New Year's Eve... But What About Adam?

It is exactly one hour from being 2008. I frankly don't care about bringing in the new year, because Amy just made my year. We watched Shortbus, and it was great. I remember Pam from the Office saying, "It's like squashing a bug, you don't want to look, but you have to make sure it's dead." Except the bug in this case was three cocks in one scene. Speaking of something really gross, I have a messy kitchen to clean in a little while. I might bring in the New Year by washing dishes. Frankly the night has hit the high point for me already. Amy makes me so happy and I really had a great night.

Not only has Shortbus made me happy, but also inspired to write. I think there is more to that movie than just sex. Here is the full length review from Rogert Ebert regarding the film when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival:

"Yes, there’s hard-core sex in this film (gay, straight, solo, amateur, professional and all of the above). But you couldn’t call it a hard-core film. It just doesn’t feel like one, and despite all the genitals on the screen it doesn’t try to be one; it’s not about sex but about sexuality, not about scoring but about living, and at its center is a remarkable performance by Sook-Yin Lee as Sofia, a sex therapist (“I prefer the term Couples Counselor”) whose search for her own first orgasm leads her into the gay, bi, trans and S&M underworld of New York. It is a world that seems so gentle and friendly in this film that I overheard a strange comment afterwards, “This is the first time New York has seemed Canadian.”

I love reading this, because it not only insures the world that there is still hope for American cinema without the fear of an organized ratings board, but that in midst of this crazy country (and the post 9/11 decline of civilization), it instills a sense of enjoyment to see people feel like their intimate practices, considered taboo by a majority, can exist in a little world where the only outcast is one who discriminates against the practice itself. I like the quote "Voyeurism is participation" because it says a lot. Maybe people who say, "Oh gross, sex" have seen it and it has caused a reaction. So in a sense, they took in the imagery and savored it for a delicate moment, then decided to find it disgusting. But this film is more than sex. It's about human emotion. Elia Kazan is an American filmmaker who directed such classics like A Streetcar Named Desire, The Last Tycoon, and East of Eden, has said:

"The camera is more than a recorder. It's a microscope that penetrates. It goes into people. and you see their most private and concealed thoughts."

Alright, so Shortbus, a film with a lot of literal penetration, really penetrates into the lives of these individuals. It's kind of a visual intimacy, where the sex occurring on the screen is not the point, but digging deep into the people involved and what the situation is. The only place these characters find happiness is in (or on) Shortbus. This world exists in the back of everyone's mind. The practices taking place in the world occur outside as well. Men have sex with men everywhere and women have sex with women everywhere, but it's interesting how all of these people's shortbuses pull off at an exit and into a garage where they can do whatever they want. It's sensual anarchy. America has said it's not okay for the same sex to involve themselves with one another, but in Shortbus, it's okay. I like how there is absolutely no real meaning of normalcy in the film. The fact that everything happens and it's okay.

This really inspires me to write tonight. Setting aside The Epic, I have been toying around with another idea, and after seeing this, it instills my desire to just write. I love characters. When I create a character, it's more than just a fictional anonymity, it's real life. Of course he/she exists in my head, but my idea is related to the imagination being more than just a voice in a head. I guess I'm tying over to The Epic with my dreams being tired into the reality that exists in my head. But just the idea of "normal"people having twisted thoughts really intrigues. I highly consider myself far from these "normal" people with twisted thoughts. If I need to categorize myself, I would say I'm an "abnormal" person with twisted thoughts. I love psychiatry, because like the camera, you penetrate into one's mind. I love hearing about people and what's going on in their heads because it really gives off an energy. And anytime someone professes deep issues, fantasies, good or bad feelings it cleanses the mind and body. For someone to hold deep emotions inside is very dangerous. Tumors can occur in the mind because of stress which later proceeds to early death, so I assume this serves as cleansing the soul as well.

I don't know how I got off (That's what she said) the subject. So yes, it was hard to watch the detailed sex scenes, but it just goes to show that Amy and I can watch anything together. We've conquered Shortbus, so the world's ahead of us. So, no one received ten dollars. And I won't regret this unless the neighbors decide to have a little chat with my dad. I had an idea of a college course titled Sex and Society: Entercourse. Haha, I wonder if anyone gets it. Of course, it's college. But I think this film would be a great visual representation. I'd like to hear the Dean after this. I think college is a great parallel for this new idea.

Wow, I have managed to ramble on about many things. I have five minutes to come up with a New Year's revolution. Yes, I meant to say revolution. Four minutes. Thinking... I wonder if this is like Qwanza where you have to give up something. Like trashy soccer moms saying things like, "My new year's resolution is to give up smoking." Yeah right! Like they really are. By morning they'll realize what they promised to give up and need a smoke. Two minutes. I hear fireworks. I hope no one creates a California fire. I'm trying to keep writing what I'm thinking. I want to make it through the New Year on the computer. This way it's like I'm celebrating. One minute! Not time yet. Time stand still!!!!!! Right now! Welcome 2008! The heater just kicked on with the clock turning midnight. Kind of creepy. My New Year's resolution is to write in my blog more. But better yet, my New Year's resolution is to make at least two films this year. I mean it! Now that is a resolution. As much as I gripe about wanting to make films, I just need to get off my lousy ass and make them! Like Godard quoted from another filmmaker, "All you need to make a film is a girl, a gun and a car." Haha. Anyways, there is a lot to look forward to this year. I can't legally drink until one more month, but I prematurely raise my glass to a good year and for 2008 to be an even better one.