weekend news + recommendations
Came home this weekend for my father's birthday.
I can't do any writing when I'm at home (too lazy? too comfy?), so I just spend the time on my back watching whatever show's available, or reading. I recommend:
21 Jump Street
(Shot of goths.)
"These are the goths"
(Shot of nerds.)
"These are nerds."
(Shot of hipsters.)
"I don't know what these are."
The smart nerd and the cool jock from high school end up in the police academy and become best friends. After an arrest gone wrong, they are transferred to 21 Jump Street, where they are assigned to do undercover work as high school students. Based on the series starring Johnny Depp. I don't know how this film adaptation compares to the series, but this wins plus points for me for all the action film meta-jokes and the film's acute awareness that the high school of ten years ago is very much different from the high school of today.
Take Shelter
Curtis lives with his wife and hearing impaired daughter in the Ohio countryside frequented by storms and tornadoes. He starts having nightmares about rain that looks like motor oil, birds flying in strange formations, and his dog and neighbors attacking him and his child. The nightmares start bleeding into his days. He has a history of mental illness, so fearing he is developing schizophrenia, he reads books, sees his mother, and talks to a counselor at the free clinic. But he also takes out a risky loan and starts repairing their tornado shelter, to the anguish of his wife. Is Curtis insane, or a prophet of dire days to come? This film is highly recommended. (And Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain should have received Oscar nominations for this! What the hell?)
Shawshank Redemption
This is a rewatch. If you haven't seen it - what is the matter with you? This is one beautiful story that stands the test of time. It's still as good as ever.
Different Seasons by Stephen King
Contains four short novels, three of which were adapted into films (Shawshank Redemption, Apt Pupil, Stand by Me). All four stories are absorbing reads.
ALL OF THE BATMAN
I am particularly interested in the Dick Grayson storyline within the Batman universe. My only exposure to the first Robin is through the films (all meh) and the brilliant animated shows Batman: The Animated Series and The New Adventures of Batman and Robin. Recos? I already have Robin: Year One, but I have read Long Halloween, Dark Victory, The Dark Knight Returns (Frank Miller! Brilliant!), and a bit of the All-Star Batman and Robin series. (Frank Miller! What the fuck is this shit?)
Went back to the metro on Sunday and played with J's cute nephew.
Well? What have you been up to? :)
I can't do any writing when I'm at home (too lazy? too comfy?), so I just spend the time on my back watching whatever show's available, or reading. I recommend:
21 Jump Street
(Shot of goths.)
"These are the goths"
(Shot of nerds.)
"These are nerds."
(Shot of hipsters.)
"I don't know what these are."
The smart nerd and the cool jock from high school end up in the police academy and become best friends. After an arrest gone wrong, they are transferred to 21 Jump Street, where they are assigned to do undercover work as high school students. Based on the series starring Johnny Depp. I don't know how this film adaptation compares to the series, but this wins plus points for me for all the action film meta-jokes and the film's acute awareness that the high school of ten years ago is very much different from the high school of today.
Take Shelter
Curtis lives with his wife and hearing impaired daughter in the Ohio countryside frequented by storms and tornadoes. He starts having nightmares about rain that looks like motor oil, birds flying in strange formations, and his dog and neighbors attacking him and his child. The nightmares start bleeding into his days. He has a history of mental illness, so fearing he is developing schizophrenia, he reads books, sees his mother, and talks to a counselor at the free clinic. But he also takes out a risky loan and starts repairing their tornado shelter, to the anguish of his wife. Is Curtis insane, or a prophet of dire days to come? This film is highly recommended. (And Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain should have received Oscar nominations for this! What the hell?)
Shawshank Redemption
This is a rewatch. If you haven't seen it - what is the matter with you? This is one beautiful story that stands the test of time. It's still as good as ever.
Different Seasons by Stephen King
Contains four short novels, three of which were adapted into films (Shawshank Redemption, Apt Pupil, Stand by Me). All four stories are absorbing reads.
ALL OF THE BATMAN
I am particularly interested in the Dick Grayson storyline within the Batman universe. My only exposure to the first Robin is through the films (all meh) and the brilliant animated shows Batman: The Animated Series and The New Adventures of Batman and Robin. Recos? I already have Robin: Year One, but I have read Long Halloween, Dark Victory, The Dark Knight Returns (Frank Miller! Brilliant!), and a bit of the All-Star Batman and Robin series. (Frank Miller! What the fuck is this shit?)
Went back to the metro on Sunday and played with J's cute nephew.
Well? What have you been up to? :)