Thursday, July 30
A Trip to the Zoo
As I walked from the Ape Exhibit to the Bird House, the pencil in my hand mindlessly recording all of the animals that lay behind lock and key, it occurred to me that the truly wild beasts- the ones I ought to have been sketching- walked all around me, nursing the straws that hung limply out of their plastic novelty Zoo cups.
Saturday, July 18
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Review
Upon leaving the theater at 5:20 PM yesterday, after viewing "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" for the second time since it's opening on Wednesday the 15th, I felt significantly at peace with the events that played out on the big screen. Overall, the film was a decent adaptation of the sixth book of the epic Harry Potter series, with a few irksome changes in plot and detail.
The cinematography of the film was by far the most advanced and creative of all the movies to date; I have no doubt that it will continue to impress in the next two movies to come.
The combination of the atmospheric lighting, interesting composition, and extensively developed soundtrack brought about a swelling of emotions that I hadn't really experienced in any of the previous movies. This was especially true about the opening scene (where Harry and Dumbledore are bombarded by journalists after Sirius' death and Voldemort's return at the Ministry), the scene following Lavender and Ron's union (where the camera pans out and, from the outside looking in, the audience can see Hermione crying on Harry's shoulder, Ron and Lavender embracing in the next corridor, and Malfoy brooding at the top of the astronomy tower), and the scene where Snape mends Malfoy on the bathroom floor (after Harry so hastily shoots the harmful "Sectumsempra" curse at him over leaky bathroom sinks).
As always, Michael Gambon was severely disappointing as Dumbledore, bringing an unnecessary air of abruptness and distinguished cockiness to the usually humble character. Regardless, I thought the change in Dumbledore's attitude toward Harry was intriguing: In the movie, he was not nearly as mysterious as he was in the book, clearly and directly telling Harry what he wanted him to do (especially regarding Slughorn and his memory.)
Emma Watson was- as usual- a wonderful Hermione, and Rupert Grint brought a lot more depth to Ron than ever before; Daniel Radcliffe, however, failed to develop the right amount of tasteful angsty-ness that Harry called for, resulting in a very light-hearted treatment of things that should have been reacted to in a more serious manner. At certain points this was humorous, such as when he downed his special "liquid luck" potion and then immediately began acting as if he had taken a large dose of uppers. Mostly, however, it was just irritating.
The Harry-Ginny relationship was very well developed up until their kiss in the Room of Requirement- which, I'd like to note, didn't even happen in the novel.
I would like to applaud both Helen McCrory and Helena Bonham Carter- who played Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix LeStrange, respectively -on their brilliant performances and noticable chemistry on camera. Additionally, Alan Rickman did a fantastic job in portraying the contempt between his character, Snape, and Harry, but was disappointingly calm when the two characters finally got the chance to face off (the "Fight back, you coward!" scene).
Content-wise, there were a few details from the book that I would have liked see corrected or included in the movie. For example, I would have liked to see a lot more emphasis on the memories that Dumbledore collected. However, upon reflection, the inclusion of the more complicated details from the book probably would have confused and overwhelmed the population of viewers that are not acutely familiar with the story.
There were also things were added on a whim of inappropriate creative license that I thought were weird and misplaced. For example, Slughorn's heart-wrenching tale of Francis the fish in corolation to Lily Evans' untimely death was much too corny and symbolic. However, I did enjoy the slightly cheesy, made-up Hogwart's tribute to the fallen Dumbledore that ultimately cleared away the ominous Dark Mark hanging in the sky.
The biggest element that continues to bother me is the abrupt and casual ending, which was weak and awkward, and not nearly as serious and focused as it ought to have been. It made me feel a little cheated as I stared up at the credits from my creaky theater seat, asking "Really? That's it?" Above all, however, the film did a reasonably good job in capturing the turbulent times that the story took place in.
Those that remain absolutely faithful to the books should be advised that "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is not the expected response to the phenomenal story that J.K. Rowling penned. However, if you clear away any pre-conceived notions and assumptions before heading to the theater, you will most likely have an exceptionally enjoyable experience. After initial disappointment, and a subsequent second trip to the theater (in which I tried to stay as impassive in my expectations as possible), I can honestly say that I cannot wait to watch the next film in the series.
The cinematography of the film was by far the most advanced and creative of all the movies to date; I have no doubt that it will continue to impress in the next two movies to come.
The combination of the atmospheric lighting, interesting composition, and extensively developed soundtrack brought about a swelling of emotions that I hadn't really experienced in any of the previous movies. This was especially true about the opening scene (where Harry and Dumbledore are bombarded by journalists after Sirius' death and Voldemort's return at the Ministry), the scene following Lavender and Ron's union (where the camera pans out and, from the outside looking in, the audience can see Hermione crying on Harry's shoulder, Ron and Lavender embracing in the next corridor, and Malfoy brooding at the top of the astronomy tower), and the scene where Snape mends Malfoy on the bathroom floor (after Harry so hastily shoots the harmful "Sectumsempra" curse at him over leaky bathroom sinks).
As always, Michael Gambon was severely disappointing as Dumbledore, bringing an unnecessary air of abruptness and distinguished cockiness to the usually humble character. Regardless, I thought the change in Dumbledore's attitude toward Harry was intriguing: In the movie, he was not nearly as mysterious as he was in the book, clearly and directly telling Harry what he wanted him to do (especially regarding Slughorn and his memory.)
Emma Watson was- as usual- a wonderful Hermione, and Rupert Grint brought a lot more depth to Ron than ever before; Daniel Radcliffe, however, failed to develop the right amount of tasteful angsty-ness that Harry called for, resulting in a very light-hearted treatment of things that should have been reacted to in a more serious manner. At certain points this was humorous, such as when he downed his special "liquid luck" potion and then immediately began acting as if he had taken a large dose of uppers. Mostly, however, it was just irritating.
The Harry-Ginny relationship was very well developed up until their kiss in the Room of Requirement- which, I'd like to note, didn't even happen in the novel.
I would like to applaud both Helen McCrory and Helena Bonham Carter- who played Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix LeStrange, respectively -on their brilliant performances and noticable chemistry on camera. Additionally, Alan Rickman did a fantastic job in portraying the contempt between his character, Snape, and Harry, but was disappointingly calm when the two characters finally got the chance to face off (the "Fight back, you coward!" scene).
Content-wise, there were a few details from the book that I would have liked see corrected or included in the movie. For example, I would have liked to see a lot more emphasis on the memories that Dumbledore collected. However, upon reflection, the inclusion of the more complicated details from the book probably would have confused and overwhelmed the population of viewers that are not acutely familiar with the story.
There were also things were added on a whim of inappropriate creative license that I thought were weird and misplaced. For example, Slughorn's heart-wrenching tale of Francis the fish in corolation to Lily Evans' untimely death was much too corny and symbolic. However, I did enjoy the slightly cheesy, made-up Hogwart's tribute to the fallen Dumbledore that ultimately cleared away the ominous Dark Mark hanging in the sky.
The biggest element that continues to bother me is the abrupt and casual ending, which was weak and awkward, and not nearly as serious and focused as it ought to have been. It made me feel a little cheated as I stared up at the credits from my creaky theater seat, asking "Really? That's it?" Above all, however, the film did a reasonably good job in capturing the turbulent times that the story took place in.
Those that remain absolutely faithful to the books should be advised that "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" is not the expected response to the phenomenal story that J.K. Rowling penned. However, if you clear away any pre-conceived notions and assumptions before heading to the theater, you will most likely have an exceptionally enjoyable experience. After initial disappointment, and a subsequent second trip to the theater (in which I tried to stay as impassive in my expectations as possible), I can honestly say that I cannot wait to watch the next film in the series.
Wednesday, July 15
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
I have decided to reserve my judgements regarding the sixth Harry Potter film until I see it for the second time, under normal conditions of anticipation and excitement (i.e. NOT arriving 2 hours early to the theater, and proceeding to giggle and jiggle whilest I wait for the lights to dim). Until then, go see it for yourself!
Sunday, July 12
TrueBlood: Episode 4, Season 2
What we learned from tonight's episode:
- Sam Merlotte does not handle stress well. Additionally, he would do well to stop being so uptight. But he should probably stay away from mysterious new waitresses with painful-looking scars and scary knowledge of his canine tendencies. Methinks this will not end well.
- Maryanne is waaayyy more fucked up than we all thought!
- Jessica is not the angst-y teenager we all imagined in the beginning- she is a sweet, mischievous young vampire that brings necessary comic relief to the show.
- Jason Stackhouse IS AN IDIOT; no church camp can change him.
- Sookie is a funny drunk!
- What's going on with Tara and Eggs? Are they back together, or just under Maryanne's creepy sex spell?
- What does Eric have in store for Lafayette?
- Is Daphne working for Maryanne?
- Who the hell is Barry?!
Wednesday, July 8
An Ode to Vincent Smith II
6 AM.
were you a morning person? did you wake up, embracing the sunlight that was just starting to hover over the edge of the paper-thin horizon? or did you do it slowly, preserving the night that still hung heavy on your eyelids?
you probably swung into your slippers that always nested on the carpet next to your bed. you probably got up slowly, deliberately, very careful not to wake your wife, your wife who hung limply on the edge of sleep.
never one for breakfast, a quick cup of coffee is all you need. no cream, just sugar.
your tainted pout and 2 day old whiskers grace your toddler's forehead before you begin to head outside. was there a moment, a slight hesitation at the door, when you felt like you were part of something bigger? that today, July 8th 2009, as you head to your temp job in Camden, something outside the realm of your understanding or control is about to happen?
10 AM.
routine and automatic reflexes seem to dominate your mornings nowadays. one day you'll find something better.
10: 15 AM.
the hum of machines, of mixing vats, the smell of cocoa that you can never seem to wash off.
10:20 AM.
one day you'll find something better.
10:29 AM.
A burn from the machine frightens you into motion. And as the metal sides close in and the space behind you grows hotter, you suddenly realize that this was how it was supposed to end all along.
10:30 AM.
......................................
NOTE: I did not know Vincent Smith II, from Camden, NJ, and I do not intend to insult his memory. This was merely a work of fiction based off of an unfortunate real-life tragedy. May he rest in peace.
were you a morning person? did you wake up, embracing the sunlight that was just starting to hover over the edge of the paper-thin horizon? or did you do it slowly, preserving the night that still hung heavy on your eyelids?
you probably swung into your slippers that always nested on the carpet next to your bed. you probably got up slowly, deliberately, very careful not to wake your wife, your wife who hung limply on the edge of sleep.
never one for breakfast, a quick cup of coffee is all you need. no cream, just sugar.
your tainted pout and 2 day old whiskers grace your toddler's forehead before you begin to head outside. was there a moment, a slight hesitation at the door, when you felt like you were part of something bigger? that today, July 8th 2009, as you head to your temp job in Camden, something outside the realm of your understanding or control is about to happen?
10 AM.
routine and automatic reflexes seem to dominate your mornings nowadays. one day you'll find something better.
10: 15 AM.
the hum of machines, of mixing vats, the smell of cocoa that you can never seem to wash off.
10:20 AM.
one day you'll find something better.
10:29 AM.
A burn from the machine frightens you into motion. And as the metal sides close in and the space behind you grows hotter, you suddenly realize that this was how it was supposed to end all along.
10:30 AM.
......................................
NOTE: I did not know Vincent Smith II, from Camden, NJ, and I do not intend to insult his memory. This was merely a work of fiction based off of an unfortunate real-life tragedy. May he rest in peace.
Tuesday, July 7
Thursday, July 2
My Last Post of the Day, I Promise
In case you were wondering about the lovely little painting in my header, the artists' name is Jennifer Davis and she's super talented! Take a little peek around her blog.
A Summertime Thought
The world is much more manageable through the tint of a big pair of sunglasses.
The Amazon Kindle: Next Generation Reading
At first glance, the Amazon Kindle- a compact computer-like device that holds all of your favorite books, essays, and articles -might seem to be a ridiculously unnecessary new toy for the world's uber-nerds. And it is. Kind of.
The first-generation Kindle (pictured above) was released in 2007, promising 250 MB of storage (the equivalent of about 200 non-illustrated books). It sold out in about five an a half hours, and was then replaced by the Kindle 2 earlier this year.
The 6" Kindle 2 is slimmer than the first, offering about a 2 GB memory (can hold about 1,500 non-illustrated books) and a better battery life. It costs $359.00 plus shipping.
The Kindle 2 was upgraded in record time, as the efficient Kindle DX was released earlier this month. The 9.7" Kindle DX sells for $489.00, and boasts 4 GB storage abilities (about 3,500 non-illustrated books).
The Kindle promises a lot, that's for sure. However, when considering it's affiliation with Amazon and it's potential when paired with wireless internet, the Kindle starts to look less like an over-the-top tech geek tool and more like a handy device for today's on-the-go readers.
Let's examine THE PROS:
While the Kindle can certainly boast of many impressive feats, you have to wonder how this new technology will affect the general definition of reading that has so long been present in our society. While content, style, and language utilized in books have changed dramatically over the centuries, the act of reading a book has, for the most part, been the only consistent thing linking past with present.
The Kindle is definitely tailored to the types of people that we find all around us in today's society; high-powered business people who travel a lot (but never for fun) and who can not seem to master the art of sitting still. It used to be that to curl up with a good paperback was a way to unwind and escape from the fast-paced life around us; now it seems that recent on-the-go technology glamorizes multi-tasking and forces us to adapt to that fast-paced life. With the ever-accessible Kindle on your hip, how can you take a break from the world every once and awhile?
The first-generation Kindle (pictured above) was released in 2007, promising 250 MB of storage (the equivalent of about 200 non-illustrated books). It sold out in about five an a half hours, and was then replaced by the Kindle 2 earlier this year.
The 6" Kindle 2 is slimmer than the first, offering about a 2 GB memory (can hold about 1,500 non-illustrated books) and a better battery life. It costs $359.00 plus shipping.
The Kindle 2 was upgraded in record time, as the efficient Kindle DX was released earlier this month. The 9.7" Kindle DX sells for $489.00, and boasts 4 GB storage abilities (about 3,500 non-illustrated books).
The Kindle promises a lot, that's for sure. However, when considering it's affiliation with Amazon and it's potential when paired with wireless internet, the Kindle starts to look less like an over-the-top tech geek tool and more like a handy device for today's on-the-go readers.
Let's examine THE PROS:
- When traveling, you no longer have to narrow down your book selection because of packing and space limitations. All of your favorite reads are in one place.
- One of my personal pet peeves is squished and ugly book fonts: if I pick up a book that leaves me claustrophobic and gasping for breath because of cluttered text, I won't buy it, no matter how enticing the back description is. But no matter- the Kindle allows you to change the font of your text right on the screen!
- The Kindle comes with a built in dictionary for immediate usage.
- If you don't have the time to physically read off of your Kindle screen but you still want to experience a story, your Kindle can read it out-loud for you! You don't have to spend extra money on books and books on tape.
- When buying books for your Kindle, the price is considerably lower than your average bookstore prices (most books go for $9.99 on Amazon.com). This causes Kindle users to broaden their literary scope, as people are more likely to buy more and different books when it costs them less.
- While you can subscribe to big-name newspapers and magazines (i.e. The New York Times), you can personalize your Kindle and access local resources as well (i.e. The Towson Times).
While the Kindle can certainly boast of many impressive feats, you have to wonder how this new technology will affect the general definition of reading that has so long been present in our society. While content, style, and language utilized in books have changed dramatically over the centuries, the act of reading a book has, for the most part, been the only consistent thing linking past with present.
The Kindle is definitely tailored to the types of people that we find all around us in today's society; high-powered business people who travel a lot (but never for fun) and who can not seem to master the art of sitting still. It used to be that to curl up with a good paperback was a way to unwind and escape from the fast-paced life around us; now it seems that recent on-the-go technology glamorizes multi-tasking and forces us to adapt to that fast-paced life. With the ever-accessible Kindle on your hip, how can you take a break from the world every once and awhile?
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