I always wanted to like the movie Garden State more than I actually did. Overall, I liked the concept, I enjoyed the whole package... but, can I let you in on a secret? I can't stand Natalie Portman. She is, to me, the embodiment of the 'Manic Pixie Dream Girl' character. (with the exception of Black Swan and the newer Star Wars movies- but Black Swan was weird and the Star Wars movies were just bad.) This also stems from the fact that she reminds me of my best friend from back in high school. A girl who guys saw as their MPDG, and, subsequently, I was overlooked. (plus, my "friend" was manipulative and needy, so there's just all sorts of negative feelings attached to all of this. Sorry Natalie.) Plus, Garden State writes her as a MPDG. So, there's that. Its like, double MPDG. Ugh.

oh my gosh. Seriously... this "fantasy" annoys me so much. It makes me feel like because I am an emotionally stable, hardworking, goal oriented grown woman, that I am a stick in the mud. Guys have passed me over more times that I can count for this idea... (hint, gentlemen? She doesn't EXIST. If you feel like you've found her...

But, anyhoo, one thing I did love about Garden State, was the soundtrack. What? You too? Your mom too? And your weird uncle? Shocking. I know. 

Iron & Wine covering The Postal Service? Coldplay sadly and epically playing at the end. The Shins. Frou Frou. It was an aspiring indie kid's music dream. Zac Braff has good taste in music.

So, even though I think its weird that he's started a Kickstarter campaign to create his "follow up" to Gardent State...(really? We're not only paying $13 to see a movie at theaters, now they're gonna ask us to fund them too?) if you donate $20 or more... you'll get to hear the soundtrack before its released AND he'll make and send out a new playlist each week of the production. That would be pretty cool.

 

Anyways... that's my randomness for today.

Not going to lie, I have a definite soft spot for smaller, independent films. I like that they portray life in a more realistic fashion than most glossy, popular flicks. They're usually more stylized (whether it be through the music, wardrobe, or filming) as well. Over the years, I haven't watched quite as many as I did while in college- when I had more time to watch movies that didn't contain much of a storyline or plot- besides nowadays- I usually am multitasking when watching...

Last night I finally started Like Crazy- and, was a bit underwhelmed. It was a very quiet film. (literally, I put my ear buds in about 1/4 of the way through so I could catch the dialogue.) 

But it was sweet enough. It was earnest, and the ending, while somewhat abrupt, was much more true than the sparkly, they lived happily ever after ones you get with most romances.

What stood out to me was the score. I was able to discern that one of my favorite composers, Dustin O'Halloran had a few songs included... but was happily surprised, today, to find that the entire film was scored by him! If you enjoy melodic piano music- I cannot recommend him high enough. 

And if you're looking for a few movie recs from me... some of my favorite, lesser known films are as follows: Marie Antoinette (directed by Sofia Coppola, not a lot of plot, but vibrant and beautifully styled, with a killer soundtrack) The Virgin Suicides (another Sofia Coppola one) The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys, Saved!, Brick (with a young, Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Girl Interrupted, and Donnie Darko. I have weird taste in movies, I know. This is just one genre that I find fascinating. (and quite a few of them were books I read, and enjoyed.