Milk and Last Chance Harvey

I watched these two movies over a week ago and I remember watching Milk but was racking my brain trying remember the other movie I watched that same night. Last Chance Harvey did not immediately come to mind (I actually had to check my Netflix account movie history) and thus I can summarize this movie with one word: forgettable. Milk, on the other hand, was amazing for one reason, Sean Penn. If there was any doubt that he was a great actor, his sympathetic portrayal of Harvey Milk, would dispel that. I don't think it's a great movie, it leaps from event to event as many biopics do, but the time that is presented and the fascinating and inspirational life of Harvey Milk makes up for the episodic plot.

Into the Wild

After reading portions of Krakauer's book, Into the Wild, I have wanted to see the movie. I wondered what the quirky and abrasive Sean Penn would do with the movie. Would he edge it up and make it caustic, like him? Instead I think he sweetened it. The main character based on the real Chris McCandliss is a joyous lover of life. He reminds me of a poet friend of mine who is not the most practical fellow you'd want to meet but one who sees beauty is the smallest things and makes delightful observations. I knew the end of the movie was going to be wrenching. Actually the movie starts with the end of Chris' story and the end continues to be sprinkled throughout the movie. But when the final moments arrive it's hard to watch. Chicken Mary did a little fast forwarding -- it's true. Despite this sadness, the movie gave me the same feeling as watching Motorcycle Diaries; it made want to go on an adventure, sloughing off my worldly ways and take a bite out of the apple of life. (By the way, Chris a.k.a. Alexander Supertramp, takes an exultant bite out of an apple in the movie)