What's Coming: Birth of Impressionism at the Frist

Saying "I love museums" for me is like saying "I breathe all the time." It's totally obvious and a bit of an understatement. Ever since I can remember, I have been obsessed with going to museums. In college, I took an amazing art class, and one Saturday in April we drove on a bus 2 hours to go to 3 different museums in St. Louis. To say that I was in heaven might not do justice to that amazing day. Sadly, for the last 4 years during school, I've been a bit museum-deprived. Not only were there zero museums where I lived, but the only way to get to a one would have been to drive 2 hours. So, I'm making up for lost time now that I've returned to my hometown of Nashville.

We have a gem of a museum called the Frist Center for the Visual Arts. It is a fabulous art deco building that used to be the post office; I think that the style is better suited to it's current job as a museum. It's only been open since 2001, and this year has been it's best year yet. The last exhibit was a collection of couture fashion from the Victoria Albert museum in London. I went on the last day it was open, and it was spectacular. Now, opening on October 15, the Musee d'Orsay has loaned "The Birth of Impressionism" mega-exhibit that boasts some of the finest masterpieces from the movement. I am beyond excited to see it. Manet and Degas will be there, and so will I!

The Lost Art of Spontaneity: The Demise of the Video Rental

As a devotee of Netflix, I can't say that I've missed the hassle of going to Blockbuster. I would get there just in time to see the movie I wanted disappear into someone else's hands, and I would end up circling the alphabetized new releases, trying to pick something. Thanks to Netflix and On Demand movies, I can instantly watch any number of of films without having to leave the house; it's fantastic.

Yet, I can't help but miss Blockbuster at times. For instance, I watched Meet the Parents with my family the other night. In the usual banter that happens post-film, we discussed the sequel and how we'd never seen it. If Blockbuster was still around, I could've hopped into my car and 30 minutes later had Meet the Fockers. Instead, I had to add it to my queue, where is has remained for weeks and weeks because I keep on forgetting to return Upstairs, Downstairs. I don't even feel like watching it any more; none of us do. But, it has remained in my queue and in my mind ever since. As far as instantly watching movies and TV goes, Netflix and On Demand are obviously the better choice. And, I can definitely say that late fees were the bane of my family's membership at Blockbuster; every visit cost upwards of $20. However, having the choice to go rent a movie was nice. Gone are the days when I was in high school and would go to Blockbuster with my friends in our pajamas since none of the movies at the sleepover were satisfactory. Waiting for 2 days for a movie takes the fun and enjoyment out of the whole rental experience. And, there's no yellow popcorn or stale gummi bears with my Netflix.

Review: Ate, Prayed, but didn't Love

We all have the best intentions, and I have been meaning to post more. So, to fulfill that promise, I am sharing my opinions about the movie I saw this weekend, Eat Pray Love. I must preface this review by admitting that I am not a big Julia Roberts fan. She plays the same character over and over, and, while I will always love Pretty Woman, I find it hard to part with my $10 to see Vivian again and again. Also I feel I should say that I didn't like the book Eat Pray Love. I couldn't even finish it because I got fed up. I loved the idea of the story, and I thought that the part of the book in Italy was fantastic. And, I admire Liz Gilbert's writing voice, but, after 200 pages, I couldn't hep but feel like I was being preached at. However, I still wanted to see the film version of the story to at least marvel at the scenery and see Julia Roberts' 140 costume changes (what a suitcase she must've had, huh?).

These are my problems with the film: 1. In one scene, Liz is extolling the virtues of getting rid of the guilt of indulging in food and loving your muffin top (the bit of fat that creeps over the sides of your pants like the top of that fluffy breakfast pastry). Yet, in the very next scene, the film cuts to Liz lying on the floor while her firend tries to zip her into some pants. Isn't that a contradiction? If you aren't worried about your size, why not get some bigger pants? And, 2., my other qualm with the story is that, everywhere she goes, Liz sees herself through the men she's with. Husband, rebound relationship, dreamy Italian tutor, bumper-sticker-talkin' Richard from Texas, and Brazilian hottie Felipe. Even though she's on a path of self-discovery and awareness, Liz still needs men on her journey from misery to mistakes to learning a new language, to forgive, and to love.

There were 2 things that I loved in the film. First, was Richard from Texas, played by the fabulous Richard Jenkins. The character's wisdom was solid, but it was Jenkins' honest, heart-wrenching vulnerabilty and tough-love attitude that made him my favorite character. He might have had only 20 minutes of screen time, but it wasn't nearly enough. When Richard left the ashram in India, I felt sad and wished he could've stuck around for the rest of the story. The second best part of the movie can be summed up in 2 words: Javier. Bardem. Super dreamy, super sexy, and a great actor to boot. What more does a movie need? I couldn't stand dealing with Liz's wishy washy ways, and her mimsy-mumsy mumbling about not being ready to commit seemed even more ridiculous with Bardem onscreen. He can make me a mix tape any time he wants.

Overall, the movie wasn't bad, but I didn't love it. The saving graces were the above actors, the beautiful locales, and the serious closeups of food that seemed almost erotic in the cinematographer's treatment of them. It was a beautiful movie but, like a big plate of pasta, a few hours later, I was unsatisfied.

Art Imitating Life: The Post-Grad Ennui

Now that I am officially a college graduate and have joined the legions of unemployed Americans (hello comrades!), I thought I would make a list of characters from films, books and TV that have all experienced what I am lovingly calling "post-grad ennui." What is P-GE? It's the feeling after leaving college where the world is your oyster, but you can't shuck it for the life of you. I think that all of these characters understand. Class, shall we begin?


1. Ben Braddock- The Graduate

First and foremost we have Ben from The Graduate. I know it's an obvious choice, this being a post-grad list and all, but Ben practically invented P-GE. Even though this film was made over 40 years ago, it still rings true today. Well maybe not all of Ben's story (ahem, scene above), but the very beginning of the movie is eerily familiar to everyone who has completed his or her higher education. Surrounded by people asking him what he's going to do now, Ben is so obviously uncomfortable that the audience begins to cringe too. Who from the class of 2010 hasn't felt like this?


2. Harold Chasen: Harold and Maude

OK, I know that Harold is only 19, but what he experiences in this gem of a film is equivalent to graduating from school (he just graduates from the school of life). Harold is morbid, to say the least. He constructs several fake suicides, drives a hearse and attends funerals...for fun. He's twisted, but all of that changes once he meets the vivacious Maude. Maude is almost 80, and she has lived enough to fill 10 lives. She steals cars, dances in fields and shows Harold how much fun being alive can be. Thanks to Maude, Harold's ennui dissipates, and he goes on with life, dancing and playing the banjo to Cat Stevens ("If you want to sing out, sing out!").


3. Rory Gilmore- Gilmore Girls

As a devotee of this beloved TV show, I can't help but think of the younger Ms. Gilmore when wondering about life after college (and no, I'm not going to mention that trite disappointment Post-Grad Survival Guide...it was a solid effort by Alexis Bledel, but I think Rory's experience can resonate with more people.). Rory was a super star at Yale; she edited The Yale Daily News and got great grades. She had job offers at small papers, but she decided to go for the top and apply for a fellowship with the holy grail of newspapers, The New York Times. Imagine the audience's shock when Rory, perfect, over-achieving Rory, didn't get the fellowship. Granted this was during the show's final season when the creators of Gilmore Girls got into a tiff with the network and left the series and the plot in the lurch, and many die-hard GG fans chose to think that this season doesn't exist. I, however, liked some parts of the storyline, and I think that Rory's career heartbreak was poignant and realistic. She shook out in the end, getting to ride around on Barack Obama's campaign bus (this was back in 2007) and write about him. Her P-GE was short-lived but keenly felt.


What I love most about these characters is the fact that, in the end, things worked out, in their own way. Ben, Harold and Rory's stories all end differently, but they do leave room for the future because, once you've graduated, the future is all you've got.

3 things: Good, Better and Best

I have three matters of business to discuss today, and the first is only OK. This weekend I saw Date Night. As an avid lover of all things Carell and Fey, I was beyond excited for this movie. Two of the greatest comedic actors of the day in one movie...how could it go wrong? Well, folks, it did. I liked it, but my expectations were not met. It was as if the filmmaker was so focused on the film's stars that he forgot about one important thing: the plot! The story careened and meandered for the duration of the film, and I think that the plot was sacrificed to give the actors time to ad lib. Unfortunately, the best part of the movie was the credits. The bloopers showed the genius of Steve and Tina, and I wish that the unfortunate scene involving a stripper pole (an eternity for the audience was endured while the married couple awkwardly danced in the most unlikely situation) was shortened so that the bloopers could have been longer. Date Night wasn't bad, but I wouldn't go out with it again.




You know what made up for that disappointment? PBS's Masterpiece Theatre! I love Masterpiece; my whole life, my family and I have gathered around the TV on Sunday nights and watched the bst programming on TV. Last night's presentation of The Diary of Anne Frank was amazing. It's one of my favorite books, and I've lost count of how many times I've read it. I've watched many film adaptations of it, and I think that this one was by far the best I've ever seen. Many films try to portray Anne as a perfect, sweet child, but that's not who Anne was. She was trapped in a tiny space with seven other people. She was angry, mean, and at times very selfish. That's what makes her so wonderful and compelling! She was real. What happened to her is awful, but her legacy has lived on thanks to her diary. She became a woman during perhaps the darkest time of the 20th century, and she writes about the world around her with poise and passion. This movie captured that essence, and I think eighth graders all over the country will watch this in their schools. It's that good. Seriously, watch it now.


And, finally, Glee comes back tomorrow!! Yay! Now, for the tough question...do I watch it or Lost? Decisions, decisions...

Glee- Too Much Too Soon?

Hello, my name is Anna Beth, and I'm a Glee-aholic. Unabashedly, I can admit that I love this TV show. As a band, choir and theatre nerd throughout high school, I find this satire oddly familiar and comforting; I feel at home with this show. Thanks to movie musicals and a love of Broadway, that "let's-put-on-a-show-and-make-everything-better" mentality has been ingrained in me. I love nothing more than, if things are at their worst, we can make it better by singing and dancing it out.

I've been with this show from the very beginning. I feel like I share a small part in its success. I've bought the music, I've watched every episode, and I've written about ad nauseam on Facebook (likely to the chagrin of friends who aren't fans). Baby drama, Beyonce, and blue slushies are the ingredients in this show's magic formula, and I've waited with bated breath since December for the show to come back.

However, with my beloved show about to return, I can't help but hope that it can live up to my (and America's) expectations. Since the show went on hiatus, there has not been a week where a spoiler, promo or juicy tidbit hasn't been released. I think it's a good technique to make sure no one forgets about Glee, but I just hope that it won't disappoint. Yet, can it let us down? I mean, Idina Menzel and Neil Patrick Harris are going to guest star? And there's going to be a Madonna episode (with Rachel singing "Like A Prayer"... amazing!)? AND, Mr. Schue and Emma are going to be together? I, for one, can't wait.

I just hope that this won't be like a Christmas where you asked Santa for a pony and you got socks instead. Dear Glee, be the pony, please!

She's Out of My League: Not That Bad

I thought I'd continue the bad movie roll I've been on and go see She's Out of My League, expecting nothing short of horrible. However, I have to say, it wasn't that bad. Now, Casablanca it ain't, but it was not the worst movie I've ever seen.

The movie, which you can basically get the gist of from the trailer, is about an unmotivated schmo named Kirk (played by Jay Baruchel), who is told by his friends that he's a 5 on the hotness scale. Personally, I think it's what's on the inside that counts, and humor and kindness are more attractive than washboard abs or buff biceps. Then again, I probably wasn't this movie's target audience. However, I think we can all agree that Kirk is not a bad looking guy. I thought he was kind of charming when he wasn't moping and feeling sorry for himself. He comes in contact with Molly (Alice Eve), who everyone describes as "a hard 10," and, for reasons no one is sure about, they begin to date.

Now, genital jokes and gross-out moments asides, parts of this movie were actually genuinely sweet. Molly and Kirk's frank discussion of self-esteem and self-perception was pretty honest for what on the surface seems like a dumb date night movie. Also, a Great Expectations reference was made, and I was sold from there. And, most importantly, I felt like the two really did like each other (something that I didn't get from the opus that is Dear John).

I had a good time watching this movie. Any time that I felt annoyed I think was a combination of tonal shift (sweet to snarky...I guess the screenwriters were trying to appeal to both the men and the women in the theater) and the crying baby at the particular show I saw. This is definitely a good matinee movie; I didn't think I would, but I can honestly say I had fun.

It was the winter of my discontent: The bad movies of February

Any of my friends can tell you that I love a bad movie. I love laughing at the stilted acting, the implausible story line and, most of all, the super cheesy, lovey dovey ending. However, this February, right at the height of awards season, I saw three bad movies in a row. And not the good kind of bad movie. I'm talking about the bad, bad movie, the kind that Lifetime Television for Women might not show. Three weekends, three bad movies. And here, dear reader, I will lay them out for you.



First, I saw When In Rome. Yes, it was just as bad as the preview seemed. The storyline dragged at the end, flailing to tie up the silly story with even sillier plot knots. I laughed a lot, though not at the filmmaker's moments that should have been funny. A friend and I were shushed by some girls behind us, admonishing that, and I quote, "A romantic comedy is supposed to be cheesy." I wanted to tell them that I can handle cheesy, but not if that cheese is moldy. This cheese fest was.










Then I saw Dear John, the little movie that could, the David that knocked Goliath Avatar out of the top spot after almost two months as the nation's number one movie. Now, I knew that Dear John wasn't going to be Citizen Kane by any means, but I had no idea that the movie would be as horrifying as it was. Truly, it was awful. I'm not a Sparks fan, but I can enjoy a Saturday afternoon showing of The Notebook like any self-respecting romantic. However, there are no words to describe the pain I felt after seeing Dear John. Both actors are poised to become the next big box office stars, and God help us if they do. Lines were delivered sans emotion, expression or even excitement. And the chemistry? What chemistry? I couldn't even tell if they liked each other. I couldn't laugh, that's how bad it was. It was definitely the worst movie I've seen this month, maybe even in the last six. Don't waste your money, I beg you.






Finally, last weekend I saw Valentine's Day, this year's ubiquitous "all-star" ensemble film. Last year, we got the cliched He's Just Not That Into You, the film that teaches women that if they change their beliefs, they'll finally get what they want: a man. Valentine's Day was in the same vein. Starring some of Gary Marshall's favorite actors, both big names and bit characters, this film seemed like a knockoff of Love Actually without Hugh Grant's charm. It was probably the best of these films that I saw, and George Lopez's one liners made me laugh. However, I think maybe Wolf Man is a better option for date night than any of these three movies. Let's hope March brings us something better.