Catchup Tuesday
Nov. 22nd, 2005 09:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
annathepiperToday has been the day of Doing Stuff That Isn't Writing, in the interests of giving my brain a bit of a break. But first, I'm going to talk about books, since I haven't done that in a while, and I've got two to talk about now.
Jayne Ann Krentz is not an author I normally buy. I only knew about her because back in the days of![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
tinlail and lyricae's bookstore, Ms. Krentz's works were all over the romance section. Fast forward to Falling Awake, which sounded vaguely entertaining to me in an extremely-fluffy-romance-with-a-hint-of-suspense-and-paranormal kind of way. The premise of it has to do with sekrit agents who are trained to do stuff in dreams.
Unfortunately, the book falls flat. Extremely flat. The hero and heroine start off promisingly enough, but they spend way too much time talking to one another about stuff that really ought to have been shown to the reader in action scenes--especially trying to set up the whole schtick with how "Level 5 Dreamers" are supposed to work. Then, the plot commits two major errors: one, barely even using the whole Level 5 Dreaming thing once it's introduced, and two, revealing entirely too damned many members of the cast as Level 5 Dreamers when it adds absolutely nothing to the plot to have them be so. It dilutes an already over-explained and under-used concept.
Had the plot been stronger, I'd have been more tolerant of typos and the general production quality of the book as well. But since it wasn't, I wasn't. Granted, the typos weren't as abundant as in other novels I've read recently, but there were at least two, and they were grating. One of the pages was also cut very strangely, such that there was an extra little flap of paper sticking out of the middle of the book for no apparent reason. It's not like that harms anything, I suppose, but it still smacked to me of shoddy production values involved in putting that book out.
Long story short, not recommended.
The lovely and talented Mr. Russell Crowe was responsible for getting me to read Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander, which began my ongoing infatuation with the Aubrey-Maturin series. When I learned that his next movie, A Good Year, is based upon the novel of the same name by Peter Mayle, I figured what the hell, I should give this book a shot as well.
I am told that this is one of Mr. Mayle's fluffier and more forgettable works. Me, I enjoyed it well enough, though that's about the summary I would give for it. The overall impression I came away with was one to the effect of "boy, this author really loves to go on and on about food and wine, doesn't he?" Certainly, the three different passages I can think of off the top of my head wherein a character goes into great detail about how to properly taste a wine and describe it almost stand out more clearly for me than the details of the actual plot.
There are one or two parts that do stand out, though. Whenever our hero Max Skinner gets snarky, he's fun. The scene at the beginning where he gets fired from his job has satisfying snark in it, and arguments he has with his American cousin Christie give me a pretty good indication of what's going to be in the film version of this--especially when Christie hauls off and throws a skillet at Max's head. ;)
From what I understand about the movie, they're going to play up the conflict between Max and Christie, which I think is going to be necessary to make the film more entertaining than the book. The book does raise the possibility of Christie having a better claim on Max's property than he does, but that plot thread gets dropped almost as soon as it's introduced. I also find myself hoping that the woman who winds up most catching Max's eye, as well, will get higher play in the movie than she does in the book.
Mostly, though, I was amused by reading the book and visualizing Mr. Crowe in Max's role. From what I've seen of still shots from the set, he's got him nailed. But I don't know if anybody besides a Crowe fan or a wine aficianado would really find too much of substance here. It's definitely a bon bon of a book--tasty enough, but leaving almost no impression once it's done.
In the meantime, I've been spending time on job stuff today. Got yet another interview nibble at Real, this time bypassing the phone screen entirely and going straight to a face-to-face next week. And another agency contacted me today with a potential nibble, so I sent them my resume as well. Most of the rest of the day I've blown on getting caught up on paying bills.
And tonight,spazzkat and I watched the original 1933 King Kong, which I had never seen before ever. That was FUN. And it's got me totally jazzed up to see Peter Jackson's remake next month.
Jayne Ann Krentz is not an author I normally buy. I only knew about her because back in the days of
tinlail and lyricae's bookstore, Ms. Krentz's works were all over the romance section. Fast forward to Falling Awake, which sounded vaguely entertaining to me in an extremely-fluffy-romance-with-a-hint-of-suspense-and-paranormal kind of way. The premise of it has to do with sekrit agents who are trained to do stuff in dreams.Unfortunately, the book falls flat. Extremely flat. The hero and heroine start off promisingly enough, but they spend way too much time talking to one another about stuff that really ought to have been shown to the reader in action scenes--especially trying to set up the whole schtick with how "Level 5 Dreamers" are supposed to work. Then, the plot commits two major errors: one, barely even using the whole Level 5 Dreaming thing once it's introduced, and two, revealing entirely too damned many members of the cast as Level 5 Dreamers when it adds absolutely nothing to the plot to have them be so. It dilutes an already over-explained and under-used concept.
Had the plot been stronger, I'd have been more tolerant of typos and the general production quality of the book as well. But since it wasn't, I wasn't. Granted, the typos weren't as abundant as in other novels I've read recently, but there were at least two, and they were grating. One of the pages was also cut very strangely, such that there was an extra little flap of paper sticking out of the middle of the book for no apparent reason. It's not like that harms anything, I suppose, but it still smacked to me of shoddy production values involved in putting that book out.
Long story short, not recommended.
The lovely and talented Mr. Russell Crowe was responsible for getting me to read Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander, which began my ongoing infatuation with the Aubrey-Maturin series. When I learned that his next movie, A Good Year, is based upon the novel of the same name by Peter Mayle, I figured what the hell, I should give this book a shot as well.
I am told that this is one of Mr. Mayle's fluffier and more forgettable works. Me, I enjoyed it well enough, though that's about the summary I would give for it. The overall impression I came away with was one to the effect of "boy, this author really loves to go on and on about food and wine, doesn't he?" Certainly, the three different passages I can think of off the top of my head wherein a character goes into great detail about how to properly taste a wine and describe it almost stand out more clearly for me than the details of the actual plot.
There are one or two parts that do stand out, though. Whenever our hero Max Skinner gets snarky, he's fun. The scene at the beginning where he gets fired from his job has satisfying snark in it, and arguments he has with his American cousin Christie give me a pretty good indication of what's going to be in the film version of this--especially when Christie hauls off and throws a skillet at Max's head. ;)
From what I understand about the movie, they're going to play up the conflict between Max and Christie, which I think is going to be necessary to make the film more entertaining than the book. The book does raise the possibility of Christie having a better claim on Max's property than he does, but that plot thread gets dropped almost as soon as it's introduced. I also find myself hoping that the woman who winds up most catching Max's eye, as well, will get higher play in the movie than she does in the book.
Mostly, though, I was amused by reading the book and visualizing Mr. Crowe in Max's role. From what I've seen of still shots from the set, he's got him nailed. But I don't know if anybody besides a Crowe fan or a wine aficianado would really find too much of substance here. It's definitely a bon bon of a book--tasty enough, but leaving almost no impression once it's done.
In the meantime, I've been spending time on job stuff today. Got yet another interview nibble at Real, this time bypassing the phone screen entirely and going straight to a face-to-face next week. And another agency contacted me today with a potential nibble, so I sent them my resume as well. Most of the rest of the day I've blown on getting caught up on paying bills.
And tonight,
spazzkat and I watched the original 1933 King Kong, which I had never seen before ever. That was FUN. And it's got me totally jazzed up to see Peter Jackson's remake next month.![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-11-23 06:58 am (UTC)Yes.. Made me feel bloated just to read it. LOL.
I've heard some things about the changes they made. It should be a little more intense, or dark, but still funny. They also said they had three different scripts they were working with, so maybe they were hammering it out on the fly like they did with Gladiator. Russ seemed very happy about the film, so it must have gone well.
no subject
Date: 2005-11-23 08:19 pm (UTC)Re: Catchup Tuesday
We're in the same boat. Thanks to Russell I was also introduced to the wonderful Jack Aubrey. For that I'll be forever thankful! I'd heard of Mayle before...always wanted to read something of his because I love food & I've been trying to learn about wines for the last few years. So A Good Year was my chance.
Isn't that funny? Those are the moments I remember the most too...the descriptions of food & vineyards; a glass of wine being held up against the light; creme brulee! LOL
The skillet moment should be priceless! I could soooo see that scene in my head. And you're right -- when he's snarky he's wonderful, especially the scene when he was fired. I read that & immediately said, 'This had better be in the movie!' LOL I figure they'll expand on the relationship between him and Christie (it's so funny that this was an actress first considered to play Ellen in Eucalyptus) and I hope that the possible interest will get a little more screen time as well. I think I'm just glad to see Russell in a movie where he doesn't have Germanic hoards, gladiators, tigers, storms, angry French, NY Rangers players, Max Baer, gunfighters or trying to beat him to a pulp or kill him! I think the skillet may be the most violent they get! LOL
I have a suspicion that the movie will improve upon what was light in the book, or Russell wouldn't have given it a second look. I've heard that Gladiator wasn't particularly strong scriptwise, but you see what happens when you cast someone like Russell in the main role! I'm like you I think, in that I may never have picked up the book had it not been for Russell. It was the same with O'Brian -- of whom I had never heard of before M&C was announced. I'm looking forward to it, but I think I may try to go on a diet beforehand though! *bg* This is one of those times when the food and wine will be as major a character as Max!
Re: Catchup Tuesday
Date: 2005-12-11 02:32 am (UTC)I can totally see the look on Russell's face when they do the skillet bit. He'll look absolutely flabbergasted as he keels over. *whump* ;) And I'm grooving on the idea of seeing Russell do some comedic snark. We already know he's got the snarky sense of humor, so it'll be fun to see him using it again. It'll be a total switch to see him doing this kind of movie, though.
In the book's defense, I think it's a good story--it's got the potential for a highly entertaining romantic comedy, and I can see why Russell is interested. It'll be fun to see how he tweaks the script, though.
And it occurs to me, this will be the second character he'll play that we'll all be calling "Max". ;)
Re: Catchup Tuesday
Date: 2005-12-11 10:35 pm (UTC)Here's hoping that when the movie's released, I can get together with friends and have some kind of wine and cheese party! Or French food buffet. Or something! *g* I also need to bone up on my Wine for Dummies book! LOL
Well I'm with you about the book itself. I see the potential for a really good romantic comedy in there, which is likely what drew both Ridley (did you notice the book was dedicated to him) and Russell. I think because most of today's modern romantic comedies are weak and predictable (and not very well written or acted), we forget there was a time when we had some marvelous movies that were either out and out romantic comedies or dramas that had really good comedic moments. Think The Thin Man or The Philadelphia Story or It Happened One Night. I think the genre has gotten such a bad rep in recent years. Maybe it's finally time to have an "adult" romantic comedy after way too long!
I'm looking forward to seeing Russell in this movie. He does have a good sense of timing and a great sense of humor, and it'll be nice seeing him in something quite different from what he usually does. Was trying to think about what he's done lately that's come close to comedy, and you know what I remembered? Jack trying real hard not to burst while Stephen analyzes those darn weevils to make some scientific decision! LOL
Yep...the second Max. And they both have vineyards! *bg*
Re: Catchup Tuesday
Date: 2005-12-27 02:23 am (UTC)A wine and cheese party sounds fabulous for the movie release! Or something involving French food, indeed. Maybe desserts.
I did indeed notice the dedication to Mr. Scott, and I think you're totally on the money about how romantic comedies have gotten weak in recent years. I've only seen a scattering of them over the last decade, and I tend to get drawn to go see them only if I know going in that there's someone in it I want to see. E.g., Russell. I liked the recent Pierce Brosnan romantic comedy Laws of Attraction, for example, and I thought about going to see Maid in Manhattan with Ralph Fiennes, though I never got around to it.
But I'm really looking forward to Russell's turn. And yeah--that look on Jack's face as he's trying to stay deadpan is priceless.
HAH! Good point about the vineyards! ^_^
Re: Catchup Tuesday
Date: 2005-12-27 07:42 pm (UTC)I thought Maid in Manhattan was kind of cute and I'm not a J-Lo fan (I am a Ralph Fiennes fan though), but something about the two of them clicked although it was your usual romantic comedy. At least it felt a tad more "adult" than many of them we get now. Oh! I also liked -- oddly enough -- The Wedding Date, which I saw a couple of months ago. May have had something to do with the English scenery and seeing London again in the background, but it was sort of endearing in its' own way and more mature than I'm used to in these things. And I guess if you don't have a man in your life and you want to show up at your sister's wedding with some hot guy, renting a drop dead gorgeous escort is the next best thing! LOL Anyway, it was a nice enough movie that I actually enjoyed sitting through it. Most of them I just want to be over 5 minutes after they start (I could also envy the heroine's wardrobe, 1st class seat on Virgin Atlantic, her stepdad's London townhouse, the little English country church, etc. etc...oh! And getting a love scene with the drop dead gorgeous male escort that everyone thinks is your boyfriend LOL).
I have tracked down that creme brulee recipe. Will try to post it later.
I think Mr. Mayle would be thrilled too. And yes, cheese and wine, desserts...dessert wine *g* -- that would be perfect.
Talking about all this food made me realize that I've never seen Babette's Feast! *g*
Re: Catchup Tuesday
Date: 2006-01-08 07:51 pm (UTC)Mmm, dessert wine. Mmm! Which reminds me--we watched Big Fish last night, and I was kind of startled to discover that the girl who's going to play Fanny in A Good Year was in that! So that was kind of a cool coincidence. :)
Re: Catchup Tuesday
Date: 2006-01-08 09:30 pm (UTC)By the way, every week on my Yahoo list, Gaslight Tavern, I post my "picture of the week" featuring one of Russell's characters. You might want to check out http://movies.groups.yahoo.com/group/Gaslight_Tavern/! And tell your friends *bg*
Re: Catchup Tuesday
Date: 2006-01-08 09:59 pm (UTC)And ah yes! I think I remember seeing a mention of this list of yours before. I've actually written some Russell character fic--the two pieces I've been working on actually have several thousand words each, but I haven't had time to finish either one since I've had to divert all my creativity into trying to write professionally. :) But you're tempting me with the prospect of pretty pictures. I DO like that one from A Good Year!
Re: Catchup Tuesday
Date: 2006-01-09 12:00 am (UTC)Re: Catchup Tuesday
Date: 2006-01-09 12:09 am (UTC)I'd point you at my Russell character fic, but it's not currently up since my web page is broken! So I'd have to email it to you. :)