Last spring, I was channel surfing one Sunday night, when I happened upon a show on WGN called Legend of the Seeker. It was everything the Geek Girl in me loves. Wizards - magic - a commoner rising from his humble beginnings to become a great hero/warrior - and (most of all) an impossible love affair. Admittedly, the show is a little lame. It's a guilty pleasure of mine.
Upon a little research, I found out that this show is actually based on a series of books called The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. Of course, I just had to read them. Wizard's First Rule is the first in the series (if you don't count Debt of Bones, a prequel).
Wizard's First Rule is the story of Richard Cypher, a simple woodsman, and his quest to defeat the evil Darken Rahl. Assisting Richard in his mission is Kahlan Amnell, the Mother Confessor, and Zeddicus Zu'l Zorander, a Wizard of the First Order. Throw in some magic, a dragon, a spunky little girl, some Mud People, and a race of dominatrixes and you've got a story worth telling.
I haven't been this excited about a book since reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I'm a sucker for a forbidden romance, and the mix of adventure, magic, and fantasy is like a dream come true for me. There are 11 books so far in this series, and I've just begun the second, Stone of Tears. I have high hopes that this series will come to be one of my favorites.
I'm a fan of both the television series and the book, but if I had to choose, I'd say read the book before watching the show. The show has been dumbed down so much that a lot of the excitement and passion has been lost. There are terrible things that happen in the book - so bad that just reading them left me in a right foul mood for a couple of days. But these things were either left out completely or only hinted at in the series.
All in all, I'm really excited to complete this series of books and see what's in store for Richard and Kahlan, and of course, Zedd. This is what I love most about reading. I read a lot of books and most of them are no more than okay. But every once in a while, you come across a gem. And Wizard's First Rule is a real diamond.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
How To Be
I watched this movie for 2 reasons. First, it stars Rob Pattinson and, being the huge Twilight fan that I am, I was interested in seeing if RPattz could actually act. And second, I was under the impression that this was a British comedy. (I was mistaken.)
How To Be is the the story of Art, a twentysomething Brit disenchanted with life, trying to figure out exactly why he is so unhappy. I didn't recognize any of the other actors, except for Rebecca Pidgeon, who plays Art's mother.
The movie starts with Art being dumped by his girlfriend for being too "brooding". He is then forced to move back in with his parents. He then uses an inheritance to hire a "personal therapist" to follow him around and try to "fix" him.
As I said earlier, I thought this was a comedy, and maybe others will think it is. I think maybe it hit a little too close to home for my liking. From having to move back home with the 'rents, to Art's feeling that he should be doing something more with his life, it was almost like watching a biography of my life (if I were a British boy in my mid-20's). All in all, it just made me sad. While the movie ends on an up note, I spent most of the movie being angry - at Art's parents for being so disengaged in his life, at his friend's for not being sympathetic enough, at his so-called "personal therapist" for spouting general platitudes in the guise of worldly advice.
If you love all things British, (or even Rob Pattinson), you might want to check it out. Otherwise, I say skip it.
How To Be is the the story of Art, a twentysomething Brit disenchanted with life, trying to figure out exactly why he is so unhappy. I didn't recognize any of the other actors, except for Rebecca Pidgeon, who plays Art's mother.
The movie starts with Art being dumped by his girlfriend for being too "brooding". He is then forced to move back in with his parents. He then uses an inheritance to hire a "personal therapist" to follow him around and try to "fix" him.
As I said earlier, I thought this was a comedy, and maybe others will think it is. I think maybe it hit a little too close to home for my liking. From having to move back home with the 'rents, to Art's feeling that he should be doing something more with his life, it was almost like watching a biography of my life (if I were a British boy in my mid-20's). All in all, it just made me sad. While the movie ends on an up note, I spent most of the movie being angry - at Art's parents for being so disengaged in his life, at his friend's for not being sympathetic enough, at his so-called "personal therapist" for spouting general platitudes in the guise of worldly advice.
If you love all things British, (or even Rob Pattinson), you might want to check it out. Otherwise, I say skip it.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
I was not terribly impressed with the first movie in this series, but I still firmly believe that had there been more money and perhaps a different director, things might have been different. So I had big expectations for New Moon, because there was both a new director and a lot more money. And I was not disappointed.
The second movie in the extremely popular Twilight Saga, New Moon finds Bella Swan dumped by her sparkly vampire boyfriend. In the throws of a depression that only teenage girls can fathom, she turns to her best friend, the lusciously pumped up Jacob Black, to help her recover. But Jacob is experiencing some growing pains of his own.
Directed by Chris Weitz, of Golden Compass fame, and starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner, New Moon improves on the book by moving things along at a faster pace, but not leaving anything out. The look of the movie was much better than the first, and the special effects were astronomically improved. And did I mention Taylor Lautner? Good God, y'all. Not only did he famously buff up for this part, but the actual acting was really really good. Especially in the scenes involving Bella, Jacob, and Alice, just before the climax of the movie, Lautner really shows Jacob's devastation and fury at Bella's blind devotion to the absent Edward.
Certainly, this movie will win no critics' accolades. But it's not been made for the critics, it's been made for the fans. And fan girls worldwide have spoken. So, with that in mind, bring on Eclipse!
The second movie in the extremely popular Twilight Saga, New Moon finds Bella Swan dumped by her sparkly vampire boyfriend. In the throws of a depression that only teenage girls can fathom, she turns to her best friend, the lusciously pumped up Jacob Black, to help her recover. But Jacob is experiencing some growing pains of his own.
Directed by Chris Weitz, of Golden Compass fame, and starring Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, and Taylor Lautner, New Moon improves on the book by moving things along at a faster pace, but not leaving anything out. The look of the movie was much better than the first, and the special effects were astronomically improved. And did I mention Taylor Lautner? Good God, y'all. Not only did he famously buff up for this part, but the actual acting was really really good. Especially in the scenes involving Bella, Jacob, and Alice, just before the climax of the movie, Lautner really shows Jacob's devastation and fury at Bella's blind devotion to the absent Edward.
Certainly, this movie will win no critics' accolades. But it's not been made for the critics, it's been made for the fans. And fan girls worldwide have spoken. So, with that in mind, bring on Eclipse!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
The Hangover
I'm not much of a masochist, but I have to say that seeing Bradley Cooper get tazed in the nads really got a chuckle out of me. I'm kind of a comedy snob and most of today's tripe that the Industry dresses up as comedy doesn't really do it for me. So I was pleasantly surprised that I found this one to be refreshingly funny.
Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zack Galifianakis, the Hangover is a comedy about a trio of groomsmen who take the groom to Las Vegas for his bachelor party. Cut to the next morning, to find a tiger in the bathroom, a baby in the closet, Stu (Ed Helms) missing a tooth, and the groom just plain missing. Of course, none of the three can remember anything about the previous night. And so begins a retracing of their wild night using clues they discover along the way.
Featuring appearances by Heather Graham, Rob Riggle, Mike Epps, and Jeffrey Tambor, the Hangover is a hilarious lesson in what not to do while in Vegas. There's a quickie wedding to a prostitute, Mike Tyson shadow drumming to Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight", a stolen police cruiser, and a Fat Jesus. Oh, and for god's sake, whatever you do, don't open the trunk!
I will be buying this movie once it's out on dvd. I suggest you at least bootleg a copy and have a look-see. I promise you won't be disappointed. And I leave you with this bit of wisdom, directly from the movie. "Tigers love pepper. They hate cinnamon."
Look at that - a movie that's both funny and informative.
And in the words of Mr. Chow - Toodle-oo, Motha Fuckas!
Starring Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zack Galifianakis, the Hangover is a comedy about a trio of groomsmen who take the groom to Las Vegas for his bachelor party. Cut to the next morning, to find a tiger in the bathroom, a baby in the closet, Stu (Ed Helms) missing a tooth, and the groom just plain missing. Of course, none of the three can remember anything about the previous night. And so begins a retracing of their wild night using clues they discover along the way.
Featuring appearances by Heather Graham, Rob Riggle, Mike Epps, and Jeffrey Tambor, the Hangover is a hilarious lesson in what not to do while in Vegas. There's a quickie wedding to a prostitute, Mike Tyson shadow drumming to Phil Collins' "In the Air Tonight", a stolen police cruiser, and a Fat Jesus. Oh, and for god's sake, whatever you do, don't open the trunk!
I will be buying this movie once it's out on dvd. I suggest you at least bootleg a copy and have a look-see. I promise you won't be disappointed. And I leave you with this bit of wisdom, directly from the movie. "Tigers love pepper. They hate cinnamon."
Look at that - a movie that's both funny and informative.
And in the words of Mr. Chow - Toodle-oo, Motha Fuckas!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Where the Wild Things Are
Up for discussion in my very first post is Spike Jonze's adaptation of Maurice Sendak's classic children's book "Where the Wild Things Are". Starring Max Records as Max, Catherine Keener as Max's Mom, and with the voices of James Gandolfini, Lauren Ambrose, Catherine O'Hara, and Forrest Whitaker, this movie is a beautiful, unique exploration of a child's world.
The movie starts out with Max, a child of around 8 or 9, playing in the snow. He's built himself a fort and is imagining all sorts of adventures. We see over the next few scenes that Max feels helpless, out of control of his life, and unimportant in his family dynamic. His mother is overwhelmed trying to make ends meet, while simultaneously caring for her children and exploring a budding relationship with a new boyfriend. His adolescent sister is too busy living her own life of phone calls and social outings to pay much attention to a bratty little brother. His father is absent.
After a confrontation with his mother, young Max runs away. To where the Wild Things are. In this new environment, the Wild Things elect him to be their king. And just like that, Max goes from being the child in his own family to being the parent-figure to a bunch of Wild Things.
This movie really captures the loneliness and confusion that children of divorce often experience. Being a small child, with their family falling apart, and having no control over anything, these children often act out in seemingly random ways. They become "wild things", in essence.
It really hit home for me, particularly. Being both a child of divorce and the parent of children of divorce, I have the (maybe not so) unique perspective of both Max and his mother. I remember being small and not being able to understand exactly what was going on. Especially since my parents couldn't make up their minds if they wanted to be together or not. And I've also had to comfort either or both of my kids when their dad didn't pick them up as expected for his weekend.
Where the Wild Things Are is a good movie. The cinematography is amazing. The look of the Wild Things instantly evokes memories of curling up with the book as a child. The movie was very bittersweet and poignant. However, it is not a "children's movie". There was a little, but not much action or humor in it. It was essentially made for older children and adults who are fans of the book. It's emotionally engaging and taps into that nostalgia we often have for our childhood, be it good or bad.
So that's it. Let me know what you think - but be kind. It is my first blog.
The movie starts out with Max, a child of around 8 or 9, playing in the snow. He's built himself a fort and is imagining all sorts of adventures. We see over the next few scenes that Max feels helpless, out of control of his life, and unimportant in his family dynamic. His mother is overwhelmed trying to make ends meet, while simultaneously caring for her children and exploring a budding relationship with a new boyfriend. His adolescent sister is too busy living her own life of phone calls and social outings to pay much attention to a bratty little brother. His father is absent.
After a confrontation with his mother, young Max runs away. To where the Wild Things are. In this new environment, the Wild Things elect him to be their king. And just like that, Max goes from being the child in his own family to being the parent-figure to a bunch of Wild Things.
This movie really captures the loneliness and confusion that children of divorce often experience. Being a small child, with their family falling apart, and having no control over anything, these children often act out in seemingly random ways. They become "wild things", in essence.
It really hit home for me, particularly. Being both a child of divorce and the parent of children of divorce, I have the (maybe not so) unique perspective of both Max and his mother. I remember being small and not being able to understand exactly what was going on. Especially since my parents couldn't make up their minds if they wanted to be together or not. And I've also had to comfort either or both of my kids when their dad didn't pick them up as expected for his weekend.
Where the Wild Things Are is a good movie. The cinematography is amazing. The look of the Wild Things instantly evokes memories of curling up with the book as a child. The movie was very bittersweet and poignant. However, it is not a "children's movie". There was a little, but not much action or humor in it. It was essentially made for older children and adults who are fans of the book. It's emotionally engaging and taps into that nostalgia we often have for our childhood, be it good or bad.
So that's it. Let me know what you think - but be kind. It is my first blog.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
And We're Off
I've always loved sitting around with my friends and discussing our varied opinions of art, music, books, movies, television, etc. With that in mind, I'm starting this - my very first blog. I'll use this forum to discuss anything interesting I've come across in the world. Books I've read, music I've come across, movies that have stuck with me, pretty much anything that has captured my attention, inspired me, repulsed me, or evoked an emotional response from me.
So stay tuned.
So stay tuned.
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