This is a review I've done for work which can be found here
Joaquin Phoenix, Oscar-nominated actor famed for his roles in Gladiator and Walk the Line, has, as they say, gone off the rails. Some time in 2008 he quit acting for good and followed his hearts desire by starting a career in hip-hop. No doubt you’ve seen some of the results: the beard, the Letterman show, the footage of him falling off the stage whilst performing. Rumours that it was all a hoax were quick to start flying, and for some, the knowledge that Casey Affleck was filming the whole process only added fuel to that fire. I’m Still Here is the result of that footage – a documentary that follows Phoenix from his decision, through his last performance, home recording sessions, gigs, travels and travails.
The backbone of any good documentary is a fascinating subject that can stand independent of any prior audience knowledge. I’m Still Here certainly has that. Behind the beard and the glasses it is almost impossible to find traces of Johnny Cash or Emperor Commodus, well groomed as they were. Instead we follow a man on a mission to destroy/reclaim his life. The film opens with Phoenix explaining his decision: he doesn’t want to be a puppet for other people’s creativity, he wants total creative control himself. Rejecting fame and the publicity machine that goes with a Hollywood life he wants to live and work as a genuine hip-hop artist. So far, so reasonable. The only problems are that a) he isn’t very good and b) he expects to slot into the top of the hip-hop world based on his acting achievements and fame. Cue hideously uncomfortable scenes with the ultra-professional producer formerly known as P Diddy, some atrocious performances and a diving tackle off the stage at one heckling fan.
There is real tragedy here as talent and “friends” (all seemingly on the payroll) are thrown away on this spiral of self-delusion, mistrust and pride. But (and this is a big but), this film is funny, very funny, and in a variety of ways. Impeccable comic timing by the man himself, shocking unbelievable acts (people really snorting coke of a hooker’s tit) and surreal ‘cameos’ from the Hollywood A-list all make this a very entertaining film. Whether or not this is real becomes something of a moot point for enjoying the film. If it is, then Casey Affleck is to be commended for an insightful and powerful documentary. If it’s not the Joaquin Phoenix has perhaps pulled off the most audacious and committed role of his generation. Only time will tell – but neither possibility should spoil your enjoyment of the film.
Friday, 17 September 2010
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Frisbee: Nationals
Nationals was only 2 weeks ago but it feels like much more. A 3 day party tournament has an odd way of distorting your sense of time.
Anyhoo
We (Burro Electico) went in expecting a top 12 finish, hoping for a top 10 and wishing for a top 8. We finished 9th which made us happy. I was D-line co-captain again, which is still slightly surreal but definitely something I enjoy. Less pressure, more glory and I get to call lines.
On with the tournament
Firstly, our seeding was drawn out from a hat. A slightly odd system which meant we would be either 11th or 12th and would be playing either Leeds or Fusion for first game. Leeds was preferred so of course we ended up with Fusion
They were not happy about their loss to us at Tour 3 and proceeded to show us just why they really belong in the top 8. Despite a small squad they ran us hard and were clinical as good teams are. The weather was drizzly and a little windy and our offense (on both lines) faltered again and again. Theirs didn't and that's why they one 15-5. A disappointing start for us.
Second game was against our old friends Ltd Release.
I don't have much memory of the flow of this game but this handy points graph reminds me that we took the half 8-5 before chumping up the the second part of the game. Sudden death and the D-line goes on for glory. Yours truly gets half a block on a floaty pass (I was fouled (but not, cos it was by a teammate (but I didn't know that))) and the leftovers were put to ground with layout D from Juan. He immediately put the disc into play, it swung to me and I put a nice half-pitch backhand in for the score. Ltd were very sad but very gracious in defeat.
Third game was against Devon and this was for a guaranteed spot in the top 8. This was, seemingly, a tight game. They took the half and we pulled back to take the lead 11-10. Then we played like absolute morons and threw the game away, not scoring another point. Devon win 15-11. They went on to finish 6th, so there's no doubt that they're a very good team but it still hurts that we could have traded out for the win.
Heads were a little bit down on Saturday evening and that encouraged the core of the team to go out drinking. Jaegerbombs. 'Til 3 in the morning. At nationals.
With half an hour until game-time on Sunday morning I took charge and lead a warm-up and drills with the team we had. The wankers turned up 5 minutes before the game, holding their heads and mumbling something about the B&B screwing up their breakfast.
Our first game was against Strange Blue and a columbian guy they'd picked up. We traded for most of this game and we always felt in control. The O-line faltered a little but the D-line was more than capable of making blocks and we finally got our offense working. Highlight for me was a pitch length backhand huck that was D'd (by a friend of mine) because my hungover teammate was milking it in for the score. We won 15-12
Our final game of the weekend was against our old rivals Team Shark. We had some insider information that told us we were definitely in their heads - lots of email promises going around about how they refused to lose to us again.
Our O-line - the people that had been out drinking - really collapsed during this game. In contrast, the D-line were on a roll. The handy points graph again shows the flow of the game. The flat bits are when the O-line was on conceding and the up bits are when the D-line was on scoring. In the end the captain (one of the drunkards) took the decision to remove the O-line from the game almost entirely and the D-line worked like dogs to take the game. Despite being down all game we squeaked a victory 15-12.
Nationals was a lot of fun and it was fantastic to have live streaming and stats - it made me feel very special.
Thanks to all of Burro for a great season.
Anyhoo
We (Burro Electico) went in expecting a top 12 finish, hoping for a top 10 and wishing for a top 8. We finished 9th which made us happy. I was D-line co-captain again, which is still slightly surreal but definitely something I enjoy. Less pressure, more glory and I get to call lines.
On with the tournament
Firstly, our seeding was drawn out from a hat. A slightly odd system which meant we would be either 11th or 12th and would be playing either Leeds or Fusion for first game. Leeds was preferred so of course we ended up with Fusion
They were not happy about their loss to us at Tour 3 and proceeded to show us just why they really belong in the top 8. Despite a small squad they ran us hard and were clinical as good teams are. The weather was drizzly and a little windy and our offense (on both lines) faltered again and again. Theirs didn't and that's why they one 15-5. A disappointing start for us.
Second game was against our old friends Ltd Release.
I don't have much memory of the flow of this game but this handy points graph reminds me that we took the half 8-5 before chumping up the the second part of the game. Sudden death and the D-line goes on for glory. Yours truly gets half a block on a floaty pass (I was fouled (but not, cos it was by a teammate (but I didn't know that))) and the leftovers were put to ground with layout D from Juan. He immediately put the disc into play, it swung to me and I put a nice half-pitch backhand in for the score. Ltd were very sad but very gracious in defeat.
Third game was against Devon and this was for a guaranteed spot in the top 8. This was, seemingly, a tight game. They took the half and we pulled back to take the lead 11-10. Then we played like absolute morons and threw the game away, not scoring another point. Devon win 15-11. They went on to finish 6th, so there's no doubt that they're a very good team but it still hurts that we could have traded out for the win.
Heads were a little bit down on Saturday evening and that encouraged the core of the team to go out drinking. Jaegerbombs. 'Til 3 in the morning. At nationals.
With half an hour until game-time on Sunday morning I took charge and lead a warm-up and drills with the team we had. The wankers turned up 5 minutes before the game, holding their heads and mumbling something about the B&B screwing up their breakfast.
Our first game was against Strange Blue and a columbian guy they'd picked up. We traded for most of this game and we always felt in control. The O-line faltered a little but the D-line was more than capable of making blocks and we finally got our offense working. Highlight for me was a pitch length backhand huck that was D'd (by a friend of mine) because my hungover teammate was milking it in for the score. We won 15-12
Our final game of the weekend was against our old rivals Team Shark. We had some insider information that told us we were definitely in their heads - lots of email promises going around about how they refused to lose to us again.
Our O-line - the people that had been out drinking - really collapsed during this game. In contrast, the D-line were on a roll. The handy points graph again shows the flow of the game. The flat bits are when the O-line was on conceding and the up bits are when the D-line was on scoring. In the end the captain (one of the drunkards) took the decision to remove the O-line from the game almost entirely and the D-line worked like dogs to take the game. Despite being down all game we squeaked a victory 15-12.
Nationals was a lot of fun and it was fantastic to have live streaming and stats - it made me feel very special.
Thanks to all of Burro for a great season.
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