BOOKS:
WHAT I’M READING NOW:
ONE DAY – David Nicholls. I wanted to read this before I see the movie and the book has turned out to be surprisingly sweet, in a good way with some really nice soul searching moments. I’m just starting so don’t tell me anything about it, yet! I am the part where Dex comes back from India with another beautiful girl on his arm and Em is working at a restaurant and he tells her (spoiler) he really, really wants to tip her and she feels a part of her soul rip away…..I already like the cast. Jim Sturgess won me over with his star turn alongside Evan Rachel Wood in ALL ACROSS THE UNIVERSE.
IVANOV – Anton Chekhov. I know, he’s a genius, but this is the first I’ve read his writing. And already the characters suck you in. But I guess a scene where a man named Borkin walking up to you jokingly with a shotgun will do that….
BRIDESHEAD REVISITED – BY Evelyn Waugh
So I’ve just turned the last page of Brideshead and I have so many questions. That opening---an English soldier with his troops coming upon the remains of a stunning estate where he once loved, lived (for a time) and dreamed as a young man---hovers over the entire book. What happened to Sebastian? What happened to Sebastian that he needs to walk around with a teddy bear named Aloysius at his University? What happened to the Flyte family? Waugh’s description in the first pages of how an officer became ‘obsessed’ with cutting another young man’s hair is so funny!
But again, I have questions, am I the only one who felt that the second half of the book did not feel as tightly wrought as the first? The portion with Julia felt surreal, whereas the part with Sebastian felt so intimate. Still, the writing was lovely and the pages kept turning, perhaps I shouldn’t compare the second half to the first, how can it live up to that? Such a melancholy book. I loved one review that described how he ‘indirectly’ gets at a time and place and a way of thinking. The way he leaves out why Sebastian drinks is genius in a way, because I felt myself filling in time and again, creating stories as to why Sebastian is the way he is. Sure he gives an explanation, but there’s so much more to fill in.
My mother-in law has promised to watch the BBC version with me and I’ve promised to cart over the newer Julian Jarrold directorial version that was written up in Vanity Fair a couple years back. So I’m sure I’ll be all bridesheaded-out by the end of the month. Looking forward to it. Let the healing begin!
BRANDO:
CRAZY STUPID LOVE – Starring Steve Carel, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and Julianna Moore.
Gosling once again manages to convey yet another character that could have been endanger of being a cardboard cut-out, with depth and charm. He was channeling a bit of American Gigolo to boot. He’s got great comedic timing and the chemistry between he and Emma Stone was H-O-T, but it coulda also have been their dirty-dancing scene. Still, it’s the chemistry between him and Steve Carel that was really bittersweet. Just his watching Steve as he stumbles around flailing at life and the card he’s dealt was entrancing. Verdict. Crazy Stupid Good!
*SENNA- Must See. http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/films/view/film/103/senna
A documentary on Brazilian Formula One Race car drivier, Aryton Senna who won the world championship three times. My friend R told me about this. She and her husband are great fans. There was a great review that said it all. Something to the effect of, “I don’t know who will be more excited to watch this, fans or people who know nothing about Senna or Formula One Race car driving at all.”
Check out the website: http://www.workingtitlefilms.com/films/view/film/103/senna
RENTALS:
*BIUTIFUL starring Javier Bardem. Must See. Written and Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu (Babel, 21 Grams)
I liked Bardem’s explanation on why Innaritu is such a great filmmaker. “You can tear apart your heart in pieces, but if the camera is not in the right place, it doesn’t matter. He knows where to put the camera. He knows how to hold the silence.” I believe this applies to writing as well. You can have all of the character and storyline in you, but if you don’t know what moments to select and how to show that on the page, it doesn’t matter.
ROAD TO PERDITION starring Tyler Hoechlin, Tom Hanks, Paul Newman, Jude Law, Stanley Tucci, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Daneil Craig. Directed by Sam Mendes. Based on the Graphic Novel by Max Allan Collins
I don’t think I can do better than this IMDB plot summary: Bonds of loyalty are put to the test when a hitman's son witnesses what his father does for a living.
Yes, I’m the last one to watch this film. There is so much to like. Paul Newman for starters, I miss him. The kid, Tyler Hoechlin (runner up to play Edward Cullen in TWILIGHT, now starring in TEEN WOLF) and Tom Hanks had such great chemistry! The tightly wound storyline, and the building conflict that could only have one true end is terrific. Jude Law puts in a menacing performance. For me it was the love of a father and his child and the discovery of one another while on the road that got to me. It’s rare when a movie has me agonizing over the events that unfolded and the riveting conclusion, long after the movie ends. I usually get that with books, like ALL THE PRETTY HORSES.
Teasers: I’m told the dark Irish comedy, The Guard with Don Cheadle, Brendan Gleason and written and directed by John Michael McDonagh (brother of playright Martin McDonagh – IN BRUGES) is wonderful. I haven’t seen it yet so I can only go by my father-in law’s glowing comments.
BURGERS:
Sanguechon Lomo Saltado steak sandwich. Need I say more?
Morimoto’s in Napa have I already mentioned this place? It’s by Sushi chef, who was on Iron Chef. It’s décor feels like something out of New York or LA. I’m digging it. Still trying to get reservations at Cotogna. What’s a girl got to do? Camp outside to get on the wait list. It’s like waiting for Kings of Leon concert tickets or something.
AND BASEBALL:
Insert Scream picture here…..Just when I couldn’t watch anymore. We went yesterday for the Padres sweep and Timmy’s last home game of the season and he ROCKED! Plus 2 homers by Beltran. I loved the sign a woman was holding up: IT’S NOT OVER TILL IT’S OVER. And a little girl who had a jersey that said, MRS. LINCECUM. And a baby with a full-on baby giraffe costume.
