And I am a weapon of massive consumption
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010Thanks to holiday gift cards, I’ve spent much of my break doing things like reading non-law books and going to movies. Also watching cartoon marathons on television. Anyway, here are my quick reviews of the movies and books.
Avatar is sort of like a twink on ecstasy working a stripper pole. Sure, it’s fun to look at and mildly diverting, but you feel bad about it because it’s shallow, not very smart, and kinda offensive. I could forgive the plot holes bigger than Craig and Enrico‘s combined p33ns (like the disappearance of all the other human-driven avatars after act 1), I could forgive the characterization that made me yearn for the complexity of stereotypes (the general who walked on screen and said “I’m the bad guy who wants to kill or bully everyone… hate me now, hate me forever, I have no positive characteristics”). What I can’t forgive (because I’m me) is the offensive white hetero male fantasy where strong women sacrifice themselves, the white man assimilates into native culture and saves the minority culture through (essentially) terrorism, and the thinly veiled use of blue aliens as stand-ins for Native Americans and tribal Africans.
On the flip side, there’s not much about Sherlock Holmes that I didn’t like. I don’t remember Sherlock Holmes being quite so smartass or lecherous to chamber maids in the books, but whatever. Robert Downey Jr is great at playing Robert Downey Jr. The story was well done and I was able to pick up on a few clues prior to the unraveling of the mystery at the end. I hope the holder of copyright isn’t going to stop the future movies because of teh gheys having buttsecks subtext.
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides wasn’t exactly my idea of light vacation reading, but it was Enrico‘s idea of light vacation reading, and that’s what I get for asking him for a recommendation. Kidding aside, what I loved most about this book was the style. The writing itself was superb and I don’t think I’ve ever read another book that so effectively used first person plural for a narrator’s voice. The structure of the book was also interesting as it vaulted back and forth between present day commentary and various points in the story. What I didn’t love about the book was the story itself and the themes. They struck me as being the weak point of the book and I wish Eugenides had used his excellent storytelling skills to tell a more interesting story.
Ah, urban fantasy. Now this is my idea of light vacation reading. White Witch, Black Curse is the seventh book in Kim Harrison’s Rachel Morgan series. Unlike some urban fantasy series (I’m looking at you Laurell K. Hamilton), it always feels like Harrison is moving the larger story along rather than stringing it out as long as possible. I still like the characters and Harrison manages to continue coming up with new and credible threats and mysteries to solve (again, looking at you LKH).
Anyway, my flight back to NY is late Thursday. I’m already getting emails from my professors and school is coming back way too quickly. I wouldn’t mind another few weeks of down time. Of course, when you’re putting in several resumes a day for summer internships, it’s not really a true vacation.
ETA: Somehow I forgot to mention the first movie I saw on this trip, Nine. I didn’t really love it much more than when I first heard the Broadway Cast Album in the 90s. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t exactly riveting cinema, either. The cast did a fine job, but if you never connect with or care about Guido Contini, it’s all an exercise in standalone performances.
Have a safe flight, Jere! I agree with your assessment of Avatar, and once I see Sherlock Holmes, I’m certain I’ll agree with that as well.
HUGS…
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I’m so glad you noticed! My writing professor always talks about how hard it is to write from the collective first person and I think Eugenides does a great job. I did like the story, but I am MUCH more enthralled with Middlesex, since it is more story-driven (yet still beautifully written of course).
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Jere Keys Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Well, now it will probably have to wait until Summer. Unless you’re going to read it to me.
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Enrico Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Read to you?! I know you have trouble reading big words, but I’m already on page 100-something and I’m not starting over. Plus, I can’t wait my precious phone minutes!
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Jere Keys Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:25 pm
You wouldn’t read to me in the shower or while I’m making homemade mashed potatoes?
Enrico Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
I would not, could not, in a box, I could not, would not, with a fox.
I will not read to you with a mouse, I will not read to you in a house.
Etc. etc.
Jere Keys Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:36 pm
You do know that story ends with the guy trying out the thing he hates and discovering he actually loves it.
Enrico Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:16 am
You do know life isn’t a story, right?
Jere Keys Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 12:25 am
Congrats on being the 1,600th comment on my blog.
Well, I just saw Sherlock Holmes tonight. I quite enjoyed it. But really if Avatar is a strung out twink on a stripper pole I think I am so going to love it.
I only read on LKH book, the first one. Oh wait, it was a DNF. Ugh. I liked Jeanine Frost’s UF series the name of which escapes me and I’m too lazy to look up. I think I read the first one of Kim Harrison’s but it didn’t grab me either. Didn’t dislike it but didn’t like it either. I didn’t realize it was up to 7 already.
Good luck with all the resume seeding. Hopefully you’ll reap some rewards. Have a safe trip back.
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Jere Keys Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:10 pm
The first 3-4 LKH books are the only ones worth reading.
I actually read the third Hamilton book first by accident, liked it well enough to pick up the rest from the library when I was bored with tons of free time on my hands.
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Haven’t seen the movies yet. I’m going to read the Kim Harrison book because you recommended it (and because I love to read : ).
You and Enrico crack me up.
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I LOVE Guido Contini! He’s mad effing sexxxy.
And the only thing I enjoy about strippers is brutally judging the desperate lameos who are oogling them.
And ps…Enrico…after those comments, you are my favo person ever. Feel honored!
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Jere Keys Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
I agree that the character Guido is sexy if I judge him simply by his body (a.k.a. Daniel Day Lewis), but I’m not like that, Josh. I like guys for more than just how they look in an Italian suit, and an angsty, cheating, manipulative, egotistical womanizing man-child isn’t very sexy at all.
(And stop encouraging Enrico to be mean/sassy to me)
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josh Reply:
January 8th, 2010 at 11:25 am
I love womanizerz because they inspired Britney to write [read as: have someone write] a song about them for her!
And I don’t encourage…I just die of laughter! Weeeeeeee!!! ::dead::
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Hmmm. Bossy would probably go to any of those movies if it meant a large popcorn. Extra butter, please.
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