Mom's romance novel is finally available on Amazon!
Amazon says there are only two copies available. I ordered one, and there are still two copies available. lol I think they lie...
I haven't read it, but the cover is HOT. ;)
Friday, March 20, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Watching the Watchmen
My husband and I saw Watchmen at the IMAX a couple weeks ago, and it was an awesome experience. Fans of the graphic novel, we were apprehensive about the ability of cinema to convey the stunning power of the graphic novel, but we were not disappointed.
Watchmen is not so much a story about superheroes as a story about the nature of mankind. In case you haven't read it, Watchmen converges multiple stories and motifs to dramatically frame and amplify the philosophical dilemma "What price peace?" Set in an alternate 1985, where mankind is on the brink of nuclear destruction and Richard Nixon is holding a third term administration, Watchmen examines the nature of true heroism and the likelihood of peace for flawed humanity, mirrored in the lives of retired masked vigilantes. The book has been called the greatest graphic novel, and it is a truly literary work. The artwork of each frame is rich with symbolic meaning and clues to character. The rich and meaningful detail of the novel is reflected faithfully in the motion picture.
Watchmen is primarily for Generation X, those of us who were born during the bleakest days of the Vietnam War, when new births in the United States fell dramatically, from 1967 to 1970. Generation Y, those born as the U.S. recovered from the Vietnam Conflict from 1971-1975 may also appreciate the tale. We remember our families' sacrifices in Vietnam and, crucially, what it was like to fear nuclear destruction every day as we came of age during the eighties. I think that our Baby Boomer parents can also appreciate Watchmen, but the violence of the novel and the motion picture may disturb them.
Since Generations X and Y have been brought up on such violence in the cinema, it will not faze them. Don't let your kids read the book until you think they are ready for its mature subject matter, which includes adult relationship themes (simply not interesting to kids), nudity, violence, and gore. Kids younger than 12 should not see the motion picture even with parental supervision. Some of the violence is horror show level. The violence in the motion picture is less than what is in the novel. Even if kids are old enough to handle the violence, they may not be able to understand the intellectual force of the story, which, because of the symbols employed, depends somewhat on the experience of growing up during the official Cold War Era.
Perhaps because there were no superstar actors in the film, the actors do not distract from the story. The performances in Watchmen are top notch, each actor employing a wide range of subtle emotions in voice and actions. The character of Rorschach is brilliantly portrayed by Jackie Earle Haley, whom you may not recognize, but whom you may remember from Breaking Away in the role of Moocher. Nite Owl II is portrayed with deep sensitivity by Patrick Wilson, who is the American equivalent of Hugh Jackman in theater, memorable as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny in the 2004 film Phantom of the Opera. Matthew Goode portrays the enigmatic Ozymandias with a vaguely Germanic foreign accent, perfectly suited to his mysterious origins. Reflecting the attention to detail paid in filming, Goode adjusts his speech features to the occasion, giving reporters an almost flawless American accent, but relaxing into his natural features when talking with an old friend. Billy Crudup's performance as Dr. Manhatten is mesmorizing.
So, if you aren't put off by a bit of violence and gore, I heartily recommend that you see Watchmen while it is still in theaters. See it in IMAX if you can, but the regular theater is almost as good. I've already seen it twice and plan to see it again. Because of the symbolic detail and complexity of the story, your experience of the film, like the novel, will be enhanced by multiple viewings. This is the first movie that I've seen since Raiders of the Lost Ark that merits at least 3 theatrical viewings. Whether or not you see the film, read the novel. It will blow you away.
Watchmen is not so much a story about superheroes as a story about the nature of mankind. In case you haven't read it, Watchmen converges multiple stories and motifs to dramatically frame and amplify the philosophical dilemma "What price peace?" Set in an alternate 1985, where mankind is on the brink of nuclear destruction and Richard Nixon is holding a third term administration, Watchmen examines the nature of true heroism and the likelihood of peace for flawed humanity, mirrored in the lives of retired masked vigilantes. The book has been called the greatest graphic novel, and it is a truly literary work. The artwork of each frame is rich with symbolic meaning and clues to character. The rich and meaningful detail of the novel is reflected faithfully in the motion picture.
Watchmen is primarily for Generation X, those of us who were born during the bleakest days of the Vietnam War, when new births in the United States fell dramatically, from 1967 to 1970. Generation Y, those born as the U.S. recovered from the Vietnam Conflict from 1971-1975 may also appreciate the tale. We remember our families' sacrifices in Vietnam and, crucially, what it was like to fear nuclear destruction every day as we came of age during the eighties. I think that our Baby Boomer parents can also appreciate Watchmen, but the violence of the novel and the motion picture may disturb them.
Since Generations X and Y have been brought up on such violence in the cinema, it will not faze them. Don't let your kids read the book until you think they are ready for its mature subject matter, which includes adult relationship themes (simply not interesting to kids), nudity, violence, and gore. Kids younger than 12 should not see the motion picture even with parental supervision. Some of the violence is horror show level. The violence in the motion picture is less than what is in the novel. Even if kids are old enough to handle the violence, they may not be able to understand the intellectual force of the story, which, because of the symbols employed, depends somewhat on the experience of growing up during the official Cold War Era.
Perhaps because there were no superstar actors in the film, the actors do not distract from the story. The performances in Watchmen are top notch, each actor employing a wide range of subtle emotions in voice and actions. The character of Rorschach is brilliantly portrayed by Jackie Earle Haley, whom you may not recognize, but whom you may remember from Breaking Away in the role of Moocher. Nite Owl II is portrayed with deep sensitivity by Patrick Wilson, who is the American equivalent of Hugh Jackman in theater, memorable as Raoul, Vicomte de Chagny in the 2004 film Phantom of the Opera. Matthew Goode portrays the enigmatic Ozymandias with a vaguely Germanic foreign accent, perfectly suited to his mysterious origins. Reflecting the attention to detail paid in filming, Goode adjusts his speech features to the occasion, giving reporters an almost flawless American accent, but relaxing into his natural features when talking with an old friend. Billy Crudup's performance as Dr. Manhatten is mesmorizing.
So, if you aren't put off by a bit of violence and gore, I heartily recommend that you see Watchmen while it is still in theaters. See it in IMAX if you can, but the regular theater is almost as good. I've already seen it twice and plan to see it again. Because of the symbolic detail and complexity of the story, your experience of the film, like the novel, will be enhanced by multiple viewings. This is the first movie that I've seen since Raiders of the Lost Ark that merits at least 3 theatrical viewings. Whether or not you see the film, read the novel. It will blow you away.
Monday, March 2, 2009
I can't believe I forgot to watch this! :P
I have great hopes for Jimmy Fallon as he takes over Late Night. I enjoyed his standup when he went on tour; got to see him at UGA a decade ago. A decade ago?!? Holy...
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