My 10 Movies of the Decade

It's the end of the decade. Already. But before embarking on another 10 years in this little story called Time, we must/need/have to reflect on all the great pop culture achievements/chicanery of the past 10 years. So I'll be posting my countdowns on this blog. First up: my top 10 films.

10. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

The middle act of any story is crucial in setting the drama and conflict for the conclusion. Peter Jackson orchestrates this purpose masterfully in Two Towers by placing the characters in uncertain situations - most notably the epic Helm's Deep battle. Though we were certain Frodo, Aragorn, and the Fellowship would succeed in the end, Two Towers shows us the anguish and sacrifice it took to achieve victory.

9. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

How would you cope in a horror movie? In Edgar Wright’s existential satire, two couch potatoes find themselves in the middle of a zombie attack. Their choice of weapon? Old Prince and Sade records. Their hideout? A pub. It's funny, unique, and the perfect parody of the droll, mundane lifestyle.

8. Elephant (2003)

It's the typical high school with the typical characters: jocks, princesses, bookworms and slackers. But as director Gus Van Sant's cold, voyeuristic style moves from person to person, two students begin to stand out. We see them buying guns and formulating a plan. Like the students and staff of Columbine High School on the morning of April 20, 1999, we're unable to fully comprehend the situation until it's too late.

7. Children of Men (2006)

Imagine a world without hope. Alfonso Cuaron's sci-fi fable (adapted from a P.D. James novel) is set in a restless 2027 society where humans are no longer able to breed and war, terrorism and corruption are commonplace. Then a "miracle" occurs: a pregnant woman is found and its up to an emotionally wounded Clive Owen to escort her to safety. The film mirrors our own present plagues of war and disease and reminds us of the charity, sacrifice, and faith necessary in these tough times.

6. WALL-E

Sci-fi critiques of our modern times seemed to be popular this decade. This Pixar film turns the robot-human dichotomy upside down by portraying a lonely robot as the symbol of thoughtfulness and empathy while humans are shown as detached and cold. It's smart but also endearing, humorous, and hopeful. The film's success, despite its lack of A-list actors and even human language, is also a testament to the power of strong cinematic storytelling.

5. The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004)

A modern "Moby Dick" with Bill Murrary as a sarcastic, uber-eccentric Captain Ahab. Murray's Steve Zissou is a burned-out tv oceanographer on an ambitious mission to avenge his friend who was eaten by a shark. The ensuing journey is hilarious but also poignant as Zissou struggles between reviving his faltering career and establishing closer ties with his friends and family members. The film reminds us that redemption can often be found in the places we least expect.

4. The Lives of Others (2006)

Set in 1984 East Berlin, this film is a chilling meditation on social conformity and lack of free will. Secret police agent Wiesler, assigned to conduct surveillance on a couple, symbolizes the cold, soulless government hegemony. The free spirit couple are glimmers of freedom yearning to exist. Naturally, Wiesler is unwillingly changed and we're reminded that human empathy can exist in even the darkest of places.

3. No Country for Old Men (2007)

Good, evil, and everything in between clash in the Coen Brothers' adaptation of the Cormac McCarthy novel. Though the three main characters have their delineated roles, their motives become muddled as the film progresses. Josh Brolin's character is a thief, but he merely wants to provide for his wife. Javier Bardem is a cold-blooded killer, but he operates on a fairness system based on fate and proper dues. Tommy Lee Jones is the honest sheriff, though he doubts his role in protecting society. The film's conclusion is left open-ended as is our understanding of right, wrong, and the law.

2. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

We've all been there: wishing we could go back and fix something in our pasts. Michel Gondry's film puts this wish to the test but with the obvious unexpected consequences. What isn't initially obvious to first-time viewers is the intimacy to which we relate to Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet's characters. It makes us wish we could take back our long-lost significant others...while reminding us that sometimes its better to leave well enough alone.

1. There Will Be Blood (2007)

A searing allegory for American capitalism, P.T Anderson's saga portrays oil man Daniel Plainview as he builds a million-dollar empire from scratch. Daniel Day Lewis' enthralling portrayal of Plainview shows every facet of this journey - every sense of ambition, heartache and ruthlessness. The title truly says it all -this is the cruel reality of what it took to build America's wealth and power.

Bikestation DC

The tough thing about freelance writing is that sometimes your stories do not get picked up. This happened to me last month when I attended the opening ceremony of Bikestation DC, next to Union Station. Regardless, it was a really insightful event and one that marks an important step in DC's shift towards a more sustainable transit culture. So here are some photos from the event:

Located right next to Union Station:


It's "helmet" shape is engineered to minimize energy use:


A view from the inside. Pick a bike and rent it out:


A service station is available on the premises:

Group Therapy: Monsters

Victor Vampire, Waldorf Werewolf, and Fred "Frankenstein" Monster discuss Twilight and stereotypes.

V: This whole Twilight thing puts me in a difficult position. Ya know, people are used to seeing vampires as evil undead monsters who wear funny collars. I want to suck your blood... and dress like Liberace at a funeral . But Twilight is a different concept. Now vampires are melodramatic heartthrobs...with designer collars.
W: That doesn't sound so bad. Stylish and handsome.
V: Yeah, but we're either the stereotypical monsters or metrosexual soap stars. Why can't there be movie vampires that are accountants or something?
F: Accountants...overlooked...members...of...society...uuunnhhhh.
V: I mean, imagine a film about a vampire who faces the daily pressures of a 9 to 5 job and also has to deal with marital problems and a blood drinking problem.
W: You think Hollywood would go for that?
V: Why not? I think it could be provocative.
F: Unhhh...Oscar...contender...for...sure...unhhh.
V: I mean werewolves get the every-man treatment. And it's been ok. Teen Wolf, that wolfman movie with Jack Nicholson.
W: *chuckles* A little on the campy side.
V: But I mean, it doesn't bring you guys to one extreme or the other. Definitely shows that wolf persons are regular people, working and dealing with wolf problems.
W: Hmm...
F: Frankensteins...look...mentally...challenged....and....not...in...good...Forrest...Gump...way.
V: Exactly, I think Hollywood has to look into the monster community to dig out the real stories. Monsters have drama.
W: Certainly. But maybe it starts with us, you know? We can get more involved in filmmaking and writing and all that. Maybe get more in the music biz too.
V: Maybe we should start a band. How about that? *chuckles*.
W: *chuckles* I say we discuss it over some lattes. There's a new coffeeshop down the street.
F: Unhh...expressos...hope....theirs...is....better...than...Starbucks...unhhh.

NY Times: Meat is kinda ok. Sort of.

Are you afraid of eating meat? Is it because you think cow farts cause global warming? Well, that may not be the case. So, shut up. The NY Times actually ran an Op-Ed piece last week from rancher Nicolette Hahn Niman who essentially argues that it's not beef production per se that is responsible for greenhouse gases, but the major industrialization of meat, dairy, and even vegetable products.

In fact, much of the meat we get at restaurants or in the grocery stores comes from "factory farms". You may've heard of these places from animal-rights organizations such as PETA. Niman points out that animal overcrowding and waste dumping at these farms contribute substantial greenhouse gases. Also responsible: emissions from machinery and transportation modes such as trucks.

Honk, if you love carbon emissions!

But you probably knew most of that. What some may find surprising is the argument that vegetarian diets can also damage the environment. Yes, soy-loving hippies are responsible for a huge chunk of the deforestation and carbon emissions that occur every year:

"Much Brazilian deforestation is connected to soybean
cultivation. As much as 70 percent of areas newly cleared for agriculture in
Mato Grosso State in Brazil is being used to grow soybeans. Over half of
Brazil’s soy harvest is controlled by a handful of international agribusiness
companies, which ship it all over the world for animal feed and food products,
causing emissions in the process."

Pictured: Polluters fleeing the scene.

So what can meat lovers do to reduce their carbon footprint? Niman suggests finding food products from traditional and smaller farms. These farms emit less carbon dioxide emissions because animals are usually kept on natural pastures and less machinery is needed for production. Also, carnivores and herbivores alike should be cautious around processed foods. Studies have shown that over half of total greenhouse emissions from food production comes via processing, packaging, transportation and storage. In the end, it's not so much what you eat but where it comes from and how it arrives at your table.

Funny and true

Source: FAIL Blog