RECOMMENDATION SUNDAY
I really need a happy fun James McAvoy icon, don't I?
BOOK: Since we were talking about Roald Dahl this week, I must recommend my favorite, Matilda. Adults should definitely (re)read this book, either for the pure vicious delight of it, or as a warning! (You should also read Charlie if you haven't. The book is special in its own way.)
FILM: When I saw the trailer for Penelope I was so excited. Then it came out and got panned. I kept putting off seeing it, going back and forth in my head: "maybe it's better than the reviews say!"/"or maybe it's painfully bad." Finally my roommate rented it and we watched the other night.
Adorable! Yeah, kinda lightweight, and problematic in a couple aspects which I won't spoil. Don't have towering expectations. But: sweet, whimsical, romantic, it's a quirky fairy tale with a Pushing Daisies-like aesthetic and, and... well, JAMES MCAVOY! (I do try not to be shallow, but it crops out anyway.)
The cast is super fun. By what schizophrenic scheme they were chosen, I can't imagine. They've got Christina Ricci and Reese Witherspoon. They've got Catherine O'Hara and Peter Dinklage. Then the filmmakers decided to go shopping at the BBC store. But as "Name That British Actor!" begins it's startling to find that they're all doing American accents, except Simon Woods (I guess because he's playing a snooty character?). meganquinlan-Burn Gorman is in this! thepresidentrix-Nigel Havers!
SONG: I love Barenaked Ladies' idea of children's song lyrics: "I woke up this morning and I knew the ninjas had been there." Also, they are fabulous live. Tip from Auntie Valancy: their CD, Snacktime, went over BIG with my small relations.
(It's gonna be another three-post day! You'd never know I had a seminar paper to write.)
BOOK: Since we were talking about Roald Dahl this week, I must recommend my favorite, Matilda. Adults should definitely (re)read this book, either for the pure vicious delight of it, or as a warning! (You should also read Charlie if you haven't. The book is special in its own way.)
FILM: When I saw the trailer for Penelope I was so excited. Then it came out and got panned. I kept putting off seeing it, going back and forth in my head: "maybe it's better than the reviews say!"/"or maybe it's painfully bad." Finally my roommate rented it and we watched the other night.
Adorable! Yeah, kinda lightweight, and problematic in a couple aspects which I won't spoil. Don't have towering expectations. But: sweet, whimsical, romantic, it's a quirky fairy tale with a Pushing Daisies-like aesthetic and, and... well, JAMES MCAVOY! (I do try not to be shallow, but it crops out anyway.)
The cast is super fun. By what schizophrenic scheme they were chosen, I can't imagine. They've got Christina Ricci and Reese Witherspoon. They've got Catherine O'Hara and Peter Dinklage. Then the filmmakers decided to go shopping at the BBC store. But as "Name That British Actor!" begins it's startling to find that they're all doing American accents, except Simon Woods (I guess because he's playing a snooty character?). meganquinlan-Burn Gorman is in this! thepresidentrix-Nigel Havers!
SONG: I love Barenaked Ladies' idea of children's song lyrics: "I woke up this morning and I knew the ninjas had been there." Also, they are fabulous live. Tip from Auntie Valancy: their CD, Snacktime, went over BIG with my small relations.
(It's gonna be another three-post day! You'd never know I had a seminar paper to write.)