#bali reviews: critics choice

[balimode]

After he made a point of not going to the Globes because of the HFPA, it's great to see him. He looks good!

[mindctrlaltdel]

Random Reviews: Mulholland Drive

This movie is BASIC INSTINCT, written and directed by Salvador Dali.

***

Recently, I watched MULHOLLAND DRIVE for the first time for my friend Shawn Eastridge's podcast, MISSING FRAMES (www.thenerdparty.com/missingframes/episode-103-mulholland-drive).

As I watched this odd, funny, disturbing, interesting flick, I took the following notes. Is it, as some critics say, the BEST FILM OF THE 21ST CENTURY? Here's an inside look at my viewing experience as I mulled over MULHOLLAND DRIVE...

[PRESS PLAY]

I love how the first five minutes is basically a bad late 90's Gap commercial, all swing dancing, no point...

The Mulholland Drive sign is calling to us. The street, Mulholland Drive, is Bali Hai for perverts.

Justin Theroux gets top billing over Naomi Watts??

I gotta admit, I saw one of the movie's original posters and thought "Naomi Watts AND the lady from the first MEN IN BLACK is in this? It's the triumphant return of Linda Fiorentino." When I DIDN'T see her name in the opening credits, I was disappointed. She's NO Linda Fiorentino... for this role, she's even better. AND she's a countess (seriously, look it up). Oh, and Robert Forster shows up for 10 minutes.

Not-Linda Fiorentino has some hustle in her for someone who just survived a horrible head on collision.

I like how the street signs kind of tell us where we are and what kind of world we're in. It's like a surreal, dramatic version of that Californians SNL sketch.

You mean to tell me that the red-headed older woman didn't see not-Linda Fiorentino under her kitchen table? UnbeLIEVable.

Holy crap, the wide-eyed guy in Winky's - he plays Jimmy Barrett, the comedian in MAD MEN... and MAD MEN is an interesting connection here, because everyone talks in this measured, paced deliberate way throughout that series, kind of similar to how the characters usually speak in the David Lynch productions I've seen... When I started watching MAD MEN, I thought the actors were purposely directed to speak that way, so everything to seem more "real" as opposed to that fast-talking, old-Hollywood style that you'd expect to see from outspoken, big idea-types. I imagined that Matt Weiner wanted people to seem - at least to modern audiences - the way people actually were - particularly, the inhabitants of the intelligent and cerebral world of ad men, working behind the scenes, on the fringes of show business. But then Jimmy Barrett, an old-timey comedian ALSO spoke that way. And it just didn't seem authentic to me. Anyway, back to THIS movie...

OH and that dingy woman behind the dumpster! She's like if Captain Howdy moved out West and got all LA on us. Is that Cloris Leachman covered in mud? And the music... for some reason, there's nothing scarier than the sound of an HVAC vent on full blast. (According to this article, www.vulture.com/2014/10/mulholland-drives-evil-hobo-breaks-her-silencio.html,the actress who played Evil Hobo #1 said of her audition process: "I don’t mean to brag, but David Lynch said he was looking for the most incredible face he could find. I actually met him at a Twin Peaks party, and he was like, 'Look at that face!'")

I love the X-Files-style synth strings that play over Naomi Watts (Betty) and gram-gram (Irene) as they walk through the hotel, I mean the airport... Aw, these two old people love Betty. What a different life she's living than that countess who's not Linda Fiorentino who's squatting in that redhead's apartment that Betty's about to move into.

Even then, Naomi had a good American accent. (Although I learned she's technically British but split her time between England and Australia), those Australians are great at spitting out neutral American sounds. But once I learned that Betty is supposed to be Canadian, I was very disappointed. It's not THAT authentic. Where are her "Aboots"? And she didn't put maple syrup on anything in this whole movie.

Oh my God, are Irene and her husband, riding in this towncar, ALSO going to get held up, like not-Linda Fiorentino at the beginning of the movie? Oh okay, they're not. We just followed them for no reason other than to see that they look happier than an old couple in a Cialis commercial. I guess meeting Betty really improved their sex life or something.

Coco - of course she's a fading hollywood starlet... AHHH, Coco is played by Ann Miller - good for her. She's basically that kooky old landlady from SEINFELD, the one who worked with the Three Stooges that Kramer met when he went to LA. Look at all these connections!

"Prize-fighting kangaroo who shits all over the courtyard" - do you think Naomi Watts is going to come out and say, "as an Australian, I was actually offended by this line, but I was scared into silence by that power-hungry monster, David Lynch."

The countess - who now goes by "Rita" - does kind of look like Rita Hayworth. I like the connections to old Hollywood and to noirs and how it's all wrapped together. Rita Hayworth is also a redhead, like Betty's aunt. She's of Spanish descent as well... and the actress playing Rita in this movie is of Mexican descent... Connections, connections.

I love that this casting session is basically run by a deep state shadow organization with a weird waiter in a red blazer... This is how Disney cast WandaVision.

HAHAHAH "That is one of the finest espressos in the world sir!" - this is DEFINITELY how Disney casts their movies. And Justin Theroux is the only man with integrity in this room! Does anyone have any class in this town!? They don't even validate his parking.

This is my favorite movie about making movies since BOWFINGER. And I may not be lying. And somehow less weird than THE ARTIST.

Is everyone gonna start killing each other over Ed's famous black book? This is oddly funny.

"Something bit me bad!" This incredibly long fight scene between the blond guy and secretary... it reminds me of the Uma Thurman/Daryl Hannah trailer fight in KILL BILL VOL. 2 but with less snakes.

These closeups of lingering looks on Rita's cash-filled purse are great... She's pulling wads of cash out of that purse one at a time, like Leslie Nielsen pulling eggs out of that blond lady in AIRPLANE!

I want to know what direction David Lynch gave that braless woman who's following the blond assassin around. It's like she's doing an acting exercise... like you know, when you're told to fill the space... "walk around the room, and clear your head. And now you're walking really fast. And now you're slow. NOW, imagine what it would be like to walk with your nose as the furthest point in front of you. Lead with your nose..." And David Lynch did that and told the braless woman to lead with her chest.

Justin Theroux is basically Robert Downey Jr.'s character from BOWFINGER, except NOW, he's the protagonist.

Betty is loving Rita's amnesia a bit too much. If this were my life, Rita would be the most interesting thing to happen to me too. Hell, if I was from Ontario, getting off at LAX would rock my world.

When Justin Theroux enters his glass-walled home to find his wife with another man, well... Justin Theroux may never star in something like HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN, but I can definitely picture him in YUPPIE WITH A GOLF CLUB.

That slinky theme song playing in Justin Theroux's/Laraine's house is a song that I actually listen to in my tiki, lounge playlist - to give you a hint of my music tastes. What I listen to for fun, Billy Ray Cyrus puts on to drown out his love-making.

By the way, BILLY RAY CYRUS!!! WHAT? Is this how Miley was conceived??? I think yes.

Pink paint in a jewelry box! This is much better than the usual throwing-all-his-belongings-out-a-second-story-apartment-window-scene that happens in every other movie.

I wouldn't be THAT excited if I learned MY name was Diane Selwin. BUT the sexxxual tension with the waitress Diane at the diner is palpable!

So, not-Linda Fiorentino has amnesia. How does she know that answering machine is NOT her voice!?

Justin Theroux/Adam Kesher's wife is very aggressive with the large man who's so dedicated to finding Adam Kesher that he keeps calling Adam's name in vain like the secretary in my doctor's office.

I watched this movie in pieces, the first half late at night. The second half the next morning. In between, while sleeping, I had a dream where Betty and Rita were looking over a map and any time one of their hands brushed over another, their hands would turn gold. As if this was a stylistic choice made by the filmmaker directing my dream to show that there's some kind of deeper relationship between these two women. So I've started dreaming in Lynch.

I like how this film is so utterly connected to not only Lynch's subconscious, but the audience's as well. Lynch is TAPPED IN. I don't always love when a film goes all in with a surreal style, because sometimes that's just a cover for something lacking in the storytelling department. But I do feel there's more to it here, in MULHOLLAND DRIVE.

The hooded woman, Louise... I feel like I've run into her on the streets of New York. A Louise will ALWAYS find a way to give you a portent of doom that ruins your day. Friggin’ Louise.

This movie is so moody, you really have to be in the mood to watch it.

There's something magical and prophetic about the cowboy, like he's the seer that the old general sees on the eve of battle... Also, I love how the lead female role in Justin Theroux's movie is his sword of destiny. There's a glitz and gleam and nostalgia to Old Hollywood that naturally gives this movie, set in "modern" Hollywood," a total fantasy vibe.

Hahaha that "You're still here?" scene rehearsal between Betty and Rita is an excellent transition.

James Karen - the real estate guy from POLTERGEIST - is handling casting! "He moved the headshots but he didn't cast the bodies!!"

The casting direction: "Don't play it for real until it gets real." It's interesting how the characters, who work in the "business," seem to control their reality. Betty seems unsure of where the scene is going, then she gets into it. And it really speaks to her conversion from a bright-eyed new arrival to someone who surrenders to the darker impulses of the city.

HEAVY BREATHING.

Ugh friggin' Bob...

I love how Lynnie, the casting director, pulls the rug out from under that scene. There's always a jaded casting person who totally wrecks any good feelings about every audition. It's a thing.

David Lynch uses nostalgia and a latent love for Hollywood to draw the characters (and us) into his world and then subverts our expectations. A lot.

Why is the screen test just a lip-synching contest? ...I think it feeds into the nostalgia element for the movie at large but it seems like a waste of studio resources here. Early-aughties Hollywood spending, amirite?

Rita's reaction to finding the body is played very much like the reaction a character would have in an older film... The horror! The fear! The silent gaping terror while possessed with the inability to scream. I was watching the original KING KONG before this (which is may be a sign from the universe that I had to watch this Naomi Watts vehicle, as she starred in the remake), and specifically remember the scene where the director Carl Denham is coaching Ann Darrow/Fay Wray on how to act in a horror film - "now look up, and you see it, you see it in all its horror. And your jaw drops and you try to scream but you're so frozen in terror that you can't!" - I imagine that's what Lynch is doing to not-Linda Fiorentino off-camera as they filmed this scene.

Uh-oh, Rita is single-white femal'ing Betty now... She doesn't have a personality of her own, so she's going to take Betty's.... And now we're just getting NUDE with each other. This erotic thriller immediately turned from skintillating to Skinemax.

"I'm in love with you" - is Betty just saying that to convince herself? It feels more lusty than real. Betty's so bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Rita is gonna chew her up and spit her out!

I like the shot when they're sleeping together and, as they rest, their faces overlap thanks to the perspective of the framing. How much of the same person are they becoming? Where does one personality start and the other end?

The weird 2am theater. How'd Rita and Betty find this place? I love how this pop-up slam-poetry reading in this opera house is as terrifying to Rita and Betty as finding the dead body.

So Betty starts convulsing in her seat and then the poet disappears in a kind of old-style, cinematic I'm disappearing effect. I dig it.

Wait... is this a mysterious, magical show that just appears in LA, like Hamunaptra, the City of the Dead, that town in THE MUMMY that only shows up at sunrise on the third day or something like that? Or is this just a poorly attended Spanish-language talent show that could only afford to book this theater at 2am on a Thursday?

I love that Betty and Rita are tearing up over Rebekah Del Rio's performance (Rebekah Del Rio is a real person, by the way). Then, Rebekah faints as her voice keeps singing - is NOTHING real? Has Betty totally given into this weird world to the point that she doesn't really know what's authentic and what's fake anymore OR was Betty fake before she got to LA so it was easy for her to get acclimated.

This movie is like THE MATRIX, from the perspective of characters who only took the blue pill and didn't look back.

OOOH, Betty has the box and Rita has the key! But the box is empty except maybe its the Gom Jabbar pain-box from DUNE. Is David Lynch using MULHOLLAND DRIVE as an excuse to make good on his promise to produce a good version of DUNE.

WAIT A SECOND, the cowboy knows the dead girl? Does this even matter?

Now, wait ANOTHER second. Is Betty performing or DREAMING when she's Diane or is something else going one??

What's the BLUE KEY doing there?

"Two Detectives"??? Is she talking about Betty and Rita OR Robert Forster and the pudgy guy? OR someone else entirely - the two guy's from Winky's???

The movie became more interesting the moment the perspective shifted to "Diane" and "Camilla." When that happened, Naomi Watts really amped up her performance... reaching a level of intensity we hadn't seen since Betty's audition... it does take 2 hours to reach that point.... But then, when Betty and Rita are topless on the couch, I couldn't tell who they were supposed to be until Rita/Camilla called her "Diane."

Wait, now Rita's acting?? OH, so Rita was an actress? And Diane wasn't? Or Betty looks exactly like Diane?

The weird shifts in focus. The sad masturbating. This is the most depressing soft-core ever made!

Did Betty get killed and have amnesia too?

They take a shortcut to Eddie's house which looks EXACTLY like where Rita/Camilla was taken at the beginning of the movie by the hitmen in the towncar before that wild accident with those teenagers made her life weirder... OR less weird. You be the judge.

IS this a flashback or the future. Eddie and Camilla are having an affair?

MY MOTHER? COCO - what's real and what isn't????

The jitterbug competition.... Diane/Naomi wanted the lead so bad, Camilla got the part but in Mulholland Drive, Naomi is the star.

Then, Camilla is kissing that other blond actress who Betty watched screen test...

MULHOLLAND DRIVE is just David Lynch telling us that LA is a place for lust and jealousy and no matter what, purity gets ruined.

WHAT, the blond waitress is BETTY? And Diane hires the blond guy, who's officially labeled as a hitman.

Diane is also from Canada...

Are Diane and Betty just different versions of the same people in nearby parallel universes? I certainly HOPE so. This is too much insanity for ONE universe to handle.

The blue key will be found where the blond guy told Diane. Okay, that makes sense. But if this were to mirror real life, the key was in her hand the WHOLE time!

OH, and hobo-Cloris Leachman comes back... AND she's holding the blue box/Gom Jabbar... WHY the hell did those two old people wander out of that paper bag??? Do they represent longstanding guilt? Seems like it. Because they've just crept into Diane's apartment.

MULHOLLAND DRIVE is almost silly to the point of pretentiousness at points - at least with the last word to be uttered on screen - "silencio." That said, it does evoke the HAMLET line: "And the rest is silence," so THAT's poetic.

Sadly, Robert Forster was barely in this movie...

Oh, and Lee Grant played Louise - the old-Hollywood connections keep coming!

I can't believe this movie was intended to be a pilot?

***

Now, some final notes:

On the swapping of characters and relationships in the last 30 minutes -- my first thought was that Betty/Diane and Rita/Camilla look similar and/or they're connected by a parallel universe, and the diner is like the central hub between worlds, and hobo-Cloris Leachman is the gatekeeper between the two worlds... I buy the "dream world" explanation that some critics espouse, that's something I considered myself as I watched. But I'm not sure I believed Betty is Diane's dream version of herself. Also, I think David Lynch has a feeling about how everything fits together, yet I don't know if he's even settled on an explanation for everything. He just trusted his subconscious and he's so confident in his latent abilities, that we trust him to show us everything we need to see and take us everywhere we need to go.

I enjoy how it's a surrealist answer to SUNSET BOULEVARD. I hope in 2050, someone makes "The 405" really tying all these movies and Los Angeles roads together.

MULHOLLAND DRIVE is weird but good. Still, I don't know if, to me, it's more weird than good. It's also funny. But is it funny because it's weird or because it's actually, genuinely funny? Are these questions David Lynch actually wants me to ask or does he make it weird on impulse to cover for the fact that the film is simply just weird and based entirely on impulse? MULHOLLAND DRIVE is almost like a parody of a film noir, made by an inter-dimensional alien life-form who studied a bunch of movies from the 40's through the 90's but doesn't have a full grasp on human behavior, and DESPITE THAT, it's more of an emotional experience than a logical one. It's somewhere in between. It's self-indulgent in a way but also very giving. It's a paradox wrapped in an oxymoron wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a coffee-stained napkin covered in cigarette ash locked in a small, blue box.

***

Summing it up: I don't think there's a world where this movie would get a perfect score from me. Because ultimately, for all it's interesting and exciting moments, it's more of a passion project for David Lynch than a piece of entertainment for the audience, no matter how entertaining it may be. To me, it's a vision board more than it is a complete film. And yet, it IS a complete EXPERIENCE. And there's nothing wrong with that.

All of that said, I know David Lynch doesn't really like to give viewers a clear cut, traditional narrative. So, I had a feeling the mystery was just that, a mystery. Or even moreso, the FEELING of a mystery. It's not about where we're going, it's about the journey to the destination. And while the general atmosphere is moody and evocative and often powerful, MULHOLLAND DRIVE plays more like a 2.5 hour piece of music than a cohesive narrative. Maybe that's the best thing about it.

In the distant future, when our way of speaking has become as archaic as the words of Shakespeare are to us, it's the feeling and emotions and images of movies like MULHOLLAND DRIVE that will still have a timeless impact on the future audiences who view them.

[jobsearchtips02]

I was fired by my cofounder and found out 4 important lessons

This story is readily available exclusively on Service Insider Prime. Join BI Prime and begin reading now.

Gagan Biyani cofounded Udemy, an online education company worth $2 billion, with his cofounders Eren Bali and Oktay Caglar in2009 Biyani shared his difficult story on Twitter

Check out Organisation Insider’s homepage for more stories

I was simply 21 when I satisfied Eren Bali and Oktay Caglar at Creator Institute, the biggest pre-seed start-up accelerator.

Eren and Oktay were clearly the smartest engineers in the whole group, however few understood who they were.

Eren and Oktay were on visas, so they could not simply give up.

But when we went to raise our A round, everybody passed on us again, despite 20%month-over-month growth. We raised on rough terms, and I review that as my biggest miss. Early rounds on tough terms lead to future rounds on hard terms. I often question how things would be if we were a YC business.

By Series C, none of the founders were at the business. Today we are on our 4th CEO, yet the organisation is as strong as ever. So while we just recently revealed a $50 million raise at a $2 billion valuation in February, Udemy nearly passed away a minimum of 5 times along the way.

And when I review my very first year as a manager, things went well enough– I had a lots interns and two direct reports. As a young child of divorced moms and dads, I had a past of being “abrasive” and “confrontational,” however Eren and Oktay accepted it.

I thought that perhaps I might do this management thing.

Then, the problems started.

We were growing fast and I could feel the pressure.

The pressure to perform. To show that I was worthy of the job. To construct the best business I could.

Eren and I clashed a bit: We had actually gotten along well when the team was just 15 staff members, however as the team grew, we grew apart. I questioned his capability to lead the team and he questioned my intensity.

Retrospectively, challenging his authority was a silly decision. He was a more fully grown leader and CEO than I was. I began forecasting my own stress on the team. I was a taskmaster: hyperdirect and critical without finesse. I ‘d practically yell at individuals when frustrated and thought that was acceptable because that’s what my idols did– Costs Gates, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg.

What I thought was a “healthy” amount of pressure was excruciating for some. As my team grew to eight individuals, a few got fed up. They went to Eren and lodged a grievance. Eren was blindsided. He challenged me about it and relayed the feedback. My team had actually been too scared to share it straight.

It was ravaging.

I had no intention of making individuals feel small or hurt, and I didn’t recognize the impacts my words were having. He was noticeably disappointed in me. We agreed that I would get an executive coach. I found one I liked and things started to improve. I discovered how my youth had led me to be comfy with fight and insensitive to those with less power. I encountered as mean-spirited and condescending.

Still, if you ask my former team about this time, the majority of them would tell you they never expected my time at Udemy to end in this manner, with me getting fired. They were merely hoping that as a young supervisor I would improve. I was well-intentioned but might absolutely go too far sometimes.

Just as my management style was improving, a member of my group rage-quit. They in fact stopped over something that didn’t straight associate with me, however it didn’t matter. It occurred within my team.

Eren and I had a severe chat that Friday. I protected myself, which just made matters worse. That Monday, I got a text message early in the early morning. The text stated: “Satisfy me at 21 st Amendment before entering into work. I require to speak with you.”

There was a huge pit in my stomach. This was incredibly irregular. By the time I reached the restaurant, I was shaking nervously. I might barely keep it together. As soon as I saw his face, I understood.

I was fired. Reliable instantly.

4 years of blood, sweat, and tears– finished. I ‘d enjoy the rest of this film from the sidelines.

Today Eren and I are good friends. We didn’t let our egos obstruct. We talk regularly, even as he’s been hectic conserving the world from COVID-19 My explanation will be prejudiced, however I’ll try to share what I think occurred since it’s more nuanced than it appears.

Eren and I are both CEO types. We have strong opinions and are natural leaders. I was the salesperson, and Eren the visionary. I pitched investors, workers, and instructors. He worked with the engineers and ran product. We coran marketing. I was president, and I totally handled all external communications and ran board conferences.

It was a healthy split but it developed stress. Eren was confronted with a tough option: either let me stay and hope I improve, or raise a Series B and perhaps lose control of the business.

Eren made his choice. He thought I could continue to have problem as a supervisor, and it might show poorly on his company. I was certainly a controversial figure. He had actually understood that for several years.

Being CEO is difficult and I respected his call. Sadly, there were some unintentional effects.

The board insisted he work with a replacement for me– a chief operating officer. That chief running officer ultimately became CEO, and Eren eventually left. Luckily, our outstanding group took Udemy to the promised land. In hindsight, I’m grateful. I vested the majority of my stock, and Udemy ended up being a unicorn regardless.

The wake-up call helped me dig deep and discover to be more compassionate.

I’ve given that led teams with fairly good evaluations. I’ve discovered the art of “ Radical Candor“

Here are a couple of lessons I gained from this experience:

You always lose a job for a reason. For me, managing was not something that came naturally to me. Get a coach and look inward. You’ll learn!

Be sophisticated on the way out. I left Udemy on excellent terms; I didn’t cause trouble. It paid off. I kept an excellent track record and Udemy treats me well.

Even if you feel you were treated unfairly, gain from it. Somebody clever believed you required to go. That’s a lesson.

This too will pass. It seemed like the world had ended when I was fired, but it in fact unlocked for my next chance. I found out a lot from this.

If you were laid off, fired, or rejected, ask yourself: What did I do to add to this situation? What can I do much better next time?

Do not change who you are, but progress and want to see chances for improvement. You will get another bite at the apple.

Loading Something is packing.

More:

BI Prime original contributor contributor 2019 Idea Leadership

Chevron icon It suggests an expandable area or menu, or in some cases previous/ next navigation choices.

.

%%.

from Job Search Tips https://jobsearchtips.net/i-was-fired-by-my-cofounder-and-found-out-4-important-lessons/

[thelaughstand]

We have an absolutely brilliant stand up comedy show for you on Tuesday 14 March at Harold Park Hotel!

Your Headliner, Luke Heggie, is fast becoming one of Australia’s most in demand and recognisable stand up comedians. His no-nonsense one liners delivered in a dry, dead pan manner quickly garnered praise and accolades from critics, comics and audiences alike.

Winner; 2015 Sydney Comedy Festival Director’s Choice Award. As seen on Network Ten and ABC2.

“… a unique, powerful, and insightful Australian comic voice…” Sydney Morning Herald

“…Deadpan genius… one of the funniest standups around,” Sydney Morning Herald

“Commandingly brisk.. relentless,” Theatre Review. (NZ) With Emcee MARTY BRIGHT, and Umit Bali, Brad Austin, Steve Meagher, Charlie McCann and Ruven Govender!

All this is only $10 HERE or $15 on the door!

Plus a $5 beer spesh!

Doors 7.45pm. Show 8.15pm.

[balimode]

Vampire the Masquerade on the red carpet. Definitely Tremere.

[balimode]

It kind of looks like rain as a suit concept? But it's different, so alright.

[balimode]

Nobody but Niecy could pull this off.

[balimode]

You know that wallpaper tape you can get where you fake having marble backsplash in your kitchen?

That.

[balimode]

I will always respect a guy wearing purples. That velvet's gotta feel crazy, though.

[balimode]

Oh! This is kind of a jazzy, eccentric look, I like it. Maybe more without the neck tie piece.

[balimode]

THIS. THIS IS GOOD GLITTERY SILVER DONE RIGHT.

And a midriff cut-out I don't hate either!!

[balimode]

Y'know that red 'spinal column' dress Jessica Chastain wears in Crimson Peak? This feels like a modernized version.

It's the best of the 'black>nude tulle' looks I've seen from tonight!

[balimode]

This is another very Barbie look and I am a fan.

[balimode]

I'm reminded of that one suit Chris Evans wore, except about ten times better.

[balimode]

She's been doing really drapey dresses so far this year, this actually looks a lot like last week's - just in a different colour.

[balimode]

This one's also reminding me of high school a little bit, but y'know what, she does look good.