Caught in a Celluloid Jam
I'm in love with movies. I really am. If I could go back in time five years, I would smack young freshman Taylor upside the head and be like, "Do a Film Studies minor instead of taking pointless Archaeology classes you'll never use." But my love of the cinema doesn't mean that I love all movies. It doesn't mean I want to abandon books either. It is a tempered love, a part-time love, a delimited love, but true love all the same. I'm excited to be able to write not just one but TWO papers about Italian films this semester: one on immigrants and immigration in Italian cinema since 2000, the other about the figure of the unknown person and other structural and stereotypical similarities between Una giornata particolare and La finestra di fronte. And I'm thoroughly enjoying the weekly film viewings as we watch Italian movies from 2009 & 2010 in order to decide which ones to show in our annual film festival in March. Not so exciting: the string of tedious films I've been required to watch for my World Lit & Cinema course, the necessity to watch the occasionally tremendously boring film for class (see similar complaints about having to read so-called classics that, in my eyes, suck balls, including but not limited to most of Jane Austen's oeuvre, much of Petrarch, everything Wordsworth ever wrote, nearly all American literature prior to 1950, Foscolo, etc.), the fact that sometimes what I think I would really love to do is just become a film critic for some obscure entertainment magazine (maybe if I somehow inherit millions of dollars from a distant relative I don't know about...). Seriously, my ideal vision of a future would basically involve writing film/TV reviews to make some cash while I work on my novels. But hey, this teaching thing is pretty cool, too. And far more realistic.
On that front, grad school is actually going quite well. Year two is much easier to handle. I know what to expect. I know how to deal. I feel like I'm working all the time, but I'm not as stressed. And I've still managed to enjoy myself a good bit, too. Especially on the weekends. I wish I had just a little more free time on my hands so that I could finally get the edits done on the novel (to be fair, I've already done one round of edits on the hard copy, but I need to transfer those to the computer version and then do another complete read-through and revision before I'm even going to be remotely willing to consider showing it to someone else). Otherwise, the grad student life is good, for the most part.
My TV schedule is down to eight now that Mad Men is done for the year (AWESOME season, somewhat lackluster finale): Chuck (just got an extended full-season pick-up!! woooooh, the little show that lives and lives and continues to rock!!), The Event (the best I can do for a Lost replacement and the only new show of the season worth following, as far as I'm concerned; really, though, I'm quite enjoying it), How I Met Your Mother (so far, so good, seems to be back on the mark after a less-than-impressive fifth season), Glee (has its issues, but too much fun every week; "Duets" was easily the best episode of the season so far, and I have high hopes for Rocky Horror next week, especially after just re-watching the film with Shana in preparation for the episode--hence the title of this post, which comes from "Science Fiction Double Feature"), Criminal Minds (formulaic but still generally entertaining), Bones (I find myself actually liking Booth's new girl, which is going to make it harder to say goodbye when they inevitably get rid of her to let the Booth-Bones thing finally happen, which BETTER happen, damn it... also Angela & Hodgins are among my favorite TV couples, and I'm happy they're having a baby... the cases, those don't matter so much, haha), Fringe (KICKING ASS and taking names this season, man... possibly the most consistently great show on TV right now), and 30 Rock (that live episode was awesome... I really like the Matt Damon appearances... Tina Fey should run the world--I would vote for her).
In non-academic film-related news, I've recently seen The Social Network and The Town, two movies that fall into my much-beloved category of films with ties to Boston. Both were really quite good, and while The Social Network is an Oscar lock, I would also love to see The Town make an appearance. Ben Affleck has really found a place for himself as a director. He's much more talented behind the camera than he is in front of it. The Social Network deserves a writing mention--it's snappy and nearly perfect. I hated the BU dissing at various moments in the film, but since they came from the mouth of a Harvard asshole whom the audience is clearly intended to dislike, I'm sort of mostly okay with it. And for the record, the challenges the film has faced regarding its portrayal of women are basically bullshit; the movie is supposed to be told with an elitist/fratboy mentality, so the female characters work perfectly within that realm. And Rooney Mara's character is easily the most likable figure in the film (and her sharp performance here makes me much more comfortable with the fact that she'll be playing Lisbeth Salander in the adaptations of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books). Also, keep an eye on Andrew Garfield, who was fantastic here and who will be the new Spider-man. Kid's got serious talent. Upcoming films I want to see: Hereafter, Black Swan, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (going to the midnight screening, my friends!), The Tourist, True Grit, The King's Speech (though really only for Oscar curiosity purposes--Colin Firth is supposedly the one to beat this year for Best Actor), The Way Back. I'm sure there's more, but these are the ones coming to mind right now. Oscar season is coming, so the quality of new films should drastically rise in the next two months.
Hmm, what else? Hockey season is almost upon us! Currently in Meriden for my cousin's tenth birthday party. Already rocking my way through Christmas shopping. Going to be Super Mario for Halloween. Possibly going to a corn maze next weekend, which I've wanted to do for so long. Seriously considering having an '80s-themed birthday party next year, largely as an excuse to break out my 12-hour-long '80s playlist. Hoping my family comes up for Christmas so I don't have to pay for a flight to Georgia (and so I don't have to be in Georgia during the incredibly disappointing winter season there). Sad about the recent deaths of my dog Trevor (the last of the original quintet... just the new pup Gunnar is left at home now) and my grandparents' dog Tessa (she's been here since I was in middle school... the house seems much emptier without her), but happy they're not suffering anymore. Hoping to have my own dog still (it will realistically be a while still, though, since I'd kind of like to try apartment life on my own for at least a year before introducing the chaos of a dog). Making serious plans to be in Italy for at least two weeks over the summer. I need the language immersion before I start teaching next fall (really excited for teaching! also nervous. but mostly excited!). Listening to Glee and finding myself more content than I've been in quite some time. If I can just start rocking term papers this week, I will be on top of shit, on top of the world, and ready for anything. Or at least I'm letting myself believe that for now.
All right. No more idle chit-chat. My brief return to LJ is coming to a close. Perhaps it will be less than a month between posts this time. But if I were you, I wouldn't hold my breath. Still, I hope all is well for everyone out there in LJ-land. Till next time, best wishes and warmest regards.
On that front, grad school is actually going quite well. Year two is much easier to handle. I know what to expect. I know how to deal. I feel like I'm working all the time, but I'm not as stressed. And I've still managed to enjoy myself a good bit, too. Especially on the weekends. I wish I had just a little more free time on my hands so that I could finally get the edits done on the novel (to be fair, I've already done one round of edits on the hard copy, but I need to transfer those to the computer version and then do another complete read-through and revision before I'm even going to be remotely willing to consider showing it to someone else). Otherwise, the grad student life is good, for the most part.
My TV schedule is down to eight now that Mad Men is done for the year (AWESOME season, somewhat lackluster finale): Chuck (just got an extended full-season pick-up!! woooooh, the little show that lives and lives and continues to rock!!), The Event (the best I can do for a Lost replacement and the only new show of the season worth following, as far as I'm concerned; really, though, I'm quite enjoying it), How I Met Your Mother (so far, so good, seems to be back on the mark after a less-than-impressive fifth season), Glee (has its issues, but too much fun every week; "Duets" was easily the best episode of the season so far, and I have high hopes for Rocky Horror next week, especially after just re-watching the film with Shana in preparation for the episode--hence the title of this post, which comes from "Science Fiction Double Feature"), Criminal Minds (formulaic but still generally entertaining), Bones (I find myself actually liking Booth's new girl, which is going to make it harder to say goodbye when they inevitably get rid of her to let the Booth-Bones thing finally happen, which BETTER happen, damn it... also Angela & Hodgins are among my favorite TV couples, and I'm happy they're having a baby... the cases, those don't matter so much, haha), Fringe (KICKING ASS and taking names this season, man... possibly the most consistently great show on TV right now), and 30 Rock (that live episode was awesome... I really like the Matt Damon appearances... Tina Fey should run the world--I would vote for her).
In non-academic film-related news, I've recently seen The Social Network and The Town, two movies that fall into my much-beloved category of films with ties to Boston. Both were really quite good, and while The Social Network is an Oscar lock, I would also love to see The Town make an appearance. Ben Affleck has really found a place for himself as a director. He's much more talented behind the camera than he is in front of it. The Social Network deserves a writing mention--it's snappy and nearly perfect. I hated the BU dissing at various moments in the film, but since they came from the mouth of a Harvard asshole whom the audience is clearly intended to dislike, I'm sort of mostly okay with it. And for the record, the challenges the film has faced regarding its portrayal of women are basically bullshit; the movie is supposed to be told with an elitist/fratboy mentality, so the female characters work perfectly within that realm. And Rooney Mara's character is easily the most likable figure in the film (and her sharp performance here makes me much more comfortable with the fact that she'll be playing Lisbeth Salander in the adaptations of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo books). Also, keep an eye on Andrew Garfield, who was fantastic here and who will be the new Spider-man. Kid's got serious talent. Upcoming films I want to see: Hereafter, Black Swan, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (going to the midnight screening, my friends!), The Tourist, True Grit, The King's Speech (though really only for Oscar curiosity purposes--Colin Firth is supposedly the one to beat this year for Best Actor), The Way Back. I'm sure there's more, but these are the ones coming to mind right now. Oscar season is coming, so the quality of new films should drastically rise in the next two months.
Hmm, what else? Hockey season is almost upon us! Currently in Meriden for my cousin's tenth birthday party. Already rocking my way through Christmas shopping. Going to be Super Mario for Halloween. Possibly going to a corn maze next weekend, which I've wanted to do for so long. Seriously considering having an '80s-themed birthday party next year, largely as an excuse to break out my 12-hour-long '80s playlist. Hoping my family comes up for Christmas so I don't have to pay for a flight to Georgia (and so I don't have to be in Georgia during the incredibly disappointing winter season there). Sad about the recent deaths of my dog Trevor (the last of the original quintet... just the new pup Gunnar is left at home now) and my grandparents' dog Tessa (she's been here since I was in middle school... the house seems much emptier without her), but happy they're not suffering anymore. Hoping to have my own dog still (it will realistically be a while still, though, since I'd kind of like to try apartment life on my own for at least a year before introducing the chaos of a dog). Making serious plans to be in Italy for at least two weeks over the summer. I need the language immersion before I start teaching next fall (really excited for teaching! also nervous. but mostly excited!). Listening to Glee and finding myself more content than I've been in quite some time. If I can just start rocking term papers this week, I will be on top of shit, on top of the world, and ready for anything. Or at least I'm letting myself believe that for now.
All right. No more idle chit-chat. My brief return to LJ is coming to a close. Perhaps it will be less than a month between posts this time. But if I were you, I wouldn't hold my breath. Still, I hope all is well for everyone out there in LJ-land. Till next time, best wishes and warmest regards.