Finding a way out of Oscar hibernation has always been a bit of a challenge for me. Particularly coming out of an intense season such as this last one.
Almost immediately after the Oscars ended I went into production of a play that I was directing. The last time I directed a full length play was in 1999. I was studying at University of Southern MS and getting ready to graduate. USM was getting a brand new theatre building, and the first play in the new space was supposed to be "The Crucible." I can't quite remember the reasoning behind it...I think "The Crucible" was the first play done in the current building....but when it was announced that the building wasn't going to be ready, "The Crucible" was postponed.
Instead, the powers that be decided to produce a student's original thesis project, titled "The Last Reprisal" about four women and one male courier dealing with the consequences of the 2nd World War. It was a brilliant work, and I was asked to direct it.
I remember exploring so many wonderful themes with those actors and taking wild(ish) chances with staging, the set, etc. I also remember showing up drunk, in a tuxedo, nonetheless to the final tech rehearsal. I had been asked to speak at a donor gala earlier in the evening (a great honor, given to me and USM's current beauty queen) and clearly wasn't going to do that without liquid courage. I walked in late to rehearsal and took over with great bombast, getting into a fight with my ex boyfriend in the process who had some sort of role in the production. I'm sure they were doing fine without me, but my ego took over the moment I walked in the door.
Now, 19 years later, I was able to explore again with Sharr White's "The Other Place" for Theatre Oxford, a community theater that has been my exploration space for the past 3 years. I was originally supposed to be the Assistant Director, but stepped up to the challenge shortly before auditions.
No wine this time, and no drama. Not from me, at least.
I think it's important to reflect on the past, certainly. Thinking about "The Last Reprisal" in context with "The Other Place" is particularly interesting, especially when considering my own personal growth in terms of professionalism and having empathy for others on their journey toward it, or away from it.
After the play was over, I almost immediately went to Atlanta for work. The moment I got there I was instantly transported back to Los Angeles. Oh traffic, how I missed you.
Some of the landscapes of the boroughs in ATL reminded me of the likes of El Segundo, which was close to where I lived for the first few months I was in California. I even saw my beloved Sprouts grocery stores! Although I think going in to one might have broken my heart a bit instead of filling me with nostalgic bliss.
While driving to see "Lean on Pete," I drove through Midtown Atlanta and across its rainbow sidewalks which took me back to WeHo.
Earlier in that day, when I had my lunch outside the CNN Center with a gazillion other people from the conference and the surrounding offices it was like being back in NYC all over again as well.
The city calls to me. I hear your call, I do.
The first thing I did when I got to Atlanta, after checking into the hotel, that is, was go see "Final Portrait" starring Geoffrey Rush and Armie Hammer and directed by Stanley Tucci. Why this particular film? Do you even have to ask. Because of Armie. Because of Sony Pictures Classics. Because of Oliver.
When the film first came out, there were only a few reviews posted on Metacritic, and it looked like a total miss. I needed to see this film. I have now seen "Call Me By Your Name" twelve times, and can't bring myself to watch it anymore. I've actually stopped feeling anything while watching it, if that makes sense, but I needed to see Armie Hammer play another gay man in a quirky independent feature. The film itself is truly delightful. Both Rush and Hammer are great. As are Clemence Poesy, Tony Shalhoub and Sylvie Testud. There are some odd directorial choices in a few scenes, but Tucci, to no surprise, is an actor's director. It's a wonderful film that deserves to be seen.
Same with "Lean on Pete." I loved director Andrew Haigh's "Weekend" and "45 Years," and was very much looking forward to this film. I don't want to tell you too much about it, because even the non spoilers that I read from people don't quite give it the justice it deserves in terms of the plot. I will say this though, it's not a "boy and his horse" story. Not in the least.
There are many other films I've seen since I last blogged, "Isle of Dogs," "Black Panther," "The Avengers..." but intstead of delving into that right now, I think it's best that I just get this out into the universe.
One of my fellow GALECAns (The Society of LGBTQ Film Critics), Danielle Solzman with Solzy at the Movies messaged me a few days ago that there is no "Oscar Hibernation" anymore, and for most people that may be true. For me, it may or may not be true. I honestly don't know. I may not publish again for months, or I might publish again tomorrow.
I have lots of thoughts about "The Avengers" and some fading ones about "Black Panther..." I had some fancies about watching both again and pulling something together in a piece about superhero films. When the Oscars ended I started revisiting "The X-Men" movies, which was really interesting, to say the least. I wanted to watch something, and this was all I could bring my self to watch other than NBC's "Superstore" and "Will and Grace" (both of which I love, by the way).
I even thought about taking a look at some of my favorite films to see where they stand today and how they related to the Oscars the year they were released. That's a real possibility.
I also have my own screenplay to write and Oxford Film Festival LGBTQ films to watch.
When it comes to Awards Wiz...I think I will do what has served me best over the years. Let the films guide me.
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