Movie Rundown - Feb 2 to Feb 8

This week's been kind of a slow week all around. I've been writing and working, and aside from that not much else has gotten accomplished. In terms of movies, when it comes to what I'm getting from Netflix lately I've had a hard time deciding. So I decided in the absence of anything I greatly desired to try to just expand on the 'important' films I've seen. that was a mid-week decision, so there's only one movie that meets that criteria so far, but expect to see a bunch of old films on here if I keep it up.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (****) - This is the story about a girl. She's klutsy, forgetful, and more than a little irresponsible. That is, until she gets the ability one day to jump backwards through time. Then she has to prevent an inevitable fate, and deal with the knoweldge that depending on her actions, eventually one of her two best friends is going to have feelings for her. This is an interesting film, about the small changes and knowledge that can have a major affect on your life even in the short term. It's both evocative and sad, with a truthfully complicated look at close friendships on the cusp of adulthood.

Batman: Gotham Knight (****) - This is the direct to DVD animated tie in between Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. It's a six part series of shorts, each by a different anime director. In many ways, this is the Animatrix for Batman, but unlike the Animatrix, it isn't a bunch of disconnected and indulgent garbage, story-wise.

The stories in this movie all create a general arc, and Batman lends himself well to short films that each have their own arc, because the character is so iconic and can be expressed in such an easy shorthand. That said, the animation is stupendous, and the themes dark and complex (as they should be). Also, the voice for Batman is provided by Kevin Conroy, who voiced Batman in Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League and IS the voice of Batman, so far as I'm concerned.

Coraline (****) - You've probably heard of this one. I will only say that it's good. Perhaps one of the best stop motion films ever made. There was plenty of atmosphere, and some great creepy scenes. There were also a few none-too-subtle homages to Alice, one of the unknown classics of the genre. I had some problems with the story itself, some things seemed like they were straight out of a video game. I wonder if they exist in the book itself, or if they were added for the movie. It was just ... odd.

Also, if it's AT ALL possible, see this movie in 3D. 3D has been written off more times than I care to count as a gimmick, but Coraline is one of the first movies that I think is genuinely better for being in 3D. there is an amazing depth of field in the movie. The lack of gags and the subtlety of the 3D makes you feel like you're looking through an old viewmaster, or are stepping onto the models themselves. There's a very immediate, powerful sense of German expressionism to the film, and it's truly made more evocative by the feeling of so many layers and so much space presented on the screen. I saw the trailer in 2D after going to the movie, and it was a much different (sadly lesser, I feel) experience.

The 400 Blows (***) - This is the first of the 'important films I should see' and I honestly wasn't very impressed. This film could have been called "Life Sucks, Gets Worse" and it would have been just as accurate. The story itself is a tale of freefall from bad to worse in the juvenile system of France in the 50s. The acting and all seems pretty strong, but the story itself is only serviceable.

The problem with this is that French New Wave has been so gutted for modern cinema that all the techniques of the film, which in 1959 would probably have been revelatory, come across as only solid today. I did find that the one thing I felt watching the movie was that the way it was shot still felt modern and relevant. I think at the time, my mind would have been blown by a film that seemed to fall out of the future.

I think finding context is really the hardest part of classic cinema, because so much of what made it special has been reused ad nauseum. But, hopefully some of them will appeal to me more than this one did.

Primer (*****) - Probably the most complicated film I've ever seen, Primer is an ultra low budget take on time travel. This film was absolutely amazing, particularly in that it pulled no punches in what is undoubtedly one of the most complicated concepts there is. The film is rich with possibilities, coherent in how it presents such a complicated narrative, and mind-breaking in the levels it takes its concept. I have to rethink how I approach my own time traveler story after this one. A must see, if you can stomach the density of the concept.

One to Another (***) - A French film based on a true story, about a group of friends who are torn apart after one of them turns up dead and his sister begins an investigation into the circumstances surrounding it. It was a well shot film, I suppose, but there was nothing to see here, really. It was functional, and the acting seemed solid, but ... I find it hard to recommend outside of simply not being a bad movie.

Six-String Samurai (*****) - In the 50s, after the Russians attack America with nuclear weapons, the remnants of the US band together in the Kingdom of Elvis, naming him the King of Lost Vegas. Now, Elvis is dead and the throne of the King is vacant. Enter Buddy, with his big glasses and classy guitar, the one with the katana taped to the back. It's up to him to make his way through the wasteland and the various gangs and crazies (and Death, hunting down rockers in order to bring in a reign of Heavy Metal) to claim the throne of the King and restore the power of Rock.

This is one of those movies whose awesomeness the world isn't quite ready to handle. It's hilarious, vibrant, and steeped in the sentiments of middle-of-last-century culture. The action is solid, and unlike most of the action movies that find their way onto my lists, not gory at all (I think the film is PG-13). It's a ridiculous film, but it wears its ridiculousness on its sleeve. It knows what it wants to be, and goes to any lengths to get it. Standing ovation, for pure rock power.

And that's it. We'll see what drifts across my plate this coming week. I'm not even sure what I'm seeing on Friday, much less what'll come across via netflix this week. We shall see, we shall see. I'm not in the mood for anything, but hunting for something good.

A Writer Meme, for those of us with a creation-via-words habit

Here's a quick questionaire for all you writers out there. I found it from someone's private blog, so I don't feel comfortable linking her. However, feel free to steal it from me. All writers love talking about writing!

1. What's the last thing you wrote?
For fiction? I was writing an action scene in my current novel. Crazy stuff, lots of explosions and car chases.

2. Was it any good?
Eh. It needs pacing work, and to maybe be detailed out a little more, but the idea is pretty good and the delivery pays off.

3. What's the first thing you ever wrote that you still have?
Some poetry? I have a fiction press account from high school that amuses me. I don't typically share it. Either that, or chapter 1 of my first novel. Don't remember what outdates what.

4. Write poetry?
Very, very rarely. It amuses me, and I kind of wish I could do it more, but it's not really my thing. Requires too much care to do well.

5. Angsty poetry?
Hah. Without irony? Yeah, kinda. It's not super-emo, but it can be pretty down.

6. Favourite genre of writing?
For me to write? Something with a lot of subjectivity. I like things being unresolved and unclear. But no particular 'genre'.

7. Most fun character you ever wrote?
I have a time traveler I really like, but I haven't spent too much time with him. Outside of that, I have a uber-manipulative business guy who pops up in seemingly half my novels that I love. He's so damn likable, and so terribly irredeemable when nobody's looking.

8. Most annoying character you ever wrote?
The most annoying character is whoever I'm currently writing. =D But honestly, the love interest in my third novel, WTC. She's sympathetic, but man do I hate her. I just want her to die. Unfortunately, she doesn't (omg spoilerz!)

9. Write fan fiction?
I've done it once or twice, a long long time ago. I'm always tempted to do it again, just for lulz.

10. Do you type or write by hand?
I dun write anything by hand. My hand cramps signing a check.

11. Do you save everything you write?
Almost. I can tell when I've abandoned something, and when that happens I dump it.

12. Do you ever go back to an old idea long after you abandoned it?
Oh yeah, I have tons of ideas sitting on the back burner and under the heat lamps. And I have a novel that's only 1/6th written that someday I'm going to go and finish.

13. What's your favourite thing that you've written?
My third novel, easily. I think it's the most coherent, and the most 'me'. That said, I don't want to look at it.

14. What's everyone else's favourite thing that you've written?
I don't know. I haven't gotten a ton of feedback on most of my stuff.

15. Do you even show people your work?
Not as much as I'd like. I'm slow about editing.

16. Did you ever write a novel?
I've written several, and will write several more.

17. Have you ever written fantasy, sci-fi, or horror?
My first novel was a fantasy. My fourth had heavy sci-fi elements. Horror creeps up in novels now and then. But no dedicated horror novel ... yet.

18. Ever written romance or teen angsty drama?
Nope. Romance comes into most of the books in some form, but the closest I got to teen angsty drama was books with 20-something angsty drama.

19. What's your favourite setting for your characters?
Any sort of city. Or inside their own heads.

20. What's one genre you have never written, and probably never will?
Young adult? I can't see myself doing a very good job with that. Also, I hope I never write a vampire or werewolf book. Or a legal thriller.

21. How many writing projects are you working on right now?
Two, a novel I'm writing and a novel I'm editing.

22. Do you want to write for a living?
Sweet Jesus yes. Just not yet.

23. Have you ever written something for a magazine or newspaper?
No way. Not my thing.

24. Have you ever won an award for your writing?
Nope. Never entered, though. Gotta play to win.

25. Ever written something in script or play format?
Yeah, one screenplay for Screnzy last year. It was fun. Hoping to do that again this year.

26. What are your five favourite words?
Potato, grey, indignant, ere, what

27. Do you ever write based on yourself?
Kinda. I'm in every character. I think that's inescapable, really.

28. What character that you've written most resembles yourself?
Oof. Hard to say. Max, probably.

29. Where do you get ideas for your other characters?
Where does anyone get ideas? From the ether.

30. Do you ever write based on your dreams?
Nope. I rarely remember my dreams, anyway.

31. Do you favour happy endings, sad endings, or cliff-hangers?
I like the idea of an ending that's satisfying without really coming to a close. The characters resolve the plot, gain or lose something over the arc of the story, but the last beat is always one of uncertainty or possibility. I think every book should end on a minor chord.

32. Have you ever written based on an artwork you've seen?
Um ... artwork I've heard, yes. But every writer channels everything they've experienced into each work.

33. Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?
I try to be, but I'm bad at both.

34. Ever write something entirely in chatspeak?
I'm tempted.

35. Was that question completely appalling and un-writer like?
Nope. I think there could be an exploration in storytelling via the slang of the times.

36. Does music help you write?
Sometimes. I always have it on, though.

37. Are people surprised and confused when they find out you write well?
Depends on the person. But usually, yes. I don't really give off 'writer vibes' until you crack the shell.

Why blogging's been sparse.

So, I've been getting back into writing lately. I know that I keep saying that, but it's kind of a daily struggle for me. Writing is one of those things that even when I don't want to do it (and sometimes I greatly don't want to do it) I'm almost always compelled to do it.

But for reasons that I'm not going to get into here, I've been having problems with settling down and getting through my personal junk enough to get writing. Thankfully, I have some wonderful friends who indulge my problems in order to help me out. I don't need to link them, they know who they are (and get enough links).

But yeah, I'm still working on my NaNo novel, ITMeat, which is chugging along by about 1000k every day I bother to write. I need to get it done by April when Screnzy starts, but outside of that I'm not really rushing it. I'd rather just build up some good writing habits than rush to hit a deadline.

I'm also editing one of my earlier novels, my NaNo 2007, WTC. That's going slower, mostly because I'm trying to do a good job and mostly because that has way less of a deadline. But ... we'll see. It is going. Just ... slow.

Anyway, that's it for now. Just wanted to let people know that the reason I'm not blogging is because what writing motivation I do have is being thrown at the big projects. Don't hate me too much!

Maybe more here later. About whatever.

Movie Rundown - Jan 19 to Feb 1

So, it's been a while, I decided that for some reason to not write a Movie Rundown for last week. So this week is gonna be pulling double duty. Sorry about that, but I'm pretty sure that you won't mind. It's not like I watched a TON of stuff.

Django (***) - This one's a very cult Spaghetti Western from the 60s. It also has the most infectious main theme I've ever heard. Seriously, that song is just ... terrifyingly catch. The movie itself was pretty solid, the typical tale of mysterious gunfighters, double- and triple-crosses, and blood soaked revenge. Not quite Leone-quality, but solid.

Dan in Real Life (****) - I'm fast developing a great appreciation for Steve Carrell. This movie is very solid, though it seems to meander in the third act and derail pretty hard right at the end. That said, the characters are very sweet, the humor low-key and grounded, and the movie has Dane Cook not being terrible. That's worth something.

Day of the Dead (*) - I don't believe in giving zeroes, but ... dammit, I wish I did. This film is TERRIBLE. There isn't a redeeming feature to it. It's a straight to DVD remake (remake being used VERY loosely) of Romero's best zombie movie, and it's ... a mess. In every way. I've never been bored watching a zombie rampage before. But I'll be honest, I didn't even finish this one. Stay away.

Tokyo Gore Police (*****)
This one get's special consideration. Let me explain. It's schlock. It's trash. It's full of craziness. But it's pretty easy to know if you're gonna like it or not. Just look at three pictures that I'll show you. Just think to yourself, do I want to see more of that? If yes, watch Tokyo Gore Police.

THIS THING IS AMAZING. JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE HER MOVE!

THIS IS THE BAD GUY. HIS EYES SHOOT EYEBALLS!

THIS MAN HAS A GUN THAT SHOOTS SEVERED FISTS.
SEVERED FUCKING FISTS!

The Wrestler (*****) - I don't need to tell you this movie is good. Just ask just about anyone who's seen it. But this movie is a great look at both the world of professional wrestling, and about people who can't give up their dream, even when their dream has given up on them. It's not a happy film, it's not a nice or fuzzy film. But it's true and cold and somehow touching all at the same time. And Mickey Rourke is absolutely amazing in it.

In Bruges (****) - I honestly wasn't sure if I liked this movie or not. It's really kind of ... crazy. the tone is all over the place, and the jokes meld seamlessly into pretty serious drama. In the end, though, it's a whirlpool of comedy and drama, but they never blend into typical dramedy. Instead, they're just layered. More than once I would just kind of stare agape at the film and go "What the hell?" But ... in the end, I'm left thinking it was brilliant. Go figure.

Robot Stories (***) - This is a collection of very very independant short stories about how humanity might have to cope with the advances of technology. I only knew about this because NPR interviewed the director in a show, and I finally got to it in my queue. It was ... interesting enough, I suppose. the first two stories were rather uneventful, but the second two were worth it, I think. I don't know. I've never seen a movie where the lack of budget actually hurt the quality of the film (in my assessment) anyway, but I think the material required actors outside the director's budget. I dunno.

Anyway, that's it for this week. Sorry for the delay. I took the day off of work and everything kind of got pushed back because of it. Next week is Coraline, at least. I'm excited for that. Not sure what else is going to be on the docket.

Also, Watchmen comes out in little more than a month. You should be excited.

Calling all writers and language lovers--I need a new word!

So, everyone who's reading this. I've come to the conclusion that the english language is lacking a verb. What verb, you ask? Well, let me explain the action, and then I'll let you decide.

The action is what fellow writer Dan Faust called the 'ew-ew' arm wave. It's when someone (typically a small child or a teenage girl) is grossed out. The hands come up, almost as if they want to cover the mouth. Instead, they stay in front of the face/chest, palms facing each other or the chest, and wave back and forth fitfully.

Just sit there and try it. Scrunch your face up, and go "Ewwwwwww!" You'll know exactly the move I'm talking about.

So, that action? Doesn't have a word. Writer friend Sarah said that recoil worked, but recoil simply indicated a backwards action. Nothing about waving your arms. You don't need to go backwards to do this action. You just do it.

This is where you come in. This action, I think, needs a verb. What if you come across it in a book? Are you going to write "She waved her arms around while going 'ew-ew'"? No, that's inelegant. It'd be easier to just say "She ed".

So, writers, language-lovers, enjoyers of the obscure and strange, I want everyone to put their heads together and suggest what this word could be. I don't care what's eventually decided on, but there needs to be something, just for the sake of proper evolution of the language.

If you see this and think it deserves a proper verb for it, feel free to repost it, reword it, put it on twitter, run a poll, think of suggestions, anything. Maybe toss it back to me so I know what's going on with your circle of friends. The more people inputting on this one, the more likely we are to finally get a word that catches.

If anyone wants to offer me up suggestions, feel free to post them here, in your own blog, or on twitter. Tag it #newword or perhaps send me an @. I can be found at twitter.com/litrock

A very strange meme.

I don't particularly do the meme thing, but this one interested me. From Lisa, who I won't link to because it's a more private journal (not that I think I have the readers for that to matter).

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me!

My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

* I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
* What I create will be with you in mind.
* It'll be done sometime this year (2009)
* You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be something written, some physical thing made, could be anything at all, but I will make it myself. It's entirely my choice what it is. No quibbles, no refunds--because you never paid me in the first place. :p

Most of these things will probably be IRL items, but I won't ask for addresses until later--if I need them at all.

The catch?

Oh, the catch is that you put this in your journal as well. If you don't, you don't get anything.

Movie Rundown - Jan 12 to Jan 18

I started watching movies again. Don't know why. The cycles continue on unabated, I suppose. I was helped by Sarah jump-starting my movie watching by giving me three films to watch (two of which will appear in this list) and the first time I've gone out to the movies in weeks.

So, without further delay, here we go.

Eastern Promises (***) - This movie had a lot of potential that I felt was partially squandered. the plot itself was horribly predictable and cliche, and the heroine was little more than a coat rack upon which was draped the progression of the story. That said, it was beautifully shot and Viggo Mortensen was spectacular. It also contained one of the most brutal fight scenes I've seen in years. It has faults, but it's also a great movie. A conflicted recommendation.

The Unborn (****) - Now, I've made no small show of my distaste for PG13 horror, but from the initial trailer I could have sworn this was rated R. Imagine my surprise when I showed up at the theater. There wasn't anything else showing at that time I cared about, so ... in we went. And came out very very surprised. This movie wasn't messing around, jumping right into the story without a bunch of subplots. It also borrowed heavily from surrealism and asian horror, blending into a pretty well-paced, well-textured movie that only fell apart in that the payoff was kind of weak. Also, it's nice to see a movie try some non-traditional folklore, and Jewish mysticism is rather unexplored territory, I think.

Son of Rambow (***) - This movie was at times charming and at other times infuriating. It had some of the best child actors I've ever seen being absolutely heartwarming as they interacted and explored both a love of film and the powers of imagination. But every time an adult showed up or the 'conflict' that was shoehorned into the movie reared their heads I wanted to turn it off. There's a very amazing movie in here hampered by an annoyance of a plot. That said, I still recommend it, as its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.

Sukiyaki Western Django (*****) - Takashi Miike's take on the spaghetti western, this is a retelling of the Heiki Monogatari set in a fever-dream version of the American Southwest. Containing almost all Japanese actors (aside from one very notable cameo) speaking non-native English, this film just oozes class from every pore. There's a great disconnect in cultures when a gunslinger goes up against a samurai, and at the same time the entire thing feels both cohesive and transformative. Beautifully shot, well-scripted, both a comment on the genre and a respectable entry, this is both an ironic and deadly serious film that is at turns funny, heartbreaking, and thoughtful. Though, in the end, it's wall-to-wall cool.

Street Fighter II: The Animated Movie (**) - As a film this movie just doesn't work. It's a 90 minute anime movie that's built to be some well-made fan-service to Street Fighter fans. It's entertaining only so far as you enjoy the franchise it represents. Outside of that, it's just a mediocre plot that seems to take some extreme leaps without providing newcomers a sense of what's going on or why.

Resident Evil Extinction (****) - This is a thoroughly stupid movie that aspires to be stupid and entertaining. In doing so, it's hard to find fault with it. It's a nice step up from the second movie, it takes an interesting turn in terms of setting, and it's full of set pieces that feel both well in keeping with the series and worthwhile from a technical level. It's zombie outbreaks and genetic experimenting, and it only aspires to do its job well. With a genre movie like this, that's really all you can ask for (or want) sometimes. Well done, RE3. Now make a sequel, please. Ending on cliffhangers drives me up the WALL.

Man on Wire (*****) - This is a documentary about Philippe Petit's journey to high-wire across the World Trade Center towers in the 70s. I honestly went in with pretty high expectations, and was blown away. The movie is less about the fact (the details are pretty straightforward) and much more about Petit's absolute dedication to his goals and what that did to the people around him. The stories are moving and Petit himself radiates a kind of genius/madness that sweeps you up in the narrative. This is as much a story about people striving to achieve the extraordinary as it is about the event that takes center stage in the movie.

Aaaaaaand, that's a wrap. Not sure if I have anything planned for the bloggity blag over the next week, but I imagine I'll put something up here. Stay tuned!