Friday, August 20, 2010

Life During War Time ~ dir. Todd Solondz


A drinking game for Todd Solondz’s "sequel" to the unsettlingly poignant Happiness:

Take one shot every time…
  • A clichéd character appears including but not limited to neurotic Floridian mother, self-debasing do-gooder hippie, inexpressive man, self-absorbed Hollywood screenwriter, vengeful ghost, socially awkward dork
  • Someone says “pedophile"
  • You see a poster you owned in college/high school  
  • You think you’re watching a Woody Allen movie
  • Someone makes a passive aggressive comment



Take two shots every time…

  • You get an unnecessary titty-shot
  • Your reminded of your own family (you probably need it) 
By this time you might be drunk enough to empathize with one of the characters in the movie, thus giving you a similar experience to its predecessor.  Unfortunately, I don’t imbibe at the movies so I was left with the sense that I should have gone to see Get Low. Solondz's characters depend on your pity, your understanding and without that the meaning is lost.
This movie made me feel nothing, not good or bad or bored or challenged in any way. The most shocking part about it was that it was made by someone who’s shown so much vision, who has the ability to cast and finance his movies as he wishes yet still produces just another disappointing sequel.





Wednesday, August 18, 2010



The Brandywine River

In September 1777 this river saw American Revolutionary forces led by General George Washington battle British troops intent on seizing Philadelphia, which at the time was the seat of the Second Continental Congress. Washington's army was defeated and the Red Coats later went on to occupy the city.

Today the Brandywine looks more like this:



... or so I was hoping as I searched for ways to escape the unrelenting heat this summer.

When I first envisioned this trip, I pictured myself towing a floating beer-and-hoagie-stuffed cooler down a meandering river on a day-long trip though the serene Pennsylvania countryside. I ended-up going with an official outfitting company (aka no drinking) for a two hour trip which actually felt like 20 minutes. Though I was not exactly what I had in mind, it made me convinced that NEXT time I am definitely embracing my inner Tom Sawyer, taking two cars, a map, and supplies and just forging the river on my own. Seeing as the stretch we decided to take never got much deeper than my waist, I think I will safely return.

There are many theories as to how best to approach the river, however I think the best bet is to park at the Brandywine River Museum (on Rt 1/Baltimore Pike). I'm told that this ride take about 6 - 8 hours depending on the water speed, so try to get started early. At first, I could not see myself wanting to be on the river for that long however I've found an hour on the river translates to about 10 min. on land.

There are two bridges that cross the Brandywine, one about four or so hours from the museum and another a couple of hours later. These are Smith Bridge and Thompson's Bridge consecutively. On our tour, we entered the river at Smith Bridge and there was a small beach, rope swings, and a parking lot. A few people were already there enjoying the weather, so it is definitely open to the public.

I did call ahead to one of the local companies that organizes group trips in the area to make sure the river water level was tubable and that the weather would be acceptable. I just told them I was interested in planning a trip there and they were happy to give me the info.

Items to bring:

Tube - lots of rocks so you might want to get one designed for sports. I like having handles on mine so you can tie other flotation devices onto you.
Sneakers - you will be walking on rocky beaches and most likely a mysterious riverbed so you're really gonna need some good, crappy shoes.
Change of clothes - something I forgot.

If you forget your Godfather hoagie from Cosmi's and are starving after your 8 hour trip on the river, you may want to stop at The Charcol Pit.




Yes, that's pretty much what it looks like today. You really can't miss it. It's been around since 1956 and it shows with it's table-side jukeboxes and waitresses that look like they were there to celebrate it's inaugural summer.

The Charcol Pit
NORTH WILMINGTON
2600 CONCORD PIKE
PHONE 478-2165