Against our better judgment, we rented Twilight last night---largely because so many of our friends "love" the books and "just can't put them down" etc. So we thought, might as well find out what all the fuss is about. Let me preface what I am about to say with an acknowledgment that I know many "real" Twilight series fans that didn't like the movie because it "misrepresented the complexity of the book by leaving a ton out." But are you serious? There's *nothing* "complex" about the narrative or any of the characters---to say nothing about the dialogue. Unless the movie grossly misrepresented the book, which I doubt, then I have some serious questions for some of you---you know who you are. Let me add, that this would be Nicholas Sparks territory if Nicholas Sparks movies were bad, which they aren't generally, given what you know you're getting. By the way, we have Nights in Rodanthe on the cue, so that claim may be revoked soon enough. And, no, I don't know how these things got into my house, but I am not happy about it.
Add to my irritation that these books are set not far from where I grew up...why do the Northwest like that? And as Patty said, why are all the bad guys always hanging out where we're from? As if this was a place where such things (vampires, werewolves) were stockpiled.
I guess what I am saying is that I don't get the draw. It literally confuses me that such writers gain national and international success for rearticulated what seems to me a rather simple and predictable plot. I mean, 'love at first sight' --- "we can't be friends" --- 'moody brooding sexy vampire' falls in love with a commoner (Did anyone see Interview with the Vampire?) --- "I'm not afraid of you" --- "you're like heroine to me" --- 'good vampires who can restrain themselves vs. cunning, vengeful vampires who only want to kill" --- werewolves trying to protect their territory (and don't even get me started on the film's representation of native americans).
So, I will be expecting those of who are Twilight fans to explain this to me...
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
It's Official, or, the Rumors are True!
This blog will be undergoing revision, since in about five months we can no longer call it "the Nois" (as we will no longer be living in the 'Nois). We are thinking the new title can be "tex-as$ sized stories," but since our moms (are the only ones who) read this, I don't know if we can pull that off---which is doubly unfortunate because I am sure that that is how most people would describe my stories even if we weren't moving there.
In any event, we hope everyone is well. We know we haven't been diligent updating the blog, but what do you want from us? We are trying to pack and sell a house, finish a dissertation, become real adults (ok, that's just me! P has been an adult for years)...
We'll keep you posted on any more news.
K
In any event, we hope everyone is well. We know we haven't been diligent updating the blog, but what do you want from us? We are trying to pack and sell a house, finish a dissertation, become real adults (ok, that's just me! P has been an adult for years)...
We'll keep you posted on any more news.
K
Friday, February 6, 2009
Thoughts on LOST
For those of you who read this blog and also watch Lost, I have something interesting for you...
Have you noticed that the way that the Oceanic Flight was originally brought to the island mirrors the way in which the Oceanic Six are now being brought back to the island. In other words, Jack's father had to die in order to bring many of these people together. He then was placed in a casket and brought back to the island. In the same way, John Locke is staging his own death to bring the six back together and save the island by bringing them back to it. This would explain why Jack finds his father's casket empty, and it might also give stronger credence to the line that they all need to be there in order to save everyone else.
I am still convinced that this show is about the trauma and melancholia that results from missing fathers. The island, then, for me is a place to play out these realities in order to learn how to mourn them properly.
Have you noticed that the way that the Oceanic Flight was originally brought to the island mirrors the way in which the Oceanic Six are now being brought back to the island. In other words, Jack's father had to die in order to bring many of these people together. He then was placed in a casket and brought back to the island. In the same way, John Locke is staging his own death to bring the six back together and save the island by bringing them back to it. This would explain why Jack finds his father's casket empty, and it might also give stronger credence to the line that they all need to be there in order to save everyone else.
I am still convinced that this show is about the trauma and melancholia that results from missing fathers. The island, then, for me is a place to play out these realities in order to learn how to mourn them properly.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Beyond cold
It is currently 4 degrees (-17 with wind-chill) in the 'Nois and the temps are supposed to drop more for the next few days. We have about 5 inches of snow, but thanks to Stanimal and Maximus in their fancy little tractor, our driveway is clear---until these 35 mph winds blow the snow back.
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| From BRRR January FreezeFest |
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Novel Recommendation
For those of you looking for a great novel, read The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao
That's all I got.
That's all I got.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
For those of you heading to the movies and in need of some (not entirely sophisticated) opinions
As many of you know, P and I love to head off to the movie theater when we have some downtime, and since the movie lineup this Christmas was billed as the "best in some time," we decided to frequent our favorite spot several times in the last week. We began with Marley and Me, which was by far the best film we saw. It isn't going to win awards for its brilliant writing and complex characters. It is funny, touching, and if you, yourself have a Marley (a.k.a. Bruchi) unbelievably emotional. I am not prone to crying over films, and you all know how P reacts to sad stories, but we were both pretty teary-eyed coming out of the movie. It is worth seeing on the big screen, if you have the inclination.
Next, we saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Hailed as the best film in the theaters, we actually found it to be lacking in many respects. In P's words, it was too long. In mine, the absence of strong character development made the plot fall on its face. The sad thing was that the film began brilliantly and philosophically. The cause for Benjamin's age reversal was a handmade clock, which was set to run backwards in honor of the young men who were lost in WWI. Button's age reversal was then articulated through his experiences at the retirement home where he was abandoned. These threads, which ultimately reflect on our experiences of death, are ultimately dropped, however, as if they simply weren't good enough or, perhaps, because they were too serious. The cinematography is beautiful, and the cast is, of course, beautiful. But if you are looking for a really good movie, I would look for something else.
Finally, we saw Doubt. I very much wanted to see this film because it is an adaptation of the pulitzer prize winning play, and because its cast was tremendous (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Amy Adams). Although there were some very interesting and complex scenes in the film, notably from the less lauded actors/tresses, it was ultimately disappointing. Again, it was predictable mainly because it lacked character development. As with Benjamin Button, the blame doesn't rest on the actors, since they all did an exceptional job. For me, the writers really dropped the ball on what could have been an exceptional and interesting topic. Not having read the play, I am not sure if the root is the playwright. Even if it was, however, the director can always enrich the film with additional facets.
----
On a different note, I would like to formally apologize for the shutter/shudder error in our Christmas letter. Although, I would say that imagining life without Bruchi might feel like getting hit repeatedly with a shutter. I could also say that I inserted the error as a Christmas present since I am told that many of you squealed when you realized that you had seen something that had been overlooked by a so called writing specialist. Well, I'll have you know, and P can attest to this, that I make many errors both in writing and in life. And my response to you is simple, did you get what I meant? Then that's all that madders...
We are doing well, staying relatively warm, and eager for spring to come. Hope you all have a wonderful new year.
KJ
Next, we saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Hailed as the best film in the theaters, we actually found it to be lacking in many respects. In P's words, it was too long. In mine, the absence of strong character development made the plot fall on its face. The sad thing was that the film began brilliantly and philosophically. The cause for Benjamin's age reversal was a handmade clock, which was set to run backwards in honor of the young men who were lost in WWI. Button's age reversal was then articulated through his experiences at the retirement home where he was abandoned. These threads, which ultimately reflect on our experiences of death, are ultimately dropped, however, as if they simply weren't good enough or, perhaps, because they were too serious. The cinematography is beautiful, and the cast is, of course, beautiful. But if you are looking for a really good movie, I would look for something else.
Finally, we saw Doubt. I very much wanted to see this film because it is an adaptation of the pulitzer prize winning play, and because its cast was tremendous (Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, and Amy Adams). Although there were some very interesting and complex scenes in the film, notably from the less lauded actors/tresses, it was ultimately disappointing. Again, it was predictable mainly because it lacked character development. As with Benjamin Button, the blame doesn't rest on the actors, since they all did an exceptional job. For me, the writers really dropped the ball on what could have been an exceptional and interesting topic. Not having read the play, I am not sure if the root is the playwright. Even if it was, however, the director can always enrich the film with additional facets.
----
On a different note, I would like to formally apologize for the shutter/shudder error in our Christmas letter. Although, I would say that imagining life without Bruchi might feel like getting hit repeatedly with a shutter. I could also say that I inserted the error as a Christmas present since I am told that many of you squealed when you realized that you had seen something that had been overlooked by a so called writing specialist. Well, I'll have you know, and P can attest to this, that I make many errors both in writing and in life. And my response to you is simple, did you get what I meant? Then that's all that madders...
We are doing well, staying relatively warm, and eager for spring to come. Hope you all have a wonderful new year.
KJ
Friday, January 2, 2009
Christmas and San Francisco
Here's a picture of K on his bike we rented to "bike the bridge."
We have finally returned to Normal from all of our vacationing for Christmas. Instead of trying to narrate everything that happened, I'll just post two albums that tell enough of our stories. Needless to say, we had a great time traveling, but we are happy to be back at home--as is Bruchi.
Here is a link to a very small, limited Christmas album. I'm hoping that family will share some of their pix as I appear to have very few.
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| Christmas 2008 |
And here is a link for San Francisco.
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| San Francisco |
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