KRISTEN POWELL

This is the most exciting technology of my life.

kristenmichellepowell — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:58:18 +0000

Expect to see this used in a personal capacity in the future. But for now, The Eagle once again has issue PDFs. Thanks to Issuu. Seriously. I love this thing. Here’s a link to The Eag’s newest, bestest addition.

P.S. I actually found Issuu via this awesome, awesome comic. See? My procrastination and general nerdomery have a purpose.

A minor update & so on

kristenmichellepowell — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 19:50:53 +0000

So I’ve really been slacking. For the record I did watch “Metropolitan”, and it basically sucked. It was about NYC prep schoolers, and it was pretty boring. So in addition to being lied to about the subject-matter (thanks, IMDB), I didn’t even enjoy the diversion. But that is besides the point.

I heard that the two most likely times that people drop out of college are the beginning and the end, and, man, I totally get that now. Senior year is hard, guys. But I’m trucking on through. My classes are really great this semester, The Eagle is going swimmingly and I’ve started working at Chinatown Coffee Company. Needless to say, free time is at a minimum.

I’m also doing digital set design for my friend Ty Budde’s production of Charles Ludlam‘s “Bluebeard”. It’s going to be epic. No, seriously. I also did the poster, and when that’s finalized, I’ll put a pic up here.

In other news, I’m doing design for The Eagle. I’ll put up clips at some point, maybe. In the mean time, check out this staff column I wrote that I don’t actually like very much.

Hopefully I’ll have something more exciting to put up eventually. Right now I’m bushed.

It Might Maybe be Alright, round 5

kristenmichellepowell — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:43:01 +0000

This is the fifth review in a mountingly disappointing attempt to find movies to relieve my post-adolescent angst about having to be a grown-up. Check the bottom for links to the rest.

Attempt 5: “Funny Ha Ha” (2002)

Basic plot: Marnie is in love with her best friend, Alex, but it’s not reciprocated. Also, she just finished college and is trying to figure out her life.

Actual plot: Meandering long-ass conversations stretch out an otherwise ten-minute story.

What I thought: This was genuinely terrible. There were like three good moments in the movie, tops. One of them was the lap-sitter scene, which is pictured above. It was with an extremely minor character, who would have been more interesting to follow than basically everyone else they did follow. All the dialogue sounded like an after-school special and it was shot terribly. The music was OK, but one of the guys from Bishop Allen, Christian Rudder played Alex, so it should have been. Rudder probably studied at the Michael Showalter school of acting, which is unfortunate, since they kind of look alike, and it made him seem horribly and terribly derivative. In fact, this movie would be a 100 times better and less derivative if it had been written by someone that understood absurdist comedy. Or writing. Because as it is, yuck.

“Yes, but how did it make you feel?”: At least my life isn’t that bad.

Character I most relate to: If I ever discover myself identifying with anyone in this movie, I will seriously consider entering a convent.

What I learned: I better figure my life out before college ends. And/or I should start habit shopping now.

Rating: 0.5/5

Next up: “Metropolitan”
Previously: “Reality Bites”
Also: “Slacker”
And: “Kicking and Screaming”
More: “The Last Days of Disco”

It Might Maybe be Alright, round 4

kristenmichellepowell — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:35:20 +0000

This is the fourth review in a possibly endless (hopefully not) series describing my experiences with movies I have been led to believe might comfort me about the stresses of coming of age post-college. Check the bottom of the post for links to previous reviews.

Attempt 4: “The Last Days of Disco”(1998)

Basic plot: Two women who were sort of friends in college end up frenemies competing for love post-college on the cusp of the disco and yuppie-greed eras in New York.

Actual plot: I think that’s actually it, this time. The movie is about the last days of disco. And two women. And the sexual revolution. There are no particular complex sub-plots, but there are several things going on at once. Like the last days of disco. And the sexual revolution.

What I thought: Despite how simple I’ve made it sound, the movie is actually pretty complex. The characterization is really subtle and kind of beautiful, actually, though I spent the first half of the movie hating one group of people, and the second half hating just about everyone else. At the beginning, it takes itself too seriously, but I’m starting to feel like all these movies have this disaffected tone that has uneven results. “The Last Days of Disco” in particular suffers from this problem. I kind of want to punch Chloe Sevigny in the face constantly, but that might not even have to do with the character she’s playing (Although, hey, don’t bad-mouth Stan Lee, OK?)

About three quarters of the way through, there’s an argument about the social implications of “Lady and the Tramp” after which I finally felt like I was in on the joke. And then I was deliriously happy during an argument about identity politics and yuppie-dom. Aside from that, the movie is pretty cliche, and, again, the characterization was definitely the best part. Also, Chris Eigeman, who I forgot to mention was in “Kicking and Screaming,” and whom I secretly love, plays the same character he always does, so I was pleased with that. I have a lot to say about this one because it was kind of a mess. I’m eager to see if director/writer Whit Stillman‘s previous foray into post-college drama, “Metropolitan,” will be better.

“Yes, but how did it make you feel?”: Die, yuppie scum. I was disappointed because I felt like this had virtually nothing to do with becoming an adult after college, and mostly had to do with the tail end of the sexual revolution. All the male characters were basically the same person, except they all hate each other and have slight variations in virtue level, which seem to be directly correlated with their careers. Honestly, it is pretty boring. Seeing Dr. Wilson cut a rug was pretty priceless. (No, literally, this one is was free on Hulu and Fancast as well.)

Character I most relate to: Basically no one. Holly? Dan? The guy in the tin man suit?

What I learned: I super hate disco. And Chloe Sevigny.

Rating: 2/5

Next up: “Funny Ha Ha”
Previously: “Reality Bites”
Also: “Slacker”
And: “Kicking and Screaming”

Doing my job, pt. 7

kristenmichellepowell — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 14:47:51 +0000

Look! I wrote something for NOT The Eagle. This is for the alumni Web site at AU.

Alumni success story: Adam Lankford

It Might Maybe be Alright, round 3

kristenmichellepowell — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 16:30:34 +0000

This is the third review in a series about my attempts to identify and find comfort in coming-of-age movies skewed toward post-college life. The first is here and the second is here.

Attempt 3: “Kicking and Screaming”(1995)

Basic plot: The first 7 or 8 months post-college of the “Hawks,” structured mostly by the markers of a college semester.

Actual plot: Like “Reality Bites,” there’s a really strong undercurrent of love story, between Grover and Jane, in this ensemble tale. But this one works a lot better. It’s also about not becoming a “Chet,” “Kicking and Screaming’s” answer to Matthew McConaughey in “Dazed and Confused.” But less creepy and more erudite.

What I thought: This is probably only second in quotability to “Heathers”, one of my all-time favorite movies. The flashback scenes are a little rough, but it’s really well constructed. All of the characters were likable and undeniably human. Also, single most well-dressed group of guys in the ’90s, excluding Skippy.

“Yes, but how did it make you feel?”: Like dragging your feet is OK. But that moving on is also OK. Again, really good narrative arc. I felt like I got “something” out of it. Not quite that Lou Pucci running through the streets moment, but the opposite in a really nice way. Like Chet says, “How do you make God laugh? By making a plan.”

Character I most relate to: A combination of Grover and Kate. And also Max and some Jane, and a even a little Miami. Very little Miami though.

What I learned: That there is life after college no matter how long it takes you to get there.

Rating: 4.5/5

Next up: “The Last Days of Disco”
Previously: “Reality Bites”
Also: “Slacker”

It Might Maybe be Alright, round 2

kristenmichellepowell — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:30:29 +0000

This is the second review in a series about my search for a movie to replace the heartening teen classics of yore with a more suitable coming-of-age subgenre. You can see the first here.

Attempt 2: “Slacker”(1991)

Basic plot: From morning to morning again in Austin, Texas.

Actual plot: Well there really isn’t one. It’s Richard Linklater’s stream-of-consciousness extravaganza. Pay really close attention to the monologue at the beginning. Ultimately, it’s about different theories of living.

What I thought: This actually spans the gamut of age groups, but as far as a cohesive treatise on Real Life, it’s pretty applicable. The way I felt about this film can be summed up in three words: Madonna pap smear. That is to say I’m still a little foggy (ha!). I definitely feel like I need to watch it again, which you can do for free right now, by the way, on Hulu and Fancast.

“Yes, but how did it make you feel?”: Really confused. The film is pretty nihilstic, but it’s definitely also what you make of it. I somewhat hated the ending. As a whole it mostly made me feel like no one ever has “it” figured out. I guess that could be comforting. It was also unsettling though.

Character I most relate to: Either the Dairy Queen photographer or the anarchist’s daughter. Both of whom are actually really minor, passive roles. I think that’s how this movie made me feel about my role in the world.

What I learned: To stop worrying. To go where the night leads. I sound like a commercial for light beer, but that seems to be what I got out of it.

Rating: 3.5/5 (It made me a little to sad. Also “Dazed and Confused” hit a lot of the same points a lot better.)

Next up: “Kicking and Screaming”

It Might Maybe be Alright, round 1

kristenmichellepowell — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:07:48 +0000

So I have this problem where I always start to panic when other people get to move on and I don’t. Since it is now the end of the summer between my junior and senior years, I’ve obviously hit full-panic mode. I used to cope by watching feel-good classics like “Thumbsucker” and “Ghost World” where life begins after high school. Well, that’s a problem now, isn’t it?

So it has been my goal for the past couple weeks to find some replacements for these movies. Below is my first review of a hopeful for such a film.

If anyone knows a movie where, say, Lou Pucci goes running through the streets somewhere POST-college, let me know.

Attempt 1: “Reality Bites”(1994)

Basic plot: Four recent college grads (no, seriously, it starts at graduation) make their first stab at Real Life in Houston.

Actual plot: Love story between Winona Rider’s and Ethan Hawke’s characters set against the backdrop of instability of post-college and also Gen X angst.

What I thought: Man, I miss the ’90s. I also missed what happened to Janeane Garofalo’s character. It really sucks to set up an ensemble cast and then not follow through. I had such high hopes for figuring out my future vicariously through her. However, it basically had the exact plot structure I was looking for in this kind of movie and it didn’t end too depressingly.

Also, Houston circa 1994 is exactly like D.C. circa now.

“Yes, but how did it make you feel?”: Actually, pretty good. I’m concerned that I went for the most promising title on my list first, and the film’s mumblecore cousins will only serve to disappoint in comparison.

::EDIT:: adding two more evaluations

Character I most relate to: Doubtlessly Janeane Garofalo

What I learned:: You know, I don’t think I learned anything. But I think that might be why I liked it; it made me feel like I can’t prepare myself any better than I am.

Rating: 4/5 (I’m being optimistic here and hoping something else will score higher.)

Next up: “Slacker”

Doing my job, pt. ∞

kristenmichellepowell — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:56:41 +0000

Blog post for The Eagle. An interview with Justin Kredible of “Gilmore Girls” fame (fast forward to 4:19). And probably mostly of other things, also.

Oh, P.S. I’ve been working on a serialized comic, BUT my scanner is in Maryland. I was going to use the one in The Eagle office, but the AC adapter was missing. And even I’m not twee enough to scan my hand-drawn mini-comic in the library basement, sorry. So look out for it in a week or so, once I have my scanner again.

Summer reading

kristenmichellepowell — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 20:19:34 +0000

I’ve just (OK, several days ago) returned from the West Coast to the land of deciduous trees. While I missed broad leaves that will eventually fall, I did not miss the stifling crypt-like heat of my apartment. I also didn’t really miss a whole lot else, aside from a few select people, who, let’s be honest, are never that far away, what with modern technology. USC has firmly lodged itself at the top of my list for grad schools, officially. Now if only I can swindle my way into the program, I’ll be golden.

I’ve been reading a whole lot, also. While “Food, Inc.” taught me little new, it did make me feel guilty all over again. Michael Pollan is a crafty, crafty man, since I ended up buying “In Defense of Food” virtually the next day, but it could be worse. I also started rereading “The Way We Eat”, and something by Marion Nestle is definitely next on my list. More than anything, the movie revived my interest in the anthropology of food.

I also just finished Michael Chabon’s “The Mysteries of Pittsburgh” and finished “Baudolino” about two weeks ago. “Mysteries” was pretty good, if a little anti-climatic, and I can’t even remember how “Baudolino” ended, but I enjoyed reading it. Now I’m working on “The Beautiful and Damned”, which is strange but good thusfar.

Last and unrelatedly, I’ve finally succumbed to peer pressure. Follow me on Twitter.