For my final day in Austin, I took in a screening of Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock, which was a thoroughly enjoyable movie experience. Like many critics, I question Lee's omission of the great music from the definitive concert of the 1960s, but nevertheless he creates a very memorable portrait of the era, with fine supporting performances from Emile Hirsch and Liev Schreiber. Taking Woodstock isn't quite up to par with Lee's masterpieces Brokeback Mountain (2005) and The Ice Storm (1997), but it is certainly worth seeing (Lee, by the way, is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts).Tomorrow is the big day. I'm having a hard time articulating the bittersweetness of leaving Austin, so instead I will have The Steve Miller Band articulate for me, from their song Jet Airliner, released in 1977 on their album Book of Dreams.
I've been down before
Ridin' along in this big ol' jet plane
I've been thinkin' about my home
But my love light seems so far away
And I feel like it's all been done
Somebody's tryin' to make me stay
You know I've got to be movin' on
Big ol' jet airlinerDon't carry me too far away
Big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Goodbye to all my friends at home
Goodbye to people I've trusted
I've got to go out and make my way
I might get rich you know I might get busted
But my heart keeps calling me backwards
As I get on the 707
Ridin' high I got tears in my eyes
You know you got to go through hell
Before you get to heaven
Big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Touchin' down in New England townFeel the heat comin' down
I've got to keep on keepin' on
You know the big wheel keeps on spinnin' around
And I'm goin' with some hesitation
You know that I can surely see
That I don't want to get caught up in any of that
Funky kicks goin' down in the city
Big ol' jet airliner
Don't carry me too far away
Big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's here that I've got to stay
Big ol' jet airliner
Carry me to my home
Big ol' jet airliner
Cause it's there that I belong
I'd very much like to see a full review of your thoughts on Taking Woodstock. I was quite disappointed by it actually.
ReplyDeleteMore importantly though, Mr. Jack, it is sad to see you leave. I've thoroughly enjoyed my time working with you in theater, performing on stage and dealing with all the bullshit, as well as, of course, discussing films.
To be 100% honest (and I am not making this up), you're pretty much the entire reason I got into viewing films as art rather than mere entertainment, and talking with you completely changed and developed my zest for the pursuit of great films.
I really wish we could have spent more time together when you were in Austin, but I'm extremely proud to see you go off to NYU and I can't wait to hear fantastic things from you. I will consistantly read your blog (quite Jim Emersonian and I completely mean that as a compliment).
Best wishes to you, man. I thought of putting this in a Facebook message, but I knew commenting would prove that I'm not making shit up about actually reading your blog.
Take care, my friend,
David