The Big Confusedski

(Prescript - I am aware that this movie achieved cult-like status in record time, and I know that there are many, many people out there who claim it as one of their favorites. I have seen it only once, and plan on viewing it as many times as it takes for it to become one of my cult favorites, too. So go easy on me, k?)

Huh.

I'm not sure where to begin.

The Big Lebowski was strange, but I was aware of its Coen Brothers pedigree, so I was prepared for that bit of weirdness. And because of that pedigree, I also expected brilliance.

It's just...

I wasn't able to pinpoint a moment where I was supposed to care.

Jeffrey Lebowski (The Dude), becomes entangled in a kidnapping scheme because he feels that another Jeffrey Lebowski (the "Big" one of the title) owes him a new rug.

That's the plot. It gets twisted a bit, and more and more characters are thrown in the mix, but that's it.

I guess must pose this question: Had the rug not "tied the room together," would any of this have happened?

We're introduced to Walter and Donny, the Dude's bowling buddies, early in the film. I liked them both, even though they were obviously flawed. Well, Walter definitely was. Whoa.

Maybe I should have been sad when a character died, but as we never learned a single thing about his character, why should I care? Because I never got to know him, I was able to believe that he was the most pure, and his death was preventable. That the situation in which he died was no fault of his own. Tragic.

But was it? Look who he associated with: a happy-go-lucky layabout with very little ambition and a Vietnam vet with a short fuse and a warped mind. Donny was a quiet, mild-mannered man. Who was he supposed to represent? Was he really as fragile and gentle as he was portrayed?

There are so many questions and so few insights. It's a toughie. I thought that Fargo was infinitely more insightful and meaningful, and while its real theme wasn't immediately apparent, it wasn't completely hidden from view, like in Lebowski. The Coen Brothers are famous for their character development (among other things, obviously) and their films are recognized as being important insights into the human condition. So. While the characters in Lebowski were original and entertaining, I just didn't get it.

Would I be more attuned to this film if I'd have ever smoked pot? Because I haven't.

Whatever.

Amanda, Jen, and many, many others have informed me that Lebowski is a film that requires more than a few viewings before its brilliance surfaces, so I promise that I will give it the chance(s) it deserves.

Oh. And who the hell was The Stranger supposed to be? God? A prophet?

Okay, I clearly need to see it again.

Re-Imaginations

With more and more of our favorite books being re-imagined as movies, I completely understand the fears and protestations of most on the subject - they'll never capture the magic of the book, they will ultimately disappoint, and they might even piss off their authors. So why create a film based on a beloved book?

For me, the question has always been, "Why not?"

Perhaps I am in the minority, but even as an avid reader and a LOVER of books (seriously, they are my babies. I love them so much. In fact, if you added up the value of the books on my many bookshelves, well... you just might be able to afford a down payment on a car. I am not kidding - I have waaaay too many books), I anticipate the opening of a movie in spite of those fears.

When I read, my imagination takes me to the world described in the story. I imagine the faces, the clothing, and the mannerisms of the characters. I build their domiciles in my head. Every little detail - all that is revealed to me by the author, as well as things of my own creation - are there.

I don't care that someone else (a director, producer, actor... whatever) might have a completely different idea. I don't care because I feel that I am just so darn lucky to see this story on the big screen. I am excited to witness this retelling. I don't care if the film isn't as I had imagined the book because IT'S A FILM. IT'S NOT THE BOOK.

I don't care if the film completely mangles the storyline or moves the setting across the country because that story? That setting? Are set in my mind forever. They cannot be compromised. If bad, I still have the book. If I end up loving the movie? Well then, I am the luckiest girl in the world.

(P.S. Could I be a bigger nerd?)

How many versions of Pride and Prejudice have you seen? I've only seen one - the A&E miniseries starring Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. I LOVE this version. But my dad, my viewing buddy, swears on the Olivier version. And then there is the new Keira Knightley version, which garnered her a Best Actress Oscar nomination. That, and the Olivier version, are in my Netflix queue. I can't wait to compare!

Mr. Darcy is so dreamy.

What I'm getting at is that it just doesn't matter how many times a book is re-imagined as a film - the book will forever be the point of reference. The book remains the pristine original, no matter how many times it is told - and retold - on the screen.

So. Here are some adaptations that I've been anticipating for months:

Feast of Love
I read The Feast of Love years ago when it arrived on my doorstep after I forgot to cancel my monthly book club selection. My forgetfulness paid off. Written by a former English professor at the University of Michigan, Charles Baxter, it's a charming, uplifting tale of... love. The reader follows several very different characters around Ann Arbor, Michigan, and watches as their lives intersect. I laughed, I cried, I grieved, and I rejoiced. It really is an amazing tale.

Feast of Love opened in the U.S. this weekend, and I don't know that I will see it in the theater - it seems more like a Netflix kind of film - but I will see it. From the trailer, I realized that the setting was changed from Ann Arbor to Oregon, a switch that the author approved. I'm guessing that it had something to do with money, and that's fine. As long as the characters remain intact, I think that it should be a great adaptation. I'm not really sure why the "The" was dropped from the title, but I'm betting that those movie executives probably know what they're doing.

Atonement
I don't remember where or when I read this novel, but I will never forget the story, the characters, or the absolutely superb writing. It was positively illuminating.

The film opens in the U.S. on December 7, and the trailer took my breath away. It is EXACTLY as I imagined these characters, these sets, and the story in my mind, and I cannot believe how excited I am to sit in that theater. (And since it's already opened in the U.K., I just might see it when I am there in November...)

The Golden Compass
I really must urge you all to join my book club, because this book (the first of the His Dark Materials trilogy) was recommended by its editors along with almost every amazing book I've read in the past five years. Compass follows the adventure of Lyra, a young girl living in a parallel universe to ours. The books challenge our ideas of the human soul, religion, original sin, and the consequences of uncontrolled power. Can you believe that these are considered children's books?

I was excited to hear about this film, which also opens on December 7, from the first stirrings, but when I heard about the amazing casting coup of Nicole Kidman, Daniel Craig, and Eva Green, it cemented my ticket pre-order for opening night. In my opinion, these actors are perfectly cast. Perfectly. Plus, it seems that New Line is planning on investing an immense amount of time and money into this trilogy, making it their next Lord of the Rings.

And just because we're talking about movies here, I am SO PUMPED to see El Orfanato (The Orphanage).


It's being lauded as the scariest horror film in years, but without the gorefest that has permeated "horror" flicks of late. It's being compared to The Others* and The Sixth Sense. With a mastermind like Guillermo del Toro involved (ohmygosh see Pan's Labyrinth if you haven't yet), I can't imagine how this could be bad. The buzz for El Orfanato is already extremely positive and it was the talk of the town at Cannes. It releases in late December, and you can bet that I will be there on opening night. The trailer is fine, but read the reviews for creepier information.

*The Others holds a rare distinction in that it was one of the few movies to make me scream out loud - and we're not talking some wussy, girly scream. This was a visceral, guttural scream that left my throat sore. And without giving anything away, I screamed at a pivotal point in the film and then screamed again while watching that same scene in the EXTRAS on the dvd. I knew that it was coming and I screamed again.

Making It Happen

It was when I was sitting under my desk - crying - that I realized, "Hmmm. I don't think that I am all that happy with this job."

It was the final straw.

What I'd like to tell you is that I marched into my boss's office, told her to blow it out her ass, and skipped on home. That I cleaned out my desk and carried my mug home.

But I didn't.

Thing is? I'm a realist. I love to dream and I really believe that you can do anything you can dream. Climb every mountain and whatnot.

But.

There is no way that I could quit my job right now and be okay. I know this. And so I shall deal with it and be a grown-up.

And swear at her under my breath. Obviously.

Besides, I know that I am far from the only person who hates her job, who hates her boss, who hates her situation. I am doing what I need to make it better - to make life better - and I know that everything is going to work itself out. I know what I want and I am making it happen.

I just wish I wasn't so damn impatient.

Guidance

Feels like I'm
Lookin' for a reason
Roamin' through the night to find
My place in this world
My place in this world
Not a lot to lean on
I need your light to help me find
My place in this world
My place in this world

Michael W. Smith
"Place In This World"

Today has been a struggle, and I need... some guidance.

Apparently...

...I was a little tired this morning:

I did change into my heels when I got to work, but the best part? I didn't even notice that I had worn two different shoes until I kicked off those heels and searched for the flops. At 5:30 p.m.

I mean, it's not like they were Converse and I could pull it off by being "ironic." They're flip flops, and I'm a moron.

And yes, I am aware that my pedicure is severely lacking. Leave me alone, I'm tired!

Old!

We hit up Ella's for Amanda's 27th last night. How much do we love that place? Well, we've been going there for four years... The service is excellent, the food is great, and the sangria? Well, the sangria speaks for itself.

Mike, the best bartender in town.
And shots. Lots of shots.

That's Amanda's leg. In case you were wondering.

SO not representative of the actual damage to our livers.

Shrug!

Happy Birthday, Amanda!

Mutual Admiration

Oh, it was a banner weekend, my lovelies. BANNER.

Let's start with my meal on Friday evening:

Brown rice with garlic, onions, and mushrooms; edamame; broccolini; D Coke; pizza rolls. But seriously? How much do you love pizza rolls? And how much do you love having to eat things because there is nothing else in the fridge?

Saturday, I washed dishes for FIFTY-FIVE minutes because our dishwasher is all broke to shit and also we're gross. And apparently can't use the same glass twice:

Clean!

And then, as I have mentioned, I bought me my very own laptop. I've named her Audrey:

LOOK! Mutual admiration.

We Were Drunk on Low Prices and Icees

This is what happens when you let three girls loose in Nordstrom near closing time after they've shown The Limited who's boss. Oh, and after they've had more sugar than a ten-year-old on Halloween (thanks, cherry ICEE!):

Amanda enjoys long walks on the beach.

Lauren prefers the silver, though she was hoping for clear heels.
I guess we can't always get what we want.

Size four for me! Who would have thought?
Also, aren't they amazing?
I can't understand why they're on sale at all, really.

And then we got yelled at for taking pictures of the stripper shoes. Suck it, Nordstrom.

On Board

Guess who just bought her first laptop?

This girl!

I am so pumped. In fact, I am composing this post from my bed! And I might not be wearing pants! That's the beauty of the laptop. Also? My wireless mouse? Brilliant!

Anyone have an extra copy of Microsoft Office?

TiVo Me

Against my better judgement, I tuned in for the 59th annual Emmy Awards Sunday night. Each year, I am annoyed that quality shows are completely ignored in the nomination process (Gilmore Girls), and amazing actors are snubbed of nominations (Kelly Bishop, John C. McGinley). And yet? I still watch.

Thing is, why do I care? I know the shows that me laugh (Scrubs, 30 Rock, Ugly Betty, The Office) and cry (Scrubs, Ugly Betty, The Office). I know which shows bring me closer to people I care about (Rules of Engagement), and I know which shows are the best ever made (Arrested Development). So why do I need to watch an awards show at all?

For the dresses, I suppose. Pretty!

This year, there wasn't much else on that night, and I was actually really interested in some of the winners. And unlike past years, I was pleasantly surprised with some of the wins:

America Ferrera, Best Actress in a Comedy for "Ugly Betty." Brilliant. She is such an amazing actress and comedienne. She plays the 'fish-out-of-water' role to perfection and has a brilliant supporting cast behind her. Watch it for her geek romance with Henry the Accountant, but especially for Amanda the secretary and Marc the Executive Assistant. Trust me here.

For me, however, the penultimate award was the sweetest: Best Comedy. While my beloved Scrubs failed to garner a nomination, The Office, Scrubs, and Ugly Betty all did. Entourage and Two and a Half Men rounded out the nominees (both of which I've watched and have made me chuckle, but never really impressed me much). I fully expected Ugly Betty to bring it home, so imagine my surprise and delight when 30 Rock was announced! I know that I've mentioned this fantastic show on several occasions, and you might still be watching something else...

But listen to Tina Fey! "Please join the dozens and dozens of people who watch this show." It premieres on NBC at 8:30 p.m. on October 11.

Oh, and watch The Office, too.

Oh, and buy me a TiVo, because Ugly Betty and 30 Rock will be aired at the same time. Gah!