MOVIE ROUND-UP WITH ASTRO-RATING

During the past couple of weeks we've watched a rather strange collection of movies: one at the cinema, the rest on TV, cheapo used DVD or tapes. A list of 'em follows, in no particular order, and with brief comment. I've added a wee astrological hint as to the movies' favours - an idea that came to me as I was typing - hope it makes some sort of sense to any lightly astro-literate passers-by.



SKYLINE~ Directors: The Brothers Strause. We saw this at the cinema. A sci-fi alien invasion movie doing the rounds at present. I knew from reading reviews not to expect much, but I can't resist sci-fi, however bad. No redeeming characteristics unless you count good cgi work upon which most of the movie's budget was clearly spent. Not much was spent on script writing, that's for sure. Dialogue of one-liners (not of the fun variety) - a twelve-year old could have done a better job. The movie's ending, whilst logical, simply piles depression upon depression.
ASTRO-RATING ~ Uranus transit of Pluto/Saturn/Mars.






A CLOCKWORK ORANGE ~ (1971) Director: Stanley Kubrick, based on Anthony Burgess's novella. An old "classic" - some would say. A sick piece of film-making by a guy who ought to know better say I, sickened after the first 10 minutes (or less) I almost refused to see the rest, but my husband assured me "it gets better, he gets his come-uppance".
For me it didn't get much better. I hated it all, yet watched it, then out of curiosity did some research next day. I came up with page after page of analysis of the film's hidden "messages" and references, which served only to disgust me more. Malcolm McDowell's brilliant performance was the one redeeming feature of the film, for me; he must be permanently scarred from his efforts - bless 'im.
ASTRO-RATING ~ Scorpio rising with Mars conjunct Pluto on the ascendant.




BARRY LYNDON (1975)~ Another directed by Stanley Kubrick. This one, based on a Thackeray novel, engaged my attention enough to force me to buy part 2. We'd picked up what we thought was the complete film on VHS tape in a junk shop, then found it was only part 1.
The whole is a mannered and darkly humorous tale of a ne'er do-well not unlike a more elegant version of the lead in Clockwork Orange. Set in 18th century Ireland and England. No happy ending here, plenty of come-uppance on all fronts. Rather strange casting of Ryan O'Neal as Barry Lyndon, I thought. It's a stylised period soap opera of sorts. Worth seeing for the settings and costumes, and Thackeray's story-telling. Some of the scenes could easily be mistaken 18th century art pieces.
ASTRO-RATING ~ Saturn conjunct Neptune. Justice prevails in spite of illusions.




IT'S COMPLICATED (2009) Directed by Nancy Meyers. ~ A romantic comedy, shown on HBO recently. Alec Baldwin, Meryl Streep and Steve Martin play out a tale of middle-aged divorcees falling for each other all over again. Entertaining, no effort required, no violence and some good performances by seasoned stars, along with a relative newcomer who caught our eye with some good charismatic comedic timing: John Krasinski who played the eldest daughter's fiancé. Good, and right, ending too!
ASTRO-RATING ~ Venus and Mercury both retrograde while transiting and re-transiting Jupiter in Libra. The past sometimes repeats itself, love-wise.




I'LL BE THERE ~ (2003) A British movie written, directed and starring Craig Ferguson, best-known in the US for his Late Late Show. Co-star is young singer Charlotte Church. Another romantic comedy. A newly discovered biological father theme, blended with rocker on the skids theme, and a charismatic grandpa beautifully played by Joss Ackland.
ASTRO-RATING ~ Venus conjunct Moon & Saturn in Cancer. Mothers and fathers sometimes need a push in the right direction.






TEA WITH MUSSOLINI ~ (1999) Semi-autobiographical movie directed by Franco Zeffirelli, telling the story of young Italian boy's upbringing by a circle of English and American women, before and during World War II, set mainly in Florence and San Gimignano - gorgeous scenery, a cast of great actresses: Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Cher, Lily Tomlin, and a newcomer Baird Wallace as the boy, "Luca". Quality film-making! Good stuff!
ASTRO-RATING ~ Moon in Cancer at mid-heaven. All about the women.







ORWELL ROLLS IN HIS GRAVE (2003) - The only documentary of the group. Made by Rober Kane Pappas, includes appearances by Michael Moore, Senator (then Rep.) Bernie Sanders, Tony Benn (my political hero from the UK), Greg Pallast and others. The film explores the question "Has America entered an Orwellian world of doublespeak where outright lies can pass for the truth? Are Americans being sold a bill of goods by a handful of transnational media corporations and political elites whose interest have little in common with the interests of the American people? The film explores what the media doesn't like to talk about - itself. (Quote from the DVD cover).

Great documentary - should be more widely known than it seems to be. On a scale of 10 - it's a 12.
ASTRO-RATING ~ Mercury in Gemini on the ascendant and conjunct Neptune, planet of illusion. Communication, communication, communication.

POSTSCRIPT :

Saw a movie Sunday evening on TV - can't recall the channel but it was a Hallmark film. Hallmarks are likely to be over-the-top sugary even for my taste, but as I flicked through the on-screen programme schedule I spotted Sam Elliott's name attached to this one: November Christmas. I'd watch Sam Elliott in anything, absolutely anything at all. So we watched November Christmas. I'll not expand on the storyline in case others will see the movie at some point this season - it's bound to be repeated and repeated until 2011 and beyond.

Hint: Kleenex needed. Sam Elliott puts the heart into the advertised "heartwarming". This one really was my antidote to the poisonous Clockwork Orange.
ASTRO-RATING ~ All the sweetness and hope of the zodiac - name your own.

Weekend Waffle

A line in John Anthony West's excellent book "The Case for Astrology" caught my eye the other day. He talks about the Principle of Correspondences, and how it relates to astrology and to that thing called magic, also alchemy and, well....everything really. He goes on to say that "Art is magic, literally and technically". He uses composers as examples in his book, but we can use artists and writers equally well - they take inanimate materials: canvas, paper, paint, chalks, pencils, inks, a camera, film, and tranform them into something which can initiate a rush of emotion in the observer.
By reaction with the Principle of Correspondences their work can touch our inner being - not in every case, but where Correspondences exist. When we feel drawn to someone or something, I'm confident that the Principle of Correspondences is at work - somehow, through astrological links. If we knew exactly how, we'd be well on the way to solving the mystery of astrology.



I saw Archbishop Desmond TuTu interviewed on late night TV this week by, of all people, Craig Ferguson. It was a lovely interview, thanks to the uninhibited approach of the interviewer and the delightful personality of the interviewee.The archbishop was born with Sun, Mercury and Venus in Libra - sign of balance and diplomacy. Moon and Jupiter in Leo, help to make him comfortable on the world stage. He has a Grand Cross showing very clearly in his chart, signifying the struggles he has lived through in trying to effect justice and peace in a strife-torn Africa. This man is a wonderful example of Christianity. Many other churchmen could (and should) take lessons from him.
(12 noon chart used in the absence of birth time).



I keep reading complaints that too much is being written and discussed about trivia, especially trivia related to America's new First Family. Critics say that "there are more important things to write about, these days". Well, yes of course, and there are thousands of people writing on those important topics.

Communication has increased a million-fold or more in the past year or two. I can't identify the astrological reflection of this, unless the mushrooming was started by Jupiter's transit through Sagittarius -both planet and its home sign are connected to excess and expansion. More of what used to be part of girly chats over coffee has morphed into journalist and blog fodder.

Interest in trivia has always been part of life. It's necessary, I believe, to counteract an overdose of gloom and heavy duty news. I do, occasionally, have a need to read about whether Michelle Obama's sleeveless dress was thought okay for a serious political venue, or whether President Obama's hair is rapidly turning grey, or what dog will be choosen for First Dog. It's similar to the way we crave morsels of sweetmeat after large helpings of food which had to be chewed and chewed and chewed for digestion's sake. News is news, trivia is trivia, there's room for both in the ever expading world of communication.

"Something frowsy" you say, Mr. Morrow?

Searching for information on Enrico Caruso (for a post which I later decided to abandon), I hit on an old article in "TIME" written twenty years ago by journalist and author Lance Morrow:
"The Five-and-Dime Charms of Astrology".
He begins:

"Astrology has something frowsy about it. It comes to the door in hair curlers. It looks through the screen with squint-shrewd eyes. The caller who rang the doorbell stares in at crackpot mystery in the half-light, and senses there a kind of disreputable plausibility. The dogs on the porch get restless and slink away. A universe of surreal connections unfolds......."

I expected to feel incensed by the article, but was drawn in to read it from start to finish by the expert and entertaining writing style of Mr. Morrow.

"The American character alternates between Ahab and Starbuck -- the grandiose obsessive and the commonsense skeptic. Astrology plays to the Ahab. It offers a seeing of the unseen, and hears pitches of significance that the ear cannot detect. An elaborate counterworld whispers its order into the human mess."

You were getting a wee bit warm there Mr. Morrow!

I cannot find it in my heart to dislike Morrow in the way I dislike Richard Dawkins or Randi and his clan of skeptics. Mr. Morrow would benefit greatly from having dinner with the likes of Robert Hand, Garry Philipson, and a nap selection of our own astrology bloggers (I'll be serving the wine and listening in to the conversation!) I guarantee that Mr. Morrow would be able, next day, to write an altogether different piece on the subject of astrology. He might even feel inclined to characterize it, rather than as a squint-eyed frowsy, as something crisper, cleverer - more along the lines of Emma Peel or John Steed in "The Avengers": a smart cookie, searching for answers.

A look at Lance Morrow's natal chart could prove interesting. He was born on 21 September 1939, a War Baby like me, but born on the safe side of the Atlantic Ocean. This means he'll have that somewhat grounding Earth Grand Trine in his natal chart - the one which tends to anchor our War Baby feet firmly on Mother Earth, preventing too many flights of fancy. We have been known to hover at low altitude on occasion though!

I can't find Mr. Morrow's place of birth mentioned anywhere, the best information I have is that he was raised in Washington DC. I'm pretty sure he was born somewhere in the eastern states, so using Washington DC and 12 noon to set up a chart, will afford us some accurate and significant planetary positions.



There it is! the Grand Trine in Earth. Mr. Morrow's is more powerful than mine. His draws in Sun, Mercury and Neptune in Virgo trining Uranus and Mars in Taurus and Capricorn respectively. (My own comprises Neptune, Mercury and Uranus). Adding to the Earthy tone of Morrow's chart is Moon in Capricorn, but exact degree is uncertain without a time of birth.

It's no surprise, then, that Lance Morrow looks askance at astrology and New Agey stuff in general. The Earthy circuit provided by his Grand Trine is not conducive to the appreciation of things intangible.

Morrow's Sun, Mercury and Neptune in Virgo, one of the signs ruled by communications planet Mercury is an excellent configuration for the serious career writer that he is. His piece on astrology is not typical subject matter! The inclusion of Neptune in the Virgo cluster ensures just enough imaginative turns of phrase to engage the reader and prevent stagnation and an attack of Attention Deficit Disorder. This is exactly what drew me into reading and enjoying his linked article, in spite of its skeptical attitude.



Lance Morrow has written 14 books, the best known is probably "Evil: An Investigation", about which he chats with my fellow Brit-turned-American, Craig Ferguson, in the video below.



I shall be looking out for an opportunity to read more of this author's writing in future. His opinion of astrology leaves much to be desired, but I do admire his way with words.

Craig Ferguson, US Citizen.

On his "Late Late Show" this week, Scottish-born Craig Ferguson announced that on Friday 1 February he finally became a US citizen. A short film clip showed him taking the Oath of Allegiance, hand on heart. ("Oh, when will it be my turn?" she whines.) Also this week it was announced that he will host the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and be seated next to President Bush at the top table. Isn't this a classic example of being quick to "get your feet under the table"! (Article here).

John Townley's interpretation of Craig's natal chart can be found HERE. I decided to take a quick look at a sidereal version. This is one case (the first so far) where the tropical chart seems clearly to be a much better match, and there are no good planetary "compensations" here to muddy the water. Mars and Venus are in sidereal Taurus, with the Sun, which remains in Taurus in both zodiac versions, but in sidereal it's earlier, at just 1 degree.

We watch Craig's monlogue, though not his interviews, regularly. He displays strong Gemini traits. Before I knew his birthdate I'd earmarked him as Gemini Sun or ascendant. His tropical Sun is in Taurus, but Mercury and Venus are in Gemini. I just don't see him as triple Taurus with no Gemini present at all.

As an experiment, I used my software to relocate Craig's natal chart (17 May 1962), which is calculated for Glasgow, Scotland, to California where he's lived for many years. If my software is correct his relocated ascendant falls in Cancer, which doesn't strike me as very appropriate. I'm curious as to the source of his birth time. We Brits tend not to be in possession of this important information, unless our parents are astrologers or of a stangely meticulous strain. Both Astrotheme and John Townley have a time of 6.10pm though, so I assume it's valid. His Scorpio Moon and Neptune have moved out of first, into fourth house, better for a more serene inner personality, but troublesome for homelife. He often mentions that he's been divorced twice, but I don't know whether that was in the USA or UK. Relocated Sun, Mercury and Venus are in 11th house, a communicative Air house - excellent position for his profession of comedian, presenter and occasional author. His talent definitely seems to have blossomed since moving to the USA, there's no denying that.

On 1st February, when Craig attended the Oath Ceremony in Pomona, California, Mars was transiting conjunct his natal Venus, Saturn hovered over natal Pluto, and Moon in Sagittarius transited his relocated Vertex - a Moon of destiny!

More interesting though, transiting Uranus, planet of change, in Pisces has been shuffling back and forth over his natal Jupiter (laws and legal matters) since April 2007 - he almost certainly sent in his application for citizenship within that timespan. Craig's natal Jupiter at 9 Pisces is just 3 degrees from my own at 6 Pisces, meaning that transiting Uranus has hovered over both my natal Jupiter and his during the same recent period, and we are two British born individuals who have been, or are still, engaged in applying for US citizenship. Coincidence?

Craig is unlikely to ever cast his eyes over this blog, he has said, more than once, that he has no interest in astrology. I'll add my congratulations anyway, for his managing to successfully navigate the murky waters of USCIS, and come out the other side smiling. No doubt he had a lawyer at the wheel, expertly steering him around and beyond the obstacles and consequent frustrations which are still part of my own trip to the same destination.

The Week That Was

First, a thank you note to John and Susan Townley of Astro Cocktail for their article on "The Astro Blogosphere", and for including me in the list of blogs featured. I'm surprised to be there, among so many experts, but feel very happy to tag along.

Thank you!
........................................

This week's news left more questions than answers.

Is that really the tomb of Jesus?

Why is there a hole in the earth's crust in the middle of the Atlantic, and why do I keep thinking about Atlantis when I read about his?

Are the two items above linked by a common astrolgical factor ? Neptune (mysteries) and Uranus(discoveries) currently in each others sign of rulership, Neptune in Aquarius, Uranus in Pisces (known to astrologers as mutual reception).


What is a "mensch"? I discovered the answer to this question, which arose after reading Michael Winship's article "The Voyage of the Snark". Mensch is a Yiddish word, and according to Wikipedia it refers to a particularly good person, like "a stand-up guy," a person with the qualities one would hope for in a dear friend or trusted colleague. This excellent article comments on the level to which some journalists and other media people are sinking these days. Mr Winship awarded the title Mensch of the Year (thus far) to fellow Brit. Craig Ferguson, who hosts the Late Late Show here in the USA. Good!





It was sad to read that John Inman, British comedic actor died on Thursday, aged 71. He was always able to make me laugh. His humour was never hurtful to anyone - it's a great and rare talent to be able to make people laugh at nobody else's expense, John had this talent.
In his natal chart the Sun was in the kindly sign of Cancer, Mercury in lively Gemini, possibly the Moon there too, and Venus in Leo - the consummate showman. "An excellent fit, Sir", as Mr. Humphries would have said. He'll be missed.


Tonight we'll be going to the local theatre to see a group of Drepung Loseling Buddhist Monks perform Sacred Music and Dance for World Healing - "The Mystical Arts of Tibet". The Loseling Monks are renowned for their multiphonic chanting known as zokkay (complete chord). Each of the chantmasters simultaneously intones three notes, thus each individually creating a complete chord. The Tibetans are the only culture on earth that cultivates this most extraordinary vocal ability.

It should be a memorable experience. More on this tomorrow, no doubt.
..........................................................

PS: I obtained the instructions for converting my long list of labels (index) into a "Cloud" from phydeaux3 at THIS LINK. The instructions are clear and easy, even for a cyber-klutz like me!