I've been reading a lot of books on tape
This past weekend I watched Shopgirl. I had read the novella a couple of years ago while in Telluride with the McQueens and I remember enjoying it quite a bit. The movie didn't disappoint. I like taking some time between when I read a book and see the movie because it gives the words or images time to marinate. My Shopgirl experience was perfect because I was familiar with the characters but I didn't remember the specifics of the action enough to feel let down when the movie didn't follow the novella precisely.
The casting was phenomenal. Claire Danes has the plain elegance that defines Mirabelle. Jason Schwartzman is spot-on as the messy Jeremy. Shcwartzman is the perfect clueless charmer. And then there's Steve Martin. I tend to find his performances a little bit actor-y but I think he portrayed Ray's subdued personality flawlessly. (Probably because he wrote the novella and the screenplay.) In addition, Shopgirl's representation of Los Angeles and the movie's color palette were gorgeous and refreshing. Lastly, Steve Martin also acted as the film's narrator, a technique that I love and never see in movies.
I've been watching a lot of movies and reading a lot of books recently and I feel the need to document what I'm watching for no reason other than to practice my writing and to possibly incite discussion with others who have experienced the same.
Next up is Undeclared, Judd Apaptow's short-lived college comedy series. It followed Freaks and Geeks (one of my all-time favorite series). I've watched the first disc of the series and I'm not as impressed as I thought I'd be. Although, Seth Rogan is in it and that alone makes the experience worth it. If anyone is interested in checking this out with me, let me know. I should have discs two and three in a couple of days.
The casting was phenomenal. Claire Danes has the plain elegance that defines Mirabelle. Jason Schwartzman is spot-on as the messy Jeremy. Shcwartzman is the perfect clueless charmer. And then there's Steve Martin. I tend to find his performances a little bit actor-y but I think he portrayed Ray's subdued personality flawlessly. (Probably because he wrote the novella and the screenplay.) In addition, Shopgirl's representation of Los Angeles and the movie's color palette were gorgeous and refreshing. Lastly, Steve Martin also acted as the film's narrator, a technique that I love and never see in movies.
I've been watching a lot of movies and reading a lot of books recently and I feel the need to document what I'm watching for no reason other than to practice my writing and to possibly incite discussion with others who have experienced the same.
Next up is Undeclared, Judd Apaptow's short-lived college comedy series. It followed Freaks and Geeks (one of my all-time favorite series). I've watched the first disc of the series and I'm not as impressed as I thought I'd be. Although, Seth Rogan is in it and that alone makes the experience worth it. If anyone is interested in checking this out with me, let me know. I should have discs two and three in a couple of days.