The New Blog

coseamato.blogspot.com

Novel Time!

Finished The Prestige by Christopher Priest during finals. Made a lot more sense than the movie, though I did like the movie as well.

Also read Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Suskind, which was also made into a movie to be released in the U.S. after Christmas. Very interested to see how this book translates to the screen. Tom Tykwer of Run Lola Run directed.

On my list to tackle this holiday season:
The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Absalom, Absalom by William Faulkner
Waiting for Gertrude by Bill Richardson
Malinche by Laura Esquivel
Digging to America by Anne Tyler
Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
Plain Heathen Mischief by Martin Clark

However, finals are over and therefore I feel less inclined to procrastinate by reading other things. We'll see.

Movie Review: The Fountain

**Review contains SPOILERS**

This movie was not without its merits, mostly contained in its small observations and parallels.

I enjoyed the imagery of Izzi's hair paralleled with the hair on the tree.

• I liked the juxtaposition of a panicked and feared Tommy racing towards Dr. Lilly for a consoling hug, only to met by a congratulatory one (which was unfortunately followed by a horrible cliche--he found the cure...just a moment too late!).

• I liked Tommy's gesture of creating a band where his wedding ring was, and then Tom carving out rings on himself representing the years, just like a tree.

• I did love Tomas's fate, though the sight of foliage bursting out of him was also slightly comical.

I am unaware of any misfortune in director Darren Aronofsky's life, but this movie struck me as one that would have been made as catharsis after experiencing a tragedy.

This movie was not unfocused; rather, it was the opposite. It focused too much on mundane ideas, and the one "transcendent" one--that death brings life--was repeated enough that it became mundane. Aronofsky liked to show one particular vignette over and over: Izzi inviting Tommy out for a walk in the season's first snow. Yes, a small moment like this can show that Tommy is placing more importance on Izzi's cure than actually spending time with her, and then it's used as a moment of divergence. But when a scene is repeated, I want it to be interesting.

**END SPOILERS**

In fact, especially because the movie is set in three different time periods, I wanted the entire movie to be filled with more interesting scenes. Though Aronofsky's points get across, this movie did not take any uncoventional paths; there were few striking scenes, and most of them were at the end. No, simply making a movie non-linear does not cut it. No, visual beauty alone does not cut it.

To sum up: this movie bored me, and I only cared for the Tommy/Izzi relationship based on archetypes in my head (just as the idea of an orphan saddens me, so does the idea of a husband losing a wife), not the actual characters.

It's really quite interesting how the audience and critics have diverged on this one. Audience are scoring this movie at 7.5/10 on IMDB and 81% positive on Rotten Tomatoes; critics, however, are at 48% positive. This is one movie where I would have predicted the opposite.

Other notes: Dan liked it quite a bit. Also, it's easy to dismiss my point of view because I did not like Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream either, which comes across as heresy to his fans. I liked Pi, though, so I'm holding out hope for Flicker.

Movie Review: Casino Royale

I suppose I'm far from being the ideal reviewer of this movie--I have purposefully steered clear of Bond movies in the past, so I'm unable to compare.

The reason why I became excited about this one, though, was Daniel Craig and the reputation of the movie for being grittier. I thought Daniel Craig was perfect, but I still fail to see how this role allowed him to reveal much of his acting chops. I can see how he would be far superior to, say, Pierce Brosnan, but like I said, I haven't seen any Bond movies besides this one.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first chase sequence, where Bond's style and personality are contrasted with the smooth-running bombmaker. Bond, though in amazing physical shape, has to rely on his brains also to catch up to an even more amazing target. I remember discussing with Johanna how much we liked the fact that Michelle Yeoh and Zhang Ziyi really displayed their characters' different personalities in their Couching Tiger duel, and for the same reason I like Bond's fighting style here. I like the fact that Bond seems to have to work hard for what he has; heck, I know he has had to work out a ton to get a body like that.

I expected some corniness, but the overall experience was enjoyable enough to forgive those moments: a Bond girl striding into the scene on a white horse...on a beach(!!); poker hands revealed, each hand topping the previous. But counterpoint: some things I expect from a spy film, such as the vixen tendering some betrayal, was dealt with a twist here.

If they keep making Bond movies like this, they can count me in.

Ticker Tape

Dan really likes the Kai perfume on me.

His birthday present has not yet arrived. He is curious about it. Muhahaha. Also, today he discovered my super-secret journal that contained embarassingly nerdy stuff, e.g. Star Wars prequel rewrites.

And due to some funding restrictions, our wedding will be super small. I will be hand-making the centerpieces, compiling the mixed CDs, and our guests will eat on paper plates. Hmm, only half-kidding. Still, it's sure to be a blast. I will change costumes during the reception; the bear costume is especially flattering and I expect copious compliments. Exact date to be set. Sometime in Feb. 2008 (not March as originally planned). North Carolina, not L.A. Invites when locale and date set. Will be awhile. Hey, wanna send me some money? Yes, please.

It's Been a Long Time...

And I've probably lost the 3 visitors I had reading this site. I'm ready to start working; a few classes aside, this school thing is getting old. I like my legal strategy class, since it tackles concrete lawyering issues, like how to proceed when some potential client walks in with a case. I really look forward to the summer, since I'll be spending it in San Diego and at my 1st choice firm. Yay for real work. I also hope I'll get in the trial practice and negotiation classes next semester, also so-called "practical" classes.

Having an income would also be nice.

And now for some happy (shopping-related) thoughts.

Creative Scentualization's Perfect Nectar perfume. I love fruity scents, and this one really is perfect nectar. Yummm, can't wait to afford to spend $60 on perfume.


Some BrunoMagli shoes...how about spending $330 on one pair? Yes, please.


Well, as long as I'm dream-spending, how about these $450 pair by Giuseppe Zanotti?


And this funky Gianfranco Ferre ensemble?


I will look at these pictures a few more moments before homework beckons.

You're the Man Now, Dog

For every gem there are 200 poopypiles, and so, without further ado, the top 10 YTMNDs:

10. Bush loves it bald. That is it; I am now Republican.

9. Lindsay Lohan doesn't change facial expressions. For you epiphany seekers.

8. Conan enslaves Asia. Must...move...arms...now!

7. Censored. Take a closer look.

6. Cuppycake, the Original. Instead of doing Valentine's Day stuff, send this link.

5. Time traveler. This guy goes to my law school, except he's stuck in the '90s now.

4. Sundaes. This isn't really number four.

3. Tom Cruise kills Oprah. It's true, and better yet, documented.

2. Zazaza. If only the Lost writers were this brilliant.

1. The King causes tragedy. Trust me; it's no tragedy.

Options, options...

First day back from spring break, and I'm officially tired of going to school. Can't I just take the freaking exams and just get this semester over with? We have oral arguments this week, which are mandatory in order to pass Legal Writing. Lots of what I'll chalk up to law school urban legend has been going around about this ungraded but mandatory assignment:

• Some guy showed up with his iPod, said, "I believe this case can be best summed up through interpretive dance," and proceeded to do the robot. He passed the class.
  
• Some guy showed up, stood up and addressed the court, and then passed the next ten minutes in silence. He passed the class.
  
• Some guy showed up in jeans and was turned away, admonished for not dressing appropriately. Status unknown.
  
• Some guy showed up and polymorphed all the judges into sheep for 50 seconds. He is now lvl 60.
  

I've been thinking about pulling that last one.