I have such a fond spot in my heart for James Herriot, I'll admit it. His love for his life is inspiring. He loves taking care of these animals, he loves the place he lives and he loves his family, especially his beloved wife Helen, and it shines through in these semi-autobiographical memoirs of his life as a country vet in England Yorkshire area, specifically, the Dales.
The author of All Creatures Great and Small, and several other books chronicling his adventures with Seigfried and Tristan, puts together some of his favorite stories in this volume, The Best of James Herriot, some of which come from each of his books.
I am a fairly jaded reader, but some of these entries make me laugh out loud! And some make me tear up, as when he has to put an old man's companion, his old dog, down.
This volume has some nice side notes and illustrations about equipment and breeds of animals that Herriot worked with. It also has beautiful photos of his country. This was a very fun and enjoyable read. OK...it is sappy, but the good kind of sappy. And I enjoyed the heck out of it.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Movie-Mongol
Mongol (2007) was a nominee for best foreign film last year (from Kazakhstan), and it is a terrific movie. The first of a trilogy about Ghenghis Khan, Mongol focuses on the life of the childhood of the man who would conquer much of the known world.
Before he was the great khan, he was a Mongol boy named Temudjin who was a slave several times. As his life evolves he becomes more determined to unite the Mongol tribes under one rule...his rule. But the evolution is fascinating, because in this interpretation of Khan, he wants mostly to be left alone, to love his wife and children. Only after repeated attacks, where he survived somewhat miraculously does Temudujin decided to take decisive action.
Beautifully filmed with fantastic scenic shots, Mongol is very nice film making. It reinterprets the legend of Ghenghis Khan, much as Braveheart reinterpreted the legend of William Wallace.
There are a lot of similarities between the two films, and I am anxious to see the next two movies in the trilogy, which should explore Ghenghis Khan taking over the world. This film deserves the nomination for best foreign film.
Before he was the great khan, he was a Mongol boy named Temudjin who was a slave several times. As his life evolves he becomes more determined to unite the Mongol tribes under one rule...his rule. But the evolution is fascinating, because in this interpretation of Khan, he wants mostly to be left alone, to love his wife and children. Only after repeated attacks, where he survived somewhat miraculously does Temudujin decided to take decisive action.
Beautifully filmed with fantastic scenic shots, Mongol is very nice film making. It reinterprets the legend of Ghenghis Khan, much as Braveheart reinterpreted the legend of William Wallace.
There are a lot of similarities between the two films, and I am anxious to see the next two movies in the trilogy, which should explore Ghenghis Khan taking over the world. This film deserves the nomination for best foreign film.
Day Trip to Julian
We took a day trip up to Julian...we hadn't been for at least 10 years, maybe longer. It is a nice drive and you could still see the results of the terrible fires from last year, and see how close it came to Julian.
October is the apple festival, but it was not too crowded as we went on a Friday. Did some shopping, and some nice wine tasting in the Witch Creek Winery tasting room, right on the main drag. Bought their merlot and their port, which is quite good. We had nice lunch at the Juilan Grille, and then had apple pie in one of the main shops---warm fresh apple pie a la mode...SOOOOO good. We bought a whole pie for my mom and dad, and then started home, coming through Ramona and Lakeside.
It was all a very pleasant day, very mellow and nice...until---yes, there is an until---
We cruising a long, getting close to Interstate 8, and we are in the fast lane, when all of sudden this ASSHOLE (and I don't use expletive lightly)cuts in front of us with inches to spare, because he is in back of a truck...no signal, nothing. Well, we are waving our arms, not giving finger signals yet. So Sharlynn is inevitably right on his ass, because it is so close, and he flips us off. As she tries to move into the next lane, he cuts in front of us for no reason but to cause problems, and he is laughing about it...literally, he cut us off with feet to spare. So he thinks it is funny to put peoples lives at risk? Probably so did the guys earlier this week who was speeding and killed a 19 year old, 7-month pregnant woman in San Diego.
You don't fuck with people's lives.
We actually pulled off the freeway for a bit, just to get out of sight of the SOB. Sharlynn was shaking she was so pissed off.
Other than that though, it was a really nice day! LOL LOL!
October is the apple festival, but it was not too crowded as we went on a Friday. Did some shopping, and some nice wine tasting in the Witch Creek Winery tasting room, right on the main drag. Bought their merlot and their port, which is quite good. We had nice lunch at the Juilan Grille, and then had apple pie in one of the main shops---warm fresh apple pie a la mode...SOOOOO good. We bought a whole pie for my mom and dad, and then started home, coming through Ramona and Lakeside.
It was all a very pleasant day, very mellow and nice...until---yes, there is an until---
We cruising a long, getting close to Interstate 8, and we are in the fast lane, when all of sudden this ASSHOLE (and I don't use expletive lightly)cuts in front of us with inches to spare, because he is in back of a truck...no signal, nothing. Well, we are waving our arms, not giving finger signals yet. So Sharlynn is inevitably right on his ass, because it is so close, and he flips us off. As she tries to move into the next lane, he cuts in front of us for no reason but to cause problems, and he is laughing about it...literally, he cut us off with feet to spare. So he thinks it is funny to put peoples lives at risk? Probably so did the guys earlier this week who was speeding and killed a 19 year old, 7-month pregnant woman in San Diego.
You don't fuck with people's lives.
We actually pulled off the freeway for a bit, just to get out of sight of the SOB. Sharlynn was shaking she was so pissed off.
Other than that though, it was a really nice day! LOL LOL!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
TV Update
As I suspected, after three episodes of Life on Mars I am dropping from my viewing list. The third episode was the best yet, but it was too little too late I am afraid. And I really thought I would like this show a lot. Good premise, great cast (including Lisa Bonet, who I have had a thing for every since the Cosby Show, and especially since Angel Heart) and good production values. But, I could never get into it. So, it is gone.
Other shows that are on the bubble---Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles and Samantha Who? (which I neglected to review at its premier).
The good news is that 30 Rock starts again next week. One of my favorite shows, this Tina Fey creation makes me laugh. It is hilarious. And so smart--what would you expect from the amazing Ms. Fey?
Other shows that are on the bubble---Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles and Samantha Who? (which I neglected to review at its premier).
The good news is that 30 Rock starts again next week. One of my favorite shows, this Tina Fey creation makes me laugh. It is hilarious. And so smart--what would you expect from the amazing Ms. Fey?
Friday, October 24, 2008
Movie-Beaufort
Beaufort (2007) was a Oscar nominee for best foreign film at last year's Oscar awards. The Israeli movie centers on a fort held by Israeli tropps in Lebanon, a fort that was won in by historic and heroic feats many years before the film takes place. But the fort is to be abandonded now---a victim to political and military ennui that wants to discontinue the fight to keep it under Israeli control.
So the troops there are abandoned too, even before the physical leaving of the fort, they feel as if they should not be there...men keep dying in Hezzbolah mortar attacks, and they know that they are giving the fort up soon...they just want to leave. But orders are orders, so their CO has to keep trying.
This was a good movie, but not great. It was a bit too long, and could have used a tighter script. Though it portrayed the feeling of abandonment well, it also diverged into other plotlines that were not fully explored or needed.
Beaufort is a sad film in many ways, and as such is not exciting watching, but it is powerful in its own way, and thoughtful too.
So the troops there are abandoned too, even before the physical leaving of the fort, they feel as if they should not be there...men keep dying in Hezzbolah mortar attacks, and they know that they are giving the fort up soon...they just want to leave. But orders are orders, so their CO has to keep trying.
This was a good movie, but not great. It was a bit too long, and could have used a tighter script. Though it portrayed the feeling of abandonment well, it also diverged into other plotlines that were not fully explored or needed.
Beaufort is a sad film in many ways, and as such is not exciting watching, but it is powerful in its own way, and thoughtful too.
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Andrew Awards-Best Documentary
It has been a bit since I have been able to comment on another category in last year's Oscars. But with Taxi to the Dark Side, I have completed all the contenders for best documentary.
This was an excellent group of movies. The winner of the Oscar was Taxi to the Dark Side, which was superb. And I can see why it won. The other contenders were: No End in Sight, a look at how we ended up in Iraq, why we blew it and how bad it is; Operation Homecoming, Writing the Wartime Experience, a movie I was disappointed in, as it chronicled soldiers writings from Iraq; Sicko, Michael Moore's funny and scary look at America's health care industry; and War/Dance, about a group of war orphaned children in Africa, competing in a national dance contest.
As I said, Operation Homecoming was disappointing...a great idea, but not skillfully rendered. And War/Dance was excellent, but ultimately did not have the importance of the other movies. That brings me to Sicko. Michael Moore is great, and he did another great movie...and in many years, this would have been the winner. But with two movies left, this did not quite make it.
So Taxi to the Dark Side or No End in Sight?
The winner of the Andrew Award for best documentary is----It is a tie!!!! No End in Sight and Taxi to the Dark Side. Sadly, these documentaries show some of the worst of my country. It is sad that these even had to be made. But they are powerful films, dealing with difficult issues. And they highlight the failure of this administration to do just about anything right, and also show how they deliberately did wrong.
One more category to go...Best Foreign Film. I have watched two of the nominees (I will review Beaufort soon), and will soon be watching Mongol. But the last two films (Katyn and 12) have not had their release dates announced yet. I hope I get to see them before next years awards.
This was an excellent group of movies. The winner of the Oscar was Taxi to the Dark Side, which was superb. And I can see why it won. The other contenders were: No End in Sight, a look at how we ended up in Iraq, why we blew it and how bad it is; Operation Homecoming, Writing the Wartime Experience, a movie I was disappointed in, as it chronicled soldiers writings from Iraq; Sicko, Michael Moore's funny and scary look at America's health care industry; and War/Dance, about a group of war orphaned children in Africa, competing in a national dance contest.
As I said, Operation Homecoming was disappointing...a great idea, but not skillfully rendered. And War/Dance was excellent, but ultimately did not have the importance of the other movies. That brings me to Sicko. Michael Moore is great, and he did another great movie...and in many years, this would have been the winner. But with two movies left, this did not quite make it.
So Taxi to the Dark Side or No End in Sight?
The winner of the Andrew Award for best documentary is----It is a tie!!!! No End in Sight and Taxi to the Dark Side. Sadly, these documentaries show some of the worst of my country. It is sad that these even had to be made. But they are powerful films, dealing with difficult issues. And they highlight the failure of this administration to do just about anything right, and also show how they deliberately did wrong.
One more category to go...Best Foreign Film. I have watched two of the nominees (I will review Beaufort soon), and will soon be watching Mongol. But the last two films (Katyn and 12) have not had their release dates announced yet. I hope I get to see them before next years awards.
Movie-Taxi to the Dark Side
This winner of the 2007 Oscar for best documentary is disturbing and disgusting, but important for Americans to watch. Important because it shows us the consequences of the actions we allow our government to take.
The title derives from a taxi driver, and man in the wrong place, arrested as a suspect in the missile attack in Afghanistan. He was not arrested by American authorities, but by Afghan warlords who were later themselves implicated in many attacks on Americans. These warlords would then arrest people and turn them over to us saying there was evidence these innocents were bad people. The taxi driver was then imprisoned at Bagram and killed by American soldiers. The "dark side" of the title comes from Vice-President Dick Cheney, who is shown saying that we have to go to the dark side to fight these people.
And Taxi to the Dark Side examines what the dark side means. And it is disgusting and anti-American. It would not a stretch to say that the actions of our government are on a par with the worst dictators on earth. The torture that was condoned and encouraged, the dehumanization of people that were totally innocent of wrong-doing. It is deeply disturbing that we did this---because America is a country by the people and for the people. We are all complicit.
I am sure I will now be on some sort of watch list for writing this, but there will be a special place in hell for Dick Cheney and his warmongering friends...Gonzalez and the like. They are the worst of us...and they tried to make us all like them.
This movie needs to be watched...as I said...it is disturbing...deeply disturbing. But if we want to do better, if we want to be a better people and a better country, we need to know our sins. What we allowed is a sin, and this movie throws our sin in our face. Will we be better, or will we follow the road that Cheney is paving...to hell?
The title derives from a taxi driver, and man in the wrong place, arrested as a suspect in the missile attack in Afghanistan. He was not arrested by American authorities, but by Afghan warlords who were later themselves implicated in many attacks on Americans. These warlords would then arrest people and turn them over to us saying there was evidence these innocents were bad people. The taxi driver was then imprisoned at Bagram and killed by American soldiers. The "dark side" of the title comes from Vice-President Dick Cheney, who is shown saying that we have to go to the dark side to fight these people.
And Taxi to the Dark Side examines what the dark side means. And it is disgusting and anti-American. It would not a stretch to say that the actions of our government are on a par with the worst dictators on earth. The torture that was condoned and encouraged, the dehumanization of people that were totally innocent of wrong-doing. It is deeply disturbing that we did this---because America is a country by the people and for the people. We are all complicit.
I am sure I will now be on some sort of watch list for writing this, but there will be a special place in hell for Dick Cheney and his warmongering friends...Gonzalez and the like. They are the worst of us...and they tried to make us all like them.
This movie needs to be watched...as I said...it is disturbing...deeply disturbing. But if we want to do better, if we want to be a better people and a better country, we need to know our sins. What we allowed is a sin, and this movie throws our sin in our face. Will we be better, or will we follow the road that Cheney is paving...to hell?
Huntington Beach
We drove up to Huntington Beach to visit our friend Paul. His girl was out of town, but we met his pets on our visit, and took him out to lunch.
We went to downtown Huntington, and though I forget the name of the restaurant, we sat at an outside table in a typically casual eatery. We ordered drinks and commenced with our fun for the day...namely, people watching. And downtown Huntington Beach is a mecca for people watching. And of course, when I say people, I mean hot chicas. I mean, why mince words.
We were next to the sidewalk, with Sharlynn and Paul facing one way, and me the other, so we would alert the opposite side of the table if there was some interesting eye candy moving this way..."Wait for it...."
The drinks were nice and the food was good, but the atmosphere was the best. Convivial and funny, the three of us then commenced to walk down to the pier, where we came upon a faux Batman and Snow White handing out fliers. While the day was warm enough, the wind on the pier was quite chilly and strong, and poor Snow Whites teeny skirt kept flapping almost up to her navel. Being infantile at best, we enjoyed that.
The walk back was just as fun and we stopped for another drink at a bar where the people watching was just as fun.
It was good to see Paul, see Beans again, and meet Frankie, Ash, Manja and Noonan. And we were sorry we missed Wendy, but we were sure we would come up again for a fun people watching day with friends.
We went to downtown Huntington, and though I forget the name of the restaurant, we sat at an outside table in a typically casual eatery. We ordered drinks and commenced with our fun for the day...namely, people watching. And downtown Huntington Beach is a mecca for people watching. And of course, when I say people, I mean hot chicas. I mean, why mince words.
We were next to the sidewalk, with Sharlynn and Paul facing one way, and me the other, so we would alert the opposite side of the table if there was some interesting eye candy moving this way..."Wait for it...."
The drinks were nice and the food was good, but the atmosphere was the best. Convivial and funny, the three of us then commenced to walk down to the pier, where we came upon a faux Batman and Snow White handing out fliers. While the day was warm enough, the wind on the pier was quite chilly and strong, and poor Snow Whites teeny skirt kept flapping almost up to her navel. Being infantile at best, we enjoyed that.
The walk back was just as fun and we stopped for another drink at a bar where the people watching was just as fun.
It was good to see Paul, see Beans again, and meet Frankie, Ash, Manja and Noonan. And we were sorry we missed Wendy, but we were sure we would come up again for a fun people watching day with friends.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Quick TV Update
Life on Mars will probably not be added to my regular viewing. It is OK, with a great cast, and a unique story line, but just does not put it together well. Tries to be too much. Will give it one more episode, but I am strongly leaning against it.
Favorite shows right now. Chuck, Pushing Daisies (which rebounded nicely after a first episode I did not like too much), My Name is Earl and The Office and Dirty Sexy Money.
Looking forward to the return of 30 Rock at the end of the month.
Favorite shows right now. Chuck, Pushing Daisies (which rebounded nicely after a first episode I did not like too much), My Name is Earl and The Office and Dirty Sexy Money.
Looking forward to the return of 30 Rock at the end of the month.
Restaurant-Lanna, 2nd Time
My opinion of Lanna got even better on my second visit. This Thai restaurant at the cusp of PB is really good, now my favorite Thai place in the city.
We went there with my mother-in-law for her birthday. For starters we had the Golden Triangles, crunchy flour tortillas filled with seasoned ground chicken and potato with sweet & sour sauce. Really good! We each ordered a main dish and shared them all: Thai Basil Pork, slightly spicy and nicely prepared; Tropical Duck with crispy tender duck over colorful fruity sauce with mango, pineapple, bell pepper, onion. this one was probably the favorite at the table; and the Lanna Fitness a steamed fresh fish fillet with shredded ginger root, carrot, green onion in light soy sauce that was delicate and excellent.
The service is excellent and the food is very fresh and well prepared. The menu is big but not tome-like offering varied and flavorful choices. This place is really good.
We went there with my mother-in-law for her birthday. For starters we had the Golden Triangles, crunchy flour tortillas filled with seasoned ground chicken and potato with sweet & sour sauce. Really good! We each ordered a main dish and shared them all: Thai Basil Pork, slightly spicy and nicely prepared; Tropical Duck with crispy tender duck over colorful fruity sauce with mango, pineapple, bell pepper, onion. this one was probably the favorite at the table; and the Lanna Fitness a steamed fresh fish fillet with shredded ginger root, carrot, green onion in light soy sauce that was delicate and excellent.
The service is excellent and the food is very fresh and well prepared. The menu is big but not tome-like offering varied and flavorful choices. This place is really good.
Book-The Red Smith Reader
Red Smith was one of the most read sports columnists in the country, from the 1940s-the late 70s. He won the Pulitzer Prize for his work, and I regard him not only as a good sports writer, but a great essayist.
The Red Smith Reader collects about 130 of his essays, on many subjects. And while i could have used fewer columns on horse racing, Smith has a style all his own. At his best he is poetic and his prose sings. But he also has a sharp tongue that reflect his opinions. Some of his best columns take shots at Olympic officials, such as when they continued the games in '72 after the killings of several of the Israeli team in the Olympic Park. He takes them rightly to task as they try to justify their decision by saying the "political" events should not interfere with games.
He also turns his pointed pen on college officials and how they use and abuse student athletes, preparing them for neither life without athletics nor life in pro sports. They want to profit from these young athletes, but give little back in return. He finds the hypocrisy palpable.
Red Smith was at his best talking about people. His columns about fishing with his son, and later his grandson are quiet and lyrical. In these columns he is as good as any essayist he looked up to, including E. B. White.
Red Smith was also great friends with San Diego's Jack Murphy, and nice local connection.
For decades Smith produced 7 columns a week, a tremendous amount of output. He was a craftsman, working hard on every column. The works shows.
The Red Smith Reader collects about 130 of his essays, on many subjects. And while i could have used fewer columns on horse racing, Smith has a style all his own. At his best he is poetic and his prose sings. But he also has a sharp tongue that reflect his opinions. Some of his best columns take shots at Olympic officials, such as when they continued the games in '72 after the killings of several of the Israeli team in the Olympic Park. He takes them rightly to task as they try to justify their decision by saying the "political" events should not interfere with games.
He also turns his pointed pen on college officials and how they use and abuse student athletes, preparing them for neither life without athletics nor life in pro sports. They want to profit from these young athletes, but give little back in return. He finds the hypocrisy palpable.
Red Smith was at his best talking about people. His columns about fishing with his son, and later his grandson are quiet and lyrical. In these columns he is as good as any essayist he looked up to, including E. B. White.
Red Smith was also great friends with San Diego's Jack Murphy, and nice local connection.
For decades Smith produced 7 columns a week, a tremendous amount of output. He was a craftsman, working hard on every column. The works shows.
Movie-2006 Academy Award Short Films Collection
I have mentioned before how much I enjoy these collections of short films that have been nominated for the Oscar. Until recently we have heard of these films during the ceremony, but they have not been available for the general audience. And I ma glad that has changed.
The 2006 Academy Award Short Films Collection includes all of the live action film as well as the animated ones (the Extras has some of the animated collection). The films are from all over the world and are imaginative and often quite funny.
The winner of the live action film was the uproarious West Bank Story. A take off on musicals in general and West Side Story in particular, this film pits the owners and workers of two fast food restaurants, the Kosher King run by Israelis, and the Hummus Hut, run by Palestinians, against each other. But Fatima and David fall in love. It is laugh out loud funny...the songs and the music are perfect (I loved the fiddler on the roof of the Kosher King), and the whole story is subversive and if it was not so funny, could be offensive.
My other favorite was "eramos pocos" from Spain. A very surprising story wonderfully acted. All the live action films were good, one from Norway-Canada, one from Australia and one from Senegal (made in conjunction with UNICEF).
The animated features are always interesting, though I did not like the Oscar winner, A Danish Poet as much as A Gentleman's Duel, The Guidedog (which is just funny) and One Rat Short. But I enjoyed getting to watch every one.
I highly recommend all the collections of Oscar nominated short films that are out there. I only have last years collection to catch up on. The offer an aspect of film-making that does not always get the acclaim and the recognition it deserves.
The 2006 Academy Award Short Films Collection includes all of the live action film as well as the animated ones (the Extras has some of the animated collection). The films are from all over the world and are imaginative and often quite funny.
The winner of the live action film was the uproarious West Bank Story. A take off on musicals in general and West Side Story in particular, this film pits the owners and workers of two fast food restaurants, the Kosher King run by Israelis, and the Hummus Hut, run by Palestinians, against each other. But Fatima and David fall in love. It is laugh out loud funny...the songs and the music are perfect (I loved the fiddler on the roof of the Kosher King), and the whole story is subversive and if it was not so funny, could be offensive.
My other favorite was "eramos pocos" from Spain. A very surprising story wonderfully acted. All the live action films were good, one from Norway-Canada, one from Australia and one from Senegal (made in conjunction with UNICEF).
The animated features are always interesting, though I did not like the Oscar winner, A Danish Poet as much as A Gentleman's Duel, The Guidedog (which is just funny) and One Rat Short. But I enjoyed getting to watch every one.
I highly recommend all the collections of Oscar nominated short films that are out there. I only have last years collection to catch up on. The offer an aspect of film-making that does not always get the acclaim and the recognition it deserves.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
TV-TV 2008 Season Premiers- Life On Mars
Life on Mars is the second of the new shows I am trying this season. A cop drama with a twist. Starring Jason O'Mara (who Sharlynn says is pretty easy on the eyes) as a cop named Sam Tyler, the series throws this twist in. While searching for a serial killer Sam gets walloped by a speeding vehicle. he wakes up to find himself in 1973...still a cop, but with no idea what the hell is going on.
Sam makes his way to the precinct were his ID says he works and is surrounded but a great 1970's set. And the cast with him at this time is very good too. Michael Imperioli, Harvey Keitel and Gretchen Mol all a fine actors.
So the show has great sets, great actors a pretty good premise (and a fantastic
70's soundtrack)---why did I not think it is great?
First of all, there was some poor writing in the scenes set in 2008. The cops haul in this serial killer suspect and the guys lawyer tosses them a DVD from a casino showing the suspect gambling at the time of one of the murders. And the cops just accept it, a judge just accepts it and lets him go free? C'mon---like they would not take days investigating this coming from a defense lawyer. Turns out, it is not the suspect, but his twin brother, and the cops are surprised. Really? They have been investigating this guys for awhile, and they don't know he has a twin? Not at all plausible.
It got better as they went back in time, but while I am intrigued a bit (and will watch 3 episodes before I decide) it is not quite doing it for me. It seems over done, the cops in 1973 almost a vigilantes---like there were not Miranda rights back then.
And for me, I remember 1973. And while the sets were great, the immersion is overdone. Where ever Sam walks in the streets there are flower children crowding the sidewalks and hippies all over. Again, really? You couldn't swing a cat and not run into a 70's stereotype on those streets.
I will update after three episodes, but based on #1, I am not sure I will continue on this trip.
Sam makes his way to the precinct were his ID says he works and is surrounded but a great 1970's set. And the cast with him at this time is very good too. Michael Imperioli, Harvey Keitel and Gretchen Mol all a fine actors.
So the show has great sets, great actors a pretty good premise (and a fantastic
70's soundtrack)---why did I not think it is great?
First of all, there was some poor writing in the scenes set in 2008. The cops haul in this serial killer suspect and the guys lawyer tosses them a DVD from a casino showing the suspect gambling at the time of one of the murders. And the cops just accept it, a judge just accepts it and lets him go free? C'mon---like they would not take days investigating this coming from a defense lawyer. Turns out, it is not the suspect, but his twin brother, and the cops are surprised. Really? They have been investigating this guys for awhile, and they don't know he has a twin? Not at all plausible.
It got better as they went back in time, but while I am intrigued a bit (and will watch 3 episodes before I decide) it is not quite doing it for me. It seems over done, the cops in 1973 almost a vigilantes---like there were not Miranda rights back then.
And for me, I remember 1973. And while the sets were great, the immersion is overdone. Where ever Sam walks in the streets there are flower children crowding the sidewalks and hippies all over. Again, really? You couldn't swing a cat and not run into a 70's stereotype on those streets.
I will update after three episodes, but based on #1, I am not sure I will continue on this trip.
TV-TV 2008 Season Premiers- CSI
I was anticipating the premier of CSI with great trepidation. Because with the death of Warrick Brown, two of the original five team members have left the show. And the death of this character will now precipitate the departure of another character, Gil Grissom, played wonderfully by William Petersen.
The show was very good. Jorja Fox reappeared as Sara Sidle, to be with the rest of the team as they tried to find the killer. I actually was surprised they found him so quickly. I expected this to take a few episodes.
But this will be my last season watching the show. The character of Gil Grissom was what gave this show its originality, and is why I cannot abide the other two CSIs. It is about the work of a scientist who uses science to solve crimes. He is not a cop, and does not act like one. With William Petersen's departure later in the season, that aspect of the show is gone. As will be 3/5ths of the original team.
While I know they have Laurence Fishburn waiting in the wings, I don't want to see the new CSI. The remaining cast members are OK...I love Marg Helgenberger (have I mentioned I met her---yummy) and she is fine. But Nick Stokes has always been my least favorite character in the show.
So CSI will be off my list next season. While the premier is strong, I don't like the changes they have made (and are still making) so I will be a consumer and stop watching.
The show was very good. Jorja Fox reappeared as Sara Sidle, to be with the rest of the team as they tried to find the killer. I actually was surprised they found him so quickly. I expected this to take a few episodes.
But this will be my last season watching the show. The character of Gil Grissom was what gave this show its originality, and is why I cannot abide the other two CSIs. It is about the work of a scientist who uses science to solve crimes. He is not a cop, and does not act like one. With William Petersen's departure later in the season, that aspect of the show is gone. As will be 3/5ths of the original team.
While I know they have Laurence Fishburn waiting in the wings, I don't want to see the new CSI. The remaining cast members are OK...I love Marg Helgenberger (have I mentioned I met her---yummy) and she is fine. But Nick Stokes has always been my least favorite character in the show.
So CSI will be off my list next season. While the premier is strong, I don't like the changes they have made (and are still making) so I will be a consumer and stop watching.
Movie-Darkness
OK...I shoulda listened. All the movie critics, and all the reviewers on Netflix said this was a bad one. Did I listen? Noooooo.
I thought, well, the main stars are good. I like Anna Paquin, and I REALLY like Lena Olin---how bad could this be? I shoulda listened.
Darkness is bad. You may be fooled by the first 30 minutes or so...but don't be. The plot is terrible...a playoff of The Shining...big old house, slightly crazy dad. But the plot loses it from there. Stupid characterizations, especially of Lena Olin, playing the mother in this family. It is beyond belief stupid.
Anna Paquin acts like she is in a sixth grade play. Terrible.
I heard that they delayed the release of this film onto DVD because they knew it stunk.
Let me tell you...don't be tempted. This a bad movie. Do not rent this film. Don't do what I did...I really shoulda listened.
I thought, well, the main stars are good. I like Anna Paquin, and I REALLY like Lena Olin---how bad could this be? I shoulda listened.
Darkness is bad. You may be fooled by the first 30 minutes or so...but don't be. The plot is terrible...a playoff of The Shining...big old house, slightly crazy dad. But the plot loses it from there. Stupid characterizations, especially of Lena Olin, playing the mother in this family. It is beyond belief stupid.
Anna Paquin acts like she is in a sixth grade play. Terrible.
I heard that they delayed the release of this film onto DVD because they knew it stunk.
Let me tell you...don't be tempted. This a bad movie. Do not rent this film. Don't do what I did...I really shoulda listened.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
3 Magazines
National Geographic ( October) was quite good, with a great cover story about Neanderthals: The Other Humans. One amazing thing is that they have been able to extract DNA from some recent fossil discoveries. What if they could clone that? It turns out this species was not nearly as dumb as they have often been portrayed, and it still remains a mystery as to why we survived and they did not. All the other articles were good too, especially the article about India's new highway system.
Playboy (October) was a standard issue. Two pieces especially stood out, the article about the use of Adderall on college campuses, and the conclusion of the Noir novel by Denis Johnson, "Nobody Move." A great conclusion to this four part novel, it of course ended fast and furious.
Zoonooz (October) was pretty standard (which is not really a compliment for this publication). The redesign is coming in January, and I hope it looks and reads a lot better.
Playboy (October) was a standard issue. Two pieces especially stood out, the article about the use of Adderall on college campuses, and the conclusion of the Noir novel by Denis Johnson, "Nobody Move." A great conclusion to this four part novel, it of course ended fast and furious.
Zoonooz (October) was pretty standard (which is not really a compliment for this publication). The redesign is coming in January, and I hope it looks and reads a lot better.
Movie-The Golden Compass
Another CGI filled extravaganza, The Golden Compass (2007)created some controversy when it came out, particularly among Catholics who saw it as a criticism of their faith. And while I could see that if a read into it really closely, it was really a children's story brought to life with some moral overtones about dictatorship woven into the story.
Starring Nicole Kidman, and an underused Daniel Craig, The Golden Compass young girl who seems to have a great destiny...she seems a chosen one, a fulfillment of some prophesies, especially since she can read a device that show the truth, the golden compass.
She has various adventures, gathering allies along the way in a fairly typical fantasy quest movie, (a la Lord of the Rings). The CGI is good, not quite as good as the Narnia movies) but not bad at all either. The story line was engaging and the acting was fine (admittedly, acting is not always great in this genre).
I liked the movie fine, but did not really like the abrupt ending and TOTALLY unresolved story lines (with hopes for several sequels I am sure). I think the complaints by religious factions was pretty dumb, and actually made more people see that possible undertone, than if they had just shut up (something most religions find hard to do).
In sequels, they will have to step up the story line and the acting to keep up and to keep the series moving.
Starring Nicole Kidman, and an underused Daniel Craig, The Golden Compass young girl who seems to have a great destiny...she seems a chosen one, a fulfillment of some prophesies, especially since she can read a device that show the truth, the golden compass.
She has various adventures, gathering allies along the way in a fairly typical fantasy quest movie, (a la Lord of the Rings). The CGI is good, not quite as good as the Narnia movies) but not bad at all either. The story line was engaging and the acting was fine (admittedly, acting is not always great in this genre).
I liked the movie fine, but did not really like the abrupt ending and TOTALLY unresolved story lines (with hopes for several sequels I am sure). I think the complaints by religious factions was pretty dumb, and actually made more people see that possible undertone, than if they had just shut up (something most religions find hard to do).
In sequels, they will have to step up the story line and the acting to keep up and to keep the series moving.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Movie-Zero Day
Zero Day (2003) was pretty praised by many critics. A movie that looks like it was shot by two teenagers, recording their own actions---their actions being the planning of a Columbine-like attack on their local high school.
While I think the movie is going for shocking, to me it bordered on arrogant, and self-satisfied. The POV camera movement was just irritating and cried out saying "look at me, I am an Indie film." The story, which could have had some relevant message seemed to wallow in the "there is no explanation realm" of these things just happen, it it felt to me like a complete and total cop-out.
The knee jerk reaction that there is no way to understand the motivation of anyone doing this act is to shirk any responsibility; from parents, from teachers and from our violent laden society. There are reasons people commit violence...it takes something deeper than this movie to find it maybe, but to say that there are no reasons we can understand---not condone at all, but understand---is also to say that we cannot change things.
While Zero Day tries to do something a bit original, it sells away that creativity by taking a stupid approach, a simplistic approach, to a complicated issue. I actually am sorry that I watched this movie.
While I think the movie is going for shocking, to me it bordered on arrogant, and self-satisfied. The POV camera movement was just irritating and cried out saying "look at me, I am an Indie film." The story, which could have had some relevant message seemed to wallow in the "there is no explanation realm" of these things just happen, it it felt to me like a complete and total cop-out.
The knee jerk reaction that there is no way to understand the motivation of anyone doing this act is to shirk any responsibility; from parents, from teachers and from our violent laden society. There are reasons people commit violence...it takes something deeper than this movie to find it maybe, but to say that there are no reasons we can understand---not condone at all, but understand---is also to say that we cannot change things.
While Zero Day tries to do something a bit original, it sells away that creativity by taking a stupid approach, a simplistic approach, to a complicated issue. I actually am sorry that I watched this movie.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
TV-TV 2008 Season Premiers- Dirty Sexy Money
Dirty Sexy Money is a guilty pleasure. It is a soap opera about a powerful rich family, the Darlings, led by an amazing Donald Sutherland. But to say that the Darlings don't need help, is like saying Sarah Palin is on top of policy issues: It just ain't true!
The Darlings are as in trouble as any family on TV...whether it is the son running for the Senate that has a transsexual mistress, or the daughter that goes from affair to affair, or the twins, who have never had, and never want responsibility. And so the Darlings need a keeper for their zoo. And that keeper is their reluctant family lawyer, Nick, played by Peter Krause.
He does not want to be the family lawyer...his father was before him, and he saw how that destroyed his father's life. But when the Darlings make an offer he can't refuse (millions to charities of his choice) he goes ahead and works for them.
This is escapist TV at some of its best. And the premiere totally lived up to last season, probably surpassing it in its excess. Krause plays Nick very well, and Sutherland is at the top of his game as the head of the Darlings, spinning his webs and oozing with money and mock concern.
Dirty Sexy Money may be the best prime time soap opera since Dallas, and it may be better because of its rich infusion of humor.
Fun TV, that is for sure.
The Darlings are as in trouble as any family on TV...whether it is the son running for the Senate that has a transsexual mistress, or the daughter that goes from affair to affair, or the twins, who have never had, and never want responsibility. And so the Darlings need a keeper for their zoo. And that keeper is their reluctant family lawyer, Nick, played by Peter Krause.
He does not want to be the family lawyer...his father was before him, and he saw how that destroyed his father's life. But when the Darlings make an offer he can't refuse (millions to charities of his choice) he goes ahead and works for them.
This is escapist TV at some of its best. And the premiere totally lived up to last season, probably surpassing it in its excess. Krause plays Nick very well, and Sutherland is at the top of his game as the head of the Darlings, spinning his webs and oozing with money and mock concern.
Dirty Sexy Money may be the best prime time soap opera since Dallas, and it may be better because of its rich infusion of humor.
Fun TV, that is for sure.
TV-TV 2008 Season Premiers- Pushing Daisies
I am afraid that while most of the season premiers have been winners this year, I was a bit disappointed with Pushing Daisies. I was a huge advocate for this show last season---it is original and odd, it has great pathos and quirky humor. It is wonderfully filmed, and amazing to watch.
But the season premiere was---well---so so.
The strange concept of Pushing Daisies is a man who runs a pie shop, The Pie Hole (that always make me chuckle). Ned is in an odd predicament...he has a power that can bring the dead back to life...but the cost of that is that someone else dies in their place if he brings them back for more than one minute. Further, if they stay alive...he can never touch that person again, or they die forever.
Now this would not be a concept for a show that runs on the funny side, and yet, because of the creative team, it works like a fairy tale...wonderfully odd, and so full of funny quirky moments. Lee Pace a great actor plays Ned, and with him is Anna Friel, the woman he loves (Chuck is her name), but cannot touch because he brought her back to life.
This part of the story line is exceptionally strong. The two long for each other, but spend their time avoiding each other's touch. The chemistry between the two is amazing. Also in supporting roles are Chi McBride and Kristin Chenoweth...both very good.
And I have to mention Digby...the best dog actor around right now.
I hope the show gets better than the first episode. It is fresh and different and like nothing else on TV, visually or in narrative.
But the season premiere was---well---so so.
The strange concept of Pushing Daisies is a man who runs a pie shop, The Pie Hole (that always make me chuckle). Ned is in an odd predicament...he has a power that can bring the dead back to life...but the cost of that is that someone else dies in their place if he brings them back for more than one minute. Further, if they stay alive...he can never touch that person again, or they die forever.
Now this would not be a concept for a show that runs on the funny side, and yet, because of the creative team, it works like a fairy tale...wonderfully odd, and so full of funny quirky moments. Lee Pace a great actor plays Ned, and with him is Anna Friel, the woman he loves (Chuck is her name), but cannot touch because he brought her back to life.
This part of the story line is exceptionally strong. The two long for each other, but spend their time avoiding each other's touch. The chemistry between the two is amazing. Also in supporting roles are Chi McBride and Kristin Chenoweth...both very good.
And I have to mention Digby...the best dog actor around right now.
I hope the show gets better than the first episode. It is fresh and different and like nothing else on TV, visually or in narrative.
TV-TV 2008 Season Premiers- Chuck
I think Chuck is one of the best shows on TV. The satire of spy shows is great fun, and stars Zachary Levi as Chuck, a normal nerd who inexplicably gets all the nations top secret security intel downloaded into his brain. Then the computer that contains this info gets destroyed. So now Chuck is in a tough spot, for as much as he wants to stay at the electronics store (the Buy More) where he works and leads the Nerd Herd computer repair team, he now has to use the data in his head to help the various security agencies.
Levi is great in this role---earnest, likable, funny and touchingly nice too. He kind of gets off on the idea of being a spy, but when push comes to shove, and a gun is pointed at him...well, that ain't so great.
He is assigned two handlers by two different security agencies. The very yummy Yvonne Strahovski as Sarah. She wants to help Chuck, and of course, Chuck wants to kiss her. (It does not hurt that Strahovski seems to be wearing fewer clothes this season, a trend that I hope continues). The other agent is not so pro-Chuck. Casey, played perfectly by Adam Baldwin, is iron-jawed and steely-eyed, and would be as likely to kill Chuck (or at least seriously injure him) as to help him if he was given that assignment.
Great supporting roles, and a mixture of action, sweet moments and comedy make Chuck one of my favorite shows. This season's premier has done nothing to hurt that standing, in fact, it has come back very strong, and I really look forward to it on Monday nights. I hope the audience gets bigger for this very good show.
Levi is great in this role---earnest, likable, funny and touchingly nice too. He kind of gets off on the idea of being a spy, but when push comes to shove, and a gun is pointed at him...well, that ain't so great.
He is assigned two handlers by two different security agencies. The very yummy Yvonne Strahovski as Sarah. She wants to help Chuck, and of course, Chuck wants to kiss her. (It does not hurt that Strahovski seems to be wearing fewer clothes this season, a trend that I hope continues). The other agent is not so pro-Chuck. Casey, played perfectly by Adam Baldwin, is iron-jawed and steely-eyed, and would be as likely to kill Chuck (or at least seriously injure him) as to help him if he was given that assignment.
Great supporting roles, and a mixture of action, sweet moments and comedy make Chuck one of my favorite shows. This season's premier has done nothing to hurt that standing, in fact, it has come back very strong, and I really look forward to it on Monday nights. I hope the audience gets bigger for this very good show.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Book-I Know This Much is True
Wally Lamb serves a fantastic book in I Know This Much is True. The story of identical twins, Dominick and Thomas Birdsey. At age 40, long-time schizophrenic, Thomas, cuts off his hand in a public library to protest the coming war in Iraq. His action triggers an array of events that takes us into the mental health system, Thomas's tortured mind, and much more intriguing, into Dominick's trip to save his brother, and himself, by examining the life the two have lived, their past with a difficult stepfather and harelipped mother.
Lamb writes as close to a perfect book as imaginable. The pacing, the interlocking stories of present and past, the narrative, all combine for a tour de force, a 900 page blockbuster that made me laugh and cry and empathise with these very real characters.
Key to the narrative is Dominick. His feeling of protectiveness and anger toward his twin, and his guilt for the anger, provide a compelling story that examines the fragile and yet resilient human psyche. While the feelings of Dominick are provided in the context of twins, it is true that every relationship has many of these same complexities, the same feelings of self-loathing for feeling anger toward one we love, the same feelings of wanting freedom and yet wanting to protect.
This was an amazing book. It is not small, but you are so drawn into it you want to keep turning the pages and keep reading, even though you know you need to turn off the light to get to work tomorrow morning.
Lamb has one other book out, She's Come Undone, which I have not read yet, and another coming out before the end of the year. A great story written brilliantly, I recommend this heartily.
Lamb writes as close to a perfect book as imaginable. The pacing, the interlocking stories of present and past, the narrative, all combine for a tour de force, a 900 page blockbuster that made me laugh and cry and empathise with these very real characters.
Key to the narrative is Dominick. His feeling of protectiveness and anger toward his twin, and his guilt for the anger, provide a compelling story that examines the fragile and yet resilient human psyche. While the feelings of Dominick are provided in the context of twins, it is true that every relationship has many of these same complexities, the same feelings of self-loathing for feeling anger toward one we love, the same feelings of wanting freedom and yet wanting to protect.
This was an amazing book. It is not small, but you are so drawn into it you want to keep turning the pages and keep reading, even though you know you need to turn off the light to get to work tomorrow morning.
Lamb has one other book out, She's Come Undone, which I have not read yet, and another coming out before the end of the year. A great story written brilliantly, I recommend this heartily.
Movie-Birth
Starring Nicole Kidman, Birth (2004) is an uncomfortable movie, with a high "Ewwwwww" factor.
The story is about Kidman's character, who is getting remarried after the death of her first husband. Suddenly, this 10-year-old kid appears proclaiming to her dead husband (who she still loves). Her fiancee, family and friends all are astonished that she seems to believe this weird kid. And the audience members are a bit astonished too, because though the kid does seem to know things, it never seems real that she would believe him.
The "ewwwww" factor comes when she starts becoming physically close to the boy. They are naked in a tub together, looking at each other lovingly. She wants to run away with him, and wait until he is of age and marry him. Very uncomfortable watching this, and more so, because you don't really believe she would believe it.
A good supporting cast is wasted...Lauren Becall, Anne Heche, Danny Huston, all the roles seem fairly mundane. And Kidman seems to be unclear as to which way to play this character. Is she crazy herself? Is she just really dumb and gullible? Is she still obsessed with her first love? So she plays it all ways, and it just does not work.
I would not recommend Birth, except on a curiosity basis. Even a week later I am still thinking, "ewwww."
The story is about Kidman's character, who is getting remarried after the death of her first husband. Suddenly, this 10-year-old kid appears proclaiming to her dead husband (who she still loves). Her fiancee, family and friends all are astonished that she seems to believe this weird kid. And the audience members are a bit astonished too, because though the kid does seem to know things, it never seems real that she would believe him.
The "ewwwww" factor comes when she starts becoming physically close to the boy. They are naked in a tub together, looking at each other lovingly. She wants to run away with him, and wait until he is of age and marry him. Very uncomfortable watching this, and more so, because you don't really believe she would believe it.
A good supporting cast is wasted...Lauren Becall, Anne Heche, Danny Huston, all the roles seem fairly mundane. And Kidman seems to be unclear as to which way to play this character. Is she crazy herself? Is she just really dumb and gullible? Is she still obsessed with her first love? So she plays it all ways, and it just does not work.
I would not recommend Birth, except on a curiosity basis. Even a week later I am still thinking, "ewwww."
Adams Avenue Street Fair
Last weekend we went to the Adams Avenue Street Fair and had a lot of fun. About 6 blocks of booths and great bands performing at almost every corner. This neighborhood is getting better and better, and we enjoyed also seeing all the businesses that have moved into the neighborhood.
One interesting thing, there were three of four Obama booths (where we got our Obama buttons and bumper stickers) and only one, very lonely McCain booth. Everyone seemed to be avoiding them like the plague. Not a scientific observation, but an interesting one nonetheless, considering what that might presage for McCain.
One interesting thing, there were three of four Obama booths (where we got our Obama buttons and bumper stickers) and only one, very lonely McCain booth. Everyone seemed to be avoiding them like the plague. Not a scientific observation, but an interesting one nonetheless, considering what that might presage for McCain.
TV-Fringe Update
I have watched three episodes of Fringe and we both agree that it is added to our viewing list. While I still think it could go bad fast, the storylines have been consistently good, and the relationships between the characters are very interesting.
So Fringe is in.
So Fringe is in.
Movie-The Orphanage
There are many horror movies that come to screens every year, but I haven't seen one this good in a long time. The Orphanage (2007) is a Spanish film, produced by Guillermo del Toro who also did Pan's Labyrinth, that really is scary and is not gory at all. Instead it relies on a great script, very good acting, and a well thought our story that actually makes some sense, a rarity in the horror genre.
A woman and her husband move into an abandoned orphanage with hopes of making it a home for challenged children. A beautiful, large house, this is where she grew up until she was adopted. And her goal is to do for other children, to repay, so to speak, for the good that was done to her.
But there are things that happened at this place after she left that she does not know, and her adopted son is about to find out.
As I said, the strength of the horror is that it does make sense...the why and how is covered pretty well. There always has to be some suspension of disbelief for a horror movie, but it is minimal in this script. The filming is lush, taking in the house. And again, the acting is superb.
This is not only a top-notch horror flick, but a very good and well made peice of film.
A woman and her husband move into an abandoned orphanage with hopes of making it a home for challenged children. A beautiful, large house, this is where she grew up until she was adopted. And her goal is to do for other children, to repay, so to speak, for the good that was done to her.
But there are things that happened at this place after she left that she does not know, and her adopted son is about to find out.
As I said, the strength of the horror is that it does make sense...the why and how is covered pretty well. There always has to be some suspension of disbelief for a horror movie, but it is minimal in this script. The filming is lush, taking in the house. And again, the acting is superb.
This is not only a top-notch horror flick, but a very good and well made peice of film.
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