That’s What I Am

Year after year, beauty pageant contestants respond that their goal is to achieve world peace, but none of them summarize how to accomplish it quite like Mr. Simon (Ed Harris) in That’s What I Am (2011). “Human Dignity + Compassion = Peace” is a formula for everyone to take note of, not just Mr. Simon’s middle school students.

In this coming of age story, director Michael Pavone reminds audiences that the so-called strange individuals singled out by cruel bullies are not monstrous creatures who deserve inconsiderate treatment. Kind souls like Stanley (Alexander Walters) and Andy (Chase Ellison) make us wish that ruthless people would become more tolerant of others, without leaving nerds or exceptionally tall students to suffer for superficial reasons.

Some kids isolate themselves in washroom stalls to avoid bullies’ harsh comments, but according to the cool kids’ seating plan at this school, Stanley and his fellow tormented classmates, such as a headgear-wearing girl, must spend their lunch breaks in the dreaded ‘geek corner’. This is the closest thing they have to a safe haven on campus because it is unthinkable for any student concerned with social status to set food in this area of the quad. Given how much people develop at a young age, it is especially problematic when academically-inclined students who should be role models are routinely ridiculed.

Recess violence isn’t the only issue Pavone addresses, as he also portrays attitudes prevalent in the 1960s toward homosexuality. Accusing a teacher of being a homosexual and complaining about the whole world going to hell should not be done in the same sentence, but Andy’s father makes this connection during a rant. His unfair judgment of the award-winning teacher is not the father’s only shortcoming, but unfortunately the entire parent community shares his sentiment. The notion that a teacher’s sexual preferences should interfere with their employment, when no harm has been done, is unjust.

Pavone should be commended for creating a stunning film about growing up. Andy’s innocent stammering while talking to the beautiful blonde bombshell in his neighbourhood accurately captures the awkwardness of youth, especially once combined with his concerns about puberty-induced sweating. The fact that the school has a resident expert on cooties is hilarious. The boy’s role at school becomes troublesome when his advice leads to violence, but his title in itself takes reiterates the innocence of childhood when catching cooties is one of children’s greatest worries.

It is unusual for a film set in the 1960s to dedicate merely two lines of dialogue to racist prejudice and cast an African-American boy as the protagonist’s best friend without any havoc as a result. The setting is refreshing however because so many films made today focus on cyber-bullying via IMs and camera phones, whereas Pavone successfully gets to the core of middle school drama without any text messaging under the desk.

It’s a shame that such poignant storytelling is relegated to limited release because That’s What I Am epitomizes why films inspired by true events raise the bar for all other productions.

 

 

May 15, 2011 by

Weird Al Yankovic’s Parody of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way

It won’t be included on his next album, so there won’t be a music video to accompany it, but you can listen to it here and enjoy.

After sending a pitch to Lady Gaga’s manager, Lady Gaga asked to hear the song in addition to reading the lyrics and then said that she would not allow Weird Al to include it in his upcoming record.

Here’s how he described his clever parody, as posted on his blog: 

The basic concept is that I, as a Lady Gaga doppelganger of sorts, describe the incredibly extravagant ways in which I perform on stage. Meat dresses and giant eggs would most likely be referenced, but also much more ridiculous made-up examples of bizarre wardrobe and stage production. As with all my parodies, it would be respectful of the artist, while having a bit of fun with her larger-than-life image.

In the meantime, we can only imagine what else the comedian has in store for fans. Who knows, perhaps Lady Gaga will change her mind about the song on a w-h-i-m.

April 20, 2011 by

Quoted: Jeanne Beker

In the early eighties, I interviewed Timothy Leary for The New Music. I said “Dr. Leary, what do you see in your crystal ball for us in the future?”

He said in the future were all going to have to get really friendly with our computers.

I thought, “Friendly with a computer! What could be more sickening than that? That sounds like nerd time.”

Now I’m joined at the hip to my computer.

Source: The Globe and Mail

March 26, 2011 by

The Stereotypical Western Girl on Twitter

I’ve been thinking about the new Rewd blog at Western and Ryan Dergy’s quest to learn who is behind the @wstrngrl Twitter account. In his article, he proposes that perhaps it is run by Gazette staff because he finds it suspicious “that they got an exclusive interview with @wstrngirl a few months ago.”

Most of the Gazette’s editorial staff identifies themselves as multimedia journalists. Any driven journalist will make optimal use of their resources to get the dirt on an upcoming story when needed and interviewing @wstrngirl is no exception. The creator of the account could easily create an anonymous e-mail to exchange messages with a reporter while maintaining ‘her’ mysterious identity.

Moreover, the Gazette staff operates Canada’s only daily student newspaper and many of its writers are full-time students who write personal blogs. They already have plenty of fun in their office on the third floor of the UCC, while writing editorial pieces and debating each other about hot topics. As for participating in Western’s Twitter community, they share links to new articles, monitor the #uwo hashtag and laugh at what fellow students are sharing.

As a spokesperson for the stereotypical female Western student who wishes Weldon washrooms had full-length mirrors, @wstrngrl has plenty of fame online and offline. Likewise, Gazette writers already have a large readership and do not have the same motivation as the average attention-seeking Western student or business-savvy Ivey folks who want to experiment with social media.

@wstrngirl is a conversation starter and a comedian. The account’s followers don’t need to probe for more info about the person behind the computer screen or BlackBerry. Just read, tweet, and enjoy.

March 25, 2011 by