Books and Movies

Since there really hasn't been much in the way of new TV shows to watch lately, I decided to try and catch up on some movies that I never saw. I am really beginning to regret my decision. I'm not finding anything worth watching and I'm not sure if it is because the movies being made are just bad or if there is something wrong with me. (Okay, it probably IS me, but...)

I remember when there was a lot of talk about the movie Babel. I wasn't interested enough to go to the theater to see it, but I recorded it and watched it the other night. Well, there are 2+ hours of my life that I will never get back! I don't understand the whole point of the movie. So, there are four sets of people thousands of miles away whose lives intertwine in ways they can't imagine--big deal. I don't get why it was praised.

Juno was another movie that got quite good reviews. Fine, it was kind of cute, but not good enough to recommend it to anyone else. Again, not my cup of tea. A young girl gets pregnant and gives up her baby--so what? Not worth my time.

I REALLY don't like Cormac McCarthy's books--I've read The Road and Child of God and have vowed to NEVER read anything the man writes ever again. So why, you may ask, did I watch No Country For Old Men? I have no answer!!!!! Not the least bit entertaining--and I can't even begin to talk about the ending, or lack thereof! It made no sense at all--but then, neither of the books of McCarthy's had endings, so I shouldn't have been surprised. I guess I just am missing something.

And talking about endings: why don't movies have real endings anymore? Juno ended in a very dumb way and I have already discussed McCarthy's endings, so... All I want is closure to whatever I watch--is that too much to ask?

The last movie I watched and liked a lot was Eragon. It was a fantasy/scifi movie based on the first book of the trilogy written by Christopher Paolini. I seem to gravitate toward scifi, so it wasn't a surprise that I would like this. I thought they did a terrific job and hope the other two books are made into movies, also.

I haven't had too much luck in the book department lately, either. Recently I read two older books that I felt I needed to read and they both disappointed. In Cold Blood, while well written, was too much like the movie for me to enjoy. I had seen the original movie years ago and felt as if I had read the book before. But, I plodded through it. Then I read American Psycho--OMG!!! I think the only reason I finished it was to get to the end, hoping the explanation for everything that preceeded was a sick fantasy of the main character. No such luck--AND it didn't have a 'proper' ending either. AAACCCKKK!!!

Right now I'm reading Catch-22 and wish I could stop. (Once I start reading a book, I HAVE to finish it--that's just the way I am.) I. just. don't. get. it. It isn't the least bit entertaining and I have yet to find a character in the book that I like. Damn.

Just before starting Catch-22, I read Wicked. I can't understand HOW they made a musical out of it, but it was mildly entertaining. I didn't think the author explained some things well enough in some places and in others he seemed to explain too much. There was way too much I didn't understand about some of the characters and their motivation, and that sucked. The author has written two more books--possibly more will be coming--and I plan on reading them JUST so I can find out if he answers some of my questions. One thing I have to say though, I will NEVER be able to watch The Wizard Of Oz the same way again!

So, I guess my life will continue to revolve around hockey and after the season is over, I will re-watch my favorite hockey movies: Slap Shot, Miracle, and Mystery, Alaska. They just don't make them like that anymore! ;)