I'm back after my two-week hiatus. This week was a tough one since I haven't watched any excellent movies or finished any excellent books. Therefore, I've decided to go with a few selections from earlier this year that have really stuck in my brain.
Film: Pan's Labyrinth
If you haven't seen Director Guillermo del Toro's film yet, DO SO IMMEDIATELY! I have never experienced a film like this. It's difficult to explain because it's so visual. Yes, I can say that it is one girl's fantasy as she deals with the hardships of her mother's death and a savage step-father, but that reduces the film itself to a badly-written tagline. The truth is, it doesn't matter what the film is "really" about. You see it not necessarily for the story - which is enjoyable - but for the costuming, cinematography, and effects. I saw it on the big screen and was overwhelmed. If you have the opportunity, watch it on a big-screen tv with surround sound. If you, like me, have a small television, sit close. Oh, and make sure you watch it with the lights off.
Book: Geek Love
Katherine Dunn's 2002 novel is a bit disturbing in parts but totally worth the ride. I should warn you that "geek" does not refer to a dork. Instead, she is writing about a family of sideshow freaks and the "geek" refers to the act where a person bites a head off a live chicken. That person, in the sideshow business, is called a geek. The family you read about is purposely disfigured. The mother uses various forms of drugs during her pregnancy to produce the best and most show-stopping results. The surviving children are Siamese twins, a fish-like boy, a hunchbacked albino, and Chick (no one knows what he really is). Before you think this book is deranged, as are the people in it, remember that a good text will make the consumer question society's standards of normality. Just who are the monsterss in this book? You might be surprised.
Television Show: Heroes
Last television year I started with three shows: Heroes, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, and some other new show that was cancelled (which didn't even impress me because I can't remember the title). Unfortunately, Studio 60 was cancelled because only smart people were watching it. Sigh... It was awesome. But Heroes continued and I was enthralled. The season finale left me screaming for more; the wait ahead seemed dreadful. But now we are just 29 hours away from a new season and I couldn't be more excited. I don't want to say too much because I know of at least one reader who is working her way through the DVDs. If you missed Season 1, rent it now and TiVO the new eps. It is well worth the time.
This new television season I will be watching two new shows: The Reaper on The CW and Pushing Daisies on ABC. Nope, I'm not watching the vampire detective show as it is just a rip-off of Forever Knight and Angel. Not interested.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Sometimes Oscar Gets It Right
This week's post will have to keep you going for two weeks. I am heading to Cleveland next weekend and won't be around to post anything new.
Film: The Last King of Scotland
It took me three days but I have finally finished Kevin Macdonald's film. (Spiders and a phone call from MG drew me away twice.) I don't know how historically accurate this film is and I don't care. Forest Whitaker is brilliant! I have loved Whitaker for some time now, actually since The Crying Game, but never have I been so in awe of his activing ability. He embodies Idi Amin. At times, I felt as if I was watching a documentary rather than a fictionalization. Wow! Not to mention, James McAvoy holds his own against Whitaker. (FYI, he was Mr. Tumnus, the Faun, in Chronicles of Narnia.) I'm not sure why Oscar voters passed over McAvoy, but if this film is any gauge, he'll be on the Oscar stage eventually.
Television: Big Love
Not having HBO - sigh - I watched the whole first season of this show over the summer. I know it's now in its second season, so don't tell me what is going on!!!! Anyway, it always amazes me when a work of fiction makes me think in a new way. That is exactly what happened this summer while watching Big Love. Although I am still no supporter of polygamy, the fictional Henrickson family makes it work, and that's what's so compelling about this show. Somehow the writers are able to make viewers get beyond the whole polygamy thing to the real story, which is about a family with regular family issues. Bill Paxton is good, but his three wives - played by Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny, and Ginnifer Goodwin - steal the show. Always excellent in supporting roles, Harry Dean Stanton really goes villainous as Roman Grant, head of a polygamous cult. His cult is the "how-not-to" be polygamous to the Henrickson's "how-to" family.
Book: V For Vendetta
I reread Alan Moore's brilliant graphic novel again recently. If you haven't read it but enjoyed the film, I strongly suggest picking it up. You'll be most suprised to find that the book begins with Parliament's explosion. There are also larger female roles, something Moore occasionally does well. (Moore's universe tends to be male-dominated.) I especially like the idea of the destroyer/creator dichotomy between V and Evey - very interesting in terms of male and female biological functions and gender stereotypes.
Film: The Last King of Scotland
It took me three days but I have finally finished Kevin Macdonald's film. (Spiders and a phone call from MG drew me away twice.) I don't know how historically accurate this film is and I don't care. Forest Whitaker is brilliant! I have loved Whitaker for some time now, actually since The Crying Game, but never have I been so in awe of his activing ability. He embodies Idi Amin. At times, I felt as if I was watching a documentary rather than a fictionalization. Wow! Not to mention, James McAvoy holds his own against Whitaker. (FYI, he was Mr. Tumnus, the Faun, in Chronicles of Narnia.) I'm not sure why Oscar voters passed over McAvoy, but if this film is any gauge, he'll be on the Oscar stage eventually.
Television: Big Love
Not having HBO - sigh - I watched the whole first season of this show over the summer. I know it's now in its second season, so don't tell me what is going on!!!! Anyway, it always amazes me when a work of fiction makes me think in a new way. That is exactly what happened this summer while watching Big Love. Although I am still no supporter of polygamy, the fictional Henrickson family makes it work, and that's what's so compelling about this show. Somehow the writers are able to make viewers get beyond the whole polygamy thing to the real story, which is about a family with regular family issues. Bill Paxton is good, but his three wives - played by Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloe Sevigny, and Ginnifer Goodwin - steal the show. Always excellent in supporting roles, Harry Dean Stanton really goes villainous as Roman Grant, head of a polygamous cult. His cult is the "how-not-to" be polygamous to the Henrickson's "how-to" family.
Book: V For Vendetta
I reread Alan Moore's brilliant graphic novel again recently. If you haven't read it but enjoyed the film, I strongly suggest picking it up. You'll be most suprised to find that the book begins with Parliament's explosion. There are also larger female roles, something Moore occasionally does well. (Moore's universe tends to be male-dominated.) I especially like the idea of the destroyer/creator dichotomy between V and Evey - very interesting in terms of male and female biological functions and gender stereotypes.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Is Blogging Labor?
I've survived the first week of class at a new school and still I find time for my weekly posts. Go figure! I have learned some interesting things this week including the fact that I am the only person in my Intro to Lit class to read Deathly Hallows and I am one of the few in the basic writing class to keep a blog. And on that note...
Book: Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities
Alexandra Robbins - who also gave the world the quarterlife crisis - followed four sorority girls for a year and tells their story in this book. Whether you are male or female, sorority alumnae or not, this book is a must! Yes, it will exploit some of the stereotypes that we all know and love: "Delta, Delta, Delta, can I help ya, help ya, help ya?" But it also presents an interesting look at the good and bad truths to being a member of an elite sisterhood. Never having been a sorority sister, I could still picture the scenarios as they played out during my undergrad years. While this book does not make me wish I pledged, it certainly gives me a deeper understanding of my students who do.
Movie: The Fountain
I need to start out by saying that this movie is not for the faint of heart. The director, Darren Aronofsky, may be one of the most interesting film directors today. The film is a challenge as viewers must negotiate three different story lines of the past, present, and future lives of both Hugh Jackman (who shows his acting chops here) and Rachel Weisz (who deserves all Oscars she may receive). I had to call my friend MG after watching just to talk about it. There will be as many interpretations as there are viewers. Once you rent it, call me so I can hear what you think Aronofsky is saying. This is one of the best reader response films I have seen lately, if not ever.
Television: Eureka
The reaction I may get here is, "Isn't that the silly show on Sci-Fi?" Yep. But just because it's on the Sci-Fi network does not mean you should avoid it. Entertainment Weekly calls the show a cross between Pickett Fences and The X-Files. I agree. It's kooky and mysterious and just plain fun. Set in Eureka, a town built by the government to foster brilliant people and their research, the show follows Sheriff Jack Carter - the only average Joe in town - as he tracks down the latest technological snafu that may just end the world as we know it. In addition, the show makes fun of itself by constantly recognizing that the same old scenarios keep occurring. If you're looking for something to watch on Tuesdays at 9, check it out. (And speaking of Pickett Fences, when are they going to rerun that one?)
Book: Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities
Alexandra Robbins - who also gave the world the quarterlife crisis - followed four sorority girls for a year and tells their story in this book. Whether you are male or female, sorority alumnae or not, this book is a must! Yes, it will exploit some of the stereotypes that we all know and love: "Delta, Delta, Delta, can I help ya, help ya, help ya?" But it also presents an interesting look at the good and bad truths to being a member of an elite sisterhood. Never having been a sorority sister, I could still picture the scenarios as they played out during my undergrad years. While this book does not make me wish I pledged, it certainly gives me a deeper understanding of my students who do.
Movie: The Fountain
I need to start out by saying that this movie is not for the faint of heart. The director, Darren Aronofsky, may be one of the most interesting film directors today. The film is a challenge as viewers must negotiate three different story lines of the past, present, and future lives of both Hugh Jackman (who shows his acting chops here) and Rachel Weisz (who deserves all Oscars she may receive). I had to call my friend MG after watching just to talk about it. There will be as many interpretations as there are viewers. Once you rent it, call me so I can hear what you think Aronofsky is saying. This is one of the best reader response films I have seen lately, if not ever.
Television: Eureka
The reaction I may get here is, "Isn't that the silly show on Sci-Fi?" Yep. But just because it's on the Sci-Fi network does not mean you should avoid it. Entertainment Weekly calls the show a cross between Pickett Fences and The X-Files. I agree. It's kooky and mysterious and just plain fun. Set in Eureka, a town built by the government to foster brilliant people and their research, the show follows Sheriff Jack Carter - the only average Joe in town - as he tracks down the latest technological snafu that may just end the world as we know it. In addition, the show makes fun of itself by constantly recognizing that the same old scenarios keep occurring. If you're looking for something to watch on Tuesdays at 9, check it out. (And speaking of Pickett Fences, when are they going to rerun that one?)
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