It's been a while! While The Graduate is busy collecting dust on top of the DVD player, here's a brief recap of Sunset Boulevard from a few weeks ago.
Parts of it were very old Hollywood, (or just Hollywood?) where the woman was 22 and the man was older and jaded about life. Including a scene where the main young woman Betty, was saying how she was 22 she was told there is "Nothing like being 22" which prompted me to think of T-Swift. So enjoy the interlude.
With that out of my system, the whole movie was very melancholy and reminded me of Catcher in the Rye, though I couldn't tell you why exactly. It was a creepy noir film, and it began at the end of the story, with some poor schmuck's body floating in a pool.
There was no real villain so much as the pressures of Hollywood and it's delusions create both a villain and a victim all in one. It's about age, the struggle to be respected as older, but revered as younger, and somewhat highlights the inequality of the old hag versus the silver fox. As I've mentioned before, if it's on the AFI list, there is probably a reason, and I support this choice (unlike Raging Bull that I really didn't get). Anyway, go see it, if only to be 22, which is a wonderful age.
On an unrelated note, I did read The Ocean At the End of the Lane once I got it, and it was beautiful, as I suspected it to be. I wanted it to be longer only because I didn't want it to end, but the story was really just the prefect length.
It's October, which means it's time for Hockey! My Panther's are off to a 1-2 start, with our home opener promising to kind of hurt because we are playing the Penguins. At the same time, we've been looking feisty, so I'm excited for pucks on the ice and some rat tricks! I even have two new books for hockey season. Hockey Tonk which is about the Nashville Predators (and also some other stuff, but really, it was $.50 and I couldn't resist the title) and Miami Ice about the Florida Panthers and our first awesome seasons!
So happy hockey and happy reading and happy 80 degree weather which is totally cool enough to warrant getting hot drinks at Starbucks again.
I know I've read some other things in between my last update and now, but I honestly can't remember them all. I did get to visit a little bookstore I enjoy in Nashville, and I picked up Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, though I haven't read it yet. I really want to find his Prague Cemetery which hasn't happened yet.
I seem to be doing a lot of my reading on planes of late, (as I mentioned previously, I seem to like to make myself want to cry whenever I fly) and I finished The History of Love by Nicole Krauss on the way to New York City. I had picked up History as part of my participation in World Book Night last year, and can I just say, there is a very good reason it was on there. The book is the story of how a book can unite and create relationships between people and the world around them. I love this kind of book (though I love all books to be fair).
I even got re-tweeted (which, yes, I dorkily was very proud of) by World Book Night last year.
This year, I gave away Bossypants by Tina Fey. I gave away the majority of the books as a contribution to the Milwaukee Secure Detention Facility, where I had been spending an awful lot of time as part of my internship with the State Public Defender. I hope they are enjoying the books.
Anyway, so I read History on my way to New York, where I was participating in the Great Saunter, along with my sister, some of her friends, and some lovelies from Vandy (Catherine, Kate and Lily!)
The Great Saunter is a walk around the rim of Manhattan, and quite the challenge, though we were up to it! The next day was rather painful though. https://shorewalkers.org/the-great-saunter-13
I'm not sure I'd be repeating it again, but it was interesting...as well as starting way too early. If you are up before the Starbucks is open in NYC...maybe it's time to go back to bed.
While in NYC, Saul was nice enough to come in from Long Island and meet us for Brunch! It was a short trip, but packed with people and events (including trying Cupcakes by Melissa and going to Serendipity III for some frozen hot chocolate) I even got to meet Chef Masaharu Morimoto at a cocktail hour!
On my return to Wisconsin, I was just starting 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami, which I had been given last year. Considering it's a fairly short flight, I made a decent dent in the book, which is mostly due to how well written it is, and how compelling the story is.
Unfortunately, I also had to deal with an odd seat mate who made my reading her business. She asked "Oh do you like to read big books?" by a random stranger on the plane. I would really recommend that one not speak to someone who is emerging from a book. It's like emerging from a dream or a different world...I need a few minutes to acclimate myself to this reality before I am ready for human interaction.
Regardless, I clearly only choose what to read based on the heft of a book and the danger it will pose if I choose to throw the book, or drop it on my foot. When I told Lily this, she then suggested that for my next plane trip I pick up Fountainhead.
Anyway, I put 1Q84 on hold so that I can bring it on my trip to California. I try and pretend that I can pack lightly when it comes to books...though then I tend to plow through them and get restless while I try and figure out what else I have to get my hands on.
To be fair, the book was originally published as 3 books, and only when it was published in the US was it published as a single book. If you are still looking to pick it up, I'd suggest getting either the copy that is 3 books rather than one or the e-book addition. In fact, just go for the e-book, as the hard cover is 928 pages.
On the alternative book fronts I've finally completed collecting Sandman and now I'm reading it. Can I just say, I love Neil Gaiman? Like seriously, have you read him? If not WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? Something clearly is.
Also relating to Neil Gaiman, I JUST realized he wrote the introduction for a book I adore, The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar.
I also have had this book for a long time before I think I knew who Neil Gaiman was, though I had already read his Instructions and had fallen in love.
Also in Miami: Me! I'm home for now, and I rearranged my bookshelves in my room and in the basement for the millionth, trillionth time. This time, I put the books I haven't read in my room, and the books I have read in the basement. All of these books are not including the majority of my collection (400+ books strong) in Wisconsin, and another several shelves of mine in our basement. My mom gave me an empty set of shelves...it isn't empty any longer. I might have an issue. Again, read the Buzzfeed Article.
On the movie end of things, I'm suppose to watch Psycho, which I'm actually a bit afraid of, despite knowing how it ends, and having seen the recent film, Hitchcock.
I have however seen Iron Man 3 and Star Trek: Into Darkness, because I am a fabulously cool person.
That's about all to report for now, I'm off to read a book now.
Finished both The Book Thief and Archer's Goon, by Markus Zusak and Dianna Wynne Jones, respectively. The Book Thief wasn't on my list, but it caught my eye. It's a tribute, a supposition a...I'm not sure what. But it's beautiful and haunting and makes me want to hope and want to cry. Jesse Owens, a boy with the hair the color of lemons, a book thief, a fist fighter, an accordion, the war. Book Thief made me want to start sobbing, which was unacceptable, as I was on a PLANE at the time. Oh dear. It was brilliantly written.Even though it was a best seller in 2006, (and boy does that apparently make me behind with the times) I really recommend you pick it up and read it. The narrator is Death, which is fitting given that the story takes place in Germany during the war. It's also a reminder that there are no innocents in war. But there is still hope. Also, the whole death-narrator thing reminded me slightly of Terry Pratchett's Discworld, but it's not quite the same.
Similarly, I saw Emperor which apparently came out in 2012, but is only getting around to theaters these days? It's very good though, and it reminded me of why I chose to major in Asian Studies in the first place (even if part of that was because of the amazing professors). It also reminded me of a letter I read from 1945, after the war was over. The person writing it was an American girl, writing to an American solider stationed in Japan during the war. She thought everyone should hang. He didn't quite agree, though he never said so in as many words. I won't presume to put words in his mouth, especially not so many years later, but I think that he didn't percieve the war as being a black-and-white issue, which is also part of where the film was coming from. I really liked that.
EDITED: I forgot to mention, I generally don't wear Aviators because of General MacArthur. That is my actual, 100% true reason.
Archer's Goon is the complete opposite, something nice and light that I had been wanting to read, by an author who I've always enjoyed, but not always understood. And at 23, I was happy to know I could still revisit my childhood authors without being disappointed. Cute book, and took up some plane time (which I had a lot of) so no complaints here.
Around the same time, I had a conversation about good, American authors, as I've realized that a number of the books I've been reading lately are by English or Australian authors, and in fact, my favorite author is French (Dumas). Salinger was argued for, Twain was argued against (I like his essays, but I'm not in love with his fiction) and Poe received accolades. I also read an article which was about a number of authors and the books they find themselves rereading. http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/apr/08/authors-reread-other-authors-novels#pictures within the grid
Funnily enough, it's from the Guardian, which I didn't realize until just now. Not the point. The point is, two of the authors state that they enjoy Jack Kerouac, specifically his book On the Road, which I learned was made into a movie this year (thanks to my double checking via Google how to spell Kerouac) about five minutes ago. Anyway, I figured I'd give it a read, as it's been sitting on my shelf for me to do exactly that. I'm nearly done with it, and it's really good, but it's, for lack of a better word, frantic.
On the Road is filled with this frantic, fantastic energy that is both compelling and exhausting. I'm not sure whether to go for a run or a lie down every time I read it, but I don't want to put it down. It's a cross-country drive, a get out a DO something kind of book, though even the characters aren't quite sure what it is they want to do at times. Lots of drinking, lots of smoking, lots of casual drug usage, so way to go beat generation of the late 40s, 50s. I'm including the late 40s, as this book is supposedly based on adventures from 47 or so. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_Generation)
I've attached the trailer below. I would like to point out, there are a few not quite right facts being stated by the narrator here, and by that I mean, things that were changed from the book. But I'll still see it when it comes out. Though for now, I'm off to see how it all turns out.
Finally, every time I say On the Road, I think of this:
Thanks Google Images for helping me get the pictures.
Book # 88 on the BBC Meme is The Five People You Meet in Heaven.
I made a major mistake with this book...I thought I could read it in public.
I'm not quite sure what I was thinking, given that I've read Tuesdays with Morrie. I KNOW how heart breaking his books can be. YET, I read it in public.
There was no flat out break down, but there was a lot of deep breaths and staring off into the distance to get back under control. And some tissues to blot my eyes. And blow my nose...BUT no one came and asked me why I was breaking down in public, so that's totally a win, right?
The book begins with Eddie, our main character, dying, but we're not done there. He goes on to meet five people on his journey to his own heaven, (everyone has a pocket heaven, which is very C.S. Lewis in my mind) while we go back into his life and see what was left behind.
It was wonderful. It hurt, but it was one of those wonderful hurts that comes with a great story. I recommend you read it...but not in public. Or your tissues will be getting a public workout.
I also have read J.D. Salinger's Nine Stories.
Which are these stories: "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" (1948) "Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut" (1948) "Just Before the War with the Eskimos" (1948) "The Laughing Man" (1949) "Down at the Dinghy" (1949) "For Esmé – with Love and Squalor" (1950) "Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes" (1951) "De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period" (1952) "Teddy" (1953) I will also admit that this book reminded me (at least the first few stories) reminded me a bit more Kurt Vonnegut and his Slaughterhouse-Five than Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. I loved it though. I just started The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (which was apparently the must-read book of 2006-oops!) and it's lovely so far. (Or as lovely as books about WW2 Germany can ever be)
On a related note, I will be giving away Tiny Fey's Bossypants for World Book Night USA. Yay! http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/books/2013
So go educate yourself. Pick up one of these books. Yay reading.
So Charlie Chaplin is an interesting man. He thought 'talkies' were going to be out within 3 years, and married an 18 year old (as his fourth wife) and had eight children. Regardless of the numerous controversies that he surrounded himself with (remember, it was the early 20th century) he made enough money to independantly finance films.
Thus was create, City Lights. This film was created in 1931, and despite the fact that it was a silent film in after talkies were beginning to be the norm, it was a great success. Furthermore, the film made 5 million in box office receipts IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION.
I watched it on Netflix, but it turns out that the whole thing is on Youtube. Kinda wish I had realized that...
ANYWAY
I admit that I didn't watch City Lights on Youtube, so I'm not going to guarantee the quality of this video. I'm also not going to watch it again to check...
I thought the film was good, though I admit, I'm happy that talkies (and colored film) became the norm. There were some interesting use of sounds within the soundtrack, including the use of music to imitate people's voices, which was kind of funny choice (to me) considering Charlie's dislike for talkies in general.
This is one of Charlie Chaplin's 'Tramp' films, where a poor tramp falls in love with a blind girl, and is befriended by a millionaire (but only when he's drunk). He pretends to be a gentleman and tries to get the girl money so that she can get surgery to fix her eyes. I won't ruin it for you, but I'm guessing you can probably see how this ends.
I would like to add, this is part of how it ends...
I FOUND IT. Not really. Netflix sent it to me...but I watched them search!!
So tonight, I watched The Searchers (film #12 on the AFI list, which somehow got listed ahead of #11, City Lights in my DVD Queue) which is a 1956 western with John Wayne. It's about as politically incorrect and as interesting as you probably think.
The setting: Three years after the Civil War, in Texas, all of whose inhabitants are clearly still deeply resentful (big surprise) of those damn Yankees and fearful of the 'Injuns' who still roam the land.
Here's the trailer. Which is both descriptive and makes John Wayne's character actually look like a good guy. Probably because in 1956, the land reclamation/sheer discrimination wasn't quite so horrifying.
TRAILER:
Summary w/out spoilers:
"After his entire family is viciously wiped out, hardened war veteran Ethan Edwards (John Wayne) embarks on a long journey to find his only surviving niece, Debbie (Natalie Wood), who has been captured by hostile Comanche Indians. Director John Ford's richly scenic Western also stars Vera Miles, Hank Worden, Ward Bond and Jeffrey Hunter, as Edwards's riding companion, Martin Pawley."
-Netflix.com
NOTE: LOTS OF SPOILERS
but unless you plan on watching this two hour revenge film from 1956, keep reading
John Wayne's character, Ethan (who, by the way, I only figured out to be John Wayne for the first while because of his speech pattern-because we all know what John Wayne sounds like, even if I've never seen a film with him) who has sworn allegiance to the Confederate States of America, and who never in fact surrendered to the Union. He spends a good portion of the movie making fun of the other Texans (who did surrender) and the Yankees, at one point asking a young Yankee soldier to turn around (as if to see him from behind) and says 'yup, he's a Yankee alright.' To the writer's credit, the Yankee does take a moment to get he's being made fun of. And to be completely honest, I only really caught on after that myself! Oh dear.
Anyway, Ethan returns from the war (which ended 3 years ago and then he apparently was doing god knows what, god knows where) to his brother's house, and sees him, his wife and children. There are 4 kids, 2 girls (Lucy and Debbie) and 2 boys, the oldest boy is actually an adopted quarter Cherokee boy who Ethan had rescued as a baby (Martin Pawley (thank you IMDB).)
Martin and Ethan go with some Texas Rangers to investigate a cattle raid, at which time the others are killed, though the girls are captured. Thus begins Ethan and Martin's FIVE YEAR search for Lucy and Debbie. Lucy's fate is pretty much spelled out for you in the trailer, which happens close to the beginning, so for the majority of the movie, they are traveling around Texas, New Mexico and who knows where else (seriously, they never say) searching for Debbie. The fear is, at a certain point, she will cease to be 'white' and go native, which makes Ethan want to kill her. But of course, in the end, they find her, Martin's background love-life is saved, and somehow they manage to re-assimilate her into white culture, despite the fact that she was held captive for FIVE YEARS. So everyone is happy.
END OF SPOILERS
I have a few issues of course. Poor Martin, Ethan's psuedo-nephew who he refuses to acknowledge as such because of his mixed blood is treated terribly for having said mixed blood. Which I understand is the point, I do...but here's the thing: he just has black hair. This is the only reason he so clearly mixed. OF COURSE, I don't know how I ever missed that one.
Also, the Native Americans were apparently all played by Navajos (according to IMDB) but of course, all of the women were portrayed as short and squat, and all the white women were perfect. That irked me.
ALSO, Ethan, for someone who doesn't seem to like non-whites, speaks Comanche super well. He also speaks some Spanish. Though if you ask him, he speaks 'American' because that's a thing. I also think there is something weird with Ethan and Martin's relationship, dealing with the whole 'rescued you as a baby' thing that we don't ever know.
By the way, there is NO WAY that I can believe that Natalie Wood is 14/15 in this film...also, because she is a 18yr old playing a 14/15 yr old, it gets a little creepy at times, both in scenes with her psuedo-bro (Martin) and her Uncle (Ethan.) I feel like the studios clearly weren't (aren't?) use to balancing characters who are out of view in platonic relationships, it just ended up scripted as slightly more love story than is should have been...as seen in the trailer. THAT'S HIS NIECE FOLKS. The voice over is in the middle of saying "a man who is tender and passionate."
There is TONS of gingham in this movie. Except they call it calico print. Because of course, if there are two things associated with the western settlers, it was gingham and calico. Progressively (go figure) they were a lot of machine stitched denim, including on the women. Because in 1868, (or even 1873) all women wore fashionable jeans when cooking over the fire.
Overall, it's a movie that is clearly from 1956, and is as unPC as could be. Lots of white man's triumph over the natives with a superiority complex like none other.
It's a Western, and there really isn't much more to say than that. Cowboys are good, Indians are bad, mixing blood is bad and Texas is a land all of it's own.
Not a bad movie...but not one I'd recommend either.
No new books have been read, or films watched, at least from either of my lists.
I've picked up and put down The Wasp Factory by Iain Banks, which was one of the last books I found, ultimately appearing on Paperback Swap in late May.
It's not a very long book, 184 pages all told, but it's terrifying. I'll read 20, 30 pages, get completely freaked out, and need to distance myself for a while. Mr. Banks, you are a stunning writer...but you terrify me.
I'm taking a break from the BBC list overall, because, frankly, I decided I don't want to start a second book from that list, and so until I can conquer my fear of Factory, it might be a while.
I also decided to take a look, and I have a total of 411 book in my apartment, excluding project books, but including cook books/books I've read. I feel like I need to get a nice dent completed in that list in order to feel better about my book consumption. There are always more books to read, but this is getting ridiculous.
Nor have I seen any AFI films lately, though Searchers is sitting on top of my DVD player. I have seen a decent number of films that are currently out (which is unusual for me) but I've decided to take full advantage of my being located within walking distance to two small theaters. For once, I feel like I'm actually going to know what the heck films are being referenced at the Oscars in February!
I'm quite proud of my bookshelves, because frankly, within those shelves lie the words and stories of a thousand worlds, and I cannot wait until I've read them all.
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