Monthly Archives: January 2012

Literature Reviews

Daytripper

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Daytripper

Fábio Moon and Gabriel Bá

Whoa.  What a graphic novel.  I’m not exactly sure I “got” the whole picture.  This is a graphic novel that will really make you think.  And not just about the story itself, or the greater meaning of the novel as a whole, but about life, death and the people who enter and leave our life.  In the middle of the graphic novel, something happens that I didn’t see coming at all.  After it happened, it was hard to see the characters in the same light again.  This too got me thinking a lot–especially about forgiveness and the nature of change in friendships.

I don’t want to give anything away.  All I’ll say is that the story focuses on living, dying, and what it means to achieve greatness.  Everyone should pick this one up.  Hurry and go, it completely blew my mind and I want to discuss it with others.
Weight Loss

Week Eighty-Seven

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I gained about half a pound today, which I’m perfectly fine with because like a derp, I ate an entire can of soup and three glasses of water and pretzels literally about ten minutes before weighing in.  Next week should be a loss again.  I promise not to eat my entire dinner right before stepping on the scale though.

To celebrate my big overall loss though, I have a massage coming up on Wednesday (followed quickly by class).  I’m quite excited, and I plan on telling you all about it.  I have a feeling I am going to use  the word “fantastic” a lot.

Also, I’ve been looking at gyms near my apartment as well as cheap yoga classes.  I’ll update you guys on that battle next week (hopefully).  I send you my love and affection!

Movie Reviews

Picture Bride (1994)

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Picture Bride (1994)

For those of you who enjoy watching movies online, most of this film is in Japanese, so be aware that you will most likely need subtitles.  I tried watching it on Netflix and there was no way for me to understand what anyone was saying, so I went out and borrowed the DVD from my local library.  Regardless of the effort it took to get my hands on this movie, I really liked it.  I think it was an honest look at the tough choices people had to make, and the way they make the best of less than desired situations.

I immediately had judgments against many of the men who would buy a bride through pictures, but by the end of the film, I realized that these men weren’t bad–they were lonely and desperate for companionship.  I couldn’t imagine being put in a spot where I considered doing something like this.  Those woman are much braver than I am.
I enjoyed the film a great deal, especially the way it looks at racism inside the camp, as well as outside of it.  I recommend it to any who like historical looks at woman and marriage.
Literature Reviews

Ex Machina: The First Hundred Days (Volume 1)

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Ex Machina: The First Hundred Days (Volume 1)

Brian K. Vaughan

I’m not sure what I think about this first volume.  I really like the three main guys–especially Kremlin, but I don’t really know where the series is headed.  I’m hoping it leaves the mayors office and picks up agin with the Great Machine, but I have a feeling all the clues dropped during this volume are going to lead the series in another direction.

The big shocker in this volume really did affect me more than I thought it would.  I won’t say a thing about it (because I want it to have the same impact on you that it had on me), but when I reached that page, I was on the subway and was so shocked, I could do little more than just stare at it.  Beyond that, I’m interested in seeing where the story goes.  I know there’s a definite end to this series, which keeps me from feeling too guilty about reading a series I’m not thrilled over.  Try it out–Vaughan (who wrote Y the Last Man is great at weaving intricate stories and filling them with surprises.
Weight Loss

Week Eighty-Six

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I lost 2.4 this week, bringing my grand total to 78 pounds!  Yay for reaching eleven babies!  Let’s check our handy-dandy growth chart to find out what size kid I lost.  According to the weight chart I just Googled, I lost the weight of a healthy 13 year old!  My weight loss is so old.  It feels like just yesterday is was only one single baby.

To celebrate my 75 pound loss, I decided to go get a massage.  I’m quite excited about it–my roommate is coming along, so it’s going to be a lot of fun!  Lots has been happening lately with plans working out, so I am excited to see where all this leads.  Happy weeks for everyone!

Literature Reviews

Wonderstruck

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Wonderstruck

Brian Selznick

Another masterpiece by Brian Selznick, the wonderfully talented author who brought us the Invention of Hugo Cabret.  This story is a bit more intricately woven together with main characters you’ll adore.  I loved, as everyone does, the gorgeous illustrations.  They will absolutely take your breath away.

I don’t want to give any bits of the story away, but like Hugo, we get to see a well-researched piece of the past.  A wonderful story that will leave you smiling, illustrations that will blow your mind and an opportunity to time travel?  What more could you ask for in a book?  The ending might seem a bit too planned, but sometimes I enjoy a happy ending, even if things seem like they ended too perfectly.  I advise all of you to get your hands on a copy of this one immediately.
Postcards

Vassar Squirrels

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I love this postcard from Russia because it reminds me of the completely insane squirrels that run around Vassar.  Granted, this squirrel is sporting ears that rank on a whole new level of cool, it still makes me long for the brazen creatures that dare snatch granola bars straight from your hands.

Movie Reviews

Fanaa (2006)

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Fanaa (2006)

I’m not going to lie–this movie was beyond disappointing.  The DVD case led me to believe this was a movie following my usual Bollywood format: Intense romantic interest, impossible odds, great music, dancing and costumes.  Very wrong!  The beginning is like that (though with minimal songs).  Then intermission hits and the movie takes a swan dive off a cliff.  It was so insane!  It goes from playful to terrorism and betrayal.  I felt like I was watching two completely different movies.

Also, the music in this one is not very good.  The main characters are mostly enjoyable (when they’re not dropping fathers off cliffs) and Zooni certainly redeemed herself at the end of the film, but the rest?  Highly not worth it.  Skip this one.

Literature Reviews

The Never Weres

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The Never Weres

Fiona Smyth

The story reminded me of Children of Men–it follow three of the last teenagers in the world.  In this graphic novel, people have stopped being able to have children and because of this, society is crumbling.  It took me a while to get into the story, mostly because I didn’t find the art very appealing.  I also didn’t enjoy the plot at first (because it reminded me of other, better stories).  However, once I got to the middle and the mystery was set up, I was sucked into it.  When the secrets were revealed, I was hooked.

By the end of the story, I felt like I had read the sequel to the Island, a movie about clones.  I didn’t see the ending coming at all, though I guessed minor details here and there. The characters were okay.  I liked having strong female leads, but the supporting characters weren’t explained enough to satisfy me.  Especially the boy’s mother–what’s up with her?  Anyway, graphic novel lovers who are craving sci-fi will enjoy this one, but because of the slow start, I’m going to tell others to skip it.