The movie theater actually wasn’t what I expected.  I expected a place named Film Forums to be a theater with only one room, and approximately 15 seats.  Once I entered the theater, however, I already got the vibe of a regular movie theater, except with a more ‘home’ feeling.  The food served wasn’t the typical candy, but more of homemade snacks, and others.

The documentary Strange Powers was really one of the least enjoyable movies I have ever watched.  The most probably reason is because I had never heard of this band, and the documentary really didn’t have any drama and action, which is what I look for in movies.  Stephin Merritt did have a very odd sense of humor, but it was funny at many times, and thus made this movie somewhat copable.  I did learn about this band though, and the history, and how even though they aren’t that well known, there are some die hard fans out there.  I guess this is true for most bands; there will be one small group that loves their type of music.  How else would they be able to survive financially?

The music produced by Magnetic Fields can be described in one word: Different.  Contrary to other bands that play music with definition, I felt that the songs constructed by Magnetic Fields really was random. Though most bands have a particular theme, I just could not figure out Magnetic Fields’ theme.  In my opinion, they was no reasoning behind the songs they produce.

The best part of the day was visiting where the films were stored, and played.  Though the area was small, the design of the system was very intricate, and the explanation of each portion of the film was very interesting.  It took alot of machinery to operate one film, and I didn’t know it took that much so it opened my eyes and helped me appreciate films.  I was glad that I was able to see the inside, because it actually made the whole experience somewhat enjoyable.

Stephen Merritt? The Magnetic Fields? Film Forum? Another set of things that I was not familiar of. This was going to be a whole new experience for me again. As I headed to the Film Forum on Houston Street, imaginations bloomed in my head. Maybe the theater is quite small, it might be smelling VERY bad… just all kinds of things. However, as I walked into the theater, I found it certainly exceeding my expectation. The box office was similar to that of a regular movie theater, and the smell of popcorn and other sweet food made me feel good. The bathroom was clean and neat, even cleaner than the AMC.

The film started with a lively background music which caught my attention. ‘Is this music played by the band? It’s quite good,’ I thought. The film mostly talked about Stephen Merritt, an introvert musician. Though mostly closed-minded, Merritt had some humor at times which made me laugh. The members of the Magnetic Fields are introduces as well, and it’s kind of random but I was curious where that Asian guitarist (John Woo) was from. I wondered if he was from Korea. Anyways, I thought the relationship between Claudia and Merritt was quite interesting as well. Claudia is Merritt’s non-sexual life partner. In one scene, they were arguing while they were trying to match the rhythm of the piano and the vocal. Claudia seemed irritated, but later they found the solution. The melody of the piano was so sweet and charming in that scene. The lyrics were pretty too – I don’t remember a whole lot of it but they included the word ‘princess.’ As Claudia played the piano, the pretty melody was literally stuck on my mind throughout the whole movie.

The film was sometimes boring here and there, but it covered a good amount of the band and Stephen Merritt himself. Personally, I was more interested in the band than Merritt. Even though the band Magnetic Fields is not well-known, I was quite surprised at how much I enjoyed their music presented in the film. Most of the time I listen to the famous artists, and the Indies is not my genre at all. However, because of the attractive melodies and vocal, I googled the band when I came home. I even “like” them on my Facebook page now. It’s true that I didn’t expect a lot but I’m so glad that I have found such a unique band that can actually move and touch listener’s heart.

Film Forum.  A small theater I had previously heard many good things about, but had never before visited.

As I got off the train and walked towards the theater, I realized that I was on a familiar street, Houston Street.  I did not know Film Forum was located so close to my apartment and wondered why I had never seen any other films here before that chilly day in the beginning of November.

Walking into the theater, I will admit, I could not remember the title of the film I was seeing.  And I can assure you that if I did not know the title; I surely did not know what it was about.  I think this is the best way to see performances and films- blindly.  Sometimes researching them before can ruin their spontaneity.

I quickly came to realize that the film I was going to watch was entitled Strange Powers.  I instantly thought the movie was going to be some extremely eccentric film that the “yuppies” who lived in my neighborhood enjoyed.  I didn’t mind though; I enjoy observing what they categorize as entertaining. However, to my surprise the film was about a band, Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields.

The film informed viewers that Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields had been releasing music for over twenty years.  That is more than my entire lifetime.  At that moment I thought to myself, strange that I had never heard of them. Not only was it ironic that my thoughts had the word strange in them, but more ironic was that the next thing that came onto the screen, “To some they’re an iconic band…..to most, they’re completely unknown.”

Despite the fact that this documentary depicted a realm of reality of which I had no extreme interest, I still found many parts of the documentary intriguing.  For instance, this band managed to make music out of many household items.  Seeing this made me smile because of my memory of a musician I had the pleasure of working with two summers ago, William Catanzaro.  This musical genius would use anything given to him to make music including tissue boxes, pieces of broken paper, and eyeglass cases.  There is an element of pure genius in using things that are not made to be instruments as instruments that I admire.  In addition, Merritt’s stature is extremely interesting because of his witty statements and deep voice.  It is difficult to decipher whether he is being serious.

Even though the movie captured the attention of viewers, after learning some facts about the Magnetic Fields, I felt as though it was of no value to continue to watch the film.  It reminded me of watching a reality television show.  Viewers are inside of the lives of others, but are unsure of how this knowledge is going to benefit them in their own lives. Despite this, my introduction to Film Forum was delightful. More important than becoming aware of Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, I became acquainted with a not-for-profit organization in my area whom displays a large variety of films which I will definitely get to know better in the future.

As the movies states, you are either a huge fan of the Magnetic Fields, or you have never heard of them before. I fell into the latter group. I had never heard of The Magnetic Fields or their music prior to this movie going experience, but with a band name like “The Magnetic Fields”, I was intrigued.

The film began with what seemed like a dry interview with lead singer and songwriter Stephin Merritt. Though at the start of the movie it seemed that Stephin Merritt was just a dull and monotonous individual, we soon learned that though he may be quiet, he is clever and witty in contrast. Merritt says in an interview in the film that he often goes to gay bars to sit and write songs, finding the disco music the perfect inspiration to write his music. He also added that he has yet to write anything close to a disco tune. It was funny comments like these that made Merritt likeable in the movie.

We begin to see a bit more of his quirky side when he shows Claudia Gonson, Merritt’s childhood friend and other half who is also the band’s manager and pianist, what kind of sounds can be created from “ordinary” household “instruments.” The vast array of instruments and sounds that The Magnetic Fields put into their music is what sets them apart from other bands.  Also unique about The Magnetic Fields, is that they record all of their music in Merritt’s cramped and chaotic apartment in New York City.

But, the combination of instruments used was not the thing that stood out about their music. I found their lyrics to be very strange and unlike any I have heard before. I found some to be extremely crude and disturbing.

The movie took a more serious turn, when discussing Merritt’s controversial blog reputation as a racist. I think it comes with the territory of being in the public eye that some will love you and some will try to expose your flaws or try to create some.

At the end of the film Merritt moves to Los Angeles. He expressing his discomfort towards recognition, but it seems to me that if he really did not want to be recognized he probably should not have allowed a documentary to be released about him and his band. Merritt’s quiet demeanor throughout the film is what keeps the audience intrigued, and I found myself wanting to know more about him after the movie.