Sunday, September 09, 2001
THE GAMMAGE CUP, by Carol Kendall.
This was a nice, easy read. The story is a charming story - and apparently the second book THE WHISPER OF GLOCKEN expands on the Minnipins. Muggles (which in the Harry Potter books is the name used to described ordinary, non-magical folks) was by far my favorite character.
The idea of a lost history, the conventionality of the Minnipin people with a dislike for individual expression is a great lesson for a young reader, all appealed to me. The story was a little scant in areas where details might have been interesting. What did the scrolls actually say? This was glossed over and then there were several places that it was assumed the reader had read the scrolls also.
The maxims and poems peppered throughout the story were a nice touch. Did anyone else notice a "fish" theme to a lot of the Minnipin expressions - they referenced many of their expressions to trout, fish, water, fins & tails, turtles. I liked how they referred to themselves as "the five outlaws." Wild West. Sassafras tea and watercress. Nice touches. The Family Tree.
Walter the Earl carries and ashplant with him everywhere. I figure that must be a staff of ashwood or some sorts. It's not in my dictionary anywhere.
I enjoyed the book - but had to keep certain things in perspective.
I have a big liking for certain authors - L. Frank Baum's OZ series, C.S. Lewis's Narnia books. Alan Garner, Susan Cooper - magic and myth children's stories. And even now, the Harry Potter books have caught my attention.
THE GAMMAGE CUP was first published in 1959 - after C.S. Lewis - but before many of my favorites mentioned above. So, as I read the book, I had to stop comparing it to many of my favorites and give the author some room.
Altogether, 4 out of 5.
posted by Akethan ! on 1:10 PM
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Sunday, September 02, 2001
Learning a little something is always a plus in a book, and THE BEGGAR'S CUP, by Eric Blau gave me a little bit of something I didn't know before. I knew nothing about the making of Israel - except that it is a made country. And Herzl was all new to me - although I am still not sure I learned too much about him.
The circle of Moe Cohen leaving Kolkowicz and coming to the US - believing he was the only survivor and then Zach and Kalia joining the Burnside Synagogue and meeting Horowitz - who is from the same town in Poland. Was he one of the boys that left with Cohen? I re-read the early part of the book but not many names were listed.
The book was all over the place - and Moe bowing out of the story and becoming a side shadow was disappointing to me. He was the story... Zach's half-this half-that dilemna, and Kalia insane craving to be Jewish were distracting. Even at the end, I am still not sure what they accomplished for themselves. Are they happy because they have returned to their "people"? Or because they have found a way to relate to God? The book brings this question up very nicely - and it was something that I kept reading to see if they answered this (Zach & Kalia) but they never quite addressed it.
It seemed to be mostly about the trappings for them.
The constant dilemna that Herzl faces between his real human side and his urge to create a homeland and people placing him on a pedestal. And the way he seems to have wanted that pedestal status. The unfortunate deception and persecution that Jewish people have been subjected to over and over throughout history. The struggle to keep Israel alive in its infancy, which is a struggle that persists as we speak. That Israel is at all is amazing - well, it has help, but still...
An excellent read.
posted by Akethan ! on 11:42 AM
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Sunday, August 19, 2001
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH. This was a fantastic movie - I don't know what it means, I don't know exactly where I was when I left the theatre...
I felt like I had taken a journey somewhere.
The music was wonderfully structured - the humor and barbs, terrific. The desperate search for fame and acceptance was understandable and sadly funny.
The peculiar sadness that permeates a person - the aloneness of someone who doesn't quite like himself was powerfully driven through all the people in Hedwig's life.
It turns nicely - like VELVET GOLDMINE. Sort of a ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.
Also, I think the soundtrack is quite purchase-worthy.
posted by Akethan ! on 3:36 PM
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Thursday, August 16, 2001
Very very spooky. Very very good. THE OTHERS, an old-fashioned ghost story. Things go bump in the night, something is in the shadows, behind every corner. No blood, no gore - no special effects. I jumped a number of times...
Nicole Kidman was good as a woman on the edge of losing her mind and descending into madness.
And her acting weren't bad neither.
The kids were excellent. The older woman who comes to tend the family and the house was powerful - Fionulla Flanagan is the actress's real name.
This page takes a page out of another recent ghost movie, but I'll refrain from any giveaways as yet. It was worth a whirl. Thinking about seeing GHOST WORLD this weekend.
posted by Akethan ! on 9:53 PM
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Friday, August 10, 2001
Gack! Rented MONKEYBONE yesterday - sloppy - jerky - and not rental worthy.
What was it - I can't say. The monkey needed to die. Brendan Fraser was dead. The dead guy with no organs thing was neither funny nor funny.
The girlfriend should have run away. Karen from "Will & Grace" as the sister was not even useful. Bleh! She just wanted to pull the plug at once - though purporting to love her brother...
Rrrrr... I liked the idea of the Waiting Room - between life and death. Whoopie Goldberg as Death - administering the certificates for death or reprieve - not funny either.
I have heard it compare to HOWARD THE DUCK - I think I remember laughing at some point during HOWARD THE DUCK, however.
Then I sat through HAMLET - not Brannagh's - but the one starring Ethan Hawke. What the - ? All modern setting, dark dreary city corporate environment. The movie STUCK painfully to the Shakespeare-speak, even with Surfer-Dude stylings. Calling the CEO - King and his wife - Queen. Feh! Even keeping the names the same - "Horatio! Oh, Horatio!"
Bill Murray? What the - ?
And you're all wondering, "Where was Keanu Reeves to save this fine theatre troupe?"
That's what I'd like to know.
The idea of producing your own little film for the step-King to watch - slightly clever. Shakespeare's dialogue screaming from an answering machine is bizarre. The final roof-top "all fall down and play dead" was stiff as all get out.
Disappointing.
posted by Akethan ! on 6:56 AM
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