Quentin Does It Again

This is a wonderful film and firmly establishes its director, Quentin Tarantino, as the most consistently provocative of all filmmakers.  Like in Inglourious Basterds before it, Once Upon A Time In Hollywood rewrites history with a steely vengeance, this time eviscerating the collective consciousness’s memory of the atrocities of the Manson family in 1969. 

This is just part of the story though. 

What we are presented with overall is a sprawling, magnetic orchestration that weaves and snakes among a plethora of stories, sometimes going off on dizzying, wonderous tangents that seem to be totally inconsequential at the time, but are still thoroughly enjoyable to behold.   Some scenes seem to linger and just playfully meander to develop character and add an idiosyncratic element to the film as a whole. 

All of the signature Tarantino elements are there:  eccentric, pop culture-infused dialogue; postmodern riffs and references to many aspects of cinema and culture; wrenching violence; odd and dark but effective humour; a pulsating, invigorating soundtrack.   And revenge is a theme present in many of Tarantino films.  You have to wait for the final minutes of this nearly 3 hour film to see the revenge come to full fruition, but it is worth the wait and it is done in a revolutionary, unconventional way. 

The acting is phenomenal, particularly from DiCaprio and Pitt, but Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate brings life to this picture.  Tarantino is paying tribute to the late actor, and in a few scenes her character is given breadth and depth thanks to Robbie’s performance and allowing her to inhabit Tate and the mise-en-scene.  One scene in particular portrays her attending a screening of one of her own films from the time, The Wrecking Crew.  The camera lingers on Robbie’s face as she absorbs her own film and takes-in the reactions of the surrounding spectators - great acting and great filmmaking combined. 

There is a sense, thanks to QT’s skill, that the screen is alive and that one’s own viewing of the film is, in essence, establishing the film for the first time on the retina of the present.  It is an active viewing experience which challenges the spectator to work with the material, engaging with the story and characters to create meaning both intrinsically within the viewer’s head and collectively with society and the past. 

Few films recently have so moved me and made me feel breathless with its creativity and boldness.  

Ozu's "I Was Born, But..." (1932) is a silent marvel

I Was Born, But... may be added to my personal list of favourite silent films of all time.  It's definitely my favourite Japanese silent film (it's the only one I've seen).  Though it is Japanese and was released in 1932, Ozu's film seems universal and timeless, still fresh after all these years.  I'm not sure if Truffaut saw it, but I can see antecedents to The 400 Blows in its treatment of youth and the school system.

It portrays two young brothers whose family moves to a new city, where they experience bullying at the hands of a local gang of children.  The film deals with how they overcome the rivalries and difficulties on the streets and at school, as well as the friction that occurs at home between the boys and their parents.

There are many idiosyncratic motifs throughout that keep reappearing.  For example, Ozu will frequently portray a passing train in the background of his shots.  I'm not sure of the significance, but they add a pleasing flourish to the mise-en-scene.  There is a frequent return to a focus on a wire ring puzzle and a humorous game which the children play on one another which signifies a death and resurrection.

I watched the film on Turner Classic Movies and in the introduction to the film, Ben Manckiewicz alludes to the tonal shift halfway through from light comedy to dour seriousness.  He also iterates the fact that despite being made in 1932, Ozu and not yet embraced the coming of sound, much like Charlie Chaplin at the time.

The performances by all the players, especially the children, add an element of realism and naturalness to the proceedings, creating a film of poignant impact.  Any viewer can find something to identify with.  Ozu seemed to be a master of holding a mirror up to society.

This is silent cinema at its best, an example of its art form being carried to its absolute height just prior to its disappearance.

Revisiting Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

After the huge success of Jaws in 1975, Steven Spielberg would direct the special effects marvel
Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 1977.  It is about the experiences of a few individuals and their connection to extraterrestrial life in a small American town in the present.  It stars Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon, Terri Garr, and Francois Truffaut, among others.  

Dreyfuss does a great job of conveying a sense of madness and obsession with his seemingly extrasensory relationship to the alien life forms.  There is however a line that is crossed at some points in the film into the realm of the preposterous as his character goes to great lengths to reconstruct the mountainous structure he has telepathically received in his mind's eye with a) a pile of mashed potatoes, b) clay, and c) the entire earthly elements of his backyard within the confines of his living room.  

There is a lot of sci-fi hogwash going on all at once at times, almost to the point of causing dumbfounded awe and confusion in the eyes of the viewer.  The film also drags bit in the last quarter before the highly anticipated entrance of the mothership and its inhabitants.  Overall, however, this is a landmark film for its time, perhaps to be overshadowed by the success of Star Wars that same year.

There are good performances, amazing special effects, and a mystical, spiritual quality that is infused to elevate it above the ranks of your average science fiction film.  

The Benefit of Having Patience

In a world that demands constant movement and progress, it can be difficult to sit back and just let things happen.  There is a great benefit to having patience as much as there is in taking action.  How many times in your life have you found that simply waiting, relaxing, and allowing life to happen has been of great benefit?  Probably everyone has had a situation in which such patience has been beneficial.  We often rush into things and feel the need to do something immediately when in fact, all we really need to do is have a little patience. 

Time heals. We are living in a quick-fix, immediate gratification society where we seldom take into consideration the benefit of long-term fulfillment as opposed to short-term pleasures. 

Say you run into a situation where you seriously offend someone or make a mistake and do someone wrong.  We sometimes will get caught up in wanting to make amends and doing everything we can right now to make the situation better.  However, often all we need to do is have patience and allow the passing of time to heal the wounds and solve the problem.  New situations will arise and unforeseen opportunities will come up that will lead the way to a solution to any previous problem.   

There is no doubt that taking action is important, but we need to balance this imperative with a recognition of the value of patience.  A truly dreadful situation one day can be alleviated by the coming of the next morning’s sunlight.  It is wonderful how much things change from day to day, including our outlook on life and life’s difficulties.  

I recently had an unfortunate situation arise at work that caused me a great deal of stress and anxiety.  There was nothing really I could do about it, but wait for the situation to resolve itself over time.  There was no real action I could take.  After the passing of some time, the situation became more bearable until the reality of my work environment returned to a semblance of normalcy, calm and balance. 

The same goes for personal growth.  It requires some action and direction, but there are numerous cases where our growth and wisdom comes from simply living and existing on a day-to-day basis.  

Three years ago, I took up a meditation habit.  At first, I was bad at it.  I couldn’t relax into it without feeling a restlessness that would not abate.  With time, now three years later, I can genuinely see the benefit of the practice and I am quite a bit better at it now.  I can be more present and patient.  Meditation requires patience and it will in turn, through the practice of it, make you more patient.  

The same goes for exercise.  I have been consistently lifting weights for about a year now.  At first, I didn’t see a difference in my appearance.  Now, I definitely do and I feel more confident and happy as a result.  This and the meditation are examples of the balance that must be forged between taking action and having patience.  

Patience is a remarkable quality to possess.  It helps you enjoy life more and appreciate each passing moment.  You don’t get caught up in the endless need to acquire more and constantly be busy to achieve something.  Striking the delicate balance between taking action and having patience is one of the best skills anyone can have.

Life's Problems Are Gifts From The Universe

“The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it.”  - Epicurus

Everyone who has ever lived has had obstacles to overcome, problems to solve, and difficulties to endure.  This is part of life, an ever-present, constant fact of it.  Some people choose to avoid problems in life, not deal with them directly and thus, the difficulties may begin to fester, to bubble up from the depths to overwhelm an individual no matter how resilient and strong.  The truth is, the problems that life presents to us are actually the source of our own self-discovery and personal triumph.  You have to examine the problems as they arise and inquire into what it means for your life, how it applies to your own unique situation.  It can teach you a lot about yourself.  It can instruct you on where you need to improve and help to build your character and personality up.  Every person’s life is unique, like a snowflake or fingerprint, and thus the problems that life presents to us will also depend on the individual.  Some people seem to be born with a silver spoon in their mouth and have great advantages, but even they will have their own unique problems to overcome.  

People living in First World nations such as North America, generally have it pretty well off compared to some places in the world.  We should take that into account when considering our own individual problems.  We are pretty lucky from that perspective.  We have freedom:  economic, political, social and personal.  We don’t have to worry about a fascist government invading our homes and killing us and our family members.  We don’t have to worry about being shipped off to a concentration camp because of our religious background as millions did in the past century.  Still, problems will arise in our lives as a given rule of the universe.  

I was lucky to be born into a loving family, free of any kind of abuse and lack of want growing up.  Still, I had my share of problems.  At one time in my life I was extremely shy and socially anxious.  This personality trait I considered a problem because it effected my day-to-day interactions and happiness.  But, as I said, this problem was actually a gift because it presented me with an area of my life where I needed to improve and work on.  For many years, I didn’t face it and ignored this weakness.  Gradually, I started to attain a level of mastery over myself and my flaws by a method of facing them head-on.  This was done through reading, social exposure and simply growing up.  It’s also helpful to have a supportive family and social network, but not everyone has this.  Through self-inquiry and working hard on myself, I became less shy, less socially-anxious and more outgoing and personable.  

When thinking about life’s challenges and problems it is useful to remember the serenity prayer.  It is as follows:

“God, grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change

The courage to change the things I can

And the wisdom to know the difference.”

Whether you believe in God or not is irrelevant. This prayer is useful no matter what.

We need to accept things we cannot change because without this acceptance we will be constantly frustrated. 

We need to change what is necessary to change, because with that change stems happiness and fulfillment.  

Finally, we need to know the difference between what can be changed and what cannot.  This requires wisdom.  Wisdom comes from working on ourselves, constantly improving, and gaining life experience via simply living our lives with conviction and bravery.  

We cannot change things like who are parents are, the situation we are born into, the country we are born in or our DNA.  We can however attempt to change things like our careers, education level, relationships, and economic situations to name a few.

We are living in one of the most exciting times in all of history.  Our possibilities are endless.  We have the world at our fingertips.  The internet gives us access to information at an unprecedented level.  We can learn new languages, read empowering material, and truly revolutionize our lives.  

Our problems are our gifts.  They are the source of self-discovery and empowerment.  Delve deeply into your personal difficulties.  You will unleash a torrent of excellence and greatness.  You have to face your problems head-on, but it is not easy, especially at first.  You will meet with resistance as you establish new habits and put an end to old, disempowering ones.  

Suffering leads to glory.  

You will never reach perfection in life, that is impossible, or at least fleeting when it is attained.  What is certain is that, as you strive to improve and overcome your problems, life will get more enjoyable and satisfying.  You will reach an entirely new level of freedom. 

The Gallagher Bros: Post-Oasis Music

Since Oasis disbanded about a decade ago, Noel and Liam Gallagher have been releasing music of varying quality and impact.   I'd like to give an assessment of the two siblings' musical output since the popular British band split up.  


Noel

Noel Gallagher formed Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds which has released three studio albums since its inception.  The common trend among these three albums is the tendency to have a fair number of really solid tracks with some lesser filler.  The self titled debut (2011) had two great tracks that really stand out:  "Everybody's On the Run", the album opener, and "If I Had A Gun."  Melodically, these two tracks are superb and lyrically very strong.   Unfortunately, much of the rest of this debut is forgettable.  The same can be said of Noel's next two albums.  Chasing Yesterday (2015) contains "River Man" and "In the Heat of the Moment", possibly examples of the pinnacle of Noel's songwriting career.  The production also is a great leap forward from the debut album of the band.  In 2017, Noel released Who Built the Moon?  It was quite a diversion from his previous material and harkened back to his experimentation with the Chemical Brothers, especially the opening track, "Fort Knox".  It contains three phenomenal tracks:  "Holy Mountain", "It's A Beautiful World", and "She Taught Me How to Fly."  These tracks alone make the album worthwhile to listen to, but the rest is pretty unspectacular.  


Liam

Liam Gallagher formed Beady Eye after Oasis split up.  They released two albums.  The first one was excellent, Different Gear, Still Speeding (2011).  It had a lot of catchy, melodic material.  My personal favourite was "Millionaire", which is a Beatles-esque beauty.  Their follow-up BE (2013), had two excellent tracks, the opener, "Flick of the Finger" and "Second Bite of the Apple."  The production here is excellent and sounds like an improvement over the first, which is already a good album, but there is a lot of dismal filler on it.

Beady Eye disbanded soon after the release of BE, and Liam went on to solo work.  His 2017 release As You Were is, in my opinion, the best of all post-Oasis Gallagher brother material.  It is consistent throughout and very melodically pleasing.  The best tracks, "Wall of Glass" and "Paper Crown" are absolute dynamite songs.


*****************

Only time will tell whether the Gallagher brothers will match the popularity of their Oasis days.  They are on the right track, especially Liam.  With more consistency in their albums, they can definitely achieve greatness.  I look forward to seeing Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds in concert in August 2019.  They are interesting characters, not to everyone's taste or patience.  They have been great at channeling the melodies and lyrical themes of 60's era rock, especially the Beatles.  They have both continued to grow as song-writers and it will be interesting to see what directions they take in the future.  

Your Thoughts Are Illusions

Society teaches us that thinking is an essential function of existence.  Philosopher Rene Descartes is attributed with the phrase, “I think, therefore I am,” meaning that the fundamental nature of being human and our existence is based on our ability to think.   Success guru Earl Nightingale once posited that “you become what you think about,” which also stresses the importance society places on the thinking process.  In spite of all this, I’m going to impart a statement that may surprise you, that might be difficult to accept and that is the following:  YOUR THOUGHTS ARE ILLUSIONS.  That’s right, you read that correctly.  Those things that are constantly flowing through your mind are actually not real.  Let me explain a bit further.

When we have a thought, we tend to identify completely with that thought.  In other words, there is no separation between what we think and who we are as individuals.  We become so caught up in our thought streams that we forget about the actual present moment.  Behind those thoughts that we are constantly, obsessively thinking, there is actually a silent, empty witness, an eternal nowness that is all that really is and all that ever will be.  Our concepts of the past and the future are both products of this thinking process and are, like those thoughts, illusions. 

To realize this is really liberating.  This is the foundation of Buddhist philosophy as well and the path to enlightenment.  There are Four Noble Truths in Buddhism and for our purposes here, I’ll focus on the first two.  The first Noble Truth is that all life is suffering.  The second is that this suffering is caused by attachment.  One thing that we can become attached to and that is the source of suffering is a thought.  We need to release this attachment.  Now. 

One way to achieve liberation from the thinking process is through mindfulness meditation.  We can focus on the breath and become mindful of it.  We can also be mindful of each passing thought and thus learn to detach from these thoughts.  Mindfulness is the key to liberation and practiced over time can lead to equanimity and long-lasting contentment.   We are constantly perseverating on the past and making plans for the future.  This can be important for success in life, but can also lead to discontent and suffering.  We need to realize that the present moment is all there really is and live life accordingly.

By taking up the practice of meditation and learning to detach from and become mindful of thinking, a life will begin to transform with time.  Previous preoccupations and obsessions will recede and greater self-acceptance and satisfaction will begin to manifest. 

This can be helpful with addictions and bad habits too.  In his book In The Realm of Hungry Ghosts, a landmark book about addiction, Dr. Gabor Mate offers strategies to overcome addictive habits.  He stresses the importance of recognizing that when an obsessive or addictive thought occurs, that it is not a real “need” that must be met, but only that:  a thought.  It is also the result of brain chemistry and wiring that can be corrected over time by the process of attention and mindfulness.  One needs to step outside of him or herself and become a witness to the thinking process which will lead to transcending of this thinking and obsession.  You also need to delay the process of taking action on your thoughts.  Do something constructive and creative to take your mind off the object of addiction or habit.  The thoughts will begin to recede and become less attractive with time and patience. 

Though our thoughts are illusions and the present moment is all there is, this does not mean that we can completely be free of thinking.  Thinking is important for existence, but humans become too attached to it and suffer as a result.  Thoughts are like clouds drifting through an open, blue sky.  They pass and continue on, but are never permanently there.  The impermanence and transience of the clouds and thoughts are a key attribute of life and when we realize this, life become a lot more bearable.  Depression, anxiety, and other forms of mental illness are illnesses of thinking.  Realizing that thoughts aren’t  who we are, that there is an eternal, ever-present witness behind all thoughts, is the key to overcoming most of the suffering that is life.  Freedom is possible.  Enlightenment is possible.  Now is all there is. 

Modern culture stresses the importance of obtaining more and more, of becoming more and more, of success and achievement as the key to happiness.  What is really important however, is presence and to live life mindfully, kindly and lovingly.  So next time you get caught up in your thinking process, take a mindful breath and realize that it isn’t really you at all.

The Life-Changing Power of Doing Difficult Things

If you want to get anywhere in life, you have to get out of your comfort zone.  A mediocre life is one where you never venture off the path of least resistance.  In the past few years of my life, I have embraced this wisdom and it is beginning to pay dividends.  I used to have a fear of public speaking, for example.  I dove headlong into this fear, putting myself in situations where I was forced to speak in public, and my fear of it has dissipated.  There have been a few avenues for this.  I was taking courses at school to upgrade my education.  These courses often required participation in seminars and lectures.  In my early adulthood, I was gripped by a mortal fear to make any kind of contribution in these types of settings.  What if I said something stupid?  What if my voice cracked?  What if people noticed how nervous I was?  This last one was interesting and convoluted:  I was nervous for people noticing my nervousness.  The solution?  Feel the fear and do it anyway.  My participation level increased gradually as I took more courses.  Eventually, the fear and nervousness disappeared and I could freely contribute to any discussion with valid input.  My confidence soared.  I become self-aware and aware of my own level of intelligence.  Consequently my marks shot up.  Where I used to be a C and B student, I was suddenly a straight A scholar.  Also, my professors came to know me and I gained a good reputation, ensuring the possibility of reference letters if I were ever to apply to grad school.  

Another way I overcame fear of public speaking was by joining Toastmasters.  Toastmasters is a public speaking club whose mission is to “provide a supportive and positive learning environment, empowering members to develop leadership and communication skills resulting in greater self confidence and personal growth.”  I have done many speeches since joining two years ago and taken on many rolls requiring speaking before the group.  This wasn’t easy at first, as you can imagine.  By confronting my hesitance to speak in public and tackling it head-on, my anxiety magically began to disappear.  I came to love the chance to get before an audience, inspire them, and motivate them with my words of wisdom and the unique point of view that we all possess.

David Goggins is an ex-Navy Seal who talks a lot about the value of suffering and how it  promotes growth and excellence.  He has run many ultra-marathons, been through Hell Week in Navy Seal training three times, and set world records in endurance feats.  He says that on other side of suffering is greatness.  I thoroughly believe that.  Doing difficult things can catapult you into the stratosphere of excellence and mastery. 

Do something difficult each and every day, something you’re afraid of.  It could be doing an intense workout, asking someone out for a date, writing a thousand words, or asking for a raise at work.  Wayne Gretzky once said, “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”  Take risks, sail out on the seas of self-discovery and lose sight of the shore. 

Doing difficult things ensures growth.  When we lift a heavy weight, for example, the muscle fibers break down and rebuild themselves, thus getting bigger and stronger.  A bone that fractures will be stronger at the point at which it has broken after it heals.  Often, it is the people who have been through the most difficulty who are the strongest, whether the hardship has been abuse, disease, or some other form of trauma or temporary defeat.   Some people cower and retreat in the face of difficulty, resigning to a life of mediocrity.  The point however, is to persevere and come back, over and over and over again.  By being tenacious and never giving up, you are ensured victory and success. 

Don’t accept your limitations either.  In fact, your weaknesses are a gift.  They demonstrate for you where you can become strong and empowered.  My shyness, for example, was a sign that I could become a gifted communicator.  Often, our setbacks and weaknesses are signs that we are meant to grow past them and teach others how to overcome them, thus empowering them and enriching their lives.  This requires soul-searching and introspection.  You have to be self-aware and know what areas of your life can be improved.  By identifying these weaknesses, you have found the path to freedom.   It won’t be easy however.  Discipline is required.  This is what doing hard things is all about.  It may require rising at the crack of dawn, ending an addiction, or losing weight.  Jocko Willink another ex-Navy Seal has a book entitled “Discipline Equals Freedom” that I highly recommend.  The title says it all:  by doing difficult things and embracing discipline in our lives, we welcome freedom and well-being into our existence.  So “embrace the suck” and take action.

How Toastmasters Transformed My Life

In February of 2017, I became a member of Garden City Toastmasters.  Since joining and committing myself to going regularly, my life has been transformed beyond imagination.  I had been a long-time sufferer of social anxiety, especially around public speaking.  Toastmasters, I learned from various web searches, is a place for people like me.  I could meet people, practice public speaking, take on roles in the meetings, and improve myself in a variety of ways.  Now, more than two years later I can honestly say I am a new person.

My choice to become a member of Toastmasters coincided with a number of other positive habits that I incorporated into my life over the past few years.  I have practiced meditation, journaled daily, begun an exercise regimen, and read a lot of self-help and personal development material.  I attribute Toastmasters as a keystone habit that has been an important part of integrating all these other transformative practices into my life. 

I remember my first meeting like it was yesterday.  I nervously introduced myself in the guest introduction part of the meeting and hesitantly took part in Table Topics, a portion of the meeting where members and guests are asked to give a short, impromptu speech on a designated topic or question.  Surprisingly I was voted Best Table Topics Speaker at the end of the meeting, which really encouraged me to keep attending.  The other members of the club were so welcoming and friendly.  I recall seeing the happy look on other members faces as I agreed to take part in Table Topics. 

At our weekly meetings of Toastmasters, there is a set schedule which is regularly adhered to and seldom is wavered from.  There is an introduction from the Sergeant-at-Arms who reads the Mission Statement of the club followed by the Toastmaster who introduces the theme of the meeting and welcomes any guests.  There is a Word-of-the-day and a humourist who tells a humourous story or anecdote to inject some energy into the meeting.  Table Topics usually occurs in the first half as well.  After a brief break, the prepared speeches part of the meeting occurs followed by evaluations by individual members. 

My first speech was an awkward affair in which my eyes were mostly glued to the notes I had.  As I did more and more speeches, I learned to gradually become comfortable without notes and using more gestures and movement.  I have really developed myself from doing about 20 speeches over the past 2 years and I still have a long way to go.  I have learned a lot from the evaluations of my speeches and incorporated the feedback to improve my delivery and content as I made my way through various projects and assignments. 

Communication is one of the most important skills an individual can possess, whether in a career or life in general.  My life has changed in profound ways because of my experience with Toastmasters.  Since joining two years ago, I have landed a job that I love and always wanted and I attribute my Toastmasters experience to helping me get the job and nailing the interview.  Having a “Competent Communicator” designation, which I earned for completing 10 speeches from a manual, can look great on a resume and I’m sure my current employer was impressed with this credential.  I’ve also noticed that my communication skills in day-to-day life has become more effortless and efficient.   Meditation may have played a role in this, but I’m certain that Toastmasters and all the communicating I have done has helped immensely.

When I first joined, I have to admit, the experience was somewhat uncomfortable and I wasn’t fully committed.  I failed to attend some meetings after saying I would be there.  There were also moments of failure, embarrassment and awkwardness.  This is the point and the only way to grow, as is the case with anything worthwhile in life.  It is said that Thomas Edison failed 10,000 times before he came up with the lightbulb, after all.  You can choose to play it safe in life, sitting at home and never venturing past your familiar experience, or you can do something like join Toastmasters and commit to it where you will learn valuable leadership and communication skills. 

I am now the Sergeant-at-Arms of Garden City Toastmasters and have the privilege of being able to speak at each and every meeting in some capacity.  I now welcome public speaking, embrace it, and look forward to it, whereas in the past I would fear it and avoid it at all costs.  So if you want to improve yourself in any way, do as I did and join your local Toastmasters club.  You will see results after a few short months and may not even recognize yourself a year later with all the confidence you will gain.