Just dropping by to tell you about Food Truck Crush happening at the Larkspur Ferry Building on Fridays beginning May 20th! Yum! Go get your food crush on! Check FOOD TRUCK CRUSH out on Facebook to see what foods they'll be featuring.
Tess
: )
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
BOOK TO BRANDO:
Mara Rooney on the cover of W Magazine. Talk about transformation from Social Network to Girl w/Dragon Tattoo! Real piercings, bleached brows? Rooney Mara transformed into the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Just dropping in to post the link to Mara Rooney’s W Magazine cover. For those of you who’ve seen her on the Social Network, it’s quite a transformation from the preppy college girl.
I read a little of the article and I think…those are real piercings! Also up for the role, Fincher said, were Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson. Natalie would’ve been my first choice based on her feisty role as the little sidekick in The Professional, but I liked Mara a lot in The Social Network, so I’m looking forward to her portrayal.
More Soon...
Mara Rooney on the cover of W Magazine. Talk about transformation from Social Network to Girl w/Dragon Tattoo! Real piercings, bleached brows? Rooney Mara transformed into the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Just dropping in to post the link to Mara Rooney’s W Magazine cover. For those of you who’ve seen her on the Social Network, it’s quite a transformation from the preppy college girl.
I read a little of the article and I think…those are real piercings! Also up for the role, Fincher said, were Natalie Portman and Scarlett Johansson. Natalie would’ve been my first choice based on her feisty role as the little sidekick in The Professional, but I liked Mara a lot in The Social Network, so I’m looking forward to her portrayal.
More Soon...
Thursday, January 13, 2011
BOOKS:
THE HELP – by Kathryn Stockett. I am probably the last person to pick-up THE HELP. I fought it because everyone was carrying it around. Also, I was smug, I thought I’d read all I needed to about the civil rights movement. How wrong I was. I don’t know what turned me so that I actually picked the book up. Possibly it was the 2500+ reviews and 4 ½ star rating online or the fact that I saw a picture of the cast that included Sissy Spacek and Emma Stone. I think Bryce Howard will be a terrific Hilly.
I’ve turned into a big fan of this book. The characters are so well-drawn, especially Minny, she‘s got to be my favorite because you never know what’s going to come out of her mouth. Her words and actions are outrageously funny and shocking and at times dangerous. Skeeter is how I pictured the type of woman Scout Finch (from To Kill a Mockingbird) would grow up to be. The book portrays such an interesting and important mix of women from two communities. Lifelong friendships are put on the line and unexpected bonds are formed when a southern college graduate decides to interview the women who serve as housekeepers in their community. What is revealed through these interviews and the scenes with the respective employers is at times haunting, humorous, stunning and transforming. How Stockett manages to keep the humor alongside the tragic is masterful. Read it before the movie debuts this August.
Below is a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly:
Starred Review. What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn's new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
SHI*T MY DAD SAYS by Justin Halpern
This book is laugh out loud funny. The S and F-bomb abound so if you’re okay with that then just read it. The father-son relationship is charming and hilarious.
MINDSET: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
This non-fiction book describes how there are two different mindsets: Fixed and Growth Oriented. Which one are you? Its an insightful, original look at how some of us perceive challenges. Like a godsend this book came right before a giant editing project I was about to undertake or toss off the Golden Gate Bridge. It changed my thinking so much I wanted to write Carol Dweck and thank her. I read this book in a week, side by side with THE HELP.
BRANDO:
FLAMMEN AND CITRONEN (Flame and Citron) Based on true events:
Director: Ole Christian Madsen. Writers: Lars Andersen and Ole Christian Madsen.
Set during the Nazi Occupation of Denmark, the Danish resistance fights back in the form of two assassins: Jørgen Haagen Schmith “Citron”(legend has it he earned his nick name by his citron scented cologne or because he used to work for the Citrone auto plant) drives while red-headed youthful Bent Faurschou-Hviid "Flame" takes care of the enemy. Taking orders from a man named Winthers, a contact of the Allied forces in England, the pair at first, kill only Danes; then Winther gives orders to kill Germans, which brings unwanted attention on the resistance. Is there a traitor in their midst’s? Can Flame and Citron survive the war? Are they heroes if they kill people? Or more importantly, are they heroes or pawns? (Spoiler coming) When Winther's targets a woman Flame is having a relationship with doubt sets in.
Both actors were spectacular.
“Citron” actor Mads was recently seen in Coco and Igor Stravinsky. His quiet lumbering presence is a great foil for Flame’s intensity. Thure Lindhardt “Flame” is mesmerizing as THE idealistic assassin. He plays Flame with the desensitized, angelic innocence of someone who wishes to do his job well, only his job happens to entail killing people. His performance is complex, reminiscent of Alain Delon’s Jef Costello in Jean Pierre Melville’s - Le Samourai, but with a flourish all his own. You root for the both Flame and Citron while your idea of justice shifts constantly.
There are so many subtle thrilling reversals that I was blown away by the storytelling. It never strayed from its ultimate ending. It begins, “Do you remember the day they arrived? I think you do. Where were you when it happened?” Stine Stengade is terrific as the mysterious Ketty Selmer. Even now, I argue with myself on what to believe about Ketty.
Highly recommended. My father in-law, who endearingly doesn’t always remember the names of the movies he raves about---“Sounds good, Dad, I’ll rent it, what’s it called? You HAD to ask me that! Wait a minute it will come to me.” It almost never comes to him--- raved about this movie AND he remembered the title!
LASTLY, the cinematography! Jorgen Johansson’s noir style is lushly beautiful with its overhead shots, split shots, long corridors, muted yet bursting with color: the red of Flame’s tie, the coral-red of the resistance nun’s lipstick, the crimson of their car, and the muted sage or turquoise backdrops. My favorites are the long red corridor scene of the hotel Nordland with Bent walking down the shadowy corridor and the split shot of Bent entering a hotel teaming with Germans while the woman Ketty Selmer is going up the elevator. What a gorgeous eye Johansson has.
KISSES – Written and Directed by Lance Daly. Set in Dublin. Starring Kelly O’Neill as Kylie and Shane Curry as Dylan.
Where Flame and Citron is about two people, hardened by the epic WWII German occupation of their beloved Denmark, Kisses is an intimate portrayal of two adolescents who haven’t yet lost their sparkle despite their rough upbringing
Kisses, which I found cruising the Indie section of our local video store one evening is like its title, a small gem. It captures that first love you find as a child within the boundaries of your one block radius. In this case it’s the kid next door. Eleven (?) year old Kylie and her next door neighbor Shane flee their abusive households one afternoon and spend an adventure (sometimes gritty) filled evening on the streets of Dublin.
I liked the premise. How much can you capture in one night? The answer is lots if it’s done right. Beautifully shot, gorgeous, close-ups. And the child actors, were both luminous. Variety described the performances of the two young actors as: two flawlessly natural, non-professional leads, sustains its child's-eye point of view without strain.
Here’s from the Telluride Review: http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/08/30/telluride-review-lance-dalys-kisses/. On the fringes of Dublin, Kylie and Dylan, two pre-teen kids, live next door to each other. One night they run away, and together they make their way to the magical night time lights of inner city Dublin, to search for Dylan’s brother, who ran away two years previously, in the hope of finding, through him, the possibility of a new life. Dublin, as seen through the innocent eyes of our protagonists, is a kaleidoscope of magic, wonder and mystery. But as the night wears on, and Dublin takes on a darker character, the two kids have to rely on the kindness of strangers, the advice of Bob Dylan and their trust in each other to survive the night.
UNTITLED SPIDERMAN-REBOOT
I’m intrigued and excited about the new Spiderman actor. Andrew Garfield (THE SOCIAL NETWORK, NEVER LET ME GO). He was wonderful as the earnest best friend, Eduardo Sevarin in THE SOCIAL NETWORK. I’ve seen some stills and they look good! Also, I think Emma Stone with her strong raspy self, will be a great love interest.
RENTALS – LARS AND THE REAL GIRL
I’d forgotten how touching and funny Ryan Gosling’s performance was until I saw this movie again. He pulls off this sketchy sounding premise with heart and humor.
OSCAR PICKS:
Since we’re talking movies, I’d like to try and predict the winners for this year’s Oscars. Here are my choices below:
Best screenplay – Social Network (close fight between Black Swan for me. Both were so very tightly executed and exciting. Also noteworthy is Winter’s Bone).
Best Movie – I want Social Network to win, but I think it’s going to be Black Swan (not that I’m complaining).
Best Actor – Colin Firth (King’s Speech). I have yet to see Ryan Gosling in Blue Valentine but I’m sure he deserves to be a contender. He always puts everything on it.
Supporting Actor – Christian Bale (The Fighter). Give this guy an Oscar already. I actually think he should be in the Best Actor category…Bale is electric in every scene.
Best Actress – Natalie Portman (Black Swan). But I also think Lawrence from Winter’s Bone deserves recognition.
Supporting Actress – Amy Adams ( The Fighter)
BURGERS:
GATHER in Berkeley. The sausage pizza with the burrata cheese was delicious. As was our two cocktails. Bee Sting and Flowered Sandals! Nice, warm, roomy restaurant. Very close to campus.
THE HELP – by Kathryn Stockett. I am probably the last person to pick-up THE HELP. I fought it because everyone was carrying it around. Also, I was smug, I thought I’d read all I needed to about the civil rights movement. How wrong I was. I don’t know what turned me so that I actually picked the book up. Possibly it was the 2500+ reviews and 4 ½ star rating online or the fact that I saw a picture of the cast that included Sissy Spacek and Emma Stone. I think Bryce Howard will be a terrific Hilly.
I’ve turned into a big fan of this book. The characters are so well-drawn, especially Minny, she‘s got to be my favorite because you never know what’s going to come out of her mouth. Her words and actions are outrageously funny and shocking and at times dangerous. Skeeter is how I pictured the type of woman Scout Finch (from To Kill a Mockingbird) would grow up to be. The book portrays such an interesting and important mix of women from two communities. Lifelong friendships are put on the line and unexpected bonds are formed when a southern college graduate decides to interview the women who serve as housekeepers in their community. What is revealed through these interviews and the scenes with the respective employers is at times haunting, humorous, stunning and transforming. How Stockett manages to keep the humor alongside the tragic is masterful. Read it before the movie debuts this August.
Below is a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly:
Starred Review. What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn's new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
SHI*T MY DAD SAYS by Justin Halpern
This book is laugh out loud funny. The S and F-bomb abound so if you’re okay with that then just read it. The father-son relationship is charming and hilarious.
MINDSET: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
This non-fiction book describes how there are two different mindsets: Fixed and Growth Oriented. Which one are you? Its an insightful, original look at how some of us perceive challenges. Like a godsend this book came right before a giant editing project I was about to undertake or toss off the Golden Gate Bridge. It changed my thinking so much I wanted to write Carol Dweck and thank her. I read this book in a week, side by side with THE HELP.
BRANDO:
FLAMMEN AND CITRONEN (Flame and Citron) Based on true events:
Director: Ole Christian Madsen. Writers: Lars Andersen and Ole Christian Madsen.
Set during the Nazi Occupation of Denmark, the Danish resistance fights back in the form of two assassins: Jørgen Haagen Schmith “Citron”(legend has it he earned his nick name by his citron scented cologne or because he used to work for the Citrone auto plant) drives while red-headed youthful Bent Faurschou-Hviid "Flame" takes care of the enemy. Taking orders from a man named Winthers, a contact of the Allied forces in England, the pair at first, kill only Danes; then Winther gives orders to kill Germans, which brings unwanted attention on the resistance. Is there a traitor in their midst’s? Can Flame and Citron survive the war? Are they heroes if they kill people? Or more importantly, are they heroes or pawns? (Spoiler coming) When Winther's targets a woman Flame is having a relationship with doubt sets in.
Both actors were spectacular.
“Citron” actor Mads was recently seen in Coco and Igor Stravinsky. His quiet lumbering presence is a great foil for Flame’s intensity. Thure Lindhardt “Flame” is mesmerizing as THE idealistic assassin. He plays Flame with the desensitized, angelic innocence of someone who wishes to do his job well, only his job happens to entail killing people. His performance is complex, reminiscent of Alain Delon’s Jef Costello in Jean Pierre Melville’s - Le Samourai, but with a flourish all his own. You root for the both Flame and Citron while your idea of justice shifts constantly.
There are so many subtle thrilling reversals that I was blown away by the storytelling. It never strayed from its ultimate ending. It begins, “Do you remember the day they arrived? I think you do. Where were you when it happened?” Stine Stengade is terrific as the mysterious Ketty Selmer. Even now, I argue with myself on what to believe about Ketty.
Highly recommended. My father in-law, who endearingly doesn’t always remember the names of the movies he raves about---“Sounds good, Dad, I’ll rent it, what’s it called? You HAD to ask me that! Wait a minute it will come to me.” It almost never comes to him--- raved about this movie AND he remembered the title!
LASTLY, the cinematography! Jorgen Johansson’s noir style is lushly beautiful with its overhead shots, split shots, long corridors, muted yet bursting with color: the red of Flame’s tie, the coral-red of the resistance nun’s lipstick, the crimson of their car, and the muted sage or turquoise backdrops. My favorites are the long red corridor scene of the hotel Nordland with Bent walking down the shadowy corridor and the split shot of Bent entering a hotel teaming with Germans while the woman Ketty Selmer is going up the elevator. What a gorgeous eye Johansson has.
KISSES – Written and Directed by Lance Daly. Set in Dublin. Starring Kelly O’Neill as Kylie and Shane Curry as Dylan.
Where Flame and Citron is about two people, hardened by the epic WWII German occupation of their beloved Denmark, Kisses is an intimate portrayal of two adolescents who haven’t yet lost their sparkle despite their rough upbringing
Kisses, which I found cruising the Indie section of our local video store one evening is like its title, a small gem. It captures that first love you find as a child within the boundaries of your one block radius. In this case it’s the kid next door. Eleven (?) year old Kylie and her next door neighbor Shane flee their abusive households one afternoon and spend an adventure (sometimes gritty) filled evening on the streets of Dublin.
I liked the premise. How much can you capture in one night? The answer is lots if it’s done right. Beautifully shot, gorgeous, close-ups. And the child actors, were both luminous. Variety described the performances of the two young actors as: two flawlessly natural, non-professional leads, sustains its child's-eye point of view without strain.
Here’s from the Telluride Review: http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/08/30/telluride-review-lance-dalys-kisses/. On the fringes of Dublin, Kylie and Dylan, two pre-teen kids, live next door to each other. One night they run away, and together they make their way to the magical night time lights of inner city Dublin, to search for Dylan’s brother, who ran away two years previously, in the hope of finding, through him, the possibility of a new life. Dublin, as seen through the innocent eyes of our protagonists, is a kaleidoscope of magic, wonder and mystery. But as the night wears on, and Dublin takes on a darker character, the two kids have to rely on the kindness of strangers, the advice of Bob Dylan and their trust in each other to survive the night.
UNTITLED SPIDERMAN-REBOOT
I’m intrigued and excited about the new Spiderman actor. Andrew Garfield (THE SOCIAL NETWORK, NEVER LET ME GO). He was wonderful as the earnest best friend, Eduardo Sevarin in THE SOCIAL NETWORK. I’ve seen some stills and they look good! Also, I think Emma Stone with her strong raspy self, will be a great love interest.
RENTALS – LARS AND THE REAL GIRL
I’d forgotten how touching and funny Ryan Gosling’s performance was until I saw this movie again. He pulls off this sketchy sounding premise with heart and humor.
OSCAR PICKS:
Since we’re talking movies, I’d like to try and predict the winners for this year’s Oscars. Here are my choices below:
Best screenplay – Social Network (close fight between Black Swan for me. Both were so very tightly executed and exciting. Also noteworthy is Winter’s Bone).
Best Movie – I want Social Network to win, but I think it’s going to be Black Swan (not that I’m complaining).
Best Actor – Colin Firth (King’s Speech). I have yet to see Ryan Gosling in Blue Valentine but I’m sure he deserves to be a contender. He always puts everything on it.
Supporting Actor – Christian Bale (The Fighter). Give this guy an Oscar already. I actually think he should be in the Best Actor category…Bale is electric in every scene.
Best Actress – Natalie Portman (Black Swan). But I also think Lawrence from Winter’s Bone deserves recognition.
Supporting Actress – Amy Adams ( The Fighter)
BURGERS:
GATHER in Berkeley. The sausage pizza with the burrata cheese was delicious. As was our two cocktails. Bee Sting and Flowered Sandals! Nice, warm, roomy restaurant. Very close to campus.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
THE SEPTEMBERS OF SHIRAZ & WINTER'S BONE
BOOKS:
THE SEPTEMBERS OF SHIRAZ – Dahlia Sofer
Set in the Post Revolutionary Iran of 1981, Sofer gives us a gripping, elegant tale, of a Jewish gem trader Isaac Amin who is arrested one day and accused of being a Zionist spy. From four enlightening perspectives: Isaac’s, his daughter Shirin, his son Parviz and his wife, Farnaz a tale of hope, betrayal, possible friendship and the legacy of Post Revolutionary Iran, unfolds.
Although the story sounds bleak in synopsis, I found Sofer had magic in her touch. From the very first page, I could not put it down. At every turn I felt hope and saw beauty in the evocative memories of each character she presented. Also fascinating are the portrayals of how the different classes were affected by the revolution. The jealousies, the misdirected, sometimes absurd, anger and the history, made for an enchanting tale.
I must confess that the beautiful purple hardcover initially caught my eye and I’m so glad that it did. I look forward to her next book. It’s now also available in paperback: ttp://www.bookpassage.com/book/9780061130403
TINKERS – Paul Harding, Pulitzer Prize
I haven’t read this book yet, but I went to see the author speak. I’m sharing his story for those of you out there receiving rejections. This guy had 25 rejections!!!! And then he went to meet a friend, a poet (if I remember correctly), who suggested he send it to ‘his’ editor, who wasn’t interested, but suggested Harding send it to the Bellevue Literary Press http://www.med.nyu.edu/medicine/aboutus/blp-launch.html. I hope I have the whole story right but any errors, completely mine. I wasn’t taking notes, I just realized after the fact that I wanted to write about it. Powell’s Books describes it as, “a beautifully written meditation on life, death, the passage of time and man’s eternal attempt to harness it.”
Bellevue Press is a non-profit publishing house the size of a small office, and works out of, get this----the NYU Medical School. The editor/publisher read TINKERS, called Harding, and said, “I want to publish this”. Many hand sales later from the Book Passage, Corte Madera, AND other independents and voila, PULITZER PRIZE. Can you spell Hot-dang?! The story has its roots in Harding’s grandfather’s life, who was an Epileptic. So---for those of you receiving rejections...there you go. Here’s an interview of him with Powell’s Books before the book was available: http://www.powells.com/authors/paulharding.html
YA (Young Adult)
MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins (Waiting-Can’t wait, till the release date!)
LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater is out and receiving great reviews. I just saw it at the bookstore and had to stop myself from buying until I finish the other four books I’m reading!
BRANDO:
WINTER’S BONE (Best Picture Winner at the Sundance Film Festival) – Based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell and Directed by Debra Granik, (Super)-Starring Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes & Garret Dillahunt. A sparse, gritty, unflinching, thriller set in the Ozark back country. Seventeen year old Ree Dolly is left in charge of her mentally ill mother and younger siblings. While trying to make ends meet she must find her missing father and bring him back for his court appearance. The task proves almost Herculean. Jennifer Lawrence is captivating, and deserves and Oscar, but don’t just listen to me. Go see the movie. You don’t exactly leave the movie with a spring in your step but with awe at the storytelling and the emotional ride and fierce heart of the character, Ree. Here are some reviews on the official website: http://www.wintersbonemovie.com/press.html
CYRUS – Directed by Jay & Mark Duplass. Starring Jonah Hill, John C. Reilly, Katherine Keener and Marisa Tomei. Poignant, funny, at times uncomfortably so. Cyrus pushes the envelope of mother-son codependence. Solid terrific acting. Are the new kids out acting the pros? I’m thinking Jonah Hill may be up for an Oscar after this? Known for his comedy in KNOCKED UP and SUPERBAD, Hill puts in an amazingly restrained, but still funny, sometimes, uncomfortably honest, performance. I didn’t know this guy had it in him. Ditto goes for John C. Reilly, who I also forget is a serious actor. After his string of hilarious Will Ferrell slapsticks I’d forgotten his dramatic performances in MAGNOLIA, CHICAGO, THE HOURS, & THE GOOD GIRL (to name a few). Marisa Tomei is always amazing and she puts in another nuanced, how does she do that---performance. She is totally believable as the mom who takes being her child’s best friend to the extreme. At times it feels as if it will tip over into comedy but keeps to its restrained edgy feel. Dramedy?
NEXT UP:
INCEPTION – Directed by Christopher Nolan (of Memento fame)
THE KID’S ARE ALL RIGHT – Starring Mark Ruffalo, Annete Benning, Julianne Moore
RUMORED: GREEN HORNET. I heard a rumor they were going to remake the Green Hornet and since there are already pictures up I can only say, WHAT? NO ONE can take Bruce Lee’s place as Cato. C’mon! NO ONE. Sorry. Not happening.
BURGERS:
HUMPHRYS SLOCOMBE ¬– Okay, yes. I know....I’ve mentioned this before but one evening my friend M, suggested we make a pit stop after dinner, and I know it sounds crazy, but this one flavor---McEvoy Olive oil ice cream, is just INSANELY good. Yeah, I know sounds kooky. But there it is. Out of this world good. Um, so I wasn’t brave enough to try the Prosciutto Ice Cream:
http://www.humphryslocombe.com/%7C_Flavors_%7C.html
You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook and my website: www.tessurizaholthe.com
THE SEPTEMBERS OF SHIRAZ – Dahlia Sofer
Set in the Post Revolutionary Iran of 1981, Sofer gives us a gripping, elegant tale, of a Jewish gem trader Isaac Amin who is arrested one day and accused of being a Zionist spy. From four enlightening perspectives: Isaac’s, his daughter Shirin, his son Parviz and his wife, Farnaz a tale of hope, betrayal, possible friendship and the legacy of Post Revolutionary Iran, unfolds.
Although the story sounds bleak in synopsis, I found Sofer had magic in her touch. From the very first page, I could not put it down. At every turn I felt hope and saw beauty in the evocative memories of each character she presented. Also fascinating are the portrayals of how the different classes were affected by the revolution. The jealousies, the misdirected, sometimes absurd, anger and the history, made for an enchanting tale.
I must confess that the beautiful purple hardcover initially caught my eye and I’m so glad that it did. I look forward to her next book. It’s now also available in paperback: ttp://www.bookpassage.com/book/9780061130403
TINKERS – Paul Harding, Pulitzer Prize
I haven’t read this book yet, but I went to see the author speak. I’m sharing his story for those of you out there receiving rejections. This guy had 25 rejections!!!! And then he went to meet a friend, a poet (if I remember correctly), who suggested he send it to ‘his’ editor, who wasn’t interested, but suggested Harding send it to the Bellevue Literary Press http://www.med.nyu.edu/medicine/aboutus/blp-launch.html. I hope I have the whole story right but any errors, completely mine. I wasn’t taking notes, I just realized after the fact that I wanted to write about it. Powell’s Books describes it as, “a beautifully written meditation on life, death, the passage of time and man’s eternal attempt to harness it.”
Bellevue Press is a non-profit publishing house the size of a small office, and works out of, get this----the NYU Medical School. The editor/publisher read TINKERS, called Harding, and said, “I want to publish this”. Many hand sales later from the Book Passage, Corte Madera, AND other independents and voila, PULITZER PRIZE. Can you spell Hot-dang?! The story has its roots in Harding’s grandfather’s life, who was an Epileptic. So---for those of you receiving rejections...there you go. Here’s an interview of him with Powell’s Books before the book was available: http://www.powells.com/authors/paulharding.html
YA (Young Adult)
MOCKINGJAY by Suzanne Collins (Waiting-Can’t wait, till the release date!)
LINGER by Maggie Stiefvater is out and receiving great reviews. I just saw it at the bookstore and had to stop myself from buying until I finish the other four books I’m reading!
BRANDO:
WINTER’S BONE (Best Picture Winner at the Sundance Film Festival) – Based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell and Directed by Debra Granik, (Super)-Starring Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes & Garret Dillahunt. A sparse, gritty, unflinching, thriller set in the Ozark back country. Seventeen year old Ree Dolly is left in charge of her mentally ill mother and younger siblings. While trying to make ends meet she must find her missing father and bring him back for his court appearance. The task proves almost Herculean. Jennifer Lawrence is captivating, and deserves and Oscar, but don’t just listen to me. Go see the movie. You don’t exactly leave the movie with a spring in your step but with awe at the storytelling and the emotional ride and fierce heart of the character, Ree. Here are some reviews on the official website: http://www.wintersbonemovie.com/press.html
CYRUS – Directed by Jay & Mark Duplass. Starring Jonah Hill, John C. Reilly, Katherine Keener and Marisa Tomei. Poignant, funny, at times uncomfortably so. Cyrus pushes the envelope of mother-son codependence. Solid terrific acting. Are the new kids out acting the pros? I’m thinking Jonah Hill may be up for an Oscar after this? Known for his comedy in KNOCKED UP and SUPERBAD, Hill puts in an amazingly restrained, but still funny, sometimes, uncomfortably honest, performance. I didn’t know this guy had it in him. Ditto goes for John C. Reilly, who I also forget is a serious actor. After his string of hilarious Will Ferrell slapsticks I’d forgotten his dramatic performances in MAGNOLIA, CHICAGO, THE HOURS, & THE GOOD GIRL (to name a few). Marisa Tomei is always amazing and she puts in another nuanced, how does she do that---performance. She is totally believable as the mom who takes being her child’s best friend to the extreme. At times it feels as if it will tip over into comedy but keeps to its restrained edgy feel. Dramedy?
NEXT UP:
INCEPTION – Directed by Christopher Nolan (of Memento fame)
THE KID’S ARE ALL RIGHT – Starring Mark Ruffalo, Annete Benning, Julianne Moore
RUMORED: GREEN HORNET. I heard a rumor they were going to remake the Green Hornet and since there are already pictures up I can only say, WHAT? NO ONE can take Bruce Lee’s place as Cato. C’mon! NO ONE. Sorry. Not happening.
BURGERS:
HUMPHRYS SLOCOMBE ¬– Okay, yes. I know....I’ve mentioned this before but one evening my friend M, suggested we make a pit stop after dinner, and I know it sounds crazy, but this one flavor---McEvoy Olive oil ice cream, is just INSANELY good. Yeah, I know sounds kooky. But there it is. Out of this world good. Um, so I wasn’t brave enough to try the Prosciutto Ice Cream:
http://www.humphryslocombe.com/%7C_Flavors_%7C.html
You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook and my website: www.tessurizaholthe.com
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
A Northern Light by Donnelly
BOOKS:
YA (Young Adult) – A NORTHERN LIGHT – Jennifer Donnelly
I can’t gush enough about this book. If you love a good story, loved Dreiser’s classic, AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY and the movie, A PLACE IN THE SUN with Montgomery Clift, Liz Taylor and Shelley Winters, then you must pick up this book!
A NORTHERN LIGHT is about a murder mystery, poverty, longing, romance, the love of words, feminism, racism, obligations and finding one’s voice. The characters are so engaging that I want a sequel. I demand a sequel! There were times when I had to put the book down to walk the dog and I kept wondering if I could maybe harness the book to my dog during our evening walk.
Donnelly paints such a likeable heroine in Mattie, Mathilda---she’s strong and loyal and unsure and brave and funny--- and her crux is so taut at every turn, should she mention the letters or not? And the plot so riveting, whether she’s in the present or past, she gives clues that are hard won revelations. Donnelly gives us just enough information at each turn, to build a gorgeous web of gripping narrative. She places us suspiciously in the same quandry as the tragic Grace Brown, however----with Matt, you’re certain, at least I HOPED I was certain, that it would not come to the same end. What a great ride. Highly recommended. I. CAN’T. WAIT. TO READ. HER. AGAIN.
YA (Young Adult) - MAGIC UNDERGLASS by Jaclyn Dolamore.
I loved the premise of Dolamore’s book. A piano playing automaton who may be haunted! And a dancehall girl! Dolarmore delivers this fairy story in a unique way that sets her apart from other fairy books. Her gothic tale is told with rich language and imagery I was immediately absorbed into her world. With hints of Jane Eyre and a sprig of Harry Potter, I found this a page turning read. My only critique is I wanted MORE! It wrapped up a little too fast at the end. I could’ve spent at least another chapter with Nimira and the prince. Although it does seem that there’s room for a sequel so maybe I’m just further under Dolamore’s spell! It’s a sliver of a book so go pick it up!
NEXT UP: I think next up for me is Little Brother by Doctorow after I finish A GAME OF THRONES---soon to be HBO special FIRE AND ICE. Teaser looking good.
BRANDO:
VAMPIRE DIARIES – I grew up reading the first three-four books of LJ Smith’s series and I must say I was skeptical at first on what they would do with the Vampire Diaries, given that I already love Twilight and I already watch TRUEBLOOD (love that Skaarsgard, he’s a different kind of Damon)---but KUDOS to amazing screenwriter Julie Plec (Dexter—duh, no wonder) fame. She constantly surprises me! I was so happy with the way she/they handled the Season Finale and ----spoilers ahead----Katherine’s return. I sat in shock at how perfect that was. And then to lose Malise Jow I shouted Nooooooo!
Can I hire her please when my Young Adult book comes out to star as my main character or her younger sister? Both Malise and Phil Collins’s daughter (BLIND SIDE) stand out. I want both of them for the film version of my young adult book! Just casting couch dreaming here folks. I also found a great male lead but I’m not giving it away here. Someone might snatch him up!
Damon (Ian Somholder) just gets more riveting. His humanity bubbling to the surface this week was heartbreaking. And as in the book, I’d choose Damon over Stefan any day. I don’t know why. Yes I do. Damon’s evil-good. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the overall storyline.
Having said that and having mentioned Twilight---I CAN’T WAIT FOR ECLIPSE!
COCO BEFORE CHANEL: Audrey Tatou, Alessandro Nivola
Wow. What a charming heartfelt movie. Tatou as always, does a terrific job. Have you seen her in PRICELESS? She’s like the Audrey Hepburn of our time. Alessandro Nivola was heart breaking and focused. The chemistry between the three lead characters was strong and almost turn your eyes away intense and Coco’s journey is admirable. I don’t want to say anymore. The camera shots too were gorgeous, like a postcard. It’s a biopic on the life of famed designer Coco Chanel. Go see it!
INDIE RENTALS:
THE LIVES OF OTHERS - The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) is a 2006 German Drama film. It’s multi-layered but ultimately it’s about one man holding the fate, the lives of others in his hands.
BURGERS: MOMOFUKU – New York. Try the pork bun and the fried chicken. Delicious. I could’ve just kept eating the porkbun. Intimate seating, but just enjoy!
http://www.momofuku.com/noodle-bar/menu/dinner/
YA (Young Adult) – A NORTHERN LIGHT – Jennifer Donnelly
I can’t gush enough about this book. If you love a good story, loved Dreiser’s classic, AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY and the movie, A PLACE IN THE SUN with Montgomery Clift, Liz Taylor and Shelley Winters, then you must pick up this book!
A NORTHERN LIGHT is about a murder mystery, poverty, longing, romance, the love of words, feminism, racism, obligations and finding one’s voice. The characters are so engaging that I want a sequel. I demand a sequel! There were times when I had to put the book down to walk the dog and I kept wondering if I could maybe harness the book to my dog during our evening walk.
Donnelly paints such a likeable heroine in Mattie, Mathilda---she’s strong and loyal and unsure and brave and funny--- and her crux is so taut at every turn, should she mention the letters or not? And the plot so riveting, whether she’s in the present or past, she gives clues that are hard won revelations. Donnelly gives us just enough information at each turn, to build a gorgeous web of gripping narrative. She places us suspiciously in the same quandry as the tragic Grace Brown, however----with Matt, you’re certain, at least I HOPED I was certain, that it would not come to the same end. What a great ride. Highly recommended. I. CAN’T. WAIT. TO READ. HER. AGAIN.
YA (Young Adult) - MAGIC UNDERGLASS by Jaclyn Dolamore.
I loved the premise of Dolamore’s book. A piano playing automaton who may be haunted! And a dancehall girl! Dolarmore delivers this fairy story in a unique way that sets her apart from other fairy books. Her gothic tale is told with rich language and imagery I was immediately absorbed into her world. With hints of Jane Eyre and a sprig of Harry Potter, I found this a page turning read. My only critique is I wanted MORE! It wrapped up a little too fast at the end. I could’ve spent at least another chapter with Nimira and the prince. Although it does seem that there’s room for a sequel so maybe I’m just further under Dolamore’s spell! It’s a sliver of a book so go pick it up!
NEXT UP: I think next up for me is Little Brother by Doctorow after I finish A GAME OF THRONES---soon to be HBO special FIRE AND ICE. Teaser looking good.
BRANDO:
VAMPIRE DIARIES – I grew up reading the first three-four books of LJ Smith’s series and I must say I was skeptical at first on what they would do with the Vampire Diaries, given that I already love Twilight and I already watch TRUEBLOOD (love that Skaarsgard, he’s a different kind of Damon)---but KUDOS to amazing screenwriter Julie Plec (Dexter—duh, no wonder) fame. She constantly surprises me! I was so happy with the way she/they handled the Season Finale and ----spoilers ahead----Katherine’s return. I sat in shock at how perfect that was. And then to lose Malise Jow I shouted Nooooooo!
Can I hire her please when my Young Adult book comes out to star as my main character or her younger sister? Both Malise and Phil Collins’s daughter (BLIND SIDE) stand out. I want both of them for the film version of my young adult book! Just casting couch dreaming here folks. I also found a great male lead but I’m not giving it away here. Someone might snatch him up!
Damon (Ian Somholder) just gets more riveting. His humanity bubbling to the surface this week was heartbreaking. And as in the book, I’d choose Damon over Stefan any day. I don’t know why. Yes I do. Damon’s evil-good. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the overall storyline.
Having said that and having mentioned Twilight---I CAN’T WAIT FOR ECLIPSE!
COCO BEFORE CHANEL: Audrey Tatou, Alessandro Nivola
Wow. What a charming heartfelt movie. Tatou as always, does a terrific job. Have you seen her in PRICELESS? She’s like the Audrey Hepburn of our time. Alessandro Nivola was heart breaking and focused. The chemistry between the three lead characters was strong and almost turn your eyes away intense and Coco’s journey is admirable. I don’t want to say anymore. The camera shots too were gorgeous, like a postcard. It’s a biopic on the life of famed designer Coco Chanel. Go see it!
INDIE RENTALS:
THE LIVES OF OTHERS - The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) is a 2006 German Drama film. It’s multi-layered but ultimately it’s about one man holding the fate, the lives of others in his hands.
BURGERS: MOMOFUKU – New York. Try the pork bun and the fried chicken. Delicious. I could’ve just kept eating the porkbun. Intimate seating, but just enjoy!
http://www.momofuku.com/noodle-bar/menu/dinner/
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Temple Grandin
BOOKS:
I reccommended MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD a few months back and so I was fascinated by the lecture given below by Dr. Temple Grandin who, like Marcelo, is a person with high-functioning autism. If you loved Marcelo this book and this woman, might be of interest to you.
THE WAY I SEE IT: A PERSONAL LOOK AT ASPERGER’S AND AUTISM by Dr. Temple Grandin (www.templegrandin.com) . Dr. Grandin is whip smart and a kick. Doctor of Animal Science and professor at Colorado State University and a consultant to the livestock industry in animal behavior. Grandin is known for her work in autism advocacy and is the inventor of the hug machine a device she created to calm hypersensitive persons.
She had me riveted on her explanation---of all things, on how a bull will show a lateral threat by standing sideways and giving you his profile to show how big he is, only many people mistake this as docile because he isn’t looking straight at you directly. “When he gets that way, look out.” Good to know.
That was just one of her anecdotes but she delivers them in such deadpan humor it’s hilarious. She is one of the most practical people I’ve ever heard give a lecture. I was amazed by her memory, in the movie they show how her photographic memory works. In keeping with this theme of high-functioning autistics having brilliant minds, she was discussing different autism traits of “Aspies” (Aspergers). Some are math related, some are word, some focus on art and she said, “Heck half of Silicon Valley is probably Asperger’s.” She advocates finding what interests autistic children early on and encouraging their strengths. She claimed she wouldn’t know where she’d be now if her mother hadn’t encouraged her art. In the movie of her life, TEMPLE GRANDIN on HBO, I loved Julia Ormond’s (who played Temple’s mother), response to a doctor talking down to her about her daughter’s condition. When he asks if her father is available, because he doubts if Ormond can follow him Ormond says, something like, “It’s okay doctor. I graduated from Harvard, try me.”
A NORTHERN LIGHT by Jennifer Donnelly – Just cracked open but I’m excited to read. It’s a take on the 1906 true story that inspired Theodore Dreiser’s novel AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY. Also the movie with Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters, A PLACE IN THE SUN, which is heart breaking and a must see. Only I suggest having a comedy at hand afterwards because the story is so well done, a lingering sadness will pervade you. I’ll let you know what I think when I’m done, but I mean, the book’s already won a Printz Award so, I’m guessing I’ll love it. Pick it up and read along with me. Love to hear your comments.
Also picked up MAGIC UNDERGLASS by Jaclyn Dolamore.
BRANDO:
If you can find the HBO special TEMPLE GRANDIN starring Clair Danes and Julia Ormond, I highly recommend, Temple’s story is powerful and heroic. Her mother’s determination that she go out into the world is inspiring. Claire Danes performance is jaw dropping. Where did that come from. I attended Grandin’s lecture this month and Danes really nailed Grandin’s exhuberance and intelligence.
I was all ready to see KICKASS, about teens tired of getting bullied who become superheroes, by director Quentin Tarantino and (supposedly) violent as heck, but my husband went without me. We were supposed to go together but I was home making revisions on this next project and he didn’t tell me until the end of the night. Yeah, thanks babe. So, unfortunately I cannot review this movie. (I hope you feel guilty).
RENTALS:
Michael Jordan on IMAX. It’s about basketball and a whole lot more. It’s about work ethic and what it takes to be the best. My husband always puts it on when I start a book project. It gets me pumped. It’s like my Rocky Theme song. One of my most favorite scenes is when Kerr, asks if Michael gets to play opening night after his absence from the game to follow his baseball career. Scotty Pippin says, “Generally speaking if you have your own statue outside of the arena, you don’t come off the bench.”
MADMEN – Yes, I know, old news but I just rented the first season. How smart IS this movie? If you want to comment you can only bring up subjects right after the one guy gets his short story published. Such a terrific sociological study. One of my sociology teachers a year back was discussing power struggles with me and she loves the show and she, Jessica pointed out how hilarious it is that the women all have a problem with the divorcee, when their lives are equally hazardous. Such great storytelling. Pick it up if you’re late in the game like me.
INDIE RENTALS:
RAN – by Kurosawa. King Lear Kurosawa style: elegant, violent, riveting.
RASHOMON by Kurosawa. Directed by the amazing Akira Kurosawa. A 1950 Japanese Crime Mystery. The crime is relived through different perspectives, each person telling a slightly different story. Who is telling the truth?
BURGERS: Stellina’s in Point Reyes – After the Grandin lecture we went to Stellina’s. Their mussels, sausage stew is out of this world.
I reccommended MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD a few months back and so I was fascinated by the lecture given below by Dr. Temple Grandin who, like Marcelo, is a person with high-functioning autism. If you loved Marcelo this book and this woman, might be of interest to you.
THE WAY I SEE IT: A PERSONAL LOOK AT ASPERGER’S AND AUTISM by Dr. Temple Grandin (www.templegrandin.com) . Dr. Grandin is whip smart and a kick. Doctor of Animal Science and professor at Colorado State University and a consultant to the livestock industry in animal behavior. Grandin is known for her work in autism advocacy and is the inventor of the hug machine a device she created to calm hypersensitive persons.
She had me riveted on her explanation---of all things, on how a bull will show a lateral threat by standing sideways and giving you his profile to show how big he is, only many people mistake this as docile because he isn’t looking straight at you directly. “When he gets that way, look out.” Good to know.
That was just one of her anecdotes but she delivers them in such deadpan humor it’s hilarious. She is one of the most practical people I’ve ever heard give a lecture. I was amazed by her memory, in the movie they show how her photographic memory works. In keeping with this theme of high-functioning autistics having brilliant minds, she was discussing different autism traits of “Aspies” (Aspergers). Some are math related, some are word, some focus on art and she said, “Heck half of Silicon Valley is probably Asperger’s.” She advocates finding what interests autistic children early on and encouraging their strengths. She claimed she wouldn’t know where she’d be now if her mother hadn’t encouraged her art. In the movie of her life, TEMPLE GRANDIN on HBO, I loved Julia Ormond’s (who played Temple’s mother), response to a doctor talking down to her about her daughter’s condition. When he asks if her father is available, because he doubts if Ormond can follow him Ormond says, something like, “It’s okay doctor. I graduated from Harvard, try me.”
A NORTHERN LIGHT by Jennifer Donnelly – Just cracked open but I’m excited to read. It’s a take on the 1906 true story that inspired Theodore Dreiser’s novel AN AMERICAN TRAGEDY. Also the movie with Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor and Shelley Winters, A PLACE IN THE SUN, which is heart breaking and a must see. Only I suggest having a comedy at hand afterwards because the story is so well done, a lingering sadness will pervade you. I’ll let you know what I think when I’m done, but I mean, the book’s already won a Printz Award so, I’m guessing I’ll love it. Pick it up and read along with me. Love to hear your comments.
Also picked up MAGIC UNDERGLASS by Jaclyn Dolamore.
BRANDO:
If you can find the HBO special TEMPLE GRANDIN starring Clair Danes and Julia Ormond, I highly recommend, Temple’s story is powerful and heroic. Her mother’s determination that she go out into the world is inspiring. Claire Danes performance is jaw dropping. Where did that come from. I attended Grandin’s lecture this month and Danes really nailed Grandin’s exhuberance and intelligence.
I was all ready to see KICKASS, about teens tired of getting bullied who become superheroes, by director Quentin Tarantino and (supposedly) violent as heck, but my husband went without me. We were supposed to go together but I was home making revisions on this next project and he didn’t tell me until the end of the night. Yeah, thanks babe. So, unfortunately I cannot review this movie. (I hope you feel guilty).
RENTALS:
Michael Jordan on IMAX. It’s about basketball and a whole lot more. It’s about work ethic and what it takes to be the best. My husband always puts it on when I start a book project. It gets me pumped. It’s like my Rocky Theme song. One of my most favorite scenes is when Kerr, asks if Michael gets to play opening night after his absence from the game to follow his baseball career. Scotty Pippin says, “Generally speaking if you have your own statue outside of the arena, you don’t come off the bench.”
MADMEN – Yes, I know, old news but I just rented the first season. How smart IS this movie? If you want to comment you can only bring up subjects right after the one guy gets his short story published. Such a terrific sociological study. One of my sociology teachers a year back was discussing power struggles with me and she loves the show and she, Jessica pointed out how hilarious it is that the women all have a problem with the divorcee, when their lives are equally hazardous. Such great storytelling. Pick it up if you’re late in the game like me.
INDIE RENTALS:
RAN – by Kurosawa. King Lear Kurosawa style: elegant, violent, riveting.
RASHOMON by Kurosawa. Directed by the amazing Akira Kurosawa. A 1950 Japanese Crime Mystery. The crime is relived through different perspectives, each person telling a slightly different story. Who is telling the truth?
BURGERS: Stellina’s in Point Reyes – After the Grandin lecture we went to Stellina’s. Their mussels, sausage stew is out of this world.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Of Zombie's and Seances
BOOKS:
Just read Libba Bray’s - A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY. About 4 girls in London’s Spence school in the 1800s. It’s like stepping into a delicious, gothic, time warp. It’s about friendship, cliques, power and pushing against society’s expectations for ‘proper girls’. A wonderful read, two thumbs up. Great atmosphere. Ever since I read that teeny séance scene in Graham Greene’s THE MINISTRY OF FEAR, and Bronte’s JANE EYRE, I’ve wanted to feel that spooky ambiance again. In fact, it’s part of the reason I loved SÉANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON, an opera by Stephen Schwartz, which debuted last year in Santa Barbara. It’s a remake of the old black and white movie of the same name and directed by Bryan Forbes.
Went to see Ian McEwan at City Arts and Lecture last week and he gave this terrific story of the genesis of his novel, ATONEMENT. He was in Holland and he had this idea of this young woman inside a house filling a vase with flowers. A young man was waiting for her outside and she was torn between wanting to see him and wanting to avoid him. McEwan then sketched the scene out in this notebook where he allows himself to jot down things he’s not working on. He forgot about the scene. Months later he had a different image of a younger girl watching a scene play out near the fountain, from her bedroom window. The third scene came weeks later when he realized the young girl at the window was looking back on her life and that one moment of misunderstanding that would reverberate throughout their lives.
Until that point, McEwan had thought the first scene could have been a short story, possibly something set in the future; it wasn’t until months later that he realized he had a novel. The first scene of course, is the character Celia (played by Keira Knightley in the movie) wanting to avoid Robbie Turner (played by James McAvoy).
It was fascinating to hear how the story came to him like a gift. Sometimes writers sit down with a definite plot in mind and other times, you’re backed into it and given small gems to piece together. And who are we to say no, to scoff in the face of the muse crooking her finger? The best you can do is scramble for a notebook and pen.
I had this experience myself, writing THE FIVE-FORTY-FIVE TO CANNES; I was with my mother in-law in Cannes, where I was supposed to be taking a break from writing. We were sitting at this sea-side café. It was a gorgeous sun drenched day and we were watching families come into the square from the beach for lunch. And I thought to myself, in my day-dreamy way, ‘how nice, these families must meet every year in Cannes over the course of their lives’. Even though they could have been locals, I decided they were visitors. And my next thought was, ‘What if one year, one family member, the golden boy, the black-sheep, doesn’t make it to Cannes?’ All I knew at the time was that the young man’s absence was ominous. That evening I sketched out an outline. Throughout the trip I wrote feverishly for three weeks and at the end of our vacation I had hand written THE FIVE-FORTY-FIVE TO CANNES in three notebooks in three weeks. It was an amazing, very Jane Austen, experience.
There’s something liberating about working on something ‘just for the fun’ of it, to see where it might go. There are times when you have a plot first and there are times when the story takes you by the hand and whirls you up in its dance. I recommend both.
I devoured Carrie Ryan’s THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH and had nightmares. Fun! At first I was skeptical, a zombie book? (As in book vs. movie) How will that play out? Except I did enjoy director, Danny Boyle’s 28 WEEKS (and the sequel 28 DAYS) LATER. And then the book opens with her mother…and I’m hooked. Great book. I haven’t had a ‘oh god I’m glad it’s a dream nightmare’ moment, in a long while. Fun! Of course then I had to go out and consume THE DEAD TOSSED WAVES, in like two nights. Wonderful, intense read.
Speaking of Danny Boyle (and now I’m letting my Books section mix with my Brando section) have you seen the list of credits to this man’s name? Wow. Here’s just a few: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, TRAINSPOTTING, SHALLOW GRAVE, MILLIONS, it goes on. He’s one to watch, isn’t he?
I’ve just finished INCARCERON. What a wild Alice in Wonderland ride. It’s about a young man who may or may not have been born in a prison that’s as vast as the dessert. Who may or may not be a dead prince. Fisher continually kept me guessing. My only critique of the book, if you can call it a critique, is I wanted to sit with the characters for just a breath longer. Love that Keiro. (Why is that? I loved Damon in LJ Smith’s book too). The sequel SAPPHIQUE is next, maybe it’ll be ‘all about Keiro’.
BRANDO:
After Reading and giving a lecture for BLESS ME ULTIMA at the Hayward Library I made comparisons to Pan’s Labyrinth and Salem’s Lot----The scene with the preacher in the kitchen when the vampire leader breaks in and grabs the cross the preacher holds to ward him off and the nosferatu looking vampire says, “Your Faith against mine,” is one of my favorite showdown scenes. So now I feel the need to recommend the two. Stephen King’s SALEM’S LOT is one of my all time favorite vampire movies, the scary factor is just unrelenting, and then the brother scratching at the window is, priceless. Smart-scary without the gore.
AN EDUCATION – A story about a girl’s coming of age in 1960s London. Okay, here’s the deal. I thought the acting was superb and Carey Mulligan is just a revelation. The entire cast is strong and I really like Peter Saarsgard, I thought he was intense in BOYS DON’T CRY, JARHEAD, SHATTERED GLASS, and his acting is always great, BUT-----spoilers coming so close your eyes. I didn’t believe that a young sixteen(?) year old, even a precocious one would fall in love with someone who was made up to look more like her father’s crowd. Maybe if she was college age…What would have been more believable to me was if he had switched places with Dominic Cooper. Cooper looked more the part of the ‘playboy’, someone I would believe a young girl, dozens of young girls, to fall head over heels and risk her future for. Cooper would’ve put a different spin on the whole throw your life away story-line.
Saarsgard is more of the quiet, steadfast, goodlooking, older brother type. I didn’t believe he was this playboy. I don’t know. Dominic Cooper would’ve been way more believable to me. It was a thorn in my side the entire movie. I wanted them to switch parts so then I couldn’t focus on the movie. I couldn’t get past it. Rosamund Pike is wonderful as the shallow, passive aggressive, girlfriend. Such a turn from PRIDE AND PREJUDICE’S gentle Jane.
INDIE RENTALS:
The Wind that Shakes the Barley (Irish) – Ken Loach film about the Irish War of Independence 1919-1921 and the Irish Civil War. Cillian Murphy is heartbreaking as is his character’s plight. You also learn a little bit of history.
Pan’s Labyrinth – Guillermo Del Toro. Set during Franco’s Spanish Civil War and filled with magical realism. A dark fairy tale of a girl’s coming of age. The young girl Ivana Baquero is TERRIFIC as Ofelia. She reminds me of Natalie Portman’s star turn as Mathilda in--- and also a great film, THE PROFESSIONAL.
BURGERS:
Bequet caramels from Montana. Oh my gosh. Salty-sweet. Individually wrapped.
Luxe Cappuccinos, Los Angeles – oh so creamy goodness….sigh.
Just read Libba Bray’s - A GREAT AND TERRIBLE BEAUTY. About 4 girls in London’s Spence school in the 1800s. It’s like stepping into a delicious, gothic, time warp. It’s about friendship, cliques, power and pushing against society’s expectations for ‘proper girls’. A wonderful read, two thumbs up. Great atmosphere. Ever since I read that teeny séance scene in Graham Greene’s THE MINISTRY OF FEAR, and Bronte’s JANE EYRE, I’ve wanted to feel that spooky ambiance again. In fact, it’s part of the reason I loved SÉANCE ON A WET AFTERNOON, an opera by Stephen Schwartz, which debuted last year in Santa Barbara. It’s a remake of the old black and white movie of the same name and directed by Bryan Forbes.
Went to see Ian McEwan at City Arts and Lecture last week and he gave this terrific story of the genesis of his novel, ATONEMENT. He was in Holland and he had this idea of this young woman inside a house filling a vase with flowers. A young man was waiting for her outside and she was torn between wanting to see him and wanting to avoid him. McEwan then sketched the scene out in this notebook where he allows himself to jot down things he’s not working on. He forgot about the scene. Months later he had a different image of a younger girl watching a scene play out near the fountain, from her bedroom window. The third scene came weeks later when he realized the young girl at the window was looking back on her life and that one moment of misunderstanding that would reverberate throughout their lives.
Until that point, McEwan had thought the first scene could have been a short story, possibly something set in the future; it wasn’t until months later that he realized he had a novel. The first scene of course, is the character Celia (played by Keira Knightley in the movie) wanting to avoid Robbie Turner (played by James McAvoy).
It was fascinating to hear how the story came to him like a gift. Sometimes writers sit down with a definite plot in mind and other times, you’re backed into it and given small gems to piece together. And who are we to say no, to scoff in the face of the muse crooking her finger? The best you can do is scramble for a notebook and pen.
I had this experience myself, writing THE FIVE-FORTY-FIVE TO CANNES; I was with my mother in-law in Cannes, where I was supposed to be taking a break from writing. We were sitting at this sea-side café. It was a gorgeous sun drenched day and we were watching families come into the square from the beach for lunch. And I thought to myself, in my day-dreamy way, ‘how nice, these families must meet every year in Cannes over the course of their lives’. Even though they could have been locals, I decided they were visitors. And my next thought was, ‘What if one year, one family member, the golden boy, the black-sheep, doesn’t make it to Cannes?’ All I knew at the time was that the young man’s absence was ominous. That evening I sketched out an outline. Throughout the trip I wrote feverishly for three weeks and at the end of our vacation I had hand written THE FIVE-FORTY-FIVE TO CANNES in three notebooks in three weeks. It was an amazing, very Jane Austen, experience.
There’s something liberating about working on something ‘just for the fun’ of it, to see where it might go. There are times when you have a plot first and there are times when the story takes you by the hand and whirls you up in its dance. I recommend both.
I devoured Carrie Ryan’s THE FOREST OF HANDS AND TEETH and had nightmares. Fun! At first I was skeptical, a zombie book? (As in book vs. movie) How will that play out? Except I did enjoy director, Danny Boyle’s 28 WEEKS (and the sequel 28 DAYS) LATER. And then the book opens with her mother…and I’m hooked. Great book. I haven’t had a ‘oh god I’m glad it’s a dream nightmare’ moment, in a long while. Fun! Of course then I had to go out and consume THE DEAD TOSSED WAVES, in like two nights. Wonderful, intense read.
Speaking of Danny Boyle (and now I’m letting my Books section mix with my Brando section) have you seen the list of credits to this man’s name? Wow. Here’s just a few: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, TRAINSPOTTING, SHALLOW GRAVE, MILLIONS, it goes on. He’s one to watch, isn’t he?
I’ve just finished INCARCERON. What a wild Alice in Wonderland ride. It’s about a young man who may or may not have been born in a prison that’s as vast as the dessert. Who may or may not be a dead prince. Fisher continually kept me guessing. My only critique of the book, if you can call it a critique, is I wanted to sit with the characters for just a breath longer. Love that Keiro. (Why is that? I loved Damon in LJ Smith’s book too). The sequel SAPPHIQUE is next, maybe it’ll be ‘all about Keiro’.
BRANDO:
After Reading and giving a lecture for BLESS ME ULTIMA at the Hayward Library I made comparisons to Pan’s Labyrinth and Salem’s Lot----The scene with the preacher in the kitchen when the vampire leader breaks in and grabs the cross the preacher holds to ward him off and the nosferatu looking vampire says, “Your Faith against mine,” is one of my favorite showdown scenes. So now I feel the need to recommend the two. Stephen King’s SALEM’S LOT is one of my all time favorite vampire movies, the scary factor is just unrelenting, and then the brother scratching at the window is, priceless. Smart-scary without the gore.
AN EDUCATION – A story about a girl’s coming of age in 1960s London. Okay, here’s the deal. I thought the acting was superb and Carey Mulligan is just a revelation. The entire cast is strong and I really like Peter Saarsgard, I thought he was intense in BOYS DON’T CRY, JARHEAD, SHATTERED GLASS, and his acting is always great, BUT-----spoilers coming so close your eyes. I didn’t believe that a young sixteen(?) year old, even a precocious one would fall in love with someone who was made up to look more like her father’s crowd. Maybe if she was college age…What would have been more believable to me was if he had switched places with Dominic Cooper. Cooper looked more the part of the ‘playboy’, someone I would believe a young girl, dozens of young girls, to fall head over heels and risk her future for. Cooper would’ve put a different spin on the whole throw your life away story-line.
Saarsgard is more of the quiet, steadfast, goodlooking, older brother type. I didn’t believe he was this playboy. I don’t know. Dominic Cooper would’ve been way more believable to me. It was a thorn in my side the entire movie. I wanted them to switch parts so then I couldn’t focus on the movie. I couldn’t get past it. Rosamund Pike is wonderful as the shallow, passive aggressive, girlfriend. Such a turn from PRIDE AND PREJUDICE’S gentle Jane.
INDIE RENTALS:
The Wind that Shakes the Barley (Irish) – Ken Loach film about the Irish War of Independence 1919-1921 and the Irish Civil War. Cillian Murphy is heartbreaking as is his character’s plight. You also learn a little bit of history.
Pan’s Labyrinth – Guillermo Del Toro. Set during Franco’s Spanish Civil War and filled with magical realism. A dark fairy tale of a girl’s coming of age. The young girl Ivana Baquero is TERRIFIC as Ofelia. She reminds me of Natalie Portman’s star turn as Mathilda in--- and also a great film, THE PROFESSIONAL.
BURGERS:
Bequet caramels from Montana. Oh my gosh. Salty-sweet. Individually wrapped.
Luxe Cappuccinos, Los Angeles – oh so creamy goodness….sigh.
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