pictures sent to shannon

Oscar Check – Cannes, 2011

Can the Tree of Life go all the way to Oscar’s Big Ten?  It’s a tough one, and ultimately a little depressing to think about in all honesty.  Coming out of the Cannes Film Fest, it seems that the year’s best films would be selected over the course of the year until the very best remain.  But we know that it doesn’t really work that way because “best” is a matter of taste.  You have to choose films that will appeal to the most voters.  Since they vote in the dark and there are no consequences to their own decisions, most don’t care what anyone thinks about the films they choose: they simply vote for what they like best.

Whether a film just won the Palme d’Or, or whether the critics hail it as a masterpiece doesn’t necessarily mean that industry voters will go that way.  The Tree of Life is more esoteric than industry voters can usually handle.  They tend to vote for films that have a plot, at the very least.  On the other hand, this is Terrence Malick we’re talking about – someone who is revered by major players in this industry, many of whom name him as a major influence.  It was no less a shock to the system last year to see the industry snub such a critically acclaimed director as David Fincher (no director in history has ever lost the DGA heading into the race with that kind of acclaim) but Fincher and Malick are two different animals. Fincher represents the new – digital filmmaking, the video age – he carries around an iPad.  Malick represents the nuts-and-bolts glory days of filmmaking — and has long since paid his dues, proved his longevity and earned his acclaim over time.  But there is still the matter of “if we didn’t like it we won’t vote for it” to contend with – as every year the Academy must attempt to represent the best of the year while using judging criteria that relies on unreliable  human emotions; crushes, love and lust don’t last for the long haul.  But they’re unstoppable in the moment.

Cameron and Shannon: Gilroy Gardens

Before the baby came we wanted to do something really fun with Weston before his little world got rocked. We headed to Gilroy Gardens {an awesome amusement park for young kids} 2 days before I gave birth. I'm not sure if we really thought this through because I was a site to see. Seriously, I think I gave some people heart attacks because I was one large prego lady sitting on rides. I think at one point I pretended one of the seat belts fit me and I slightly hid it with my hand so I didn't get kicked off. Cameron thought it was really funny to take pictures of me {front and back view} for my viewing pleasure when I downloaded. Let's just say viewing those made me come to the conclusion that prego mamas should just stay in their houses the week before they deliver because the it's just not a good situation. We had such a fun time though and Weston was in heaven. Of course we got suckered into season passes so we'll be back. Here's where it gets comical... Cameron somehow convinced me that Weston would only ride on the paddle boats with me. He might have forgotten I was giving birth in two days but I didn't want to let Weston down. Next thing you know I'm leaping into a giant yellow duck while holding Weston's hand. We definitely did not think this through. What if my duck sank? Well, I did not sink but take note how lopsided the duck is. How embarrassing. Meanwhile Cameron is relaxing out on the dock emailing and taking pictures while I'm out in the middle of a lake literally sweating to death. Weston, on the other hand, was loving every second. He especially loved reversing the duck after I would try so hard to get it to go forward towards the dock.

Sent

Free to choose, a personal statement

To the lighthouse

The Power of Now, A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment

The road to serfdom, text and documents