About Time

About Time was recommended to me by a colleague months ago and I can believe it took me so long to watch it (purchased the dvd at an internet discount) Not only I love Rachel MacAdams but I also like this director. The usuals are here, a quirky sister with problems, slightly original but loving family. Odd group of friends etc. I liked the fact that the male lead looks like a real person (instead of a jeunne premier) and had great chemistry with Rachel MacAdams.

This one is more of a slice of life of an ordinary man who is a good man with a kind heart (my favorite type of person) And this maybe the only time travel film I actually enjoyed. Our hero can travel through the past years of his life at will. There are some consequences of course but generally this device is used more to the effect of appreciation of life and love and family. The difference was that the film had a slightly lighter tone of visuals at the Cornwall scenes and I usually don't like it but loved it here.

Tears were flowing halfway through and by the end I needed a tissue (which was ruined as the credits roll).

A good film to end the year with and definitely a keeper. 

Invisible Monsters

Invisible Monsters was probably not the right choice for me to start to this novelist. It was not bad but I didn't find anything interesting in it. Which is kind off odd since the characters in the novel are:

- a beautiful woman who has a truly deformed face (the lower half all gone, no jaw, teeth etc. with a gaping would at the throat where sometimes her tounge sticks out)

- a cop whose duty used to be to catch gay men who are after some action in public parks

- a model wannabe who has a lot of family money but a bit big boned (best friend of the beautiful woman above)

- a man who is slowly turning into a women (everything but the vagina is completed)

They all are somehow connected and these connections are revealed to us with twist after twist and it sort of kept me going but not enough to seek other novels by Mr.Palahniuk.  

First Daughter

Photo credit: http://thecia.com.au

First Daughter Why did I even watched this? I think because I kind of like Forest Whitaker's visuals and his cute editing. I don't really care for Katie Holmes but then again I don't really hate her either. She is just Joey in everything I see her in. I don't mind and I don't seek her out but do not refuse when she is on my screen. Anyway this film is made for a fan of Ms. Holmes. All those close up shots etc. were on her and she looks very pretty, cute and lovable. Otherwise this film didn't offer anything remarkable on the romance front, anything interesting storywise or any curiousity regarding the characters. Only if you are fan of Holmes otherwise you won't lose anything by staying away.

The Barrens

Photo credit: http://media.oregonlive.com/

The Barrens was on Digidvd and since I like horror films and I like Stephen Moyer (it took me ages to choose between Bill and Eric) I gave it a try. I'm glad that I did.

First off this is not a found footage film thank God. There was a proper camera and nice visuals too. The story was interesting and kept us guessing (my mother decided to watch it with me and horror is definitely not her favorite genre) till the end. And I definitely didn't see the twist coming. Mr.Moyer looks and acts good and the rest of the small cast did a fine job. Although the child actor was not one I liked (which is quite a feat since I tend toward liking them). 

Whisper of the Heart

Whisper of the Heart is the only dvd I was able to finish this week (I actually fell asleep in the middle of it but started to watch right after I woke up in the morning). It is probably the only Studio Ghibli film I do not have in my collection (excluding of course the latests of Hayao Miyazaki which I already recorded and plan to watch next week inşaallah). And of course any film of Goro Miyazaki since I didn't like what he did with the Earthsea adaptation (Planning to read the books again in their original language this time)

So it is not a wonder that I loved this film. There is some whimsy in it but mostly it is a coming of ageish story of a girl who falls in love. I loved Shizuku and her daily adventures. There is something about high school romance that appeals to me. The way everything seems like it is the end of the world at the time. Looking back I sympathise with that feeling.

Also I'm singing Country Roads since Saturday morning :)

A Kiss At Midnight

A Kiss at Midnight gave me the impression that I have read it before. I was not quite sure so I kept going and finished it. I'm still wondering whether this is a re read. That means I have found it generic. 

Carrion Comfort

Carrion Comfort is one I chose because of the genre (horror) and the length. It is such a long book that I thought it would carry me to next year. I didn't count on it being an exciting one that made me eager to listen at every opportunity. I was really into it and didn't think it suffered from editing problems. I mention this because this novel is notorious since the writer, Dan Simmons refused to let it edited. After finishing it, I have to agree with him. It was at some places predictable but never boring. And the readers were really good. Recommended if you are into the genre.

The Shining Girls

The Shining Girls is one of those novels recommended highly on line and I purchased it second hand at amazon. I liked it. It has an ambitious plot. A serial killer who has found a way to time travel and kills women who he thinks "shine". Meets them as little girls, sometimes gives them a token and then years later meets them again and kills them viciously. One girl however survives his attack and decides to catch him. Kirby is our heroine who is smart and determined. The serial killer, Harper is a disgusting human being and we have Dan an ex crime reporter who got burned out and switched to sports. Kirby worked hard, looked for clues and finally nailed the bastard.

The story is told in a non linear way that suits the time travel angle. Time travel is not one of my favorite plot devices and this one was not a novel I craved to read. But whenever I picked it up I forgot the world around me and was completely into the story. 

Devil's Due

Photo credit: http://www.sinefesto.com

Devil's Due was one of the films I have watched on weekend but forgot to add. It was not really that good. The story is told via an amateur camera and cctv at the house. This kind of thing doesn't really work anymore for me. Anyway I have watched it to the end since I like both of the lead actors but it was neither scary nor suspenseful. 

Why Not As Many Films/TV Shows This Month? Some Musings

First off I suffered from toothache and my root canal renewal is still ongoing. I even had to take antibiotics and despite the fact that I have taken the final pill this morning with the dentist appointment tomorrow evening I still have a trace of an ache (nowhere near the real ache but it still is there)

Anyway also I have started to spend more time with my mother in the evenings. I'd walk from the first stop of the work shuttle to home via a looong route (all the while listening to audible) and reach home at about 19:30 and we watch this game show called super puzzle (it is a word quizz similar to scrabble) and then I feel really tired and fall asleep (I think twice without even saying the night prayers) listening to the audible. No films, no dramas etc.

I hope I'll break this cycle and return to my beloved film viewing soon. In fact I'll try a studio Ghibli film tonight (not one of Miyazaki's, one that I have never watched before). It is my birthday after all.

Birthdays are strange as one gets older. Now they don't matter as much. I'm hoping that there will not be cake (there had been cake in all of my birthdays - sometimes more than once, which is good I guess) this time. But there is an amber of excitement too. I have finished a year. A sense of needless accomplishment. It feels good, not in the way of the yesteryears but in a different way. Thank God.

A Time to Kill

Photo credit http://cdn.mos.totalfilm.com

A Time to Kill is one of those film I knew was not very good but I liked anyway. But this viewing was a total turnoff all around. Maybe the intention is good but it is just so blatant in everything that despite the tears (well I cry at everything) I was unhappy with this third viewing. The only thing that is good in the film is the cast and that is the reason I finished it. 

Serendipity

Photo credit: http://www.boxofficeprophets.com


Serendipity was not a film I wanted to watch bad. First off I don't like John Cusack and seriously don't get his appeal (here I need to say that I'm able to change my mind from time to time - cases in point Christian Bale and Scarlett Johanson- but with this guy I never did) and I don't like Kate Beckinsale. She is pretty and she made a great Emma but she is not an actress based on whom I'd choose a film to watch.

But I love a rom com and since it was on TV I felt I could enjoy it on some level. I didn't. In my opinion this is how one should not film a rom com. Yes rom com leads always act silly and nonsensical but there is a method to the madness. Not in the case of these two. It just didn't make sense on any level. I actually fell asleep towards the end.

Strange Weather in Tokyo

Strange Weather in Tokyo was suggested to me by amazon. This is one of those times I was glad that they did. Normally any English translation of a Japanese novel gives me a lot of pleasure but this time I seriously fell in love with it. This is a love story a May December romance that progresses slowly but surely and I was in tears at the end. I need to find more novels of Hiromi Kawakami.  

The Girl With All The Gifts

The Girl With All The Gifts was lauded by a book web site that I frequent and spoiler phobe that I'm, I never checked the plot etc. That was a mistake on my part. This book is one of those killer virus turning people into hungry predator hunting their -former- kind, a handful of humans trying to survive etc. It was so not my thing. The girl with all the gifts of the title is a hybrid that carries the virus but not as affected as the others. It is probably a good novel but I'm simply not interested in this genre and it took me a longer time to finish it than it usually would (note to self, at least check whether the book is a killer virus kind of book or not before buying it).

The Terminal

Picture credit: http://pointofview.bluehighways.com

The Terminal was not a film I had been keen on viewing. Despite the fact(s) that I love Tom Hanks (such an excellent actor), I love Steven Spielberg (despite his misplaced whimsies from time to time) and I love airports and flying.

Anyway at a time when I was suffering from severe toothache (root canal renewal and I can't take painkillers and didn't think of alcohol) I saw this one at Dvdigi and gave it a try. It is not surprise that I loved it. This is best viewed as one of those fairy tale films where one does not need to get stuck up with the facts. I love the cast (Diego Luna was a welcome surprise) and the airport (JFK) that still had more bookstores than it now has. Tears flowed (though I'm not sure whether those were due to the film or the toothache) and a good time was had despite the odds. 

Phantom

Phantom waited until I had free points in my credit card. And it turned out to be one of the best of Harry Hole books. Poor Harry is put to lots of emotional and physical difficulties.

SPOILER

And the novel end with Harry being shot by Oleg, the son of the love of his life with whom he can now release all the hopes of being together in the future since not only Oleg is the killer but also Harry tried to arrest him. A mother is not going to forgive or forget that. Children usually trumps husbands. As Harry lies at a junkie den with three bullets inside him (one in the head) I felt terribly sorry for the guy. And this one had excellent twists (one I saw coming and the other I didn't see).

Of course I know Harry is going to live (the poor guy has a finger cut off, has a large, nasty scar on his face and now is on the brink of death, this is on top of  being an alcoholic, causing a colleagues death due to drunk driving, having a girl friend getting killed by a serial killer, having the love of his life almost get killed by another serial killer - this is when he lost his finger- and falling on and off the vagon various times (at least once in each book including this one).

I'll wait a bit until reading the one after this (Policeman) but I still like Harry and was saved from dropping him by this good book. 

Exodus: Gods and Kings

Exodus: Gods and Kings is the rare film that gets me to theater. Christian Bale and Ridley Scott are two names I like in cinema and I'm not anti Joel Edgerton either. However the main reason is that I like (and believe in) the story of Moses and Aaron and how they saved the Jewish people from Pharoah's cruelties.

However, as Noah, this one was dissapointing in the fact that religious aspects were kind of dimmed by choice. In this day and age where cinema can better show God's miracles, the directors are after making action or pschological thrillers. And this one is the former. There are the miracles of course (it is hard to avoid them in the story) but they are kind of explained by scientific terms and there is even a suggestion that the God's messages were Moses' hallucinations (after hitting his head on the way to the mountain).

I'm a religious person but of the live and let live kind and I don't mind the interpretations or the choices of the director but I wanted to watch a bona fide religious miracle film where Moses and Aaron beats Pharoah with God's miracles and the Red Sea opening up and swallowing the bad guys. Well the Red Sea here has receded as a tide and then risen again. But I was hoping more like the animations in The Prince of Egypt where the sea is divided into two etc. And also I wanted to see Moses' staff eating the magicians tricks up and his hand becoming all white and luminous. Anyway I didn't fall asleep or anything and the acting was fine but all in all I was not satisfied. It just was not a good film you know. Not like, say, Gladiator where one roots for Maximus and gets caught up in the story. I think Moses and Aaron deserved better.

Fever Pitch

Fever Pitch  I like Farrely Brothers' films except Dumb and Dumber and Say It Ain't So. There is Something About Mary is probably my all time favorite comedy and I kind of enjoy Heartbreak Kid and usually don't change the channel when it is on. But Fever Pitch has a different place. For some reason I like it a lot as a rom com and a nice fan film. As the years pass, it is now clear to me that I'm not a fan. I'm fickle and prone to get sick of things quickly (in Turkish we call this Monkey Apetite).
This one gave me an idea of how someone can be a dedicated sports team fan and be rational at all the rest of other parts of his life. Also this film is kind of special since it is about Red Sox and they became champions after decades during the filming of it. Good coincidence. 

Fangirl

Fangirl is another novel written by Rainbow Rowell I have picked up without hesitation after Eleanor and Park. It was good but not as good as E&P (which truly won my heart)

This one is about, yep a fangirl and her twin sister going off to colleage. Of course there is more to it than that, our heroine is a fanfiction writer (for a series of books similar to Harry Potter) who has a large following. Ms. Powell even put slash in it. I was amused but since I do not read fanfiction (there are so many books to read and so little time) it sort of didn't move me as much as E&P did. This doesn't mean that I didn't drop everything else just to read it further (I did).

Recommended if you like YA literature.

Before Midnight

Before Midnight  Now isn't it a wonder? I'm of the same age as the two lead characters of this triology. I was swooned by the romance in Before Sunrise, loved everything about Before Sunset and now there is Before Midnight. Not as good as the other two but still very enjoyable and relevant to the age bracket. This one ended up being a keeper still I think I like Before Sunset the best, Before Sunrise the second and Before Midnight the third. Jesse and Celine's problems, expectancies and worries and happiness are familiar. And it is good that they still keep the romance going despite everything else. 

The Troop

The Troop is among some of the books I picked up at JFK this fall (and the photo is soo bad) Anyway I like horror genre and thought to give this one a try since Uncle Steve gives it a thumbs up. Well it was OK I suppose. A very very lite Lord of the Flies (now that one is a fabulous novel) a bit some of those pandemic novels. It ended up being a decent read but not one I couldn't leave. 

Don Jon

Don Jon Yes another Joseph Gordon-Lewitt film. The trailers for this one I have seen in when in SF and it seemed like a fun film. And it is a fun film. Spoilers.

Ok first off you need to think that JGL is a hot guy. This is a bit of a strech since he is treated like Brad Pitt Leonardo Di Caprio or something in the film. His friends call him Don Jon in reference to Don Giovanni I suppose. Anyway he is a constant gym goer, goes to church on Sundays (Catholic) and dates fast and hard with beautiful women. But his true love is porn and he doesn't give it up even when dating Scarlett Johansonn. Ok Scar Jo and Christian Bale are two actors that have turned me around. I used to dislike them a lot for no reason but now I liked both of them a lot. Scarlett here plays a girl we usually see everywhere. Her character is very close to what is termed in Turkish social media as a "Turkish Girl". She is hot, likes to make up and dress trendy. She loves to take on men as projects going toward marriage. Well Scarlett hooked Jon and he follows willingly. Some of the Scarlett effects are good such as starting night class. But she is really not interested in him as a person but he seems more of a project. Anyway he meets Julienne Moore in night class and despite not finding her attractive or being drawn to her or anything, she talks to him, makes conversation and seems like cool older lady. And in the end (a happy ending) he is dumped by Scarlett for his addiction to porn and saved by Julienne who teaches him that there are better things that two people can do.

All in all I liked the film. It is written and directed by JGL which explains why Jon has to be depicted as such  hottie.  

Night Moves

Photo credit: The Guardian

Night Moves was a pleasant surprise since I saw the trailer on another dvd one night ago and was curious about it and lo and behold, there it was on Dvdigi. Environmental activism is a subject that is slowly being used in films (I have also seen and like The East) but sadly not in any of the great ones that I have seen.

Now I love Dakota Fanning. She has great talent and is superb in everything I have seen her in including this one. And I kind of like Jesse Eisenberg. Peter Skarsgaard is ok too. All in all I have had no trouble with the performances. However the film itself didn't leave me in suspense or anything similar. It was dark and slow. There was not much of a story, SPOILER   three environmental activists blow out a dam and an unlucky camper got killed. One of the activitists cracked and told others about it and when the other's involvement is exposed, he is fired from his job and felt so bad about the whole thing that he kills her (the third one stays away the whole time) and then has to leave everything and everyone behind anyway.

The two things I liked about this film were the performances and the name. 

Flags of Our Fathers

Flags of Our Fathers is one of Clint's that I was not really that eager to view. That is not because of the reviews since I really like Mr.Eastwood both on and off screen directing and script writing. But war is definitely not my thing. However, having read Winter of the World made me want to check out how Clint filmed the war in Pasific. The story is surrounded by the war in Iwo Jima and how three soldiers were recruited to contribute to the war effort by riding high on public feelings of one photo (the one on the dvd) and live advertising for war bonds. We see things through the son of one of them who tells the story of this advertising campaign and its effects on the participants. Interpersed with memories of the war.

I liked it as I like all Eastwood films but this one will not have a special place in my heart. Not becauce of war but I didn't like the structure and it was disjointed. And the actors were fine but not really impressive. Clint works best with naturally talented actors (Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Hillary Swank, himself, Gene Hackman) and he is not really and actors' director (although everyone likes working with him) focused on the performance.

All in all this is not really recommended unless you are into the genre/time period etc. 

Winter of the World

Photo credit: Goodreads

Winter of the World  I had taken a screen capture from my audible but it got left in my other phone so the visual is taken from good reads. This was not as good as the Fall of Giants where more time was spent with the characters but it was a decent read with lots of action and what these two novels did for me was to not to get repulsed by the war genre anymore. I was also very affected in the Pearl Harbour scenes having been there and can imagine the location and destruction very well. I was really sad for the Von Ulrich family but applauded their resilience and strength of character.

All in all this ended up being a decent follow up and I can safely recommend the audiobook. John Lee was very good (although not as good as in Fall of Giants).  

You From Another Star

You From Another Star The reason I chose this drama is that I love Jeon Ji Hyun. Ever since I saw her in My Sassy Girl she is a delight to me. She is not in many films or dramas though so when she appeared in this one I'd have gone for it even if it was not such a well liked drama with high ratings.

The reason for the ratings and the one who got all the awards is Kim Soo Hyun though, the male lead. He is loved by virtually everyone and causes ovaries to explode. But he doesn't do anything to me. Not because he is way younger than me since I like Lee Seung Gi and Jae Joong but this guy does not have that effect on me. His performance was not bad but he is not uber talented like Lee Byung Hun or Cha Seung Won. Anyway on to the show with loads of SPOILERS.


Do Min Joon (Kim Soo Hyun) is an alien who landed in Joseon era Korea and missed his ride back. So he has been living in the world for 400 years and now his kind will be back in 3 months. His only friend and manager of human affairs is Lawyer Jang (it reminded me a bit of Dracula)

Chun Song Yi is a S.Korean super star actress and commercial darling at the top of her career. She is not really into culture though and is known and laughed at for her ignorant remarks.

Do Min Joon has been in the earth forever and tried many professions astronomer, doctor, banker, lawyer and now he is a (albeit very young) professor. To his dismay Song Yi moves right next door to his lovely apartment. Now that they are neighbours, his quiet, undisturbed life is in caos since Song Yi gets drunk, has lots of reporters etc. following her and she is noisy (he, of course has super hearing).

The secondary guy is in love with Song Yi for 15 years but Song Yi only sees him as a friend and never actually gave him hope.

The secondary girl is also Song Yi's friend for 15 years and she is also an actress but she is nowhere near as successful as Song Yi and usually takes small parts in films and dramas Song Yi stars. This time she is in love with the secondary guy and she hides her pettiness behind a nice girl facade.

Our villain is secondary guy's elder brother who is a pyschopath. He kills Song Yi's rival in business and everyone assumes that the rival committed suicide because of Song Yi's bullying. Song Yi is now a disgraced celebrity whose career is in fast decline. Commercials are cancelled, projects shelved, they even removed her as the lead of the drama she is currently filming. All these go to secondary girl SeMi.

Anyway all in all this alien with super powers drama who is influenced heavily from Dracula, Twilight and towards the end Time Traveller's Wife, ended being only OK. I wonder if it is me of they don't make them as good anymore. Of course I kind of leaked tears towards the end but I can't say I felt the need/desire to marathon (which is the best indicator of how much one likes a drama).

All in all I'll recommend since the cast is good, it is entertaining and Jeon Ji Hyun is excellent in it. 

The World We Found

The World We Found was among a batch I picked up from a discount at an internet store. I really like India and most of the meager amount of the Indian literature I have read. This is the reason I purchased it and it ended being an OK book about four women and two men who were social activists in their college days but life turned out to be very different from their ideals. It is a slice of life kind of book with less amount of flashbacks than I thought there would be. All in all I ended up enjoying it. Having been to India and/or watching Indian films would help one like it even better in my opinion.

The Thief

The Thief is one of the books I got from San Francisco. Not a secondhand book. I usually don't hesitate when it comes to Japanese literature since I almost always end up liking it even when not really caring to seek other books from the author. This one was interesting and read like the wind. The protagonist is a pick pocket who gets into trouble with a rather scary villain. Not that he had done anything in particular to antagonise the man. I felt for the thief and hoped that he'll get away.

There is a certain simple fluency in English translation of Japanese books. I love the uncluttered prose.

This one I can recommend if you are into J-lit. Otherwise not necessary. 

Mini Shopaholic

Mini Shopaholic is a book I picked up from the small library at work (since I have forgotten Brave New World at home that day). I'm definitely not into Shopaholic series. Not that Becky is adorable and I remember that I even liked the film. But I'm not a shopaholic for clothes and shoes and bags. If the character was a shopaholic for books and films then I think I might have been more into it. Anyhow this is a timepass. 

Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit

Photo credithttp://www.btchflcks.com
The site has a snarky review of the film.

Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit it was so bad that I fell asleep towards the end. Seriously. Should an action film put you to sleep? But everything was so predictable, so formulaic and so stale that I felt I have watched this film many times. Chris Pine is a decent actor with likable screen presence but he doesn't have what it takes to rebook a character actred previously by Harrison Ford. He is great as Captain Kirk but those films are not one man films no? Anyway the villain is Kenneth Branagh (who is also the director) and he is your typical Russian villain. Aaaand I don't think Russians make good villains in US films anymore. They just don't.
Love interest is Keira Knightley who face looks like she is constantly pouting. Mentor is Kevin Costner who I can't help but like ever since Tin Cup.

So this was a waste of time but I watched it anyway.

Dark Skies

Photo credit: http://www.nerdist.com

Dark Skies was another film I chose to because of its genre. Also I like Keri Russell. Anyway this film had a more of an effect on me. It was about a family harrassed by the aliens. It progressed slowly to a SPOILER   a grim end. Josh Hamilton, who played the husband was a weak link in an otherwise strong cast and a decent cinematography. This may have freak out people who are scared of aliens but it was not scary as far as I'm concerned. All in all had a decent time.

The House of The Devil

Photo credit: http://i2.wp.com/www.heyuguys.com/

The House of the Devil was among the Dvdigi selections and I decided to check it out. Writer director Ti West was aiming for an original retro look I guess and I enjoyed the whole thing despite it being pretty weak as far as the plot etc. goes. And the retro also extended to special effects. It was interesting to watch Greta Gerwig in a supporting role in so old looking a film. All in all it was an OK passtime but not much more.

Brave New World

Brave New World This one came into my radar at a good dystopian novels list and I loved it. Aldous Huxley offers a different, less harsh but more cunning alternative to Orwell's 1984. And some of it is frighteningly similar to what we are experiencing now. And not only was the novel fascinating but also the foreword by the author and introduction by Margaret Atwood were also excellent.

This one is highly recommended.

Vampire Knight

Vampire Knight I have been hearing about this for years and when I saw a good deal on a second hand disc at amazon I decided to give it a go. Well it was ok I suppose but I was not captivated as I normally am. Three major characters are Yuki our intrepid and kind hearted heroine, Zero our poor hero whose family was murdered by a vampire of highest cast (in this AU vampires have different casts and powers) and now is a vampire of the lowest cast, and Kaname one of the noblest of vampires whose only weakness is his feelings for Yuki. All these are happening at a boarding school that has two separate classes for students who study at day time and for students (vampires) who study at night time. Of course the vampires put their superior abilities to the service of science (though we never get to see it). Yuki has a mysterious past and she likes both Zero and Kaname (who saved her from another vampire once).

This one has a loyal following and everyone who watches it fell for it. I also purchased the follow up Vampire Knight Guilty. I sure hope that it will offer something more to my liking. 

Lay Tbe Favorite

Lay The Favorite is a film I have heard nothing about. But as I saw that it stars Rebecca Hall and Bruce Willis I thought why not? I like Rebecca Hall and don't understand why she is not in more films. She is a good actress with a very likable screen presence. But even if the film she is in becomes well known (unlike Lay The Favorite) her co stars get the fame. Barcelona Barcelona - Scarlett Johansonn, The Town - Ben Affleck, Starter for Ten - James McAvoy.
Anyway I also like Bruce Willis. And I like Stephen Frears. Anyway the film was decent and I loved watching Vegas (I wish I could go there once again free of charge) but it is just not that good. Anyway I had a good time with it. 

Morning Glory

Morning Glory is a film I really like. The main reason is the cast. I love everyone in this thing. Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Patrick Wilson, Diane Keaton and we have Jeff Goldblum in a small role. I also like the hard working heroine and his boyfriend who understand and supports her. I love grumpy Harrison Ford and Diane Keaton (they both aged really well). All in all I don't know how many times I have seen it but I like it everytime.

Devil in Winter

Devil in Winter I don't know whether it is all the books about war or that I'm expecting a visit from Aunt Flo soon but I liked this one very much. It is the "rake reformed" type of romance novel and this one had ample intimate scenes which are of the unintentionally hillarious kind. All in all I enjoyed it very much and appreciated the break from the grim literature I experienced lately (not that I'll stay away from grim - heh)
Recommended.

Good-by To All That

Good-bye To All That was recommended to me after I announced that I love I, Claudius. I never seeked it out since war is my least fave genre and I simply was not interested. But when I saw it at a second hand book store in San Francisco, it was so cheap that I grabbed it for a rainy day. Well after Ken Follet's Fall of the Giants my interest in the First World War peaked up and I thought I'd give it a try as a companion piece. Well it worked out fine and even though it is not a favorite I like the writing style and the story. I especially liked the kind things he wrote about Thomas Hardy (one of my all time favorites). And how he seems to be honest to himself and has no problem writing about his faults - which are not the usual "good" faults if you know what I mean.

And it is once again evident how stupid and unnecessary that war was.

Recommended if you are interested at that period of time but otherwise you won't lose much by not reading it.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Photo credit: http://portugalresident.com/


The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is not a film I sought out. But it was there on TV and I like Ben Stiller (and Adam Sandler for no identifable reason what so ever). This one is also directed by Mr.Stiller adapted from a short story.

Walter Mitty works in Life magazine as the person who is responsible for managing the negatives of the photos sent by great photographer Sean O'Connel. He is a man whose dreams of travelling the world were stunted with his father's unexpected death when Walter was 17 years old. He felt responsible for his mother and younger sister and immediately started working. He is great at his job but not very social and prone to day dreams (but not the type most of us have, he goes into a trance of some sort and doesn't hear people around him etc.) and cannot find the courage to express his interest in his co worker. As Life magazine is going on a transition (to solely be on line) a lot of people are fired and just at that time Walter can't find an important negative sent by O'Connel. So he goes on a journey to track O'Connel to find the negative, even though he is already sacked because of it (or maybe this was just an excuse, he has been working there for 16 years).

His search takes him to Grönland and then to Iceland and then to Himalayas and he felt happy and with each new adventure his day dreaming reduced.

I liked the film (there was not any bona fide crying but only some leakage from the eyes). It has clean cinematography, close up shots, an interesting story acted well, and great visuals. I was happy.

I Think I Love My Wife

Photo credit: http://wpc.556e.edgecastcdn.net

I Think I Love My Wife was always coming on TV but I never got the start so despite kind of liking Chris Rock I didn't watch it. This weeked it was on Dvdigi and I said why not? But it was not really that good. And apart from showing the beauty of Kerry Washington (who was the antagonist, not the wife) I didn't see the point.  It was a blah film.

American Horror Story Asylum

 

It looks interesting doesn't it?

American Horror Story was an unexpected delight and I didn't hesitate ordering the second season. I was not really dissapointed although I liked the first season better. This one is crammed with stuff. First off, an asylum full of insane people, some of them murderers not in prison because they are found insane. The place is run by a born again catholic Nun (the excellent Jessica Lange) who hospitalises a journalist trying to make a story about a nasty seriel killer who flayed his victims. The man accused of being that is actually abducted by aliens (yeah I'm not kidding) and is examined by the court appointed pyschiatrist who is actually SPOILER the killer. There is also a medical doctor who experiments on patients trying to improve human beings (the experiments are kept at a secret place in the garden, they are horrible, attacking everyone and everything they see) and this doctor is actually a former Nazi officer who tortured people at concentration camps. Not to mention a sweet nun assistant to born again Nun who was possessed by a demon during an exorcism gone bad. Oh and we have a Priest whose ambitions to become a Cardinal and later Pope over shadows everything else in his life. Yeah the only thing lacking was the kitchen sink, vampires, werevolves and witches.

I liked it a lot though. The cast is very good (and I don't really like Joseph Fiennes, nowhere near as talented as his brother, but enjoyed hating him here), the soundtrack entertaining and I'm now eager to watch American Horror Story Coven (the fourth season called The Freak Show is currently airing in USA).

Recommended.  

Fall of Giants

Fall of Giants is not the type of novel I'd have chosen since the back ground of the story is the First World War. But not only I was captivated throughout but also I started to read Rupert Graves' Goodbye to All That' which is his First World War memoir.

The novel is the story of the start and end of the First World War told from the point of views of several characters. Billy and Ethel are Welsh and they are the children of a Socialist Preacher and Union Representative in coal mines. Ethel works as the house keeper in the house of the Earl of that town, Fitzherbert. The  Earl has a sister who is a suffragate and in love with Walter, a German nobleman (who is a consular employee) who loves her back. Meanwhile in Tzarist Russia we have brothers Gregory - the elder and responsible- and Lev - four years younger and a scoundrel, the one that has that certain charm and luck getting out of every bad situation-. Also we have an American, Gus who works for the President.

Mr.Follet is a great story teller. I loved The Pillars of the Earth but this one is even better. It even got me interested in the war (my least favorite genre, a horrible stain on humanity in whatever shape or form). The reader is effortlessly being informed of the historical events and easily captivated by the whole thing.

The recurring theme in the interactions between the major and side characters was, oddly enough, virginity. One gets to read all kinds of first experiences which seemed odd to me. Not disturbing but I have noticed it. The good characters in the novel are all respectful to women and the two major female characters are really strong, intelligent and capable women.

I definitely recommend this one since John Lee was an excellent reader, making all the accents and conveying all feelings perfectly well. Great job Mr.Lee. 

Opapatika

(Yeah looking at the dvd cover one would think this film would be exciting)


Opapatika, or shall I say, major fail, is definitely not my type of film. Pulled it out of the bargain bin lured by its Thai and action origins (Thais make good action films) but severely dissapointed. This one decided that it will be an art film and an action/horror/fantasy. And this is not really a combination many can handle (in fact I can only count Ashes of Time as the film that successfully pulled this off). The action is not interesting. The story is so bad it is not even good. And the characters sit and muse about their lives over and over again. Of course I fell asleep at one point but am stubborn and decided to complete it by rewinding. There was not even eye candy who suited to my taste :(

Anyway this one was not a winner, and I don't recommend even if you are into action and/or art films. This hybrid will waste your time.

Bluebeard's Egg

Bluebeard's Egg was something I picked up at a second hand book shop in San Francisco before I read anything by Margaret Atwood. The other book of hers I chose was The Blind Assassin (which is a GREAT novel and a must read for lovers of literature).

This is a book of short stories and despite the fact that I'm slowly delving into them, I can't seem to like them as much as novels. Anyway Ms. Atwood is not only a great writer but a perfect one for me, I who like clean uncluttered prose find delight in every sentence of hers. I can't pick up a favorite from this one. I did like Bluebeard's Egg and I did like The Sunset. But then again there is not one I didn't like. 

10 Items or Less

Photo credit: http://www.starsandpopcorn.com

10 Items or Less came to my attention years ago as a trailer on another dvd. But I didn't pursue it and was not really interested. And then it came on Dvdigi and I decided to give it a try.

Morgan Freeman, who I love, is a respected Hollywood actor who didn't work for 4 years and decided to dip his toes into films again by starring in a small indie. He is taken (by Jonah Hill - talk about an annoying man who happens to be a good actor which further annoys me) to a small supermarket at the poor side of town to observe the store manager. There he meets Scarlet, who is played by Paz Vega, an unlucky actress who happens to have similar features with Penelope Cruz but she doesn't get as many jobs but she is very likable and actually good. Anyway Scarlet is over qualified for the job but lacks the self confidence to seek other employment more suited to her abilities. Well Morgan takes her on when his ride (annoying Jonah) doesn't come back and he was unable to reach anyone that will take him back to his house. So they spend a day together and just talk, eat etc.

 It was fun to watch and in the end I'm glad it came out my way. 

Villiage Doctor Jumbo

Villiage Doctor Jumbo

Now what's with me and low brow entertainment. This Japanese drama doesn't have good performances (in fact it is full of bad ones), it has low production values, a generic story (which was the hook in this purchase) and piles of melodrama acted in a silly manner. And I loved it. Cried, smiled and generally entertained despite the fact that it is not good at all.

Jumbo is the nickname of an unusual, highly skilled doctor who comes to a villiage clinic that is about to be shut down due to the old owner being deceased. He left his daughter, an inexperienced but good hearted nurse who knew Jumbo when he was young and a nice person. Now he is rude, money obsessed and strange. So is the nurse who happens to be a first class operating nurse who has arrived upon his invitation. They must endeavour to keep the clinic alive fighting the evil genius surgeon who just wants the clinic to merge with the fancy hospital he works in and also destroy Jumbo because of a personal vendetta.

Oh my God as I type this all of its faults grin at me and I still like it. I won't recommend this one but I enjoyed it very very much.   

Casino

Casino is one of the films I don't know why I have not seen so far. It is probably Joe Pesci, never liked the guy (again for no particular reason). Anyway this one is a bit like Wolf of Wall Street (a story inspired by real life where people are not so nice. But this one is not a comedy. I don't think it ended being as a fave of Scorsese but it was alright I suppose. Interesting to see Vegas in the old times. I loved Sharon Stone (always liked her) and De Niro is great but it is expected no? Pesci was as annoying as ever and played a character similar to his Goodfellas one (now that one is a fave of mine, never get tired of it). 

Bag of Bones

Bag of Bones is responsible from my low film viewing count since I crawled into the bed with it everynight wishing to keep on reading and not wanting it to end. Yeah it is one of those good Stephen King novels. I actually was not aware that I have not read it. It was reviewed at a horror film site I frequent and I have read all the spoilers and everything and realised that I never actually read this one. Now it is remedied and I loved it to bits.

This one is a ghost story and our protagonist is a writer. I enjoyed everything about it and the spoilers didn't matter at all. There is nothing like a good book. 

Grudge Match

Photo credit http://cdn.clotureclub.com

Grudge Match was on dvdigi and it was that kind of day (a bank holiday in the middle of the week), so I said why not? I'm not a fan of Stallone's scary reconstructed face but I liked him in the first Rocky and the first Rambo. And I love Robert De Niro and think him a great actor who actually has aged well even if he doesn't choose his projects well but then again does he need to? Anyway this is one of those not so well chosen projects but I liked it a lot. First of the cast is good. I like old Alan Alda, I liked John Bernthal, and don't remember seeing him in anything else.

This is one of those films in which the characters find what they are looking for (lost love, family affection) and I ended up not only liking it but also shedding a few tears over it.

Of course it is not Ryu Seung Wan's Crying Fist (another film where you root for both of the opponents and want them both to succeed and tear your heart out during the final game. This one is light and frothy and you just know that everything's going to be alright.

I understand this film was not a success when it was released but I ended up liking it a lot. 

The Fountain

Photo credit: http://killingfloorfilm.files.wordpress.com

Despite liking Darren Aronofsky films very much, I was never really interested in The Fountain (and The Wrestler). But seeing it as an option on Dvdigi, I decided to give it a shot. Apparently the actors are important to me since I don't really care for Hugh Jackman except when he is Wolverine and Rachel Weisz is not one of my favorites either. And I remembered that the film was a huge box office flop.

Now that I have watched it, I actually ended up liking it very much. Yes even Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz since good directors usually can make an actor act better. This film is an interesting mix of high budget and personal. The budget it mostly used in computer generated effects which looked great since there were not many sets and not a lot of cast. It seems personal since the story is told in a way that the story teller thinks everyone would understand everything as they watched. I'm probably off the mark but I understood and felt as I watched the story of a man who tries to save his beloved wife from death in three different times and places. The above photo is an examply of lush visuals that are not only for us to look in awe but serve the story too. Hugh Jackman was so good and Rachel Weisz (actually a decent actor, one of those I don't know why I don't like) never looked better. I felt for the man and the question of life and death busied my mind throughout and afterwards the viewing.

It is certainly ambitious and not very viewer friendly but one of those films that will grab you if you are on the correct wavelength. Thank God I was.