Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Look, Mom, Look, A Brand New Bike
Just wait, just wait, just wait my son,
First come the lessons, then the fun.
How to get on is lesson one.
* * *
Goodbye, Goodbye, Stan Berenstain.
I've read your books, all umpteen.
First come the lessons, then the fun.
How to get on is lesson one.
* * *
Goodbye, Goodbye, Stan Berenstain.
I've read your books, all umpteen.
A clarification
Owl post bulletin:
John Paul II actually started the document about gays in the seminary and Benedict XVI is following through. Not that this speaks in favor of Benedict, but we can still give him the benefit of the doubt and recognize that he is carrying on from the former pope.
Thanks, Hedwig.
John Paul II actually started the document about gays in the seminary and Benedict XVI is following through. Not that this speaks in favor of Benedict, but we can still give him the benefit of the doubt and recognize that he is carrying on from the former pope.
Thanks, Hedwig.
The New Doc
Andrew Sullivan writes about the new document from Benedict:
B16, as far as I know, hasn't done that. And his reorganization of the Franciscans of Assisi, this new document, and some of his initial responses to Jesuits at "America" magazine all indicate he wants Catholic faith his way. I think of John XXIII who called Vatican II and the humility that calling a council like that took. I sincerely hope that Benedict will surprise me, for certainly revelation can strike anyone at any time. And one might hope that the pope is in an exceedingly likely place for revelation.
In the past, the gay individual who remained chaste could attain Christian perfection, his orientation was not in itself sinful, gay men and women were worthy of respect and made in the image of God. Under Benedict, homosexuality itself is morally disordered; even chaste homosexuals are a threat to "priestly life"; homosexuals, whatever they do, are threats to society and the Church; the great gay priests of the past, including Mychal Judge or Henri Nouwen, have "no social value." This is not about hating sin and loving the sinner any more; it's about hating a segment of humankind, segregating them out for moral censure, and banishing them from moral discourse. It's about taking the fundamental message of the Gospels and inverting it.In my own humble opinion, I find the difficulty with Benedict's "my way or the highway" stance. JPII made great overtures to reach out to other faiths, other Christian communities, and seemed to expand the Church rather than corral the wagons.
B16, as far as I know, hasn't done that. And his reorganization of the Franciscans of Assisi, this new document, and some of his initial responses to Jesuits at "America" magazine all indicate he wants Catholic faith his way. I think of John XXIII who called Vatican II and the humility that calling a council like that took. I sincerely hope that Benedict will surprise me, for certainly revelation can strike anyone at any time. And one might hope that the pope is in an exceedingly likely place for revelation.
Ms. Bacall
I just invited Lauren Bacall to the Grand's TNT Film Festival next October. Whoo-hoo! Man, if I can convince her to come that will pretty much make this entire job worth it. :)
The Parkway
It was supposed to be an early night in, but we all ended up at the Parkway for two hours. I was supposed to wake up this morning to find snow, too, but that didn't happen either.
Monday, November 28, 2005
"Race Matters"
Read the first four chapters of Cornel West's "Race Matters" for class tonight. Turns out he's an alum of Yale Divinity School. I guess they turn out some pretty decent graduates. :)
And it's hard.
Slappy landscape, 20,000 pages.
Substantive puma, 20,000 pages.
Ochre antique, 180,000 pages.
Translucent Brigadoon, 587 pages.
Mendacity Boilerplate, 521 pages.
Gravy Concrete, 365,000 pages.
Promiscuous Mentor, 51,000 pages.
Tintinnabulation Wheat, 250 pages!!
And I'm addicted.
Substantive puma, 20,000 pages.
Ochre antique, 180,000 pages.
Translucent Brigadoon, 587 pages.
Mendacity Boilerplate, 521 pages.
Gravy Concrete, 365,000 pages.
Promiscuous Mentor, 51,000 pages.
Tintinnabulation Wheat, 250 pages!!
And I'm addicted.
Speaking of Google
The News Tribune today carried an article about a recent phenomenon called "Googlewhacking." Sounds weird, similar perhaps to a Google Bomb. But Googlewhacking is a new hobby for people with too much time on their hands looking to be special.
The idea is very simple: take two words and search for them on Google without quotation marks. Try to find a combination that produces only one result. One result out of the 8-billion pages Google searches. Then, if you can find one, post your result on googlewhack.com.
Sounds hard, actually. A British comedian is touring the world with a comedy show about googlewhacking. He would find the websites and the travel to the person who had put up the website and start another search. Anyway, he's in Seattle for the next two weeks to talk about Googlewhacking.
I might just have to go.
The idea is very simple: take two words and search for them on Google without quotation marks. Try to find a combination that produces only one result. One result out of the 8-billion pages Google searches. Then, if you can find one, post your result on googlewhack.com.
Sounds hard, actually. A British comedian is touring the world with a comedy show about googlewhacking. He would find the websites and the travel to the person who had put up the website and start another search. Anyway, he's in Seattle for the next two weeks to talk about Googlewhacking.
I might just have to go.
Don't Be Evil
Today's New York Times has an incredible editorial on Google. It calls out the company for its dedication to its two core mission statements.
The first: to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.
The second: don't be evil.
But the article deals with the now-central question of Internet privacy. Google, apparently, can and does have information on all searches by computers. And cookies are on users computers that don't expire until 2038.
A Google search was even used as part of the evidence in a North Carolina strangulation trial, because the defendant had entered a search containing the words "neck" and "snap".
This is crazy stuff, and the article is a great cry out to Google to do better.
The first: to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful.
The second: don't be evil.
But the article deals with the now-central question of Internet privacy. Google, apparently, can and does have information on all searches by computers. And cookies are on users computers that don't expire until 2038.
A Google search was even used as part of the evidence in a North Carolina strangulation trial, because the defendant had entered a search containing the words "neck" and "snap".
This is crazy stuff, and the article is a great cry out to Google to do better.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Kitchen Rehab
Dad and I spent the morning wiring the kitchen and we knocked out the wall last month. It's going to look awesome! And now for the second half of the Seahawks game.
Later, I'm buying a tree for this year's Christmas tree, with a new theme.
Later, I'm buying a tree for this year's Christmas tree, with a new theme.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
The Nutcracker Suites
I read in this morning's Tribune that the Nutcracker is only 113 years old. In such a short period of time it has achieved a timeless feel. I'm not such a fan of the ballet itself, but listening to it every December is worth looking forward to more than even all the rest of the trimmings.
The Ski Jump
Phil and I have added another event to our Torino Olympics trip this February. We'll now be watching skiers sail overhead at the Ski Jump.
I tried to convince Phil that of any event, this would be the easiest to watch without buying tickets for it since the skiers would be well-above the tops of grandstands. I'm not sure he bought it.
To get the tickets, though, we had to buy another curling event, which makes it 2 curling events in one day. We'll see if Phil can handle it. I'll be in curling heaven, though.
I tried to convince Phil that of any event, this would be the easiest to watch without buying tickets for it since the skiers would be well-above the tops of grandstands. I'm not sure he bought it.
To get the tickets, though, we had to buy another curling event, which makes it 2 curling events in one day. We'll see if Phil can handle it. I'll be in curling heaven, though.
Friday, November 25, 2005
Buy Nothing Day
I'm quite the capitalist. Yeah market! Yeah free trade! But a day like today is kind of overboard. I like getting out to the stores on a busy evening or Sunday afternoon with the Christmas decorations and carols.
But today it's just icky. There's no Christmas spirit, just Christmas sales. People are at their worst, partly because they've been up since 6:00 am getting the best deals, I'm sure.
Anyway, this is a day for not going to a store. "Buy Nothing Day" as a group of some anti-consumerism folks are calling it. Go to the movies, go to a restaurant, go for a walk (although it's absolutely a downpour here right now), or go for a drink. But I'm going to stay away from the stores.
But today it's just icky. There's no Christmas spirit, just Christmas sales. People are at their worst, partly because they've been up since 6:00 am getting the best deals, I'm sure.
Anyway, this is a day for not going to a store. "Buy Nothing Day" as a group of some anti-consumerism folks are calling it. Go to the movies, go to a restaurant, go for a walk (although it's absolutely a downpour here right now), or go for a drink. But I'm going to stay away from the stores.
Labels:
Economics,
Thanksgiving Notes,
The Issues
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Thanksgiving ... with feeling
Here's a question in honor of a holiday. It was posed to me last week and it seems an appropriate time to answer. "What do we give when we give thanks?"
Our English language makes this question difficult, because we are unaccustomed to thinking about giving if we can't point to the gift. We're a language of absolutes and a language nouns.
I think of some of the Spanish that has remained in my head and I see how much easier this question might be in another language. "Tienes suerte" means "Good luck" but it's literal translation would be "Have luck." Same with "Tengo hambre" (I have hunger). This kind of linguistics makes the abstract (hunger and luck) more concrete.
But we're speaking English, so let's answer this in English.
Thanksgiving, if anything, is a gift of time. Giving thanks to me represents the time we will use from our sip of life and give to another. A handwritten card is more valued than a typed e-mail because it took more time. Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow will be important because we have carved out a window to give our time to those who are important to us.
A phone call to a friend to say "Thank you" for Mariners tickets is a gift of time. And a prayer before dinner tomorrow is a gift of time, and it is that time--in fact an entire day--that we give when we give Thanksgiving.
Our English language makes this question difficult, because we are unaccustomed to thinking about giving if we can't point to the gift. We're a language of absolutes and a language nouns.
I think of some of the Spanish that has remained in my head and I see how much easier this question might be in another language. "Tienes suerte" means "Good luck" but it's literal translation would be "Have luck." Same with "Tengo hambre" (I have hunger). This kind of linguistics makes the abstract (hunger and luck) more concrete.
But we're speaking English, so let's answer this in English.
Thanksgiving, if anything, is a gift of time. Giving thanks to me represents the time we will use from our sip of life and give to another. A handwritten card is more valued than a typed e-mail because it took more time. Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow will be important because we have carved out a window to give our time to those who are important to us.
A phone call to a friend to say "Thank you" for Mariners tickets is a gift of time. And a prayer before dinner tomorrow is a gift of time, and it is that time--in fact an entire day--that we give when we give Thanksgiving.
Labels:
Erik the English Major,
Thanksgiving Notes
Jesse Ventura proven right?
I must confess, the Tacoma mall shooting has not rattled me too badly. I'm not sure why, either. Way back in '99 when a disguntled day trader wandered into his old office in Atlanta and started firing--that shook me. 9/11, the hostage crisis at the theater in Moscow, the sniper in DC, and Columbine most definitely. But not so much this one.
Why? Because no one died? Surely I have more criteria than that for being rattled? Perhaps with all the other scenarios I could think, "What if that happened here?" But now it did, and I the question is now, "What if that happened while I was there?" which is a much more frightening question and one I probably don't want to deal with.
But I did get rattled this morning when the family of a victim in Intensive Care stepped forward and said their son "might have stopped the shooting." There is no evidence to suggest this other than, to quote the Tribune, "The family bases its belief on what they know of McKown and what they heard some police officers saying." Huh? And this is what it takes for the Tribune to publish a big headline "Victim might be a hero"!
And then you get in to the rattling news. This guy McKown had a gun with him. And his family thinks he pulled it on the shooter and that it might have ended the shooting. Lots of "ifs" and "mights" in that sentence. But the point is, this is not good news. Because that means at least two guys had guns at the mall. One with a big AK-47 and now this guy with a handgun. And this is supposed to make me feel better?
I recall my freshman year at Carleton, when I watched the absolute horror of Columbine unfold on TV. And the next day I read Jesse Ventura's comments, the man who had been governor of the state less than a year. He said, "This is why we need less gun control, because students could have fired back."
I cringed then and to see this idea celebrated 6 years later is more disconcerting than anything so far.
Why? Because no one died? Surely I have more criteria than that for being rattled? Perhaps with all the other scenarios I could think, "What if that happened here?" But now it did, and I the question is now, "What if that happened while I was there?" which is a much more frightening question and one I probably don't want to deal with.
But I did get rattled this morning when the family of a victim in Intensive Care stepped forward and said their son "might have stopped the shooting." There is no evidence to suggest this other than, to quote the Tribune, "The family bases its belief on what they know of McKown and what they heard some police officers saying." Huh? And this is what it takes for the Tribune to publish a big headline "Victim might be a hero"!
And then you get in to the rattling news. This guy McKown had a gun with him. And his family thinks he pulled it on the shooter and that it might have ended the shooting. Lots of "ifs" and "mights" in that sentence. But the point is, this is not good news. Because that means at least two guys had guns at the mall. One with a big AK-47 and now this guy with a handgun. And this is supposed to make me feel better?
I recall my freshman year at Carleton, when I watched the absolute horror of Columbine unfold on TV. And the next day I read Jesse Ventura's comments, the man who had been governor of the state less than a year. He said, "This is why we need less gun control, because students could have fired back."
I cringed then and to see this idea celebrated 6 years later is more disconcerting than anything so far.
More on the shoes
A. Owl, a reader of these pages, informs me that red is a frequent liturgical color in the Catholic Church, signifying the Holy Spirit, so perhaps Benedict XVI has chosen an apt color, in calling on the Holy Spirit for guidance. I hope this to be true.
If it is true, then he should have put Prada's Holy Spirit Shoes on before he signed a document that turns away gay men from seminaries. Maybe he should slip into somes shoes of clay (to adapt a passage from Daniel). They might fit better.
I am an unhappy Catholic right now.
If it is true, then he should have put Prada's Holy Spirit Shoes on before he signed a document that turns away gay men from seminaries. Maybe he should slip into somes shoes of clay (to adapt a passage from Daniel). They might fit better.
I am an unhappy Catholic right now.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Pope Prada vs Pope Marten
Apparently Pope Benedict XVI wears Prada shoes, expensive sunglasses, quilted jackets, and has a taste for good clothing. I think it's fine that he's a bit of a clotheshorse (or so says UPI) but his shoes are red. Red shoes for the pope? That's just weird.
John Paul II wore white Doc Martens. That seemed a little more appropriate. Comforting, even. Makes me want to get a pair just to be like the Holy See. But Prada? Red Prada? Weird.
John Paul II wore white Doc Martens. That seemed a little more appropriate. Comforting, even. Makes me want to get a pair just to be like the Holy See. But Prada? Red Prada? Weird.
To stir up the pot...
A woman in Arizona has found a new way to question the rights of an unborn child. When she was pulled over for driving in the HOV lane, she told the officer she was 9 months pregnant and her son counted as her passenger.
The 23 year old said, "I understand the reasoning for the HOV lane, but whether my son is in a car seat versus in my stomach, I don’t get it. It’s the same thing."
I think this reaches a new low. The intellectual, philosophical, moral, and cultural issues that surround the question "when does life begin?" are now reduced to deliberation in traffic court next month to determine whether or not a fetus is a passenger.
Actually, when I put it that way, it makes me want to rule in her favor. When is a fetus not a passenger, really?
Stick it to the man, Candance!
The 23 year old said, "I understand the reasoning for the HOV lane, but whether my son is in a car seat versus in my stomach, I don’t get it. It’s the same thing."
I think this reaches a new low. The intellectual, philosophical, moral, and cultural issues that surround the question "when does life begin?" are now reduced to deliberation in traffic court next month to determine whether or not a fetus is a passenger.
Actually, when I put it that way, it makes me want to rule in her favor. When is a fetus not a passenger, really?
Stick it to the man, Candance!
Monday, November 21, 2005
Short Board Meeting ...
... makes for a good Monday night. Especially since I don't have to be in class until 9:20. :)
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Dub a dub a dum
I'd also like to add Hedwig's Theme (that plays in the opening of all Harry Potter movies) to the list of good Christmas songs that aren't actually Christmas songs.
And I found the lyrics posted on-line for "Stop the Cavalry." They are hard to discern when listening, but it turns out they are a mite weird:
And I found the lyrics posted on-line for "Stop the Cavalry." They are hard to discern when listening, but it turns out they are a mite weird:
Hey, Mr. Churchill comes over hereBut then the fun part starts with the Best Chorus Ever:
to say we're doing splendidly
But it's very cold out here in the snow,
marching to win from the enemy
Oh I say it's tough,I have had enough
Can you stop the cavalry?
I have had to fight, almost every night
down throughout these centuries
That is when I say, oh yes yet again
Can you stop the cavalry?
Mary Bradley waits at home
in the nuclear fall-out zone
Wish I could be dancing now
in the arms of the girl I love
Chorus:Awesome song.
Dub a dub a dum dum
Dub a dub a dum
Dub a dum dum dub a dub
Dub a dub a dum
Dub a dub a dum dum
Dub a dub a dum
Dub a dum dum dub a dub
Dub a dub a dum
With Christmas in Mind ...
Here are some of my favorite Christmas songs:
Sleigh Ride, Andy Williams. Hands down best.
Let It Snow, Andy Williams. Close second.
Christmas Wrapping, The Waitresses, for Best New Christmas Song.
Stop the Cavalry, Best Non-Christmas Song to Listen to At Christmas (probably tied with My Favorite Things, actually)
O Come All Ye Faithful, Best Actual Christmas Carol. (ie, that isn't about Santa Claus or presents)
Random post, but I'm looking forward to decorating my tree this year and I'm getting Christmas on the brain.
Sleigh Ride, Andy Williams. Hands down best.
Let It Snow, Andy Williams. Close second.
Christmas Wrapping, The Waitresses, for Best New Christmas Song.
Stop the Cavalry, Best Non-Christmas Song to Listen to At Christmas (probably tied with My Favorite Things, actually)
O Come All Ye Faithful, Best Actual Christmas Carol. (ie, that isn't about Santa Claus or presents)
Random post, but I'm looking forward to decorating my tree this year and I'm getting Christmas on the brain.
72-Hour Film Competition Gets Big Press
It's about the biggest press the Grand has gotten since ... well, since Shawn and I were hired. Which is kind of funny, since I set out not to get much publicity. In fact, I didn't call a single paper. But the Volcano published a picture of me last Thursday with an interview about the competition and today a full page article ran in the Tribune's Local section with a blurb for it on the cover and above the fold.
The article, if you want to read about film in T-town, is here.
The article, if you want to read about film in T-town, is here.
And it's over
No fatalites, yet, but one victim is in crtical condition. We'll be hearing a lot about this in Tacoma for awhile.
Lockdown
The Tacoma Mall is in lockdown right now with hostages in the Sam Goody store. SWAT teams are out. 8 injured. Front page of www.cnn.com.
Everyone's watching TV; even in the lobby of the Grand via the Kickstand's wireless. Live coverage at www.nwcn.com. Krista "went to the mall" today. Thank God that meant Bellevue today.
Everyone's watching TV; even in the lobby of the Grand via the Kickstand's wireless. Live coverage at www.nwcn.com. Krista "went to the mall" today. Thank God that meant Bellevue today.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Slow Day, Good for Star Trek
Official nerd statement pending:
Star Trek, The Next Generation, Season 6 is really good! The Grand slowed down after Harry Potter got all the audiences in Tacoma. Which leaves me with some time on my hands and a Star Trek DVD.
Good day.
Star Trek, The Next Generation, Season 6 is really good! The Grand slowed down after Harry Potter got all the audiences in Tacoma. Which leaves me with some time on my hands and a Star Trek DVD.
Good day.
Before Sunset
I hadn't seen Linklater's great film "Before Sunset" since the Grand had it in August of 2004. It's an incredible film. Sweet, hopeful, insightful, and all-around very well done, if not a little dirty in places.
It makes Paris look pretty darn good, too. I hope Linklater, Delpy, and Hawke do a follow-up film in 9 years.
It makes Paris look pretty darn good, too. I hope Linklater, Delpy, and Hawke do a follow-up film in 9 years.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Oops
To re-affirm my masculinity, I just want to say that Jennifer Aniston looks smokin' on the cover of GQ.
People Magazine Wins the Obvious Award
According to People, Matthew McConaughey won a poll for sexiest man alive. Well, duh. You may as well give an award to the sun as Best Warming Star. He's a freakin' stud.
Big Night
Wow! What a night for the Grand (and for Tacoma, if I do say so myself).
We screened 11 films tonight that were made over the weekend by local filmmakers. We were packed and the Grand was pretty much the hippest place tonight.
It's a rare pleasure, but I am so fortunate to be in a place where I can say, "I want to do a 72-Hour Film Competition" and then we do it. And then to have it be a major success like it was, with a whole heckuvalot of excitement and buzz, was an exhilarating thrill.
We'll have them on-line at the Grand's website soon. Or you can see them Wednesday at the Grand at 6:00 at our special encore presentation. I got to put together the intro scenes and I once again found how much I enjoy editing film.
Big rush tonight.
We screened 11 films tonight that were made over the weekend by local filmmakers. We were packed and the Grand was pretty much the hippest place tonight.
It's a rare pleasure, but I am so fortunate to be in a place where I can say, "I want to do a 72-Hour Film Competition" and then we do it. And then to have it be a major success like it was, with a whole heckuvalot of excitement and buzz, was an exhilarating thrill.
We'll have them on-line at the Grand's website soon. Or you can see them Wednesday at the Grand at 6:00 at our special encore presentation. I got to put together the intro scenes and I once again found how much I enjoy editing film.
Big rush tonight.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Perhaps I should have mentioned before ...
But more than 60% of voters approved the new Parks Bond here, leaving us with $80.6 million in park improvements. Good for everyone.
We Washington voters also kept the gas tax in place, which conventional wisdom has was a result of Hurricane Katrina, which supposedly taught everyone the value of infrastructure. Perhaps. Most of the state was actually rather split on it with the exception of the Puget Sound counties.
I still say that a $1.00 or $0.50 Federal gas tax implemented September 12, 2001, would be paying off dividends right now and we might not be in such a mess. Oil regimes would be weaker, public transportation would be stronger, and we may never have had to see the birth of the Hummer 3.
We Washington voters also kept the gas tax in place, which conventional wisdom has was a result of Hurricane Katrina, which supposedly taught everyone the value of infrastructure. Perhaps. Most of the state was actually rather split on it with the exception of the Puget Sound counties.
I still say that a $1.00 or $0.50 Federal gas tax implemented September 12, 2001, would be paying off dividends right now and we might not be in such a mess. Oil regimes would be weaker, public transportation would be stronger, and we may never have had to see the birth of the Hummer 3.
Heartbreaker
I man a grown man cry last night.
I called him at 11:10 at night to let him know that we'd found his wife's purse at the Grand. He got all choked up. Apparently he was quite relieved. It feels good to do nice things, but c'mon, do they have to cry?
I called him at 11:10 at night to let him know that we'd found his wife's purse at the Grand. He got all choked up. Apparently he was quite relieved. It feels good to do nice things, but c'mon, do they have to cry?
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
A clarification
Eppig writes from Geneva:
As to being the father of the American Calvary, I had assumed that the father would have been a horse, but I'll accept your explanation.
In case you didn't know, Casimir Pulaski was a Polish commander who aided Washington during the Revolutionary War. He is considered the father of the American Calvary, and he is a hero to many Polish-American immigrants. Chicago, with a large Polack population, celebrates Casimir Pulaski Day in March. I'm not sure why your radio station was doing it now ....Thank you, Andrew. I did not know who Casimir Pulaski was and am glad to know what the song is about. As to KEXP, they are a non-profit actually-alternative radio station. You can listen to them on-line at kexp.org. They are the most-listened to station in the world, as I understand it, because of their on-line listenership.
As to being the father of the American Calvary, I had assumed that the father would have been a horse, but I'll accept your explanation.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Come on! Feel the Illinoise!
Last Wednesday, there was a great song on KEXP on the car radio (unfortunately, that will not be a luxury I can enjoy after the first of the year when they pull the plug on the South Sound transmitter).
Anyway. The song came on, and on Friday I went to their website to look up the song title. Turns out it was "Casimir Pulaski Day." I knew what the last word meant, but the first were very foreign. Then I saw the artist's name: Sufjan Stevens. Knew the last word, didn't know the first.
THEN! I saw the name of the album and everything clicked. Turned out that the album was "Come on! Feel the Illinoise!" a T-shirt Peter has been wearing for at least two months. Oddly, Mary had heard "Casimir Pulaski Day" on the radio a few weeks before and went through the same process, including the "Ah ha" moment when she realized the song she was listening to.
All this is to say that it's a really good album and Sufjan Stevens is very good. Track 5 is good: "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!, Pt. I: The World's Columbian Exposition / Pt. II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In a Dream" So is "A Short Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, But for Very Good Reasons". Random music thoughts.
Anyway. The song came on, and on Friday I went to their website to look up the song title. Turns out it was "Casimir Pulaski Day." I knew what the last word meant, but the first were very foreign. Then I saw the artist's name: Sufjan Stevens. Knew the last word, didn't know the first.
THEN! I saw the name of the album and everything clicked. Turned out that the album was "Come on! Feel the Illinoise!" a T-shirt Peter has been wearing for at least two months. Oddly, Mary had heard "Casimir Pulaski Day" on the radio a few weeks before and went through the same process, including the "Ah ha" moment when she realized the song she was listening to.
All this is to say that it's a really good album and Sufjan Stevens is very good. Track 5 is good: "Come On! Feel the Illinoise!, Pt. I: The World's Columbian Exposition / Pt. II: Carl Sandburg Visits Me In a Dream" So is "A Short Reprise for Mary Todd, Who Went Insane, But for Very Good Reasons". Random music thoughts.
The Lure of Europe
Throw on top of that the exodus to Europe. Bartley's in England studying missile theory or something, Eppig's in Geneva crashing atoms together and checking for debris, A&E are talking about Sardinia for their next port of call, and A. Spotted Owl is thinking about England for a year! If Phil gets posted to Zurich or Madrid for his job I think I'm just going to have to relocate and spend two weeks on everyone's floor and become a permanent backpacker. Or I'll just get a job there.
Anyone know of any non-profit art theaters in London?
Anyone know of any non-profit art theaters in London?
The 428 Shuffle
Not a dance, but a refiance.
Way back in September of 2003, I had only figured on being here for two or three years tops. That doesn't just mean 428 St. Helens, it means Tacoma.
First I'd planned to stay through the SATW convention, which was June of 2003. Then the Tall Ships event came around and I decided that I could stay through that, since I very much wanted to work on organizing the event. That would have kept me here through July of 2005. Then I decided I'd be willing to stay a little bit longer than that to finish my masters, which I estimated would be the winter of 2006. And then I was going to hit the road.
Anyway you look at it, I wasn't going to be in Tacoma that long. And then Phillip Whitt resigned, and the job opened and by some cosmic alignment I got the job at the Grand and I figure I'm here now at least until 2008 or 2009. Man that seems like a long ways a way.
Which leads me to refinancing the condo before interest rates go up even more.
I sometimes feel like I should be getting out of this town. Which I should at some point, but the truth is I can't imagine a better job (right now), I have a great place, and I love the city, the Puget Sound, and it's close to all my family.
It only gets hard, it seems, when I run into people I never expected to see again. Which happens a lot at the Grand. They come in the door and there's nowhere to hide. Not that I always want to hide, but it's just a little surprising who I find myself in conversation with. Former students and teachers from Bellarmine mainly.
Way back in September of 2003, I had only figured on being here for two or three years tops. That doesn't just mean 428 St. Helens, it means Tacoma.
First I'd planned to stay through the SATW convention, which was June of 2003. Then the Tall Ships event came around and I decided that I could stay through that, since I very much wanted to work on organizing the event. That would have kept me here through July of 2005. Then I decided I'd be willing to stay a little bit longer than that to finish my masters, which I estimated would be the winter of 2006. And then I was going to hit the road.
Anyway you look at it, I wasn't going to be in Tacoma that long. And then Phillip Whitt resigned, and the job opened and by some cosmic alignment I got the job at the Grand and I figure I'm here now at least until 2008 or 2009. Man that seems like a long ways a way.
Which leads me to refinancing the condo before interest rates go up even more.
I sometimes feel like I should be getting out of this town. Which I should at some point, but the truth is I can't imagine a better job (right now), I have a great place, and I love the city, the Puget Sound, and it's close to all my family.
It only gets hard, it seems, when I run into people I never expected to see again. Which happens a lot at the Grand. They come in the door and there's nowhere to hide. Not that I always want to hide, but it's just a little surprising who I find myself in conversation with. Former students and teachers from Bellarmine mainly.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
University of Washington, Tacoma
I'm taking "Culture & Public Problems" right now, which is the last of the core classes I have to complete in the Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences Masters program before I take the capstone.
It is, by nature, a depressing class. First we take a public problem: drunk driving, female body image in America, poverty, etc. Then we talk about how this problem is created, how responsibility is assigned, who tries to take credit for the problem and thus provide a solution, and on and on. Essentially, each problem boils down to this: it's a product of our culture. And then we go to the next problem.
Depressing does not mean to suggest that it's not interesting. Looking at drunk-driving, for example, we talked about who is considered responsible. It's not always the drunk driver, but recently bartenders have been held accountable. And it used to be considered that "problem drinkers" were the drivers but MADD, for example, helped define the problem as social drinkers who have two-too-many martinis at lunch.
Interestingly, no one sees this as a problem of transportation. Get a fleet of cheap taxis out onto the streets and you'll have less drunk drivers. Stop building bars at freeway on-ramps. Condense your population enough to get the people close enough where they can walk to a bar.
Of course, when talking about anorexia, these kind of seemingly simple solutions don't go as far. And we're left with a problem and not really any kind of feasible solution. Talk about no fun. Interesting, but no fun.
It is, by nature, a depressing class. First we take a public problem: drunk driving, female body image in America, poverty, etc. Then we talk about how this problem is created, how responsibility is assigned, who tries to take credit for the problem and thus provide a solution, and on and on. Essentially, each problem boils down to this: it's a product of our culture. And then we go to the next problem.
Depressing does not mean to suggest that it's not interesting. Looking at drunk-driving, for example, we talked about who is considered responsible. It's not always the drunk driver, but recently bartenders have been held accountable. And it used to be considered that "problem drinkers" were the drivers but MADD, for example, helped define the problem as social drinkers who have two-too-many martinis at lunch.
Interestingly, no one sees this as a problem of transportation. Get a fleet of cheap taxis out onto the streets and you'll have less drunk drivers. Stop building bars at freeway on-ramps. Condense your population enough to get the people close enough where they can walk to a bar.
Of course, when talking about anorexia, these kind of seemingly simple solutions don't go as far. And we're left with a problem and not really any kind of feasible solution. Talk about no fun. Interesting, but no fun.
Capote
I have missed at least a half-hour of the movie in short segments, but I would still like to post a brief review. This film was very very good. The central dramatic conflict is Capote's affection for Perry Smith, one of the two killers on death row and Capote's affection for his own work, which will only be a masterpiece if Perry Smith is executed.
All the actors are excellent. Hoffman, naturally, but Catherine Keener is fabulous as Harper Lee, too. It's not an uplifting film by any means, but it carried with it an exhilaration of a story told well. It's actually much better, I think, than Good Night & Good Luck, but that film will probably do better at the Grand because it's more "relevant" to our audience.
Have not seen "The Squid & the Whale" our other 5-star film, but it looks pretty good, too.
All the actors are excellent. Hoffman, naturally, but Catherine Keener is fabulous as Harper Lee, too. It's not an uplifting film by any means, but it carried with it an exhilaration of a story told well. It's actually much better, I think, than Good Night & Good Luck, but that film will probably do better at the Grand because it's more "relevant" to our audience.
Have not seen "The Squid & the Whale" our other 5-star film, but it looks pretty good, too.
Saturday, November 12, 2005
The New Record
Yesterday was the busiest Friday of the year at the Grand. Today was the busiest day on record. At least my tired soul has helped us reach some sort of milestone. But I want far less pizza tomorrow. Want? No. Need far less pizza tomorrow. Oy.
Friday, November 11, 2005
So very tired
First meeting yesterday at 9:00 am. At work on and off again until the film competition started at 10:00 pm. Then the test screener of Mulholland Dr. at 11:00 until 1:40 am.
And now up early for a day of fun, laughs, and good times. All three of our films have a 5 star rating for a total of 15 stars. It's going to be that kind of weekend. A crazy one.
And now up early for a day of fun, laughs, and good times. All three of our films have a 5 star rating for a total of 15 stars. It's going to be that kind of weekend. A crazy one.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
TV's Hard
Who knew? I felt awkward the whole time. I was Mumbly-Rambly Joe. I probably turned out better on camera than I felt, but that doesn't mean it was easy.
But I didn't flinch when the camera fell over, unlike the host. :)
I'll get a DVD of it to add to my collection, though! And my consolation is that it's TV Tacoma 12, and I'm now well prepared for Larry King when I hit the big time.
But I didn't flinch when the camera fell over, unlike the host. :)
I'll get a DVD of it to add to my collection, though! And my consolation is that it's TV Tacoma 12, and I'm now well prepared for Larry King when I hit the big time.
By the way ...
Kudos to the state who had enough sense--or so it appears in early counting--to leave the gas tax in place. The knee-jerk reaction to high gas prices seems to be tempered by people's understanding that we're running out of viable transportation options as I-5 gets more bogged down.
Maybe Pierce County--the second-most populous county in Washington--will finally get a mile or two of HOV lanes.
Maybe Pierce County--the second-most populous county in Washington--will finally get a mile or two of HOV lanes.
Reality TV
Am venturing onto TV Tacoma 12 today. To call it television may be wishful thinking, but at some point in the next few months (like maybe as far away as January), I'll be on the City of Tacoma's very own TV station.
The show is Business Matters, which is likely intended to be a play on words, but I'm not sure it works. And the host is Mike Wark, the PR guy at UWT.
I'm supposed to talk about the Grand, etc. Will post after my first TV interview. I believe that it is Bacchus who is the Greek God of television (I'm guessing that distinction was awarded posthumously). So if I were doing this a couple thousand years ago from a pagan city, I might ask Bacchus for some guidance. Since that option isn't available, I'll just stick with the Big Guy and ask for nerves of steel.
The show is Business Matters, which is likely intended to be a play on words, but I'm not sure it works. And the host is Mike Wark, the PR guy at UWT.
I'm supposed to talk about the Grand, etc. Will post after my first TV interview. I believe that it is Bacchus who is the Greek God of television (I'm guessing that distinction was awarded posthumously). So if I were doing this a couple thousand years ago from a pagan city, I might ask Bacchus for some guidance. Since that option isn't available, I'll just stick with the Big Guy and ask for nerves of steel.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Spotted Owls ...
Rare, certainly. And wise beyond their years ...
Speaking of which, do you know what would be a good name for an owl? Handsome Dan.
Speaking of which, do you know what would be a good name for an owl? Handsome Dan.
Live from the West Wing
Forgot to mention that the "West Wing" Live Debate on Sunday was a bizarre experience blending the real world with the parallel universe of the "West Wing".
But good. The candidates--excuse me, actors--were right on usually. Both sides scored pretty well, and it was a fun exercise of political idealism.
If there were any problems, it was in the faux-audience, especially with the heckler and the "audience participation bits". They cut away to the audience a couple times, but the sound effects never seemed to match with the visuals.
It is unfortunate the episode was one of the weakest of the season, which has been very good this year. But not bad, just ... a little uncanny.
But good. The candidates--excuse me, actors--were right on usually. Both sides scored pretty well, and it was a fun exercise of political idealism.
If there were any problems, it was in the faux-audience, especially with the heckler and the "audience participation bits". They cut away to the audience a couple times, but the sound effects never seemed to match with the visuals.
It is unfortunate the episode was one of the weakest of the season, which has been very good this year. But not bad, just ... a little uncanny.
Monday, November 07, 2005
Portland, OR
By the way, the New York Times published an article about the joys of visiting Portland in the fall. They hit all the good points, and their central photo was of--of course--Powell's. But the writer struck gold with this description:
Sure, you can buy a book today over the Internet or at a chain store, but on
an autumn evening in Portland, when it's dark by 5 p.m. and it's raining again
and the neon is bleeding into the gutters, Powell's is a warm, bright heaven for
the word-hungry.
I don't know that I've seen an image like neon bleeding into the gutters in a long time, but man that description nails it.
In Her Shoes
What looked like classic "chick-flick" was anything but. Although I wasn't expecting a hollowed-out cliched film from one of my favorite directors, Curtis Hanson, who did incredible work with LA Confidential, Wonder Boys, and even 8-Mile.
My man Ebert points out that all these films have a common thread: the power of the written word. Gossip journalism in LA Confidential, novels in Wonder Boys, and hip-hop poetry in 8-mile. In this one, Cameron Diaz can hardly read, which hurts her chances becoming an MTV VJ, as she can't read the teleprompter.
Let me say that movie started out disappointing. Its stars were Toni Collette and Cameron Diaz' legs, although not in that order. The movie didn't really get started until her legs' last-ditch effort to get her body to Florida to mooch of her grandmother and from there it gets very good. Like eye-teary good at places. It's slipping out of theaters, but is probably worth catching even on DVD. High marks. Go Curtis Hanson!
My man Ebert points out that all these films have a common thread: the power of the written word. Gossip journalism in LA Confidential, novels in Wonder Boys, and hip-hop poetry in 8-mile. In this one, Cameron Diaz can hardly read, which hurts her chances becoming an MTV VJ, as she can't read the teleprompter.
Let me say that movie started out disappointing. Its stars were Toni Collette and Cameron Diaz' legs, although not in that order. The movie didn't really get started until her legs' last-ditch effort to get her body to Florida to mooch of her grandmother and from there it gets very good. Like eye-teary good at places. It's slipping out of theaters, but is probably worth catching even on DVD. High marks. Go Curtis Hanson!
Saturday, November 05, 2005
It's Official: I'm not boring
A long time ago, Mr. Wilkinson referred me to a past student of his who at the time was a staff writer for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." That student was Dean Batali.
Mr. Wilkinson gave me his address and I wrote him a letter. He replied and said I should send a script. I never did. Why, I wonder. Laziness? Possible. But also possible I was scared, too. That he would love it or hate it. I don't know which.
Anyway, I always felt dumb whenever I thought about it afterward. But, lo and behold, the Grand Cinema and NFI Model & Talent contrived to bring Dean Batali back to Tacoma for a workshop on screenwriting earlier today. (Dean, by the way, is now the Executive Producer of "That 70's Show." He is friends with the McIntee family, and Noreen McIntee (which some readers may remember from "Dirty Work at the Crossroads" and who is now Noreen Hobson) owns NFI Model & Talent, which is how we were able to get him to come back to Tacoma for just this one event.
The workshop had about 15 students, which was great, but no one took Dean up on his offer to critique a script, amazingly (and I didn't send mine since I was an organizer, not a participant). But if no one really wanted to have a Hollywood Executive look at their work for free, I felt it was time to right the wrong (write the wrong? ugh) and I offered a script of mine.
He read the first 10 pages, which was all Noreen sent him, and referred to it often in the workshop, though he didn't know the author. I talked to him afterward and he gave me a copy of the first 10 pages with comments throughout. In his words, writers who aren't in the top 50% of writers should seriously consider re-evaluating their choice of career. And I am not one of those. He had praise for specific pieces in the script, but also pointed to the problems. In short, he said, "This might sound like faint praise, but it was never boring." Which is apparently the worst sin a writer can make when the reader has to read hundreds of scripts a year.
So maybe I should move to Hollywood. He's the second writer who said that's a must if you want to actually get anything produced. And maybe I should give it a go. I haven't written anything for some time, except for about 50 pages of a novel called "Diamond Cut Diamond" which isn't exactly going swimmingly. I used to pump out a novel a year, plus a few short stories and screenplays.
The answer to this particular kind of writers' block was explained by Sidney many years ago. Sonnet 1, Line 14, "Fool," said my muse to me, "Look in thy heart and write."
Mr. Wilkinson gave me his address and I wrote him a letter. He replied and said I should send a script. I never did. Why, I wonder. Laziness? Possible. But also possible I was scared, too. That he would love it or hate it. I don't know which.
Anyway, I always felt dumb whenever I thought about it afterward. But, lo and behold, the Grand Cinema and NFI Model & Talent contrived to bring Dean Batali back to Tacoma for a workshop on screenwriting earlier today. (Dean, by the way, is now the Executive Producer of "That 70's Show." He is friends with the McIntee family, and Noreen McIntee (which some readers may remember from "Dirty Work at the Crossroads" and who is now Noreen Hobson) owns NFI Model & Talent, which is how we were able to get him to come back to Tacoma for just this one event.
The workshop had about 15 students, which was great, but no one took Dean up on his offer to critique a script, amazingly (and I didn't send mine since I was an organizer, not a participant). But if no one really wanted to have a Hollywood Executive look at their work for free, I felt it was time to right the wrong (write the wrong? ugh) and I offered a script of mine.
He read the first 10 pages, which was all Noreen sent him, and referred to it often in the workshop, though he didn't know the author. I talked to him afterward and he gave me a copy of the first 10 pages with comments throughout. In his words, writers who aren't in the top 50% of writers should seriously consider re-evaluating their choice of career. And I am not one of those. He had praise for specific pieces in the script, but also pointed to the problems. In short, he said, "This might sound like faint praise, but it was never boring." Which is apparently the worst sin a writer can make when the reader has to read hundreds of scripts a year.
So maybe I should move to Hollywood. He's the second writer who said that's a must if you want to actually get anything produced. And maybe I should give it a go. I haven't written anything for some time, except for about 50 pages of a novel called "Diamond Cut Diamond" which isn't exactly going swimmingly. I used to pump out a novel a year, plus a few short stories and screenplays.
The answer to this particular kind of writers' block was explained by Sidney many years ago. Sonnet 1, Line 14, "Fool," said my muse to me, "Look in thy heart and write."
Friday, November 04, 2005
Black Water
I forget sometimes that winter can feel pretty awful here, especially when you need to be out in it. Unlike my time in Northfield or Woods Hole, I was better prepared for the cold. But here we all seem to think that the cold will never hurt us, and then--Wham!--we step out and the wind and the rain are colder than we imagined.
Last night Phil, Mary, and I went to the Warren Miller Extreme Skiing movie. People do stupid things sometimes when the get skis strapped to their legs. I'm not sure I understand the need to helicopter to a cliff and then fall down it, but--ah well.
Afterwards, I visited Black Water, the new coffee shop on Fawcett which had a grand opening last night. Lisa, a projectionist at the Grand, and Rachel Something, who cut my hair once, are the sole owners and decorators. They poured the concreted, laid the linoleum, and painted. It looks pretty incredible, if I do say so myself. And the name, Black Water, makes coffee sound just unappealing enough that the place is hip and trendy and self-aware. Although their coffee is very clearly some of the best in Tacoma, in direct competition to Metro Coffee on the UWT stairs.
Man, I've become a junkie.
Mary and I walked between the Pantages, the coffee shop, and my place, and--though it felt freezing--it was a great reminder that Tacoma is quite the place right now, and quite a community.
Last night Phil, Mary, and I went to the Warren Miller Extreme Skiing movie. People do stupid things sometimes when the get skis strapped to their legs. I'm not sure I understand the need to helicopter to a cliff and then fall down it, but--ah well.
Afterwards, I visited Black Water, the new coffee shop on Fawcett which had a grand opening last night. Lisa, a projectionist at the Grand, and Rachel Something, who cut my hair once, are the sole owners and decorators. They poured the concreted, laid the linoleum, and painted. It looks pretty incredible, if I do say so myself. And the name, Black Water, makes coffee sound just unappealing enough that the place is hip and trendy and self-aware. Although their coffee is very clearly some of the best in Tacoma, in direct competition to Metro Coffee on the UWT stairs.
Man, I've become a junkie.
Mary and I walked between the Pantages, the coffee shop, and my place, and--though it felt freezing--it was a great reminder that Tacoma is quite the place right now, and quite a community.
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Woland comes to Moscow
Last night the Grand shut its doors after 6:00 to host a party for our volunteers. Last year the event was at the Washington State History Museum, but we thought it would be fun to try the event at our own place.
And it was pretty awesome. Most volunteers said this was the best one ever. Of course they said that last year, too.
But we did have an unexpected visitor, who wouldn't give his name at the door, who took our wine and our food, and who then raised his hand when the Board President asked the volunteers who had been volunteering since the beginning. The four real volunteers and this guy were invited to say a few words and each got a mug full of candy as a prize. This guy said, "Everyone's all smiles, and you're all part of my family" or something like that before taking his mug. That's a lot of guts to give a speech to a room of 150 people have never seen you before when you're pretending to be one of them.
Later I had the opportunity to ask him his name and he mumbled something. Here's how the conversation went:
"I don't believe I know you're name."
"(unintelligible)"
"Sam?"
"Satan."
"Satan?"
"Or Lucifer. They mean the same thing. You all keep testing me."
Brief silence.
"Well enjoy the party."
Turns out that when he was asked for his name at the door he told Roshni, "You'd recognize me if I had my red coat." Mary noticed that his fingernails were filed to points. But we all just let him have his way since he wasn't really doing anything disruptive. And after we showed a movie (which he got to see for free, too) he shook my hand and left. No harm done.
I must confess to being a bit worried after his introduction, and it just goes to show the power that literature has over me. In "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov, the Devil comes to Moscow and--since it was communist in the 30's--no one believed him so he just started killing people indiscriminately.
Both Woland (the Devil's name in the book) and this man carried a cane, and--perhaps this was a stretch--but I had even imagined that this man had read the book and crafted himself after Woland. I even considered at one brief point if it were true: that this man was Lucifer incarnate.
But then I remember the Book of Hebrews. "Do not neglect to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." I suppose that holds true for fallen angels as well.
Quite a party.
And it was pretty awesome. Most volunteers said this was the best one ever. Of course they said that last year, too.
But we did have an unexpected visitor, who wouldn't give his name at the door, who took our wine and our food, and who then raised his hand when the Board President asked the volunteers who had been volunteering since the beginning. The four real volunteers and this guy were invited to say a few words and each got a mug full of candy as a prize. This guy said, "Everyone's all smiles, and you're all part of my family" or something like that before taking his mug. That's a lot of guts to give a speech to a room of 150 people have never seen you before when you're pretending to be one of them.
Later I had the opportunity to ask him his name and he mumbled something. Here's how the conversation went:
"I don't believe I know you're name."
"(unintelligible)"
"Sam?"
"Satan."
"Satan?"
"Or Lucifer. They mean the same thing. You all keep testing me."
Brief silence.
"Well enjoy the party."
Turns out that when he was asked for his name at the door he told Roshni, "You'd recognize me if I had my red coat." Mary noticed that his fingernails were filed to points. But we all just let him have his way since he wasn't really doing anything disruptive. And after we showed a movie (which he got to see for free, too) he shook my hand and left. No harm done.
I must confess to being a bit worried after his introduction, and it just goes to show the power that literature has over me. In "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov, the Devil comes to Moscow and--since it was communist in the 30's--no one believed him so he just started killing people indiscriminately.
Both Woland (the Devil's name in the book) and this man carried a cane, and--perhaps this was a stretch--but I had even imagined that this man had read the book and crafted himself after Woland. I even considered at one brief point if it were true: that this man was Lucifer incarnate.
But then I remember the Book of Hebrews. "Do not neglect to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." I suppose that holds true for fallen angels as well.
Quite a party.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
HP and the GOF
Just saw "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" at the Trade Screening in Seattle. A short review:
The author of the Princess Bride describes his book as the "good parts version" of "S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure". Consider this Harry Potter the "filmable parts version" of "JK Rowling's Classic Tale of Teenage Love and High Adventure."
The movie is -- frankly -- awesome. And it is amazing how much of the book was able to be represented to some degree in the film. Long sections of monologues were parsed to very small sizes. Running story lines were shortened to single scenes. But the director and screenwriter knew where the heart of the film rested: the three challenges and the ball.
Some creative license was taken throughout--especially in the hedge maze--but by and large these scenes rang true to the book and true to the emotional feel.
Very well cast. Voldemort, Moody, Cho, Cedric--all good. The twins have grown up and will be a wonderful focal point in #5. Both Cho and Hermione looked very good, especially at the ball.
A few misses: even from the preview it looked like Fleur and her school didn't give off the right vibe and they didn't sell it in the full film. Krum looked way too old. Parts of the ball scene didn't work as well as the lead-up to the ball. The music was not nearly as haunting or well-used as the score for "Azkaban". The pensieve was a little awkward. But I'm running on and there is really no need.
This movie really did rock.
It didn't have the tight interplay that "Chamber of Secrets" had between class work and adventure, but the danger was palpable, the adventure was real and fun, and the emotions were right on. A big success, not just because of what was in the film, but because of how well they chose what to leave out.
The author of the Princess Bride describes his book as the "good parts version" of "S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure". Consider this Harry Potter the "filmable parts version" of "JK Rowling's Classic Tale of Teenage Love and High Adventure."
The movie is -- frankly -- awesome. And it is amazing how much of the book was able to be represented to some degree in the film. Long sections of monologues were parsed to very small sizes. Running story lines were shortened to single scenes. But the director and screenwriter knew where the heart of the film rested: the three challenges and the ball.
Some creative license was taken throughout--especially in the hedge maze--but by and large these scenes rang true to the book and true to the emotional feel.
Very well cast. Voldemort, Moody, Cho, Cedric--all good. The twins have grown up and will be a wonderful focal point in #5. Both Cho and Hermione looked very good, especially at the ball.
A few misses: even from the preview it looked like Fleur and her school didn't give off the right vibe and they didn't sell it in the full film. Krum looked way too old. Parts of the ball scene didn't work as well as the lead-up to the ball. The music was not nearly as haunting or well-used as the score for "Azkaban". The pensieve was a little awkward. But I'm running on and there is really no need.
This movie really did rock.
It didn't have the tight interplay that "Chamber of Secrets" had between class work and adventure, but the danger was palpable, the adventure was real and fun, and the emotions were right on. A big success, not just because of what was in the film, but because of how well they chose what to leave out.
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