Small Favor: a novel of the Dresden Files, by Jim Butcher

Small Favor (2008) was the latest in the Dresden Files series. I thought it was the last one, but evidently Jim Butcher intends to continue, YEAH! With each book, I like Harry more, and the other characters as well.

In this one, he has to juggle the dangerous struggle between the Fairy factions for Winter and Summer, plus deal with his old enemy/compadre Marcone. Another delightful romp around Chicago and surrounds, as Harry gains wisdom -- and power. It will be too long until the next one!

Labels: Chicago, detective, Harry Dresden, novel, wizard

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 1:48 PM (0) comments links to this post

 
Romance and Cigarettes (2005)

Romance and Cigarettes http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0368222/ isn't for everybody, but I found it delightfully funny, and refreshingly different. John Turturro is a talented writer and director, and isn't afraid to take chances. His talented cast obviously enjoyed the shoot. I almost like James Gandolfini at this point! Susan Sarandon is splendid, and Kate Winslet is on fire! (almost literally). Smaller roles by Steve Buscemi, Bobby Cannavale, Mandy Moore, Mary-Louise Parker, Aida Turturro, Christopher Walken, Elaine Stritch as Nick's Mother, and a couple bits by Eddie Izzard as the church organist/choir director were all FUN.

If you like unusual, check it out! Be aware that Kate Winslet has a very dirty mouth in this one!

Labels: film, independent, movie

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 3:24 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
Metropolis

Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1927) is regarded by some as one of the best films ever created. I'll withhold judgement until I see a better copy; the VHS from the library was nearly unwatchable. If it is as truly great as some of the scenes seemed they could be, it is well worth a Criterion DVD. I did find it absorbing, even though it appeared to be through fog on a lake. The Moloch scene was truly incredible - humans being sacrificed in lock-step to the insatiable machine. I want to see this one, restored. http://imdb.com/title/tt0017136/

Labels: Fritz Lang, German expressionist, silent film

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 3:37 AM (1) comments links to this post

 
The Battleship Potemkin

or Bronenosets Potyomkin (1925) is a hugely influential silent film, which almost was not produced or distributed because there is no romance, nor movie stars. It is based upon a historical mutiny aboard the Potemkin, which resulted in a massacre in Odessa. It was banned in some countries because it was feared that the film would instigate revolt. According to Roger Ebert, "It was banned at various times in the United States and France, and for a longer time than any other film in British history; even Stalin banned it, at a time when mutiny was against the party line." http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19980719/REVIEWS08/401010302/1023, http://imdb.com/title/tt0015648/

Labels: Eisenstein, historical, Russian, silent film

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 3:07 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
A Boy and His Dog

Yikes. I still can't like A Boy and His Dog (1975) although it's called a black comedy. The violence against women killed any humor I might have found in it otherwise. Don Johnson did hold his own against a talking dog, who seemed to be the only HUMAN in the entire film. The dog was the woman-hunter, however, and didn't seem to regard women as humans. Their only function in the film was as something to rape. Horrifying. http://imdb.com/title/tt0072730/

Labels: Don Johnson, film, post-apocalypse

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 10:50 PM (1) comments links to this post

 
Start the Revolution Without Me

Blah. I must have been in the wrong mood for Start the Revolution Without Me (1970) because reading the IMDb quotes page brings a smile to my face, that wasn't there watching it. Perhaps Bud Yorkin, the director, is just not Mel Brooksian enough to give it that necessary oomph.

It really was most dreadfully silly, and funny. Donald Sutherland and Gene Wilder playing double roles, as the mis-matched sets of twins who raised as nobles, and peasants. They are so wonderfully young, energetic, funny and silly! http://imdb.com/title/tt0066402

Labels: Donald Sutherland, film, Gene Wilder, historical comedy

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 10:04 PM (0) comments links to this post

 
Random Harvest

Finally, a movie Bob and I could both love! Random Harvest (1942) is a perfect Hollywood film, although it is set in England. Ronald Colman, although old for the role of Smithy, is perfectly paired with Greer Garson, who plays the most patient, loving wife EVER. Of course Paula gets her beloved Smithy in the end, thank GOODNESS!!!!!! They just don't make 'em like this, any more! Adapted from a novel by James Hilton. I think the title is awful, but other than that, it's perfect! http://imdb.com/title/tt0035238/

Labels: amnesia, Oscar-winner, wartime

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 12:39 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
Apartment Zero

Continuing my viewing of films set or filmed in Argentina, Apartment Zero (Conviviendo con la muerte)(1989) is set and filmed in Buenos Aires, with a sub-plot of the mercenaries who killed so many in Argentina. Another theme which I loved was movie trivia and film stars. Colin Firth as the emotionally crippled Adrian LeDuc is masterful, while his opposite Hart Bochner as the mysterious Jack Carney is stunning, charming, completely frightening. Every smaller role is so well done -- what a great film this was. I'm amazed that it is not better known. I found both commentary tracks interesting also -- especially the writer/director Martin Donovan. http://imdb.com/title/tt0094667/

Labels: Argentina, Buenos Aires, film, Martin Donovan

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 12:24 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
Practical Magic

Rory brought one of his favorite movies, Practical Magic (1998) for us to watch. Adapted from an Alice Hoffman novel, it has a cast of wonderful women actors: Sandra Bullock as Sally Owens, Nicole Kidman as her sister, party-girl Gillian Owens, Stockard Channing as Aunt Frances 'Fran' Owens and Dianne Wiest as Aunt Bridget 'Jet' Owens. Goran Visnjic (E.R.) has a juicy part as the sexy but evil Jimmy Angelov, while Aidan Quinn gets to be the good guy Officer Gary Hallet. Quite good fun, especially when the phone tree is turned into a circle for a good old fashioned exorcism. http://imdb.com/title/tt0120791/

Labels: film, witches

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 12:03 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
The Bicycle Thief

Ladri di biciclette (1948) AKA Bicycle Thieves, is a wonderful and depressing look at post-War Italy. A family so poor that the sheets must be hocked to get the bicycle back -- which was pawned to buy food. And then on the first day of the job that bicycle was required to do, the bicycle is stolen. The rest of the film is the futile and exhausting efforts of father and son to find and reclaim the bicycle. Neo-Realism is powerful, but oh, so sad. Vittorio De Sica deserved the special Oscar awarded him the year after he refused to allow censors to cut his masterpiece. http://imdb.com/title/tt0040522

Labels: film, Italian, Neo-Realism, Vittorio De Sica

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 11:52 PM (0) comments links to this post

 
Cinema Paradiso

Nuovo cinema Paradiso (1988) might be the finest film I've ever seen. And wonderfully, the director's cut is almost a different film, and also very fine. Another film about the movies and love of movies, Cinema Paradiso follows the life of an impoverished Sicilian boy as he grows up and becomes a successful film-maker. His own father gone, he befriends Alfredo, the projectionist at Cinema Paradiso. So wonderfully satisfying in every way, this is one film I'll want to watch over and over again. I don't know how autobiographical this film is, but Giusseppe Tornatore is a genius. http://imdb.com/title/tt0095765/

Labels: film, Giusseppe Tornatore, Italian, Sicilian

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 11:17 PM (0) comments links to this post

 
Can't Stop the Music

It's the Village People, so hold your hats! Over the top, strangely "de-gayed", but fun. It got the very first RAZZIE (worst movie of the year), but some people still class it as their favorite! So if you like a movie so bad it's good, with more cheese than a Big Mac, pop some corn and enjoy the movie! http://imdb.com/title/tt0080492/

Labels: disco, Razzie, Village People

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 11:08 PM (0) comments links to this post

 
Just a Question of Love

Juste une question d'amour (2000) was OK. I know that parents DO agonize over their sons' coming out -- but in France do they? I thought that sort of blind stupidity was American. ::sigh:: I guess not. The boys are cute, the accepting mother is nice, and the rest of them -- I should have more sympathy, but it was very difficult to excuse their behavior. Yay for French TV though -- this was a made-for-TV movie! You have to love a film about coming out that isn't full of cliches, and has a happy ending! http://imdb.com/title/tt0231844/

Labels: coming out, French, gay

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 10:52 PM (0) comments links to this post

 
Walking, Affirmations

I've started a new project, ahead of my coming trip to Scotland with Dad and my sister Kimberly. Bob is my inspiration - he's been walking over 10,000 steps per day for over a month. I got a little pedometer like his, and have been walking now for almost two weeks. I reached 10K steps on the fourth day, and decided that I wanted to do 10,000 aerobic steps per day, 7 days per week, until March 31st, the day before we depart. I reached 10K aerobic steps this last week, and have maintained it daily now for four days. So I'll have about 5 weeks of that before we leave. I'm hoping that it will improve my overall health and stamina, perhaps lose a bit of weight, and definitely tighten up a bit. Blogging about the walks daily at http://ValorieWalks.blogspot.com

Yesterday, I paged through a book that Pig recommended, called Real Fitness for Real Women: A Unique Workout Program for the Plus-Size Woman, by Rochelle Rice. Her first step to fitness is crafting and using affirmations, as the way to develop your will, determination, courage to follow through. As I walked, I crafted my affirmation today, and noticed that as I said it to myself, my stride changed. I walked taller, more confidently, more powerfully. I want that all the time!

I am a powerful, healthy, beautiful woman. Remember.

I'm sure I'll change this as I go along -- it isn't quite what I was saying today, but I can't recall the original wording now. Do any of my readers have affirmations you use? Do you mind sharing?

Labels: affirmations, walking

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 2:07 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
Neil Young, Heart of Gold

Neil Young: Heart of Gold (2006) is more than just a concert film. It is a biography of Young in concert, by masterful film-maker Jonathan Demme. With the DVD extras, you see this concert from the idea and song-writing to the actual performance. The concert itself is dreamlike and perfect. Neil Young is a genius who has enriched my life since I first heard his voice.

Labels: Jonathan Demme, Neil Young

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 2:41 PM (0) comments links to this post

 
Terry Pratchett works

Terry Pratchett deserves his own post, so I'm excising stuff from previous posts.

(from a 2005 post)
Thanks to Thomas I have fallen in love with Terry Pratchett, and recently finished Monstrous Regiment (2003). Hilarious, as usual! A send-up of war, and gender politics, quite needed in these dark days as we close in on the elections. [hmmmm -- how much has changed?]

According to Terry Prachett Books.com, he has written 26 Discworld novels. I've read Hogfather, The Fifth Elephant, and Wyrd Sisters. So 22 more -- I'd better get on it! Hmmmmm - Heart O Glory.com has 29:

1) The Color of Magic
2) The Light Fantastic
3) Equal Rites
4) Mort
5) Sourcery
6) Wyrd Sisters *
7) Pyramids
8) Guards! Guards!
9) Eric
10) Moving Pictures
11) Reaper Man
12) Witches Abroad
13) Small Gods
14) Lords and Ladies
15) Men at Arms
16 Soul Music
17) Interesting Times
18) Maskerade
19) Feet of Clay
20) Hogfather *
21) Jingo
22) The Last Continent
23) Carpe Jugulum
24) The Fifth Elephant *
25) The Truth
26) Thief of Time
27) Night Watch
28) Monstrous Regiment *
29) Going Postal *

Just finished my first non-Diskworld Pratchett, The Wee Free Men (2003), which I absolutely LOVED. And am about to embark on the second book about Tiffany Aching and her buddies the Wee Free Men (aka the Nac Mac Feegle, or "pictsies"), A Hat Full of Sky. Looking forward to the pleasure. I've been snacking on too many books, and not reading enough of them whole.

Finally got Going Postal by Terry Prachett (2004) from the library. What a hoot! This is a wonderful riff on modern communications and the nature of freedom, integrity and .... HOPE. Three cheers for Moist Van Lipwig, arch-swindler!

Good Omens is reviewed with the Neil Gaiman works: http://valoriez.blogspot.com/2008/02/neil-gaiman-works.html

Labels: Discworld, fantasy, Neil Gaiman, science fiction, Terry Pratchett

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 2:41 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
How much is the Iraq war costing us?

Labels: Iraq, taxes, war

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 7:07 PM (0) comments links to this post

 
Children of Paradise (Les Enfants du Paradis)

Marcel Carnes's Children of Paradise (Les Enfants du Paradis) (1945) is a miracle of film-making, created under the most extreme circumstances of Nazi occupation and political and economic stresses, but appearing a light and perfect as a wedding cake. Every element of the film combines to create an artistic whole, although Carne had to create two films because of Nazi edict. I've put the Criterion DVD set on my wish list, and can hardly wait to see all the wonderful extras and the brilliant clean copy they are able to offer. This film has been lauded as the best of French film, as well as the best film of all time. I'm not qualified to make such a judgement, but many scenes are unforgettable, and it is completely engrossing. I intended to watch only the first half last night, but couldn't resist the second reel!

Labels: film, French, theater

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 4:04 PM (0) comments links to this post

 
Joss Whedon, genius

Writer, director, producer and composer weren't enough for Joss. When his Buffy The Vampire Slayer went off the air in 2003, he wasn't done with the saga. So he decided to write a comic book series, or as they are now known, graphic novels! I've read the first collection, issued as Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight Volume I, and Fray, which I checked out in one book which collects issues one through eight of the Dark Horse comic-book miniseries.

Previously reviewed: Buffy, Angel (have only watched part of the series), Serenity: http://valoriez.blogspot.com/2007/09/movies.html, and Firefly: http://valoriez.blogspot.com/2007/09/movies-fall-2007.html

Labels: fantasy, film, graphic novel, science fiction, tv series

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 3:06 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
Under the Cherry Moon - Prince

Under the Cherry Moon (1986) was good, and I'm not a Prince fan. I enjoyed the acting, the dancing, the humor, the music, the black and white look of Nice on the French Riviera. Prince directed and stars, and of course wrote and performs all the music. His female lead is a very young Kristin Scott Thomas, in her first film role. Altogether a fun experience. http://imdb.com/title/tt0092133/. Available at KCLS.

Labels: film, Prince, Riviera

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 2:56 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
Zachariah - what a trip!

Zachariah (1971) was a completely unexpected pleasure. I couldn't figure out who the strangely familiar CUTE guy was, until I read the DVD box -- Don Johnson! In a film with Country Joe and the Fish! Actually, I couldn't stop shaking my head throughout the entire film, which looked just as fun as all get-out to make, on the lowest budget possible. Well, they did spend some money on great costuming, and the sets were cardboard or sticks and grass, LOL! Still, it all fit together, and although our young men obviously love one another truly, the road to happiness is rocky. There is a wonderful, exhaustive review of this film here: http://jclarkmedia.com/film/filmreviewzachariah.html
IMDb: http://imdb.com/title/tt0068011/. Available from KCLS.

Labels: Don Johnson, film, Firesign Theater, musical, psychedelic, Western

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 2:40 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
Neil Gaiman works

Stardust (1999) is the latest Neil Gaiman book I've finished. Quite different than the movie of the same name, it is a delightful short novel. Coming of age by going to Fairie, and then never being able to go home again -- it's hardly a new plot. But Gaiman creates a hero who grows and changes, who has a history, who learns to love, and to change. As does the Star, who learns to live upon the Earth, to make a life here, to heal and forgive and love. Some of the minor characters grow and change too. I'm loving this Gaiman fellow!

Previously read and reviewed: Neverwhere, American Gods, the films MirrorMask and Stardust. Now reading Creatures of the Night (with Michael Zulli, artist: Dark Horse Books, undated), a graphic fantasy short collection. I liked the two short stories, and the artwork was OK. One can read the entire book in much less than an hour.

I'll review Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch (1990) here, although Terry Pratchett is listed as the first of the two authors, but he does say that Gaiman sent him the first six pages, LOL! They both say that they wrote the book as a lark, and were pleased and surprised as Punch when it was not only published, but became a Cult Classic. Very funny, and a wonderful blend of the two authors. I'm quite pleased that they were able to double-handedly avert Armageddon, which sounds very unpleasant!

Next up: Sandman, the graphic novel.

Labels: fantasy, film, graphic novel, Neil Gaiman, novel, short story, Terry Pratchett

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 3:55 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
Charlie Chaplin's City Lights

City Lights (1931) is a nearly perfect film. Chaplin didn't want to make a "talky," even though that's what the public clamored for. The only "talking" is in the opening (hilarious) sequence, when some city blowhards voices are quacked through a reed -- by Chaplin himself. In fact, he composed the film score, also, so it is not a "silent" film. While this film is so funny that occasionally I could only wheeze, it also is thoughtful, and the final scene has to be seen to be believed, it is so perfect. It fills my heart with joy and sadness at the same time, and may be the best ending of any film ever made. Charles Chaplin poured his heart, his talent, his money, and his time into this film, and I think it will stand forever as one of the finest. http://imdb.com/title/tt0021749/

Labels: Charlie Chaplin, silent film, The Little Tramp

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 3:43 AM (0) comments links to this post

 
Tristram Shandy

I'm going to try a new way of doing this, since I'm noticing that I'm interested in more book/film pairs. Or more films by one director, one producer, following one actor, etc. Too complicated to group all the films and books together by when I watched 'em, so from now one I'll group them in a more logical fashion, or do one-off posts. So:

Tristram Shandy: A Cock & Bull Story (2005). Certainly cock and bull, and if you enjoy Brit self-referential humor, mockumentary, or post-modernist wandering -- or Steve Coogan! -- you will love this film. If, on the other hand, you want a 3-act film, with a beginning, middle and ending, this will not be the movie for you. By all means get the DVD and watch all the extras, because it is packed with funny stuff. Also, it inspired me to buy and read Tristram Shandy, one of those books I've had on my to-read list ever since I heard about it. Now it's on my Amazon wishlist! http://imdb.com/title/tt0423409/

Labels: book, Brit-comedy, film, Laurence Sterne, mockumentary, movie, Tristram Shandy

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 5:06 PM (0) comments links to this post

 
Books 2008

Nuala O'Faolain's first book was actually completed in 2008, but I included it in 2007, since I started it then, and read the rest of her books in 2007 also.

On to Peter Segal's funny Book of Vice: Very Naughty Things (And How To Do Them) (2007). Sex clubs, houses full of swingers, obscenely expensive and delicious food (food porn?), gambling, strippers, porn stars. Fun, fun, fun! Who knew NPR hosts could be such fun. An essential bit: the three necessary elements of vice that distinguish it from sin and give it that irresistible frisson; social disapprobation, actual pleasure and shame. Yup!

Neverwhere (1997) is wonderful! Rather than writing a review, refer to http://blogcritics.org/archives/2006/10/24/173119.php, which pretty much says it all. Loved it, loved it, loved it! "Mind the Gap"!

American Gods (2001), also by Neil Gaiman, is a huge dark comedy, and a mind-fuck. So if you like being whirled around a bit, and have the patience to read through a long novel with many side stories, pick this up! You might enjoy the Salon.com review: http://archive.salon.com/books/review/2001/06/22/gaiman/

Labels: Ireland, mythology, Neil Gaiman, Nuala O'Faolain

- posted by Valorie Zimmerman @ 2:39 AM (0) comments links to this post