The Sopranos Final Episode: More Evidence "It's Not TV, It's HBO."

The thought of blogging about the final episode of The Sopranos hadn't even occurred to me until I flipped on the news this morning. Apparently there's quite a brouhaha over the whole thing, as the majority of viewers are dismayed at the abrupt ending. If you haven't seen it, I'll spoil it for you now (or you can simply stop reading if you plan on watching it soon): the immediate Soprano family (Tony, his wife, Carmela, and their son A. J.) meet at a favorite local diner, engage in some light conversation and reflection and wolf down some onion rings. We see a henchman for Phil Leotardo, who arrived at the same time as A. J., sit down at the counter and order a coffee. Meanwhile, Meadow--Tony and Carmela's daughter--is attempting to parallel park, unsuccessfully. The shady character at the counter gets up and passes the Soprano family on the way to the bathroom. Finally, Meadow wiggles into her spot, jumps out of her car and runs to the door of the diner. We cut to Tony looking up as the door bell rings and, presumably, Meadow enters the restaurant. Just as Tony looks up, the screen cuts to black and lingers for ten seconds, or so, until the credits roll.

The critically acclaimed HBO original series has been an experimental, edgy drama since its beginning six seasons ago. The last few seasons have been especially experimental, dealing more with issues of depression, familial relationships and morality and less with the mafia saga. The show has become less and less about the specific criminal activities of the families involved and more about how the characters interact with each other and the way they each existentially deal with the criminal environment they've been thrust into. Viewers and critics seem to be only interested in the last scene, yet the entire final season leaves most questions unanswered.

But that's really the beauty of The Sopranos. It deals with real-life situations in relatable ways that I've never actually seen on the television screen before. Critics and viewers are saying the series went out with a "whimper" but I don't see how else the show could have ended (I was also aghast at the amount of people who actually thought their cable went out *rolls eyes*). The Sopranos isn't Scarface but it seems so many viewers wanted to see a huge blowout where Tony gets whacked in the end. Or maybe he just goes to prison and we see the aftermath like in Goodfellas. And don't get me wrong, I'm a relentless fan of both of these films, but The Sopranos is something completely different. If it had ended with a "bang" I think it really would have flopped.

I really don't want to write a long essay about this, or anything, so I'll simply leave you with what I feel is the most important aspect of the final scene of the final episode of The Sopranos: the lyrics to the song chosen by Tony Soprano at his personal jukebox at the table, as he awaits his family.

Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'"

Just a small town girl, livin in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin anywhere
Just a city boy, born and raised in south Detroit
He took the midnight train goin anywhere

A singer in a smokey room
A smell of wine and cheap perfume
For a smile they can share the night
It goes on and on and on and on

Strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard
Their shadows searching in the night
Streetlight people, living just to find emotion
Hiding, somewhere in the night

Working hard to get my fill,
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin anything to roll the dice,
Just one more time
Some will win, some will lose
Some were born to sing the blues
Oh, the movie never ends
It goes on and on and on and on

(chorus)

Dont stop believin
Hold on to the feelin
Streetlight people

SXSW.2007 Day Six: Crazy Sexy Cancer, Big Rig, Call of the Hummingbird, The King of Kong

The most important aspect of Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Cancer is that it doesn't dwell on the disease. It's about living and not about dying. Anyone--with Cancer, or not--can gain a great deal from this film. It's about taking every moment and cherishing it like there's no tomorrow. It's about eating well and exercising and finding peace with yourself and your environment. It's about being able to rock the world no matter what stands in your way. It's as much a film about hope as it is utter resolve in the face of opposition.

As Carr travels throughout the country in search of an alternative "cure" for her disease, she finds herself, she finds her soul mate, and she finds true meaning in life. This uplifting documentary will certainly change your viewpoint on the big "C"; and might even change your outlook on life. Don't expect the usual pathetic terminal disease dribble; and check your pity at the door.

For more information on this film, go to: http://www.crazysexycancer.com/

***
Big Rig is the story of the people who make up the subtle backbone of America: the truck drivers. We see the problems that arise on the road, the inherent dangers of the industry, and the lowering of wages due to higher gasoline costs. We also see the drivers behind the wheel in their most intimate moments and we see a positive spirit in them that we wouldn't normally expect. Probably the most important statement in the film is made by a trucker in a diner who says that if all the trucks stopped, America would shut down in three days. So, next time you're driving down the highway and feel like cutting off a trucker just because he or she's not going ninety miles an hour, remember that you depend on them making it to their destination everyday.

***
Call of the Hummingbird is Alice Klein's look at an eco-friendly group of people in Brazil who aspire to perfect sustainable living during a thirteen day informative celebration something not unlike "Burning Man" (without the large burning... man). It's all geared towards learning to live within the physical environment without destroying it (what a concept).

However, like anything else, it has its pitfalls. The film shows us that even like-minded, goal-oriented people can easily be sidetracked. We see that some help far more than others and some really do more harm than good. While the effort of sustainable living is a valiant one, this film shows that it's never going to happen unless people really start caring and want to exert an effort to make our home a better place to live.

For more information on this film, go to: http://callofthehummingbird.com/

***
The King of Kong was easily one of my favorite films of the festival. It documents the struggle one man undertakes in competing for the world record of a popular arcade game: Donkey Kong. Steve Weibe takes on this challenge head-on against his mulleted adversary: Billy Mitchell. But where is Billy Mitchell? He's constantly onscreen acting the buffoon, but he never really publicly accepts the challenge. He's portrayed as the villainous cretin who's already won and thusly cowardly backs off from any opportunity to lose his acclaim as the Donkey Kong world champion. He recently came out to MTV as if he were a victim in all of this. What's really amusing, however, is that he still refuses to see the film itself. He's relying solely on what critics and independent filmmakers are saying about the documentary. Of course, this is par for the course for Mr. Mitchell.

The really important aspect of this film is the dichotomy of the two main characters involved. As several critics have already stated, it's really like Rocky Balboa and Apollo Creed. The selfless underdog who's got to prove himself over and over verses the ego-driven champion who's lost sight due to his clouded vision of reality. And this film could have easily been about boxing or any other competitive sport, as much as it is about competitive arcade gaming; which makes it all the more accessible.

Unfortunately, I missed the premiere of the film, but was told that Steve Weibe was present in the audience, and after the film received applause and a five-minute standing ovation from the crowd.

For more information on this film, go to: http://www.thekingofkong.com/