Rain was forecast for today. So, I made a movie date with Mom and Dad. Surprisingly, we all picked the same film: The Revenant. Dad likes anything with action in it; Mom likes Leonardo di Caprio. I'd heard it was a really good film.
And it was, mostly. If someone asked me what it was "about", I'd say "revenge". The same could be said for any number of other films or plays, including Hamlet. Now, I'm not going to whine that this film isn't as good as Shakespeare's classic. After all, how many things are? I am happy that The Revenant features fine acting perfomances as well as some of the most powerful cinematography I've ever seen.
I haven't read anything the critics have written about it, but I'll venture that at least one has used the word "uncompromising" in his or her review. It is, in a certain way: It didn't try to soften the horror of the brutality and carnage that takes place in it. In that sense, it's rather like Picasso's Guernica which, to me, is a good enough reason to see and recommend the film.
However, there is another way in which the film didn't go far enough. Yes, we see the events that motivate the killings, and I could, at least to some degree, empathize with those characters who sought revenge. On the other hand, I don't think the film probes very deeply into the characters' hearts and minds. So, instead of a probe into man's inhumanity to man, we're given a portrayal of the sort of masculinity found in a John Wayne or Sylvester Stallone movie.
So...how does all of this relate to cycling, or even this blog? Well, very few pursuits have taught me as much about myself as cycling has. Also, whatever perseverance I might have is, in part, a result of pedaling to the tops of mountains or simply not giving up when I'm tired. More often than not, there is a reward at the end, even if it is as seemingly trivial as my food tasting better.
Speaking of which: We went to dinner at Cracker Barrel this evening. Their Sunday Chicken dinner--which consists of bird fried in buttermilk batter, along with two sides (I had carrots and friend okra.) and a choice of biscuits or cornbread. Soo good!
And it was, mostly. If someone asked me what it was "about", I'd say "revenge". The same could be said for any number of other films or plays, including Hamlet. Now, I'm not going to whine that this film isn't as good as Shakespeare's classic. After all, how many things are? I am happy that The Revenant features fine acting perfomances as well as some of the most powerful cinematography I've ever seen.
I haven't read anything the critics have written about it, but I'll venture that at least one has used the word "uncompromising" in his or her review. It is, in a certain way: It didn't try to soften the horror of the brutality and carnage that takes place in it. In that sense, it's rather like Picasso's Guernica which, to me, is a good enough reason to see and recommend the film.
However, there is another way in which the film didn't go far enough. Yes, we see the events that motivate the killings, and I could, at least to some degree, empathize with those characters who sought revenge. On the other hand, I don't think the film probes very deeply into the characters' hearts and minds. So, instead of a probe into man's inhumanity to man, we're given a portrayal of the sort of masculinity found in a John Wayne or Sylvester Stallone movie.
So...how does all of this relate to cycling, or even this blog? Well, very few pursuits have taught me as much about myself as cycling has. Also, whatever perseverance I might have is, in part, a result of pedaling to the tops of mountains or simply not giving up when I'm tired. More often than not, there is a reward at the end, even if it is as seemingly trivial as my food tasting better.
Speaking of which: We went to dinner at Cracker Barrel this evening. Their Sunday Chicken dinner--which consists of bird fried in buttermilk batter, along with two sides (I had carrots and friend okra.) and a choice of biscuits or cornbread. Soo good!
