Diving in Head First

Ok, so after much deliberation (and mainly procrastination) I have decided to try out this blog thing to "get the creative juices flowing" as they say. Regardless of whether or not anyone reads this, I feel it will be a good exercise for transcribing my thoughts into the world outside. Hopefully, this endeavor will increase my writing skills as well.

So, I thought to get my first post started, I would talk about that which I love most, and that is definitely movies.

I won a 52" plasma HDTV last week and I have been watching movies ever since. Lately, we popped in blockbuster action flicks such as Live Free or Die Hard, Mission Impossible 3, I, Robot, and Armageddon. And let me tell you, the picture is scrumptuous. I love it. The sucky thing, however, is that regular cable is weak unless you get a HD box. So, I might have to get a new deal with the cable man.

Anyway, I just finished Mystic River, the captivating story brought to the big screen by none other than Clint Eastwood. The 2003 movie is an adaptation of Dennis Lehane's 2001 novel of the same name. After seeing the movie, I feel I should read the book. The movie is about three childhood friends that are brought back together in the wake of a tragedy. The characters had grown apart at a young age because one of the boys was sexually abducted by some local freak in the Boston area.

They grow apart and we fast forward to the characters as grown men with families and careers. Jimmy Markum's (Sean Penn) world is rocked when his daughter is brutally murdered on the way home one night. Jimmy's childhood buddy, Sean Devine (Kevin Bacon), is now a homicide detective and is called to the crime scene to investigate the murder. Accompanied by his partner, Sgt. Whitey Powers (Lawrence Fishburne), Sean's investigation leads right into the lap of his abducted childhood friend, Dave Boyle (Tim Robbins).

Dave quickly turns into the prime suspect through mysterious evidence that clearly links him to the crime. Sean must quickly find the murderer before ex-convict Jimmy takes matters into his own hands.

When it boils down, each character must solve his own problems and wash their sins clean in the Mystic River. The theme of the movie is responsibility and overcoming life's curveballs. Sean learns that it is his move to apologize to win his wife back. Jimmy must learn to let go and understand that he must take care of his other two daughters and wife. Dave has to come to grips with his childhood encounter and somehow put it behind him.

Clint Eastwood is a terrific storyteller and his acclaimed direction starts with Mystic River. It is truly amazing how well Eastwood tells stories. He has become one of the most dependable directors in Hollywood today with his ability to consistently tell exquisite stories and it doesn't hurt that he nabs one of the best casts in modern cinema that includes Penn, Robbins, Bacon, Fishburne, Laura Linney, and Marcia Gay Harden

Time-tested Tim Robbins and Sean Penn both grab Oscars for this movie and they are well-deserving indeed. Tim Robbins is spectacular as the troubled and warped father and husband. Sean Penn is good, but not great. I was surprised he won the Oscar for Best Actor. He was going up a pretty lame set of nominees in 2003, so that ensured him the victory.

Again, this movie is so terrific because Eastwood is a sheer genious. In addition to direction, Eastwood lends his hand as the music superviser and performer. The shots in this movie are beautiful and the music takes it to another level. Daytime Boston looks gorgeous. Love Eastwood and watch this movie.

Eastwood may kill you...Punk!