Because all I've done lately is complain...
Something different for once: A movie review.
Phoebe in Wonderland- IMDB for it here
I found this movie somewhat by chance- but I'm so glad that I did. If you like slightly off the wall movies that focus on really sad things- this is for you. I'd say it is the more imaginative equivalent of Little Miss Sunshine(I also enjoyed this movie much more).
It's about a little girl with OCD who is trying to figure out what the world wants from her and why she just can't seem to do it. Her family is confused by her and resents her for her strangeness. It's her drama teacher who finally gives her a chance and goes to bat for her.
There is enough strangeness and outside the box thinking to keep the 'independant' crowd interested while there is a great core story with good casting to keep 'mainstream' people watching. In some aspects it reminds me of Pan's Labyrinth but without the blood and gore.
Perhaps it was the theatre element that drew me to this movie. I grew up in a theatre and my theatre coaches were the best mentors I could have asked for.
If you have the time (only 96 minutes) and you can find a copy I really suggest you watch this movie. Two hooves up from the crazymule.
****
Since I've handed off this book to a few people lately I thought I would mention perhaps the most...interesting book in my collection. House of Leaves*. I first picked it up in highschool- but let me warn you the book is not for those faint of heart. Nor those who get frustrated easily-- it is long and complicated and freaky. It is also enlightening and will lead to you knowing the best useless trivia ever- and more than you ever wanted to know about Medusa and the physics of something dropping into a hole and falling farther than the earth....
It is hard to explain- but the best way I've figured out is that there are three stories, and they are set up like Russian stacking dolls, one inside the other. The largest doll is an ordinary guy who just needs a place to live- he moves into an apartment and finds the last tenant's life work- a book.
The book is the next doll. It's about a family that buys their dream house- which turns out to be a nightmare house. The house does strange things- seemingly innocent at first- becoming more frightening. For example: the house is larger on the inside than it is on the outside.
The next doll's worth of story is the documentary which was done on the house- big name authors provide their feedback on this documentary- it's really quite cool.
Let me say this- I'm not scared by a lot of things. I laugh at scary movies and I've never before been freaked by a book. Even writing this summary has my hackles up, sitting here in my dark room with my pup. I'm still freaked out by this book years after first reading it.
The formatting is a trip too. Pick up a copy and leaf through the pages and you'll see what I mean. This is a great read for you if you are bored of the normal story- the classic best seller- the book that you can read in your sleep. If you like puzzles and you like scary things go out and buy it. It's worth it.
*please some one (who's read the book) saw my funny formatting nod to the book
Phoebe in Wonderland- IMDB for it here
I found this movie somewhat by chance- but I'm so glad that I did. If you like slightly off the wall movies that focus on really sad things- this is for you. I'd say it is the more imaginative equivalent of Little Miss Sunshine(I also enjoyed this movie much more).
It's about a little girl with OCD who is trying to figure out what the world wants from her and why she just can't seem to do it. Her family is confused by her and resents her for her strangeness. It's her drama teacher who finally gives her a chance and goes to bat for her.
There is enough strangeness and outside the box thinking to keep the 'independant' crowd interested while there is a great core story with good casting to keep 'mainstream' people watching. In some aspects it reminds me of Pan's Labyrinth but without the blood and gore.
Perhaps it was the theatre element that drew me to this movie. I grew up in a theatre and my theatre coaches were the best mentors I could have asked for.
If you have the time (only 96 minutes) and you can find a copy I really suggest you watch this movie. Two hooves up from the crazymule.
****
Since I've handed off this book to a few people lately I thought I would mention perhaps the most...interesting book in my collection. House of Leaves*. I first picked it up in highschool- but let me warn you the book is not for those faint of heart. Nor those who get frustrated easily-- it is long and complicated and freaky. It is also enlightening and will lead to you knowing the best useless trivia ever- and more than you ever wanted to know about Medusa and the physics of something dropping into a hole and falling farther than the earth....
It is hard to explain- but the best way I've figured out is that there are three stories, and they are set up like Russian stacking dolls, one inside the other. The largest doll is an ordinary guy who just needs a place to live- he moves into an apartment and finds the last tenant's life work- a book.
The book is the next doll. It's about a family that buys their dream house- which turns out to be a nightmare house. The house does strange things- seemingly innocent at first- becoming more frightening. For example: the house is larger on the inside than it is on the outside.
The next doll's worth of story is the documentary which was done on the house- big name authors provide their feedback on this documentary- it's really quite cool.
Let me say this- I'm not scared by a lot of things. I laugh at scary movies and I've never before been freaked by a book. Even writing this summary has my hackles up, sitting here in my dark room with my pup. I'm still freaked out by this book years after first reading it.
The formatting is a trip too. Pick up a copy and leaf through the pages and you'll see what I mean. This is a great read for you if you are bored of the normal story- the classic best seller- the book that you can read in your sleep. If you like puzzles and you like scary things go out and buy it. It's worth it.
*please some one (who's read the book) saw my funny formatting nod to the book