Cinephile No. 575 "My Blind Brother"

"My Blind Brother" proves there is nothing so bad in this world that we can't find some humor in the pain or misfortune. Of course, context is key and so are the jokes being told, both of which are brilliantly done in this film. In fact for much of the film, the blind brother acts as both the hero and the antagonist. You will find yourself both loving and hating him, often in the same scene. This isn't the first film to step into these waters, nor is it the first film to tackle a disability with humor. With that said, the refreshing thing about this film was its approach. For that and so much more, it is worthy of your consideration. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan  

Cinephile No. 574 "Girl Asleep"

Have you ever thought someone should make a cross between a Wes Anderson film and "Alice in Wonderland?" Then I recommend "Girl Asleep." Super weird and really out there. For me, this movie was a mood swing. I went from really loving its originality and sense of humor, to trying to figure out what in the world was happening, and finally back to a sense of acceptance. The shift between these thoughts was violent, sudden, and totally unexpected. I adored the Wes Anderson approach, but the dream sequence troubled me. The audience I watched the movie with really seemed to adore the film. I left the theater wishing it had stuck with its original approach. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan

Cinephile No. 573 "Our Loved Ones"

Suicide comes with more ambiguity than we human beings can fathom. "Our Loved Ones" shows the unanswerable questions better than any film I have ever seen. If you know my story, then you know this film was a difficult one for me. Being confronted with suicide always brings up awful memories, but it was comforting to watch people wrestle with big issues just as I have. I could see myself in the characters. I had asked those questions. I had stared into the abyss and come up empty over and over again. The relief the film offers is the relief all who have lost someone in this manner find; we find it in life. We recognize the value in our lives through our simple act of living. For bringing this example to the forefront of my mind once again, I am thankful for this piece of cinema. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan

Cinephile No. 572 "Closet Monster"

"Closet Monster" was a wildly original and clever coming out story. As the movie industry becomes more comfortable with telling LGBTQ stories, we are starting to get more and more of these films. Which is more than fine by me. This world is an untapped resource for original screenplays, new actors, and communities which haven't traditionally had a voice. As a first entry, "Closet Monster" is a great attempt. It tells the story of a disconnected youth in the suburbs dreaming of a more free life where he can chase his dreams and be who he was meant to be; something with which I can relate. For that reason and its pioneering work, I recommend doing all that you can to get your hands on this Canadian film. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan

Cinephile No. 571 "The Nice Guys"

So you've missed the Buddy Cop Comedy? May I recommend "The Nice Guys." It is hilarious from beginning to end, features sharp/witty dialogue, and the power to restore your faith in Hollywood's ability to write a funny script. Which to me is the biggest surprise from this film. For the past few years, I have found myself disappointed with Tinsel Town's comedy strength. The industry, it seems, has lost its power to string together a 2 hour, smart, funny movie. Just when all faith had escaped me, a movie like this comes along. From the opening credits to the final scene, I laughed, thought, and was left in suspense; all appreciated and all offering a sigh of relief. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan

Last Weekend We Drank

What You'll Need: Gin, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Soda Water, Mint, Highball Glass, Ice, Cocktail Shaker

How To Make It: Fill a highball glass with ice. Next, add a small amount of ice to a cocktail shaker. Then, add 2 oz. gin, 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice, 3/4 oz. simple syrup, and then shake. Pour the mixture into the highball glass. Fill to the top with soda water and garnish with mint. Enjoy! 

"Pacific Sunshine" 

What You'll Need: Lemon Wheel, Coarse Salt, Tequila, Blue Curacao, Simple Syrup, Lemon Juice, Angostura Bitters, Ice, Cocktail Shaker, Hurricane Glass, and a Small Plate. 

How To Make It: Using the small plate, spread the salt out over the plate. Use the lemon to rim the glass and then rotate the glass around the salt until evenly coated. Next, fill the glass with ice. Then, fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add 1 1/2 oz. of tequila, 1 1/2 oz. blue curacao, 3/4 oz. simple syrup, 3/4 oz. lemon juice, and 1 dash of Angostura bitters. Cap and shake aggressively. Pour the mixture into the glass and garnish with a lemon wheel. Enjoy! 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan 

Cinephile No. 570 "13 Minutes"

"13 Minutes" is what "Valkyrie" should have been. Now, I say this not to put "Valkyrie" down. I thought it was an excellent, dramatic, and action packed movie. Besides the fact that everyone in the film has a German accent except Tom Cruise, I can't remember having many negative things to say about it. Where "13 Minutes" triumphs, is the point of view from which the story is told. We see the world through the eyes of a poor, ethnic German who has decided to confront the evil around him. Using a bomb, he attempts to assassinate Hitler. He is eventually caught by the Gestapo and pays the ultimate price, but his bravery remains a story of inspiration and one worthy of being told to all those who doubt the ability of one person to make a difference in this world. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan

Cinephile No. 569 "Where Have All The Good Men Gone?"

I've never seen a movie tackle PTSD quite like "Where Have All The Good Men Gone?" Dozens and dozens of movies have attempted to tell this story, but this is the first time I can recall the story being told from the point of view of an estranged child. As the daughter and her half-sister escape an abusive stepfather to search for her long lost father, we are confronted with the damage war can do. We also realize the ongoing pain that can occur if that trauma goes untreated. I won't give away the ending, but the power of a father's unshakable love is on full display in a couple of powerful scenes. For this reason, I recommend doing all that you can to get your hands on the Danish film. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan

Box In Portland

I didn't know it at the time, but a last-minute decision to head to Portland OR would be the last road trip I would make with my roommate, Patrick. No, Patrick didn't die. After four years of trying to make it happen in Seattle, he decided to move back home to Oklahoma. On second thought, maybe he did die, well at least little bits of soul. 

Patrick and I originally set out for the Olympic Peninsula to hike across the Vance Creek Bridge. If you are unaware of the Vance Creek Bridge, I have included an image below. Pretty cool right? It is a steel bridge originally constructed for mining and logging operations. It was closed and is no longer in operation, but with the rise of Instagram, it has found new popularity.  Unfortunately, with too much popularity, citing safety concerns, the bridge has been closed to the public. This means anyone caught trying to traverse this steel slice of heaven is subject to a fine. Heading south out of Seattle, Patrick and I tried to convince ourselves we were brave enough to try and sneak across. Right before the turn to Highway 101, we chickened out. Instead, we decided a day in Portland was in order. 

This last-minute decision was more than fine with me because I am in love with Portland. The city has a vibe all its own; a pace, unlike any other American city. As I walk the streets, I feel at home here. On more than one occasion, I've thought perhaps I should have chosen this place over Seattle. Of course, this thought enters my mind as a tourist, not as a resident. There is a big difference between visiting someplace and trying to make it your home. Seattle was and is everything I have needed it to be. It has fulfilled my needs and desires in previously unimaginable ways. My hope is that it continues to do so in the distant future, but if change comes calling once again I know Portland is always a viable option. 

One of the things I adore about this city is its Urban core. Within walking distance of downtown is everything you need; food, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, clothes, and more. The city is clean, friendly, and progressive. It is not without the challenges plaguing most major cities. Homelessness and the exchange of drugs are evident, but nowhere near the problems facing downtown Seattle. The next time I visit Portland my challenge will be to escape the downtown portion of the city and work my way into the outer neighborhoods. Here is where cities begin to reveal their character. 

So, I have started a new game. With each city I visit, I try to track down the local Church of Scientology. Now, before you begin to form prayer circles and try to rescue my soul from eternal damnation, you should know I have no intention of joining. Instead, I am on a quest to quench my fascination. Like most people, I didn't know much about the "religion" (I use that term loosely) before the HBO documentary, "Going Clear." After two hours of shaking my head and thinking to myself, "What the Hell!," I decided to dig deeper. So, I signed up for a bunch of blogs, started doing some research, and now I find myself looking for local churches wherever I go. Based on what I have discovered and read, I love to strike up conversations with the members/workers inside. My goal is always to ask the impossible questions and catch them in some sort of half-truth. If you focus and can hold their attention for long enough, you will find yourself shocked. The Church of Scientology in downtown Portland and its members were friendly, talkative, and believable, but like most things concerning the church, you have to take it with a grain of salt. 

Looking back on the day trip, I am thankful for every moment I got to spend with Patrick driving to some trail, city, or some special event. Like most things in life, it was not necessarily the destination, but the journey. When two people are forced to be in a car together for a long period of time, great conversation, truth, and our real selves can be revealed. On these trips, I learned more about Patrick, his life, and his family than any time spent in our living room. As he attempts to make Oklahoma home once again, I wish him the best of luck. No matter where he is in this world, he will always have my love, support, and admiration. My sincere hope is that we will find the open road together once again. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan 

Cinephile No. 568 "Money Monster"

"Money Monster" was a quiet screw you to CNBC and big eff you to Wall Street; both much needed and long overdue. While other films have done a better job of explaining the financial crisis, ("The Big Short" and "Margin Call"), this movie gives you clear heroes and villains unlike "Wolf of Wall Street." From the opening scene, we know who we will be supporting for the next couple of hours. As our hero rolls on, the intensity grows much like the film "Phone Booth." Along the way, the film stumbles a few times and falls into overly burnt movie gimmicks, but the ending is satisfying. I left the theatre wishing punishing those who destroyed our economy could happen somewhere other than the big screen. 

Be good to each other, 

-Nathan