J.K. Rowling

If you have not read Harry Potter, then I hope you have at least seen the movies. To really like Harry Potter, you have to have a deep appreciation for the story behind it. Everyone's lives are so interwoven, calculated down to the very last minute their life began. Rowling has an uncanny for understanding how ones childhood traumas affect their lives as adults, how love and hate and jealousy can shape a person over a number of years. How want and power change us, how sacrifice can bring about change years later. How forgiveness and understanding can help a community fight. How trust is won and broken. Her stories are beautiful and her characters carry their own weight throughout seven years.

I first picked up Harry Potter on a whim in 6th grade. I didn't know much about it at the time, but it was new to the book world and I thought I'd give it a go, see how I liked it. There were no real expectations. A rarity with me and books. I LOVED every word. Rowling bring you into a world that is so unlike any other fantasy world out their. It's practically tangible. It makes you wonder about the secret lives people around you might be leading. The things we've seen and shaken out heads about while saying, "I'm seeing things. Time to take a nap." Her world is as real as your own two hands, and she makes you yearn for her characters happiness and the fulfilment of their goals like they were your own best friends. Her antagonists are just as real as the heroes. And she makes you wonder about them and their stories; about what decisions they made that brought them to where they are.

Research and meticulous notes. Not something you really think about when writing fiction, but when your story spans across thousands of years and involves over 200 characters, research and meticulous notes are a writers best friend. Names in J.K Rowling may pop up in books 1 and 2, but not make another appearance until books 5 and 6. A fight talked about between two characters might not be divulged in detail until the last book in the series. A professors seemingly unfounded hatred of a young boy may not be discussed until he is on his deathbed. Rowling sometimes leaves us confused and angry, but never without reason. Things take time, and Rowling is a master at commanding it. She tells us things when they make sense for the character to know them, and for her readers to better understand them. Everyone and everything has a purpose. There are no accidents when developing such an intricate story line.

I'd write more, but I could prattle on about Harry Potter all day. I highly suggeest you read her work, or at least see the movies. They are worth it.

My Kindle, My Best Friend

I have a stange obsession with books. It's not just that I love them. No. It goes beyond that. There is something about a good book that catches deep inside you, grabs ahold, and refuses to turn you loose.

I believe a good book can make you think, make you cry, make you believe in things or trust in things you never would have before. If you come away from a book feeling as though you've been on a journey,then the author has done their job. They've transported you through time and space and reality and illusions and have dropped you off back home feeling wiser and more in tune with the world around you.

I love a good book series. Sometimes you are just unable to let the characters go on their way and live their lives. Sometimes your brain and your soul demand more time and more information. Some truly amazing series writers would be J.K Rowling, Scott Westerfield, V.C Andrews, Cecily von Ziegesar and my most recent favorite, Amanda Hocking. All these authors have different styles of writing, write in different genres, and deal with different situations, but they all have one things in common: one book just was not enough for their characters.

So, in the spirit of books, I'm dedicating a blog post to each of these authors.

And The Oscar Goes To...

Okay, I in NO way (no way)saying that I have seen all of these movies. I'm a working girl on a budget. I feel slighly uncomfortable everytime I hand the movie cashier person $20 and don't even get a $10 back. However, I have seen of these films and I'd like to weigh in on some good ones.

The Kids Are Alright

Actually a pretty good movie. Newcomer Mia Wasikowsa was fabulous as Joni. Heading off to college, on the verge of wanting and needing to leave the nest and persue her own wants without parental interefernce. It's a way we've all felt at some point. You find that person who indulges those desires and suddenlt they're your favorite person on Earth. Typical.

Annette Benning, who has been nominated for an Oscar, was just under the radar great. Her chemistry with Julianne Moore (who I believe did got snubbed for a supporting role nomination) was fabulous. She's condescending, and rude, witty and protective all within the same minute.

Mark Ruffalo was nomiated. I don't know why. I'm not saying he was bad in the movie at all because he wasn't. He's never really been bad in a role I've seen him in. But he was standard Mark Ruffalo. Weird, funny, awkward. Nothing special.

On principle, I refuse to The Social Network. I can't begin to tell you how much I just don't care. I'm sure it was fabulous and you all learned lots about the creationg of Facebook, but I seriously hate Facebook at moments and Mark whateverhislastnameis, can go suck it.

Inception

Chirstopher Nolan is a GENIUS. There are no words to describe how amazing this man is as a director. Yes, the film was nomiated for Best Picture, but Nolan himself failed to get a nomination for Best Director (second year in a row). The man has made some great movies, and this is definitely one of them. Thankfully, the movie did a few more nomiations worthy of the movie (Art Direction, Visual Effects, Best Writing,Best Original Score, Sound Mixing). So the movie definitely has some room to wiggle and snag an Oscar. Hopefully.


Black Swan

If you were too much of an idiot to see this fantastic picture then you have truly missed out. This movie isn't about ballet persay. It's about the transformations we go through in order to achieve our dream. Consciously and subsconsciously. Natalie Portman was extraordinary. Shy and meek, but with this fire boiling under the surface that at the slightest breath, it will boil over and destroy you. The woman is simply perfect in this film, completely worthwhile of her Best Lead Actress nomination.

And to make you see it, the man who directed this also directed Requiem Of A Dream. Which is basically the most fucked drug movie besides Spun.

But what also makes this movie perfect is it's use of the camera. I'll need to definitely go on a rant in another entry abotu it, but unless youve studied film you won't truly get what importance a camera is in a movie. I will explain. Have no fear.


Toy Story 3

This is by far one of the greatest animated films I have seen. The fact that it's up for both Best Picture and Best Animated film is really a credit to it's beautiful writing, songs, cast and director, just everyone involved with this film! I nearly cried. I know the movie came out so long after the other two, but it still kept up with the characters, their personality developments over the years, and new perspectives on life. It was truly a great film. SEE IT!


True Grit

I'm having some slight reservations about this movie. Mainly because I expected it be a little, well, grittier. The last Coen Bros. movie I saw was No Country For Old Men (forget Burn After Reading. Not counting that dumb fuck of a movie). And that movie gave me goosebumps, and pretty much a state of paranoia during the entire film. Now, while this movie was good, I feel like the trailers promised me something different. Something more, raw and suspenseful. Not hilarious. Which it was. Can we nominate this movie for a comdey instead? And the spankign scene!! I didn't know whether to laugh, cry and be incredibly umcomfortable leaving Matt Damon around my children. Hailee Steinfeld has definitely earned her nomination as Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Her act as fast-talking quick thinking Mattie Ross was both believable and funny at the same time. I commend her for being a category with some very acclaimed actresses. The movie as a whole, not much my taste.

And just some side notes:

Can we please have The Fighter just go for the gold? I mean, Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Melissa Leo. All great actors, fantastic movie. PERFECT.

Steph Meyers: You F*cked Up

One would think that you pick up a book, and you fall in love in with it, and that, by default, means you must love all the characters, right?

WRONG.

When it comes to Twilight, my admiration for Isabella Swan is basically non-existent. And it is not because I don't think she's believable. I very much think she is. It's because she's weak. As a woman, as a human being, as a mammal. This is the girl who brings clumsiness to an insecure level. The one that if you look at her the wrong way she'll cry.

I don't get it.

Here comes this gorgeous guy (who freakin sparkles) and he falls in love with her. However, he finds her outrageous insecurities and knack for being basically useless and a liability intriguing. Go figure. Perhaps it has something to do with the way he was raised in the early 20th century that makes it okay for him to encourage this behavior. I don't know. But the mere fact that she's so concerned with others that she NEVER gives herself a second thought is, I think, a dangerous lesson for young girls out there. Bella makes looking useless and pathetic beautiful. Especially because she has this uber strong boyfriend to keep her safe. I just think it sends the wrong message on how you're supposed to compose yourself in a relationship. Both parties should be equally concerned for their own safety as much as their partners. However, in this book series, Edward is OVERLY obsessive about keeping Bella safe, whereas Bella would gladly jump off any cliff if it meant keeping Edward safe. And I do not exaggerate. If someone said, "Bella Swan, if you do not jump, Edward will die, she would do it without hesitation." I mean, it's sweet that she's willing to die for him, but after only knowing him for two months? Give me a break.

FAILURE STEPH. COMPLETE AND UTTER RIDICULOUSNESS.

Steph Meyer: You Kinda (sorta) B*itch

I'm gonna just say it now, I'm a Twilight fan. (of the books A LOT, movies sorta kinda maybe). Not because I'm in love with Edward and think the fact that he's a vampire and sparkles in the sunlight is the best thing ever. I'm 22 years old for fuck's sake. I'm not an imbecile. And yes, Taylor Lautner is a hunk (from the neck down) but I feel like if you told him his muscles were waning, he'd cry like a little girl. No. The reason I enjoy Twilight is because it's a story we've all been a part of. I know you think it's an idiotic love story, and yes, to a certain degree it is. But for the sake of argument, hear me out.

Okay, so there's this girl, two guys are in love with her (we all aren't that damn lucky) and she has to choose. Now, let's ignore the fact that their both supreme beings of the mystic universe and the fact that Edward sparkles. There's two guys, both love her, both will die for her. And Bella has to choose between two really good guys (again, ignoring the fact that one's immortal and that one's a shapeshfter). Now, we've all had to choose between something that was good for us, and something that would always keep us happy. In the case of Edward, he loves Bella, had an internal struggle on whether or not it was right to be with her, and does what he can do to protect her. However, being with him is the highest risk. She'll have to change to be with him, even though Edward is against it. but because Edward is her soulmate, Bella is willing to do that, because she knows she'll never regret. Still, it's a high risk relationship. ANd we've all had those. Relationships that were volatile at first, but once things were on the right level, it was perfect. If Bella can be with Edward in a way that won't compromise her life anymore, then there's absolutley no looking back. That's a very hard reality to ignore. And yes, I know the reason it's a high risk relationship is because he's a vampire, but for goodness sakes, use your overactive imagination. High risk relationships are caused when something is keeping you apart that is beyond your control. Like distance, a third party, money. Things like that. Once youve elimiated outside influences, you're golden. Got it?

Now, Jacob. Loves Bella a lot as well. Will fight anyone who puts her in danger (he's a whiny little bitch, but those muscles gotta count for something). Now, with Jacob, Bella wouldn't have to change her lifestyle; he could take her as is. Will take her as she is. No problem, no questions asked. Her life would be easy, comfortable and without any question, perfect. However, if she chose Jacob, she would always wonder what her life would have been like if she had chosen Edward instead. She knows bodily wise, that Jacob is a much better choice. He can equally protect her. She also knows that if she changed for Edward she'd be safer in the long run. Jacob's temper might eventually hurt her.

So, if you look at Twilight that way, it isn't as stupid as you would think. There are actual morals and whatnot being flung around every now and then. It helps.

The other interesting thing about Twilight is the secrets everyone has to keep. Have you ever wanted to sway someone's decision on a matter, but the information you want to give them is not yours to give? You literally are just unable to reveal it? Well that's how the story is. Charlie (Bella's dad) wants Bella to constantly forgive her best friend (Jacob) for some things were said and things he did without knowing the reason behind why such actions occurred. And Bella can't tell him why Jacob is mad at her, or why she's mad at him, or why it's almost impossible for them to be friends. And Charlie just keeps pushing it on her. There's a whole war going on with Bella and the vampires and the werewolves, and the only people she can confide in are the people directly involved. How are you suppsosed to find any type of solace? It happens to us all day, everyday. Things we can't reveal, secrets you absolutely can't share. It will take it's toll on anyone.

So, there's my partial analysis of Twilight for those out there who don't understand what the big deal is. I do love the books, but I'm not about to stand out somewhere to get an autographed T-shirt. Especially because I read the books first, so I fell in love with the characters, not some (at the time) obscure face from Hogwarts, and definitely not some used-to-be awful child actor.

And my next post? How much Bella Swan is ruining young teenage love.

:)

Central Asian Wrap Up

In our last movie of the semester, I feel as though all these movies now have an overall meaning. Which I apparently missed beforehand.

Being an orphan during the war was not something that was unheard of. And to me that really sucks because it shouldn't be. At a time when you're life is uncertain, you should be able to take comfort in your loved ones. And know that everything is going to be okay. Most of these children in these films do not have that security.

I think it's a recurring theme that really needs to be addressed because war is a terrible time to lose your family. Wars are going on all the time and we rarely take the time to think about the children that are left behind with no parents and no family to care for them.

Hitting The Nail on the Head

I am beginning to think that film makers coming out of Central Asia have a better understanding of their people and their struggle than anyone out there. I say this because Central Asian films are all about the story; the emotions behind the struggles. That's not to say they don't reek of cinematic genius, because they do. Movies like Mongol, Orator and You Are Not an Orphan, speak to that. I'm talking about the fact these movies are heartfelt and not just for show.

Now, perhaps I'm getting a little ahead of myself and I apologize if I am, but I think major filmmakers in Hollywood could learn a thing or two from these producers in Central Asia. Americans have made some truly moving picture depicting the human struggle. Recently on the ReLife channels, Schindler's List and The Pianist have been playing. Now these movies were about a time that my generation wasn't able to experience firsthand, but the emotions we see in them is real enough for us to understand those personal struggles. Central Asia has that ability in spades. The ability to draw you into their movies because of the human emotions that are so prevalent. I might be bored sometimes watching these movies becauses, well to be honest they tend to confuse me a little bit, but I always find the relatioships in these movies terribly fascinatiing because they seem so real and so raw. I find myself paying more attention to how they interact, rather than the actual plot of the movie. And sometimes that's ok! Because the human condition, the ability to love and hate and sympathize and conquer our fears; the ability to feel such opposite emotions at the same time; it's intriguing to watch. And that is why Central Asian films, even though I may not like all of them, are able to keep my attention. They get human emotions and aren't afraid to go there.