guiltyofreading

Romantic Comedy

2006-04-05T13:47:00.000-07:00

This film is over twenty years old. Mary Steenburgen and Dudley Moore? That pairing feels like it's from another century.

Oh. Right.

This isn't really a funny movie. It didn't ever make me laugh out loud. But don't take that the wrong way. I actually was charmed by this rather gentle story with an oddly subdued Dudley Moore and Mary Steenburgen in a (not surprising) quietly ditzy role. I don't think anybody plays that better than she does.

I knew nothing -- absolutely nothing -- about the story before I started watching it. Thus, as the plot unfolded I was caught up in it, wondering which way it was going next. It didn't go where I thought it would. I like that in a movie.

I can see this being remade and being a lot funnier. I can see it going the other way, and being a lot more intense. As it is, I like its subtleties and its willingness to lay back from the obvious.

I like Romantic Comedya lot.

Hitch

2006-03-31T18:05:00.000-08:00

The romantic comedy viewathon continues....

I like Hitch. A lot of it's smart. The parts that weren't were tolerable.

I find Will Smith a little on the annoying side when he's being goofy, but luckily most of this film he was non-goofy. For example, when we see the flashback that shows his "history" and why he is the way he is ... goofy. Luckily, as I said, not too much of that so I can forgive it. Eva Mendes held her own with him, making their evolving relationship fun to watch.

Adam Arkin was terrific as her boss. I really liked the way his character was written, with a little more sensitivity than that role would typically have.

But to me the heart of the story was the subplot with Kevin James and Amber Valleta. Perfectly cast -- I found their unlikely love story charming and oddly believable. I'm not a fan of King of Queens so was caught off guard by James's sweetness in this role.

A nice movie, fun and sweet.

What do you think?

Getting Things Done

2006-03-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I read this book and cleaned my office.

And organized it.

Now there is a floor. And things have a "place." And I can even put things in their place. And I even do it.

If that doesn't scare you, then keep reading.

Getting Things Done -- I read the book and then downloaded it from audible (see sidebar) and it's terrific.

Try doing a google search for "getting things done" or "gtd" and you'll see how many people love this book and system.

While you're at it, go to flickr and put in "gtd" and just see what people are taking pictures of and posting.

Don't forget to check out some of the sites dedicated to implementing GTD in all its variations. There's the obvious (the author's own site and then the first site I actually stumbled across, 43 Folders.

If you need to get control of the "stuff" in your life -- whether it's physical stuff, or the stress that weighs you down and the commitments you can't keep up with and the things your brain is always nagging you about -- check out this book.

It might be what you're looking for. It's sure been a revelation to me.

Crash

2006-03-21T15:49:00.000-08:00

I wish I'd seen this before the Academy Awards so I'd know what I thought about it beating Brokeback Mountain without my judgment being sullied by the irritation I feel toward Annie Proulx and others who are so convinced that the only reason Crash could win Best Picture is because the Academy is homophobic.

Puh-leeze.

Crash is a wonderful film. I've read the pros and cons and I appreciate the differences of opinion, but I happen to think it's a worthy winner.

I responded to the complexity of relationships and plot, to the performances, portrayals and characterizations.

But don't pay any attention to me. See for yourself, and feel free to tell me that I'm wrong.

What can I say? I liked it a lot, I'm happy that it won, and would have been happy to see Brokeback win, as well. They're very different but both compelling and while I don't pretend to know how and why every Academy member voted, I think it's ridiculous to presume that a vote for Crash could only mean you hate gays.

Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

2006-03-20T09:48:00.001-08:00

You know, I was going to put the picture here like I always do and for some reason it wouldn't load. And after I tried a few times it hit me --

I don't even want to see the picture here on my site of those (fill in the blank with the most disgusting and insulting terms you can muster) who are responsible for raping and pillaging the economy, the State of California, and their own employees and stockholders.

This is definitely worth seeing, and I'm particularly pleased that Dallas's own Mark Cuban played his part in getting it in front of America, but you'll want to wash your eyes out with bleach afterward.

And you won't want their pictures on your blog, either.

Enron - The Smartest Guys in the Room

Must Love Dogs

2006-03-20T09:48:00.000-08:00

Here's what I suggest.

Remember that word of mouth on this movie has been kind of bleah. Remember that the reviews were pretty lukewarm, too. Remember that some of my savvy, smart, sassy friends thought it was very disappointing.

Then when you finally get around to seeing it, you may have the same reaction I did.

"Hey, I like it!"

Must Love Dogs is not great cinema, but I loved the family relationships, the performances, the little plot details that played against expectations, and seeing Christopher Plummer.

Diane Lane, John Cusack and Dermot Mulroney all did great jobs, but the supporting cast that delighted me just as much.

So don't go in expecting much, remind yourself that after all you didn't spend a bunch of money for tickets and popcorn and you get to see it in your jammies on the sofa, and maybe you'll be delighted, too.

50 First Dates

2006-03-17T10:17:00.000-08:00

Yes, I'm catching up on romcoms that the rest of the world has already seen. And I can't figure out why it always catches me by surprise how much I love Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler together. They simply are magic.

50 First Dates is easily my favorite of the romcoms I've watched recently. A kind of raunchy romcom with lots of heart -- okay, I'll admit I could do with a bit less of the raunch but it's worth it to get to the sweet corny cuteness.

I didn't even recognize Sean Astin, though. In fact, I'm going to have to go look again. How did I not notice? Wow.

But my faith in the romcom is redeemed.

Next up, His Girl Friday.

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days

2006-03-15T18:18:00.000-08:00

There's not a lot to say about How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days except that I fell asleep on the couch watching it, woke up to find it had ended and I didn't care enough to pick up and watch it again.

The initial problem is the setup -- that two people just coincidentally fall into strange situations (she volunteers to meet a guy and lose him by doing all the wrong things while he claims he can meet a girl and make her fall in love with him -- to prove a strange point about diamonds, I think? -- and both just happen to have to do it in the same ten days). Now it would have been much simpler and cleaner and more believable had their friends set them up instead of all this being a coincidence.

Kate is cute and Matthew is from Texas. This should be a winning combination, right? Evidently not so much. (yawn) Better luck next time.

Save the Cat

2006-03-10T18:30:00.000-08:00

In Save the Cat Blake Snyder has written the first book that I have been tempted to sit down and USE. Meaning, not use bits and pieces of enlightenment and tips, but actually use the whole book.

Now maybe part of this comes from the fact that plot has always been the most difficult part of writing for me. I've been knocking heads with plots since I wrote my first novel.

"But Carol, I'm on chapter seven and I don't even have a plot!"

"Just keep writing, it'll show up sooner or later!"

I somehow managed to write eight books (five published) by guts, trial and error.

Then I decided to write a script, bought Screenplay by Syd Field, and almost fell off my chair.

He told how plots were constructed. Three act structure, page numbers, etc. Now, I'll admit it was too rigid, but I didn't even care about page numbers -- I was overwhelmed by the idea that there was a specific structure I could follow because -- and this is vital -- every one of my published books fit that structure. If I'd understood structure when I wrote them, instead of following a general storyteller's instincts, I could have made them better. So whether or not it's everybody's cup of tea, I realized that what he was talking about in that book fit the way I tell stories.

There have been other books, particularly Making a Good Script Great where Linda Seger picks up where Syd Field left off, and I've picked up lots more from talking to screenwriters, attending conferences, watching movies, etc.

But I reached the point where I was ready to read what Blake Snyder has to say, and ready to throw myself onto the tracks and just DO it. I've tried various outlining techniques from no outline at all, to 3x5 scene cards, but never have I tried a system as clearly defined as his.

I am using his system to write my current script. So far I'm pleased with it. But the script isn't written yet and hasn't gone out into the world to be tested. So all I can say is, if plot is my toughest challenge in any script, Save the Cat seems to be my strongest weapon to combat it.

I'll update when I'm through with the script.

And for those who are interested, I'm blogging about the writing process "next door" at guiltyofbeing. In the sidebar you'll find links to the posts about writing, most of which involve Save the Cat.

10 Things I Hate About You

2006-02-23T20:04:00.000-08:00

This is a very fun movie. It makes me want to see the original (Taming of the Shrew) again, just to see how closely it follows it. But it's fun and smart enough and well cast and has solid performances, and of course, a fresh and funny script.

I'll admit that I would not have picked up a dose of Heath-love from this film, I don't think. But I'm sure that's just me, instead of anything that is Heath's fault. And of course having seen Brokeback Mountain twice, I am kind of amazed that it's the same guy. Wow.

And while I'm admitting stuff -- I think the "Miss Perky" thing was just plain silly and detracted from the far more interesting interactions between the students.

All that aside -- this is a fun update of a fun classic, and I love when that works.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

2006-02-22T18:32:00.000-08:00

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe is one of those classics that everybody reads as kids, or reads to their kids.

Everybody but me, evidently.

I haven't even seen the movie.

But now I've read (or rather, listened to) it. I got it from audible, as usual. Michael York is a charming reader and does a variety of voices for the characters which add to the listen, especially since sometimes his "narrator's voice" gets a wee bit twee for my taste. On the other hand, that's not surprising when the text speaks straight to children in a rather twee manner, as in (for example), "If I were to describe how horrible they really were to you, boys and girls, your parents wouldn't let you read this book!" (Paraphrased, but close.)

But I can certainly see why it's held up for several generations. The difference between it and Harry Potter (to use an obvious example) is the difference in how most narrative is written these days. Authors who speak directly to the reader are putting up a barrier between the emotion of their books and the reader, by constantly reminding the reader, "This is a story I'm telling you, you know." I do prefer the author to stay out of the way and let me experience the story as if I'm living it myself, in the skin of the characters. But that's a quibble in this case, for once I settled into it, Lewis's voice was part of the story's charm.

I guess I'll grab the DVD when it's available, and eventually listen to the rest of the Chronicles.

Daddy's Dyin' ... Who's Got the Will?

2006-02-16T05:46:00.000-08:00

Daddy's Dyin' ... Who's Got the Will?

I first heard about this at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. I don't recall who was in the hospital, but I do recall being in the cafeteria with my sister when one of her friends happened to pass by and join us for a quick lunch. He mentioned that somebody was making a movie at his family's old farm house near Dallas. We, of course, immediately asked, "What's it called?"

He looked embarrassed. He said it was a strange title and he always hated saying it, especially in a hospital.

I love this film. The down-home-Texas dialogue makes me laugh out loud and sometimes cringe, and the characters are brutally funny and sometimes just brutal -- but always fascinating to watch. As the four siblings who gather when their father's hours are numbered, Beau Bridges, bless his heart, is as mean as they come. Beverly D'Angelo is an alley cat with soft edges. Amy Wright and Tess Harper are spot on perfect.

But damn, if Judge Reinhold, Patrika Darbo and Molly McClure don't steal the movie, and give it its heart.

Del Shores is a terrific writer. I look forward to what appears to be his next outing, Southern Baptist Sissies.

Twilight

2006-02-07T19:48:00.000-08:00

Seductive cover, isn't it?

This is no fairy tale, though.

Okay, there are vampires.

But no fairies.

Is there anything as seductive to a teenager as forbidden love? I think not. So yes, this is a Young Adult novel about a girl who falls in love with a vampire.

Twilight, by Stephenie Meyer.

A fun little bon-bon just in time for Valentine's Day, if you like your romance on the dangerous side....

The Women

2006-02-06T13:08:00.000-08:00

Somehow I've never seen or read The Women, by Clare Booth Luce.

Contemporary Theatre of Dallas's current production is simply grand. It was great fun, moving at times, and a wonderful way to spend the evening with friends. The situations were certainly as current today as in 1936, if the play's resolution is a bit more retro than some of my companions cared for, ahem. (Okay, count me in on that one.) But the costumes and set designs were terrific, especially when the low budget is taken into consideration. Lots of roles for women, resulting in a large, diverse cast.

I'll be renting the movie soon. I've been reading about the updated version that is in the works. It may be entertaining, but I think I'd rather see Bullock, Ryan, Judd, Bening, Thurman et al leaving their 21st century mores behind and conforming to those of 1936. That would be something to see.

The Constant Gardener

2006-02-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

A passionate love story.

A cinematic stunner.

A plot that occasionally take hairpin curves and always holds you spellbound.

Westminster Abbey.

Man, I love this movie.

Ralph Fiennes is, as always, masterful in his portrayal -- this time of a meek, concientious public servant who falls in love with a passionately committed woman who is out to change the world. It's no wonder Rachel Weisz is nominated for an Oscar, and surprising that Fiennes isn't.

This is a film that manages to carry a rather heavy-handed message with ease, because the people who inhabit this world are so real, and their fervor is contagious.

I've never read John le Carre but I'm ready to do so now, starting with this book. I'd like to see how true the film is to the source material.

Brokeback Mountain

2006-01-31T19:33:00.000-08:00

My friend wept at the end of this film. I didn't, but that doesn't mean I didn't think it amazing. She thought it was the best film she'd seen of the class of 2005. I can't remember any better. Gary Thompson of the Philadelphia Daily News summed up my reaction when he said, "Brokeback" is not always a great movie, but it has great moments.

This is why I can't be a reviewer -- because the things I'd like to say about my reactions to the film would feel too much like spoilers to me. I wish I'd known less about it before I saw it. I think anybody who sees it would benefit from knowing as little as possible, by having as few preconceived notions as possible.

Phenomenal performances, especially by Heath Ledger. This is definitely worth seeing and forming your own opinions.

Match Point

2006-01-25T15:07:00.000-08:00

Kind of pointless.

I wanted to like it. I wanted to like it a lot. I like Jonathan Rhys-Meyers and have since I first saw him in Bend It Like Beckham. I've enjoyed enough Woody Allen to not be immediately concerned that it was his film. I read enough raves to expect to be delighted.

Not so much.

After their initial meeting, I couldn't feel enough sizzle between Rhys-Meyers and Scarlett Johannson to justify the premise of the movie, infidelity. (Yes, it's a Woody Allen movie, of course it's about infidelity.)

There were many things about it that I enjoyed, and there were certainly some solid performances, but once you get over the fact that she's stunningly beautiful, there really isn't enough in Johannson's character (or more likely, her performance) to convince me she was worth risking your entire life as you know it to sleep with her.

I know, I'm not a guy.

So anyway, that's it for me. Enough people disagree with me that I'm sure it would be best for you to see it for yourself and come back and tell me what you think.

The Summer Birds

2006-01-25T14:44:00.000-08:00

In my other blog, I posted a meme about books and mentioned a book that I'd looked for for years (see #9).

My friend, AncyKate, found it for me in five minutes, bless her heart, and I ordered it, and have now read it again.

It's a gentle little story with Peter Pan elements -- a boy who can fly and teaches the children in the village to fly with him. It lacks pirates and crocodiles, which makes it "gentle" but I recall finding the ending very sad when I read it, and it moved me enough to remember it all my life.

I think one thing it did was give me a window into other children's lives -- two sisters who live in a bizarre old house with a grandfather who is "reading astrology" and a haphazard housekeeper who doesn't seem to like to cook or keep house. References to other children's lives that were equally alien to me in my Dallas neighborhood. It's something I've always been fascinated by, getting glimpses of how other people live. It's one major reason I read.

I can't say it's a great book. I can say I'm glad I read it again, and am glad it's now on my bookshelf.

Stage Beauty

2006-01-20T16:38:00.000-08:00

Stage Beauty

For a change of pace -- a film. Or DVD, in this case. I loved Claire Danes in My So-Called Life.

The idea of this film, that Billy Crudup is that last man to portray a woman on stage prior to Charles II decreeing that women should portray women -- revolutionary, indeed -- intrigued me. The trailers intrigued me.

But now that I've seen it, it's Billy Crudup who intrigues. I kept thinking, "That name, that face, what else has he been in?" and then remembered -- Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous. Wow, very different.

And amazing, whether he is a man portraying a woman on stage or in a carriage with female admirers, or a man trying to play a man, or ... well the permutations are fascinating and superb. I loved this film, and Billy Crudup's perfomance (and some fine supporting cast members, as well) is the reason why.

If you liked Shakespeare in Love, give this one a shot. I think you'll love it.

Anansi Boys

2006-01-20T14:22:00.000-08:00

God is dead. Meet the kids.

I just finished listening to Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaiman, read by Lenny Henry.

I wasn't familiar with Lenny Henry prior to this, but I am impressed. He's a terrific reader, with wonderful character voices. I can't imagine anyone doing as fine a job with this material.

And the material itself? Love it. How could I not love a book that opens:

It begins, as most things begin, with a song.

In the beginning, after all, were the words, and they came with a tune.

Even though I had a general idea how it must end, I did not know how it would all come together, and was quite pleased with the ins and outs of it.

I think it would be terrific to read or hear -- I do intend to buy it and have on hand for reading later.

If you like audiobooks, however, and a bit of magical realism, I think you should definitely give this one a listen. It's delightful!

Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy

2006-01-13T07:45:00.000-08:00

charlie bone and the invisible boy

This is the third in a series by Jenny Nimmo. Simon Russell Beale is a wonderful reader. Fun books, shorter and less involving than the Harry Potter, but then, what isn't? These have their own charm, and again, the reader is superb.

If you know nothing about Charlie Bone (the first in the series is Midnight for Charlie Bone) I must tell you that you will first notice its similarity to Harry Potter. Charlie is also a boy who does magic. He also has weird hair. He also is going to be forced to go to a school where kids do magic.

Only this is not a pleasant school, and not ALL the kids do magic. And those who do -- who are "endowed" -- each have a particular talent. When Charlie looks at photographs, he can hear what the people were saying when the photograph was made. Another student can touch an object and tell you what happened to its owner. Another can stir up a storm (literally) if his emotions aren't controlled. And so on, and so on. At one point it occurred to me that this is a variation on a school for superheroes, each with odd and specific powers.

And while the Dursleys are cruel and unpleasant, Charlie's family is so bad, well, I won't tell you because you don't find out until deeper into the first book.

As I said, it's entertaining enough if you like this kind of book, and I do love this reader.

Have you read any of them? What did you think? Just curious....

Freddy and Fredericka

2006-01-12T18:14:00.000-08:00

On Dec 30 I wrote:

I love audible. I love listening to books while driving (which I spend much time doing) or while doing housework (which I spend rather less time doing).

And I started listening to Freddy and Fredericka with the best of intentions. I found it amusing, and a nice distraction. However, "amusing" and "nice distraction" do not justify 25.5 hours of my listening life.

I haven't been listening as often as I used to, because I keep thinking, "Oh, yeah, it's that Freddy-book, maybe I won't listen right now." I considered giving it up as a lost cause, but every time I start listening again, I think, "Well, it's amusing enough, I'll keep listening...."

And so here I sit with 3 1/2 hours left to listen to -- after listening to 21, mind you -- and I'm about to hit the wall.

I'm about to say, "I don't give a flying fuck what happens here, I will run screaming into traffic if I have to hear any more of this book," and quit. I honestly can't figure out why I didn't quit sooner. It's not as if I've never quit reading a book I didn't like. I do it all the time. Life's too short.

So, has anybody here read it? Does something happen at the end that makes you go, "Wow! What a killer ending!"

Because an "amusing" ending is not worth the time I've spent on this already, much less another 3 1/2 hours.

Maybe I'm not up to listening to ANY book that is that long. Although I've never had trouble listening to any of the Harry Potters, and some of them have come close....

January 5, I finished it. (Yeah, I went ahead and listened to the rest of it.)

I think I would have enjoyed this book more had I read it. It has charm and humor and sweetness, with a bit of an edge.

I'm glad I finished it. Maybe in a year or so I'll read it.

Sisyphean efforts....

2006-01-12T14:14:00.000-08:00

In an attempt to keep track of what I read, listen to and watch in 2006, I am beginning this book/dvd blog.

Let's see how long it lasts.