David’s Ramblings

Holy Cow. Seriously.

I mean, there’s lot’s of things that can be said about this movie… but first you’ve got to pick your jaw up off the floor and start blinking again. My roommate and I, after careful scientificly-based consideration, have come up with the correct genre to place this movie in: “Fucked Up”. Yes. “Fucked Up” is a little-known subcategory of the genre “Drama”. “Drama” alone would absolutely not do this movie justice.

I won’t make you watch this movie. I think it’s a dang good movie, but it’s probably not everyone’s cup of tea. I mean, if “Fucked Up” is not a big enough clue for you, I can’t really vouch for your reading comprehension. I mean, Saw was probably in this category too, but I’m less certain about putting it there than I am Requiem for a Dream.

The movie starts in the Summer, introducing the main character and his mother. He goes on to steal his mother’s TV and take it down to the pawn shop with his buddy. (Which is hinted to being a weekly ritual as she goes to the pawn shop to buy it back.) Other than that, life is generally good. They’ve got their drug money, and our main character’s got time to spend with his girlfriend.

Then something happens… they decide that if they could get a hold of some of the good stuff, they could cut it up and start dealing. It could be their big break, right? So they get to work, trying to build a better life by selling drugs. Meanwhile his mother’s at home fantasizing about he chance at being on TV and trying to ignore the diet she’s on to lose weight for it.

Then stuff goes downhill. Everyone’s trying to stay on top of things while the drugs (his mother’s taking diet pills that are equivalent to Speed) slowly claw away at their lives. The movie transitions these periods with different seasons, this next season being fall, where the good of summer is flowing away. This movie wouldn’t be very good if it didn’t do these scenes so remarkably well, with the transitions between the seasons and scenes.

Of course, winter comes. His mother’s become addicted to the diet pills and is goes crazy, he and his friend get caught on their way to pick up drugs from Florida. His girlfriend begins whoring herself out to get a fix. Everyone’s life is, appropriately, “Fucked Up”. And that’s the end.

Of course, reflecting on this, the remarkable beauty of the film is that we know spring is just around the corner, though it may be distant. There’s hope that maybe, someday, everyone’s life will be better… or maybe not. It’s just such a mind job… that’s Requiem For a Dream. 4.7¹ out of 900¼ (5¹).

This is the post my Uncle has been waiting for for a while. He said the moment I got out of his house I’d be blogging about how horrible my little cousins are, how absolutely annoying they can be. He’s got a valid point, but I’m actually going to have to disagree.

I like being around my cousins, in general. Sure, they can be a little pesky, clingy, and loud. But then I remember how cool I thought it was when I had a chance to hang out with my older cousin Kyra, or another older kid, especially when they’d play with me.

Now, I know that reminiscing doesn’t mean I have to follow suit. I could just be standoffish and leave my cousins to their fighting over the Playstation, but I don’t work like that. Even if they can be pesky, they can be fun to be around and play with as long as you’re willing to overlook the times they annoy the hell out of you.

And, let’s not underestimate the feelings of absolute adoration you get when you’re a fun older kid to be around. It’s like being a minor god. You’ve got all the little kids offering you their praise in return for blessing them with your presence.

Once, when I was in a bit of a sour mood, I told my cousin I’d stop reading my book and play cards with him if he paid me money. The money came out so fast I don’t even know where he pulled it from. I wouldn’t have taken it, but that kind of power feels good.

So, although the cousins might be a little crazy and annoying, I like to be around them. I like to think that hopefully I’ll be a good influence to their life and they’ll look back and remember the fun times they had when I played Pokemon cards and sword fights with them. Even if I feel foolish as an adult-ish type playing pretend, I certainly certainly don’t mind making their day when I’ve got nothing better to do.