Multi-Media Reviews
Okay, since vacation has started, I have done much reading of books and viewing of movies. Considering the vacation ends in just a few days (sigh), I decided to recap for you all what I thought about everything.
Movies:
Walk the Line: This movie was excellent. Joaquin and Reese were fantastic and talented on so many levels and the story didn't portray anyone as particularly good or bad. Music, of course, was good. If you like biofics, or Johnny Cash, or hot men, watch this movie.
Ray: This was more of a heart-string-tugger than the other, but when your protagonist is blind, you're going to have that sort of thing. I actually didn't like this one as much as Walk the Line, but everyone in it still gave fantastic performances. The writers, however, did cut a LOT of stuff out (a bunch of children, a wife, a divorce), so a read of Ray's biography might be in order as well.
Battlestar Galactica: Okay, not technically a movie. I bought the roommate the miniseries for Christmas and we watched it to catch up on what we missed before we started watching the show. If you're into sci-fi, you should maybe get into this show. But definitely see the miniseries first, because stuff makes WAY more sense on the show.
Books:
The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett: Going backwards to go forewards, I finally read the first book in the ever-expanding Discworld saga. I have a ton of pages marked, as Terry is a very funny man, but would instead recommend simply reading the book; I think it took me six total hours to finish it. I didn't like it as much as Monstrous Regiment, but it definitely helps explain things better. If you like fantasy and you like humor, Terry really is the way to go.
The Woven Path by Robin Jarvis: Book One of Three, sent to me via Canda from my cousin as a birthday present. (Just for the background info on why I have it) Anyway, it's a YA book, of indeterminate grade level, but I'm thinking fifth grade on up. Not as complicated as Harry Potter, but involving time travel, non-aging women, Odin, the demon Belial and a teddy bear possessed with the spirit of a WWII fighter pilot. The protagonist is a young boy of perhaps ten or eleven, living with his scatterbrained father and brother in a museum that no one visits after the mother ups and leaves to start a new family. Again, a quick read, but it did keep me reading.
An Underground Education by Richard Zacks: This was a Christmas present from Kelly. Basically, it debunks all those quaint things we're pretty sure we know about science and history. Of note: Catherine the Great (Russia) was a big fan of the horse guard in Russia, not the horses themselves. An important distinction; although she did have a stroke on the way to the bathroom and died three days later. FYI. Also, all the prudishness of society falls squarely on the backs of the Victorians, and actually most other major problems are their fault too. I enjoyed this book immensely, and anyone who doesn't remember History class too fondly should pick it up.
Movies:
Walk the Line: This movie was excellent. Joaquin and Reese were fantastic and talented on so many levels and the story didn't portray anyone as particularly good or bad. Music, of course, was good. If you like biofics, or Johnny Cash, or hot men, watch this movie.
Ray: This was more of a heart-string-tugger than the other, but when your protagonist is blind, you're going to have that sort of thing. I actually didn't like this one as much as Walk the Line, but everyone in it still gave fantastic performances. The writers, however, did cut a LOT of stuff out (a bunch of children, a wife, a divorce), so a read of Ray's biography might be in order as well.
Battlestar Galactica: Okay, not technically a movie. I bought the roommate the miniseries for Christmas and we watched it to catch up on what we missed before we started watching the show. If you're into sci-fi, you should maybe get into this show. But definitely see the miniseries first, because stuff makes WAY more sense on the show.
Books:
The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett: Going backwards to go forewards, I finally read the first book in the ever-expanding Discworld saga. I have a ton of pages marked, as Terry is a very funny man, but would instead recommend simply reading the book; I think it took me six total hours to finish it. I didn't like it as much as Monstrous Regiment, but it definitely helps explain things better. If you like fantasy and you like humor, Terry really is the way to go.
The Woven Path by Robin Jarvis: Book One of Three, sent to me via Canda from my cousin as a birthday present. (Just for the background info on why I have it) Anyway, it's a YA book, of indeterminate grade level, but I'm thinking fifth grade on up. Not as complicated as Harry Potter, but involving time travel, non-aging women, Odin, the demon Belial and a teddy bear possessed with the spirit of a WWII fighter pilot. The protagonist is a young boy of perhaps ten or eleven, living with his scatterbrained father and brother in a museum that no one visits after the mother ups and leaves to start a new family. Again, a quick read, but it did keep me reading.
An Underground Education by Richard Zacks: This was a Christmas present from Kelly. Basically, it debunks all those quaint things we're pretty sure we know about science and history. Of note: Catherine the Great (Russia) was a big fan of the horse guard in Russia, not the horses themselves. An important distinction; although she did have a stroke on the way to the bathroom and died three days later. FYI. Also, all the prudishness of society falls squarely on the backs of the Victorians, and actually most other major problems are their fault too. I enjoyed this book immensely, and anyone who doesn't remember History class too fondly should pick it up.
Labels: Book Reviews, Movies
posted by LadyVader @ 4:17 PM
1 Comments:
At 3:31 PM ,
An Illegal-Size Paper Production said...
Thank you for this recap that I asked for. :) Sorry it took me so long to acknowledge this, but I've been busy with holiday things, work, someone who's now my girlfriend and now work again.
I really liked Walk The Line as well, but I am kind of bothered by romances that involve people cheating on other people.
Between the two bioflicks you saw, I think I liked Ray more, but I'd strongly recommend both films.
I shall talk to my girlfriend to see if she makes the same recommendation regarding getting into BG.
I think I shall definitely pick up An Underground Education for myself. It sounds like my type of book. Thank you and thanks to Kelly.
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