The Bourne Legacy
Directed by Tony Gilroy
2012
About The Movie
With their secret projects under threat, the CIA works to shut down several projects which involved the enhancing of a group of field operatives. One operative escapes and sets out to find the source of his chems. Only he comes to the attention of those who seek to eliminate him.
My Thoughts
I had a weird sense of deja vu through out The Bourne Legacy. It's been a while since I watched the rest of the Bourne movies but I must have remembered enough for some of the scenes to be familiar. This movie takes place at the same time as The Bourne Ultimatum and some of the action crosses over into this one. I have to admit that it was kind of odd to have Jason Bourne looming throughout the movie, but not actually being in it.
I have to admit I really enjoyed this movie! What's more my friend Jen who I saw it with enjoyed it too! There was a lot of action which kept the movie going. Although I have to admit the bike chase did go on for a little too long. I found the story of Marta and the work she does really interesting. We both had a giggle when Shane Jacobson aka Kenny turned up in it too!
Looking forward to the next one!
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Calling Invisible Women - Jeanne Ray
Calling Invisible Women
By Jeanne Ray
Crown, 2012
About The Book
One day Clover looked in the mirror and she wasn't there. The first time she noticed she was invisible was temporary, but the next time it wasn't. It takes a while for her to come to terms with invisibility and to realise she isn't losing her mind but once she does there is no stopping her. With the help of her neighbour and best friend Gilda, Clover sets about living as an invisible woman. The trouble is her husband and son take a long time to notice and that's when she realises they haven't looked at her for years.
My Thoughts
As the book chatters know I am drawn to anything with a quirky title. Sometimes this pays off, some times is doesn't. In this case it does. I really liked Clover. She took becoming invisible in her stride and saw how she and the other invisible women could be valuable members of the community. She also finds a freedom in being invisible and not only in being free not to wear clothes, but being able to get to know herself and her family. Clover feels undervalued by society and her family. Her role as a reporter had been reduced to articles about gardening and her family take her for granted. After becoming invisible, Clover makes new friends and gets a bigger role as a reporter.
I think this book deals with issues of invisibility for people of any age and gender. I think it is especially felt by women of a certain stage of life, like Clover. But it can happen to anyone.
I think I sometimes feel like I'm a bit invisible when people assume I will act or respond a certain way. I often tell people that I don't always respond in the most appropriate or expected way. Is it because we are lazy? Is it easier to put a box around someone rather than understanding we don't always stay the same? I guess I am guilty of the same thing. I have a friend who isn't at all into AFL and I know that so I don't ask her to come to the games. If I asked her she could say yes, which would surprise me greatly!! (Although I have to admit she has stated that she isn't interested in going without me having to ask)
I guess it doesn't even have to be as superficial as this. There are many areas in society where people become invisible. But I guess the point of this book is that we can be visible when we least expect it.
By Jeanne Ray
Crown, 2012
About The Book
One day Clover looked in the mirror and she wasn't there. The first time she noticed she was invisible was temporary, but the next time it wasn't. It takes a while for her to come to terms with invisibility and to realise she isn't losing her mind but once she does there is no stopping her. With the help of her neighbour and best friend Gilda, Clover sets about living as an invisible woman. The trouble is her husband and son take a long time to notice and that's when she realises they haven't looked at her for years.
My Thoughts
As the book chatters know I am drawn to anything with a quirky title. Sometimes this pays off, some times is doesn't. In this case it does. I really liked Clover. She took becoming invisible in her stride and saw how she and the other invisible women could be valuable members of the community. She also finds a freedom in being invisible and not only in being free not to wear clothes, but being able to get to know herself and her family. Clover feels undervalued by society and her family. Her role as a reporter had been reduced to articles about gardening and her family take her for granted. After becoming invisible, Clover makes new friends and gets a bigger role as a reporter.
I think this book deals with issues of invisibility for people of any age and gender. I think it is especially felt by women of a certain stage of life, like Clover. But it can happen to anyone.
I think I sometimes feel like I'm a bit invisible when people assume I will act or respond a certain way. I often tell people that I don't always respond in the most appropriate or expected way. Is it because we are lazy? Is it easier to put a box around someone rather than understanding we don't always stay the same? I guess I am guilty of the same thing. I have a friend who isn't at all into AFL and I know that so I don't ask her to come to the games. If I asked her she could say yes, which would surprise me greatly!! (Although I have to admit she has stated that she isn't interested in going without me having to ask)
I guess it doesn't even have to be as superficial as this. There are many areas in society where people become invisible. But I guess the point of this book is that we can be visible when we least expect it.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Hope: A tragedy by Shalom Auslander
Hope: A Tragedy
by Shalom Auslander
Picador 2012
292p
About the Book
Solomon Kugel is looking for great last words. He records them in a notebook. After his son contracts pneumonia and cracks appear in his marriage, Kugel moves his family to Stockton, a town with a history for nothing. He is trying to escape history. His Mother comes to join them in Stockton. She is suffering from having been born at the wrong time in the wrong country and from having life too good. One day Kugel finds Anne Frank in his attic.
My Thoughts
When I first read this book I thought it was brilliant. It is darkly comedic about how history has an effect on our lives even if you are removed from it. In particular it talks about how the Holocaust affects Jewish people around the world, but more particularly in America. It is about survivors guilt, even if they had left Europe years before and weren't directly affected by it. I think it has a wide audience than that though. I think it is about how people removed from major events have survivors guilt... or at least a shared experience of it and how it can be abused.
There are some interesting propositions that turns up within the book such as:
I am beginning to be more aware that I tend to read and watch things in themes without being completely conscious of it. I am working my way through the DVDs of Northern Exposure which features a Jewish doctor from New York, who is always reminding us that he is Jewish. Philip Roth is a Jewish writer and his book The Plot Against America is concerned with how easy it would be for a Holocaust to happen in America, or anywhere in the world really. Now this one. I read somewhere recently that reading fiction makes you more empathetic towards people and I think reading this type certainly does.
by Shalom Auslander
Picador 2012
292p
About the Book
Solomon Kugel is looking for great last words. He records them in a notebook. After his son contracts pneumonia and cracks appear in his marriage, Kugel moves his family to Stockton, a town with a history for nothing. He is trying to escape history. His Mother comes to join them in Stockton. She is suffering from having been born at the wrong time in the wrong country and from having life too good. One day Kugel finds Anne Frank in his attic.
My Thoughts
When I first read this book I thought it was brilliant. It is darkly comedic about how history has an effect on our lives even if you are removed from it. In particular it talks about how the Holocaust affects Jewish people around the world, but more particularly in America. It is about survivors guilt, even if they had left Europe years before and weren't directly affected by it. I think it has a wide audience than that though. I think it is about how people removed from major events have survivors guilt... or at least a shared experience of it and how it can be abused.
There are some interesting propositions that turns up within the book such as:
He (Professor Jove) was, in a sense, the distillation of all of Western and Easter thought of the past two thousand years combined, and it was Professor Jove’s opinion, standing as only someone today could, on the twenty first century peak of all history, heir to all mankind's experience, wisdom and knowledge, that the greatest source of misery in the world, the greatest cause of anguish and hatred and sadness and death, was neither disease nor race nor religion.Now that it's been a while since I finished the book, I think I have a different view of Kugel. He annoys me a bit now. In that he did ridiculous things to make things easier for his mother, or for Anne Frank, instead of trying to change things and make things easier for himself and his wife. I still think the book is really good and has an interesting message... but I'm just not sure I actually liked any of the characters... His mother did have some funny lines though and as I had to return the book to the library you will have to read it for yourself to find out what they are!
It was hope. Hope? Kugel asked. Pessimists, Professor Jove replied, don’t start wars. It was hope, according to Professor Jove, that was keeping Kugel up at night. It was hope that was making him angry. (p32)
I am beginning to be more aware that I tend to read and watch things in themes without being completely conscious of it. I am working my way through the DVDs of Northern Exposure which features a Jewish doctor from New York, who is always reminding us that he is Jewish. Philip Roth is a Jewish writer and his book The Plot Against America is concerned with how easy it would be for a Holocaust to happen in America, or anywhere in the world really. Now this one. I read somewhere recently that reading fiction makes you more empathetic towards people and I think reading this type certainly does.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The Plot Against America: A novel - Philip Roth
The Plot Against America: A novel
by Philip Roth
Jonathan Cape 2004
About the book
When the renowned aviation hero and rabid isolationist Charles A. Lindbergh defeated Franklin Roosevelt by a landslide in the 1940 presidential election, fear invaded every Jewish household in America. Not only had Lindbergh, in a nationwide radio address, publicly blamed the Jews for selfishly pushing America towards a pointless war with Nazi Germany, but, upon taking office as the 33rd president of the United States, he negotiated a cordial 'understanding' with Adolf Hitler, whose conquest of Europe and whose virulent anti-Semitic policies he appeared to accept without difficulty. What then followed in America is the historical setting for this startling new novel by Pulitzer prize winner Philip Roth, who recounts what it was like for his Newark family - and for a million such families all over the country - during the menacing years of the Lindbergh presidency, when American citizens who happened to be Jews had every reason to expect the worst. (from Front Flap of the book)
My Thoughts *spoiler alert*
I had really low expectations for this book. It was selected for the Friday book group by the person who had also chosen Riders in the Chariot by Patrick White. That was a tough slog that I am yet to complete! When I started The Plot Against America I feared that this would be another tough slog, and after falling asleep twice while on the first page I was certain that I wouldn't finish it in time for the discussion. I think other people thought it was a tough slog too. We will be a small group tonight with lots of group members having other things on. A few of them told me they found it heavy going and one was annoyed about the amount of detail that is packed into the sentences. It wasn't just the amount of detail that is in the sentences though. I would get lost as to what the sentence was about. Here's an example:
I feared the worst when Mr Taylor approached them in Washington and offered to be their guide. Driving them around in their own car for $9 a day. Surely he was up to no good and would make off with their car at the first opportunity. But no, this was my 21st century thinking! Mr Taylor was a genuine guide after all and even managed to crack a smile at Mr Roth's singing.
Philip Roth is the narrator for most of the book. He has quite a charming and funny voice. I think he captured the fear and the uncertainty of the times, as well as what it would have been like to have been a child. He would have understood even less about what was going on than his parents did but was still able to enjoy his child hood. I particularly liked his adventures with Earl Axman and his stealing of Seldon's clothes for what purpose he was unsure of until he decided to run away. I felt for Herman and Bess Roth, with trying to decide what was best for the family and not knowing whether they should go to Canada or stay until it was too late.
So here it is book group discussion day and I only have 15 pages to go! It's a bit frustrating that I can't just get them over and done with. I think there might be some tense moments in those last 15 pages as well! It seems that my resistance stayed low, or maybe I just got used to the style of writing... or maybe it changed as it went along, but it did become easier to read.
I think the book talked about some interesting issues. Do we really know what politicians stand for when they get elected to parliament? It is easy to get swept up in the excitement of charismatic leaders who say they will do whatever it is the mass of people want. Who will stand in their way? All it takes is for people to accept one small change, and another and another and you could be transferring people from a particular background to isolated areas away from their community, as happened in this book.
by Philip Roth
Jonathan Cape 2004
About the book
When the renowned aviation hero and rabid isolationist Charles A. Lindbergh defeated Franklin Roosevelt by a landslide in the 1940 presidential election, fear invaded every Jewish household in America. Not only had Lindbergh, in a nationwide radio address, publicly blamed the Jews for selfishly pushing America towards a pointless war with Nazi Germany, but, upon taking office as the 33rd president of the United States, he negotiated a cordial 'understanding' with Adolf Hitler, whose conquest of Europe and whose virulent anti-Semitic policies he appeared to accept without difficulty. What then followed in America is the historical setting for this startling new novel by Pulitzer prize winner Philip Roth, who recounts what it was like for his Newark family - and for a million such families all over the country - during the menacing years of the Lindbergh presidency, when American citizens who happened to be Jews had every reason to expect the worst. (from Front Flap of the book)
My Thoughts *spoiler alert*
I had really low expectations for this book. It was selected for the Friday book group by the person who had also chosen Riders in the Chariot by Patrick White. That was a tough slog that I am yet to complete! When I started The Plot Against America I feared that this would be another tough slog, and after falling asleep twice while on the first page I was certain that I wouldn't finish it in time for the discussion. I think other people thought it was a tough slog too. We will be a small group tonight with lots of group members having other things on. A few of them told me they found it heavy going and one was annoyed about the amount of detail that is packed into the sentences. It wasn't just the amount of detail that is in the sentences though. I would get lost as to what the sentence was about. Here's an example:
My brother, Sandy, a seventh-grader with a prodigy's talent for drawing, was twelve, and I, a third-grader a term ahead of himself - and an embryonic stamp collector inspired like millions of kids by the country's foremost philatelist, President Roosevelt - was seven. (p1)Or maybe this one
My mother - who wanted to go to teachers college but couldn't because of the expense, who lived at home working as an office secretary after finishing high school, who'd kept us from feeling poor during the worst of the Depression by budgeting the earnings my father turned over to her each Friday as efficiently as she ran the house-hold - was thirty six. p 1On Monday night however, I sat down to make some headway with this book. I had a headache and wasn't really focused and was playing a Facebook game at the same time... however once I got up to the bit where the Roth Family went to Washington I was hooked!! I like to think it was because I was feeling ill and my resistance was low that the Roth family wormed its way into my heart and I had to keep reading.
I feared the worst when Mr Taylor approached them in Washington and offered to be their guide. Driving them around in their own car for $9 a day. Surely he was up to no good and would make off with their car at the first opportunity. But no, this was my 21st century thinking! Mr Taylor was a genuine guide after all and even managed to crack a smile at Mr Roth's singing.
Philip Roth is the narrator for most of the book. He has quite a charming and funny voice. I think he captured the fear and the uncertainty of the times, as well as what it would have been like to have been a child. He would have understood even less about what was going on than his parents did but was still able to enjoy his child hood. I particularly liked his adventures with Earl Axman and his stealing of Seldon's clothes for what purpose he was unsure of until he decided to run away. I felt for Herman and Bess Roth, with trying to decide what was best for the family and not knowing whether they should go to Canada or stay until it was too late.
So here it is book group discussion day and I only have 15 pages to go! It's a bit frustrating that I can't just get them over and done with. I think there might be some tense moments in those last 15 pages as well! It seems that my resistance stayed low, or maybe I just got used to the style of writing... or maybe it changed as it went along, but it did become easier to read.
I think the book talked about some interesting issues. Do we really know what politicians stand for when they get elected to parliament? It is easy to get swept up in the excitement of charismatic leaders who say they will do whatever it is the mass of people want. Who will stand in their way? All it takes is for people to accept one small change, and another and another and you could be transferring people from a particular background to isolated areas away from their community, as happened in this book.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Two Little Boys by Duncan Sarkies
Two Little Boys
by Duncan Sarkies
John Murray, 2009
p282
About the Book
When Nige runs over a Norwegian backpacker while attempting to save petrol, his life really turns to . He chucks the body in a nearby roadwork and runs to his best mate of fifteen years, Deano. Trouble is, Deano's not really the guy you should turn to in a crisis. This off-kilter tale of male camaraderie is a bizarre debacle from start to thrilling finish.
My Thoughts
I have the feeling that this book has a bit of the Twilight phenomenon about it... only with less vampires and werewolves and more stupidity. It isn't a well written book, but I still want to find out what happens. On the back there is a list of things the book has.. I am particularly interested in getting to the penguin and the really cool lighthouse, but at page 82 neither of them seem to have made an appearance... It also promises to be very funny... which is subjective anyway... there have been a couple of times when I've ha'ed but nothing really laugh out loud...
Ok, I've skipped to the end to see if it is worthwhile finishing... and I realised that I've mixed the characters up! They are kinda like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern who are interchangeable... only in the story Deano and Nige aren't... so I'm a bit confused by the ending. I think I might have to read some more to work out how the end came about...
You will too because I don't want to give it away.
Apparently they have made a movie of it. It stars Hamish Blake (of Hamish and Andy) and Bret Mckenzie (of Flight of the Concords). It's out in September in New Zealand. I'm not sure that I would want to go and see a movie about it... it would definitely be a very blokey movie as it is a very blokey book.
I'm going to have to abandon this book as I've got to read The Plot Against America by Philip Roth for book club... and I've renewed this one 3 times already. I made it to page 108.
by Duncan Sarkies
John Murray, 2009
p282
About the Book
When Nige runs over a Norwegian backpacker while attempting to save petrol, his life really turns to . He chucks the body in a nearby roadwork and runs to his best mate of fifteen years, Deano. Trouble is, Deano's not really the guy you should turn to in a crisis. This off-kilter tale of male camaraderie is a bizarre debacle from start to thrilling finish.
My Thoughts
I have the feeling that this book has a bit of the Twilight phenomenon about it... only with less vampires and werewolves and more stupidity. It isn't a well written book, but I still want to find out what happens. On the back there is a list of things the book has.. I am particularly interested in getting to the penguin and the really cool lighthouse, but at page 82 neither of them seem to have made an appearance... It also promises to be very funny... which is subjective anyway... there have been a couple of times when I've ha'ed but nothing really laugh out loud...
Ok, I've skipped to the end to see if it is worthwhile finishing... and I realised that I've mixed the characters up! They are kinda like Rosencrantz and Guildenstern who are interchangeable... only in the story Deano and Nige aren't... so I'm a bit confused by the ending. I think I might have to read some more to work out how the end came about...
You will too because I don't want to give it away.
Apparently they have made a movie of it. It stars Hamish Blake (of Hamish and Andy) and Bret Mckenzie (of Flight of the Concords). It's out in September in New Zealand. I'm not sure that I would want to go and see a movie about it... it would definitely be a very blokey movie as it is a very blokey book.
I'm going to have to abandon this book as I've got to read The Plot Against America by Philip Roth for book club... and I've renewed this one 3 times already. I made it to page 108.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter
Director: Drew Goddard
2012
About The Movie
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, discovers vampires are planning to take over the United States. He makes it his mission to eliminate them. (from IMDB)
My Thoughts
Huh... this was an odd movie. I didn't know much about this movie before I went to see it... except that it was based on a book by the guy who did the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies books, Seth Grahame-Smith. I thought it might be a bit funny, and there were some funny moments but it was mostly a serious movie.
I realised that I don't know much about American history. I know who Abraham Lincoln was... but that was about it. I didn't know that his son died young.... or probably even that he had children...
Hmm it's a week since I saw the movie and I've been blocking it out apparently. It was odd... we were early to the cinema and when I looked it up online there was a "normal" version on at 9.15pm. Only when we went to get the tickets it was a 3D version on at 9.20pm. *sigh* I am not a fan of 3d. Most movies that are done in 3d don't take advantage of what can be done. There were no knives or axes flying towards us and the flock of bats flew away from us instead of towards. How boring! And what is with that stupid pause mid flight??!! It is sooo annoying and ridiculous!! The Matrix has a lot to answer for.
I like how the vampire bits were blended in with the historical fact bits. I liked Abraham's mentor Henry Sturgess... but really it could have been more fun! I guess this comes from me liking the more light hearted vampire fare such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Twilight and well just those really. However I do like the Underworld and Blade movies too. I guess my expectations of something quirky just got in the way!
Huh... this was an odd movie. I didn't know much about this movie before I went to see it... except that it was based on a book by the guy who did the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies books, Seth Grahame-Smith. I thought it might be a bit funny, and there were some funny moments but it was mostly a serious movie.
I realised that I don't know much about American history. I know who Abraham Lincoln was... but that was about it. I didn't know that his son died young.... or probably even that he had children...
Hmm it's a week since I saw the movie and I've been blocking it out apparently. It was odd... we were early to the cinema and when I looked it up online there was a "normal" version on at 9.15pm. Only when we went to get the tickets it was a 3D version on at 9.20pm. *sigh* I am not a fan of 3d. Most movies that are done in 3d don't take advantage of what can be done. There were no knives or axes flying towards us and the flock of bats flew away from us instead of towards. How boring! And what is with that stupid pause mid flight??!! It is sooo annoying and ridiculous!! The Matrix has a lot to answer for.
I like how the vampire bits were blended in with the historical fact bits. I liked Abraham's mentor Henry Sturgess... but really it could have been more fun! I guess this comes from me liking the more light hearted vampire fare such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Twilight and well just those really. However I do like the Underworld and Blade movies too. I guess my expectations of something quirky just got in the way!
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Craft Days
Lisa came over on Sunday for one of our regular crafty days! We haven't had one at my place for a while, so I spent Saturday doing house work. It was such a lovely day outside and to have to spend it doing boring stuff like cleaning the toilet was a bit of a drag. The good thing though was that I did two loads of washing and they were dry by the end of the day. It was much warmer outside than in my flat!
 |
| 3 cards and an owl's head |
Here is a photo.
Lisa made two cards, which were much more intricate than mine. It takes me a while to work out the composition of a card. Two of the cards I made on Sunday were just a pre-made shape stuck on a card and I'd been thinking about how that would look for a couple of weeks. The card I made Lisa for her birthday took weeks of planning in my head before I had enough courage to actually put it together. I've given it to her already, so here's a pic of it too!
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| Lisa's birthday card |
It was a bit different to how I pictured it, due to not being able to find the particular shade of brown card that I had in my head. I think the end product was pretty good without it!
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