Books in April

Still on the books on writing kick, in April I read About Writing by Samuel R. Delany. Boy, did I love this book. But then Delany and I have something in common, a shared love of literary as well as genre works. There is a lot in this book about how to pursue writing as a career (and whether you should), and writing as a lifestyle. Those topics in particular I'm really keen on at the moment. This is a rich book. I've not read any Delany fiction, but I've added him to my must read list. If he's fiction is half as good as these essays, I'm going to love him.

Speaking of literary works, still working on the Bronte sisters. Having re-read Jane Eyre I went on to one I haven't read before, Shirley. Apparently this book is what popularized this name for girls; prior to it, Shirley was a rarely used boys name. There is a lot to like in Shirley, I loved the characters and the story, and particularly the backdrop of a town struggling through the industrial revolution, with the machinery leaving so many workers without work, and the Luddites that hope to turn back time. It also continues Charlotte's themes not just of feminism but her deep respect for anyone who works for a leaving.

Since in April I spent two days in airports, I loaded up my Kindle with YA. Because I'm a nervous flier, I need something that has me so hooked I don't look up enough to panic. I read three: Heist Society by Ally Carter, Eleventh Grade Burns by Heather Brewer and The Dust of 100 Dogs by A. S. King. It's a toss-up for which I liked the best between Carter and King, but that's just because I love heists and pirates pretty much equally (I don't have that deep in the marrow love of vampires that some have; my delving into vampire fiction tends not to be as passionate for me as it is for some).

Now I'm getting back to my own novel, which I'm desperately hoping to have done before the end of June. Wish me luck. In the meantime, some quotes and a kick-ass video of Bronte Sisters action figures (Ooh! I want all three! And the evil publisher!).

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We love a sentence only partially because of what it means, but even more for the manner and intensity through which it makes its meaning vivid. - Samuel R. Delany

Paraliterature is also hundred of people who have said to me, on finding out that I'm a sciene fiction writer, "oh, I don't really like science fiction," as though a) I had asked them, b) I cared, or c) I should somehow be pleased by their honesty. - Samuel R. Delany

...but I perceive that certain sets of human beings are very apt to maintain that other sets should give up their lives to them and their service, and then they requite them by praise; they call them devoted and virtuous. Is that enough? Is it to live? Is there not a terrible hollowness, mockery, want, craving in that existence which is given away to others, for want of something of your own to bestow it on? - Charlotte Bronte

Her thoughts blended together until they were like an Impressionist painting, and Kat knew she was too close to see anything plainly. - Ally Carter

A drug-addicted loser having to write his smart little sister a letter about how she should get her shit together was exactly how my mother communicated. - A.S. King

Movies in March

Still working hard to polish off the WIP so I can move on to other things. Hoping to be done sometime in June. In the meantime, let's do this last March post, shall we?

In the world of Charlie Chaplin: The Circus feels like a minor work, but still engaging. City Lights was wonderful. Chaplin knows just where to end a movie. Monsieur Verdoux was strange, a talkie and a dark comedy. I didn't think Chaplin did dark. It's interesting to see this after reading his autobiography; some of what he talks about regarding the stock market becomes a plot element here, and I think a rather well done one.

In the world of Hitchcock: Rear Window and To Catch a Thief. I particularly liked the ballsy female character in the former, who's willing to show just how useful she can be and willing to do the dirty work to help out the photographer she wants to marry, but that doesn't mean she isn't still interested in fashion all the same.

Some modern films: Couples Retreat I liked better than I had expected, Up in the Air I found disappointing. I kept wishing it were a Cameron Crowe movie. Crowe wouldn't have let so many opportunities go unexplored. A Serious Man was awesome. It was shot locally in a suburb that had just had a tree-uprooting wind storm (and I think a tornado) whip through, so with new little trees in the yards it was very convincing for decades-past St. Louis Park. Extra props for the clever use of Schrodinger's cat. Yep, awesome. Last Chance Harvey isn't a great movie - it's a rather generic one - but it's worth a see just for the improv feel between Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman. Sherlock Holmes? Everyone already knows that was awesome; I eagerly await the sequel.

Cinematic Titanic released another live DVD, The Alien Factor. Very funny. I rather like the live DVDs, with the split screen so you can see all their faces while they do the commentary.

Animated films: The Fantastic Mr. Fox has a title that says it all. The Princess and the Frog has one of the best Disney villains in a long time. Alas, I wished I had liked this more. To me, every Randy Newman song sounds like a Randy Newman song; the New Orleans jazz elements were secondary to the Randy Newman elements. Quin says that every Danny Elfman song also sounds like a Danny Elfman song; I guess the difference is I like Danny Elfman.

Saw in theaters: Alice in Wonderland. Another movie I wanted to like more. It was visually cool but story-wise didn't blow me away as much as I would've liked.

Bollywood: Jeans has a very young Aishwarya Rai. I have a soft spot for movie plots involving twins, and this movie has every twin cliche, plus some cool dance numbers. Kyun Ho Gaya Na was horrid. I think the success of the movie depended on finding the male lead charming. I didn't. Armaan was interesting for Preity Zinta playing a no-holds-barred psycho woman. Gumnaam and Teesri Manzil are both films from the 60s with lots of bright colors, high energy dance numbers, and Helen. Helen rocks.

Lastly in TV was Doctor Who, season 4, which left me with a raging hunger to see season 5. Alas, that's not out yet. And as I'm halfway through the rewriting process, I watched season 4 of Lost. When I'm completely done I get to watch season 5. I'm working as fast as I can.

I think this month in lieu of a Bollywood number, I'll leave you with this Russian TV sketch of Charlie Chapin in The Matrix: