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Tuesday, July 09, 2002

Rules of the Road - book, 5 stars

This book about a very tall young women, who also happens to be a great shoesalesperson, was fantastic.  It warmed my heart and lifted my spirits at a time when things weren't going too well.

Joan Bauer's novel is, in my opinion, about change.  I've been dealing with a lot of that lately, so naturally Jenna Boller's character spoke to me personally.

What else can I say?  I laughed, I cried, and I read it all in about an hour.  This is a short and very sweet read.

Who knew shoesalesmen were so interesting?

Saturday, May 18, 2002

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones - movie, 5 stars

When I entered the dimly lit theatre I just knew this movie was going to be Geeks-R-Us.  I was, as usual, completely wrong. While the first twenty minutes bored me to tears and had me searching for the nearest exit, I was completely spell bound for the rest of the show.  I am ashamed to admit that I could now fall under the "Star Wars Geek" category. Most of the sci-fi dialogue did go right over my head (and presumably landed somewhere in the balcony), and the violent scenes made me want to shave my head and change my name to Ghandi; but the romance between Amidala (pardon the spelling: this is the only Star Wars I've ever seen) and Anakin simply took my breath away.  Hayden Christensen was extremely sexy, and I couldn't help but notice my "date's" *ahem* reaction to Natalie Portman in a slinky dress.  The chemistry between the two was off the charts, and I found myself thinking thoughts one should not think when watching a PG-rated movie.  I still cannot believe how classy the romance was.  I have never before seen a romance so steamy without at least one bedroom scene, and I am amazed at Lucas' ability to direct so much passion into a scene where the characters are simply looking at one another.  I left the theatre with my belief in the possibility of enthralling yet clean movies not just intact, but renewed. However wonderful the romance, I must admit that I will never be an all-out Star Wars fanatic.  I will probably never watch all sixteen of the original episodes, and I will never find myself saluting a fellow fan with "Use the Force, (insert name here)."  But I will definitely be one of the first in line to purchase Attack of the Clones when it arrives at Video Kingdoms everywhere. Overall, Attack of the Clones was well worth the outrageous ticket price.  In fact, I think I might even go again next weekend.  Anyone looking for a droid...er, date?

Saturday, May 11, 2002

Spider Man - movie, 3.5 stars

Considering that this film has broken all sorts of box office records in the two weeks it's been out, I'd say the actual viewing was quite anti-climactic compared to the pre-show. I loved the special effects, and the surround sound in the theatre totally gave me a wiggins. The big green dude was a spectacular villain, and Toby Maguire came off as a total sweetheart. I left the theatre wondering "Where have all the good guys gone?" Then I realized I was standing beside one and talking to another. I think I would have enjoyed the movie more if someone would have had the sense to turn down the blasted sound, but overall it was not bad for a first date. My biggest complaint is the ending--talk about anticlimactic! After all that nonsense Peter goes through to get the girl, he just abandons her. Why? So he can save the world? Oh please, like he couldn't attempt some organized scheduling. Nope, I think he just wanted to see her squirm. Jeez, so like a man!

Tuesday, May 07, 2002

The Sound and the Fury - book, 1 star

Okay, everyone who likes nonsense raise your hand!!! This is one of the most redundant and ridiculously monotonous novels I have ever read.  The only thing more laughable than Faulkner's book is the way my dippy Honors English teacher dissects it.  Since when do two promiscuous girls, their neurotic Harvard-student brother, their other stingy, evil brother, and a 33-year-old with the mind of a 2-year-old symbolize the dead aristocracy of the Old South (pre-Civil War era)?

Unless you enjoy reading novels by authors who tackily throw punctuation and general sentence structures to the wind, skip this novel and go watch a trashy soap instead.

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