(no subject)

1) It's odd, the film, The Room haunts you long after you've watched it. What's haunting about it, is that it is a story about being isolated, locked in a small space, just two people, a mother and a son, and how they rediscover the world outside and reconnect to it together. And how important it is to stay connected to the world outside your room, to not stay in the room. Hidden. Safe. Yet, not safe. The idea of connection to others...and how scary it can be, both mother and son, shy away from it at first, lash out, try to push it away, then slowly find the joy in it. And the joy of being in the world. It's harsh, bright, scary, and huge...then, beautiful, warm, kind, soft, interesting, fascinating. The film is haunting in how it juxtaposes the extremes -- moving gradually from one to the other, showing how life can be joyous, depending on your pov.

Which means...in retrospect, I think the movie The Room is far better than I originally thought.
Art can do that to you, whether it be a movie, tv show, theatrical performance, piece of music, book...it can gradually sneak up on you...and you'll realize that somehow you've been changed by it.
That what you thought was just a fun little movie or television show is actually something far greater.

Noticed that happening with Crazy Ex-Girlfriend which I binge watched on Saturday, and surprised me. It wasn't about what I thought it was about...and well it provided an interesting insight. The story is a bit of a parody, but...at heart it's about finding what you love and your nitch, and seeing what you have, instead focusing all your attention on what you don't. (I'm not fannish about it -- still far too obvious and at times cringe-inducing. But I have to say I was impressed by it.)

It also happened, although on a much bigger scale, with a little cult tween show, on a third-rate network (it was so third-rate that the reception was often sketchy and you didn't admit to watching it), entitled Buffy the Vampire Slayer -- I remember thinking it was one thing, and discovering wait, no, whoa...this is so cool...this is like uncovering hidden treasure. Does anyone else see this?? Then I went back and rewatched all the episodes, to see if it was a fluke. No, really not a fluke. The episodes built on each other, as did the themes, the satire and parody, and tongue in check humor. And it haunted me. It still does to an extent. And yes, I'm well aware that a lot of that is what I brought with me to the viewing.

Can't say that any tv show has enthralled me to quite the extent that this one did. Not sure why. I think it might have been the timing, or alignment of events....Sometimes, a work of art, whether it be a book, movie, painting, piece of music or television series...comes to our attention when we need guidance or help figuring something out. And for some reason or other...that work of art does that...and with it, we find like-minded souls who help. It comes at a time -- in which we need it, need the healing and the community that arrives with it. And if we let it, it can save our life. Yes, works of art can save lives. That's why it's important that we fight to protect them and appreciate their creators. Artists have the ability to heal through their art. It's not just communication.

All three of the pieces of art that I described above ...have that effect. They are healing works of art. Beacons of hope and light in the darkness that occasionally shrouds us, if we let it.

2. Feeling much better today. It rained to start, warmed up, and was quite lovely on the way home.
I got a ticket to the musical revival - "The Robber Bridegroom" at the Roundabout Theater Company, a non-profit theater, on Broadway (although this is technically an off-Broadway show) for a good price via a Facebook promo. Been meaning to get tickets for quite some time now.

Now, if I can just get myself to buy bookshelves, a coat rack, and a new couch...