April 10: "Stranger Than Fiction" 1, "Jaws" 0

In case anyone is keeping score, the movie Stranger Than Fiction beat Jaws as my final movie for my Intro to Film class.  There are several reasons behind this choice.  The last chapter in my textbook is titled "Thinking About Films."  There's a lot more to think about with STF than with Jaws.

However, don't ever count Steven Spielberg out.  I'm hoping to still watch the exploits of Bruce the shark next week.  I'm running a little ahead of the schedule on my syllabus, so I believe I have a day or two to play with.  The future is in Will Ferrell's hands at the moment.

Saint Marty is comfortable with his decision.  At least, he thinks he's comfortable with his decision.  He's almost comfortable.  Well, just a tad unsure.  Oh, hell...

Forgive me, Steven

April 4: Jaws is Stranger than Fiction

I have a dilemma.

Because so many class days were cancelled at the university because of snow this semester, I can't show all of the movies I originally intended for my Intro to Film class.  After Brokeback Mountain, I have Will Ferrell's Stranger than Fiction on the syllabus.  Before spring break, I told my students we weren't going to view Jaws.  Now, I'm reconsidering that decision.

The majority of my students were disappointed that I'd chosen to eliminate Jaws.  One guy tried to talk me into getting rid of Brokeback Mountain instead.  Hardly anyone is looking forward to Stranger than Fiction.  My dilemma is whether I give into popular pressure and show Jaws, thereby insuring more positive student evaluations at the end of the term, or stick to my original plan and screen Will Ferrell next week, incurring wrath and recrimination from my students, not to mention some shitty evaluations.

If I was a purist, I wouldn't cave in.  I'd tell my classes that Stranger than Fiction is a more interesting film, exploring ideas of comedy versus tragedy, a life of quiet desperation.  However, Jaws is a kick-ass movie, taking on the themes of man versus nature, Captain Ahab versus Moby Dick.  I'm completely at a loss.

I think what I'm going to do is bring both films to class next week.  It will depend upon my mood and chocolate intake as to whether the last film of the class will feature Bruce the shark or Will the tax man.

In the mean time, Saint Marty will be up on Brokeback Mountain, tending the sheep.  (Do no read anything into that statement.  No subtext is included.)

This...

or...

this?

December 30: Favorite Movie, New Year's Decorating, New Cartoon

I am sitting on my couch, watching one of my favorite movies ever--Stranger than Fiction.  It stars Will Ferrell and Maggie Gyllenhaal and Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson.  I don't know why this film appeals to me so much.  Ferrell plays IRS agent Harold Crick who discovers that he's a character in a novel by reclusive writer Karen Eiffel (Thompson).  It's a love story.  It's a tragedy.  It's a comedy.  It's postmodern.  It's old-fashioned.  It sort of defies categorization.

A few years ago, my DVD of the movie got scratched.  It started jumping and skipping.  I threw it away, and I've missed it ever since.  This Christmas, my sister bought me a new copy of the DVD, and last night, I watched it for the first time.  I'm watching it again tonight.  Yes, I love this movie that much.

I'm also really tired.  I spent the day shopping and decorating for the New Year's Eve party at my parents' house tomorrow night.  The cheese and crackers are bought.  The crescent weenies are cooked.  The streamers are streamed.  It's been a very long day.

I'm almost at the end of the movie.  Emma Thompson and Will Ferrell have finally met.  Death is looming for Ferrell's character.  Dustin Hoffman just explained the nature of tragedy to him.  I'm telling you this movie is full of beauty and poetry.  And it's a Will Ferrell film.

There aren't many perfect days.  With Stranger than Fiction in the DVD player and 2013 looming, Saint Marty is having a favorite thing kind of perfect day.

Confessions of Saint Marty