Review: Youth in Revolt (2009)

Nick Twisp and his alter ego Francois Dillinger

Youth in Revolt is the latest addition to the a series of films that thematise on the so-called hipster culture, albeit the film’s perhaps sincere attempts to reveal the vulnerable core of American youth is significantly marred by its happily-ever-after ending.

Michael Cera (Juno, Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist) once again plays Nick Twisp, an awkward youth whose life goal is to lose his virginity. On the surface Nick is a younger and better looking version of Paul Finch character of American Pie; he is an aficionado of Frank Sinatra and speaks long sentences in a pseudo-intellectual manner. However, what distinguishes Nick Twisp from a long line of nerdy virgin heroes of American teen movies is his sidekick alter ego Francois Dillinger, a criminal rebel who aspires to follow the footsteps of Michel Poiccard, the nihilist hero of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless, and American gangster John Dillinger.

Francois Dillinger is what Sheenie, Nick’s love of life, wants. As a major Francophile who indulges in the numerous posters of Jean-Paul Belmondo (the very actor who played Michel) and records of Serge Gainsbourg, Sheenie asks Nick to be “very bad” in order to enrage his mother so that he can be sent away and united with her. Under the guidance of Francois Dillinger, Nick conducts a series of misdemeanors, most notably burning down a half of Berkeley and manipulating a classmate to drug Sheenie in order to have her expelled from the French boarding school her parents sent her to.

What is disturbing and interesting about Youth in Revolt is, Nick has no guilty conscience. He does not question the extreme methodology of Francois Dillinger, nor seem to be concerned about the consequences of his actions. Nick is apathetic to others except Sheenie, yet he runs to his father for help when the police comes after him (and criticizes his father for not helping him). At this point, the director Miguel Arteta could have made a successful critique on the blinded side of hipster culture by portraying a kid who is lost and insecure inside the  pretentious layers of culture and intellectualism. However, instead of a healthy criticism, Nick is reunited with Sheenie who forgives him “because he did it for her” and has sex with her. Arrested by the police, he is only happy that he is going to the prison as a non-virgin, and Sheenie indifferently comments, “juvenile detention is only for three months.” Along with the ending credit, the audience sees Nick enjoying his life in the prison in an animation.

Frankly speaking, I am lost. Is Youth in Revolt an accurate portrait of symptoms of the American youth, or just a lukewarm result of mixing hipster references with a traditional teen sex comedy?

Colin Slade!

The second half of the final match of the Air New Zealand Cup 2009 was a thriller with a major key player. After two tries, Colin Slade got sin binned, and Wellington was back on attacking and scored a try. In the end it was Canterbury who became the winner, but let that result aside: how interesting to see one particular man playing such a pivotal role in determining a game. Colin Slade apparently decided to burn all energy since the All Blacks touring squad left him behind at home, and the result was most excellent.

I was a little disappointed by the lack of actions on the Wellington side, for I like Hosea Gear well enough. He did not get much opportunities tonight. Well, Cantas are a good side and it did show. Now off to sleep for tomorrow morning! Good night!

Nonsense, nonsense!

It cannot be true!

The law of universe dictating that when I am busiest, I have most opportunities?!?!

It looks like I have grad applications, job applications, a portfolio to put together, and a baby shower brunch menu to make, and multiple alternations of personal statements, and GRE, and tomorrow a PA at a music video shooting in the downtown LA! Did I just say life is short?

Oh and before I forget: Sale lost to Dragons. Meanwhile Leicester beat the Springboks! Scandalous! Not the finest line up on the Bok side, still it is a shocker!

NYC trip is finalised, and…

Today was a long and short one. The meeting with the USC professor went well, much to my delight. She gave me good advices upon the graduate school and portfolio, and I must say: it is incredible to find that my thoughts about graduate school become clearer as I get more chances to talk to people in the field. Comparing to two months ago, when I was sorrily clueless, this is a notable evolution. I am happy about it.

RSVPed to the NYU info session on Nov 20th. Quite strange that I have always wanted to go there when I had time and never went, and now I am crunching the remaining days before I leave to Korea, trying to squeeze everything in, including my very first trip to NYC. Only staying for two days, and since I want to see my friends there, I don’t suppose I’d have much time for sightseeing, but if I pick one place, where should it be?

And, man, I would love love love to check out one of the rugby clubs in NYC. Well, ANZC final this friday and two fall internationals on Sunday…I’ll get some necessary rugby feed before I go! (oh wait, I will miss out Wilko vs. DC on 21st…nooooooooooooo!)

ANZ Cup semi-final, Bledisloe Cup match in Japan, and uneventful Halloween

I did not plan on watching the Wellington vs. Southland match. Most Air New Zealand Cup matches I have been following were of Canterbury’s ever since Dan Carter’s return. However, I had two hours to kill before the match in Japan began, and oh boy what fun the game turned out to be! A very fast paced one, with a series of the offense-going-astray-that-leads-to-counterattacks-then-the-ball-gets-lost-from-breakdowns-and-counterattacks-again (*gasp*). The Cantas will have a hard time against the Wellington next week for sure. I am quite excited for the upcoming clash.

Since Setanta did not carry the Wallabies vs. All Blacks Test in Japan, I had to opt to stream torrent (does not run on mac, had to borrow my sister’s old PC laptop). Well, the fps was concerning, and I thought “why not, reload the channel?” A huge mistake. I couldn’t get back on. There went the unseen Haka. Awww, I secretly wept. And then went to find alternatives. Thankfully a generous soul decided to broadcast it on justin.tv, and the quality was superb! Many many thanks to the feeder! With a program window covering stupid comments on the chat box, I watched the match.

And, well, here is what I thought:

1. The absence of Berrick Barnes was really a blow to the Wallabies? Come on boys, you had a month long break and cannot keep a 80 minutes game like that! I expected a better game from you!

2. I understand the whole language barrier thing, hey I am a foreigner in the English speaking world myself, but yeah. It gets annoying during a rugby match. I guess we couldn’t really blame on ref. Lawrence got frustrated and decided to reward a try to Hynes. Unlike other sports, a prolonged stoppage is a definitely killer in rugby.

3. Such an exquisite passes-to-a-try on All Blacks. It was a beauty to have my sight on! Richie Mccaw, you are not my type but I will give you are the man.

4. Cory Jane’s international career is certainly blooming. His mid air jumps are so exciting to watch! (well, maybe not so much to James O’Connor…)

5. Meanwhile, Dan Carter’s anxious face broke my heart. He led a perfect game, 6 goals out of 6 attempts, but his injury worries me. DC, you are the best first eighth in the world. And it is without considering the fact that you are the handsomest rugby player ever existed on Earth. Please please recover well.

6. With Sivivatu and Woodcock slapped with a week ban (deservedly so), Zac Guildford is ready for his first international debut. He seemed quite awestruck on the bench, his first time outing at an international level. I enjoyed his performance on Hawke’s Bay. Quite looking forward to how he fares against the Welshmen. Plus, I think he is kind of cute (*ahem*).

The Halloween went uneventfully. Ran errands in the downtown during the day, and the traffic on N 101 was a horrific sight! Next year I mean to dress up though. A friend of mine had a good story about the cop woman who handcuffs men to her girlfriends upon a request. I could use that service too myself!

I guess I am back on blogging

And the reason is quite unreasonable!

I fear that I have been bugging my friends for sharing too much information on my personal life every day that they must have  gotten so tired of me! A shocker on my part, but somehow did I just hear my guy friends all nodding in a unison??!?!

Anyhow, quite an unreasonable timing also that I have a month to wrap up my graduate school applications and decided to start blogging. I hope my charming guess is acceptable for you: under massive stress I got a right to be a bit talkative to remain sane!

*cough* *cough*

Oh well. In the end, I blame on this gentleman. He is a bad influence. Ever since I subscribed to his tweets, my usage of exclamation mark doubled up(!).