Oh boy, was this a terrible movie! Dennis Quaid is utterly ridiculous. Just thinking about his constipated-looking facial expressions makes me laugh. The only redeeming quality of losing two hours of your life (and contributing to global warming by consuming electricity) is that the special effects of Los Angeles’ destruction by tornadoes and Manhattan’s tidal wave and super-deep freeze are pretty excellent.
The real bummer about movies like this is that by being so over the top ridiculous it allows people to discount the actual dangers associated with climate change and environmental destruction. Contribute to a safer earth and avoid this one.
19 April 2007
16 April 2007
V for Vendetta
“Is it meaningless to apologize?”
“Never.”
After an inconsistent effort with the three Matrix films, Andy and Larry Wachowski have returned to top form with V for Vendetta – a film that has frightening allusions to the world we live in today (government controlled media, religious fundamentalism masked as democracy, secret detainment centers…you get the point).
This film offers significantly less of the highly stylized, computerized fight and battles scenes that permeated the Matrix – and the focus is less on the “wow!” factor and more on plot and character development. If you’re looking for non-stop action adventure you’ll need to go elsewhere. The cast is excellent with strong performances by Stephen Rea and Natalie Portman. Hugo Weaving is a compelling V, but the creepy mask and hair (which I found reminiscent of Michael Jackson) was a bit distracting at times. Looking forward to V II.
“Never.”
After an inconsistent effort with the three Matrix films, Andy and Larry Wachowski have returned to top form with V for Vendetta – a film that has frightening allusions to the world we live in today (government controlled media, religious fundamentalism masked as democracy, secret detainment centers…you get the point).
This film offers significantly less of the highly stylized, computerized fight and battles scenes that permeated the Matrix – and the focus is less on the “wow!” factor and more on plot and character development. If you’re looking for non-stop action adventure you’ll need to go elsewhere. The cast is excellent with strong performances by Stephen Rea and Natalie Portman. Hugo Weaving is a compelling V, but the creepy mask and hair (which I found reminiscent of Michael Jackson) was a bit distracting at times. Looking forward to V II.
14 April 2007
Fabulous Nobodies
Fabulous Nobodies: A Novel About a Girl Who’s in Love with Her Clothes
by Lee Tulloch
Are you curious about the life of Carrie Bradshaw before she became the successful columnist with a penchant for designer clothes and $450 shoes? If you answered “Yes!” then you need to read this book. The story of Reality Nirvana Tuttle is, without a doubt, an unintended pre-quel to Sex and the City.
Fabulous Nobodies is funny, earnest, so very New York City in the late 1980s, and, for those of us who were in our 20s during that time, a wonderful fun trip down memory lane. If you can remember when in was possible to rent an apartment in alphabet city for $350 month and have a tub in your kitchen then you’ll appreciate this story. If you can remember scouring Goodwill, Sal’s Boutique, and vintage clothing shops with your meager earnings from a club, record store, or underground publication then you’ll appreciate this story. If you can remember life before the internet and came of age at a time when local fanzines and arts newspapers were the ruling social arbiters then you’ll appreciate this story.
Lee Tulloch’s book is a completely captivating snapshot of a place, time, and people who no longer exist except in our scrapbooks and collected memorabilia.
by Lee Tulloch
Are you curious about the life of Carrie Bradshaw before she became the successful columnist with a penchant for designer clothes and $450 shoes? If you answered “Yes!” then you need to read this book. The story of Reality Nirvana Tuttle is, without a doubt, an unintended pre-quel to Sex and the City.
Fabulous Nobodies is funny, earnest, so very New York City in the late 1980s, and, for those of us who were in our 20s during that time, a wonderful fun trip down memory lane. If you can remember when in was possible to rent an apartment in alphabet city for $350 month and have a tub in your kitchen then you’ll appreciate this story. If you can remember scouring Goodwill, Sal’s Boutique, and vintage clothing shops with your meager earnings from a club, record store, or underground publication then you’ll appreciate this story. If you can remember life before the internet and came of age at a time when local fanzines and arts newspapers were the ruling social arbiters then you’ll appreciate this story.
Lee Tulloch’s book is a completely captivating snapshot of a place, time, and people who no longer exist except in our scrapbooks and collected memorabilia.
09 April 2007
To The Nines
To The Nines
by Janet Evanovich
Just like your favorite sweet or crunchy snack, it’s impossible to sample just one Stephanie Plum mystery. After finishing Hard Eight last week I immediately rummaged through my bookshelves in hope that I had the follow-up stashed somewhere. *phew* To the Nines was successfully located and promptly devoured.
This title has Stephanie chasing after a South Asian technology worker who has skipped his work visa bond. Of course there are all sorts of twists and mishaps along the way and the requisite amount of one-liners (Lulu starts the Atkins’ diet and takes to carrying meat around in her handbag) but this story is less slapstick than previous ones. Ranger and Joe Morelli figure prominently as they attempt to protect Stephanie from the psychopath who is behind the worker’s disappearance and the closing chapters are reminiscent of one of the more horrifying scenes from Silence of the Lambs. The major downside to this story was my lack of surprise when the identity of the criminal was revealed – I thought it was pretty obvious right from the start. Time to put the Stephanie Plum snack away and move on to another book.
by Janet Evanovich
Just like your favorite sweet or crunchy snack, it’s impossible to sample just one Stephanie Plum mystery. After finishing Hard Eight last week I immediately rummaged through my bookshelves in hope that I had the follow-up stashed somewhere. *phew* To the Nines was successfully located and promptly devoured.
This title has Stephanie chasing after a South Asian technology worker who has skipped his work visa bond. Of course there are all sorts of twists and mishaps along the way and the requisite amount of one-liners (Lulu starts the Atkins’ diet and takes to carrying meat around in her handbag) but this story is less slapstick than previous ones. Ranger and Joe Morelli figure prominently as they attempt to protect Stephanie from the psychopath who is behind the worker’s disappearance and the closing chapters are reminiscent of one of the more horrifying scenes from Silence of the Lambs. The major downside to this story was my lack of surprise when the identity of the criminal was revealed – I thought it was pretty obvious right from the start. Time to put the Stephanie Plum snack away and move on to another book.
06 April 2007
Hard Eight
Hard Eight
By Janet Evanovich
Janet E’s Stephanie Plum series is one of my guilty reading pleasures. I brought Hard Eight with me on a six hour flight and it entertained me the entire way (wish I could same the same for the airline…). This particular offering doesn’t really break any new ground – Stephanie is still the bad luck bounty hunter with an attraction for blown up cars and dangerous men. The regular cast of characters is out in full force – Lula, Grandma Mazur, Joe Morelli, Ranger, and Cousin Vinnie - as Stephanie tries to find a missing woman and child on the run from a mobster and capture a few bond hearing deadbeats (always amusing). The dialog is sarcastic and snappy, but in a few scenes it felt a bit overdone and contrived – no matter though, it’s still an entertaining and fun read. I always wondered why they haven’t turned any of these stories into a film or TV series – it could really be a great combination of comedy and action/adventure.
By Janet Evanovich
Janet E’s Stephanie Plum series is one of my guilty reading pleasures. I brought Hard Eight with me on a six hour flight and it entertained me the entire way (wish I could same the same for the airline…). This particular offering doesn’t really break any new ground – Stephanie is still the bad luck bounty hunter with an attraction for blown up cars and dangerous men. The regular cast of characters is out in full force – Lula, Grandma Mazur, Joe Morelli, Ranger, and Cousin Vinnie - as Stephanie tries to find a missing woman and child on the run from a mobster and capture a few bond hearing deadbeats (always amusing). The dialog is sarcastic and snappy, but in a few scenes it felt a bit overdone and contrived – no matter though, it’s still an entertaining and fun read. I always wondered why they haven’t turned any of these stories into a film or TV series – it could really be a great combination of comedy and action/adventure.
03 April 2007
Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, and Intelligence
Please Understand II: Temperament, Character, and Intelligence
By David Keirsey
A friend who works in human resources recommended this book as I was interested in learning about how to effectively communicate with the variety of personalities found in my workplace. This book is grounded in Myers-Briggs theory and explains how intelligence manifests itself in each of the different personality types. A Myers-Briggs assessment is located at the start of the book so you can determine your profile if you don’t already know it and subsequent chapters provide detailed analysis of the four types (called Artisans, Guardians, Idealists, and Rationals by Keirsey). Background info about the Myers-Briggs method and the historical/scientific perspectives of temperament and character development are also explained. Keirsey concludes with sections about Mating, Parenting, and Leading and how the individual types typically approach these tasks.
The book is written for an educated audience (preferable with a little bit of psychology background) but it really keeps the jargon to a minimum and isn’t overly clinical. Very informative and very interesting. Definitely recommended.
By David Keirsey
A friend who works in human resources recommended this book as I was interested in learning about how to effectively communicate with the variety of personalities found in my workplace. This book is grounded in Myers-Briggs theory and explains how intelligence manifests itself in each of the different personality types. A Myers-Briggs assessment is located at the start of the book so you can determine your profile if you don’t already know it and subsequent chapters provide detailed analysis of the four types (called Artisans, Guardians, Idealists, and Rationals by Keirsey). Background info about the Myers-Briggs method and the historical/scientific perspectives of temperament and character development are also explained. Keirsey concludes with sections about Mating, Parenting, and Leading and how the individual types typically approach these tasks.
The book is written for an educated audience (preferable with a little bit of psychology background) but it really keeps the jargon to a minimum and isn’t overly clinical. Very informative and very interesting. Definitely recommended.
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