Media, I consume you
I finished a book and saw a movie this weekend, so it's time for a media roundup post.
The book: Oryx and Crake, by Margaret Atwood. It was (gasp) an actual physical book, borrowed from a coworker. It took me a while to get into it because the world is so very bleak, but I raced through the second half. If you're into the apocalypse, you'll enjoy it. I have a few quibbles but it was a good read.
The movie: Drive, in which Ryan Gosling does almost all of his acting with his eyes. That made me laugh; the surprising - even after having been warned about it - level of violence did not, so much. I would recommend it as long as such things won't put you off. Gosling and Carey Mulligan are great, though some of the supporting cast get hammy. I found the direction very interesting.
I also watched some television. I'm through three episodes of Downton Abbey, thanks to PBS's site, which currently has four of the two hour episodes. I hope they get the rest of the first season up soon.
And Merlin is back! I love this ridiculous, silly show. Now that the Knights of legend are assembling, every time at least two of them are in a shot, I can't help singing "Knights of the Round table" to myself. <3
Finally, Doctor Who. I'm pretty bored of epic finales on this show with all the universe converging and the Doctor shouting at the heavens, etc. etc. They have ceased to impress. This one managed to be epic and universe-converging in a different way, whith a much more intimate climax, so that was much appreciated. And there were PONDS and River coming home to visit Mum. We'll all have to rewatch this season and imagine her dropping by after each adventure. I'm a bit confused on some of the timeline issues but don't care enough to sort it out.
The book: Oryx and Crake, by Margaret Atwood. It was (gasp) an actual physical book, borrowed from a coworker. It took me a while to get into it because the world is so very bleak, but I raced through the second half. If you're into the apocalypse, you'll enjoy it. I have a few quibbles but it was a good read.
The movie: Drive, in which Ryan Gosling does almost all of his acting with his eyes. That made me laugh; the surprising - even after having been warned about it - level of violence did not, so much. I would recommend it as long as such things won't put you off. Gosling and Carey Mulligan are great, though some of the supporting cast get hammy. I found the direction very interesting.
I also watched some television. I'm through three episodes of Downton Abbey, thanks to PBS's site, which currently has four of the two hour episodes. I hope they get the rest of the first season up soon.
And Merlin is back! I love this ridiculous, silly show. Now that the Knights of legend are assembling, every time at least two of them are in a shot, I can't help singing "Knights of the Round table" to myself. <3
Finally, Doctor Who. I'm pretty bored of epic finales on this show with all the universe converging and the Doctor shouting at the heavens, etc. etc. They have ceased to impress. This one managed to be epic and universe-converging in a different way, whith a much more intimate climax, so that was much appreciated. And there were PONDS and River coming home to visit Mum. We'll all have to rewatch this season and imagine her dropping by after each adventure. I'm a bit confused on some of the timeline issues but don't care enough to sort it out.