"Manny, bring me everyone."
"What do you mean, everyone?"
"EVERYONE."
Classic.
I'm watching a whole heck of a lot of Gary Oldman right now. Don't ask me why, it just feels right. The above bit of lunacy was inspired by "The Professional" which I've seen mostly the whole way through...too violent for me, at times. Also a little too awkward with the whole Natalie Portman being twelve thing? Yeah, if you've seen it you understand.
But Gary Oldman is in it. And he's his usual drugged-up off-his-rocker self. And that makes for good viewing.
Kinda.
"I like these calm little moments before the storm. It reminds me of Beethoven."
Ah, Gary.
-The GLS
Showing posts with label Films of Gutsiness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Films of Gutsiness. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Wa-Wa-Waaaaa!
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
Wow.
Okay, let me first admit that I wasn't going to watch it. Despite my recent addiction to all things taking place in the USA from 1860 to around 1900 (ie...Westerns)...I knew that spaghetti westerns were a bit different, more graphic, etc. I wasn't really all that interested, to be honest.
But I'm a curious critter. And I had exhausted most of the American-made westerns I wanted to see. And...I mean...it's Clint Eastwood.
So I borrowed it from some friends and gave it a good, honest watch this evening.
Wow.
I'll further admit that the first hour and a half were underwhelming. I mean, I was tracking with it, but I was still getting used to the overdubbing and the fact that Eli Wallach is the REAL main character of the movie (sorry, Clint...Eli gets WAY more screen time).
But then? Ah, then. Around the point that Tuco and Blondie get taken to the prison camp and Angel Eyes is posing as a Union sergeant...then things REALLY PICKED UP. The rest of the film was fantastic. And I think I'll need to watch the beginning again, now that I know what to expect.
Don't worry. Clint is still the man.
In other news, I went to Half Price Books today. Regular readers of this blog (if I have any) may recognize that this is a bad sign. I DID spend money, yes, but not all of it was for me. A bit of it was, though. Enough for three LPs (Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, and Paul Simon) and a book of Old West folklore published in 1951. Yeah, I know you're jealous.
For the record...I promise that this Westerns thing will pass eventually. Also, I haven't bought a Stetson, cowboy boots, or an amazing array of handkerchief-patterned clothing. I don't listen to modern country music, on the radio or otherwise, and I don't have any overwhelming urges to start.
Phew. I had to get that off my chest.
Now, to go proudly belt "Tea for the Tillerman" at the top of my lungs. And then drink some chamomile.
-The GLS
Wow.
Okay, let me first admit that I wasn't going to watch it. Despite my recent addiction to all things taking place in the USA from 1860 to around 1900 (ie...Westerns)...I knew that spaghetti westerns were a bit different, more graphic, etc. I wasn't really all that interested, to be honest.
But I'm a curious critter. And I had exhausted most of the American-made westerns I wanted to see. And...I mean...it's Clint Eastwood.
So I borrowed it from some friends and gave it a good, honest watch this evening.
Wow.
I'll further admit that the first hour and a half were underwhelming. I mean, I was tracking with it, but I was still getting used to the overdubbing and the fact that Eli Wallach is the REAL main character of the movie (sorry, Clint...Eli gets WAY more screen time).
But then? Ah, then. Around the point that Tuco and Blondie get taken to the prison camp and Angel Eyes is posing as a Union sergeant...then things REALLY PICKED UP. The rest of the film was fantastic. And I think I'll need to watch the beginning again, now that I know what to expect.
Don't worry. Clint is still the man.
In other news, I went to Half Price Books today. Regular readers of this blog (if I have any) may recognize that this is a bad sign. I DID spend money, yes, but not all of it was for me. A bit of it was, though. Enough for three LPs (Joni Mitchell, Cat Stevens, and Paul Simon) and a book of Old West folklore published in 1951. Yeah, I know you're jealous.
For the record...I promise that this Westerns thing will pass eventually. Also, I haven't bought a Stetson, cowboy boots, or an amazing array of handkerchief-patterned clothing. I don't listen to modern country music, on the radio or otherwise, and I don't have any overwhelming urges to start.
Phew. I had to get that off my chest.
Now, to go proudly belt "Tea for the Tillerman" at the top of my lungs. And then drink some chamomile.
-The GLS
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Elementary...
Watching a video of a Gogol Bordello performance. While I like GB, watching them perform in Letterman...is...an interesting experience. I mean...it's Letterman. And...it's Gogol Bordello. I dunno. You be the judge.
I'm a wee bit tired. I watched the new Sherlock Holmes (finally!) this evening at a movie night of good friends. Dogs and babies were everywhere. Food was spilling off the table. There was laughter and someone threw a bottle at my knee (I'm still holding a grudge!). But it was good, clean, wholesome fun.
And Sherlock Holmes, or what I caught of it between snuggling the kids and smushing the dogs and snacking on snap peas (don't get all of that confused), was pretty darned cool. And gritty. I think gritty is the word that all the reviewers used, so I'll use it too. I mean...does it get any better than Robert Downey Jr? I love that man. And I love waistcoats. Did I mention I love waistcoats?
Off to bed.
-The GLS
I'm a wee bit tired. I watched the new Sherlock Holmes (finally!) this evening at a movie night of good friends. Dogs and babies were everywhere. Food was spilling off the table. There was laughter and someone threw a bottle at my knee (I'm still holding a grudge!). But it was good, clean, wholesome fun.
And Sherlock Holmes, or what I caught of it between snuggling the kids and smushing the dogs and snacking on snap peas (don't get all of that confused), was pretty darned cool. And gritty. I think gritty is the word that all the reviewers used, so I'll use it too. I mean...does it get any better than Robert Downey Jr? I love that man. And I love waistcoats. Did I mention I love waistcoats?
Off to bed.
-The GLS
Monday, August 2, 2010
Latchkeys & Light Pollution.
Tonight was supposed to be an Aurora Borealis sighting here in Washington. I looked, and I didn't see it. Interesting how your eyes show you what you want to see though, isn't it? I kept SWEARING I saw a smear of light, or a ripple in the sky, or something to show that I wasn't sitting on my roof for nothing.
To be honest, even though I'm fairly sure I didn't see Aurora, I wasn't on the roof for nothing. I saw a half-dozen spectacular shooting stars and some sort of lightning storm in the east, somewhere. I think it might be Lake Chelan, which seems unlikely, but it's the only place east of here that was expecting thunderstorms tonight. And yes, I looked.
I like the sky. I like that it's huge, and I like that scientists don't really know what to do with it, sometimes. I like that Seattle weathermen are usually wrong. I like that I can see a lightning storm that's happening miles away.
What I don't like: the fact that we think we know everything there is to know, and when we don't know we come up with a half-assed theory instead of simply saying "I don't know". I also don't like light pollution. Boo on light pollution.
But supposedly the Aurora is going to flare up again at 1:00am. Am I going to stay up? Do you even have to ask?
See you sleepily tomorrow.
-The GLS
PS: Latchkey connection? "Dial M for Murder"...a GREAT Hitchcock film with a freakin' incongruous score. Go watch it...and ignore the music. I think Dmitri Tiomkin was having an off day.
To be honest, even though I'm fairly sure I didn't see Aurora, I wasn't on the roof for nothing. I saw a half-dozen spectacular shooting stars and some sort of lightning storm in the east, somewhere. I think it might be Lake Chelan, which seems unlikely, but it's the only place east of here that was expecting thunderstorms tonight. And yes, I looked.
I like the sky. I like that it's huge, and I like that scientists don't really know what to do with it, sometimes. I like that Seattle weathermen are usually wrong. I like that I can see a lightning storm that's happening miles away.
What I don't like: the fact that we think we know everything there is to know, and when we don't know we come up with a half-assed theory instead of simply saying "I don't know". I also don't like light pollution. Boo on light pollution.
But supposedly the Aurora is going to flare up again at 1:00am. Am I going to stay up? Do you even have to ask?
See you sleepily tomorrow.
-The GLS
PS: Latchkey connection? "Dial M for Murder"...a GREAT Hitchcock film with a freakin' incongruous score. Go watch it...and ignore the music. I think Dmitri Tiomkin was having an off day.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
72 Angry Men.
Film Alert!
I'm back on my Western kick. This time it was "The Ox-Bow Incident" with Henry Fonda. And it was...uh...depressing, actually. Really. It was one of those 1940's films where they wanted you to think at the end. Which I don't mind, but I was kinda hoping for a good old-fashioned shoot 'em up. And instead, you're given tragic irony. I hate tragic irony. It bugs the heck out of me.
Well, back to my Civil War research. Did you know that there was a place in the Indian Territory (Oklahoma, now) that was called Honey Springs? And that there was quite the decisive battle there, in which white soldiers were the minority? Mostly it was African American and Native American regiments fighting. I had no idea. Makes me want to write stuff. I believe I will.
-The GLS
I'm back on my Western kick. This time it was "The Ox-Bow Incident" with Henry Fonda. And it was...uh...depressing, actually. Really. It was one of those 1940's films where they wanted you to think at the end. Which I don't mind, but I was kinda hoping for a good old-fashioned shoot 'em up. And instead, you're given tragic irony. I hate tragic irony. It bugs the heck out of me.
Well, back to my Civil War research. Did you know that there was a place in the Indian Territory (Oklahoma, now) that was called Honey Springs? And that there was quite the decisive battle there, in which white soldiers were the minority? Mostly it was African American and Native American regiments fighting. I had no idea. Makes me want to write stuff. I believe I will.
-The GLS
Monday, July 12, 2010
Old Time Movies.
It's important to remember that classics are classic for a reason, and that there's nothing wrong with cut-and-dried good vs. evil cheesy lovely entertainment once in awhile.
For instance, is there anything like an old episode of Rawhide to bring a family together? To make a group of three tired people collapsed on their sofas suddenly rise in loud cheering and triumphant applause* when old Jeremiah Walsh strikes the axe home and dumps the whole tankard of buffalo whatsit on the two outlaw bad guys, while Gil Favor covers from the cabin? Not only saving himself and his homestead, but saving also the trail boss and the random photographer? Causing his young wife to see him as being more attractive than she ever thought possible?
Well, is there??
I thought not.
Color TV good. Black and white BETTER.
-The GLS
*True story. I think the neighbors are concerned.
For instance, is there anything like an old episode of Rawhide to bring a family together? To make a group of three tired people collapsed on their sofas suddenly rise in loud cheering and triumphant applause* when old Jeremiah Walsh strikes the axe home and dumps the whole tankard of buffalo whatsit on the two outlaw bad guys, while Gil Favor covers from the cabin? Not only saving himself and his homestead, but saving also the trail boss and the random photographer? Causing his young wife to see him as being more attractive than she ever thought possible?
Well, is there??
I thought not.
Color TV good. Black and white BETTER.
-The GLS
*True story. I think the neighbors are concerned.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Tom Hulce...
...is awesome. In a late 80's sort of way.
I just watched Parenthood. It was okay. Not my favorite movie of all time, but it had its moments. A little funny, a little sad, a little sexually awkward (especially with one's parents in the room). And Tom Hulce. Who will forever be in my heart, thanks to Amadeus and Stranger Than Fiction.
I'm going to go spin "Mirage" by Fleetwood Mac on the ol' turntable, sit back, and enjoy the last hour of this here Friday.
Come to me, Weekend.
-The GLS
(PS: If you look at Tom Hulce's name long enough, it starts to look REALLY weird...)
I just watched Parenthood. It was okay. Not my favorite movie of all time, but it had its moments. A little funny, a little sad, a little sexually awkward (especially with one's parents in the room). And Tom Hulce. Who will forever be in my heart, thanks to Amadeus and Stranger Than Fiction.
I'm going to go spin "Mirage" by Fleetwood Mac on the ol' turntable, sit back, and enjoy the last hour of this here Friday.
Come to me, Weekend.
-The GLS
(PS: If you look at Tom Hulce's name long enough, it starts to look REALLY weird...)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
You're Lookin' At Country.
It's officially happening. After years of wondering what--if anything--I would ever come to collect, I have finally become the proud (but slightly sheepish) collector of lots of random stuff. You know, like LPs, copper kitchen tins, pennywhistles, and knitting needles.
But also? Hurricane lamps.
Granted, I inherited my first one. It was my great-grandmother's, and it's really pretty, but it has a big crack in the glass fuel tank and therefore isn't safe to use. But I was somewhat hooked on the idea of kerosene lamps from setting that one on my desk and just staring at it. Without lighting it, my mom also taught me how to use a kerosene lamp by demonstrating on this one. Moving the wick up and down, adjusting the glass chimney. Stuff like that.
My next one was a little red thing I bought at an antique store. It's not an antique. At all, actually. But it looks like one, and the tank and stand are red glass, and it's so cute and little and it works quite well! It's ALSO sitting on my desk, on a stack of old books. I use it occasionally, when I'm feeling nostalgic for a time I wasn't even alive for.
Today, I inherited another one. It's huge. And green. And it was my mom's. And I'm kind of in love with it. But I can't light it until I've cleaned it out first. It still has kerosene from the 70's swimming around in it. Weekend project, maybe?
Seriously, someday my house is going to be full of kerosene lamps, inside and out. On the kitchen table, out on the porch, lining the stairs. Everywhere.
Yeah, some people collect candles. I collect kerosene lamps. Why not?
Tonight's movie: Coal Miner's Daughter, the biopic about Loretta Lynn starring Sissy Spacek. I've always liked Loretta Lynn. I'm not really a fan of country music, but one has to respect the classics, and Loretta Lynn is a classic. Besides, she was on the Muppet Show twice and when I was a kid that meant she was on the a-list. The movie was very well done, and Sissy Spacek was thoroughly un-creepy (I've always been scared of her since "Carrie"), and Tommy Lee Jones was actually...kind of handsome? Really? Yeah, I know!
I'm off to go light a kerosene lamp and do a little strummin' and singin'. And droppin' my g's everywhere, apparently...
-The (G)LS
PS: See what I did up there? Dropped g? Yeah...yeah, I'm hilarious...
But also? Hurricane lamps.
Granted, I inherited my first one. It was my great-grandmother's, and it's really pretty, but it has a big crack in the glass fuel tank and therefore isn't safe to use. But I was somewhat hooked on the idea of kerosene lamps from setting that one on my desk and just staring at it. Without lighting it, my mom also taught me how to use a kerosene lamp by demonstrating on this one. Moving the wick up and down, adjusting the glass chimney. Stuff like that.
My next one was a little red thing I bought at an antique store. It's not an antique. At all, actually. But it looks like one, and the tank and stand are red glass, and it's so cute and little and it works quite well! It's ALSO sitting on my desk, on a stack of old books. I use it occasionally, when I'm feeling nostalgic for a time I wasn't even alive for.
Today, I inherited another one. It's huge. And green. And it was my mom's. And I'm kind of in love with it. But I can't light it until I've cleaned it out first. It still has kerosene from the 70's swimming around in it. Weekend project, maybe?
Seriously, someday my house is going to be full of kerosene lamps, inside and out. On the kitchen table, out on the porch, lining the stairs. Everywhere.
Yeah, some people collect candles. I collect kerosene lamps. Why not?
Tonight's movie: Coal Miner's Daughter, the biopic about Loretta Lynn starring Sissy Spacek. I've always liked Loretta Lynn. I'm not really a fan of country music, but one has to respect the classics, and Loretta Lynn is a classic. Besides, she was on the Muppet Show twice and when I was a kid that meant she was on the a-list. The movie was very well done, and Sissy Spacek was thoroughly un-creepy (I've always been scared of her since "Carrie"), and Tommy Lee Jones was actually...kind of handsome? Really? Yeah, I know!
I'm off to go light a kerosene lamp and do a little strummin' and singin'. And droppin' my g's everywhere, apparently...
-The (G)LS
PS: See what I did up there? Dropped g? Yeah...yeah, I'm hilarious...
Monday, June 14, 2010
Pretzel M&Ms.
No, seriously. Pretzel M&Ms exist. And they're...worth 89 cents? I don't know. They weren't necessarily fantastic. How's that for a glowing review?
But HERE'S a glowing review: ABOUT SCHMIDT starring Jack Nicholson. Quirky, sad, stark, and wonderful. GREAT film. Not for everyone, but a very honest look at what a life well lived might look like. Scared of growing old? Might want to skip this one. It'll make you run screaming for the hills. Also: please do not view if you are frightened of the prospect of a nude Kathy Bates. I don't know about you, but that last idea almost frightened me out of giving the film a go. But it's okay. It's only for a half-second.
In other news, I just dragged my old camp journal out of mothballs. I figure it's about time to look it over. Two summers worth of camp memories are in it, and I thought maybe I'd add this summer too, even though I'm not at camp. No sense letting good paper go to waste! And just because I'm not at camp, doesn't mean I can't do a little journaling. We'll see how that goes.
You'll have to excuse me. I've got a lot of catching up to do, journaling wise...
-The GLS
But HERE'S a glowing review: ABOUT SCHMIDT starring Jack Nicholson. Quirky, sad, stark, and wonderful. GREAT film. Not for everyone, but a very honest look at what a life well lived might look like. Scared of growing old? Might want to skip this one. It'll make you run screaming for the hills. Also: please do not view if you are frightened of the prospect of a nude Kathy Bates. I don't know about you, but that last idea almost frightened me out of giving the film a go. But it's okay. It's only for a half-second.
In other news, I just dragged my old camp journal out of mothballs. I figure it's about time to look it over. Two summers worth of camp memories are in it, and I thought maybe I'd add this summer too, even though I'm not at camp. No sense letting good paper go to waste! And just because I'm not at camp, doesn't mean I can't do a little journaling. We'll see how that goes.
You'll have to excuse me. I've got a lot of catching up to do, journaling wise...
-The GLS
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Pico de Gallo Run.
As I drove home from work I thought, "You know? I need to cook something tonight. Something simple but sweet."
And it wasn't until I threw open the freezer and saw the breaded cod fillets that I suddenly realized: FISH TACOS.
I ran (drove) to the grocery store to buy corn tortillas, organic guacamole, and pico de gallo, then came back to bake the fillets, heat the tortillas, and rip up some lettuce (I know, I know, it should be cabbage...but I didn't feel like buying cabbage).
It was divine. Thanks for asking.
In other news, I'm watching "The Guild" for the first time ever. Felicia Day (of "Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog" fame) was making Internet sitcoms before the days of Dr. Horrible, and since she's an avid Internet gamer she made a sitcom about life in a MMORPG Guild...and how it affects REAL life.
Day plays a girl named Cyd ("Codex" is her name online) who is living a fairly uneventful real life, but has a "network" of friends in her Guild. Things are going just fine until one of her fellow guildmates--convinced that they've been conducting an online relationship--moves into her real-life house. Hilarity ensues.
I never really got into WoW, and I'm glad. I played it for six days on the free trial thing, but I started to notice that it was a total time-suck and kind of unimpresisve after awhile. So I stopped, and never went back.
But to see the gaming world through hilarious--and yet honest--eyes is fun. I would watch "The Guild" on YouTube if I were you.
I'm off to knit a purse-strap for my headrest-cozy-turned-handbag. Ta for now!
-The GLS
And it wasn't until I threw open the freezer and saw the breaded cod fillets that I suddenly realized: FISH TACOS.
I ran (drove) to the grocery store to buy corn tortillas, organic guacamole, and pico de gallo, then came back to bake the fillets, heat the tortillas, and rip up some lettuce (I know, I know, it should be cabbage...but I didn't feel like buying cabbage).
It was divine. Thanks for asking.
In other news, I'm watching "The Guild" for the first time ever. Felicia Day (of "Dr. Horrible's Singalong Blog" fame) was making Internet sitcoms before the days of Dr. Horrible, and since she's an avid Internet gamer she made a sitcom about life in a MMORPG Guild...and how it affects REAL life.
Day plays a girl named Cyd ("Codex" is her name online) who is living a fairly uneventful real life, but has a "network" of friends in her Guild. Things are going just fine until one of her fellow guildmates--convinced that they've been conducting an online relationship--moves into her real-life house. Hilarity ensues.
I never really got into WoW, and I'm glad. I played it for six days on the free trial thing, but I started to notice that it was a total time-suck and kind of unimpresisve after awhile. So I stopped, and never went back.
But to see the gaming world through hilarious--and yet honest--eyes is fun. I would watch "The Guild" on YouTube if I were you.
I'm off to knit a purse-strap for my headrest-cozy-turned-handbag. Ta for now!
-The GLS
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Panda Cattle, Red Pandas...Forsooth!
If I had been Queen Elizabeth, I don't think William would have won the wager in "Shakespeare In Love." But this is only due to my bias AGAINST Romeo & Juliet, which I don't care to explain at this present time.
HOWEVER, having seen Shakespeare In Love fully for the first time this evening, I can safely say that it is a beautifully done film! Funny, romantic, and I had to put my eyes back into their sockets after seeing all of those costumes...those costumes!! My gosh.
In other news, I took Flora for her first drive to the zoo today! Woodland Park Zoo rocks my socks off, mainly because its URL is www.zoo.org...how awesome is that?
The bears were swimming, the siamangs were screaming, the gorillas were pooping in their hands (seriously), and in general all of the animals were quite frisky and happy and wandering about. It was refreshing to actually see them DOING stuff, as our animals tend to like to hide in their awesome habitats.
My only complaint (hence the title) is that we have no REAL pandas at the Woodland Park Zoo. Seriously, guys? We have an adorable red panda, and some rather unimpressed panda cattle, but no REAL pandas? Steal some from San Diego, if you must, but get us a panda!
All in all, a great day, if I do say so. :)
-The GLS
HOWEVER, having seen Shakespeare In Love fully for the first time this evening, I can safely say that it is a beautifully done film! Funny, romantic, and I had to put my eyes back into their sockets after seeing all of those costumes...those costumes!! My gosh.
In other news, I took Flora for her first drive to the zoo today! Woodland Park Zoo rocks my socks off, mainly because its URL is www.zoo.org...how awesome is that?
The bears were swimming, the siamangs were screaming, the gorillas were pooping in their hands (seriously), and in general all of the animals were quite frisky and happy and wandering about. It was refreshing to actually see them DOING stuff, as our animals tend to like to hide in their awesome habitats.
My only complaint (hence the title) is that we have no REAL pandas at the Woodland Park Zoo. Seriously, guys? We have an adorable red panda, and some rather unimpressed panda cattle, but no REAL pandas? Steal some from San Diego, if you must, but get us a panda!
All in all, a great day, if I do say so. :)
-The GLS
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Hollywood & Bad Special Effects
Couldn't think of a better title, as I just watched a movie that I can place firmly in the "I want that 98 minutes of my life back" category.
"The Black Hole" by Disney from 1979 is...aptly titled. And that's all I'm going to say, because my parents and I almost wet ourselves we were laughing so hard. And not in a good way. I can handle badness...but this was bad.
Nuff said.
In another intrepid adventure, I am about to embark on Script Frenzy 2010!! It's going to be interesting. I don't think I'll get too far tonight, because I'm starting a little late (thanks, homework!). But I'll keep you posted on my progress. At least I have an idea and two main characters. From there...Hollywood!
-The GLS
"The Black Hole" by Disney from 1979 is...aptly titled. And that's all I'm going to say, because my parents and I almost wet ourselves we were laughing so hard. And not in a good way. I can handle badness...but this was bad.
Nuff said.
In another intrepid adventure, I am about to embark on Script Frenzy 2010!! It's going to be interesting. I don't think I'll get too far tonight, because I'm starting a little late (thanks, homework!). But I'll keep you posted on my progress. At least I have an idea and two main characters. From there...Hollywood!
-The GLS
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Yul Brynner & Photographs
Because I've been recovering, I wasn't able to get up to much adventurous gutsiness today. I mostly spent the day helping my parents hang photographs up in our house that had been languishing far too long. Good news: Our walls are covered with photos! Really great ones, too. Trust me.
However, I did get up to one "new" thing today, and that's a film!
First of all, can we all agree that Yul Brynner might be close to--if not definitely--the epitome of awesome?
If you agreed with the above statement, go rent Michael Crichton's WestWorld.
Yes, I did just say Michael Crichton, Mr. Jurassic Park himself. Before all of that, he wrote and directed WestWorld, which is uncannily similar to Jurassic Park in a lot of ways but also strangely prophetic (it being made in the 70's). Where Jurassic Park has something to say about humans wanting to play God, WestWorld deals more with our assumption that technology can be adequately controlled. Think I, Robot or even Minority Report.
Basic plot: There's a $1000 per day adult amusement park split into three different "worlds": MedievalWorld, RomanWorld, and WestWorld. In these places there are androids that are programmed to give tourists the illusion of being in these eras, but are designed not to hurt the tourists in any way. Just give them a thrill. However, the guests are perfectly allowed to kill the robots, have sex with them, start fights with them, whatever. It's an airtight system, *almost* glitch-free, and it's all in good fun, right? What could go wrong?
Well, because Michael "Oh-my-gosh-a-Tyrannosaurus-is-chasing-us-in-this-perfectly-safe- dinosaur-amusement-park" Crichton is writing it, plenty can--and does--go wrong.
Though the plot sounds a little cliched, now, the funny part is that this is the movie that STARTED the cliche. Before "computer viruses" were even thought of, this movie was already talking about glitches spreading through technology like a disease. Pretty amazing.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, Yul Brynner plays the uber-creepy Gunslinger robot who stalks our protagonists through WestWorld. Kind of Terminator-esque, the whole unstoppable robot thing. Pretty cool, too.
Anyway, it was a fun film. I suggest you go out and give it a try, if you're into old scifi. And Yul Brynner. Doy.
-The GLS
However, I did get up to one "new" thing today, and that's a film!
First of all, can we all agree that Yul Brynner might be close to--if not definitely--the epitome of awesome?
If you agreed with the above statement, go rent Michael Crichton's WestWorld.
Yes, I did just say Michael Crichton, Mr. Jurassic Park himself. Before all of that, he wrote and directed WestWorld, which is uncannily similar to Jurassic Park in a lot of ways but also strangely prophetic (it being made in the 70's). Where Jurassic Park has something to say about humans wanting to play God, WestWorld deals more with our assumption that technology can be adequately controlled. Think I, Robot or even Minority Report.
Basic plot: There's a $1000 per day adult amusement park split into three different "worlds": MedievalWorld, RomanWorld, and WestWorld. In these places there are androids that are programmed to give tourists the illusion of being in these eras, but are designed not to hurt the tourists in any way. Just give them a thrill. However, the guests are perfectly allowed to kill the robots, have sex with them, start fights with them, whatever. It's an airtight system, *almost* glitch-free, and it's all in good fun, right? What could go wrong?
Well, because Michael "Oh-my-gosh-a-Tyrannosaurus-is-chasing-us-in-this-perfectly-safe- dinosaur-amusement-park" Crichton is writing it, plenty can--and does--go wrong.
Though the plot sounds a little cliched, now, the funny part is that this is the movie that STARTED the cliche. Before "computer viruses" were even thought of, this movie was already talking about glitches spreading through technology like a disease. Pretty amazing.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, Yul Brynner plays the uber-creepy Gunslinger robot who stalks our protagonists through WestWorld. Kind of Terminator-esque, the whole unstoppable robot thing. Pretty cool, too.
Anyway, it was a fun film. I suggest you go out and give it a try, if you're into old scifi. And Yul Brynner. Doy.
-The GLS
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Gaslights & Elfin Hats
Just a few things before this very disconnected-feeling weekend draws to a close.
"Gaslight" -- VERY good old creepy classic movie. Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman doing some of their best work, and an 18-year-old Angela Lansbury, too! It's about this young woman with a shadowy past (of course!) marrying this exotic man and discovering he's not what he seems (of course!). Truly, it was pretty sensational. And terrifying, for a movie made in 1944. Althought I tend to think the old black-and-white movies got it right, horror-wise. Ever seen "The Innocents" with Deborah Kerr? Holy crap. That movie was terrifying...
In other news, my dear little elfin hat experiment flopped. Literally, actually, it turned out ridiculously floppy. That's the problem with cotton, I guess. Besides that the proportions were all wrong. So I started another one with a different yarn, and it turns out it was the YARN'S fault for being the wrong size.
But then, I have to remember that I CHOSE the yarn, so...there's still no one to blame but myself. Phooey.
Well, I'm starting the hat over. Hopefully soon I'll have a nice, finished product to show off on here.
Until tomorrow,
-The GLS
"Gaslight" -- VERY good old creepy classic movie. Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman doing some of their best work, and an 18-year-old Angela Lansbury, too! It's about this young woman with a shadowy past (of course!) marrying this exotic man and discovering he's not what he seems (of course!). Truly, it was pretty sensational. And terrifying, for a movie made in 1944. Althought I tend to think the old black-and-white movies got it right, horror-wise. Ever seen "The Innocents" with Deborah Kerr? Holy crap. That movie was terrifying...
In other news, my dear little elfin hat experiment flopped. Literally, actually, it turned out ridiculously floppy. That's the problem with cotton, I guess. Besides that the proportions were all wrong. So I started another one with a different yarn, and it turns out it was the YARN'S fault for being the wrong size.
But then, I have to remember that I CHOSE the yarn, so...there's still no one to blame but myself. Phooey.
Well, I'm starting the hat over. Hopefully soon I'll have a nice, finished product to show off on here.
Until tomorrow,
-The GLS
Friday, March 19, 2010
Vertigo & Vancouver
Classic movie night! This time one that I had seen before, but had NOT liked. Yes, Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo".
Now, I LOVE Hitch. I love "North By Northwest", and "Dial M For Murder". My affection truly lies in "Rear Window", however, because I honestly think that movie is a masterpiece of creativity, writing, pacing...everything. Grace Kelly, James Stewart...such a fantastic movie.
But when I saw Vertigo for the first time a few years ago I didn't like it. I thought it was odd, and unsatisfying, and less "Hitchy".
Well, my thoughts were confirmed after watching it again. I tried to keep an open mind this time around, but I have to say, I'm not a fan of Vertigo. I understand that it was a groundbreaking film in a technical sense, and that's fine. But don't expect me to love it the way I love Rear Window.
Could also be the fact that everyone praises Vertigo to the skies. Something about that bothers me. No one manages to explain why they think Vertigo is the best thing to hit the cinema since the first projector.
Anyway, in other news, classes are done and spring break is upon me. I was planning on going down to Portland to visit some friends, but money and other factors have curtailed those plans.
I was bummed, of course, because I want to see my Oregonian friends, but also because I wanted to get out of the house and have a proper vacation. I think Ireland has spoiled me.
So I sat in my room, thinking, "Well, darn. I really wish I could go visit somewhere for spring break. Somewhere foreign. Wouldn't that be great?"
Ho hum.
Oh wait...
Canada is three hours away.
So, I'm going to Vancouver for two nights over spring break! It's (surprisingly) less expensive than a trip down to Portland, but I still get the feeling of being away from home for a few days. It's been ages since I was in Vancouver. So long ago that I actually don't remember it well.
If you are a Portland friend: Take heart. I will see you soon, sometime this summer. I need to save a little money first so I can have a proper visit with you all. :)
Let the weekend begin!
-The GLS
Now, I LOVE Hitch. I love "North By Northwest", and "Dial M For Murder". My affection truly lies in "Rear Window", however, because I honestly think that movie is a masterpiece of creativity, writing, pacing...everything. Grace Kelly, James Stewart...such a fantastic movie.
But when I saw Vertigo for the first time a few years ago I didn't like it. I thought it was odd, and unsatisfying, and less "Hitchy".
Well, my thoughts were confirmed after watching it again. I tried to keep an open mind this time around, but I have to say, I'm not a fan of Vertigo. I understand that it was a groundbreaking film in a technical sense, and that's fine. But don't expect me to love it the way I love Rear Window.
Could also be the fact that everyone praises Vertigo to the skies. Something about that bothers me. No one manages to explain why they think Vertigo is the best thing to hit the cinema since the first projector.
Anyway, in other news, classes are done and spring break is upon me. I was planning on going down to Portland to visit some friends, but money and other factors have curtailed those plans.
I was bummed, of course, because I want to see my Oregonian friends, but also because I wanted to get out of the house and have a proper vacation. I think Ireland has spoiled me.
So I sat in my room, thinking, "Well, darn. I really wish I could go visit somewhere for spring break. Somewhere foreign. Wouldn't that be great?"
Ho hum.
Oh wait...
Canada is three hours away.
So, I'm going to Vancouver for two nights over spring break! It's (surprisingly) less expensive than a trip down to Portland, but I still get the feeling of being away from home for a few days. It's been ages since I was in Vancouver. So long ago that I actually don't remember it well.
If you are a Portland friend: Take heart. I will see you soon, sometime this summer. I need to save a little money first so I can have a proper visit with you all. :)
Let the weekend begin!
-The GLS
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Cotton & Catalina
It was a wacky, wacky day, today. But a good one, ultimately.
Stopped off at Fred Meyer with my mom and found the skein of yarn I had been looking for. Ironic, yeah? Looked all over at fabric stores and...Freddy's has it. Ah.
The yarn I'm using is cotton! It's my first time knitting with cotton. Not that it's much different than wool or acrylic or alpaca or bamboo (what I'm used to knitting with), but it has a LOT less give/elasticity and therefore less stretch when you're working with it. Other than that I LOVE the color (it's a nice, rich navy blue) and it feels nice to knit with something a little different this time around.
Another classic film night! This one was another doozy. "The Glass-Bottom Boat" starring Doris Day and Rod Taylor. (In case you're wondering: no, it's not about a glass-bottom boat, so the title IS meaningless...glad you asked.)
First, I must restate something very important: I LOVE classic movies. I'm an old movie buff. I thoroughly enjoy them in all of their black-and-white vs. TECHNICOLOR, weird editing, fantastic dialogue glory. I have no prejudice against old movies. This must be clearly understood before you continue reading.
Sometimes I think giving my reviews of movies like "The Glass-Bottom Boat" is kind of pointless, because...let's face it...the movie was made in 1966 and is a self-professed mix of a romcom and a spy movie. So...you can only imagine. Bright jewel-tone paint, misunderstandings, ugly men in drag, "Que Sera, Sera" following Doris Day around like a particularly sad puppy, chauvinistic undertones (or overtones), baritone ukuleles, Cold War "us vs. them" spygames with the Russians, and Rod Taylor with no shirt on. Not that I mind.
Seriously, this film was very strange, plotwise. The actual glass-bottom boat DOES start the film, but never really makes an appearance any other time. Sooo...one DOES wonder about the title a bit.
Okay, yeah, the film was pretty funny. I laughed aloud. HOWEVER if for no other reason, watch this film for Dom DeLuise. Holy cow, I love that man. I love him when he's falling all over himself, stepping in banana cream cake (not pie), stuttering uncontrollably, bugging the hors d'oeuvres, and getting hit in the head with things. He's amazing and hilarious and beloved.
I lied. If for no other reason BESIDES Dom DeLuise, watch this film for Eric Fleming, of "Rawhide" fame. Scratch that. Just go watch "Rawhide". Best TV show ever. And watch Eric Fleming and witness the awesome. Whether driving cattle or trying to steal government secrets, he's just so dashing!
When I was little I saw the old film version of "The Time Machine", and it was the first time I saw Rod Taylor in anything. I fell in love.
Well, I'm older now. And with Rod Taylor and Eric Fleming in the same movie...I think I've grown a bit wiser. I'll take Mr. Fleming, please and thank you.
...I think I need some sleep.
-The GLS
Stopped off at Fred Meyer with my mom and found the skein of yarn I had been looking for. Ironic, yeah? Looked all over at fabric stores and...Freddy's has it. Ah.
The yarn I'm using is cotton! It's my first time knitting with cotton. Not that it's much different than wool or acrylic or alpaca or bamboo (what I'm used to knitting with), but it has a LOT less give/elasticity and therefore less stretch when you're working with it. Other than that I LOVE the color (it's a nice, rich navy blue) and it feels nice to knit with something a little different this time around.
Another classic film night! This one was another doozy. "The Glass-Bottom Boat" starring Doris Day and Rod Taylor. (In case you're wondering: no, it's not about a glass-bottom boat, so the title IS meaningless...glad you asked.)
First, I must restate something very important: I LOVE classic movies. I'm an old movie buff. I thoroughly enjoy them in all of their black-and-white vs. TECHNICOLOR, weird editing, fantastic dialogue glory. I have no prejudice against old movies. This must be clearly understood before you continue reading.
Sometimes I think giving my reviews of movies like "The Glass-Bottom Boat" is kind of pointless, because...let's face it...the movie was made in 1966 and is a self-professed mix of a romcom and a spy movie. So...you can only imagine. Bright jewel-tone paint, misunderstandings, ugly men in drag, "Que Sera, Sera" following Doris Day around like a particularly sad puppy, chauvinistic undertones (or overtones), baritone ukuleles, Cold War "us vs. them" spygames with the Russians, and Rod Taylor with no shirt on. Not that I mind.
Seriously, this film was very strange, plotwise. The actual glass-bottom boat DOES start the film, but never really makes an appearance any other time. Sooo...one DOES wonder about the title a bit.
Okay, yeah, the film was pretty funny. I laughed aloud. HOWEVER if for no other reason, watch this film for Dom DeLuise. Holy cow, I love that man. I love him when he's falling all over himself, stepping in banana cream cake (not pie), stuttering uncontrollably, bugging the hors d'oeuvres, and getting hit in the head with things. He's amazing and hilarious and beloved.
I lied. If for no other reason BESIDES Dom DeLuise, watch this film for Eric Fleming, of "Rawhide" fame. Scratch that. Just go watch "Rawhide". Best TV show ever. And watch Eric Fleming and witness the awesome. Whether driving cattle or trying to steal government secrets, he's just so dashing!
When I was little I saw the old film version of "The Time Machine", and it was the first time I saw Rod Taylor in anything. I fell in love.
Well, I'm older now. And with Rod Taylor and Eric Fleming in the same movie...I think I've grown a bit wiser. I'll take Mr. Fleming, please and thank you.
...I think I need some sleep.
-The GLS
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Prodigal & 60 Stitches
Quick note before I have to go be responsible.
Tonight I watched the BEST-WORST movie I have ever seen! Like, delightfully campy!
Those who know me know that I like classic movies. A lot. I mean, heck, I had a crush on Cary Grant when I was ten. My mom likes to borrow old movies from the library, and she always brings these totally obscure films home with her. Some of them are awesome, and some...well...
Tonight's offering, "The Prodigal" was SO bad it registered on the "This is so bad it's awesome" scale. Picture the BASIC (I cannot stress this word enough) frame of the biblical prodigal son story, and then turn it into a 70 BC cinema spectacle, complete with Lana Turner as the seductress who lures the son away from home in the first place. Totally kitschy.
Actually, if you watch it (and I halfway recommend it), the best scene has to do with a fantastic fight between the main character and an incredible animatronic vulture. It's awesome. I almost peed my pants.
Although, there are also human sacrifices, sparkly bedazzled pagan costumes, blond and ginger-haired girls (in 70 BC Damascus?), random resurrections, stunted dialogue, someone who escapes harm by running across the backs of about six horses (!), afore-mentioned homicidal vulture...gosh, this movie has it all.
The 60 Stitches part of the title refers to my endless knitting project, in which I am down to 60 stitches. So close to finished! I will be sure to post pictures once I'm done. I'll be parading it around for awhile, I think.
Okay. Time to go be responsible.
-The GLS
Tonight I watched the BEST-WORST movie I have ever seen! Like, delightfully campy!
Those who know me know that I like classic movies. A lot. I mean, heck, I had a crush on Cary Grant when I was ten. My mom likes to borrow old movies from the library, and she always brings these totally obscure films home with her. Some of them are awesome, and some...well...
Tonight's offering, "The Prodigal" was SO bad it registered on the "This is so bad it's awesome" scale. Picture the BASIC (I cannot stress this word enough) frame of the biblical prodigal son story, and then turn it into a 70 BC cinema spectacle, complete with Lana Turner as the seductress who lures the son away from home in the first place. Totally kitschy.
Actually, if you watch it (and I halfway recommend it), the best scene has to do with a fantastic fight between the main character and an incredible animatronic vulture. It's awesome. I almost peed my pants.
Although, there are also human sacrifices, sparkly bedazzled pagan costumes, blond and ginger-haired girls (in 70 BC Damascus?), random resurrections, stunted dialogue, someone who escapes harm by running across the backs of about six horses (!), afore-mentioned homicidal vulture...gosh, this movie has it all.
The 60 Stitches part of the title refers to my endless knitting project, in which I am down to 60 stitches. So close to finished! I will be sure to post pictures once I'm done. I'll be parading it around for awhile, I think.
Okay. Time to go be responsible.
-The GLS
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Stars & Wars
Or...Star Wars!
Yeah, thanks to my five-year-old "babysittee" whom I have affectionately dubbed Choo Choo, I have been subjected to Episode I of the Star Wars saga one too many times. But it's only because he loves the podrace scenes. I am SO DONE with Jake Lloyd...
So tonight I dug the VHS of my favorite-favorite of the series, "Return of the Jedi", out of the back of our TV closet, dusted it off, and popped it in for a flashback of more innocent times. I seriously haven't watch it in years.
"Return of the Jedi" really encapsulates my childhood. For some reason at age eight or so, I decided that the other two were too scary for me, so I latched onto good ol' Episode VI as my movie of the decade. I almost wore that tape out, I watched it so much. At the height of that period I could quote along with the whole movie, even trying my hand at the languages of Jabba and his minions, and of COURSE the Ewoks.
Nerdy? If you want to call it that. But you know what? I think everyone has those movies that sort of...defined their childhood memories. It's fun to relive all of that. I had forgotten how cheesy and yet totally superior the original trilogy was and is to the new ones. As a saga I guess they work, but the old ones had a certain charm. The epic score of John Williams, the fantastic puppets and makeup, the ridiculous costumes, George Lucas' questionable linguistic prowess...lightyears ahead of the new ones, which feature stunted "romantic" dialogue between Padme and Anakin, elaborate but slightly racist new alien species, the abomination that is Jar Jar Binks, and NO SENSE OF HUMOR whatsoever. Yikes.
However, I will forgive Episode III, but only because they gave us Wookiees. Lots and lots of Wookiees. As long as there is fuzzy, GLS is happy.
Go watch your favorite childhood movie. Rent it, buy it, whatever it takes. Or, if you can't think of one, borrow mine and watch "Return of the Jedi" one more time. It's good for you.
-The GLS
PS: Warwick Davis is the one constant in all of the madness. I will always love his portrayal of Wicket. Love him.
Yeah, thanks to my five-year-old "babysittee" whom I have affectionately dubbed Choo Choo, I have been subjected to Episode I of the Star Wars saga one too many times. But it's only because he loves the podrace scenes. I am SO DONE with Jake Lloyd...
So tonight I dug the VHS of my favorite-favorite of the series, "Return of the Jedi", out of the back of our TV closet, dusted it off, and popped it in for a flashback of more innocent times. I seriously haven't watch it in years.
"Return of the Jedi" really encapsulates my childhood. For some reason at age eight or so, I decided that the other two were too scary for me, so I latched onto good ol' Episode VI as my movie of the decade. I almost wore that tape out, I watched it so much. At the height of that period I could quote along with the whole movie, even trying my hand at the languages of Jabba and his minions, and of COURSE the Ewoks.
Nerdy? If you want to call it that. But you know what? I think everyone has those movies that sort of...defined their childhood memories. It's fun to relive all of that. I had forgotten how cheesy and yet totally superior the original trilogy was and is to the new ones. As a saga I guess they work, but the old ones had a certain charm. The epic score of John Williams, the fantastic puppets and makeup, the ridiculous costumes, George Lucas' questionable linguistic prowess...lightyears ahead of the new ones, which feature stunted "romantic" dialogue between Padme and Anakin, elaborate but slightly racist new alien species, the abomination that is Jar Jar Binks, and NO SENSE OF HUMOR whatsoever. Yikes.
However, I will forgive Episode III, but only because they gave us Wookiees. Lots and lots of Wookiees. As long as there is fuzzy, GLS is happy.
Go watch your favorite childhood movie. Rent it, buy it, whatever it takes. Or, if you can't think of one, borrow mine and watch "Return of the Jedi" one more time. It's good for you.
-The GLS
PS: Warwick Davis is the one constant in all of the madness. I will always love his portrayal of Wicket. Love him.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Villains & Clouseau
I realized that certain of my tagging categories were a little thin, so I decided to do something gutsy in the area of films.
Tonight I watched a movie--without any reviews or suggestions--called "A Shot in the Dark", which is actually the second Peter Sellers Pink Panther movie. It was made in the mid-60's and it's Peter Sellers in all of his goofy, slapstick, ridiculous glory.
Be forewarned of a few things: First, the Pink Panther doesn't actually have anything to do with the movie. It's just that Sellers plays Inspector Clouseau, so they kept the franchise intact. In fact, you don't even have to see the first one in order to appreciate this one. They have nothing to do with each other except Clouseau.
Second, don't watch if you're offended by 60's sensibilities. And by this I mean moments of bad humor (bad as in not funny), sexist attitudes, affairs between pretty much everyone, and weird plots that seem pointless and stupid. Oh, and nudists. But it's 60's film censorship, so you don't see a thing.
However, a lot of Peter Sellers' slapstick really is very funny, and it's a goofy mystery movie so you can't be too tough on it. It's perfect for a popcorn movie, doesn't require any thought and all you need is to sit back and witness the ridiculous.
As far as the noveling goes, things are speeding along nicely. I'm trying something new with this novel, which is actually taking time to craft suitably creepy and realistic villains. I tend to make my villains SO grey that they really aren't villains at all, and therefore my novels end up with no conflict. Having empathetic villains is different than having ambiguous ones. I've realized that I'm allergic to conflict. So I'm trying to fix that.
I actually had to write a section of my novel in the daylight, today, because it was creepier than I normally write and I kept freaking myself out last night when I tried to write it. Pathetic? Yeah, probably. Does it mean I'm doing better with villains? I hope so!
Current Word Count: 9,730
-The GLS
Tonight I watched a movie--without any reviews or suggestions--called "A Shot in the Dark", which is actually the second Peter Sellers Pink Panther movie. It was made in the mid-60's and it's Peter Sellers in all of his goofy, slapstick, ridiculous glory.
Be forewarned of a few things: First, the Pink Panther doesn't actually have anything to do with the movie. It's just that Sellers plays Inspector Clouseau, so they kept the franchise intact. In fact, you don't even have to see the first one in order to appreciate this one. They have nothing to do with each other except Clouseau.
Second, don't watch if you're offended by 60's sensibilities. And by this I mean moments of bad humor (bad as in not funny), sexist attitudes, affairs between pretty much everyone, and weird plots that seem pointless and stupid. Oh, and nudists. But it's 60's film censorship, so you don't see a thing.
However, a lot of Peter Sellers' slapstick really is very funny, and it's a goofy mystery movie so you can't be too tough on it. It's perfect for a popcorn movie, doesn't require any thought and all you need is to sit back and witness the ridiculous.
As far as the noveling goes, things are speeding along nicely. I'm trying something new with this novel, which is actually taking time to craft suitably creepy and realistic villains. I tend to make my villains SO grey that they really aren't villains at all, and therefore my novels end up with no conflict. Having empathetic villains is different than having ambiguous ones. I've realized that I'm allergic to conflict. So I'm trying to fix that.
I actually had to write a section of my novel in the daylight, today, because it was creepier than I normally write and I kept freaking myself out last night when I tried to write it. Pathetic? Yeah, probably. Does it mean I'm doing better with villains? I hope so!
Current Word Count: 9,730
-The GLS
Monday, February 15, 2010
A Film & A Smile
Short post, this evening, because I have miles to go before I sleep. (Robert Frost, y'all...)
I went out to a movie tonight with Indefish! We saw "Valentine's Day", which featured a truly all-star cast. I mean, every person that turned around and showed their face on screen prompted a, "Whoa! I know them!" from myself and my companion. It was pretty crazy.
The story itself--or stories, rather--was pretty cute, in an interconnected web of people in LA who are all experiencing Valentine's Day in their own way. Lots of love triangles and broken hearts and mended hearts and reconciliations and hugging in cemetaries and flowers and cute kids and dogs. And Julia Roberts in fatigues.
The only thing I kept getting caught on....was that parts of the story seemed vaguely familiar. Not, like, word-for-word, but the airports and the lovesick kids and the doomed marriages with husbands having affairs? Why do I remember that? Only with...English accents...?
Oh yeah.
"Love, Actually."
However, if we're comparing the two films "Love, Actually" beats out "Valentine's Day" hands-down. Because it has Colin Firth falling in love with a Portuguese woman who doesn't speak English in what might be the cutest love story of all time. Instant win. It also has Hugh Grant acting muddled (shocker!) and Bill Nighy singing totally insipid pop songs. And Julia Roberts in fatigues.
Okay. Forget that last detail. It just kind of tripped me out.
Anyway, go see "Valentine's Day" if you like sappy romcoms with misunderstandings and Indian restuarants and Jamie Foxx (which, I do!).
In other news, I have decided that I am going into this week with a smile. Because I need to, and Tuesdays that act like Mondays are tough. Because I have a lot to get done before tomorrow's class experience will be a good one. And because without a smile...we ain't got nothing, right? Right.
Much love to all. Feeling all warm and fuzzy...
-The GLS
I went out to a movie tonight with Indefish! We saw "Valentine's Day", which featured a truly all-star cast. I mean, every person that turned around and showed their face on screen prompted a, "Whoa! I know them!" from myself and my companion. It was pretty crazy.
The story itself--or stories, rather--was pretty cute, in an interconnected web of people in LA who are all experiencing Valentine's Day in their own way. Lots of love triangles and broken hearts and mended hearts and reconciliations and hugging in cemetaries and flowers and cute kids and dogs. And Julia Roberts in fatigues.
The only thing I kept getting caught on....was that parts of the story seemed vaguely familiar. Not, like, word-for-word, but the airports and the lovesick kids and the doomed marriages with husbands having affairs? Why do I remember that? Only with...English accents...?
Oh yeah.
"Love, Actually."
However, if we're comparing the two films "Love, Actually" beats out "Valentine's Day" hands-down. Because it has Colin Firth falling in love with a Portuguese woman who doesn't speak English in what might be the cutest love story of all time. Instant win. It also has Hugh Grant acting muddled (shocker!) and Bill Nighy singing totally insipid pop songs. And Julia Roberts in fatigues.
Okay. Forget that last detail. It just kind of tripped me out.
Anyway, go see "Valentine's Day" if you like sappy romcoms with misunderstandings and Indian restuarants and Jamie Foxx (which, I do!).
In other news, I have decided that I am going into this week with a smile. Because I need to, and Tuesdays that act like Mondays are tough. Because I have a lot to get done before tomorrow's class experience will be a good one. And because without a smile...we ain't got nothing, right? Right.
Much love to all. Feeling all warm and fuzzy...
-The GLS
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