Credibility seemed to be a major issue during the elections, and Michael believed that Ronald McDonald would make a good president. Our coursemates rolled their eyes, as he was about to embark on another recollection from his past trips. He was a picky eater, as he rather munched on a McDonald burger than tasting an exotic dish. And he would take photos of Ronald McDonald's statue in various gestures. I figured that a bloated Ron would be the perfect one, which Mike didn't find funny at all. Fast food would be dangerous to anyone's health, but I didn't press my point. Besides, I saw a vintage photo of the first McDonald store the other day. It reminded me of a classic George Lucas picture, where the customers have no worries about tomorrow.
I was worried about my assignment, as the deadline would be the day after tomorrow. And I had another bout of writer's block. I thought a glimpse of the crisp autumn morning would inspire me, but it didn't. I was looking at my pile of paperbacks, and I noticed something. There seemed to be many books with "girl" or "girls" on the title. I read "The Girl on the Train," "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," and "Gone Girl" last winter, where there would be a dead body along the way. If a male author penned the story, the titular character could end up in cold blood. And there was another set of titles. "The Hangman's Daughter," "The Kingmaker's Daughter," "The Time Traveler's Wife." I haven't read any of those books, as I suspected an overused premise.
Why haven't any member of the faculty thought about it? I won't dare ask my tutor, as I might be at a loss (if I would pen an essay about it). I surmised these titles would define women by the men in their lives, which could likely be the author(s). I may be wrong, but I was unable to think further. Richard Linklater was the topic of conversation.
Who was America's true maverick?
Mike fell asleep while watching "Boyhood," and we couldn't blame him. The film ran for almost three hours, which was too long for a deceptively simple film. Critics would describe Linklater's style as relaxed individualism, but the long shots wore me out. The story of Jesse and Celine, which spanned three movies, may seem novelty by (American) moviegoers. But French filmmakers have tread this path many times. One motion picture was good enough for them.
Harmony Korine would be more deserving of the label, as "Kids" was a shocking depiction of the hedonistic lifestyle of teenagers in New York during the height of the AIDS epidemic. I first thought it was a waste of time until I realized that I've been living in a bubble. It doesn't mean that such disturbing images couldn't happen in suburbia, but I wouldn't know in the neighborhood (where I grew up). My coursemates thought that Korine was sending a strong message on American culture. It wouldn't be superficiality, but I noticed my coursemates giving me a disapproving look.
