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Author: James Brush

James Brush is a teacher and writer who lives in Austin, TX. He tries to get outside as much as possible.

Monday Movie Roundup

June 27, 2006 • • Leave a comment

Monday? Tuesday? What’s the difference, really?

U Turn (Oliver Stone, 1997)

I’ve never been a huge fan of Oliver Stone. Watching his film is too much like getting beaten over the head with a blunt object. The exception being The Doors, though that film did open the door to an era of Stone(d) filmmaking in which the style became the message as seen in such movies as the tedious Natural Born Killers (memorable only for the use of the Cowboy Junkies’ version of “Sweet Jane”) and U Turn, which I only just saw. Now all things considered, U Turn wasn’t bad. It just felt like a stylistic exercise rather than a movie.

The story concerns a guy (Sean Penn) who owes a bunch of money to a dangerous man. He’s bringing the cash when his car breaks down in a small desert town where everyone wants to take him for a ride including a young woman (Jennifer Lopez). The woman’s husband (Nick Nolte) wants her dead, she wants him dead, Penn loses his money but can get it back by doing a bit of murder, but who to kill and for whom. Botched crime ensues.

It’s a good story, vaguely reminiscent of the Coen brothers’ Blood Simple, but in execution becomes more a vehicle for Stone’s stylistic obsessions of the late ’90s: grainy spaghetti western shots interspersed with more standard footage, switches to black and white, unmotivated slo-mo, weird/wise old Indian men, attempted Tarantino dialogue. In the end, U Turn was entertaining and I’m glad I watched it, but as with most Oliver Stone films I finished feeling a bit unfulfilled.

How’s Your News? (Arthur Bradford, 1999)

How’s Your News is a documentary about five peope who travel the United States from Maine to California in order tro create their own documentary about the US comprised of man-on-the-street interviews. The thing is all five members of the How’s Your News? team suffer from severe mental and/or physical disabilities. The most remarkable thing about this movie is the way in which it succeeds at being funny and sweet without ever once becoming exploitive or mean. The earnestness with which each team member approaches his interview subjects is touching, and the reactions of the interviewees are wonderful, most of whom don’t have a clue as to why they are being filmed and interviewed. Amazingly most of the people who are interviewed are patient and kind and willing to work with the interviewers after they recognize that they aren’t being played and that the How’s Your News interviewers are serious in their efforts.

This film was made by a guy who was in one of my writing classes at UT. He often seemed not to have much to write about, but clearly he didn’t need to make anything up as his quirky, original and fun documentary shows. Check it out.

Sonic Youth at Stubb’s

June 26, 2006 • • 4 Comments

There’s nothing like the sound of controlled chaos, screaming guitars that somehow manage to sound mellow, and a laid-back approach to making intense music out of sounds and noise rather than traditional chords and notes coupled with a musical style that exudes freedom and energy and life. It’s perfect really. It’s why I never miss a Sonic Youth show.

Friday was a very strange day for us. I won’t elaborate, but you can take my word for it. That’s why seeing Sonic Youth play Stubb’s was such a great thing. I’ve loved their music and most of their albums ever since I discovered them back in the eighties. I’ve been to many SY shows from back in the days when you went to mosh to these later years where you go to listen to the music of a wickedly creative and innovative band that just keeps getting better if somewhat mellower.

Friday’s set was mostly comprised material from their latest album, Rather Ripped. I like the album, though not quite as much as the previous three. Still, they sounded great and the songs, quieter than usual, still seemed to please the crowd. Of course, when a band has been around as long as Sonic Youth, everyone likes to hear which of their old classics will be broken out and transformed.

In a way, hearing the older tunes is the best part of a Sonic Youth set. For me, this is because they constantly reinvent their old songs so that rather than playing them the way they sounded back in the eighties or nineties, they sound fresh, as if they could fit comfortably on the newest album. This musical exploration and experimentation is at the heart of what Sonic Youth is about.

They played “Catholic Block” and “Schizophrenia” from Sister, “Eric’s Trip” from Daydream Nation (my favorite album ever), and dug way back to Confusion is Sex for “Shaking Hell.” Great stuff that managed to be both a nod to SY’s punk/hardcore roots as well as being thoroughly of the present. This timeless yet futuristicly experimental quality to their shows reminds me of more than anything else of Phish or Grateful Dead shows.

Not exactly punk, really, but I’ll keep on truckin’ along and seeing their shows as long as they keep doing them. It’s been since 1981 and they don’t seem to be growing bored or more importantly boring.

Weekend Hound & Cat Blogging: Reunions

June 25, 2006 • • Leave a comment

Morrison and the Dogs

While we were on vacation, Morrison and Phoebe stayed at a “resort.” Morrison enjoyed a large room in the cat suite, and Phoebe lived it up with the other dogs. Daphne stayed with my sister’s family as she has ever since we tried to board her back in 2003.

On that occasion, Daphne hid and panted and shivered so badly that the staff upgraded her and our other dog (Zephyr) to a deluxe suite, which looked like a small apartment and cost $70/day. They were kind enough not to charge us the difference, but they also said that Daphne is unboardable.

From then on, Daphne and Zephyr would stay with my sister, but since Phoebe is still in her terrible twos, we thought it best to board her. She seemed to like the experience, but we wondered how they would react when they saw each other again after a week.

Neither dog was especially excited to see us (we had, after all abandoned them) but they were thrilled to see one another. They threw aside their usual greyhound stoicism and jumped around, spinning, dancing, popping wheelies, and dropping into play-bow position. Phoebe even executed a few ollies off the couch.

Morrison, an old hand at being boarded and coming home, was more concerned that his cat box was where he left it, but I think he was happy in his own mellow feline way to once again see his stooges goons friends.

***

Want to make a fast friend by saving a greyhound in Central Texas? Check these pups out. Or go here to find a greyhound near you. You can also go here to find out why greyhounds are running for their lives.

If you have dogs who need proven leadership, go here to find a cat.

Old Photo Friday

June 23, 2006 • • 5 Comments

This Friday we enjoy (I hope) a glimpse of Austin, or at least a corner of it, back in the early ’90s…

GM Steak House

This picture of the GM Steak House, which had been searing steers for thirty years, was taken in 1990 or 1991 while I was waiting for the bus on the Drag between MLK and 21st.

I set the picture up and waited for a car to come along. While doing that, one of the employees at the GM got on a PA system and started serving up some of the attitude and commentary for which they were famous.

Fortunately, I did not have to endure the insults for long as the bus came to whisk me away shortly after the picture was taken.

I think there’s only one GM Steak House left now, and I think it’s only open for breakfast and lunch.

Pictures from Tahoe: Friday

June 23, 2006 • • Leave a comment

Friday was our last day in the Tahoe area. I spent the early morning drinking coffee and staring out at the mountains around Squaw Valley, trying to drink in as much of it as possible before returning to Texas:

Squaw Valley

We had to check into the airport in Reno at 12:30 so we had time to drive down to Tahoe City one more time to look at that beautiful lake:

Lake Tahoe

On our way to the airport we stopped to get a shot of the Truckee River, which is the only river that flows out of Lake Tahoe:

Truckee River

And finally we arrived in Reno to find that our flight was cancelled. We became accidental tourists, and American Airlines put us up at the Reno Hilton:

from the Reno Hilton

Spending an extra night wasn’t bad even if it was in Reno. We ate good food at the Hilton, which is a really a gigantic Vegas-style casino complex. We’re not gamblers, but we did go bowling. I hadn’t bowled in probably fifteen years, but my first shot was a strike. I forsee more bowling in our future.

The trip was fantastic, and I’m sure we’ll find a way to go back sometime. Hopefully soon.

Pictures from Tahoe: Thursday

June 22, 2006 • • Leave a comment

On Thursday, we hiked at Sugar Pine Point State Park on the west shore of Lake Tahoe:

Sugar Pine Point SP

We only did one hike while we were there and so we took this one because it would get us close to the water:

Lake Tahoe

The trail was pretty easy, but we were in it more for scenery than exercise. We hiked along a beach that we had to ourselves:

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe

After walking along the beach the trail veered back into the woods and led to what one guidebook described as the highest altitude lighthouse in the world. The park’s literature described it as the highest navigational aid. It was a gigantic yield sign with a light on top set in place to warn boaters of some rocks near shore. I don’t know why I was expecting a more traditional lighthouse, but we had a few good laughs about it and continued our hike:

Sugar Pine Point SP - Big Trees

As we were heading back to the trailhead, something black moved quickly across the trail about forty yards ahead. Our first thought was ‘bear’ but then we decided it must’ve been a bird. When we got around the bend we saw to other hikers who had had a clear view of our bear/bird. Turns out it was a bear, and they were trying to decide if they really did in fact want to go hiking, but seeing that we were alive, they soldiered on.

I’ve always been fascinated by bears and was hoping to see one (preferable from the car) but I feel lucky to have gotten even the most fleeting glipmpse of a bear. Especially one that didn’t have an apetite for Texan.

After hiking, we went back to Tahoe City for lunch and then paid a visit to Truckee. From there we drove up to Donner Summit to stand around in some snow since we don’t ever see any around here.

This picture was taken at the trailhead for the Pacific Crest Trail that runs from Mexico all the way up to Canada:

near Donner Summit

Pictures from Tahoe: Wednesday

June 21, 2006 • • 6 Comments

This is looking up at the mountains from Squaw Valley on a perfect morning:

Squaw Valley

We drove across the Sierras to Nevada City, CA to visit my uncle and aunt who have a house in the woods near there. Before lunch they took us to see the South Yuba River about a mile from their home.

This is looking up the river:

South Yuba River

This is looking down the river:

South Yuba River

When we got back to Squaw I tried my hand at glowing aspens, inspired by Ansel Adams:

Squaw Aspens

California Beer

June 21, 2006 • • 4 Comments

Irish Pub in Squaw Valley
(inside an Irish pub in Squaw Valley)

In 1994, I was working on a made-for-TV movie in San Jose. On a day off, I drove up to Mountain View with one of the sound guys. We attended the Small Brewers’ Festival of California where I tried many beers including Pete’s Wicked Ale, which quickly became my favorite.

When I returned to Austin, I preached the gospel of Pete’s but it would be another year and a half before it made its way here. By the time I found it, in a 7-11 on MLK, it tasted different. I still liked it, but it wasn’t quite what I remembered. Perhaps beer tastes better in memory?

A few years ago, I mentioned it to a friend’s father who is an alcohol distributor. He claimed that all California and all European beers were skunky by the time they reach Texas and that they taste totally different (meaning fresh) closer to the source.

I don’t know if this is true or not, but when we were in California, I found that my favorite beer of all time, my comfort beer if you will – Sierra Nevada Pale Ale – was not the same in the Sierra Nevada mountains as it is in the hills of central Texas.

I love Sierra Nevada for its crisp hopiness, almost IPA-like in character. It’s the cascade hops that I love, I suppose, which is why when I make beer I try to load it up with similar-tasting hops. Still, there’s nothing like a cold pint of Sierra Nevada Pale. The idea of drinking a pint of Sierra in the Sierras was too much to pass up, but imagine my surprise when I tasted it. It was like a great beer made perfect. It had greater complexity of flavor than it does here. There’s an almost floral presence in the taste, but it’s not sweet or soapy, it’s just… better.

Perhaps my friend’s dad was right. Perhaps Sierra is a bit off here in Texas, but I still like it. The test will be if I can locate a local purveyor of any of these fine beers that we tried on our trip and see if they taste as I remember them:

  • Tahoe Red Ale from the Lake Tahoe Brewing Company (whose site I can’t find) somewhere on the Nevada side. I liked this one. Reds aren’t my favorite, but it was smooth and pleasant.
  • Steelhead Extra Pale Ale from the Mad River Brewing Company in Blue Lake, CA. Truly a light pale in color. Nicely hopped, and I say the hoppier the better. This was my favorite of the beers we discovered.
  • Eye of the Hawk Select Ale by the Mendocino Brewing Company in Ukiah, CA. You can tell it’s a very alcoholic beer (8.0%) without reading the label. It’s thick, full, and strong. Reminds me of some Scottish ales. One is enough.
  • Great White Hefe-Weissen by the Lost Coast Brewing Company in Eureka, CA. I like a hefe after a hot day. It wasn’t really hot the day we tried it, but it still went down clean and smooth. Very refreshing with a wedge of lemon. Beautiful rich golden color.

We also drank Sierra Nevada Pale. Of course.

In his book River Horse, William Least Heat-Moon at one point describes reaching the west coast as coming to the end of the “Great American Beer Desert.” It’s not too deserty here in central Texas, but I do love going to California if for nothing else than to try new beers.

Pictures from Tahoe: Monday and Tuesday

June 20, 2006 • • 4 Comments

This is our first glimpse of Lake Tahoe, taken from Tahoe City, CA last Monday:

Lake Tahoe

This is the view from our room in The Resort at Squaw Creek in the mountains halfway between Truckee and Tahoe City:

Squaw Valley

I took this on Tuesday morning when the sun was trying to come out, but only really made it to the upper slopes. The rest of the day was overcast and drizzly, but still beautiful.

This is from a waterfall leading into Emerald Bay on the southwestern shore of the lake:

Emerald Bay

The island – Fannette Island – is the only island in Lake Tahoe.

We didn’t stay long at Emerald Bay because rain was coming in and thunder was booming down from the mountains, so we spent most of the rest of Tuesday relaxing, playing cards and watching the clouds crash into the mountains and then billow down the slopes of the valley.

The Lost Book Club: A Wrinkle in Time

June 20, 2006 • • 6 Comments

Why did I not read this when I was younger? A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle is a wonderful tale of travel through space and time, full of charming characters, human and alien, who all want to help Meg, a young misfit, find her long-lost scientist father.

Accompanying Meg on her journey are her friend Calvin and her younger brother, Charles Wallace, who is very young, but possess the intelligence, if not the wisdom, of an adult. He also seems to have some kind of powerful psychic ability, though L’Engle does not really delve too deeply into the whys of this aspect of Charles’ character.

A Wrinkle in Time appears on Lost as one of the many books that Sawyer is shown reading. It appears in the episode “Numbers” in which we learn Hurley’s backstory and the tale of how he won the lottery using a set of numbers that he has come to believe are cursed and that seem to have something to do with the island. Hurley sets off across the island searching for answers and in this way, his journey parallels Meg’s journey for answers about her father.

Along the way, Meg and company find that many worlds are shrouded by a black thing, a darkness, that sounds more than a little bit like the mysterious black cloud that both Mr. Eko and John Locke have seen on Lost. Here we have what is apparently the closest Lost connection.

As it is described in A Wrinkle in Time, the black shadow is some kind of manifestation of pure evil, but on Lost in may be something else. In the first season it appears to be some kind of unseen monster, but after looking into it, Locke claims that he has looked into the eye of the island and found it beautiful. In season two, Mr. Eko has a similar experience, but the monster is revealed as some kind of black smoke or shadow that shows Eko images of his past.

In A Wrinkle in Time, we have another book that suggests alternate reality and psychic manipulation. It focuses on the presence of some kind of all-encompassing evil that has the power to distort reality and trap people where time has no meaning; in fact all of A Wrinkle in Time takes places over the course of a few seconds on Earth.

I’m not sure time has stopped on Lost, but one thing that’s interesting to note is the fact that the only two characters to face the monster and survive are the two who are most driven by faith. The issue of faith vs. reason is a recurring theme on Lost, and as I ponder A Wrinkle in Time, I remember that it was Meg’s faith and her love for her brother that saved her. On Lost, Mr. Eko, a true man of faith, was ultimately saved by the love of his brother.

Perhaps A Wrinkle in Time is something of a red-herring on Lost, designed to make us wonder if the characters on Lost are trapped in a wrinkle in time of their own, or perhaps under the spell of some kind of psychic manipulation. Maybe the darkness on Lost isn’t really darkness, or perhaps it further blinds the men of faith. Whatever may happen on Lost, though, A Wrinkle in Time is a worthwhile read.

For more of my Lost book posts, check out The Lost Book Club.