It's a good thing I don't have a boss for my blog. I am once again leaving for a trip and ignoring the blog for a weekend. This week's picks will have to last you until the second weekend in April. I'm sure you all will get through just fine without me, though.
Film: 21
While I do go to the movies often, it's really quite rare that I go to a movie opening weekend. I'm not against it; my schedule just doesn't often work out. Yesterday, however, I went to see 21. I have to say, it's a fun film. If you're looking for something to do on a lazy afternoon or for a date night, I whole-heartedly endorse Robert Luketic's little film. The story is rather predictable but Kevin Spacey and Laurence Fishburne look like they're having fun. After you've seen 21, I recommend that you try and catch the History Channel documentary, Breaking Vegas. The doc is the true story of the MIT students who counted cards in Vegas.
Book: Josie and Jack
This 2005 novel by Kelly Braffet is marketed as a modern-day Hansel and Gretel story. I would call it a retelling of Flowers in the Attic but grittier. Josie and Jack are siblings who may or may not be more intimate than is acceptable. They are raised by an abusive and brilliant physicist father who leaves them alone during the week. They are home-schooled and spend most of their time either drunk or high. When things go badly at home, they run away to New York City. There Jack uses sex to get them a place to live but things only go from bad to worse. This isn't a novel for the feint-of-heart but it's a really well-written story. It was a recommendation from Powell's books, I believe, and I'm glad I read it, even if I had to watch a happy HGTV home-improvement show after finishing it.
Television: Top Gear
BBC is once again appearing in my blog. On Matt's recommendation, I have started watching Top Gear. At first I was hesitant because I don't care about cars. But I am a convert. The show isn't really about cars so much as it is about the three very funny hosts (plus, Richard is a total hottie). I've only been watching a couple of weeks now, but my favorite episode is definitely where they race across part of Africa in beaten-down, deconstructed cars. I laughed the whole time! This show is indeed about cars, but it is also about three guys having a lot of fun going as fast as possible. You all should definitely check it out.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Happy Easter!
I'm back from my two-week hiatus. Since I was on vacation for part of that time, I have had a chance to catch up on my pop culture intake. Here are the top three from the last two weeks:
Film: Night Watch
I know this Russian horror film got mixed reviews but I liked it! The film is about Others, humans who develop (which is not technically the right term) special abilities like shape-shifting and seeing. There are Light Others and Dark Others with both sides monitoring each other. This first film in Director Timur Bekmambetov's trilogy focuses on the coming of the Great Other, who will bring destruction or something to the world. Really, it's not important. What I liked about this film is the effects. It's a little Blade Runner meets Japenese horror meets The Matrix. The sequel, Day Watch came out in 2006 (Night Watch is from 2004) so that is now on my Netflix list. Twilight Watch, the final film of the trilogy, is currently in production.
Television: My Big Redneck Wedding
My mother introduced me to this show. Apparently she was channel-surfing one night and came across it. I cannot honestly describe this show adequately. It's like a 10-car pileup with dead bodies hanging out the windows: you don't want to watch but you do and then you're mortified at yourself for slowing down long enough to get an eye-full. Seriously, the show is that bad. One episode featured the bride in cammo. Another had the groom going out to hut wild pig for a bachelor party with the pig to be used for the wedding meal. Yep. That's right, folks. The show is on CMT and you can catch it randomly on Saturday afternoons. I'm sure it's on at other times, though. Really, your life will not be complete until you watch this show at least once.
Book: The Fourth Bear
This is Jasper Fforde's sequel to The Big Over Easy. I've posted my love for Fforde before and it has only increased. The second of the Nursery Crime series, The Fourth Bear sees DCI Jack Spratt and Mary Mary trying to simultaneously track down the dreaded serial killer The Gingerbreadman and determine who killed Goldilocks. As they go about their business, Jack must deal with his new neighbors Punch and Judy, who do nothing but fight, and Caliban, who is currently living under his stairs. In addition, his daughter Pandora is getting ready to marry Prometheus the Titan. All of this is just another day for Jack, and he and Mary soon prove that the Nursery Crime Devision is a necessary component of the Reading police force. If you have not yet taken my advice and read a Jasper Fforde book, do so immediately!
Film: Night Watch
I know this Russian horror film got mixed reviews but I liked it! The film is about Others, humans who develop (which is not technically the right term) special abilities like shape-shifting and seeing. There are Light Others and Dark Others with both sides monitoring each other. This first film in Director Timur Bekmambetov's trilogy focuses on the coming of the Great Other, who will bring destruction or something to the world. Really, it's not important. What I liked about this film is the effects. It's a little Blade Runner meets Japenese horror meets The Matrix. The sequel, Day Watch came out in 2006 (Night Watch is from 2004) so that is now on my Netflix list. Twilight Watch, the final film of the trilogy, is currently in production.
Television: My Big Redneck Wedding
My mother introduced me to this show. Apparently she was channel-surfing one night and came across it. I cannot honestly describe this show adequately. It's like a 10-car pileup with dead bodies hanging out the windows: you don't want to watch but you do and then you're mortified at yourself for slowing down long enough to get an eye-full. Seriously, the show is that bad. One episode featured the bride in cammo. Another had the groom going out to hut wild pig for a bachelor party with the pig to be used for the wedding meal. Yep. That's right, folks. The show is on CMT and you can catch it randomly on Saturday afternoons. I'm sure it's on at other times, though. Really, your life will not be complete until you watch this show at least once.
Book: The Fourth Bear
This is Jasper Fforde's sequel to The Big Over Easy. I've posted my love for Fforde before and it has only increased. The second of the Nursery Crime series, The Fourth Bear sees DCI Jack Spratt and Mary Mary trying to simultaneously track down the dreaded serial killer The Gingerbreadman and determine who killed Goldilocks. As they go about their business, Jack must deal with his new neighbors Punch and Judy, who do nothing but fight, and Caliban, who is currently living under his stairs. In addition, his daughter Pandora is getting ready to marry Prometheus the Titan. All of this is just another day for Jack, and he and Mary soon prove that the Nursery Crime Devision is a necessary component of the Reading police force. If you have not yet taken my advice and read a Jasper Fforde book, do so immediately!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
March Came in Like a Lion
This week I am catching up on my reading and viewing, and it has been a good week. Well, it's been good for film and reading, anyway. Television is pretty much dead in the water - with the exception of tomorrow night's season finale of SCC - right now so I'm going to give you all two films and no television this week.
Film 1: Requiem
I didn't actually watch this film this week, but I've been meaning to get it up here for the past couple of weeks. This 2006 German film follows the life of Michaela, an epileptic girl heading off to college in the 1970s. She and her family are strict Catholics. Eventually, a priest confirms that Michaela's seizures are a sign of demons and begins a merciless series of exorcisms. The film is very interesting and intense. Sandra Huller (Michaela) is relatively new but she is amazing. Think physical acting a la Christian Bale in The Machinist. The film isn't a happy one, but you'll marvel at the starkness of Michaela's life in contrast to Director Hans-Christian Schmid's cinematic vision.
Film 2: The TV Set
I watched this one last night and loved it! This film - also from 2006 - follows Mike (David Duchovny), a writer, as he tries to have his new show produced and picked up for the fall season. Along the way he has to compromise on everything, including his integrity. If you like television and want to see a not-so-subtle ironic look at the medium, rent this film. It's sad, funny, and the ending will tear your heart out. Just how far will one man sacrifice his art for his family? The cast is huge with such folks as Sigourney Weaver and Ioan Gruffudd. And you'll never recognize Justine Bateman as Mike's wife, Natalie.
Books: The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass
I have finally finished Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. I found the books extremely enjoyable. But I have to say that I'm not sure I would have enjoyed them in my youth. In many ways, I had to read these books as an adult to truly appreciate them. Ten years ago I may have found them difficult to get into. Today, I think Pullman's criticism of organized religion is valid, although a little unfair at times. I do, however, really enjoy his view of spirtuality. His message is one of loyalty, bravery, and friendship and those are all things I can get behind. Unfortunately, not all people are quite so open-minded so I certainly understand where his criticism is coming from even if I don't agree with it. I hope The Golden Compass makes enough money overseas because I would really like to see what Director Chris Weitz could do with these books. (Incidentally, a quick look on imdb.com does not have The Subtle Knife in pre-production so things aren't looking positive.)
Okay folks, these picks are going to have to hold you for awhile. My family is visiting next weekend and I'll be traveling the weekend after that so I won't be back until Easter. In the meantime, watch and read lots! (And if you're looking for an Easter feast-for-the-eyes, let me once again put Babette's Feast up here as a suggestion. If you haven't seen it yet, you really should!)
Film 1: Requiem
I didn't actually watch this film this week, but I've been meaning to get it up here for the past couple of weeks. This 2006 German film follows the life of Michaela, an epileptic girl heading off to college in the 1970s. She and her family are strict Catholics. Eventually, a priest confirms that Michaela's seizures are a sign of demons and begins a merciless series of exorcisms. The film is very interesting and intense. Sandra Huller (Michaela) is relatively new but she is amazing. Think physical acting a la Christian Bale in The Machinist. The film isn't a happy one, but you'll marvel at the starkness of Michaela's life in contrast to Director Hans-Christian Schmid's cinematic vision.
Film 2: The TV Set
I watched this one last night and loved it! This film - also from 2006 - follows Mike (David Duchovny), a writer, as he tries to have his new show produced and picked up for the fall season. Along the way he has to compromise on everything, including his integrity. If you like television and want to see a not-so-subtle ironic look at the medium, rent this film. It's sad, funny, and the ending will tear your heart out. Just how far will one man sacrifice his art for his family? The cast is huge with such folks as Sigourney Weaver and Ioan Gruffudd. And you'll never recognize Justine Bateman as Mike's wife, Natalie.
Books: The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass
I have finally finished Philip Pullman's "His Dark Materials" trilogy. I found the books extremely enjoyable. But I have to say that I'm not sure I would have enjoyed them in my youth. In many ways, I had to read these books as an adult to truly appreciate them. Ten years ago I may have found them difficult to get into. Today, I think Pullman's criticism of organized religion is valid, although a little unfair at times. I do, however, really enjoy his view of spirtuality. His message is one of loyalty, bravery, and friendship and those are all things I can get behind. Unfortunately, not all people are quite so open-minded so I certainly understand where his criticism is coming from even if I don't agree with it. I hope The Golden Compass makes enough money overseas because I would really like to see what Director Chris Weitz could do with these books. (Incidentally, a quick look on imdb.com does not have The Subtle Knife in pre-production so things aren't looking positive.)
Okay folks, these picks are going to have to hold you for awhile. My family is visiting next weekend and I'll be traveling the weekend after that so I won't be back until Easter. In the meantime, watch and read lots! (And if you're looking for an Easter feast-for-the-eyes, let me once again put Babette's Feast up here as a suggestion. If you haven't seen it yet, you really should!)
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