Early in 2006 (or was it late 2005?), my brother came home and told me that I had to watch this new Georgian movie called 13 Tzameti that was probably never going to be released in theatres. After a bit of searching, I managed to get my hands on a copy of Géla Babluani’s film, and I’ve been thanking my brother ever since. Lucky for all of you, 13 Tzameti has now opened in theatres so you won’t have to search for a copy, and I strongly suggest you check out this stark, gutsy, and gritty film that is anything but conventional.

It’s hard to say much about the story without giving away too much, but 13 Tzameti is basically a story of a young man who takes a remarkable journey into the gambling underworld and has to deal with mental and physical risks he could never have imagined. The film is shot in black and white, which makes it even more gritty than it already is, and every scene has a latent sense of dread that permeates between the characters and the set and effectively jars the viewing audience. Tzameti is not for the faint of heart, but it certainly isn’t a film worth missing. You’ll never look at an unlit light bulb the same way again.

US Senator Barack Obama has filed papers today to form a Presidential Exploratory Committee. Of course, this doesn’t mean that he’s going to be running for president, but it does mean that we are one step closer to not only having a visible minority running for Commander-in-Chief, but that the United States of America may just be ready for an intelligent, charismatic, and socially-aware president after the debacle that was the Bush presidency.

Here’s the video Obama released on his website today, announcing to the world why he thinks that this is a good step for America.

 
I’ll be the first to admit that Obama has a steep hill to climb, but despite what many people will say, race will not be an insurmountable obstacle in the next presidential election. I had the pleasure of meeting Obama two years ago and talking to him about some of the challenges that his country was facing in the upcoming decade, and he was not only astute and eloquent, but he had some truly groundbreaking ideas on how to make the USA a truly great country.

I’m looking forward to February 10 when Obama tells America the results of his exploratory committee findings: in less than a month, I might have to start making some Obama 2008 t-shirts.

The one thing that saves Alpha Dog from being a remarkably bad film is how entertaining it is to watch the actors on the screen take the movie so seriously. Essentially a story about suburban teenage gangsters and their antics, Cassavetes’ film features performances that are so over-the-top that they actually grow on you enough to make the movie enjoyable. Apart from being an excuse to showcase partying, crime, substance abuse, and lots of cursing, Alpha Dog is actually a decently well-written film, with one-liners that will have you chuckling throughout the plot.

The big news here is that Justin Timberlake isn’t horrible; in fact, his performance Frankie Ballenbacher is pretty good, and as nuanced as a part in a fluff film can get. Anton Yelchin is quite endearing as the cooperative kidnapee as well, but in general, Alpha Dog is pretty flat. What makes it entertaining is that every single actor on the screen — from the usually-great Emile Hirsch to the phenomenally-cute-but-one-dimensional Amanda Seyfried — is actually acting like this was a serious movie instead of just a bunch of film fare to fill in the January slump. Only Bruce Willis seems to be in on the fact that Alpha Dog is a bunch of fluff, and he plays his small role with a smugness that tells everyone in the audience that he’s only here to have a little fun. And that’s what this movie is: a little fun, but nothing I’d pay money to watch again.

My good friend and constant source of inspiration Tina Lee recently posted a wonderful question on her blog:

If you were to choose one word to live by for 2007, what would that word be?

She then went on to refine the question by not asking for a word to live by, but a verb instead. Which makes a lot of sense, because life should be lived for action. So I’ve been thinking about this ever since she posted it, and I admit that it hasn’t been easy. It took me almost three days, but I’ve finally figured out what my verb of the year will be:

To believe.

Belief may be a word that means so much and takes on so many different dimensions, but it’s perfect for me this year. Because I believe.

So once again, I’m copying Jason Kottke (maybe I should turn this into a copy-Kottke blog) and posting my year in music for last year. So basically this is what Last.fm thinks I enjoy, though judging from this list, I’m quite boring. I think the problem is that I don’t scrobble all the music I listen to:

1. John Mayer
2. Shane Koyczan
3. Michelle Branch
4. Alicia Keys
5. Coldplay
6. Boyz II Men
7. Snow Patrol
8. The Postal Service
9. Keane
10. Prince
11. Damien Rice
12. Justin Timberlake
13. The Fray
14. Feist
15. Jason Mraz
16. The All American Rejects
17. Savage Garden
18. Little Brother
19. The Fugees
20. Belle and Sebastian
21. James Blunt
22. Imogen Heap
23. John Legend
24. Anthony Hamilton
25. Kelly Clarkson

Oh, it’s also worth noting that I didn’t join Last.fm until about halfway through the year, so the results in this list are probably a little year-end-heavy.

Because I idolize Jason Kottke and I think this is quite the interesting way to kick off a new year, I’m going to answer The Edge Annual Question for 2007:

What are you optimistic about? Why?

Well, as the eternal optimist, it would be easier for me to say I’m optimistic about everything, but that would be too easy. Instead, I’ll say that I’m optimistic about the power of ordinary people to make a difference in the world. Too many times we hear stories about how these great people did these huge great things, but at the same time, everyday people are doing everyday things which have a massive impact in the lives of their friends, families, and loved ones. And I’m optimistic that these small actions will save a little bit of the world everyday.

So it’s the first day of 2007, and I’m smiling from ear to ear because the year is off to a great start. I had a fantastic New Year’s Eve and wonderful New Year’s Day, and I’m looking forward to a year of great wonder and adventure. So in order to kick off 2007 in the right way, here are a few snippets of wisdom that were passed on to me in the past year.

The first comes from a poem by Shane Koyczan called Apology…

Doubt is about as useful as a fire escape when you’re trying to dodge a tidal wave. When you’ve got no time to save anybody but yourself, you better believe that you’re worth it.

This next one was a text message that my friend Tina sent me last year…

Life is tiring. For sure. But it’s just a dream. ANd it’s love that makes everything worthwhile. You’re a lover. Keep loving. Keep living.

Tina also reminded me of this excellent quote that I first heard in The Matrix Revolutions…

Agent Smith:
Why, Mr. Anderson, why? Why, why do you do it? Why, why get up? Why keep fighting? Do you believe you’re fighting for something, for more than your survival? Can you tell me what it is, do you even know? Is it freedom or truth, perhaps peace - could it be for love? Illusions, Mr. Anderson, vagaries of perception. Temporary constructs of a feeble human intellect trying desperately to justify an existence that is without meaning or purpose. And all of them as artificial as the Matrix itself. Although, only a human mind could invent something as insipid as love. You must be able to see it, Mr. Anderson, you must know it by now! You can’t win, it’s pointless to keep fighting! Why, Mr. Anderson, why, why do you persist?

Neo:
Because I choose to.

Of course, you can’t forget some song lyrics from the best album of the year, Snow Patrol’s Eyes Open…

We need to feel breathless with love,
And not collapse under its weight.
I’m gasping for the air to fill
My lungs with everything I’ve lost.

And finally, because everyone just loves Walter Benjamin (or at least I do)…

Not to find one’s way around a city does not mean much. But to lose one’s way in a city, as one loses one’s way in a forest, requires some schooling. Street names must speak to the urban wanderer like the snapping of dry twigs, and little streets in the heart of the city must reflect the times of day, for him, as clearly as a mountain valley.

So there’s some wisdom from 2006 to kick off 2007 in the right way. Have a happy new year everyone.