The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong is a book that was recommended at a korean drama website I frequent dramabeans . It is written by the official wife of Crown Prince Sado. He died in 17th century Joseon Korea in a rather tragic and mysterious way. There is going to be a sageuk drama of this incident (starring Han Suk Kyu) so I wanted to know more about what happened. And despite not being a lover of non fiction books, I was captivated with this one. Translation is very good, clear and the prose is flowing. Of course there are lots of lamentations since Lady Hyegyong (this is her title not her name) has suffered a lot and many of her relations died before her. I have found out a lot about the time period and this wetted my apetite to seek more.
Friday, August 29, 2014
The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong
The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong is a book that was recommended at a korean drama website I frequent dramabeans . It is written by the official wife of Crown Prince Sado. He died in 17th century Joseon Korea in a rather tragic and mysterious way. There is going to be a sageuk drama of this incident (starring Han Suk Kyu) so I wanted to know more about what happened. And despite not being a lover of non fiction books, I was captivated with this one. Translation is very good, clear and the prose is flowing. Of course there are lots of lamentations since Lady Hyegyong (this is her title not her name) has suffered a lot and many of her relations died before her. I have found out a lot about the time period and this wetted my apetite to seek more.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
Moebius
Moebius directed by Kim Ki Duk was one of the biggest WTFs of my viewing history. And that is no mean feat since I like directors like Takeshi Miike, David Cronenberg, Tsai Ming Liang, Lars Von Trier and Michael Haneke and of course Kim Ki Duk. But this film left me speechless on so many counts that I'll resort to bullet points to reach a semblence of what I felt.
* the film should be named something else (male genitalia). Right after it ended I actually looked up to see what Moebius meant and I learned all about Möbius stript etc. But my opinion remains the same.
* Once again silene is golden for Mr.Kim but this time we know that every character is able to talk and we see them talking to each other behind windows or whispering to each other's ear. But the scenes we watch involve no talking. And apart from the last scene I don't remember hearing any music.
* So being a father is sacrifising all for your son but only upto a point. There is a limit to being a devoted dad.
* Wait I hope that lady was not his mother, was she? Say it isn't so.
* Male genitalia is very important to men.
* There is no end to the bizarre actions human beings are capable of.
* And maybe the weirdest of all is that I actually was falling asleep at the end. Seriously. Am I just that jaded a viewer or this film was boring? (This is coming from someone who is riveted by Kim Ki Duk films such as The Island, The 3 Iron, Spring, Summer, Fall ....... and Spring.)
* I hope this one doesn't stay with me for a long time.
Love Actually
Ok first off I don't know why the photos refuse to rotate. Well... I'll try to sort this out in the future. Meanwhile Love Actually is a fave rom com. An ensemble piece with good performances, likable and not so likable characters and one that never fails to make me cry buckets of tears. I needed something comforting and as usual this just fit the bill.
I remember the first time I watched it. It was in Hong Kong and they actually have taken out the porn actors' section completely. Imagine my surprise to watch it again some other time and realise that they were there :)
I remember the first time I watched it. It was in Hong Kong and they actually have taken out the porn actors' section completely. Imagine my surprise to watch it again some other time and realise that they were there :)
The Heat
Photo credit http://www.theheatmovie.com
The Heat is a film I have watched once on the plane and didn't remember hating. I like Sandra Bullock but I'm not so into Melissa McCarthy and this film didn't change my mind. It ended up a good timepass but nothing really special.
The Heat is a film I have watched once on the plane and didn't remember hating. I like Sandra Bullock but I'm not so into Melissa McCarthy and this film didn't change my mind. It ended up a good timepass but nothing really special.
Black Mirror Series 1
I have heard of Black Mirror of course but since it got great reviews I chose not to read any and watch it completely devoid of spoilers. And once again I reap the benefits of being a spoiler phobe.
It was a great viewing experience and I loved especiall the one with the Prime Minister and the one with the talent show. Actually my fave among the three is the talent show one. The one I least liked was about the break up and how anyone is able view their lives back when they want to. Now I don't really think I'd want that.
It was a great viewing experience and I loved especiall the one with the Prime Minister and the one with the talent show. Actually my fave among the three is the talent show one. The one I least liked was about the break up and how anyone is able view their lives back when they want to. Now I don't really think I'd want that.
The Shining
The Shining is the second S.King novel I have read (the first was Firestarter) and I was completely hooked. To me this is not only a classic but also a masterpiece of a novel.
I like the film too but it is different than the novel and as usual the novel is better.
One last thing about Campbell Scot. This guy never interested me as an actor but he is a GREAT reader. My favorite by far. I want to write an appreciation post for him someday. So far I have listened Orxy and Crake and The Shining and he was so good in both. Great work.
I like the film too but it is different than the novel and as usual the novel is better.
One last thing about Campbell Scot. This guy never interested me as an actor but he is a GREAT reader. My favorite by far. I want to write an appreciation post for him someday. So far I have listened Orxy and Crake and The Shining and he was so good in both. Great work.
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