Musical Thesis: The Head and The Heart "Signs of Light"

At the center of every album is a musical thesis. For The Head and The Heart and their album, “Signs of Light,” the focus is placed solely on this idea of change. It becomes apparent in songs like “City of Angels.” In the same manner as the band, I moved from Seattle to LA in the hopes of chasing a dream. Wrapped up in that move, is a romanticized idea of what it means to be a citizen of this place. Our ideas are drawn from film and black and white news stories. When you arrive here, it quickly becomes evident that those days are long gone, and your dream will not come easily.

With any transition, comes some guilt about leaving behind everything you know. As you settle yourself and attempt to make the new familiar, there is a longing for the way things were coupled with the excitement of chasing brand new experiences. This album captures this concept perfectly. Lots of albums attempt to capture loss and some do it exceptionally well. This album doesn’t forget about the positive emotions associated with change. For someone in the middle of a transition, this is much appreciated.

Finally, this album focuses on the person standing next to you. Moments of change, like all grand moments in your life, are best experienced with someone standing next to your side. Every day, I am eternally grateful that I don’t have to do this life alone. I get to experience the highs and lows with someone. They are standing there in awe and they console when life gets too hard. We all deserve to be so lucky.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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Cinephile No. 700 "I, Tonya"

“The Bad Girl of Skating”

A Review of "I, Tonya” by Nathan H. Box

Director: Craig Gillespie, Writer: Steven Rogers, Starring: Margot Robbie, Sebastian Stan, Allison Janney

Rating: 4 Stars, SHOWTIME

The Plot

Competitive ice skater, Tonya Harding, rises amongst the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the activity is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes.

My Critique

For my 700th film to see in a theater, I was witness to a real cinematic treat. “I, Tonya” seeks to shed some light on the most memorable event to ever occur around the sport of ice skating. It also attempts to reintroduce a character we’ve all come to know as the bad girl of skating, Tonya Harding.

The reintroduction is both hilarious and heartbreaking. It is also a totally American story about a young, poor girl from Portland, OR who possesses the talent to be one of the all-time greats. Along the way to her Olympic moment, she experiences abuse from her mother and boyfriend/husband. Their voices always seem to be in the back of her mind. She is always trying to prove something to someone else. At the end of the day, Tonya is a woman in search of love and acceptance. The heartbreaking part of this movie is that she never seems to find it. While in the spotlight, Tonya never got to live the ideal, American wholesome family. For that, she was punished by the skating community.

Of course, no movie about Tonya Harding would be complete without a retelling of “the incident.” For those needing a history lesson, “the incident” stems from a rivalry created by the media between Tonya and Nancy Kerrigan in which goons hired by an associate of Tonya’s husband hit Kerrigan in the back of the knee with a pipe before a major competition. What this film does perfectly, it implants some doubt about what we think we know about that day. In fact, it inserts so much doubt that I left the theater seeing Ms. Harding in a new light.

“I, Tonya” could have been a depressing tale about a girl from a poor family, never given a fair shot, yet still rose to be one the greatest skaters in the world only to have it all taken away from her. At some level, it is that movie, but it is told with such humor that it allows the audience to fully experience the ridiculousness of it all. For that, I cannot recommend it enough.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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A Reader: "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess

As always, this is not a book report. Rather, it is an opportunity to discuss some themes that stuck with me while reading “A Clockwork Orange” by Anthony Burgess.

Character Development

It can be fiction or non-fiction. It makes no difference because they share a foundational need for any good story. Character development and the quality of it makes or breaks a book. We may love and/or loathe the character we are reading but we must witness their growth over the course of the book. If we don’t, then more often than not, a story is a failure. Here, Burgess gives us an unlikeable character who is hellbent on destruction and thievery. This character is then arrested, forced through the prison system, tortured, retrained, and set loose back into society. We may not like the character. We may root against him but at least his character arcs from the first page to the last.

What Are They Saying?

The characters in this book speak a foreign language version of English. For the first third of the book, you won’t have a clue what they are discussing. You may become frustrated, lost, and irritated. You may even think of putting the book down. Instead of abandoning ship, I would encourage you to stay the course. Much like being dropped into the middle of a culture surrounded by people talking a language you don’t speak, you will adapt. By the time you reach the second third of the book, the words will become a second language to your ears and eyes. You may not understand every single word, but you will get the gist.

Prisoners

Crowded prisons have become a way of life in the United States. Since most of us don’t interact with people in prison, nor do we spend much time there, we don’t give it much notice. This book encouraged me to begin giving this some serious thought. Instead of prisons built as punitive systems, perhaps we could construct systems of rehabilitation focused on showing inmates the error of their ways, correcting those learned and/or innate behaviors, and properly releasing them back to society. This may sound costly, but as far as society is concerned it is the right thing to do.

Torture

The lead character in this book is selected for a new program meant to brainwash prisoners into reforming. With his eyes propped open, he is forced to watch countless hours of violence, rape, death, disease, and disgust all to reform him. As you read this section of the book, your mind will naturally wonder to thoughts of torture and the supposed moral arguments surrounding it. For me, I couldn’t help but think about CIA black sites where “enemy combatants” were held against their will. My mind conjured up thoughts of waterboarding, sleep deprivation, and humiliation all in the name of protecting America. I believe, as I do now, and this book reinforced my beliefs, torture is wrong on every single level.

Change

Our lead character leaves prison a changed man. The brainwashing worked. No longer is he drawn to fits of violence and chaos. Instead, he acts like an abused dog unable to defend itself. Of course, this doesn’t last long, and he is lured back into the life. When we think all hope is lost, he does what we all do naturally. He compares himself to people he respects and admires. Then, and only then, does he realize he must change. The impetus for change does not come from forcing him to do so. No, it is internal. When we work with inmates, this is the center we must chase.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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Musical Thesis: Wilco "Schmilco"

At the center of every album is a musical thesis. While not every album is a concept album, each collection of songs, when pulled together, paints a story. For Wilco “Schmilco,” I hear songs of a band standing in the present and longing for the past. At first, this begins with the concept of aging. It happens naturally to all of us as we escape the spring of our years and slowly fade into autumn. We begin longing for the way things were. This is fine if we do it with a forgiving heart. Remember the generation behind you is a product of every decision your generation made.

In many of these songs, Jeff Tweedy and the gang sound nostalgic and heartbroken. Given the world, we live in and the political climate we currently find ourselves, this is more than understanding. I, for one, long for a day when politics doesn’t dominate every aspect of our lives. Sometimes, I fear we have gone too far down the rabbit hole to ever recover. When I listen to this album, I hear a band who is fearful of the same.

Finally, I hear songs fearful of the change yet to come. If we have indeed gone too far down the rabbit hole and things are only going to get worse, what in the hell is next? For our children, our species, our planet, this terrifies me. Will anything ever be normal again? Are we supposed to adjust to this new reality without hesitation? Will this album be all I have to comfort me and make me realize that I am not alone? I hope not.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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A Reader: “Listen to the Warm” by Rod McKuen

As always, this is not a book report. Rather, it is an opportunity to discuss a theme that stuck with me while reading “Listen to the Warm” by Rod McKuen.

I have been writing poetry since before I knew how to write poetry. It began as a way to collect my thoughts on a page, put the world in some sense of order, and express myself. Long before it was any good, it was a way to keep myself breathing and on this side of the Earth. What I have never done well is read poetry. Reading this book, which was given to me by a dear friend, changed that. Now, I am committed to the idea of experiencing the world through the eyes of poets.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Mr. McKuen was the right writer to begin this new journey. His poetry in this collection has a way of detailing the world around us. He takes everyday occurrences and abstract thoughts and gives them purpose. He applies meaning where we often leave none. He makes me want to be a better writer. More than that, he shifts desire into action. When I finished this book, I realized I had all the tools I would ever need to experience the world in new and exciting ways. For that, I will be eternally grateful.

Be good to each other,

Nathan

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Musical Evolution (2018)

Musical Evolution (2018)

“Little Wanderer” by Death Cab for Cutie

Musical Evolution is one song listened to often and analyzed through the lenses of time and change.

 According to iTunes, I have listened to “Little Wanderer” by Death Cab for Cutie 26 times. Given several iterations of my iTunes library and a play count that seems to mysteriously disappear from time to time, 26 rotations make this the most played song in my collection. With this series, I hope to visit this song and others on an annual basis to track how time has changed the feelings experienced and lessons learned from a particular piece of music.

When I listen to this song, I hear the following:

·         Holding on despite the distance

·         Something always getting in the way

·         Being supportive of your partner

·         Changing plans to stay in love

·         Someone as the foundation for the relationship

·         Falling back in love

I think we have all heard the old and tired phrase of absence making the heart grow fonder. I’ve never been a fan of long distance relationships, so I can’t speak to the validity of the argument. I do know what it feels like to need someone by your side. The wanting can be consuming. Time can creep between moments when you are with them. The person you love can become as necessary as the air you breathe. That is powerful. Choosing to hold on despite the distance when you find yourself so in love, is damn near godly.

If you stay in a relationship for any length of time, you will experience the idea of something always getting in the way. Life loves to throw you roadblocks. The world supports your love but also loves a good dose of drama. In this song, I hear motivation; a yearning to continue fighting for what you love and need.

In this song, I also hear someone being supportive of their partner. It is also a nice change of pace to experience a man waiting for his wife or girlfriend to return home. Long before we met the people we love, they had hopes and dreams for this life. They had things they hoped to accomplish. More often than not, we are in addition to the equation. We do ourselves and the relationship justice to remember that. We should also remain cognizant of our role to play in their dreams. This may mean changing plans to stay in love. This may mean assuming the role as the foundation for the relationship. This may mean falling back in love after their dreams are realized. Whatever it is, if the relationship is worth fighting for, then fight you shall.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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Cinephile No. 698 "The Post"

Cinephile No. 698 “The Post”

“Freedom of the Press”

A Review of "The Post” by Nathan H. Box

Director: Steven Spielberg, Writers: Liz Hannah, Josh Singer, Starring: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson

Rating: 4 Stars, SHOWTIME

The Plot

A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country's first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between the press and the government.

My Critique

“The Post” may be a historical piece about the release of the Pentagon Papers but it is impossible to watch without also analyzing the position we currently find ourselves. Scripts are written years in advance. Next, comes along a director looking for a new production, production schedules, casting, etc. Finally, we get a movie. This process can take years, if not longer. When a release date comes along, studios and the writers are left with a piece of cinema that may be viewed in a different light. In the Trump era, it is nearly impossible to keep him out of your mind while watching this movie.

“The Post” much like “Spotlight,” the Academy Award-winning film from a few years ago, is an ode to real journalism; the kind that has the power to shake the entire Earth. Here, our film begins with an embedded journalist on the frontline with soldiers in Vietnam. Soon after that experience, our journalist comes across what became known as the Pentagon Papers; documents outlining the truth behind the Vietnam War.

First, the documents are leaked to the New York Times. The Times spends months combing through the data, breaking it down for public consumption, and preparing for release. Meanwhile, the Washington Post, like every other paper, is unaware of this treasure trove of information. As the Times begins releasing information, they are hit with a court order to cease printing from the US government over the fear of the mass release of government secrets and troop safety. In the Time’s absence, the same papers fall into the lap of the Washington Post.

What makes The Washington Post story compelling is the woman in charge. Meryl Streep plays Kay Graham. She is the widow of the paper’s former owner and now finds herself in the driver’s seat as she begins to take the company behind the Post public. Repeatedly, we are confronted with the challenges facing women in the boardroom. The sexism Kay Graham faces may seem like a thing of the past, yet all we must do is pick up a paper to learn otherwise.

Playing alongside Streep is Tom Hanks who portrays Ben Bradlee. Bradlee is an old-school journalist and editor focused on the truth at all costs. His fearlessness and tenacity will inspire you to turn off Fox News and find some real journalists for a change.

As the Washington Post weighs the pros and cons of publishing the papers, it becomes clear the decision will fall on the shoulders of Graham. Here Streep shines as she becomes the manifestation of Atlas with the weight of the world on her shoulders. If she prints, she will find herself in court and could lose her company. If she doesn’t print, the government wins the right to influence what is printed and when.

Ultimately, her decision is well-documented in history. By printing, she secured a victory for the freedom of the press and helped end the war with truth. When this entire film is stitched together, it becomes a near flawless character analysis about those behind one of the biggest leaks in government history and the press who held that government accountable.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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Cinephile No. 697 "Phantom Thread"

“Steve Jobs with a Needle and Thread”

A Review of "Phantom Thread” by Nathan H. Box

Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson, Starring: Vicky Krieps, Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville

Rating: 4 Stars, SHOWTIME

The Plot

Set in 1950's London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover.

My Critique

There aren’t many guarantees in this life. Perhaps the only things you can count on for sure are death and taxes. After seeing “Phantom Thread,” I would like to propose a new bankable guarantee. Here it is… If Daniel Day-Lewis is going to appear in your film, prepare yourself for a master class on the craft of acting.

In Lewis’ Oscar-caliber performance, we meet Reynolds Woodcock, a man of fine precision, routine, and unbelievable creativity. The only person I could compare his character to is Steve Jobs except with a needle and thread. Woodcock is also a tortured man and artist. For him, love is second hand and always takes a backseat to the attention required to create stunning and exquisite dresses.

Thankfully, we Woodcock has a sister named Cyril played by Lesley Manville. Her roles in Reynolds’ world are varied. She plays bodyguard, emotional counsel, and conduit to the outside world. More than anyone else she understands her brother’s genius and the plight that comes with it.

Then, we meet Alma played by Vicky Krieps. She is a waitress from the English countryside who immediately captures the attention of Reynolds. She is whimsical, playful, and charming. Instantly, there is a bond between them that leaps off the screen. From their first interaction, it is as if they are being sewn together in some magical combination but knowing our lead as well as we do, we know this isn’t going to end well.

Why? Because Mr. Woodcock is a most unlikeable man, set in his ways, and still hasn’t learned how to put people above his craft. Alma, on the other hand, pulls people into her orbit, values relationships, and has something to contribute to almost everything she touches. At points in this movie, they are like competing hurricanes heading toward one another. When they collide, it is violent and painful. Yet, they share a linked life.

Repeatedly, Reynolds discovers his need for Alma. It first begins with an illness and only intensifies with each additional episode. In the big reveal, we discover why the dependence exists. When it happens, it will shock you and leave you questioning. Which is exactly what I craved from a movie such as this.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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A Reader: "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

As always, this is not a book report. Rather, it is a discussion of some themes that stuck with me while reading “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver.

An Out of Body Experience

We are too often chained to the comfortable. We are victims of routine. Our adventurous spirits are like caged birds. Something made abundantly clear to me while reading this book was the value of an out of body experience; moments when we shake off normal like winter snow from a coat. These moments afford new opportunities to learn and grow. In them, we are made to experience a piece of the world unknown to us.

Foreign Customs

A part that makes the out of body experience so valuable is the chance to experience customs foreign to you. New foods, new people, new cultures, new ways of doing things… This sense of newness can both inspire and frighten. For me, I would argue that’s a good thing. It has the power to change your mind and how you perceive the world. It can change the core of man and make him more open. It gives you a wisdom few will ever possess.

Adapting to the Fear of Changing World

In our own self-indulgent view, the world is changing at a rapid pace. We are fond of saying it is changing faster now than ever before. For many people, this increases fear and tumult. For me, it inspires. Every day, we are introduced to pioneers. Pioneers who are exploring the depths of the galaxy. Pioneers who are curing disease. Pioneers who are standing on the edge of unshakable peace. Pioneers who are changing the way we communicate. Pioneers who are daring boldly and altering the direction of the world. I wake every morning with the hope of quieting my fear and replacing it with an unquenchable sense of curiosity.

Americans Not Wanted

America seems to make one foreign calculation repeatedly. We love to overthrow regimes, dictators, and tyrants in the name of democracy. Then we end up backing individuals we don’t truly understand, and the people don’t want. More often than not, this leads to an idea of Americans not wanted here. As an American who loves to travel, this creates a map where we are not welcome. Yet, the solution to this problem is simple. Instead of playing world police, perhaps we hold fast to the idea of being the consummate preachers of freedom.

Leaving All That You Know

On more than one occasion, I have loaded everything I own into a moving truck and in the process left behind everything I know and hold dear. There are power and courage in such an experiment. There are opportunities for new experiences, new customs, new worlds, and a new sense of belonging. There is also a tremendous opportunity to learn a whole lot about yourself. For those stuck in a routine, I cannot recommend starting over somewhere new enough.

Moving Forward with What You Know

New knowledge gained? Now what? It is selfish to hold these experiences just for yourself. I believe you have a responsibility to share what you have learned far and wide. If you want to spread change, it is your duty. Then it becomes your responsibility to help others get where you are because everyone should have the opportunity to explore, learn, and grow. Everyone deserves to see the world, and have it change them.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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Signs of Light

 Signs of Light                                                                                                                

an album by The Head and The Heart

While I’ve never before classified myself as a positive, optimistic person, I believe I have to now. It’s the most accurate thing to say. In this current political, socio-economic climate, I can’t function any other way. It doesn’t mean I’m blind to the tragedy and ignorance around me; it simply means I’ve changed what I stare up at my ceiling and listen to. This album takes me back to days and nights of lighting candles and writing in notebooks wondering if it’s all going to be okay.

This album is in heavy rotation. And it’s all going to be just fine.

Every lyric isn’t hopeful; some brings up painful memories, but that’s what makes life beautiful and balanced. Yet somehow the way it’s sung to me (and it really does feel as if it’s only sung for me in those moments) I know it’s all going to be okay. The Head and The Heart are no R.E.M., they’re not Radiohead or Counting Crows. Best of all, they’re not trying to be anything other than who they are. They make strong music with brilliant lyrics, excellent singing, and a cohesion that makes it clear they’re professionals. Perhaps these are the kind of musicians not enough people have heard of yet.

I’d heard of The Head and The Heart prior to listening to this album in its entirety, but now it’s different. Now when social media or the news or just a tough day filled with anxiety gets to me, I’ll know who to go to when I don’t feel like talking, but would rather simply listen.

*There will always be better days
There will always be better days

*From the song Library Magic

s.jensen

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