This week I am obsessed with the trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2:
I don't want to be. I am generally scornful of the Potter films for the simple reason that they always fail to live up to my expectations. No, I am not one of those people who thinks that every detail needs to be translated perfectly from page to screen (OK, maybe I am). But generally I find that it's the big details they get wrong that annoy me.
For example, even in the above badass trailer, the number of conversations that He Who Must Not Be Named and Harry have, and the number of locations they have them in, is just strikingly wrong to me.
That said, I am a total sucker for the "It All Ends" tagline they've had running around for months. And I can't get rid of these pesky goosebumps the trailer gives me, no matter how many times I have to roll my eyes at the inaccuracies.
There's also this piece of awesomeness from Damon Lindelof (that's Mr. Lost to you) about why Voldemort (There! I said it!!!) is The Baddest Villain of Them All.
So maybe I'll just have to get my head out of my ass and go.
14 July 2011
13 July 2011
In Which I Review Washington by Ron Chernow
It’s time again!
That’s right, time for Kate’s Non-Fiction Read of the Quarter. Except I might actually be slower than once-per-quarter.
My latest car-pick was Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow, who I would now put in the same ohmyholyhellawesome category as the ohmyholyhellawesome David McCullough.
I don’t remember my specific reasons for picking George Washington as my next biography subject, because I can’t say that he’s ever interested me before. In fact, talking to some peeps (you know, some peeps), it struck/continues to strike me that he’s not someone who has interested many people.
He was the first President of the United States. He’s the reason we won the Revolutionary War. He’s on the one dollar bill. He owned Mount Vernon. Our nation’s capital is named after him. He has a phallic-looking monument.
What more is there to say than that?
Tons.
As interesting as it is to read 1776 and to understand how many times we almost did not become the United States of America (A buttload of times. Those boys were flying by the seat of their pants), it is just as interesting to read Washington and to understand how close George Washington was to not becoming the father of our country. His father died, leaving everything to his older brother. Then his brother died leaving everything to his family. Then his family died, and Washington inherited by default. His commission in the army during the French and Indian War was based on who he knew as a result of all of the upheaval in his life, and if not for the death of her first husband (and the subsequent load if cash he left to her), Martha Custis would never have been on the marriage market to begin with.
Washington was a religious man, but he did not belong to a particular religion. He would better be classified as a man of faith. He owned slaves and was not always an awesome master, but he at least tried to be fair most of the time, refusing to break up families, etc.
Once again, it was striking to me (and a little heartening) to learn that American politics was and has always been a dirty business. By the end of Washington's first term, the Jeffersonians were conspiring against him to undercut him on just about every level, and it got very nasty. In fact, I have officially decided, after some research into the subject (including but not limited to John Adams and Washington) that Thomas Jefferson was a douchebag. Differences in politics aside, the dude was an asshole.
At the end of the day, I feel like I have a better understanding if the man who founded our great nation, who lead a rag-tag bunch of foot soldiers to defeat the greatest empire on the planet (at the time). He was a pretty cool dude. I wouldn't go so far as to say I like him more than, say, John Adams (his Vice President), but the stoic and silent Washington is now infinitely more real to me than he was before. For that reason alone, I highly recommend this book.
Up next? I'm definitely going to have to check out Alexander Hamilton, also by Ron Chernow. Did you know Hamilton was one of Washington's lieutenants? Yeah, me neither. Here we go.
That’s right, time for Kate’s Non-Fiction Read of the Quarter. Except I might actually be slower than once-per-quarter.
My latest car-pick was Washington: A Life by Ron Chernow, who I would now put in the same ohmyholyhellawesome category as the ohmyholyhellawesome David McCullough.
I don’t remember my specific reasons for picking George Washington as my next biography subject, because I can’t say that he’s ever interested me before. In fact, talking to some peeps (you know, some peeps), it struck/continues to strike me that he’s not someone who has interested many people.
He was the first President of the United States. He’s the reason we won the Revolutionary War. He’s on the one dollar bill. He owned Mount Vernon. Our nation’s capital is named after him. He has a phallic-looking monument.
What more is there to say than that?
Tons.
As interesting as it is to read 1776 and to understand how many times we almost did not become the United States of America (A buttload of times. Those boys were flying by the seat of their pants), it is just as interesting to read Washington and to understand how close George Washington was to not becoming the father of our country. His father died, leaving everything to his older brother. Then his brother died leaving everything to his family. Then his family died, and Washington inherited by default. His commission in the army during the French and Indian War was based on who he knew as a result of all of the upheaval in his life, and if not for the death of her first husband (and the subsequent load if cash he left to her), Martha Custis would never have been on the marriage market to begin with.
Washington was a religious man, but he did not belong to a particular religion. He would better be classified as a man of faith. He owned slaves and was not always an awesome master, but he at least tried to be fair most of the time, refusing to break up families, etc.
Once again, it was striking to me (and a little heartening) to learn that American politics was and has always been a dirty business. By the end of Washington's first term, the Jeffersonians were conspiring against him to undercut him on just about every level, and it got very nasty. In fact, I have officially decided, after some research into the subject (including but not limited to John Adams and Washington) that Thomas Jefferson was a douchebag. Differences in politics aside, the dude was an asshole.
At the end of the day, I feel like I have a better understanding if the man who founded our great nation, who lead a rag-tag bunch of foot soldiers to defeat the greatest empire on the planet (at the time). He was a pretty cool dude. I wouldn't go so far as to say I like him more than, say, John Adams (his Vice President), but the stoic and silent Washington is now infinitely more real to me than he was before. For that reason alone, I highly recommend this book.
Up next? I'm definitely going to have to check out Alexander Hamilton, also by Ron Chernow. Did you know Hamilton was one of Washington's lieutenants? Yeah, me neither. Here we go.
11 July 2011
In Which Monday Menu Mayhem Reviews a Book.
Remember what I said last time about the apologizing? Right.
In the way that A Lot Like Love is frothy, fun, sexy nonsense, If His Kiss Is Wicked is delicious, substantial loveliness.
Next time I hesitate about reading a Jo Goodman book, someone bash me vigorously about the head with a sharp object, mmmmmk?
(This is my second Goodman book, if you’ll recall. Last year I read the highly recommended Never Love a Lawman. I’ve been sitting on this one since then for reasons known only to The Goddess of Deciding Which Book to Read)
The place to begin when reviewing books is with the summary. But I have to be honest, I have no idea how to summarize the plot of this book, and I don’t really want to. It’s best when it unfolds before you, because it’s so layered and nuanced, and no summary I could give would do it justice.
What I will talk about, though, is the relationship between the protagonists, Emma and Restell. It is not spoiling anything to say that Emma seeks Restell out for protection, Restell provides it, and their relationship grows from there. Two of their exchanges had me so enthralled that I had to note them.
The first comes when Restell proposes marriage, and Emma questions him on a great number of things, including his logic for making such a proposal and his reasons for not making the same one to her cousin:
This exchange, in case you were wondering, is perfection crispy-fried on a stick. Two droll personalities (clearly established), hashing out that most romantic of pursuits in the least romantic way possible. And yet the idea of the contented, real love the picture presents is flawless (after all, who doesn’t know a happily married couple who engages in that sort of behavior?)
The second passage that caught my attention comes after they are married, right after Emma realizes she loves Restell. She comes home and collapses on the chaise with a cold compress over her eyes. That’s where Restell finds her:
Goodman is the master of showing not telling. I mean, look at those passages. Emma wants Restell even at the beginning (note that she does not want him to propose to her cousin), but she never makes any grand declaration. Rather she proceeds cautiously, making sure he has thought everything through.
For his part, Restell questions Emma a bit more on the chaise:
So much subtlety! Such depth! I love love love this book. It’s absolutely freaking glorious. Just go read it, OK? I’ll even loan you my copy if you promise to bring it back.
In the way that A Lot Like Love is frothy, fun, sexy nonsense, If His Kiss Is Wicked is delicious, substantial loveliness.
Next time I hesitate about reading a Jo Goodman book, someone bash me vigorously about the head with a sharp object, mmmmmk?
(This is my second Goodman book, if you’ll recall. Last year I read the highly recommended Never Love a Lawman. I’ve been sitting on this one since then for reasons known only to The Goddess of Deciding Which Book to Read)
The place to begin when reviewing books is with the summary. But I have to be honest, I have no idea how to summarize the plot of this book, and I don’t really want to. It’s best when it unfolds before you, because it’s so layered and nuanced, and no summary I could give would do it justice.
What I will talk about, though, is the relationship between the protagonists, Emma and Restell. It is not spoiling anything to say that Emma seeks Restell out for protection, Restell provides it, and their relationship grows from there. Two of their exchanges had me so enthralled that I had to note them.
The first comes when Restell proposes marriage, and Emma questions him on a great number of things, including his logic for making such a proposal and his reasons for not making the same one to her cousin:
“No.” He sipped his tea. “I am not going to propose to your cousin, Emma, so you should not entertain hope on that score.”
“I only suggested it to point out the failure of your reasoning, not because I hoped you would act on it. If we were to marry, you could expect to hear regular reports on your failures of reason. That should give you pause.”
“That depends. Would you apprise me of them at breakfast or dinner?”
“Breakfast, I suspect.”
“Then it presents no problem. I will be reading my paper and am likely to ignore you.”
This exchange, in case you were wondering, is perfection crispy-fried on a stick. Two droll personalities (clearly established), hashing out that most romantic of pursuits in the least romantic way possible. And yet the idea of the contented, real love the picture presents is flawless (after all, who doesn’t know a happily married couple who engages in that sort of behavior?)
The second passage that caught my attention comes after they are married, right after Emma realizes she loves Restell. She comes home and collapses on the chaise with a cold compress over her eyes. That’s where Restell finds her:
“Lady Rivendell announced to your mother, your married sisters, and Marisol that I clearly love you. You will not credit it, Restell, but I am certain she’s right.”
Restell found a space on the chaise where he could sit. He lowered himself somewhat slowly to that spot as he considered his response. “So you came home and prostrated yourself across the chaise. Yes, I can see how that would be the thing to do. The compress makes me think the feeling has not passed.”
Goodman is the master of showing not telling. I mean, look at those passages. Emma wants Restell even at the beginning (note that she does not want him to propose to her cousin), but she never makes any grand declaration. Rather she proceeds cautiously, making sure he has thought everything through.
For his part, Restell questions Emma a bit more on the chaise:
“Does [this newfound feeling] make you afraid?”
“A little.”
“Then I am not the only one. That is good to know.”
So much subtlety! Such depth! I love love love this book. It’s absolutely freaking glorious. Just go read it, OK? I’ll even loan you my copy if you promise to bring it back.
8 July 2011
In Which Thoroughly Obsessed Thursday...
OK. This is what we're going to do.
For the rest of the summer, I am going to post as much as I can, and if (read: when) I am late, I'm not going to apologize. It's going to keep happening, and the constant contrition is going to get old for all of us. So let's just go with it.
And now, obsessive links!
From the *HeadDesk* department of WTF-ery, comes SB Sarah's remarkable response to a remarkably horrific article about the effect of romance articles on female perceptions and sexuality. Let's just say that you learn research techniques in middle school that are better than those used to write this annoying piece of drivel (To clarify: the article is drivel. SB Sarah's response is badass).
From the *This Might Have to Be My New Cult Favorite* department of Awesomesauce comes this critique and clip of the upcoming show Once Upon a Time. Does the premise sound awkward and ill-thought-out? Perhaps. But then there's the fact that it comes from the writers of Lost. There's also the fact that the clip is... awesome. Go to there.
Also, those just catching up to the UK phone hacking scandal should check out this article from the June issue of Vanity Fair. We could be witnessing their Watergate.
And finally, from the *Start Lining Up Already* department of GAH! comes the news that the Arrested Development feature film is alive and well. And anything George Bluth says must be... exaggerated for the manipulation of his stockholders. Nonetheless. This time next year, people!!
Have a lovely weekend.
For the rest of the summer, I am going to post as much as I can, and if (read: when) I am late, I'm not going to apologize. It's going to keep happening, and the constant contrition is going to get old for all of us. So let's just go with it.
And now, obsessive links!
From the *HeadDesk* department of WTF-ery, comes SB Sarah's remarkable response to a remarkably horrific article about the effect of romance articles on female perceptions and sexuality. Let's just say that you learn research techniques in middle school that are better than those used to write this annoying piece of drivel (To clarify: the article is drivel. SB Sarah's response is badass).
From the *This Might Have to Be My New Cult Favorite* department of Awesomesauce comes this critique and clip of the upcoming show Once Upon a Time. Does the premise sound awkward and ill-thought-out? Perhaps. But then there's the fact that it comes from the writers of Lost. There's also the fact that the clip is... awesome. Go to there.
Also, those just catching up to the UK phone hacking scandal should check out this article from the June issue of Vanity Fair. We could be witnessing their Watergate.
And finally, from the *Start Lining Up Already* department of GAH! comes the news that the Arrested Development feature film is alive and well. And anything George Bluth says must be... exaggerated for the manipulation of his stockholders. Nonetheless. This time next year, people!!
Have a lovely weekend.
6 July 2011
In Which I Review A Lot Like Love by Julie James
On my continuing quest to read everything I own (and some things that may or may not be on their way to my house from Amazon...), I finally read A Lot Like Love, Julie James’ follow-up to Something About You.
Jordan Rhodes is the daughter of a billionaire. Yep, billionaire with a “b.” Fortunately her father was not always rich, and Jordan has enough sense of mind and dignity to be everything but Paris Hilton. She owns and runs a successful wine shop that she started by herself, and she is well-regarded in the Chicago community.
Sure, her brother is in prison for being something called the “Twitter Terrorist” (this is hilarious in full detail, btw) and she’s got the FBI knocking on her door, but other than that things are ducky.
Nick McCall is an FBI agent back from an undercover assignment who needs to infiltrate the office of a big-time, mob-connected Chicago restauranteur. He and his colleagues get Jordan to take him in to the premises under the pretext of being her date, and in exchange they offer her brother freedom from prison.
Nick and Jordan spark pretty instantly (and not really in a positive way) but it’s only a matter of time before their faux relationship (of course there’s a faux-relationship... it’s a romance novel, people!) leads to lots of making out and hot sex in Napa Valley bathtubs.
The plot/suspense/danger/threat element of the story was fairly weak, but I have to say I didn’t really care. I really liked Nick, and his background (raised by an Italian mother in Brooklyn) was very, very funny to read about. I liked Jordan, too. She’s the kind of character who so easily could have been annoying and vapid, but actually the kind of billionaire’s daughter I could be friends with-- not a complete asshole and possessing of a great deal of perspective about life.
There were portions of this book that had me laughing out loud. Julie James is definitely growing into her own as the writer of witty male/female relations, and these characters really came alive for me.
Let me be clear: this is not a heavy romance of substance. (That one’s coming soon when I review Jo Goodman’s If His Kiss is Wicked.) This is an ideal beach romance, one you can read through quickly and finish before the sun goes down. Though I warn you, you will want to go out for a nice glass of wine after.
Jordan Rhodes is the daughter of a billionaire. Yep, billionaire with a “b.” Fortunately her father was not always rich, and Jordan has enough sense of mind and dignity to be everything but Paris Hilton. She owns and runs a successful wine shop that she started by herself, and she is well-regarded in the Chicago community.
Sure, her brother is in prison for being something called the “Twitter Terrorist” (this is hilarious in full detail, btw) and she’s got the FBI knocking on her door, but other than that things are ducky.
Nick McCall is an FBI agent back from an undercover assignment who needs to infiltrate the office of a big-time, mob-connected Chicago restauranteur. He and his colleagues get Jordan to take him in to the premises under the pretext of being her date, and in exchange they offer her brother freedom from prison.
Nick and Jordan spark pretty instantly (and not really in a positive way) but it’s only a matter of time before their faux relationship (of course there’s a faux-relationship... it’s a romance novel, people!) leads to lots of making out and hot sex in Napa Valley bathtubs.
The plot/suspense/danger/threat element of the story was fairly weak, but I have to say I didn’t really care. I really liked Nick, and his background (raised by an Italian mother in Brooklyn) was very, very funny to read about. I liked Jordan, too. She’s the kind of character who so easily could have been annoying and vapid, but actually the kind of billionaire’s daughter I could be friends with-- not a complete asshole and possessing of a great deal of perspective about life.
There were portions of this book that had me laughing out loud. Julie James is definitely growing into her own as the writer of witty male/female relations, and these characters really came alive for me.
Let me be clear: this is not a heavy romance of substance. (That one’s coming soon when I review Jo Goodman’s If His Kiss is Wicked.) This is an ideal beach romance, one you can read through quickly and finish before the sun goes down. Though I warn you, you will want to go out for a nice glass of wine after.
5 July 2011
In Which Monday Menu Mayhem Cannot Get Its Act Together
Yesterday was a holiday so it doesn't count, right?
Right?
So I totally cooked, but then got distracted by things like Alias marathons, fireworks, people playing Katy Perry songs about fireworks, John Adams on HBO, and the shockingly bad dialogue from Independence Day.
I was like, 12 when that movie came out. I remember it being a lot more badass.
And then it was way too late to be Mayheming, and I hoped you all would understand. I'm only human, and this summer is already kicking my ass. And it's only July 5, you guys.
We had to go with simple cooking this weekend, because nothing else about this glorious three-day-off-ness was simple. I roasted some cauliflower.
Gwyneth told me how to do it-- 425 degree oven, olive oil-salt-and-pepper-tossing, 35 minutes with the occasional stir. Donezo.
This recipe was a little shocking to me because I kind of adored it. A lot. I am not classically a cauliflower fan ("Why the eff would you make it, then," you ask? "Er... Because I'm out of my mind?") but this was awesome. The sweetness was perfect, and there was enough caramelization to make me srsly happy.
No picture. I think I might have failed to mention how much I absolutely do not have my act together. I didn't forget to mention that? OK. Good.
Right?
So I totally cooked, but then got distracted by things like Alias marathons, fireworks, people playing Katy Perry songs about fireworks, John Adams on HBO, and the shockingly bad dialogue from Independence Day.
I was like, 12 when that movie came out. I remember it being a lot more badass.
And then it was way too late to be Mayheming, and I hoped you all would understand. I'm only human, and this summer is already kicking my ass. And it's only July 5, you guys.
We had to go with simple cooking this weekend, because nothing else about this glorious three-day-off-ness was simple. I roasted some cauliflower.
Gwyneth told me how to do it-- 425 degree oven, olive oil-salt-and-pepper-tossing, 35 minutes with the occasional stir. Donezo.
This recipe was a little shocking to me because I kind of adored it. A lot. I am not classically a cauliflower fan ("Why the eff would you make it, then," you ask? "Er... Because I'm out of my mind?") but this was awesome. The sweetness was perfect, and there was enough caramelization to make me srsly happy.
No picture. I think I might have failed to mention how much I absolutely do not have my act together. I didn't forget to mention that? OK. Good.
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