clothing label, or restaurant 


I was at the Century City mall today.  The parent company for Louis Vuitton (LVMH) held an exhibit these past two weeks for the history of LV since its luggage heritage humble beginnings.  It was very well done, nicely put together, and very modern as well, for at the end there was a light display with some nice AR (augmented reality) or VFX that made a magic "malle" (fr.: malle or trunk) that took on the shape of many LV trunks over the years/decades.

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Batman Begins, a Movie Review

Note: This review originally appeared on LuxeMont.com

Honesty alert. I never connected with the original Batman series from Warners. Sure they brought in hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office, but the moribund franchise also went off the rails long ago, almost committing seppuku in the process of exploiting itself.

It’s not that Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney

 did sub-par work; they were great as the Dark Knight. But, the overall vibe and feel of the Batman pictures were too otherworldly. A darker world that Tim Burton, et. al., delivered in their mildly disturbing comic book interpretations. They just sort of creeped me out. Directed by Christopher Nolan (Memento, Insomnia), Batman Begins is all about character development, creating a nuanced backstory, and of course, establishing a new vehicle from which a new and improved franchise can be launched. And Nolan succeeds like no other director before him in fleshing out a superhero on film. His Batman is a real man dealing with familial trauma, living in a real city. As soon as the 3rd reel ends, you want to stay in your seat and watch it again. I had no expectations – none -- about this film, and was blown away by the sets, story, and direction. Christian Bale (Little Women, American Psycho) is perfect as the billionaire playboy who by night attempts to keep the crime balance in Gotham.

The film of course has de rigueur explosions, unreal tumbles off of buildings and cliffs, and one-against-twenty fight sequences. But, here, you believe the action. Suspended disbelief works wonders, especially when you see the Batmobile, Batsuit, and Wayne Manor. It all works, and you ask yourself ala Jack Nicholson, “where does he get those wonderful toys!?”

Michael Caine is fantastic as Alfred the butler who provides Bruce Wayne with more of a father figure than simply a footman offering avuncular advice. Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, and Katie Holmes all deliver reeled-in performances, allowing their characters to meld in perfectly with the exposition. They execute the material in front of them, and we all benefit from their character performances. Nolan’s Batman is about fathers and how they shape the lives of their sons, even from the grave. The loss of his father impacts Bruce Wayne’s life in a profound way. We see young Bruce rescued by his father a couple of times, and in the tragic scene where his parents are murdered, his father tells Bruce “don’t be afraid.” This is one comfort that Bruce is able to hold on to, loving fatherly advice; his father’s protection even in the end.

Batman Begins is Nolan’s interpretation of how Bruce Wayne would attempt to rid himself of the survivor guilt that profoundly shapes him. As he matures, Bruce seeks the courage to avenge/face/heal from the loss of his parents, by embracing a wanderlust that takes him in to crime-infested prisons and criminal gangs where he can face his fears. Before he can become Batman, Bruce must be able to “not be afraid,” keeping the connection with his father very much alive in Bruce’s heart. It is Bruce’s attempt to understand the criminal mindset that leads him to a mentor to help him harness the fear, anxiety, and anger that have plagued him.

Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson) offers Bruce what he lacks: peace of mind and self-control. Here we see the beginnings of the Dark Knight. Facing his fear of bats, death, and the unknown, Bruce even faces down the evil crime lord of the League of Shadows, setting up the showdown that always takes place at the end of every superhero movie. This is the birth of Batman. Bruce overcoming his fears, no longer being afraid, and finally embracing the Wayne legacy left him by his father.

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2009 Movies in Review

With so many year-end best-of lists demanding our attention, I thought FatScribe should also jump into the white noise of film criticism to provide one more (vapid?) voice evaluating the Top 20 films of 2009. (note: if you want to see how a pro does it, here's Roger Ebert's list.) So, here goes, my list of the best of the best for you, Dear Reader:

1. An Education -- This soon-to-be-classic film set in London stars Carey Mulligan as a school girl who falls for an older man (Peter Sarsgaard) and his charms and great taste in restaurants, music, and art. Education also stars Alfred Molina who should earn a best-supporting nom for his role as the coquettish girl's father. You'll love the soundtrack and the Edith Head-inspired wardrobes.

2. Star Trek -- "The Franchise" (as they call it over at Paramount) got a reboot from J.J. Abrams with a terrific script by writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman. The story was taut and each of the new Spock's, Kirk's, and McCoy's performances were great. Almost $400million cume can't be wrong. Plus, Simon Pegg was in it, c'mon!

3. Fantastic Mr. Fox -- I'm always a sucker for Wes Anderson's latest offerings, and he's back with this adapted work from Roald Dahl's classic children's story. The stop-action film works for adults and kids alike, and it will be in our home collection for repeated viewings. George Clooney is great; I hope Wes's next project is live-action though.

4. In the Loop -- Amazing bit of film-making. Seriously. It is both hysterically funny and offensive (offensively hysterical?). For those of us that love public policy and the nasty, icky stuff called politics ("making sausage" never looked so pleasant thank you Mr. Bismarck), In the Loop is a must-see. Peter Capaldi and Tom Hollander (a FatScribe favorite) are terrific as British wonks who come to America to work the rooms in DC and the UN at the bidding of their Prime Minister's statecraft needs. One caveat: pound for pound, word for word, this script has more swearing per page than any I have ever read of seen.

5. A Serious Man -- The Coen Brothers are at it again. This film is a study of one Jewish man's world and examines if sleet or snow or crap storm of life will stop this serious man from his routine. Serious Man asks what a post-modern Job would do if faced with a cheating bitch of a wife and a borderline schizo brother (with a boil on his neck that never drains) routinely planted on his couch. Contretemps abound for this man, and the ending shot is just a gem.

6. Avatar -- This movie will go down as the most anticipated film of all time. It is a cinematic masterpiece that unfortunately is also coeval in its triteness and liberalness. James Cameron weaves a story of corporate (US military) bad guys who stumble headlong into a meta narrative replete with aboriginal innocents and a Gaea-Oedipus complex so profound it tries one's credulity. But ... the stunning visuals. The seamless motion-capture technology. The wonderful acting. My 12 yr-old leaned over to me during the show and said, "Dad, this is the most amazing film I've ever seen." I will see this again, but this time in 3-D IMAX. $800million box office and counting. Update: Avatar is the fastest film to hit $1billion (17 days). Only Cameron's Titanic can hold it back currently sitting at around $1.84billion box office.

7. Broken Embraces -- Pedro Almodovar is a stud. A gay stud to be sure, but a stud, auteur filmmaker nonetheless who just happens to love breasts. He has a thing for Penelope Cruz (and her breasts), and she shines in this movie like never before. Broken Embraces is three movies rolled into one giant carne asada burrito of a film. It's a film about a film being made, while also being documented by a jealous husband's son. It is certainly complicated (muy complicado), and in Spanish with subtitles to-boot, but if you love film as I do, this is one for the cineaste in all of us.

8. Bright Star -- Technically I have four foreign films represented here in my Top-10 if you include Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox. I just can't help myself, I am a film snob after all (as many of my friends will attest). This Jane Campion film is about John Keats and his (very) slow death by consumption and his one great muse. Abbie Cornish plays Keats's muse, and is another fine example of an Aussie actor that chews up the scenery with her most excellent chops.

"Pillowed upon my fair love's ripening breast,

To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,

Awake for ever in a  sweet unrest ..."

Almost sounds like an Almodovar dialog for Penelope Cruz, but alas, no, that bit of verse was Keats himself from his poem, "Bright Star, Would I Were Steadfast."

9. Where the Wild Things Are -- This one is for my kids. I felt this movie was a bit too dark, but then again, the book wasn't the most sanguine either. At Johnny Rocket's eating a cheeseburger after viewing Wild Things, I asked the boys if they were moved by the movie. They both admitted that they cried several times during the intense moments. I love my boys for their honesty and honest emotions.

10. The Hangover -- Funny. Crass. Well-shot. The Director of Photography, Lawrence Sher (Dan in Real Life), did a terrific job here. He took what is typically handled with barely-a-care forethought for this genre, and lit each shot commensurate with a film of a much deeper storyline. The actors are great, and there is one scene where the dentist of the friends (The Daily Show and The Office regular, Ed Helms) wakes up and walks four feet before sitting down again. It was so painful to watch because it is just spot-on and reminded me of one all-nighter I had in South Beach that lasted 5 days. I laugh every time I see it. OMG! Forgot to mention: the raunchy B-roll shown in the ending credits does not receive the "Family Seal of Approval" nor my endorsement!! You have been warned. Todd Phillips (who also directed Road Trip, one film that had me laughing from beginning to end) just nailed this one, the highest-grossing R-rated film of all-time at almost $500million.

Honorable Mention

Me and Orson Welles -- Almost in the Top 10, but just shy. Never thought I'd ever write these words, but Zac Efron can act. Christian McKay channels Orson Welles scary good. I loved Citizen Kane (probably my no. 1 all-time greatest movie; right up there with It's a Wonderful Life), and this movie is set about 4-5 years before Citizen Kane was made. Richard Linklater (Dazed and Confused, Before Sunrise) handles this period piece with a deft touch and a sack full of love. Me and Orson highlights the behind-the-scenes shenanigans of Mercury Theater's newest play Caesar. It reminded me of My Favorite Year quite a bit.

District 9 -- If you haven't seen this movie, do yourself a favor and rent it. It rocked when I saw it the first time, and the second and third times I saw it dragging friends to see it with me. It is very violent, but so original (which is sorely lacking in Hollywood these days, the originality, not the violence) that it receives my imprimatur regardless.

9 (not Nine) -- This post-apocalyptic animated film was perfect for my two sons (12 and 9). They both were frightened and thrilled with the action sequences. It works on many levels, and the animation is fantastic. Worth it.

Extract -- Mike Judge wrote and directed this wonderfully dark comedy about the business world in the form of a business owner (Jason Bateman) who sets in motion the machinations that possibly end his marriage and his burgeoning business in one fell swoop. This is one film with Ben Affleck (since Good Will Hunting) that I didn't want to walk out on.

It's Complicated -- Alec Baldwin and Meryl Streep. Need I say more? But, I will. It's not great filmmaking, but it works for me. Shot in Santa Barbara, where everyone is rich with a cool job that they love, driving their hip cars, and all their kids are smart and off to very good colleges. This Nancy Meyers (Something's Gotta Give) film has her requisite production design quality on display, evincing homes that we all want to live in, framed with perfectly-aged actors acting their wonderful ages for all of us to finally realize it's okay to be paunchy, middle-aged, and beautiful. Like I said, a fun bit of celluloid escapism for the afternoon.

Inglourious Basterds -- Not my favorite director, but Quentin Tarantino can make a movie. It's historicism at its finest (a la Oliver Stone), where Tarantino imagines the "real" facts behind WWII and a band of Nazi-killing G.I. brothers.

A Single Man -- Will probably win an Oscar for something. Director Tom Ford has a terrific eye, and we can expect him to develop into a fine filmmaker if he wants it.

Hurt Locker -- Will probably win an Oscar for best-picture, but it's not my choice. Tension-filled film that has powerful performances as brought out by director Kathryn Bigelow. She's made a good one here.

Think I left one or more off of the list? I purposely left off two spots for your choices, Dear Reader ... leave us your pithy comments for 2009 films that should have been listed supra!

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How do I say this without sounding corny ...

Kat Daddy's in Lower Alabama ... a different LA

I love Los Angeles. All of it. But, here in this very expensive city, the rush-rush-rush all day long-long-long really does make one feel as if they are, well, draggin' arse.  About ten years back, I gave up, sort of, and so am about to make a decision to "keep up" once again, as it were regarding a new career choice.  LA offers lots of professional choices. To be continued.  But, I'm thankful to a friend (two actually) and a cousin who is a brother from my mother's sister, for their kicking me (politely) in the arse because I was draggin' a-double-ass.

Amongst cities in California, I've lived in LA neighborhoods in South Central and Inglewood, Korea Town and Malibu Canyon (tucked into the Santa Monica Mountains where mountain lions and bobcats and coyotes and roadrunners and deer and raccoon and cranes and red-tailed hawks and peregrine falcons and wild parakeet and great-horned owls and well, all such animals live -- in fact, just down the road apiece from where I live, the ubiquitous they -- truly mad people -- are about to build an "animal bridge" so that these aforementioned animals can transverse Hwy 101 safely ... a $50million double ugh).  I've lived behind the "Orange curtain" (Orange County) in Newport Beach and in Irvine (both of which many people still consider and call "LA"), and I've lived in the Valley (San Fernando to be precise -- which many Westsiders would like NOT to consider part of LA). Los Angeles has many (read, hundreds) of neighborhoods, each unique and ugly and beautiful in their own way.   I mean, c'mon, there are 11 million of us living here, so it figures, am I right? You could literally make a movie about all of them. In the last few decades Echo Park or Los Feliz or Hollywood or Silver Lake are the only cities that seem to make a dent on the writers' imaginations of these geo-prejudiced films -- I myself plead guilty of a yarn set in K-Town.

Food covers a host of (lack of) cultural sins for many of these more challenging neighborhoods which are dirty and dangerous and oft-dull.  But, good food overcomes, brotha. Good food overcomes all manner of bad neighborhoods, bad neighbors, suspect food trucks, restaurants with "C" health ratings, and even ugly architecture.  Bland design, the horror! but the unfortunate ho-hum ubiquity of many parts of SoCal. But that good food, gawd dang, it's good when it's good. When great? Holy cow it's sooo good.  Like Jonathan Gold good. Jonathan Gold, legendary food critic, within weeks of discovering he had pancreatic cancer, passed away -- he the casually nonplussed cool writer with the platinum palate.  He was a foodie god around these parts. He knew LA / SoCal neighborhoods like no one. His reviews, insights, encouragements, and taste will hereafter be missed. I've gotten to know many LA writers (of magazines and newspapers and online zines of all sizes and import) over the years. He's one I'd have wandered endlessly strange LA lands to meet and treat to a luncheon meeting. RIP JG the other.  Here's what Nancy Silverton (Mozza) had to say in the LATimes.

“He, more than any chef, changed the dining scene in Los Angeles,” said longtime friend, chef and Mozza co-owner Nancy Silverton. “He really was the ambassador for our city.”

So, if, no, when you come to LA, just know that when I say hundreds of neighborhoods, I mean it. You can enjoy or get offended by each and every one of them. But, if you come to LA, come also looking for good food, you'll appreciate the journey regardless of the architecture that may be lacking.

See you when you get here, Dear Reader.  If you know your dates of arrival I'll pick you up at LAX!

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