A Discovery of Witches
by Deborah Harkness
Another bestseller I've been meaning to get to for some time, set in a world populated by witches, daemons and vampires, living in secret among humans. A witch whose pedigree goes back to Salem, but who has tried to give up witchcraft, discovers by accident a hidden and bespelled book that may hold the secrets not just to her personal past, but to the origins of all the supernatural creatures in her world.
Along the way she also discovers a star crossed romance with a vampire, and faces persecution by a secret supernatural society that controls conduct between the races. Which sounds a little "Twilight"-esque, but is actually done much better. Oh, and there's time travel. The book is a little long, but the action moves along pretty well, with just enough revelations doled out to keep you turning pages. The book is the first of the "All Souls" trilogy, so of course it ends on a cliffhanger. Now to get my hands on book two.
Friday, February 22, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Level Up! Blogfest
So, I found out about this blogfest at the last minute, which is my excuse for posting this blog today, when the blogfest was technically yesterday. Anyway, the idea was to write about your favorite game, be it board, card, video or otherwise.
This seemed easy at first, until I thought about the sheer number and variety of games I've enjoyed over the years. I had a '70s childhood full of the classics: Monopoly, PayDay, Trouble, Clue and Battleship, among others. Then came the '80s and the Atari 2600: Pitfall, Breakout, Asteroids, Pong - too many to count. Not to mention the arcade. I could make a quarter last 20 minutes or more in my Ms. PacMan heyday. And the '90s and 2000s brought customizable card games, new console gaming systems, new role-playing games...
Eventually, I narrowed myself down to table-top games. They never go out of style, they're good for any generation, and they don't take batteries. (Well, actually, some of them do take batteries now - and what's up with the Monopoly that uses debit cards instead of cash? Wasn't the point of Monopoly to teach kids how to count money? But I digress.) Instead of picking just one game, I picked two: a classic and a new one.
The best classic board game ever is Scrabble. The rules are simple, it never needs to be "modernized" for a new generation, and anyone who can read can play. Online versions are great, too, (I enjoy Words With Friends on my iPad) but nothing beats sitting at the board, staring at those wooden tiles, then laying down the perfect Q word on a triple word score box. Just the smooth feel of that wooden tile, like a touchstone of literacy, can bring back memories of late nights and rainy days spent arguing the validity of an obscure word.
For the best new table-top game, I picked Dixit, sure to be a future classic. If you've never heard of it, it uses a deck of 84 cards, each with a beautifully drawn, slightly surreal and enigmatic picture. Each player gets a hand of six cards at a time. The person whose turn it is chooses a card from their hand and makes up a sentence, word or phrase that describes the card, then puts it face down on the table. The other players must choose a card from their hands that they think also fits the description, and put their choice face down on the table. The cards are mixed, then turned face up, and the players must guess which is the original player's card. Points are awarded based on guessing correctly, and on fooling your fellow players.
This game is great for all ages, and any type of group. If the players all know each other well, it becomes a challenge to fool each other. If the players are acquaintances, or only just met, the game is a great ice breaker. The game changes with each new group you play with, and if you get tired of the cards, there are expansion sets out with plenty of new drawings to choose from, so the game never gets old.
Suddenly, I'm glad today is a snow day. I'm going to play Candy Land with my 6-year-old, and maybe tonight I can talk my DH into a game of Scrabble...
This seemed easy at first, until I thought about the sheer number and variety of games I've enjoyed over the years. I had a '70s childhood full of the classics: Monopoly, PayDay, Trouble, Clue and Battleship, among others. Then came the '80s and the Atari 2600: Pitfall, Breakout, Asteroids, Pong - too many to count. Not to mention the arcade. I could make a quarter last 20 minutes or more in my Ms. PacMan heyday. And the '90s and 2000s brought customizable card games, new console gaming systems, new role-playing games...
Eventually, I narrowed myself down to table-top games. They never go out of style, they're good for any generation, and they don't take batteries. (Well, actually, some of them do take batteries now - and what's up with the Monopoly that uses debit cards instead of cash? Wasn't the point of Monopoly to teach kids how to count money? But I digress.) Instead of picking just one game, I picked two: a classic and a new one.
The best classic board game ever is Scrabble. The rules are simple, it never needs to be "modernized" for a new generation, and anyone who can read can play. Online versions are great, too, (I enjoy Words With Friends on my iPad) but nothing beats sitting at the board, staring at those wooden tiles, then laying down the perfect Q word on a triple word score box. Just the smooth feel of that wooden tile, like a touchstone of literacy, can bring back memories of late nights and rainy days spent arguing the validity of an obscure word.
For the best new table-top game, I picked Dixit, sure to be a future classic. If you've never heard of it, it uses a deck of 84 cards, each with a beautifully drawn, slightly surreal and enigmatic picture. Each player gets a hand of six cards at a time. The person whose turn it is chooses a card from their hand and makes up a sentence, word or phrase that describes the card, then puts it face down on the table. The other players must choose a card from their hands that they think also fits the description, and put their choice face down on the table. The cards are mixed, then turned face up, and the players must guess which is the original player's card. Points are awarded based on guessing correctly, and on fooling your fellow players.
This game is great for all ages, and any type of group. If the players all know each other well, it becomes a challenge to fool each other. If the players are acquaintances, or only just met, the game is a great ice breaker. The game changes with each new group you play with, and if you get tired of the cards, there are expansion sets out with plenty of new drawings to choose from, so the game never gets old.
Suddenly, I'm glad today is a snow day. I'm going to play Candy Land with my 6-year-old, and maybe tonight I can talk my DH into a game of Scrabble...
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Book Review: Attachments
Attachments
by Rainbow Rowell
Been meaning to get to this book for some time, since I used to work with the author. It's always fun reading books set in your hometown, reading about familiar places and events. Set in a newsroom in the lead up to the Y2K non-event, this book took me back to where I was at that time of my life. Rowell does a great job of evoking that not-so-long-ago time.
This is a cute story, a love story about about a newspaper movie reviewer and the IT guy who falls for her through his job of monitoring her flagged emails. Rowell does a great job of creating characters we care about, believable dialogue, and a story that moves along at a good clip - no dead spots. She's got a unique voice, and this isn't just good for a first novel, it's a good novel. Can't wait for her next ones, she's got two due out later this year.
by Rainbow Rowell
Been meaning to get to this book for some time, since I used to work with the author. It's always fun reading books set in your hometown, reading about familiar places and events. Set in a newsroom in the lead up to the Y2K non-event, this book took me back to where I was at that time of my life. Rowell does a great job of evoking that not-so-long-ago time.
This is a cute story, a love story about about a newspaper movie reviewer and the IT guy who falls for her through his job of monitoring her flagged emails. Rowell does a great job of creating characters we care about, believable dialogue, and a story that moves along at a good clip - no dead spots. She's got a unique voice, and this isn't just good for a first novel, it's a good novel. Can't wait for her next ones, she's got two due out later this year.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Mommy Stuff: The Pitfalls to Raising a Reader
Everyone (and by everyone, I mean parenting "experts") always harps on how important it is to raise a reader. It's in all the parenting emails, magazines and blogs: "Ten Steps to Raising a Reader," "How to Get Your Child to Love Reading," "Is Your Third-Grader Behind Because He Hasn't Read 'Atlas Shrugged'?" - you get the idea. But nobody ever talks about the downside.
Not that I'm against reading. Far from it. We have a good-sized library - now squeezed into the computer den, since our former library became the girl's room. The boy has so many books, they spill out of his bookshelves and are scattered all over the room, and the little girl is following in his footsteps (sometimes literally, as she follows him into his room, and then runs out with as many of his books as she can carry.) So the "experts" would say we're doing it right.
Now, I learned to read before Kindergarten, and I've had my nose in a book ever since. As a pre-teen and teenager, I often whined about being the only kid ever to get in trouble for reading. (Of course, the problem wasn't the reading, it was that I was reading instead of doing whatever I was supposed to be doing. But logic never stopped a teenager from feeling unfairly persecuted.) Well, now my Mom can laugh, because karma has reared up to bite me on the you-know-what, in the form of the little girl.
She loves books. And I mean LOVES books, in the way only an obsessive two-year-old can. It started simple, with a couple of books a night before bed. Then three or four. By the time she turned two, trying to put her to bed with anything less than six bedtime stories would evoke an hysterical meltdown. So, as a compromise, we started putting a couple of books in her crib with her, and leaving her lamp on for a bit so she could look at them before sleep. Of course, it quickly got out of hand.
She started waking up in the middle of the night, crying. Did she want a new diaper? Maybe a cold drink? Well, sure, but those were secondary. What she really wanted was a story. When I'd try to put her back to bed after the diaper change, she'd scream and thrash around, pointing and saying "book." So, blind and half asleep, I'd hand her a book. And she'd say "No! Moon!" (Not that book, Mama, I really want to read "Goodnight Moon.") So I'd hand her "Goodnight Moon" and she'd point and say "chair." (I'd really like to sit on your lap in the chair so you can read me "Goodnight Moon.") At which point I would respond, "Are you out of your $^%& mind? I'm not reading you 'Goodnight Moon' in the middle of the &%$#* night! It's 3:30 in the morning, go back to sleep!"
No, not really. I just thought that.
What I said was, "No story. Nightime. Time to sleep now. Night-night." To which she replied, "Oh of course, how silly of me Mama. I'll see you in the morning."
No, not really.
She screamed her head off, at a decibel level usually only found in tornado sirens and Justin Bieber concert fans. But I stood strong, closing the door and going back to bed, determined not to give in no matter how long she screamed. And it was a looooong time, at least 45 minutes. Oh, she'd settle into anguished whimpers for awhile, just long enough to make me think she was done, but as soon as I started to doze off, the outraged shrieking would begin again.
This middle-of-the-night power struggle went on for about a week and a half. She's stubborn, but I knew if I gave in I'd be reading her stories at 3 a.m. for the next three years. For now, we seemed to have reached a compromise. She still wakes up, but if she has enough books in her bed, she'll happily read herself back to sleep by the light from the hallway. Of course, now there are so many books in her bed, there's barely room for her.
But, as I keep telling myself, in five years this won't be a problem anymore.
She'll probably have a Kindle. They don't take up as much room.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Year End Movie List
So, last year I decided to blog a review of every movie I saw in the theater in 2012, with the idea of compiling a Top 10 List at the end of the year. Except, as I tallied up all my movie reviews, I realized I only saw 12 movies, making a Top 10 list rather meaningless.
Instead, I'll name a Top 3, with a few special category awards, a la the Oscars. So, my top three:
1. "The Avengers." Definitely the best of the year. Crisp dialogue, plenty of action, engaging story, brilliant special effects...it's not often a comic book movie makes so many reviewers' Top 10 lists, but there's a reason for that - this isn't just "good for a comic book movie," it's a great movie.
2. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." A very close call, this one came in second because of the general feeling of "unfinished" I was left with. Which is completely understandable, since there are still two movies to go. This is my favorite kind of fantasy movie, where one can escape into a world so real, and so complete, that you forget it's just a movie.
3. "The Hunger Games." I'm always terrified when they turn books I love into movies, it's just so traumatizing when they screw it up. This one was done right it almost every way. I know some people had a problem with Woody Harrelson's take on Haymitch, but even though he wasn't who I imagined when I read the book, I found him a believable Haymitch.
Special category awards:
Best Kids Movie: "ParaNorman." The only kids movie the six-year-old and I enjoyed equally. He loved the scary story, I loved the animation and believable kids' dialogue. (I hate scripts that make kids sound like smart-mouthed little grown-ups.)
Most Original Story: "Cloud Atlas." Confusing as heck, but worth paying attention to. This really stood out amongst all the sequels, remakes and franchise reboots. It's not often you find something so completely original, especially in the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Close second: "Looper."
Worst Movie Adaptation of a Book: "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter." Fantastic book, poorly executed as a movie. The special effects were great, the actors were great, but the story was condensed to the point of confusion, and the ending was changed. I hate that.
Hopefully next year I'll get to see more than 12 movies. There are quite a few I'm looking forward to: Thor, Star Trek and Iron Man sequels, the next Hobbit installment...it's going to be a great 2013!
Instead, I'll name a Top 3, with a few special category awards, a la the Oscars. So, my top three:
1. "The Avengers." Definitely the best of the year. Crisp dialogue, plenty of action, engaging story, brilliant special effects...it's not often a comic book movie makes so many reviewers' Top 10 lists, but there's a reason for that - this isn't just "good for a comic book movie," it's a great movie.
2. "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey." A very close call, this one came in second because of the general feeling of "unfinished" I was left with. Which is completely understandable, since there are still two movies to go. This is my favorite kind of fantasy movie, where one can escape into a world so real, and so complete, that you forget it's just a movie.
3. "The Hunger Games." I'm always terrified when they turn books I love into movies, it's just so traumatizing when they screw it up. This one was done right it almost every way. I know some people had a problem with Woody Harrelson's take on Haymitch, but even though he wasn't who I imagined when I read the book, I found him a believable Haymitch.
Special category awards:
Best Kids Movie: "ParaNorman." The only kids movie the six-year-old and I enjoyed equally. He loved the scary story, I loved the animation and believable kids' dialogue. (I hate scripts that make kids sound like smart-mouthed little grown-ups.)
Most Original Story: "Cloud Atlas." Confusing as heck, but worth paying attention to. This really stood out amongst all the sequels, remakes and franchise reboots. It's not often you find something so completely original, especially in the sci-fi/fantasy genre. Close second: "Looper."
Worst Movie Adaptation of a Book: "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter." Fantastic book, poorly executed as a movie. The special effects were great, the actors were great, but the story was condensed to the point of confusion, and the ending was changed. I hate that.
Hopefully next year I'll get to see more than 12 movies. There are quite a few I'm looking forward to: Thor, Star Trek and Iron Man sequels, the next Hobbit installment...it's going to be a great 2013!
Monday, December 31, 2012
Last Movie Review of the Year: The Hobbit
Well, we finally got to see "The Hobbit", just under the wire to make my 2012 movie list.
I knew I'd enjoy this movie. The Lord of The Rings Trilogy is on my all-time favorites list, and with the same director, locations, and many of the same actors, it was like revisiting an old friend. Martin Freeman is wonderfully believable as a younger Bilbo. (After seeing this movie, I began watching "Sherlock" on Netflix, in part, just to see more of him.)
Also stellar is Richard Armitage as Thorin, leader of the Dwarf company. As light and humorous as "The Hobbit" is, there is also emotional depth there, much of it riding on Thorin, and Armitage is up to the task. The pain of a leader who has seen his homeland devastated is plain on his face, as is the determination and duty to regain what was lost. He also has a great singing voice; the dwarf chorus singing "The Misty Mountain" gave me chills.
There is so much going on in this movie, it never really feels like almost three hours; I can't think of any scenes I'd cut to shorten it, although maybe I'll change my mind after repeated viewings. And there will be repeated viewings. This is one of the movies I'll be buying to watch over and over with my kids when they're old enough.
I haven't read the book (yet), so I can't compare the book and the movie. I read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy after seeing the movies, so I'm going to wait until after the last of this trilogy to start "The Hobbit." I really don't know how they can stretch a book that size into three movies, but I'm willing to keep an open mind. I can't wait for part two next December.
I knew I'd enjoy this movie. The Lord of The Rings Trilogy is on my all-time favorites list, and with the same director, locations, and many of the same actors, it was like revisiting an old friend. Martin Freeman is wonderfully believable as a younger Bilbo. (After seeing this movie, I began watching "Sherlock" on Netflix, in part, just to see more of him.)
Also stellar is Richard Armitage as Thorin, leader of the Dwarf company. As light and humorous as "The Hobbit" is, there is also emotional depth there, much of it riding on Thorin, and Armitage is up to the task. The pain of a leader who has seen his homeland devastated is plain on his face, as is the determination and duty to regain what was lost. He also has a great singing voice; the dwarf chorus singing "The Misty Mountain" gave me chills.
There is so much going on in this movie, it never really feels like almost three hours; I can't think of any scenes I'd cut to shorten it, although maybe I'll change my mind after repeated viewings. And there will be repeated viewings. This is one of the movies I'll be buying to watch over and over with my kids when they're old enough.
I haven't read the book (yet), so I can't compare the book and the movie. I read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy after seeing the movies, so I'm going to wait until after the last of this trilogy to start "The Hobbit." I really don't know how they can stretch a book that size into three movies, but I'm willing to keep an open mind. I can't wait for part two next December.
Monday, November 5, 2012
A Good Costume Accessory: Common Sense
A news story caught my eye today. It was a light, local color piece, that just as easily could have been a serious tragedy.
Anime Nebraskon was this past weekend in Omaha. This is a large sci-fi convention, with an emphasis on Anime fandom. As with most sci-fi conventions, costuming is a big part of the event. One of the costumed attendees (who will remain nameless here, he's been embarrassed enough) ran short of cash during the convention, so he headed for a nearby bank. However, he was in costume as a character from the Resident Evil video games, complete with prop gun, worn in a visible holster. You can guess what happened next.
Witnesses who saw him walking into the bank called 911, and the police showed up full bore, no doubt fearing armed robbery at best, mass shooting at worst. Luckily all turned out well. The costumed attendee complied with police instructions, the misunderstanding was sorted out and everyone had a good laugh. But this could so easily have gone the other way.
A lot of commenters on the news media Facebook pages for this story are calling this guy an idiot, or worse, but that's hardly fair. Yes, it was an error in judgment (which he admits) but an understandable one. Now, I've attended conventions in costume, and I have stopped in public places, in costume, on my way to or from the convention. Sometimes it's necessary: you need food, gas or cash. And when you're immersed in geek culture for a weekend, it's easy to forget what you look like to outsiders. You spend the weekend in costume, surrounded by other people in costume, and everything you do revolves around your particular fan obsessions. Everyone you meet is "in the know."
Some fan commenters on the Facebook pages are calling the people who called 911 idiots for not realizing this was just a guy in costume, but that's not fair either. No matter how big a convention is, you can't expect average people nearby to know about it, or to recognize a particular costume when they see it on the street. After what happened in Colorado, like it or not, any costume including prop weapons is going to look suspicious - and it should! Better to err on the side of safety.
So a word of advice to convention-goers: When you need to leave this protected environment, try to remember that, no matter how big a deal the convention is in your life, people on the outside may not know it's even going on. They will have no idea why you're dressed as you are, or what your character is supposed to be. Use some common sense, and leave obvious weapons at the hotel, or in your car. After all, it's fun to explain your elaborate costume to curious outsiders, but you really don't want to try to explain it to the police.
Anime Nebraskon was this past weekend in Omaha. This is a large sci-fi convention, with an emphasis on Anime fandom. As with most sci-fi conventions, costuming is a big part of the event. One of the costumed attendees (who will remain nameless here, he's been embarrassed enough) ran short of cash during the convention, so he headed for a nearby bank. However, he was in costume as a character from the Resident Evil video games, complete with prop gun, worn in a visible holster. You can guess what happened next.
Witnesses who saw him walking into the bank called 911, and the police showed up full bore, no doubt fearing armed robbery at best, mass shooting at worst. Luckily all turned out well. The costumed attendee complied with police instructions, the misunderstanding was sorted out and everyone had a good laugh. But this could so easily have gone the other way.
A lot of commenters on the news media Facebook pages for this story are calling this guy an idiot, or worse, but that's hardly fair. Yes, it was an error in judgment (which he admits) but an understandable one. Now, I've attended conventions in costume, and I have stopped in public places, in costume, on my way to or from the convention. Sometimes it's necessary: you need food, gas or cash. And when you're immersed in geek culture for a weekend, it's easy to forget what you look like to outsiders. You spend the weekend in costume, surrounded by other people in costume, and everything you do revolves around your particular fan obsessions. Everyone you meet is "in the know."
Some fan commenters on the Facebook pages are calling the people who called 911 idiots for not realizing this was just a guy in costume, but that's not fair either. No matter how big a convention is, you can't expect average people nearby to know about it, or to recognize a particular costume when they see it on the street. After what happened in Colorado, like it or not, any costume including prop weapons is going to look suspicious - and it should! Better to err on the side of safety.
So a word of advice to convention-goers: When you need to leave this protected environment, try to remember that, no matter how big a deal the convention is in your life, people on the outside may not know it's even going on. They will have no idea why you're dressed as you are, or what your character is supposed to be. Use some common sense, and leave obvious weapons at the hotel, or in your car. After all, it's fun to explain your elaborate costume to curious outsiders, but you really don't want to try to explain it to the police.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The Biggest Story of the Day (Hint: It's NOT Hurricane Sandy)
...Not that Hurricane Sandy isn't a big story. Millions of dollars in property damage and millions of people without power is no laughing matter. We're just lucky to live in a time when science can give us enough warning to prepare. 100 years ago, a storm like this would have left thousands dead and injured instead of just a few.
I feel especially sorry for all those on the East Coast still lacking power, because without Internet access, they missed the REALLY big story today: Disney bought Lucasfilm, and announced there would be new Star Wars movies, with the first planned for 2015.
For Star Wars geeks, this is a jaw-dropping announcement. Uncle George, Lucas the control freak, sole owner of privately held Lucasfilm, cashing out to Disney? Actually allowing someone else to control the Star Wars franchise? Unheard of. Plus, three new movies announced. The final trilogy that George said was never going to happen, is officially happening starting in 2015. Christmas came early this year!
But if it's surprising that George sold Lucasfilm, it's not surprising who bought it. Who but Disney could afford to continue something as epic as Star Wars? There was already a relationship in place - the Star Tours ride premiered at Disneyland back in 1987, and Disney has been doing Star Wars weekends at its parks for some time now.
So this is the dawn of a new Star Wars era. We're already getting new movies, so what's next? Maybe this will mean a whole Star Wars-themed Disney park, a la Universal's Harry Potter attraction. Maybe this means George won't be able to keep changing the original trilogy any time he feels like it. Maybe we'll even get to see the original theatrical release versions of the first three Star Wars movies on DVD. It feels like the universe is new again, and anything can happen.
"When you wish upon a star..."
I feel especially sorry for all those on the East Coast still lacking power, because without Internet access, they missed the REALLY big story today: Disney bought Lucasfilm, and announced there would be new Star Wars movies, with the first planned for 2015.
For Star Wars geeks, this is a jaw-dropping announcement. Uncle George, Lucas the control freak, sole owner of privately held Lucasfilm, cashing out to Disney? Actually allowing someone else to control the Star Wars franchise? Unheard of. Plus, three new movies announced. The final trilogy that George said was never going to happen, is officially happening starting in 2015. Christmas came early this year!
But if it's surprising that George sold Lucasfilm, it's not surprising who bought it. Who but Disney could afford to continue something as epic as Star Wars? There was already a relationship in place - the Star Tours ride premiered at Disneyland back in 1987, and Disney has been doing Star Wars weekends at its parks for some time now.
So this is the dawn of a new Star Wars era. We're already getting new movies, so what's next? Maybe this will mean a whole Star Wars-themed Disney park, a la Universal's Harry Potter attraction. Maybe this means George won't be able to keep changing the original trilogy any time he feels like it. Maybe we'll even get to see the original theatrical release versions of the first three Star Wars movies on DVD. It feels like the universe is new again, and anything can happen.
"When you wish upon a star..."
Monday, October 29, 2012
Movie Review: "Cloud Atlas"
Well, this hasn't happened for a while - we got to see a movie on its opening weekend. Saturday night, we went to "Cloud Atlas."
This is a very interesting movie, with a big-name cast: Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant, Hugo Weaving and Susan Sarandon, just for starters. Going in, I had no real idea what this movie was about, and now I know why - it's not the kind of movie you can boil down to a brief plot synopsis.
The first 15 minutes are confusing as heck, jumping around in time quickly and randomly from the mid-1800s to a post-apocalyptic far future. (Just to add to the confusion, the far future characters speak a pidgin English that's almost impossible to comprehend, at least at first.) But gradually, as each time frame's plot starts to develop, you begin to see the connections between the storylines. The sudden changes are still jarring, but if you're paying attention you can keep up.
It's also incredibly interesting to see the actors playing different characters in each storyline, sometimes in such heavy makeup they completely disappear into the character. (Stick around through the credits, they run photos of all the characters played by each actor next to the actors' names. Even if you're looking for it, I guarantee you'll miss some of them.)
This is the most original science fiction movie I've seen in some time. It doesn't exist just to show off flashy special effects - the visual effects are stellar, but definitely secondary to the story. It has something to say about how everyone's lives are connected, and how actions and relationships can echo throughout space and time. It's philosophical, arty, complex, and at almost three hours, incredibly long - but it's definitely worth the time and money to see in the theater.
This is a very interesting movie, with a big-name cast: Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Hugh Grant, Hugo Weaving and Susan Sarandon, just for starters. Going in, I had no real idea what this movie was about, and now I know why - it's not the kind of movie you can boil down to a brief plot synopsis.
The first 15 minutes are confusing as heck, jumping around in time quickly and randomly from the mid-1800s to a post-apocalyptic far future. (Just to add to the confusion, the far future characters speak a pidgin English that's almost impossible to comprehend, at least at first.) But gradually, as each time frame's plot starts to develop, you begin to see the connections between the storylines. The sudden changes are still jarring, but if you're paying attention you can keep up.
It's also incredibly interesting to see the actors playing different characters in each storyline, sometimes in such heavy makeup they completely disappear into the character. (Stick around through the credits, they run photos of all the characters played by each actor next to the actors' names. Even if you're looking for it, I guarantee you'll miss some of them.)
This is the most original science fiction movie I've seen in some time. It doesn't exist just to show off flashy special effects - the visual effects are stellar, but definitely secondary to the story. It has something to say about how everyone's lives are connected, and how actions and relationships can echo throughout space and time. It's philosophical, arty, complex, and at almost three hours, incredibly long - but it's definitely worth the time and money to see in the theater.
Friday, October 26, 2012
Movie Review: Hotel Transylvania
Since the boy has two days off this week (parent-teacher conferences) we dropped the toddler at day care and went to a movie. That's kind of our day-off treat, now that he's a big school-ager. We get to see a movie and split a huge tub of popcorn for lunch.
So this time, we saw "Hotel Transylvania." Lots of good voice talent in this one: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Steve Buscemi, Selena Gomez and Kevin James, just for starters. The plot: Dracula builds a hidden castle as a refuge for the monster community, and to keep his daughter safe from the dangerous human mob who killed her mother. Enter the young human backpacking his way across Europe, who accidently stumbles on the castle and falls for Drac's daughter.
This is a pretty predictable movie, with the expected fish-out-of water jokes as the young human tries to blend in as one of the monsters. And the expected reaction as the monsters discover the human who's been hiding in their midst. And the predictable conflict of no boy ever being good enough for daddy's little vampire, followed by the usual change of heart, as Dracula realizes his daughter has to live her own life, he can't always keep her locked up and safe, and the humans aren't all bad after all.
In general, adults will probably have the feeling they've seen this all before, but hey, it's new to the kids. And even if the message/moral is a bit heavy-handed, at least the animation is pretty and the jokes are funny enough to entertain kids and adults. The monsters weren't at all scary, making this a good movie for the younger kids - and it's not like there are a lot of choices out there in that category.
It's hard not to compare this to "ParaNorman" (the last movie the boy and I saw together.) Both animated, both featuring misunderstood monsters, both with a moral at the end - but all-in-all, "ParaNorman" is the movie that will stick with you. "Hotel Transylvania," while fun, is ultimately forgettable. (Not that there's anything wrong with a couple hours of escapist entertainment on your day off!)
So this time, we saw "Hotel Transylvania." Lots of good voice talent in this one: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Steve Buscemi, Selena Gomez and Kevin James, just for starters. The plot: Dracula builds a hidden castle as a refuge for the monster community, and to keep his daughter safe from the dangerous human mob who killed her mother. Enter the young human backpacking his way across Europe, who accidently stumbles on the castle and falls for Drac's daughter.
This is a pretty predictable movie, with the expected fish-out-of water jokes as the young human tries to blend in as one of the monsters. And the expected reaction as the monsters discover the human who's been hiding in their midst. And the predictable conflict of no boy ever being good enough for daddy's little vampire, followed by the usual change of heart, as Dracula realizes his daughter has to live her own life, he can't always keep her locked up and safe, and the humans aren't all bad after all.
In general, adults will probably have the feeling they've seen this all before, but hey, it's new to the kids. And even if the message/moral is a bit heavy-handed, at least the animation is pretty and the jokes are funny enough to entertain kids and adults. The monsters weren't at all scary, making this a good movie for the younger kids - and it's not like there are a lot of choices out there in that category.
It's hard not to compare this to "ParaNorman" (the last movie the boy and I saw together.) Both animated, both featuring misunderstood monsters, both with a moral at the end - but all-in-all, "ParaNorman" is the movie that will stick with you. "Hotel Transylvania," while fun, is ultimately forgettable. (Not that there's anything wrong with a couple hours of escapist entertainment on your day off!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)