December 31, 2008
A Few Good Movies
I've had a chance to see several good movies recently. I've already mentioned "Terminator 2," but here are a few more worth seeing:
Mama Mia – so insanely fun! The actors look like they are having such a great time that the joy turns out to be contagious. It's a star-studded cast, too. Meryl Streep and Pierce Brosnan are especially delightful. One caveat: this movie is not for people who don't like musicals. (You know it's a musical, right?) But for everyone else, it's so fun and hum-able.
Secondhand Lions – You can't go wrong with a pair of heavy-hitters like Robert Duvall and Michael Caine. But even the smaller roles in this movie are peopled with celebrities like Kyra Sedgwick and the now-famous-from-"Heroes" Adrian Pasdar, who plays a really brave and tenacious salesman. Plus the "Sixth Sense" kid, Haley Joel Osment, is great as the shy nephew who gets left with his wacky uncles for the summer.
Juno – Wow. I finally get what all the Oscar fuss was about. The girl who plays Juno is fantastic. (Her name is Ellen Page.) The movie also boasts stellar performances from two of my favorite actresses: Allison Janney and Jennifer Garner. But what really stands out is the writing. Can it really be true that this was Diablo Cody's first screenplay? Talk about being brilliant right out of the gate! Wow. Just...wow. I am completely jealous of her talent.
I even saw a documentary: Expelled. It's a fascinating and disturbing look at the backlash against Intelligent Design.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Posted by Selena at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)
December 30, 2008
Judging Terminator
I watched "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" again recently. I remembered it being great. But what struck me this time around is that in the movie you can actually see the beginning of a great leader in the kid John Connor. He teaches a Terminator to use non-lethal violence instead of kill indiscriminately. He insists on breaking his mother out of the asylum despite the risk to himself. He gently woos Dyson's kid out of the room while Mom and Terminator lay out the horrific future ahead. It is easy to see this kid has the potential to become a great leader.
That stood out in stark contrast to the way John is portrayed in the current Terminator television series "The Sarah Connor Chronicles." The series' teenage John Connor shows no such great-leader potential. Instead, teenage John comes off as selfish, whiny and rebellious. Nothing about him--except maybe his proficiency with computers--leads me to think he will grow into the leader of the resistance. And that bugs me every time I watch the show.
Posted by Selena at 04:37 PM | Comments (0)
November 16, 2008
Mordred's Lullaby
I found this video at Mir's blog. It is very well done. I haven't seen the movie the clips are from, but I'm intrigued enough that I might seek it out.
What really gets me is the song: "Mordred's Lullaby" (sung by Heather Dale). It's so haunting—sad, dark, but strangely beautiful. (It's also Celtic Rock. Who knew I would like Celtic Rock?!)
I have to admit though that it was a bit inappropriate for me to be humming this song as I walked into church this morning. Seriously, check out this sample lyric. Not really a church-going sentiment.
"Hush, child, the darkness will rise from the deep,
and carry you down into sleep."
Still. The song stays with me.
Posted by Selena at 04:47 PM | Comments (0)
September 03, 2008
I'm "Enchanted"
I just watched the movie "Enchanted." It was so cute!
But now I can't stop humming the "Happy Working Song."
Posted by Selena at 08:57 PM | Comments (0)
July 30, 2008
Quote of the Day & Casino Royale
I recently saw the latest James Bond movie, Casino Royale. I almost gave up about a quarter of the way in because, well, my experience of the movie thus far was something like this: ...blah, handsome Bond, blah, blah, cool M, blah, blah, long action scene, blah, more action, blah... But then Vesper arrived on the scene and James lit up. Suddenly there was witty banter and sexual tension. And finally the movie had my attention.
I'm so glad I stuck with the movie because the "Vesper and James" thing was fabulous. I've got the movie saved on my DVR and I have already rewatched highlights SEVERAL times.
You can also see highlights at YouTube. In fact, here is one of my favorite scenes and the one that includes today's quote, a line Vesper says to James when he is recuperating from some seriously brutal torture:
"If all that was left of you was your smile and your little finger, you'd still be more of a man than anyone I've ever met."
And Daniel Craig does have one stellar smile! (Oh how rare such a smile is.) Craig is now my all-time favorite James Bond.
Bond's emotional range in this movie is one of the things I love about Casino Royale. But it also makes for some heartbreak when at the end of the movie he is the unflappable, emotionally flat super spy we're more familiar with. Bummer. I already miss the old James.
Posted by Selena at 09:49 PM | Comments (0)
January 23, 2008
Miscellaneous
I haven't been blogging much lately. It's not that I don't have anything to say. It's more like I don't have much to say that is suitable for a public forum and/or of interest to others.
Winter has always been a quiet, introspective time for me. So, please bear with me.
Here is a miscellany of what's been going on:
Mom came to visit, which was great. As usual, the sand hill cranes refused to come by the house while she was here. (I honestly can't fathom what that is about, except maybe it's just bad luck.) We did see the birds in the mall parking lot though. (Go figure.) True to form, the birds stopped by the backyard just a couple days after Mom had gone home.
We did get a visitor of another sort while Mom was here. We were in the living room one afternoon when we heard a scratching, banging noise at the front door. I opened it to find a big turtle (about a foot wide) knocking on the door like he was on his way to the lake and wanted to take a short cut through the house. We reoriented him and shortly after saw him making his way along the side of the house, down to the lake.
With the writers strike lingering on, there isn't much to watch on TV. So, I've been watching movies instead. Here are a few I watched recently and liked: The Illusionist, The Lake House (which I'd seen before and loved), Mission Impossible III, and Stranger Than Fiction.
I have been keeping up with my "one submission a week" goal, but otherwise not doing much writing. This is the reward I am motivating myself with: a mad genius T-shirt. (You know you want one.) Now if I could just stick to my diet and exercise goals, I'd be set.
I started watching the new Terminator series, which is okay so far. It's cool to see Summer Glau get more work. (I thought she was great in Firefly and Serenity.) She makes a good Terminator. I just wish her character had more personality, but I guess Terminators don't generally have a lot of personality. Favorite moment so far: Cameron (played by Summer Glau) saying "please remain calm" to the people in the car whose windshield her head is smashed through. LOL. I loved that.
Posted by Selena at 09:08 PM | Comments (0)
October 19, 2007
Super Shrew
I've been meaning to blog about how great The Taming of the Shrew was in DC, but the week just got away from me.
I thoroughly enjoyed the show. It's a gorgeous production. Plus it's funny, as most productions of Shrew are. This production is even a bit romantic, which you don't always get with this difficult play. If you have a chance to see the show, I encourage you to do so. You aren't likely to get another opportunity to see a Shrew this good.
There are so many great moments in this production; I couldn't begin to list them all. There is one in fact that I won't detail because it would spoil the surprise. All I will say is that the text just indicates Petruchio is inappropriately dressed when he arrives for his wedding. It doesn't say what he is wearing, and it didn't prepare me for what Taichman and company did with the opportunity.
My favorite moment, however, is when Petruchio and Kate first meet. Kate walks by Petruchio and she literally slows down and turns back to have another look. It's a beautiful, romantic moment. I only wish I could have been watching Petruchio at the same time so I could have seen if he was equally smitten. It's a real "love at first sight" moment. I always thought the play needed that to make all that comes later believable.
The chemistry between Petruchio and Kate is palpable, which is another element I consider critical to the success of a production of Shrew. Plus, Christopher Innvar somehow makes Petruchio likeable, despite the way Petruchio bullies and manhandles Kate. Of course, it doesn't hurt that Innvar is so handsome.
Still, Petruchio manhandles Kate a little too much for tastes. But that's part of the play, and it's tough to get around. In this production, I found it a little odd to watch Petruchio best Kate physically because Charlayne Woodard, who plays Kate, has arm muscles like a bodybuilder. It kept reminding me of that scene in "What's Love Got to Do with It" where Ike is roughing up Tina, and Angela Bassett's muscular arms are shown off by her sleeveless top, and all I could think is "She could totally beat the daylights out of him! Why doesn't she?" Likewise, in this Shrew it was a little hard for me to believe that Petruchio could so easily out-brawl Kate. I kept waiting for her to punch him really hard right in the face. It might not knock him out, 'cause Petruchio's a big guy, but it would certainly stun him long enough for Kate to run away. But she doesn't, of course. I guess I could refer to my "favorite moment" above for a hint about why.
Kate's speech at the end is probably the toughest in the play. It's a real problem—especially for a female, maybe even feminist, director. But Taichman pulls it off.
I especially enjoyed how Petruchio handed Kate the money after winning the bet. It's a choice I recommended back in college when I wrote a paper on how to produce a feminist Shrew. I remember my professor called the choice "problematic." Whatever. I still believe the gesture is crucial to re-establishing balance between Kate and Petruchio, and showing that despite public appearances to the contrary they are equal partners in the game. Certainly, I'm not laying claim to the idea. I'm probably not even the first one who suggested it. But it was still lovely that this successful director, who I have come to admire so much, made one of the same choices I would have made. It was a little moment of personal validation for me.
This "Taming of the Shrew" is worth flying a thousand miles for. I'm certainly glad I made the trip. If I was still in DC, I'd go see it again.
Posted by Selena at 11:52 PM | Comments (0)
September 13, 2007
Xanadu on "The View"
A funny thing happened yesterday. I was watching "The View" and caught a performance from the Broadway hit musical "Xanadu." But instead of making me want to see the Broadway show, it made me want to see the movie again AND buy the soundtrack. (I had the album for a long time, but gave it away when I no longer had a turntable to play it on. Do people still have record players, I wonder?)
Maybe I'm a dork, but I really liked the movie "Xanadu." And based on the little bit I saw of the current Broadway musical, I much prefer the original.
Today I am still humming "Suddenly" – the Olivia Newton-John version, not the Broadway version I heard on "The View." I finally had to log into iTunes and buy a few songs from the "Xanadu" soundtrack.
Here's your quote of the day…
"You make it seem I'm so close to my dream
And then suddenly it's all there"
Have a good one and keep trying to create your own Xanadu.
Posted by Selena at 09:25 AM | Comments (0)
April 17, 2007
Must Relax
"Three little birds sat on my window and they told me I don't need to worry."
That quote and the song it's from ought to be written on a prescription slip because it's a big part of my current treatment protocol.
You see, in addition to drastic diet changes, I also have to learn to relax and stop being such a perfectionist, worry-prone, type A personality. It's all part of the "Lower My Blood Pressure Before It Kills Me" Plan. I think this aspect of the lifestyle changes I have to make is going to be the hardest.
I've been trying to catch myself before I get worked up about things and say to myself, "Yeah, this is the sort of thing that would upset (or worry) me in the past, but I just can't afford to stress over it anymore. So, I am going to do what I can do then I am going to let go and trust God to work it out." I think I'm getting better at it. It takes practice like everything else. Long-ingrained habits are hard to break.
I also find that I am listening to my "Happy & Upbeat" Playlist over and over again. The quote above is from the top song on the list:
"Put Your Records On" by Corrine Bailey Rae
It is impossible to be in a bad mood while listening to that song! The song is "relaxed and happy" encapsulated into an easily transportable audio clip.
As a public service here is a sampling of my "Happy & Upbeat" playlist.
"Bad Day" by Daniel Powter
(I love that a song named "Bad Day" can be so uplifting.)
"Lover Come Up" by Josh Kelly
(from the soundtrack of "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" which includes several H&U songs. The movie is really good too.)
"Baby Girl" by Sugarland
"O What a Glorious Thing" by Akira The Don (also from the "Super Ex" soundtrack)
"Everything's Right" by Matt Wertz (also "Super Ex")
"Why Don't You & I" by Santana and Alex Band
"Streetcorner Symphony" by Rob Thomas
"Make It Happen" by Mariah Carey
"Love Love Love" by Tristan Prettyman ("Super Ex" strikes again!)
"The Joker" by Fatboy Slim (Also "Super Ex")
"Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina (classic 80's happy)
I used to have this quote on the wallpaper of my computer:
"Good morning. This is God. I will be handling all of your problems today. So, you can just relax and enjoy the day."
Maybe it's time to put that quote back up.
Be happy, all. God really is in control. And that's a very safe place for us all to be.
Posted by Selena at 09:14 AM | Comments (0)
August 16, 2006
“Play Through the Pain”
I just watched the movie “Wimbledon” for the second time. I don’t even like tennis. But I love this movie. I’m a sucker for stories where people accomplish the impossible.
This time around what struck me most was the line: “Play through the pain.” Our hero has injured his back but has to continue the match. It’s standard athlete stuff. But in my head, it was about writing.
Being a writer is full of pain. There is frequent rejection. (I got another decline just today. That’s four so far this month.) There is also doubt, criticism, fear, and discouragement.
I have to learn to play through the pain or, in my case, write through the pain. Otherwise, I’ll never get back to the good stuff writing has to offer—the rush of a new idea, the exhilaration of hitting upon just the right string of words, the thrill of a yes, and of course the joy of seeing my work in print.
So, play through the pain. That’s the plan.
Posted by Selena at 10:11 PM | Comments (0)
May 24, 2006
Out of Africa
I just watched “Out of Africa.” It is quite possibly my favorite movie of all time. I have long since lost count of how many times I have seen it. At this point, I can nearly recite the dialogue along with the characters.
I have a first edition copy of the book. It’s a good bit older than I am.
The best part is that I ended up with the book completely by accident. It was handed to me as a prop when I was doing a community theatre production of “The Music Man.” I was so excited that I asked if I could keep the book.
“It’s just an old book,” they said.
To which I replied, “Is that a yes?”
It was a yes.
The book is still one of my most treasured belongings.
Posted by Selena at 11:36 PM | Comments (0)
May 03, 2006
Walk the Line
I just watched “Walk the Line.” It’s a great movie.
One of the things that got to me about the movie was the portrayal of June Carter Cash. I don’t mean Reese Witherspoon’s portrayal of June, although that was very good. (Joaquin Phoenix was brilliant as Johnny Cash, BTW.) I mean how you could tell the movie was based on Johnny Cash’s autobiographies, how you could tell that the portrayal of June was through his eyes.
The character of June is perfect in every way – always the kindest, most talented, best person. And while Johnny Cash is shown often in a not-favorable light, June never is. She is always shown through the lens of Johnny’s love and admiration for her.
I guess we all want that--to be perfect, even if only in the eyes of one person.
I found that part of the movie very touching.
Posted by Selena at 12:21 AM | Comments (0)
April 09, 2006
Proof
I watched the movie “Proof” last night. It was fantastic—moving, thought-provoking and well-done.
(I realized recently that well-done is not enough for me, that if a piece of art—movie, play, story etc.—is merely technically proficient, pretty, and well-done, then it doesn’t appeal to me. I want to be moved by things, not just impressed by their loveliness or difficulty. It can be emotionally moved or intellectually moved. I just want to be affected somehow. I am starting to think I am out of sync with most people on that score.)
After seeing the movie “Proof,” I want to see the play it was based on even more than I did before. There were so many wonderful writing touches in the movie, and I suspect in the play as well—little details packed with significance, threads of meaning that move through the story, moments of truth and clarity and specificity that draw you in and make it all feel real.
The movie brings up questions that I have wondered about before. For instance, why is it that madness and brilliance are so often linked? Why is it that so many great minds are also the most fragile? Why do creative people seem to be more susceptible to mental problems than the general population? Is it merely the price they pay for their gifts? Or is it that the things that make them creative and brilliant are also the things that make them more susceptible to mental problems? It’s a sad mystery.
“Proof” reminded me of other great movies on the topic, like “A Beautiful Mind” and “Rain Man.” I heartily recommend all three of those movies.
Posted by Selena at 08:22 AM | Comments (0)
March 18, 2006
Quotes of the Day/Elizabethtown
Today’s quotes are both from the movie “Elizabethtown” (which is very good, by the way).
“This loss will be met by a hurricane of love.”
“Those who risk, win.”
Posted by Selena at 07:21 PM | Comments (0)
September 11, 2005
Quote of the Day
“Take my photo off the wall if it just won't sing for you."
-from the soundtrack of "A Lot Like Love"
(Good movie too. What can I say? I like the mushy stuff.)
Posted by Selena at 10:15 PM | Comments (0)
July 14, 2005
Good Reading - Non-Fiction Edition
This real-life story, found in The Sword Review’s discussion forums, cracked me up.
I liked it so much I have to point it out to you.
Check it out at http://theswordreview.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?p=3057#3057
Posted by Selena at 02:07 PM | Comments (0)
July 02, 2005
Ladder 49
I just watched “Ladder 49." It was great! Such a study in courage.
Kind of makes the risks I stress over, like whether to submit this story to that market, seem positively lame.
Posted by Selena at 08:49 PM | Comments (0)