The Town

 

Benny Boy should really never go back to acting in anyone else's films but his own. It's practically embarrassing when he does, especially when compared to the three feature films he's now been primarily behind the camera for.

The Town is the story of Doug Macray, a former NHL draft rookie who blew it all and ended up back in Charlestown, MA robbing banks and blowing the money on drugs and booze. It sounds like your typical Boston film, and it is, right down to the Fenway Park plug in the last half hour of the film. In fact, the climax of the film takes place below the famous field in the belly of the park.

That's not to say I didn't enjoy the film and think it was well done, but we could have done without the gratuitous Blake Lively sex scene and "The Notebook"-like ending. I think our generation has had just about enough of films that end with a sad, hard looking, bearded-but-once-sexy man gazing out over a southern sunset.

What I enjoyed the most about Affleck's newest foray into film is that he sticks to what he knows. Boston. The authenticity of the film would have been hard to capture unless you were watching that one movie by Martin Scorsese that I'm sure we've all forgotten about by now. Benny has a knack for casting, and setting the right tone, because he's always coming back to his roots. The best three films he's ever been apart of were all set in Boston, and I think he may have finally caught on to that trend.

The cast was superb - even Blake Lively playing the version of Serena VanderWoodsen every GG fan has been expecting to see this side of her come out for three seasons now. CW teases but Affleck delivers. Lively's never looked so believable.. too bad it was dressed as an oxy-snorting, 22-year-old mom from Charlestown.

"You gotta chase the rabbit to get the tail," I think she really hit her stride with that line.

Without spoiling anything for those who plan to see the film and still haven't, I'll say that what I loved the most was getting exactly what I'd hoped for when I was walking in to the theatre. That's the great thing about the Affleck (Ben/Casey) + Boston screenplay = baller film equation; they know how to make a gritty, realistic movie about the dark side of one of the US' best cities and still bring audiences in every time. Even if we feel like we already know how the stories going to end.

I wouldn't turn THAT down...

I'm pretty sure that by this point the general male-pop-star-hating population has finally gotten over throwing insults at J-Timber and moved on to the Bieb. Probably because no one can turn away from any of Timerlake's performances - he's incredibly talented. She's Electric and I dream about the day the Bieb becomes the new J-Timber.

With that, I give you Justin Timberlake's most recent performance on Jimmy Kimmel. Hip Hop through the years.





Holler at OLEGG if she decides to post this for me!

Update

The front door finally got primed and repainted and I am happy to report that it no longer looks like some woman from Astoria's tacky lipstick. This was obviously with no help from Markus.

Hookers & School Teachers

Life is tough when you're working in a school. I often tow the line between appropriate dress and unprofessional, but since moving to a different classroom helps with not having the alien teacher breathing down my neck I've been able to dress a little more classy and a little more my age.

Today I decided to wear my new "jeggings" to work. Say whatever you want, these things are the most comfortable pair of pants I've ever owned. I checked with B-Fab to make sure my pants were work appropriate, and since she's technically my boss I figured her okay is all I needed... but, I can't help feeling like a total hooker. Working with 6th graders gives me some advantage cause I know the boys aren't gawking at me yet, but walking down the halls this morning got me a bit nervous.

Maybe I can hide my ass for the day.

Book Ends

Today was the start of another wonderful school year at ODY (we'll call it that because I can't actually divulge the name). The day that I have been anxiously awaiting since I returned from Romania turned out to be better than expected.

We'll call today my book end day. I felt confident walking in this morning - then I walked down the main hallway and passed one of my favorite students from last year (who are we kidding, of all time, my first son's middle name will be his). His little face lit up the way it does when he's trying to be too cool, and with a quick "hey kid," I smiled and felt the familiar drop in my stomach at the sight of a child I've invested so much in.

You could say that the end of my day was somewhat the same. I spent most of my time between classes high five-ing former students and flashing a grin that I couldn't seem to contain. I won't lie, it feels good to feel wanted, to be popular amongst kids you've worked so hard to help educate. By the time school was over and the seniors had come to fetch the new sixth graders, I had taken to wandering the halls searching for one more face. Seeing the flash of a taller, curly mohawk, I couldn't contain my excitement and pride in a kid who I can only pray, will one day grow to be a remarkable young man. He made the JV soccer team. Thank God.

The biggest mistake we make as educators, mentors.. as human beings is writing off those most difficult around us. I spent the better part of my six months at ODY last year watching, horrified, as staff outwardly vocalized their distaste for certain students. Those students [naturally] turned out to be my favorite kids. Strangely, children of all ages have a way of touching your heart in such a profound way, it's difficult to describe really. You can't ever get back the piece of your heart you leave with the children you've worked with.

I cried myself home today, praying that I will be a blessing to the new students and staff I work with this year, but also that God will provide me the opportunity to continue the relationships I've built already. No matter how much taller those boys get, they will always be the first students I ever worked with, and the ones I love the most.

Wilma: I feel like you need to put together a documentary.
Me: Funny you should say that.

Tomorrow I start photographing for the school. I cannot begin to express how happy I am at being given the opportunity to put one of my passions to good use at work.