21 Aug 2010
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
Just finished reading another John Steinbeck novel.
East of Eden is a complicated story. The main theme revolves around the famous tale of Cain and Abel. It is also part Steinbeck’s family story on his mother’s side, plus a healthy dose of fantasies and rumors. There is no shortage of characters for the readers to love, hate, pity or admire. It is a tale full of emotions and colorful personalities.
The story started out slow, which is typical Steinbeck. Then it gains momentum as you get caught up emotionally with the characters. Many times, I find myself thinking that the same things have happened in my life, the same thoughts have ran through my mind, and yet I have differ in actions. Now, why is that?
East of Eden made me examine my own life story. I also started pondering more about my life path. What’s in store in the next corner or my life journey? How much of that is self determined?
It was a really entertaining read. But I think the ending was weak compared to the rest of the book. Maybe it is too close to Steinbeck’s reality for him to conjure up a mind blowing conclusion? One tends to be gentle to one’s family’s tale…
17 Aug 2010
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
Nothing I can say or write can describe the magnitude of this movie had on me. You have to watch 12 Angry Men and judge it for yourself.
Let me know if it does not command your complete attention. Tell me if you do not see a little of yourself in one or more of the characters. And do explain if you do not get drawn to certain individuals, wishing you are more like them and vice versa.
A great movie! Isn’t it sad that these kind of simple and in-your-face movies are so rare nowadays?
09 Aug 2010
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
Finally got a chance to watch the Disney animation Up.
What vibrant colors! How lively the characters! Illustrations so beautiful you do not want to take your eyes off the screen for even a few seconds. And most of all, such a heart-warming tale…
If there’s one thing I learned from this movie, it is that life’s too short, too precious and too fragile. Live every moment. Weave adventures into your life’s fabric whenever you can.
No time to hold grudges, to be mean, to be depressed or bitter. Not enough time to do all the fantastic things you want to do to fill up your adventure book.
05 Aug 2010
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
And now the great owners and the companies invented a new method. A great owner bought a cannery. And when the peaches and the pears were ripe he cut the price of fruit below the price of raising it. And as cannery owner he paid himself a low price for the fruit and kept the price of canned goods up and took his profit. ~ The Grapes of Wrath: chapter 21, pg. 363
John Steinbeck won the Noble Prize for Literature in 1962 for his novel entitled The Grapes of Wrath. And rightfully so!
The story slaps you in the face with bare-boned honesty. Engulfs you with hunger, desperation and pain like you have never known in your life. It upsets you because there’s nothing you can do for the Joads of your life. Or maybe there is but you do not want to, and that makes you angrier. You realized that we are once again in another Great Depression. The poor gets poorer while the rich squanders.
Yet, this is a beautiful and powerful tale of love and tribulations. The Grapes of Wrath is spun out of humanity, evilness and the human spirit.
29 Jul 2010
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
Das Weisse Band (The White Ribbon) is a movie depicting pre World War One life in a small German town. If you think you will be watching a movie about happy village life like in the movie Heidi, think again.
In this village, mysterious violence and crimes happen randomly and without apparent motives. The most respected adults in the community are hypocritical authoritarians who abused the weaker villagers: women, children and the poor. These vicious actions created psychopathic behaviours amongst the abused. And in conclusion we see the seeding and character forming of future Nazis.
Heavy, disturbing, upsetting and all that. Great movie!
21 Jul 2010
by irenein Jibber Jabber, Movies, Books & TV Shows
Watched Capatalism, A Love Story. It is a typical Michael Moore movie going bla-bla-bla, good facts, questionable facts, much exaggerations, and more bla-bla-bla. I like the movie though. I know enough about finances to understand and see the point of this documentary. But one thing stands out prominently in this movie, one person, one question that I repeatedly ask myself. Who is this congresswoman from Ohio?!
She looks like your regular gentle aunt. Someone whom you see in church gatherings, or at family pot luck dinners. Who in God’s name is this unassuming woman who is biting off the heads of greedy Wall Street sharks?!
Marcy Kaptur is dynamite! I admire her more and more as I read about what she has done and what she is doing. I adore her after watching videos of her speeches. What a character! What a woman!
I found a hero.
17 Jul 2010
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
The movie is loosely based on the books. The story is supposed to be the sequel to Alice’s initial adventures when she was a child. Because it stands apart from the books, this movie adaptation does not lose its luster in adventures and magic.
I will probably re-watch Alice In Wonderland sometime in the future. Mainly for the visual entertainment.
30 May 2010
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
I lived in San Francisco for almost a year in 2003. My work place was next to a street named after Alice B. Toklas. So when I came across her autobiography at the local library, I got interested and borrowed it. It was written by Gertrude Stein who was also another well-known woman of her time.
I have patience when it comes to reading. Giving each book the chance to intrigue me. In most cases, I do get into the story and end up knowing or learning something new and interesting. Sadly enough, I can’t say so for this double autobiography. And I am more than halfway through! How can this be? While I was anticipating an insight into the lives of these 2 interesting women, all I got is a stale name list of famous artists, writers, and so forth. It is like drinking wine but tasting water at every sip. So disappointing…
Maybe I am too dumb to appreciate this book. Maybe I’ll just skim through the rest of the book quickly and be done with it.
24 May 2010
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
It is finally over. The island mysteries, the lives of the castaways, the life or death situations, and the I-don’t-get-it!…
Well, actually there are still plenty of questions surrounding the tv-show Lost. I have watched all 6 seasons of it. That’s 6 years! I simply gave up making any sense of it at season 3, and accepted. It is easier that way. After all, it is just a television show. 
I do think the series finale was a bit rushed and sloppy. But it was an ending and what a relief. So, here’s a fond farewell to Lost. Thanks for the entertainment.
03 May 2010
by irenein Movies, Books & TV Shows
San Xia Hao Ren tells the stories of 2 people who went to a town looking for their spouses. It also paints the lives and tribulations of people whose town is soon to be submerged under 156 m of water. All thanks to the building of the Three Gorges Dam.
I find the English title, Still Life, quite fitting. The movie is such an unusual visual delight. Not only will you follow the love and life stories of the characters with much interest, you will be completely attracted by the excellent cinematography.
Definitely worth watching!
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