Spring Breakers

I saw Spring Breakers yesterday. And I loved it.

To the people incredulously looking at me right now..."Why y'all acting spicious?" Okay, seriously though, this movie is a masterpiece. It's a masterpiece for calling out society's dark underbelly that we like to ignore and distance ourselves from. Spring Breakers is a satire, meaning that it exaggerates our society's problems to make us realize their potential damaging issues. Many people who have hated the movie hated it because they thought it was exploitative, sexist, and too "risque." The director, Harmony Korine, knows this. As a director, he has carefully crafted his movie to make a comment that society today IS too exploitative, sexist, and risque. For example, one person complained that James Franco's character, Alien, was racist and essentially "blackface." Well, in the movie he never actually states or believes that he is black. In one scene he actually talks about the difficulty of being white in an all-black neighborhood. So is it blackface? No. His mannerisms and character DO seem potentially offensive.  However, we all know that one or those few guys who we roll our eyes at because they try to put up this offensive image. James Franco's character is actually supposedly based off of real rapper Dangeruss, so this character does have it's basings in our society. So, his character is a COMMENT on the large numbers of white men in our society trying to put on a "gangster" attitude, not an endorsement of them.

Now on to the critique that gets to me the most. Some critics have complained that this movie is dangerous for women. Here's a thought: Spring Breakers is one of the best movies for women and feminism. When the cast was announced, many complained it was too risque and our dear Disney princesses, Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens, were throwing their young audience to the bus. First off, the movie's display of "risque" sexualized women is a COMMENT on our society's sexualization of women. When I told my mother I was going to this movie, her response as "Oh isn't it that slutty movie?" Disregarding my wish for the word "slut" to be forever removed from our language, I realized how twisted and manipulated our minds have become to feel the need to "slut-shame" anything that reveals "too much" of women. Of course, when people watch MTV, this type of sexualization is fine, but when they see it in a movie everyone gets up in arms. How about this- go to Panama City or another Spring Break hotspot and observe the drunken haze of our exploitative society and come back and try to tell me that Korine isn't showing us the reality and trying to make us see the problems with that reality. I think a major reason why some people were turned away from this movie was because it was too relatable and hit too close to home. In certain scenes, I was thinking "ya, i've see or done that" or "ya, I could be pushed to do that pretty easily." And that's scary. These things shouldn't be relatable, but they are. Korine wins here because he calls us out on this to make us recognize and understand our reality.

 As for Vanessa and Selena, frankly I am outraged that some people are upset with them for doing such a movie. As an actress, one of the most exciting parts of my job is the ability to try new types of acting and different types of roles. If I was stuck in the bubble gum world of Disney for years, you bet I would want to try something else. Also, when did you hear people becoming outraged at Zac Efron for breaking out of this role? No, you didn't. Girls in Disney are expected to stay there, yet it's the men who can be trailblazers in their careers. Korine notices this. There is a reason why he only called well-known actresses with innocent images to replace Emma Roberts when she dropped out of the movie. The girls' involvement in this movie is a COMMENT on Disney's exploitative nature of women. He knew Selena and Vanessa would garner a shocked response, and this allows us to see a side of our society that is damaging and hypocritical.

This movie also shows the alternative to society's misogynistic side. When the girls get into Alien's car, I was thinking "oh crap this is not ending well for them" and was imaging some terrible scene where Alien takes advantage of them. But that didn't happen. When Alien was showing Candy and Brit his guns, I was not expecting them to turn on him. When they threatened him, I wasn't expecting him to say "I think I just fell in love with y'all." When the gangster "battle" approached, I expected Alien to be the stronger one forcing the girls to help because misogynist society has made my instinct believe that a man would be braver and less scared. But Alien wasn't, he was afraid and (spoiler) died before they even really got started. I wasn't expecting Candy and Brit to continue on and kill his gangster foe. These scenes are all examples of how this movie shows women taking control of the system that degrades them and using what society sees as their "weakness" to fight back. I think the major thing the girls wanted when they were back in college was power and control. With Alien, they get to gain this power and fight women's exploited images. They use men's sexualization of women to their advantage. When they continue past Alien's dead body, that is an example of them taking control of the situation. Then, when they each give his dead lips one last kiss, I saw the kiss as a sign that they were happy with their power. These girls used their sexualization to get this power, and the last kiss was a small symbol of this manipulation. It's like "thanks Alien and society for sexualizing us, here is a small act to shove it up yours" type of attitude.
This movie made me laugh (James Franco's "look at my shyte" scene was hilarious), cry (thanks "Everytime," but seriously that was a brilliant scene), and made me THINK. I'm still contemplating this movie. I can't stop thinking about it. I could write pages about each scene. And that is one of the reasons it succeeds so well. "SPRING BREAK FOREVER B*TCHES!"

With love, 

Natasha

Love Spirit

In reaction to the Girls finale last night, i've been thinking about love. Love. The four letter word in our language that has the power to unite and destroy us. A friend I recently talked with said that every person has a "soul mate." She said that before birth we are connected with one other person, separated when we are born, and then we spend our lives searching for that other person. As a child (and to be honest, even now) I was haunted by the thought that my soul mate didn't exist. What if my soul mate died at birth? What if he got killed in a terrible car accident? As I watched the news, I always wondered who's soulmate died in a teen car wreck. I also took issue with this idea because it makes people obsess over the idea of a "soul mate", and focus on finding that soul mate. Yes, love is important. But life in general is often more important than finding the person you are supposed to love "forever". There have been so many times when couples break up, marriages collapse in divorce, and people re-marry. Yet, life usually seems to move on. This "soul mate" ideal isn't cutting it anymore.

Recently, I watched a TED talk featuring Elizabeth Gilbert (see below). She discusses the "creative spirit," or the ancient Greek idea that creativity is a spirit that passes through artists. This "spirit" explains why an artistic idea can become so enwrapping. This makes sense. When I have an idea for my creative writing, or when I think of a script idea, the thought consumes me until I have it on paper. When I write, I often cannot see anything else except the computer screen. It's an odd experience that borders on paranormal. As an artist, I follow this idea because it takes the attention away from me, and puts it instead on my work. If you think about all the world's major artists being joined by one unified creation spirit, art itself is more a message from that spirit then from individual humans.

Relating back to the idea of love, I believe that there is a "love spirit." It inhabits many people, some for their entire lives, and exists when certain people join together. However, it often fleets from then, and that explains why love can leave so suddenly. When you first fall in love, it is enwrapping. Everything else seems to dwindle away in importance and you are solely focused on your "other." Like the "creation spirit," this "love spirit" completely consumes people. It moves through people, ready to enter more relationships. We need to savor it for what it's worth, and look back on our times with it with happiness. To experience this spirit at least once should be a blessing. Love can be dangerous, but without it, what else can we do?

"For stony limits cannot hold love out, and what love can do, that dares love attempt" - Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet

Bon Iver!!!

I have to dedicate an entire music post to Bon Iver. I can't even contain myself- they are so good! I've been a fan for awhile, but i'm listening to their music a lot more now because it's such great music to study/ work in, it's calming, and it's great for when it rains.

The first song is Skinny Love:

The natural feel to this song is so calming. Also, his vocals are perfect.

Secondly, Flume is another great song. Every note speaks for itself, and the song itself is so moving and has so much meaning. Their is a wonderful overtone of profound loneliness that is touching.

Holocene is a song from his 2011 album. Their is a bit more background sound to this, but it sticks to their previous works of meaningful lyrics combined with striking lyrics and complex and breathtaking sound. 

Lastly, this song is also from their recent album. "Can't make you love me" is a cover of Bonnie Raitt's original song. I already loved her version- I actually did a cover of it myself and I know how hard it is to convey the meaning of the song. The lyrics of this song have always spoken to me and I can easily relate to them. Bon Iver has taken the song and made it completely made it their own- and I love it. It sends shivers down my spine! 

It's really hard to choose songs from Bon Iver. I listen to whole albums daily(you can listen to all of the first album on youtube in a single video)- which is rare for me because I tend to not like listening to entire albums. Bon Iver is a musical masterpiece and genius of this age. 

With love, 

Natasha

Summer Music

Now that summer is nearing its end (sadly), here are some of my favorite hits!

#1: Some Nights by Fun.
Such a great song! I'm slowly becoming addicted to Fun.'s music. Not only is the tune catching, the the lyrics really spoke to me when I first heard them. Also, the music video is Civil War themed. I have so much respect!

#2: Pontoon by Little Big Town
Just a fun, relaxing to listen to by the beach! Also, I love the instrument backing.

#3: Want U Back by Cher Lloyd

I'm currently obsessed with this song! A great "dancing around your room" song! 

#4: Beez in the Trap by Nicki Minaj

Alright, I'm normally not a Nicki Minaj fan at all, but this song is so catchy and a great song for raves.

#5: Young, Wild, & Free (feat. Bruno Mars) Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg

A great, chill song! Reminds me of good times this summer! 

It's been a great summer of music so far!! And still one month to go! 

With Love, 

Natasha

Olympics and such

Why are the Olympics so important? I'm a sports fan, but only in moderation and only when the sport includes baseball, basketball, or football. So why is it that i'm glued to the TV yelling at the US Women's rowing team? Or currently why am i watching men's beach volleyball? I think one of the great successes of the Olympics is that they make sports that aren't normally "high-interest" or "high-grossing" and they make ordinary citizens invested in them. Without the Olympics, we would never hear about Michael Phelps or Shawn Johnson because swimming and gymnastics aren't necessarily "huge" sports outside the Olympics (although they probably should be). Do American families camp out in front of the TV with their hamburgers and other fattening foods to watch the swimming championships? Unless you are an avid swimmer or are obsessed with swimming, most likely not. The Olympics brings different cultures together and allows different athletes to take center stage for once. And, because of this reason Olympic athletes are so relatable. Missy Franklin is 17 and from a small suburb outside Denver. She is 6 foot 1. How is she any different from myself? We see these people fighting for their dream and then living those dream out- and that is what the Olympics are all about (or maybe these sappy commercials are getting to me). Nevertheless, I will still watch Women's kayaking and will cheer on Men's rowing until the 12th when it's all over. Until then, GO USA!

With love, 

Natasha 

Poetry feelings and such

Just quickly wrote these poems! I haven't posted in awhile, despite having numerous things written. Perhaps things happen like that sometimes-they never get past "draft stage". O well!!

Here is my first one... it's working title is "Book Store Love"

In my own world amongst the chronicles of human thought,

You came up to the poetry section,

I was next to you in the drama section,

What was this beating in my soul?

Skimming titles aimlessly,

Trying to avert my eyes sideways,

A short breath escapes through this magnetism I feel,

Which has turned me forever mute.

Talk to me,

Let’s run away through the aisles with Emily Dickinson,

Or fly away to the skies with Keats,

Dreaming I think of this story.

Yet as I stand carefully positioning my every move,

You seem to skim faster,

Your beloved poetry is nowhere to be found,

Neither is my play.

Come back to me now,

Were you a soul mate I’ve now lost forever?

I stare as you go across the store,

Yet am shaken from my dream.

This chance is gone,

I look at the shelves empty handed,

My story is not to be found,

Only physical books stare back at me,

My loneliness a harsh punishment for my silence.

And my second one doesn't have a title yet. Still thinking!!

You were gone for good,

For good I said from my heart,

Never again would I hope you could be my anything,

Yet why am I still with you unable to part?

The frustration and nights of painful tears,

Your deceit and unguarded playfulness,

My torn heart as I stared at you with others,

All of this giving me such unprecedented stress.

Yet we were together once,

Or was it only in my dreams?

I thought you held me in yours too,

But I felt stranded from you for months.

So here is my final declaration,

I cannot love you nor loathe you,

Must I live in the middle passage forever?

With Love, 

Natasha 

She & Him!!!

I have to confess, my new music obsession is She & Him. She & Him is a indie-pop duo inlcuding Zooey Deschanel and M Ward. What I love the most about this duo is that they have such a great variety of sings. For example, some songs are very light and feel-good, while others are more sentimental. Zooey, one of my favorite singers/actresses/person provides the charming vocals. They are a must-listen to!!!

This is one of my favorite songs from them, "In the Sun"

"Sweet Darlin"

"Thieves"

Happy New Year!!!! Here's to a great 2012!!!! 

With Love, 

Natasha