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Books, Movies, Procrastination
Mar. 23rd, 2011 08:45 pmIt's newsletter time again, so here I am instead. The other night I must have been feeling rich. The boys and I all went to Borders and bought some new bedtime story fodder. We'd read the last of the 'Little House' books. Those were interesting to reread as an adult what with the minstrel shows and child brides, and were good fodder for discussion with the boys as well as being really popular with them. Then we read The Puppet Master, set in medieval Japan. The kids and I agreed that the ending was dark and unsatisfying. I pointed out to them that this was by the author of Bridge to Terabithia, and we all agreed that we should just be grateful that nobody died. Next was Island of the Blue Dolphins which I almost didn't read to them, even though I remembered it being one of my faves at their age. I cracked it not long after it arrived in the mail: 'Today my little brother was eaten by wild dogs leaving me completely alone on a desert island. Not the best day ever.' I thought it might be too upsetting for pre-lights-out fare. In the end, it went over well. Afterward, I looked up the true story it was based on, a rather darker tale, with 100% more putrid seal brains than the fictional version. And... that's when we found ourselves distressingly short of new things to read.
( Stuff we bought )
ETA: I forgot to say anything about movies! Rango was not forgetable precisely, but almost. Still, you know how you look at a striking special effect or digital critter and some internal clock starts ticking? How long before it does something 'wrong' is just a little rubbery, too clownish, and the illusion shatters? Rango's clock just kept on ticking for the most part. It was really artistically very accomplished. But, the story didn't work for me, alas. It could be just my plebeian sensibilities. It was very arty. Mars Needs Moms made me weep in places. I was very upset, traumatized, I tell you! (The kiddos were dry-eyed, the callous little monsters!) I am somewhat comforted that a local movie critic, hardened and cynical, reported having the same reaction.
( Stuff we bought )
ETA: I forgot to say anything about movies! Rango was not forgetable precisely, but almost. Still, you know how you look at a striking special effect or digital critter and some internal clock starts ticking? How long before it does something 'wrong' is just a little rubbery, too clownish, and the illusion shatters? Rango's clock just kept on ticking for the most part. It was really artistically very accomplished. But, the story didn't work for me, alas. It could be just my plebeian sensibilities. It was very arty. Mars Needs Moms made me weep in places. I was very upset, traumatized, I tell you! (The kiddos were dry-eyed, the callous little monsters!) I am somewhat comforted that a local movie critic, hardened and cynical, reported having the same reaction.
