Sicko

I went and watched a film yesterday and then got two films out of the video shop, so yesterday I lost myself in someone else's vision.
Sicko.
Michael Moore films make me mad. Firstly, because that is how he weaves his influence: by generating an emotional response from his audience. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I feel a bit (maybe a lot) manipulated. He is a very good storyteller, but I feel like I am being shouted at. This ties in with the second thing that makes me mad, particularly in this film: I do not know where archival footage ends and the made up visuals begin or if it is a re-enactment or what it is that I am actually seeing. If you take away this fiction you are left with narrator's voice that is full of tone and sarcasm, which I am sure I do not always get. The last thing that makes me mad is of course the message and the implications of this in Australia. Why don't we have free health care for everyone? Why is it that the Federal Government can waltz into Tasmania and take over a hospital and essentially make everyone think that the Tasmanian goverment is shite and all States are shite because they do not run the health care system well enough and conveniently forget that the States rely on federal dollars for everything they do. Are we in surplus as a nation? Then why are the States in crisis?
Marie Antionette
I have mixed feelings about this film. I think that Sofia has a very large crush on Kirsten. I notice that Sofia has this real skill at making beautiful shots happen in odd ways - I am not sure if that is the cinematographer or not, but I see shots in this film that I have seen in Lost in Translation and the other film about the sisters that I cannot remember right now. There is also this sense that I have gotten in all of these films that I am seeing something beautiful, but not being allowed to see anything substantial about these people, but then this surface they offer is all they have. The music was generally good, except for one scene where I thought it was particularly strange and off putting. I cannot remember the song title, but its a Frank Sinatra. I have a huge complaint though and I am not sure if this happened in the cinema, but the sound was fucked up. Too soft, then too loud. I can understand using sound for emphasis and to further the story, but it did not and I hate having loudness suddenly blasted at me cos I had to turn it up in a too quiet bit. I find that Sofia's films generate a very elusive and airy feeling in me: I am fascinate but feel like I am seeing only the surface without any hints at what is underneath.
Shortbus
This film shows how complicated relationships are and even shows a suicide attempt, but it is not overwhelming or over-demanding. I enjoyed this film and loved the animation in it. It has a rating of R and a warning: high level sex scenes/actual sexual activity. Its stories of people and I enjoyed it.


A post script about Perth and how angry I get here and why. Yesterday I was wandering about, catching buses and trains to get to Leederville to watch the film. I walked out of the dvd store to see my bus drive past (I did not know the timetable), so I went to the bottlo and then went and sat at the bus stop. I waited there for an HOUR for the next bus which then dropped me off within 200 metres of my door about 6 minutes up the road. This is why everyone drives cars here. Secondly, about two weeks ago I went to a city cafe for my Sunday coffee and I was feeling a bit ragged so I asked for: a strong, soy cappuccino. Guess how much this cost me? $4.50. and it was shite. FOR FUCK PLEASE.