Okay, so I am leaving this blog here for the next little while.
I may even update it if I feel it needs to happen.
BUT if you really, really want to know what is going on with me, it is time to update your feeds and/or your weblink to the new Oh Waily Waily weblog, which can now be found here.
If you have a weblog of your own that I haven't seen yet and you think I might:
a) like it;
b) find it informative;
c) want to keep in touch with you;
d) find it amusing;
then leave a comment.
{Please note: no spam, junk, sleaze or tacky rubbish. If you don't know me and haven't read my blog, think twice before leaving anything other than your fleeting glances.}
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Who Moved My Cheese?
I've just finished reading this nifty little book by Spencer Johnson M.D. and can recommend it for a little bit of light reading.
It is a business and life parable involving two mice and two littlepeople.
It is a simple story that reflects on many humans dislike of change and the fear that promotes "stick-in-the-mudness".
I have to say that I have read much better written parables that have a similar intention of highlighting areas where our emotions create difficulties for us in life, but not one directed solely to the fear of change. I found this one less lively and buoyant in tone. It felt flat and lacked the upbeat writing style of say, Fish, Fish Sticks or Gung Ho!
The concepts (or "The Handwriting on the Wall") are good, but could have been presented in a more pleasing format.
On the whole, a 2 out of 5 rating.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Shi mian mai fu (House of Flying Daggers)
This was DVD number 2 for us last weekend. It sounded good from the cover description, and as I am a fan of kung fu and Hong Kong/Chinese movies I thought it would make for a good afternoon of viewing.
I was disappointed by the story. And I am sorry to say that I got bored about 20 minutes from the end.
I don't like being disappointed by kung fu movies. It just feels wrong to me not to have enjoyed such skill and grace.
I thought the pacing was fine until it came time to wrap the story up. It dragged on and on and on. It was clear that the two lovers were not going to ride happily off into the sunset. The reaction of "the jilted man" was excessive but it would not have spoiled the ending, but for the ridiculous length of time and unnecessary fighting that finally came to an end with the heroine's death.
Okay, so that was the bad stuff.
On the flip side of the excruciatingly long, dragged out ending, is the sheer beauty and texture of this film.
This is the second film by Yimou Zhang that I have seen in recent months, the other being Hero or Ying xiong. They are both beautifully filmed pieces and have stunning visual impact.
In House of Flying Daggers there are many wonderful visual treats - the Echo game, the chase through the forest, and the chase through the bamboo grove. The latter is particularly good, especially if you like the colour green.
The costumes are flawlessly beautiful and there is no complaints about spending time looking at the actors either with Ziyi Zhang, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro in the main roles.
But I still can't reconcile the lack of compact storytelling with the beautiful look of the film. Which is a real shame.
I can't give this a good recommendation for the entire film entity, but if you want to see what great visuals are possible in a movie, then spend your $5 and hire this DVD. Just remember - buyer beware - you may be bored before the end.
I was disappointed by the story. And I am sorry to say that I got bored about 20 minutes from the end.
I don't like being disappointed by kung fu movies. It just feels wrong to me not to have enjoyed such skill and grace.
I thought the pacing was fine until it came time to wrap the story up. It dragged on and on and on. It was clear that the two lovers were not going to ride happily off into the sunset. The reaction of "the jilted man" was excessive but it would not have spoiled the ending, but for the ridiculous length of time and unnecessary fighting that finally came to an end with the heroine's death.
Okay, so that was the bad stuff.
On the flip side of the excruciatingly long, dragged out ending, is the sheer beauty and texture of this film.
This is the second film by Yimou Zhang that I have seen in recent months, the other being Hero or Ying xiong. They are both beautifully filmed pieces and have stunning visual impact.
In House of Flying Daggers there are many wonderful visual treats - the Echo game, the chase through the forest, and the chase through the bamboo grove. The latter is particularly good, especially if you like the colour green.
The costumes are flawlessly beautiful and there is no complaints about spending time looking at the actors either with Ziyi Zhang, Andy Lau and Takeshi Kaneshiro in the main roles.
But I still can't reconcile the lack of compact storytelling with the beautiful look of the film. Which is a real shame.
I can't give this a good recommendation for the entire film entity, but if you want to see what great visuals are possible in a movie, then spend your $5 and hire this DVD. Just remember - buyer beware - you may be bored before the end.
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