OK-technically not a movie, but a TV series from the late 70's. But I am getting it on Netflix, so that is how I will post it.
All Creatures Great and Small is just great. The series, based on books, is semi-autobiographical, about a vet in the late 1930's who joins a practice in the Yorkshire Dales countryside. Mainly a large animal practise, it starts also treating a newer phenomena, household pets.
James Herriot is the main character, and the author (a pseudonym) of the books, and is marvelously played by Christopher Timothy . He is a young vet who joins the practise of Siegfreid Farnon, and bigger than life character, who provides equal parts guidance, philosophy and arrogance. Also part of the staff is Siegfreid's younger brother Tristan, and vet student.
As Herriot comes to the Dales, he falls in love with the place. The moors and countryside, the people and the animals in his care, all vie for his complete affection. And his caring about the animals shines through in Timothy's performance, as it did in the books.
There are plenty of laughs, for the characters and the situations can be funny. But there is also a warm-heartedness the lies over the series, and moments of sadness and tears too.
This was one of my favorite shows growing up. And I so glad to see that it is not all nostalgia. This is genuinely funny and marvelous. We are both enjoying it thoroughly, and can't wait until we see season 2.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Migraine Treatment
So-I have resorted to poison. Yes, allowing myself to be injected with botulism, to try and help my migraines. Botox, my friends, Botox. And while it also may make look years younger, I just want my headaches to subside.
The insurance approved it, and on Thursday I went in to the neurologist and got about 15 shots into my head and forehead. And it hurt like a sonuvabitch! The shots themselves were not too bad, but the fluid was PRETTY painful. If this helps, I should see results anywhere from a week to 3 weeks, and then have that hold for about 3 months. It would be nice. I have tried almost everything else.
I will let you know how it all works out.
The insurance approved it, and on Thursday I went in to the neurologist and got about 15 shots into my head and forehead. And it hurt like a sonuvabitch! The shots themselves were not too bad, but the fluid was PRETTY painful. If this helps, I should see results anywhere from a week to 3 weeks, and then have that hold for about 3 months. It would be nice. I have tried almost everything else.
I will let you know how it all works out.
1 Magazine
Zoonooz for July '08 was fine. Typical fare. Must admit though, I really liked the article on lorises. They always have been one of my favorite animals, so I was glad to see them featured. I do wish we could put them on exhibit.
Movie-The Justice League:The Brave and the Bold
OK ok. I am a former comic geek, whose favorite of all time was probably the Justice League of America. So I already have a predilection for this animated series.
But it is so damn good! I mean, the stories are something that would have been in those comics I read all those years ago. The animation is really good, and the voice actors are excellent. It is funny reading the credits of the guest voice actors...Powers Booth, David Ogden Stiers, Mark Hamil...and all are perfect. You can tell a lot of work goes into the direction for the actors, they are not just reading lines without context as some animated series have done.
I have seen 3 or 4 of these Justice League DVDs and will keep watching until I have seen them all.
Justice League: The Brave and the Bold is good watching!
But it is so damn good! I mean, the stories are something that would have been in those comics I read all those years ago. The animation is really good, and the voice actors are excellent. It is funny reading the credits of the guest voice actors...Powers Booth, David Ogden Stiers, Mark Hamil...and all are perfect. You can tell a lot of work goes into the direction for the actors, they are not just reading lines without context as some animated series have done.
I have seen 3 or 4 of these Justice League DVDs and will keep watching until I have seen them all.
Justice League: The Brave and the Bold is good watching!
Book-The Red Carpet
This collection of short stories is inspired and mostly set in the Indian city of Bangalore. The Red Carpet is an homage to the city and they people who live there, people who face a difficult transition from a tradition bound life, to an worldly, western style life. These stories reflect this difficult transition and the pyscholgical consequences that come along with these changes.
Lavanyan Sankaran has a love of this city, you can read it in every story. While soem stories are better than others, all hold this love of the city. The main characters are mostly the younger generation, working to move away from the strict traditions of the parents, and yet still, as through some genetic code, attracted to those traditons in the midst of the confusion of western ideals.
A satisfying collection of stories, The Red Carpet was enjoyable all the way through. You have the feeling the author has personally known all the people who inhabit the book. And understood every one of them.
Lavanyan Sankaran has a love of this city, you can read it in every story. While soem stories are better than others, all hold this love of the city. The main characters are mostly the younger generation, working to move away from the strict traditions of the parents, and yet still, as through some genetic code, attracted to those traditons in the midst of the confusion of western ideals.
A satisfying collection of stories, The Red Carpet was enjoyable all the way through. You have the feeling the author has personally known all the people who inhabit the book. And understood every one of them.
Friday, June 27, 2008
A Shout Out to Bill
A shout out to my friend Bill (of Bill and Yvette fame). He did not like the rat race he was in so switched races and is now a financial analyst at the Zoo! Now if I could just land the job I have been trying for on his floor, I would be happy too!
Glad you can join us Bill! How do pronounce analyst...because looking at it, it could be pronounce different ways! LOL!
Glad you can join us Bill! How do pronounce analyst...because looking at it, it could be pronounce different ways! LOL!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The Andrew Awards-Best Animated Feature
OK-I lied. The last Andrew Awards entry said there were two categories left to judge, but of course there were three. Best foreign film, best documentary and best animated feature.
In best animated feature, there were only three nominees for Oscars, Ratatouille, Persepolis and Surf's Up. Both Ratatouille and Surf's Up were more typical animated features, with great computer animation. Persepolis was very different.
Surf's Up really did not even deserve the nomination. I think they just felt like they needed at least three to compete. The story was lame and the animation was fine, but not earth shattering by any means.
Ratatouille is a good movie. The story was interesting and at least had a message about prejudice and expectations. The animation was top notch too.
So...Persepolis or Ratatouille? The envelope please....
No contest, Persepolis wins in a landslide!
Relying on stylistic animation rather than computer generated, this film was NOT kid material. The story lines ran deep, into politics and international relations. And yet focused on individuality kept in spite of repression. This movie was deep and thoughtful and lovingly made. It is a film you will remember, not just for the animation, but for the story. And despite the category, isn't that what a film is about, the story? Whether comedy, drama, love story or documentary...the story is what draws us in, and makes us remember. This is what Persepolis does.
It is interesting that I have disagreed on every category so far. I think I need to talk to those people who vote for the Oscars...they are getting it ALL wrong.
Now, two more categories. Documentary and foreign.
In best animated feature, there were only three nominees for Oscars, Ratatouille, Persepolis and Surf's Up. Both Ratatouille and Surf's Up were more typical animated features, with great computer animation. Persepolis was very different.
Surf's Up really did not even deserve the nomination. I think they just felt like they needed at least three to compete. The story was lame and the animation was fine, but not earth shattering by any means.
Ratatouille is a good movie. The story was interesting and at least had a message about prejudice and expectations. The animation was top notch too.
So...Persepolis or Ratatouille? The envelope please....
No contest, Persepolis wins in a landslide!
Relying on stylistic animation rather than computer generated, this film was NOT kid material. The story lines ran deep, into politics and international relations. And yet focused on individuality kept in spite of repression. This movie was deep and thoughtful and lovingly made. It is a film you will remember, not just for the animation, but for the story. And despite the category, isn't that what a film is about, the story? Whether comedy, drama, love story or documentary...the story is what draws us in, and makes us remember. This is what Persepolis does.
It is interesting that I have disagreed on every category so far. I think I need to talk to those people who vote for the Oscars...they are getting it ALL wrong.
Now, two more categories. Documentary and foreign.
Movie-Persepolis
This animated film is not a children's movie by any means. The topics in Persepolis are tough; war, rape, alienation, death, torture. But the film is a minor miracle.
It starts in Iran, ruled by the Shah, and focuses on a family of people who want a democratically elected government. Some members of the family have been imprisoned or killed by the Shah's regime. The daughter Marjane is the main character, and we follow her in a country that is soon free of the Shah, but falls into the tyranny of the fundamentalist ayatollahs. A theocracy that is maybe worse the dictatorship before.
Her family decides to send Marjane to Vienna for her safety, but she does not fit in very well there, and ends up homeless, living on the streets. She longs for home, and so returns to Iran.
I won't tell the whole story of plot, but it shows the life many people in Iran live. Closed and afraid, but still hopeful that better will come. The film is also interesting for their view of the U.S., as supporters of the Shah (a family member was tortured by someone trained by the CIA) and as arms dealers during the Iraq/Iran war, dealing to both sides.
The animation is not Disney or Pixar...it is stylistic and inventive, using color and tone to help convey moods. It is well drawn, and the characters seem like real people.
It is ultimately a story about individuality, and repression, about a person trying to be whole.
It starts in Iran, ruled by the Shah, and focuses on a family of people who want a democratically elected government. Some members of the family have been imprisoned or killed by the Shah's regime. The daughter Marjane is the main character, and we follow her in a country that is soon free of the Shah, but falls into the tyranny of the fundamentalist ayatollahs. A theocracy that is maybe worse the dictatorship before.
Her family decides to send Marjane to Vienna for her safety, but she does not fit in very well there, and ends up homeless, living on the streets. She longs for home, and so returns to Iran.
I won't tell the whole story of plot, but it shows the life many people in Iran live. Closed and afraid, but still hopeful that better will come. The film is also interesting for their view of the U.S., as supporters of the Shah (a family member was tortured by someone trained by the CIA) and as arms dealers during the Iraq/Iran war, dealing to both sides.
The animation is not Disney or Pixar...it is stylistic and inventive, using color and tone to help convey moods. It is well drawn, and the characters seem like real people.
It is ultimately a story about individuality, and repression, about a person trying to be whole.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Movie-Catwoman
When this movie came out in 2004, I remember it being blasted-really blasted- as a terrible movie. But, being a former comic collector, I had to see Catwoman for myself, and you know what? It was pretty bad. Maybe not as bad as the critics said, but pretty bad.
Speaking of pretty, it had a lot of pretty people in it...Halle Berry is hot here, and so is Sharon Stone, and even Benjamin Bratt, all look just wonderful. And that may be part of the problem...the film is just too pretty. There is no tension, no grit, no oomph. And I'm sorry, a comic book character at least needs some oomph.
I think Halle is hot, so I will have her name in the blog a few more times, so I can hyper link more images on Halle's name, so we can see many images of Halle. Because Halle really deserves it.
Catwoman is not good. Halle is though!
Speaking of pretty, it had a lot of pretty people in it...Halle Berry is hot here, and so is Sharon Stone, and even Benjamin Bratt, all look just wonderful. And that may be part of the problem...the film is just too pretty. There is no tension, no grit, no oomph. And I'm sorry, a comic book character at least needs some oomph.
I think Halle is hot, so I will have her name in the blog a few more times, so I can hyper link more images on Halle's name, so we can see many images of Halle. Because Halle really deserves it.
Catwoman is not good. Halle is though!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
2 Magazines
Was short one magazine this time around, but read Playboy July '08 and National Geographic July '08.
The Playboy was a good issue. But I must admit disappointment in the interview. It was with Dr. Drew Pinsky. Now I have a big problem with most TV counselors, Dr. Phil etc., but thought Dr. Drew was different. What I found was he was hypocritical, closed minded, accusatory, and did not really appreciate the huge array of sexual diversity in the world. He puts down celebrities for their seeking of an audience, and he does the same damn thing. He has little time for his family being involved in radio, TV and his own practise. And he blames any sexual diversity on abuse in childhood. What he fails to realize is that these sexual proclivities have been around since time immemorial. They are getting more attention now because of mass media, including him. That is why we all know about it now...MTV shows like he does, Celebrity Rehab.
I did like Bill Maher's article about religion, and the fiction by Denis Johnson, the first part of a four part series, is excellent. One other thing I liked, an answer in the Playboy Advisor, the advise column. A man writes that after many years of marriage he is having an affair, and he is surprised he does not feel guilty about it. The answer is that he is in the throes of "romantic love." It goes on to say, "If you want to feel guilty, confess to your wife and watch the pain spread across her face. As we tell anyone who is tempted to start or is involved in an affair, you made a commitment. If you can't keep your end of the bargain, leave. Otherwise, quit fucking around." That is why I like Playboy!
Nat Geo was great, and the cover story, "Who Murdered the Mountain Gorillas" was heart-wrenching. Such brutality against our own species and the others that share our world. Two other article I really appreciate were the Altiplano, about Bolivia's plain, and Tyrannosaur trap, about new dinosaur fossils. Both were quite good.
On to my next book!
The Playboy was a good issue. But I must admit disappointment in the interview. It was with Dr. Drew Pinsky. Now I have a big problem with most TV counselors, Dr. Phil etc., but thought Dr. Drew was different. What I found was he was hypocritical, closed minded, accusatory, and did not really appreciate the huge array of sexual diversity in the world. He puts down celebrities for their seeking of an audience, and he does the same damn thing. He has little time for his family being involved in radio, TV and his own practise. And he blames any sexual diversity on abuse in childhood. What he fails to realize is that these sexual proclivities have been around since time immemorial. They are getting more attention now because of mass media, including him. That is why we all know about it now...MTV shows like he does, Celebrity Rehab.
I did like Bill Maher's article about religion, and the fiction by Denis Johnson, the first part of a four part series, is excellent. One other thing I liked, an answer in the Playboy Advisor, the advise column. A man writes that after many years of marriage he is having an affair, and he is surprised he does not feel guilty about it. The answer is that he is in the throes of "romantic love." It goes on to say, "If you want to feel guilty, confess to your wife and watch the pain spread across her face. As we tell anyone who is tempted to start or is involved in an affair, you made a commitment. If you can't keep your end of the bargain, leave. Otherwise, quit fucking around." That is why I like Playboy!
Nat Geo was great, and the cover story, "Who Murdered the Mountain Gorillas" was heart-wrenching. Such brutality against our own species and the others that share our world. Two other article I really appreciate were the Altiplano, about Bolivia's plain, and Tyrannosaur trap, about new dinosaur fossils. Both were quite good.
On to my next book!
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Movie-The Bourne Ultimatum
This third movie in the Bourne series (and maybe last) starring Matt Damon had one of the best fight scenes I have seen in a movie. And that sums up what this movie is...action...pretty much all the way, action action action. But it is done very well, with a frenetic pacing that challenges the viewer to keep up.
The Bourne Ultimatum does not have an great story line. Jason Bourne is trying to find out who he is and who created him as a master assassin. The clues lead him around the globe and into confrontation after confrontation, before bringing him to his goal.
He does find out, and finds his humanity at the same time. But that is not as compelling as his confrontations with all sorts of opponents. Matt Damon continues to be a great Jason Bourne, and a great action hero, something I don't think many fans expected. He plays Bourne as smart and deadly, always a step ahead of his adversary's strategy.
It is summer entertainment done very well. The one quibble I had was constant POV, shaky camera work. The pace was so fast already, that the constant use of this technique actually distracted from the action, rather than added to it. Sometimes it is better to let the scene tell the story, rather than a shaky camera trying to add tension.
The Bourne Ultimatum does not have an great story line. Jason Bourne is trying to find out who he is and who created him as a master assassin. The clues lead him around the globe and into confrontation after confrontation, before bringing him to his goal.
He does find out, and finds his humanity at the same time. But that is not as compelling as his confrontations with all sorts of opponents. Matt Damon continues to be a great Jason Bourne, and a great action hero, something I don't think many fans expected. He plays Bourne as smart and deadly, always a step ahead of his adversary's strategy.
It is summer entertainment done very well. The one quibble I had was constant POV, shaky camera work. The pace was so fast already, that the constant use of this technique actually distracted from the action, rather than added to it. Sometimes it is better to let the scene tell the story, rather than a shaky camera trying to add tension.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Movie-The Goodbye Girl
I know I have been watching some older movie lately, but that is one thing I love about Netflix...it is really easy to find movies, and they have a HUGE selection.
I had always heard good things about The Goodbye Girl, a 1977 movie based on a play by Neil Simon. And it was really good. It is the most basic of romantic comedies, a man and woman meet through circumstances not of their choosing, hate each other-then tolerate each-then love each other. But good, smart writing and dialogue and sharp acting keep it from being mundane.
Marsha Mason is a bitter woman just dumped by her boyfriend. Too make matters worse, he has sublet the apartment where they lived with her daughter without telling her. Enter Richard Dreyfuss, an actor who has moved to New York and thinks he has a great deal on an apartment. He doesn't know that it is occupied by an angry woman and her precocious daughter.
This movie is not groundbreaking at all. But it works the formula really well, and is just an old-fashioned love story. When that is done right, as it is here, it completely satisfies.
I had always heard good things about The Goodbye Girl, a 1977 movie based on a play by Neil Simon. And it was really good. It is the most basic of romantic comedies, a man and woman meet through circumstances not of their choosing, hate each other-then tolerate each-then love each other. But good, smart writing and dialogue and sharp acting keep it from being mundane.
Marsha Mason is a bitter woman just dumped by her boyfriend. Too make matters worse, he has sublet the apartment where they lived with her daughter without telling her. Enter Richard Dreyfuss, an actor who has moved to New York and thinks he has a great deal on an apartment. He doesn't know that it is occupied by an angry woman and her precocious daughter.
This movie is not groundbreaking at all. But it works the formula really well, and is just an old-fashioned love story. When that is done right, as it is here, it completely satisfies.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
The Andrew Awards-Best Supporting Actress
So we finally got through this category, and I must say, this is the one where I disagree with the Oscars the most.
But let's recap the nominees really quick. Cate Blanchett in I'm Not There, Ruby Dee in American Gangster, Saoirse Ronan in Atonement, Amy Ryan in Gone Baby Gone and Tilda Swinton in Michael Clayton. Swinton won the award.
How she won it I do not know. She had a very small part, and she was OK in it, but NOTHING stood out at all...it was just average. It would be fair to say that I would have her last on my list of the nominees. Now Ruby Dee was a sentimental choice, but I thought her role, the portrayed well, was really too small to warrant consideration for the award. Saoirse Ronan did and excellent job in Atonement, but somehow it did not push enough for me to really think she should get the award.
That leaves Blanchett and Ryan. So, as a hush falls over the crowd, as the two nominees wait in anticipation...the winner, after careful thought, is...
Amy Ryan, in Gone Baby Gone! Blanchett starts to cry...I am so sorry Cate!
This was a really difficult choice...both were great. But Ryan was so spot on, so perfect as a not-so-great mom whose child has disappeared, that it had to go to her.
It was just by a hair, but that is the way I had to go.
Still two categories to go, best documentary and best foreign film.
But let's recap the nominees really quick. Cate Blanchett in I'm Not There, Ruby Dee in American Gangster, Saoirse Ronan in Atonement, Amy Ryan in Gone Baby Gone and Tilda Swinton in Michael Clayton. Swinton won the award.
How she won it I do not know. She had a very small part, and she was OK in it, but NOTHING stood out at all...it was just average. It would be fair to say that I would have her last on my list of the nominees. Now Ruby Dee was a sentimental choice, but I thought her role, the portrayed well, was really too small to warrant consideration for the award. Saoirse Ronan did and excellent job in Atonement, but somehow it did not push enough for me to really think she should get the award.
That leaves Blanchett and Ryan. So, as a hush falls over the crowd, as the two nominees wait in anticipation...the winner, after careful thought, is...
Amy Ryan, in Gone Baby Gone! Blanchett starts to cry...I am so sorry Cate!
This was a really difficult choice...both were great. But Ryan was so spot on, so perfect as a not-so-great mom whose child has disappeared, that it had to go to her.
It was just by a hair, but that is the way I had to go.
Still two categories to go, best documentary and best foreign film.
Movie-Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
This B-movie from 1978 was filmed in San Diego, which is why I watched it...well watched is a strong word...after 15 minutes I kept it at fast forward, only stopping to watch scenes of San Diego in that era.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is terrible. But, I found out that my 10th grade English teacher had the role of one of the generals in this movie. And he had the frickin' nerve to not like some of my topics for term papers? Crap, if I had known that, I would have asked him who he was to judge being in one of the worst movies of all time. I really did not like Mr. Curtis at all, so it was good to see, despite his pretensions, that he was just a schlep, and a bad actor.
The ONLY other thing in the movie was seeing San Diego Stadium, open-ended as it should have remained, and the KGB Chicken, before he became the San Diego Chicken.
I had heard there was a scene with the Zoo in it, but did not see that at all. Another myth bites the dust, huh?
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is terrible. But, I found out that my 10th grade English teacher had the role of one of the generals in this movie. And he had the frickin' nerve to not like some of my topics for term papers? Crap, if I had known that, I would have asked him who he was to judge being in one of the worst movies of all time. I really did not like Mr. Curtis at all, so it was good to see, despite his pretensions, that he was just a schlep, and a bad actor.
The ONLY other thing in the movie was seeing San Diego Stadium, open-ended as it should have remained, and the KGB Chicken, before he became the San Diego Chicken.
I had heard there was a scene with the Zoo in it, but did not see that at all. Another myth bites the dust, huh?
Movie- I'm Not Here
Let me say at the outset, I did not think I was going to like I'm Not There from everything I heard about it. I was watching it because Cate Blanchett was nominated for best supporting actress for her part in the film. Sharlynn did not think she would have any interest at all in the movie.
We were wrong, and I do not mind admitting it. Admittedly, this was a strange bit of film-making. Different actors (or in Blanchett's an actress) portray different personas of Bob Dylan. Sometimes you are not even sure what the person is. But this is an impressionistic piece...don't get bogged down in the details, follow the feeling, the mood and the impression the scenes bring.
It is not biographical in any strict sense of the word, as I said, it is more about personas that Dylan has had. Look at some of the notes in the intro to the film section of the menu first, if you want an idea of what is going on. We actually enjoyed more just going for the ride.
Blanchett is amazing in her portrayal of '60s Dylan, trying to move away from the protest movement, and into a place of his own consciousness, partially through mind-altering substances.
A strange film, but very compelling and unusual. We both liked it very much, though even now, we are both a little confused by it.
We were wrong, and I do not mind admitting it. Admittedly, this was a strange bit of film-making. Different actors (or in Blanchett's an actress) portray different personas of Bob Dylan. Sometimes you are not even sure what the person is. But this is an impressionistic piece...don't get bogged down in the details, follow the feeling, the mood and the impression the scenes bring.
It is not biographical in any strict sense of the word, as I said, it is more about personas that Dylan has had. Look at some of the notes in the intro to the film section of the menu first, if you want an idea of what is going on. We actually enjoyed more just going for the ride.
Blanchett is amazing in her portrayal of '60s Dylan, trying to move away from the protest movement, and into a place of his own consciousness, partially through mind-altering substances.
A strange film, but very compelling and unusual. We both liked it very much, though even now, we are both a little confused by it.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Movie-Harry and Tonto
This 1974 movie, Harry and Tonto is billed as a movie about an older gentleman who takes a road trip across country with his cat, Tonto. That really does not describe the movie very well.
Starring Art Carney, of Honeymooners fame, who won an Oscar for this role, the movie is about an older man who is displaced out of the apartment he has lived in for years in New York City. He raised his children there, his wife died there, and he hoped to live out his life quietly there with his cat. But the city was tearing the apartment building down to put up a parking lot. So Harry had to go.
He first tries living with one of his sons in Long Island. When that does not work he plans to fly to Chicago to see his daughter. But the airlines will not let Tonto on-board, so he takes a bus. When the bus driver does not want to stop to let Tonto pee, harry buys a used car and continues on. Seeing his daughter in Chicago, he moves on with various characters to Arizona, Las Vegas and LA to see his youngest son.
See, it sounds like a road trip. But it is really about growing old in America. The loneliness, the uprooting of a life, the disconnection. It is about a nice decent man, not settling for the standard dehumanizing effect of old age. He makes new friends, he decides to live, instead of just crumbling away.
Art Carney played this role PERFECT! With a grace and dignity, and acceptance of others and how they choose to live, and a humor that cannot be denied, and a sorrow that will make your eyes well up, he is amazing.
This is not sentimental in the traditional sense. No schmaltzy music. But it confronts the issues of head on, and includes the sorrow as well as the humor and joy, the tears and the laughter.
His faithful friend Tonto, along the ride the whole way.
A really nice movie, I would highly recommend it.
Starring Art Carney, of Honeymooners fame, who won an Oscar for this role, the movie is about an older man who is displaced out of the apartment he has lived in for years in New York City. He raised his children there, his wife died there, and he hoped to live out his life quietly there with his cat. But the city was tearing the apartment building down to put up a parking lot. So Harry had to go.
He first tries living with one of his sons in Long Island. When that does not work he plans to fly to Chicago to see his daughter. But the airlines will not let Tonto on-board, so he takes a bus. When the bus driver does not want to stop to let Tonto pee, harry buys a used car and continues on. Seeing his daughter in Chicago, he moves on with various characters to Arizona, Las Vegas and LA to see his youngest son.
See, it sounds like a road trip. But it is really about growing old in America. The loneliness, the uprooting of a life, the disconnection. It is about a nice decent man, not settling for the standard dehumanizing effect of old age. He makes new friends, he decides to live, instead of just crumbling away.
Art Carney played this role PERFECT! With a grace and dignity, and acceptance of others and how they choose to live, and a humor that cannot be denied, and a sorrow that will make your eyes well up, he is amazing.
This is not sentimental in the traditional sense. No schmaltzy music. But it confronts the issues of head on, and includes the sorrow as well as the humor and joy, the tears and the laughter.
His faithful friend Tonto, along the ride the whole way.
A really nice movie, I would highly recommend it.
Paul's Blog
Wanted to give a shout out to my friend Paul, who has now started a blog too. If you want to read about his life and his training for a half-marathon, go to http://runjohnnytacorun.blogspot.com/
Not NEARLY as interesting as my blog, but you know, he tries! LOL LOL!
Not NEARLY as interesting as my blog, but you know, he tries! LOL LOL!
Chicago
The buzz of being on vacation and seeing our friends Sharon and Alex is quickly burning off from work, so I wanted to post some pics and also talk about some of the things we did in Chicago.
The most important thing was just hanging with those two. In SD we would hang together a lot, not necessarily "doing" a lot...just enjoying each others company. Well, we did that in Chicago too.
the first night we got there we went for deep dish pizza. I LOVE deep dish, and to have it Chicago, home of deep dish was great. We were bushed, so after dinner got to bed fairly quickly.
Next day, both of them had to work, but we were planning to meet Sharon at the Lincoln Park Zoo, where she is director of PR, and doing a GREAT job as we all knew she would. Taking public transit to the zoo, we enjoyed ourselves walking around. It is a really nice zoo, low key but nicely laid out. Different for me to see so many inside enclosures, but with the climate it is a necessity.
WE met up with Sharon midday and went to lunch with her at a place close to the zoo, after getting to see her office. She had a quick emergency so we went back to the zoo for a short time and then headed home to meet up with Alex. From there we walked around their neighborhood and down to main street not too far away, deciding where to have dinner. We were taken in by the smell coming from an Italian place, so we went in and had a really nice meal. All our dishes were pastas with a red sauce, but each sauce was unique and tasted very different from the others. We were stuffed, but tired, them after a long work week, and us still from travel. We hopped a bus home, relaxed with more wine, and talked until we all hit the sack.
Saturday was tour Chicago day, and a nicer day could not be had. The humidity had dropped, the sky was clear blue and the temp was about 75-80. A bus to the downtown area, and we were lucky to arrive just as a drawbridge was up over the Chicago River. From there, a water taxi on the river to Chinatown, where we had dim sum for lunch. To a train to Memorial Park, seeing some great fountains, overlooking the lake, and seeing the infamous Bean, an unusual sculpture that really fits into the vibe of the place. This was a lot of walking, and we were getting a little bushed and thirsty, so we again hopped a bus to Wrigley. I really wanted to see Wrigley Field even though a game was not going. Very neat to see this old ball park, even from the outside. We stopped for a beer at a place across the street, and then a train to home, where they had been marinating T-bone steaks for my birthday dinner since Thursday.
What a great meal...grilled brats, t-bones, rice, broccoli, wine, wine, mudslides, wine and wine. We did play some poker too, and just talked and had a wonderful night!
They next day we were gone. In the morning we were a little nervous about our flight being delayed with severe thunderstorms taking place. But everything went as scheduled, saying goodbye to our slightly hungover friends and heading back to San Diego.
The most important thing was just hanging with those two. In SD we would hang together a lot, not necessarily "doing" a lot...just enjoying each others company. Well, we did that in Chicago too.
the first night we got there we went for deep dish pizza. I LOVE deep dish, and to have it Chicago, home of deep dish was great. We were bushed, so after dinner got to bed fairly quickly.
Next day, both of them had to work, but we were planning to meet Sharon at the Lincoln Park Zoo, where she is director of PR, and doing a GREAT job as we all knew she would. Taking public transit to the zoo, we enjoyed ourselves walking around. It is a really nice zoo, low key but nicely laid out. Different for me to see so many inside enclosures, but with the climate it is a necessity.
WE met up with Sharon midday and went to lunch with her at a place close to the zoo, after getting to see her office. She had a quick emergency so we went back to the zoo for a short time and then headed home to meet up with Alex. From there we walked around their neighborhood and down to main street not too far away, deciding where to have dinner. We were taken in by the smell coming from an Italian place, so we went in and had a really nice meal. All our dishes were pastas with a red sauce, but each sauce was unique and tasted very different from the others. We were stuffed, but tired, them after a long work week, and us still from travel. We hopped a bus home, relaxed with more wine, and talked until we all hit the sack.
Saturday was tour Chicago day, and a nicer day could not be had. The humidity had dropped, the sky was clear blue and the temp was about 75-80. A bus to the downtown area, and we were lucky to arrive just as a drawbridge was up over the Chicago River. From there, a water taxi on the river to Chinatown, where we had dim sum for lunch. To a train to Memorial Park, seeing some great fountains, overlooking the lake, and seeing the infamous Bean, an unusual sculpture that really fits into the vibe of the place. This was a lot of walking, and we were getting a little bushed and thirsty, so we again hopped a bus to Wrigley. I really wanted to see Wrigley Field even though a game was not going. Very neat to see this old ball park, even from the outside. We stopped for a beer at a place across the street, and then a train to home, where they had been marinating T-bone steaks for my birthday dinner since Thursday.
What a great meal...grilled brats, t-bones, rice, broccoli, wine, wine, mudslides, wine and wine. We did play some poker too, and just talked and had a wonderful night!
They next day we were gone. In the morning we were a little nervous about our flight being delayed with severe thunderstorms taking place. But everything went as scheduled, saying goodbye to our slightly hungover friends and heading back to San Diego.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Book-The Girl Who Played Go
This book by Chinese born French author Shan Sa is a character study with the backdrop of the Japanese invasion of China prior to WW II.
The chapters alternate between two narrators, like a game of Go, each player taking their turn. The first narrator is a girl moving into womanhood in Manchuria. The second is a officer in the Japanese army, trying to take over her small city.
Her obsession is the game Go, played on the public square in this town. He comes to the square undercover to try to find the insurgents, but instead finds his obsession with the game he plays with her, and with the girl herself.
The writing is spare, but elegant and somewhat poetic. It is most interesting when each of the narrators describe the same scene from two differing perspectives.
The Girl Who Played Go is a different book, probably not for everyone, but I really enjoyed it, and will be seeking out more books from Shan Sa
The chapters alternate between two narrators, like a game of Go, each player taking their turn. The first narrator is a girl moving into womanhood in Manchuria. The second is a officer in the Japanese army, trying to take over her small city.
Her obsession is the game Go, played on the public square in this town. He comes to the square undercover to try to find the insurgents, but instead finds his obsession with the game he plays with her, and with the girl herself.
The writing is spare, but elegant and somewhat poetic. It is most interesting when each of the narrators describe the same scene from two differing perspectives.
The Girl Who Played Go is a different book, probably not for everyone, but I really enjoyed it, and will be seeking out more books from Shan Sa
Movie-Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
I had never seen this movie all the way through, just bits and pieces, and I was glad I put it in my queue.
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (BCATSDK)was released in 1969, almost 40 years ago, but watching it both the stars, Robert Redford and Paul Newman seem ageless. The closest equivalent in male star power that could come close today is if George Clooney and Brat Pitt remade this movie, or The Sting. they had that much charisma and that much sheer personality. And not to sound like I play for the other team, but those were two good looking men!
A western, and a very good one if at times unconventional, and using a bit of art film technique, this film is really good. The last western I saw was 3:10 To Yuma, and that owes a huge homage to BCATSDK.
The two outlaws, on the run from the law in the West, move to Bolivia and take up robbing banks again. That is the premise, but it is done with such elan, that it does not seem weak or silly.
The extra bonus, in the movie soundtrack, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head is one of the songs. So good!
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (BCATSDK)was released in 1969, almost 40 years ago, but watching it both the stars, Robert Redford and Paul Newman seem ageless. The closest equivalent in male star power that could come close today is if George Clooney and Brat Pitt remade this movie, or The Sting. they had that much charisma and that much sheer personality. And not to sound like I play for the other team, but those were two good looking men!
A western, and a very good one if at times unconventional, and using a bit of art film technique, this film is really good. The last western I saw was 3:10 To Yuma, and that owes a huge homage to BCATSDK.
The two outlaws, on the run from the law in the West, move to Bolivia and take up robbing banks again. That is the premise, but it is done with such elan, that it does not seem weak or silly.
The extra bonus, in the movie soundtrack, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head is one of the songs. So good!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Chicago
Well, my birthday has come and gone, and we spent it with our friends, Sharon and Alex in Chicago. I will be posting pics here soon of our trip, but I just want to say it was so good to be hanging out with them. In another post I will go into what we did a little more, but the crux of the trip, the reason for it was to see them. When they moved from San Diego in January, we knew we would miss them so much, and we do. But being with them was like we did not skip a beat. And it was really nice.
We stayed at their place, and nice house in the city, and drank a lot of wine and laughed and shared.
Thank you to both them for their hospitably. The bottle of wine they bought for my birthday was very nice...and funny as hell. It was such a big bottle that it held the equivalent of 7 normal bottles. And we ALMOST polished it off! So close.
It was a very nice birthday!!!
We stayed at their place, and nice house in the city, and drank a lot of wine and laughed and shared.
Thank you to both them for their hospitably. The bottle of wine they bought for my birthday was very nice...and funny as hell. It was such a big bottle that it held the equivalent of 7 normal bottles. And we ALMOST polished it off! So close.
It was a very nice birthday!!!
Book-The Troll Garden
I have read quite a few of Willa Cather's work over the past year, nine book altogether, with another soon, and she has become one of my favorite authors, one I believe is sadly overlooked in the history of American literature.
The Troll Garden was her first published book, a collection of short stories. And you can see a young author, not yet sure of her themes and her voice, but picking up on it quickly.
Some of the stories were in fact not too great. But a few were quite good. I must admit that I enjoy her longer fiction better than her stories, but it is interesting to see an author start to develop, and in The Troll Garden you can detect that full force.
I am looking forward to reading more of Cather in the future. She is a great writer, and I enjoy her themes, her style and her voice. It is distinctive and came at a time when not many American women were able to have that unique a voice in society.
The Troll Garden was her first published book, a collection of short stories. And you can see a young author, not yet sure of her themes and her voice, but picking up on it quickly.
Some of the stories were in fact not too great. But a few were quite good. I must admit that I enjoy her longer fiction better than her stories, but it is interesting to see an author start to develop, and in The Troll Garden you can detect that full force.
I am looking forward to reading more of Cather in the future. She is a great writer, and I enjoy her themes, her style and her voice. It is distinctive and came at a time when not many American women were able to have that unique a voice in society.
Book-A Thousand Splendid Suns
The second novel by the acclaimed author Khaled Hosseini, A Thousand Splendid Suns takes us again to Afghanistan, dealing with the political turmoils by examining the effect on personal lives.
The Kite Runner was Hosseini's first book, and it was great. My only problem with it being too many coincidences happened. This book is better certainly in the regard, and overall, it is better written. You can see that the author is improving in his skills. But is the story better? Is it as compelling as the first novel?
Thankfully, the answer is yes. It may be a bit better overall, though maybe not drawing the reader in quite so closely as the first book. A Thousand Splendid Suns takes place entirely in Afghanistan, and so leaves out the emigrant experience, the new person in America aspect, and I think that adds some distance between the reader and the characters. But I do not think it is a bad thing for the story at all. In fact, I think it is needed, for the story is as brutal, possible more brutal than The Kite Runner.
The basics of the story is the relationship between two women, Miriam and Laila, both bound together be being forced into marriage to Rasheed. It is terrible to see each of them brutalized by this man, and it mirrors the brutalization of the country, as first Russian forces fight with a guerrilla army made up of many factions, and then the factions themselves waging a terrible civil war. And finally the coming of the Taliban, perhaps the most brutality the country had witnessed in modern times.
Hosseini is very skillful in looking at the lives of the two women, the intense dislike they have for one another at first that grows to a love, a sisterhood that ultimately gives grace and meaning to their lives, at the same time as the inexplicable tragedy.
The Kite Runner left us wondering if this was a one time deal from Hosseini. A Thousand Splendid Suns answers clearly that he is an author still growing in skill, with compelling stories still to be told.
This is an excellent book, and I am still thinking about it a week later, and looking forward to the next offering the author gives us.
The Kite Runner was Hosseini's first book, and it was great. My only problem with it being too many coincidences happened. This book is better certainly in the regard, and overall, it is better written. You can see that the author is improving in his skills. But is the story better? Is it as compelling as the first novel?
Thankfully, the answer is yes. It may be a bit better overall, though maybe not drawing the reader in quite so closely as the first book. A Thousand Splendid Suns takes place entirely in Afghanistan, and so leaves out the emigrant experience, the new person in America aspect, and I think that adds some distance between the reader and the characters. But I do not think it is a bad thing for the story at all. In fact, I think it is needed, for the story is as brutal, possible more brutal than The Kite Runner.
The basics of the story is the relationship between two women, Miriam and Laila, both bound together be being forced into marriage to Rasheed. It is terrible to see each of them brutalized by this man, and it mirrors the brutalization of the country, as first Russian forces fight with a guerrilla army made up of many factions, and then the factions themselves waging a terrible civil war. And finally the coming of the Taliban, perhaps the most brutality the country had witnessed in modern times.
Hosseini is very skillful in looking at the lives of the two women, the intense dislike they have for one another at first that grows to a love, a sisterhood that ultimately gives grace and meaning to their lives, at the same time as the inexplicable tragedy.
The Kite Runner left us wondering if this was a one time deal from Hosseini. A Thousand Splendid Suns answers clearly that he is an author still growing in skill, with compelling stories still to be told.
This is an excellent book, and I am still thinking about it a week later, and looking forward to the next offering the author gives us.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Movie-Ginger and Cinnamon
This 2003 Italian movie was a cute romantic comedy.
Ginger and Cinnamon is about a woman who is conned into taking her precocious 15 year old niece on a trip to Ios, the Greek island. There the niece is determined to lose her virginity.
Now part of the charm of the movie for us was the setting. One of the best vacations we ever had was in the the Greek Isles, and the setting on Ios reminded us so much of Mykanos that we were a bit taken away by that. But the movie itself is nice too. The aunt is a little tightly wound, and you hope the air from the Aegean Sea will mellow her out a bit. The niece is annoying and a brat, but she is supposed to be difficult and precocious. But the gentle comedy that ensues is nice. The actress playing the aunt is very good, and the whole result is light-hearted and amusing.
Ginger and Cinnamon is about a woman who is conned into taking her precocious 15 year old niece on a trip to Ios, the Greek island. There the niece is determined to lose her virginity.
Now part of the charm of the movie for us was the setting. One of the best vacations we ever had was in the the Greek Isles, and the setting on Ios reminded us so much of Mykanos that we were a bit taken away by that. But the movie itself is nice too. The aunt is a little tightly wound, and you hope the air from the Aegean Sea will mellow her out a bit. The niece is annoying and a brat, but she is supposed to be difficult and precocious. But the gentle comedy that ensues is nice. The actress playing the aunt is very good, and the whole result is light-hearted and amusing.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Movie-Silver City
Silver City (2003) is far from a perfect movie. It is too long, and has some scenes that could have been cut altogether. But the murder mystery brings us into the world where corporate America meets right-wing political America, and the resulting commentary is pretty good.
One if the highlights of the movie is Chris Cooper, who plays a very dim-witted right wing candidate for governor of Colorado. I have seen no comedian play a better George W. Bush. Though I am sure Cooper would deny that his performance is an imitation of the dim-witted former governor of Texas, it seemed spot on to us. He could rule on SNL with that imitation.
Sometimes the mystery gets lost in the political drama, and sometimes that drama gets lost in the convolutions of the mystery. But the story of the politician being in the hands of a corporation is compelling and seems quite true to life. When a newspaper seems about to investigate this nexus, the newspaper is bought by the corporation. That seems even truer to life.
A very good supporting cast with Richard Dreyfuss, Daryl Hannah, Mario Bello among others adds a great layer to the film.
All in all, a good movie, one that I have been thinking about since I saw it, pondering over the solution to this corporatization of our political system. It is a story that should concern all of us.
One if the highlights of the movie is Chris Cooper, who plays a very dim-witted right wing candidate for governor of Colorado. I have seen no comedian play a better George W. Bush. Though I am sure Cooper would deny that his performance is an imitation of the dim-witted former governor of Texas, it seemed spot on to us. He could rule on SNL with that imitation.
Sometimes the mystery gets lost in the political drama, and sometimes that drama gets lost in the convolutions of the mystery. But the story of the politician being in the hands of a corporation is compelling and seems quite true to life. When a newspaper seems about to investigate this nexus, the newspaper is bought by the corporation. That seems even truer to life.
A very good supporting cast with Richard Dreyfuss, Daryl Hannah, Mario Bello among others adds a great layer to the film.
All in all, a good movie, one that I have been thinking about since I saw it, pondering over the solution to this corporatization of our political system. It is a story that should concern all of us.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Additional Thoughts on Past Posts
Some other quick comments on some recent past posts.
Poker night. We ordered Sardina's. I have not mentioned this place enough. It started as little Italian place on Morena when we were kids. We actually had our first "date" there when I was about 10 and Sharlynn was 12. We split a mini pizza. It has expanded recently, but the quality of the food remains the same---EXCELLENT! From the simple meatball sandwiches to a pasta with fresh mussels, to the exquisite calzones and pizzas, this place is great food, and a great price. We had appetizers of sauteed mushrooms and fried zucchini. An eggplant calzone and a chicken Parmesan calzone, a vegie and a meat pizza, and their antipasto salad is one of the best I have had. It has become very popular of late, since the expansion, and I cannot be happier for their success, as it has been in the same family since it opened.
Another comment--The Martian Child---again, why does the dog have to die? Please, keep the canines alive!!!
Poker night---Emily is looking fantastic. Pregnancy agrees with her fo' shizzle!!
Several friends have recently mentioned the movie Into the Wild to me. They loved it. And they are surprised I really disliked it. I did not like it at all.
Turning 45. I am taking a week off for a mid-life crisis, prior to me turning 45. Somehow, this age is getting to me. Rarely am I concerned about my age, or the age of others, but 45 is gnawing at me a bit, and I do not know why. I am in all likely hood more than halfway past my life span. I probably should be feeling grown up by now. But instead I feel as uncertain in many aspects of life as I ever did. When do I feel like I have a handle on things? When do I feel like career is set? When do I feel complacent? And like I have problems solved? Is this just the conditions of life? Were our parents ever as certain as they seemed to us at the time?
I do not feel uncertain about the choices I have made. The marriage I have, the friends who are close to me. These people I love, they are certain to me. Though
they may not live here anymore, Sharon and Alex, Paul and Wendy, Stella and Yannis, Dan and Norma---they are as dear friends as I could want. And the people who are here, Yvette and Bill, Tandora, Jorge, Janine, Emily and Seth and D'anne and Steven and all the rest. What a joy to have them in my life. And of course my pets, especially the two pooches. I love them so much.
And my friend, my wife. What a waste my life would be without her. I have known Sharlynn since I can remember knowing. We have been friends for 43 years at least, and now married for almost 22. And it still seems like I did not start living until I was with her. And it still seems like she is in a spell that she should be with me, and one day she will wake up and see where she is and say---"What the hell!" LOL!
And so in a mid-life crisis, I am humbled also, by all that I do have.
But 45? C'mon---that is NOT right!!!!!
Poker night. We ordered Sardina's. I have not mentioned this place enough. It started as little Italian place on Morena when we were kids. We actually had our first "date" there when I was about 10 and Sharlynn was 12. We split a mini pizza. It has expanded recently, but the quality of the food remains the same---EXCELLENT! From the simple meatball sandwiches to a pasta with fresh mussels, to the exquisite calzones and pizzas, this place is great food, and a great price. We had appetizers of sauteed mushrooms and fried zucchini. An eggplant calzone and a chicken Parmesan calzone, a vegie and a meat pizza, and their antipasto salad is one of the best I have had. It has become very popular of late, since the expansion, and I cannot be happier for their success, as it has been in the same family since it opened.
Another comment--The Martian Child---again, why does the dog have to die? Please, keep the canines alive!!!
Poker night---Emily is looking fantastic. Pregnancy agrees with her fo' shizzle!!
Several friends have recently mentioned the movie Into the Wild to me. They loved it. And they are surprised I really disliked it. I did not like it at all.
Turning 45. I am taking a week off for a mid-life crisis, prior to me turning 45. Somehow, this age is getting to me. Rarely am I concerned about my age, or the age of others, but 45 is gnawing at me a bit, and I do not know why. I am in all likely hood more than halfway past my life span. I probably should be feeling grown up by now. But instead I feel as uncertain in many aspects of life as I ever did. When do I feel like I have a handle on things? When do I feel like career is set? When do I feel complacent? And like I have problems solved? Is this just the conditions of life? Were our parents ever as certain as they seemed to us at the time?
I do not feel uncertain about the choices I have made. The marriage I have, the friends who are close to me. These people I love, they are certain to me. Though
they may not live here anymore, Sharon and Alex, Paul and Wendy, Stella and Yannis, Dan and Norma---they are as dear friends as I could want. And the people who are here, Yvette and Bill, Tandora, Jorge, Janine, Emily and Seth and D'anne and Steven and all the rest. What a joy to have them in my life. And of course my pets, especially the two pooches. I love them so much.
And my friend, my wife. What a waste my life would be without her. I have known Sharlynn since I can remember knowing. We have been friends for 43 years at least, and now married for almost 22. And it still seems like I did not start living until I was with her. And it still seems like she is in a spell that she should be with me, and one day she will wake up and see where she is and say---"What the hell!" LOL!
And so in a mid-life crisis, I am humbled also, by all that I do have.
But 45? C'mon---that is NOT right!!!!!
Movie-Little Black Book
Looking at previews of this movie, you would think that it is a typical, middle of the road, romantic comedy. It is not.
It starts out that way a bit. But Little Black Book ends up as painful viewing, with people hurting other people wantonly. Betrayal, back stabbing, lying---all perfectly acceptable in this TV talk show world. And that is probably true to life. But it is not pleasant watching it in a movie.
Especially the end, the last half-hour or so, you just have that sicko feeling in your stomach, like these people are the kind you want to be FAR away from, and this situation is so bad, you just can't watch anymore. In fact, Sharlynn stopped watching.
I usually like Brittany Murphy (though my friend Paul cannot abide her at all), here she is terrible and seems quite mis-cast. I love Holly Hunter (she is hot BTW) but here I hated her. I dis-like almost all the characters in this movie by the end, with the exception of Carly Simon.
Aspects of this film relating to talk shows may be true to life, but it affirms my decision to eschew almost all reality TV and talk shows.
I do not recommend this movie at all.
It starts out that way a bit. But Little Black Book ends up as painful viewing, with people hurting other people wantonly. Betrayal, back stabbing, lying---all perfectly acceptable in this TV talk show world. And that is probably true to life. But it is not pleasant watching it in a movie.
Especially the end, the last half-hour or so, you just have that sicko feeling in your stomach, like these people are the kind you want to be FAR away from, and this situation is so bad, you just can't watch anymore. In fact, Sharlynn stopped watching.
I usually like Brittany Murphy (though my friend Paul cannot abide her at all), here she is terrible and seems quite mis-cast. I love Holly Hunter (she is hot BTW) but here I hated her. I dis-like almost all the characters in this movie by the end, with the exception of Carly Simon.
Aspects of this film relating to talk shows may be true to life, but it affirms my decision to eschew almost all reality TV and talk shows.
I do not recommend this movie at all.
Movie-The Martian Child
This was an odd movie, about a widowed man who decides to adopt a very odd child.
Now to say odd is not bad at all, but the child's quirks do make it a surreal viewing. You see, the kid believes he is from Mars. And John Cusack in the lead role has to deal with the idea and all the odd things that come with it. Think Mork as a 6 year old in a family drama.
The Martian Child is good, and it is great to see Joan Cusack play alongside her brother as the characters sister. But I think the thing that got left out, is why Cusack falls for this kid...I didn't feel it, though it was explained a bit. I didn't see why so fast and so surely he wanted this boy to be his child.
Quirky, at at times touching, it is a pretty good movie.
Oh, and Amanda Peet looks great and does a nice job here too.
Now to say odd is not bad at all, but the child's quirks do make it a surreal viewing. You see, the kid believes he is from Mars. And John Cusack in the lead role has to deal with the idea and all the odd things that come with it. Think Mork as a 6 year old in a family drama.
The Martian Child is good, and it is great to see Joan Cusack play alongside her brother as the characters sister. But I think the thing that got left out, is why Cusack falls for this kid...I didn't feel it, though it was explained a bit. I didn't see why so fast and so surely he wanted this boy to be his child.
Quirky, at at times touching, it is a pretty good movie.
Oh, and Amanda Peet looks great and does a nice job here too.
The Driving Range
You may remember Sharlynn and I played golf for the first time a month or two ago with Emily and Seth. They were nice enough to leave an old set of clubs with us so we could do some practising, but as yet, we had not gone to a driving range.
We went Sunday afternoon, and each got a big basket of balls. Sharlynn had to borrow a left driver, and also a 3 iron. Me, I used a couple of drivers from Seth's set.
I am still not sure this is the game for us. Sharlynn really started getting some distance and height on the balls. But I can't seem to get them elevated with any kind of consistency. Every once in awhile I whack one pretty good, but can't tell why that swing succeeded when others did not. I do understand why gold is frustrating.
We are considering taking some lessons, to see if we can improve.
We went Sunday afternoon, and each got a big basket of balls. Sharlynn had to borrow a left driver, and also a 3 iron. Me, I used a couple of drivers from Seth's set.
I am still not sure this is the game for us. Sharlynn really started getting some distance and height on the balls. But I can't seem to get them elevated with any kind of consistency. Every once in awhile I whack one pretty good, but can't tell why that swing succeeded when others did not. I do understand why gold is frustrating.
We are considering taking some lessons, to see if we can improve.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Poker Night-June
It had been awhile between poker nights. What with our vacations and travel for work it was hard to schedule, but we got one in Friday night. The 3 poker couples were all there, and it was the first poker night without Sharon and Alex who were missed.
I know everyone wants to know who won the trophy this time around! Well, we had two rounds, and the overall winner was Stephen, sot the trophy goes back to the Stephen/D'anne household again. I am afraid they are getting TOO attached to it.
I myself miss the smell of porn shop in the house---that rubbery smell that can only mean dildos. But I have to get by another month and then try to win it back.
Neither Sharlynn nor I came into the money this time. We will have to do better next time around. Emily and Seth are going to host the next one, and we hope to have it in July.
I know everyone wants to know who won the trophy this time around! Well, we had two rounds, and the overall winner was Stephen, sot the trophy goes back to the Stephen/D'anne household again. I am afraid they are getting TOO attached to it.
I myself miss the smell of porn shop in the house---that rubbery smell that can only mean dildos. But I have to get by another month and then try to win it back.
Neither Sharlynn nor I came into the money this time. We will have to do better next time around. Emily and Seth are going to host the next one, and we hope to have it in July.
Movie-Dan In Real Life
Dan In Real Life highlights Steve Carell in a starring role that is not just campy, spoofy part, but a subtle and fairly deep role laced with humor and sadness. And Carell pulls if off brilliantly.
He is Dan, who writes a newspaper advise column on parenting. And he is really good at it. He has 3 daughters, tow of them teenagers, and he raises them alone as there mother died 4 years previously.
And Dan tries really hard, and his own loneliness makes it even tougher to know the right way to handle his daughters. They are all off to Rhode Island for an annual family get together. While there he meets a woman, and they both like each other very much, but she is in a relationship. It turns out, the relationship is with Dan's brother, which he finds out once back at the family abode.
This sounds kinda campy, but Carell plays the role so well---he is generally happy, but there is a sadness and loneliness that comes through that makes him vulnerable. And that actually comes through many of the characters. Juliet Binoche is perfect as the woman Dan wants, but cannot have. And she wants him too, it is not a one sided feeling. And now, they have to act like they don't have these feelings while being in a house full of Dan's family.
Dan In Real Life have characters that are complex. They don't always talk about it, but show it in gestures and expressions. A great supporting cast, with John Mahoney and Diane Weist heading it as Dan's parents, gives this movie and unexpected depth. And they characters have a realism to them...like when you have been through tough times, you carry those scars with you, and for months to years, you feel them, and they effect your behavior and reactions. I could relate to Dan, and his family.
I really liked this movie.
He is Dan, who writes a newspaper advise column on parenting. And he is really good at it. He has 3 daughters, tow of them teenagers, and he raises them alone as there mother died 4 years previously.
And Dan tries really hard, and his own loneliness makes it even tougher to know the right way to handle his daughters. They are all off to Rhode Island for an annual family get together. While there he meets a woman, and they both like each other very much, but she is in a relationship. It turns out, the relationship is with Dan's brother, which he finds out once back at the family abode.
This sounds kinda campy, but Carell plays the role so well---he is generally happy, but there is a sadness and loneliness that comes through that makes him vulnerable. And that actually comes through many of the characters. Juliet Binoche is perfect as the woman Dan wants, but cannot have. And she wants him too, it is not a one sided feeling. And now, they have to act like they don't have these feelings while being in a house full of Dan's family.
Dan In Real Life have characters that are complex. They don't always talk about it, but show it in gestures and expressions. A great supporting cast, with John Mahoney and Diane Weist heading it as Dan's parents, gives this movie and unexpected depth. And they characters have a realism to them...like when you have been through tough times, you carry those scars with you, and for months to years, you feel them, and they effect your behavior and reactions. I could relate to Dan, and his family.
I really liked this movie.
Movie-I Am Legend
This movie made me tense, which is a compliment for a thriller. From the first scenes I was at the edge of my seat, waiting for something to happen. And this was when the movie was its best. Later, when things start happening non-stop it is a bit less thrilling, but still good.
I Am Legend relies almost completely on Will Smith, and luckily, he can carry it off. He plays a scientist, the last man on earth presumably, still trying to find a vaccine for the virus that turned humanity into zombie like creatures of the night.
Smith plays the role very well, seeming brilliant in his scientific endeavours while also seeming just on the edge of insanity from having lived alone for so long. His only companion, his German shepherd named Sam, is a pivotal character, because when she saves his life but is transformed in a dog-zombie, it unleashes his change into quite possibly a mad scientist.
I just wish for once, the dog could be fine. I want the dogs in movies to live more than the people many times. They could have thrown one other person in this movie, and let the person die instead of the dog.
The movie was nicely done and was a good ride, but after you turn it off, some big holes in the plot appear. Where did the other two survivors that appear late in the movie come from? I mean we establish that New York is totally isolated. How did they get there? And if there is no one else alive, why does Smith keep sending out radio signals every day hoping to contact someone? He is pretty adamant that there is no one else out there.
I Am Legend relies almost completely on Will Smith, and luckily, he can carry it off. He plays a scientist, the last man on earth presumably, still trying to find a vaccine for the virus that turned humanity into zombie like creatures of the night.
Smith plays the role very well, seeming brilliant in his scientific endeavours while also seeming just on the edge of insanity from having lived alone for so long. His only companion, his German shepherd named Sam, is a pivotal character, because when she saves his life but is transformed in a dog-zombie, it unleashes his change into quite possibly a mad scientist.
I just wish for once, the dog could be fine. I want the dogs in movies to live more than the people many times. They could have thrown one other person in this movie, and let the person die instead of the dog.
The movie was nicely done and was a good ride, but after you turn it off, some big holes in the plot appear. Where did the other two survivors that appear late in the movie come from? I mean we establish that New York is totally isolated. How did they get there? And if there is no one else alive, why does Smith keep sending out radio signals every day hoping to contact someone? He is pretty adamant that there is no one else out there.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Movie-Stander
Stander was an interesting 2003 movie, a true story about a South African cop that becomes disillusioned with the corruption and bigotry of his profession, he turns into a bank robber...quite successfully.
He gets caught, sent to prison, escapes and forms a small gang to start robbing banks again. Again, really successfully!
It's well made, well acted, with some nice irony. The ending leaves a bit to be desired, but I guess with a "based on a true story," some things are inevitable.
Nice little movie, not great but not bad. Not like the epically bad Troy.
He gets caught, sent to prison, escapes and forms a small gang to start robbing banks again. Again, really successfully!
It's well made, well acted, with some nice irony. The ending leaves a bit to be desired, but I guess with a "based on a true story," some things are inevitable.
Nice little movie, not great but not bad. Not like the epically bad Troy.
2 Magazines
Well, I only have two magazines this time around as my book was very small.
National Geographic was good...not great...but solid. I don't think it is ever bad. The articles on the Siberian oil boom was really good, and the world oil bust. And the article on snow leopards was great...the images were fantastic. And reading about the lost treasures of Afghanistan was great way to segue me into my next book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, by the author of The Kite Runner.
Zoonooz was unspectacular.
National Geographic was good...not great...but solid. I don't think it is ever bad. The articles on the Siberian oil boom was really good, and the world oil bust. And the article on snow leopards was great...the images were fantastic. And reading about the lost treasures of Afghanistan was great way to segue me into my next book, A Thousand Splendid Suns, by the author of The Kite Runner.
Zoonooz was unspectacular.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Movie-Troy
Rule #1-Brad Pitt is NEVER allowed to do an English accent again.
Rule #2- See rule #1
Rule #3- See rule #2
So we finally saw Troy, the wannabe epic film made in 2004 for upteen gazillion dollars. I am not going to say this was bad, but it was painful.
Brad Pitt was terrible. Why did they even try to make him do a British accent? I mean they were Greek! Did ancient Greeks speak with a upper crust London accent? I mean, I understand why the British actors in the movie spoke that way, but Brad needs to stick to his own vernacular.
Besides that, his acting was terrible. OK, maybe it was the stinky script. Seriously, even Peter O'Toole was bad in this, so I will give Brad a break. Speaking of the script--the Greeks are invading Troy, and the leading prince of Troy, Hector tells his archers not to kill Achilles (Pitt) when they can shoot him down. I guess it does not matter that with Achilles the Greeks will destroy Troy, kill his father the king, probably kill his brother the prince, his wife, child, cousin and thousands of residents. Nooooooooo! He does the honorable thing and fights one on one in a battle he knows he will probably lose...Oh c'mon...what BS. If you are fighting for survival, you just fight whatever way you can. Like Stalingrad in WWII.
OK...deep breath! The score of this movie was even bad. The soaring strings telling us we need to feel awe or sadness. The stupid chanting. This was not a movie about Muslims, yet it sounded like chanting from a Mosque.
It was all too much...too much OVER acting... too much trying to be epic...too much trying to be awesome...too much of everything, including too much time. It really did not need to be over two and half hours long.
OK...Sharlynn did see one redeeming quality. She said the eye candy of Pitt, Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom was quite nice. She just wish Pitt had shut up! Couldn't Achilles be mute?
This movie was a mess, from the get go. And it did not get better as it went along.
Rule #2- See rule #1
Rule #3- See rule #2
So we finally saw Troy, the wannabe epic film made in 2004 for upteen gazillion dollars. I am not going to say this was bad, but it was painful.
Brad Pitt was terrible. Why did they even try to make him do a British accent? I mean they were Greek! Did ancient Greeks speak with a upper crust London accent? I mean, I understand why the British actors in the movie spoke that way, but Brad needs to stick to his own vernacular.
Besides that, his acting was terrible. OK, maybe it was the stinky script. Seriously, even Peter O'Toole was bad in this, so I will give Brad a break. Speaking of the script--the Greeks are invading Troy, and the leading prince of Troy, Hector tells his archers not to kill Achilles (Pitt) when they can shoot him down. I guess it does not matter that with Achilles the Greeks will destroy Troy, kill his father the king, probably kill his brother the prince, his wife, child, cousin and thousands of residents. Nooooooooo! He does the honorable thing and fights one on one in a battle he knows he will probably lose...Oh c'mon...what BS. If you are fighting for survival, you just fight whatever way you can. Like Stalingrad in WWII.
OK...deep breath! The score of this movie was even bad. The soaring strings telling us we need to feel awe or sadness. The stupid chanting. This was not a movie about Muslims, yet it sounded like chanting from a Mosque.
It was all too much...too much OVER acting... too much trying to be epic...too much trying to be awesome...too much of everything, including too much time. It really did not need to be over two and half hours long.
OK...Sharlynn did see one redeeming quality. She said the eye candy of Pitt, Eric Bana and Orlando Bloom was quite nice. She just wish Pitt had shut up! Couldn't Achilles be mute?
This movie was a mess, from the get go. And it did not get better as it went along.
Book-Very Far Away From Anywhere Else
Very Far Away From Anywhere Else is written by Ursula K. LeGuin, best known for her fantasy/sci-fi books.
But she also writes other material, and this slight novel (a bare 87 pages, more of a novella) is really good. I first read it in 1981, 27 years ago. But time has not diminished this story of a young man who feels different that other high schoolers, and feels quite alone. He finds a friend in a headstrong young woman...someone he really feels himself with. But by his actions, he messes up that important, life-changing friendship.
It is a work that really catches that feeling in high school of no one quite understanding you. Of feeling alien. It evokes a time in life before you have truly found yourself, and feel a bit lost. And of a moment, when you begin to see who you are, or at least who you can be.
Really nicely written, without being overdone. The first person narrative is not whiny, but stays on an even keel, and is more evocative because of that.
But she also writes other material, and this slight novel (a bare 87 pages, more of a novella) is really good. I first read it in 1981, 27 years ago. But time has not diminished this story of a young man who feels different that other high schoolers, and feels quite alone. He finds a friend in a headstrong young woman...someone he really feels himself with. But by his actions, he messes up that important, life-changing friendship.
It is a work that really catches that feeling in high school of no one quite understanding you. Of feeling alien. It evokes a time in life before you have truly found yourself, and feel a bit lost. And of a moment, when you begin to see who you are, or at least who you can be.
Really nicely written, without being overdone. The first person narrative is not whiny, but stays on an even keel, and is more evocative because of that.
3 Magazines
Every once in awhile I will pick up a copy of People--y'know, one of the special issues, the most beautiful people in the world ones.
So the 100 most beautiful people in the world is headed by--Kate Hudson? Really? I mean, don't get me wrong, I think she is really cute, perky, seems sweet enough etc. But the MOST beautiful person in the world this year? OoooooKaaaay. Anyway, just fun gossipy reading.
On the other hand...Playboy's June issue was GREAT! A very good interview with Steve Carell about The Office and his upcoming movie Get Smart. An article by Jason Whitlock about the prevalence of gang related violence and how it is perpetuated by the prison system. He talks about how the prison guard union in California is so strong, the shoot down any talk of prisons actually trying to rehabilitate people. And i remember a few years ago, they laid millions of dollars into advertising to fight a proposition that would make people arrested for small pot charges go to rehab, not prison. A central point of the article is until we reform how prisons are run, we will not be able to stop violence and other societal ills that come directly from prison culture.
Jane Smiley (winner of the Pulitzer Price) wrote this months fiction. Its about a woman who convince her husband to go green by steaming up their sex life every time he made a new step in preserving the environment. Witty and well written. And amusing in the green sense too!
Another really good article was an analysis of the oft predicted end of newspapers as a medium of information. This article takes an different view and opposes that idea while talking to Rupert Murdock and other media empire-men who are buying up newspapers all over. Very thought provoking, and really made me think of it another way. And the 20 questions are with Harry Levin, the creator of the gossipy TMZ show.
One thing he said really made me laugh. he said there are thousands of restaurants in L.A., so how come Britney and Paris only go to 3 or 4 of them. You don't see people like Julia Roberts there or Tom Hanks or Helen Mirren. Believe me, he says, the Skyy vodka does not taste better at those 3 restaurants. So why do these tabloid fodder keep coming---because they want to be followed by paparazzi.
The third magazine was Plenty. And this month it was OK, but not great.
So the 100 most beautiful people in the world is headed by--Kate Hudson? Really? I mean, don't get me wrong, I think she is really cute, perky, seems sweet enough etc. But the MOST beautiful person in the world this year? OoooooKaaaay. Anyway, just fun gossipy reading.
On the other hand...Playboy's June issue was GREAT! A very good interview with Steve Carell about The Office and his upcoming movie Get Smart. An article by Jason Whitlock about the prevalence of gang related violence and how it is perpetuated by the prison system. He talks about how the prison guard union in California is so strong, the shoot down any talk of prisons actually trying to rehabilitate people. And i remember a few years ago, they laid millions of dollars into advertising to fight a proposition that would make people arrested for small pot charges go to rehab, not prison. A central point of the article is until we reform how prisons are run, we will not be able to stop violence and other societal ills that come directly from prison culture.
Jane Smiley (winner of the Pulitzer Price) wrote this months fiction. Its about a woman who convince her husband to go green by steaming up their sex life every time he made a new step in preserving the environment. Witty and well written. And amusing in the green sense too!
Another really good article was an analysis of the oft predicted end of newspapers as a medium of information. This article takes an different view and opposes that idea while talking to Rupert Murdock and other media empire-men who are buying up newspapers all over. Very thought provoking, and really made me think of it another way. And the 20 questions are with Harry Levin, the creator of the gossipy TMZ show.
One thing he said really made me laugh. he said there are thousands of restaurants in L.A., so how come Britney and Paris only go to 3 or 4 of them. You don't see people like Julia Roberts there or Tom Hanks or Helen Mirren. Believe me, he says, the Skyy vodka does not taste better at those 3 restaurants. So why do these tabloid fodder keep coming---because they want to be followed by paparazzi.
The third magazine was Plenty. And this month it was OK, but not great.
Movie-3:10 To Yuma
The forgotten genre, the western, receives a boost in this '07 movie. Starring Christian Bale and Russell Crowe, this compelling movie about an outlaw, and one member of his posse trying to bring him to justice.
3:10 To Yuma is not just a very good western, highlighting individualists that that west is known for, but a very good movie. Crowe is perfect as a intelligent though brutal outlaw. And Bale is just as good, if not better, as a down-on-his-luck rancher looking to make some money and restore his self-pride by bringing the man to a train (the 3:10 to Yuma) that will take Crowe to federal prison.
Along the way, the rest of the posses gets killed or leaves, one by one, leaving just these two to find their fate.
Good supporting performances. Good action sequences, and even better thoughtful sequences make me hope for more from this forgotten genre.
3:10 To Yuma is not just a very good western, highlighting individualists that that west is known for, but a very good movie. Crowe is perfect as a intelligent though brutal outlaw. And Bale is just as good, if not better, as a down-on-his-luck rancher looking to make some money and restore his self-pride by bringing the man to a train (the 3:10 to Yuma) that will take Crowe to federal prison.
Along the way, the rest of the posses gets killed or leaves, one by one, leaving just these two to find their fate.
Good supporting performances. Good action sequences, and even better thoughtful sequences make me hope for more from this forgotten genre.
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