I’ve been way more into doing things in my sketchbook recently than on canvas. I’ll roll with it for a while.

Oz The Great and Powerful. A lot of spark, but No Magic.

So along with making my own films, it is a little hobby of mine to review films from time to time. I grew up with movies. Not in the typical Disney way most kids do, but the classics. Some of my earliest memories are from watching movies like The Bells of Saint Mary, Gone With The Wind, and the On The Waterfront. My first memory EVER however is from The Wizard of Oz. That is the first film, I can remember and remains to do this day, my favorite of all time. The Wizard of Oz, was a cinematic masterpiece visually for it’s time, and today is able to capture the minds of all those who view it. I remember being a little girl, and literally feeling magic, not from the magical land of Oz , but true and utter emotion of being brought into this world, while still in mine. To this day I sometimes still get that feeling of “magic” when I watch other films, and it reminds me why I love cinema so much, both on a production level but also as a viewer. That magic for me started with and remains with The Wizard of Oz.

Getting back to the review, after explaining a little of my childhood, you must know how excited I was to see Oz The Great and Powerful. Yes, I skeptical about it being a Disney movie, but I was very excited to see such talent like James Franco, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, and Rachel Weisz attached to it! Getting to the theater I felt a little kid again, and very anxiously awaited the room to go black.

The movie started out really great I felt, the black and white was perfect, and a great homage to the first film, and once the transition of black and white to color was done I was very content with the editing process and seamless style. However once in color, I was a little overwhelmed. The digital world was to be honest a little much. Nothing can replace the real thing. Although the original Oz was full of painted backgrounds, the main sets were all built by hand, something that was not used nearly in this newer movie. Anytime there was an overwhelming digital green screen shot, like the forest full of huge flowers, or the bubble scene, I wasn’t drawn into the world, but the opposite, I felt removed, and reminded that I was watching a movie. On built sets however I was able to get glimpses of what Oz in this newer film was really like, and was able to get sparks of that good ol’ magic feeling.

The acting was great, with a particular nod to the wicked witches, but again nothing that truly moved me. Honestly I feel like the best performance in the entire film was Zach Braff’s ANIMATED flying monkey Finley. Finley brought real humor, delight, and magic into this movie, although it was an animated creature. In fact I almost teared up a little at the end when Oz finally gives Finley his friendship, and the adorable yet emotional look he gives back to Oz as he lifts the over sized top hat from his face. It’s always really amazing what can be achieved digitally these days in cinema, but I think it should be done sparingly and not overwhelmingly. Case and point Finely the Flying Monkey: perfect,  The green screen land of Oz: too much.

So I don’t like movie reviews that are too long, so my closing remarks are that although Oz the Great and Powerful attempts to revive a childhood for many, it has its moments, but this is an entertainment movie, not one attempting to bring back any magic.

A little disappointed,

-Pearl

I am perfect, just like everyone is…i.e. none of us are.

So this is a blog about getting out my opinions and ideas, and part of that is sharing who I am. So I have been a smoker for many years now. I picked it up in high school, as a way to unwind from a lot of different things happening at that time in my life. I never really perceived it as a “disgusting” habit, my main attitude was “fuck you”, to anyone who thought it was, and still kind of is. Anyway once I got to college there was a serious smoking ban, and it became a lot harder to just enjoy a cigarette. So I gradually quit, and didn’t touch a cigarette for 4 years or so. However upon getting out of the college life scene and being more on my own I picked it back up again, but it just didn’t have the same sort of de-stressing factor it did in previous years. That’s when I realized that I didn’t need the cigarette to help me calm down anymore, I had grown up enough and figured out new ways to help myself in that area. However now it was my choice and decision to continue smoking. I knew that I needed something different, I didn’t like the smell, especially how lingering it was, and how I hated being outside to smoke. That is when I stumbled upon these things. I love the Blu cigarette. It’s vapor, so I can smoke it indoors, and there is virtually no smell. I’m a fan. Some people can choose to see my “habit” as gross or disgusting, but the way I see it, everything in moderation, and guess what, everyone has something people, so let me be, and let yourselves be.

-Pearl

(I’m painting today, so you can see some of my supplies in the photo as well. Also my pajamas all visible. It’s a snow day in Denver, no judgement.)

New School…Sort of.

So I if anyone has read my about me, which is a long shot. I have just moved back to Denver from Pine Ridge, SD. I was teaching on a reservation school up there which I loved, and I miss my students so much. However I had some personal and family issues arise, and I had to move back to the city. I received a new job very promptly, but my classes do not officially start till next week! So the other day got to see my new art room today. It’s so crazy to me that I’m now teaching high school art at the elementary school I attended! Remington Elementary School in Denver, CO is now a building used for overfill classes, which are mostly high school level. I forgot that Remington had these awesome wall murals all over the school. Growing up in the Northside of Denver, I maybe didn’t have the “best” education in the traditional sense but being able to learn in institutions that allowed me to celebrate and continue to learn about my two cultures was a unique and amazing opportunity. I am truly grateful that I get to continue that cycle and progress knowledge and expression for all.

Beginnners

Well there’s always a first time. I think a little introduction to myself would probably be appropriate. My name is Jessica Pearl Salas. I usually go by J.P. or Pearl. Jessica never really seemed fitting, I think my mom even knew that after naming me…it’s a long story. Anyway, I am a freelance visual artist, and videographer. I also teach art part time for a high school. I’m Yaqui, Navajo, and Chicana. I’m 22 years old currently, soon to be 23, and I can’t even describe how often my life changes, but those seem to be the basics. This blog will mostly be about things happen in my daily life, with can range, to my art, my video work, my students, my hair (it changes a lot), my outfits, my culture, my inspirations, and all things that seek to make my heart soar. Basically whatever.