Weather Writing.

Sitting outside in my doorway in the rain is slightly more inspirational, albeit chilly, than I thought it would be. Perhaps more for melancholy or melodramatic writing, but writing just the same. Just thought I'd let you know.

Regaining My Humour

I won't lie and say that the past few months have been easy for me, so for the last week I have been turning back to an old friend for some help through the Emo moments. Comedy, Comedy, how I thee, let me count the ways. I've recently been editing some comedy sketches for a friend and it has inspired me to do some "research". Derek and I rented SNL's Best of Jimmy Fallon and Mike Myers, and I have been is stitches re-watching these brilliant mixes of writing and talented comedians.

When I was just out of high school, a group of us used to watch Saturday Night Live religiously every week. Going back to it I didn't realize how much I missed it, and how much laughing is a necessary outlet. Don't get me wrong, obviously I've still had South Park (for which I blame Derek!), but now that I've been studying up, I can't help but have a bit more respect for shows that consistently roll out the laughs.

There is something remarkable about those who are born with the gift of "funny". It takes a a lot more work then we you would think to turn a natural adeptness at humour into a character that is not only relatable, but situationally funny. The expression that I've heard tossed around is "Writing comedy is a bitch". Obviously I don't struggle with the bitch part (haha) but when it comes to the funny I only hope that I have something to bring to the table.

Master Re-Creator

Last night Derek and I watched King Arthur, one of the many Jerry Bruckheimer creations. Or should I say re-creations. Though this was my first viewing of this particular movie I had this sneaky sensation throughout that I had seen it all before. This got me to thinking that perhaps some blockbuster movies are not all that different from major pop songs. Just a different take on another man's genius. The big name record industry producers get paid top dollar to recreate the next Avril Lavigne song, which, if you play it over the first is almost indistinguishable. Perhaps Jerry draws his inspiration from that?

Don't get me wrong, I understand that there are no original ideas. But that shouldn't stop you from creating original dialogue, or characters, or even progression of scenes. I just couldn't help thinking of Braveheart during this movie. Except in this one it was British knights screaming "RAAAAAAAAAA" instead of Mel and his cohorts calling for Freedom. Clearly I didn't mind since one of those knights happened to be Clive Owen playing a very rugged and commanding King Arthur...but I didn't have the same emotional attachment that I did the first time I watched one of these movies.

Obviously Jerry is no slouch, and manages to create some spectacular visuals and always seems to secure a top budget, but it is clear that originality, or even a valid attempt at such is not his top priority.

Blockbusters away!

Whether You Like It or Not

Ok, anyone who jumped out of bed this morning and said "today is a beautiful day to spend $600 on my car" raise your hand. No? Funny, me neither, but that didn't stop it from happening. Nor did it stop the mechanic from calling after the majority of work had been done to advise me that the engine is on its last legs (or its last cylinders, to be precise) and that I shouldn't pour much more money into it. Great timing, really, thank you. But it happened.

You know what else is happening? We're getting older! And so are our movies. Derek and I watched American Pie after class tonight. I was looking at the clothes they were wearing and the computers they were using, and I couldn't help but think, WOW this is old. Which coincidentally enough led me to the conclusion, WOW, I'm getting old. When does the poster movie for your generation become the new generations "Ew, that was SO late-90's!" We all think that a movie as coming-of-age as this will never go out of style, but I think it does. At least in terms of fashion sense, technology, and even color and quality. Granted it was no Titanic in terms of budget, however it was also obvious that they didn't have the same sense of style that we use in today's teen-comedic-romances. The whites of the actors eyes were really shiny, as were their foreheads. The colors were really saturated and dark. It seemed very...yesterday. And yet watching it, I still laughed as much as I did the first time.

I suppose I'm not coming to any conclusions except to acknowledge the scary fact that my teen-movie will eventually become The Breakfast Club to a new generation, and I'm not sure how I feel about that. Getting older sucks.

It Is Not Fair!

Ok, Petulant hormonal teenager? Not quite. I was thinking today as I was watching Grey's Anatomy obsessively (if not compulsively) that the tactics they are using to hook me (and hook me they have) are a bit unfair. Obviously I realize that this is the entertainment industry and that the word fair holds about as much merit as Paris Hilton's "medical condition" (I know, I know).

Seriously though, they take you into this hospital and throw you into a situation where any number of tumors are affecting no name actors that begin to look surprisingly like your loved ones. So they get you all emotional, trying to decide whether your father needs the surgery to stop the anyeurism (how the heck do you spell that) or whether he should just live out his life in peace, and then, THEN they throw on you the personal problems of the people who are trying to save your father's life. This just isn't fair. My mind makes a natural equation between the life and death situation of the patient and the non-life and death relationship between the intern and her boyfriend/boss. It amps up the stakes, and I equate that. That way, even if the patient lives, if the relationship dies I am devastated.

In a way I suppose it is brilliant, but it also seems a little cheap. Don't get me wrong, if this was my show I would use any tactic I could to keep people watching but there are only so many brain tumors (not to mention breakups) that I can take before my spirit is inoperable. Broken. Also, I don't mind a good'n'tearful episode that makes me cry on occasion. Occasion being the key word, however, lately it's been every other episode. Perhaps this is dulled when you watch it week by week on the cable circuits, but I am on overload watching it on DVD. I need a break. Any recommendations?

Knocked Up...the movie

So as an addendum to my post yesterday, Derek and I saw "Knocked Up" tonight. Having heard from several reliable sources that it wouldn't dissapoint, I was not let down. The only things that I didn't appreciate was the overuse of some language. Though I suppose it was realistic, sometimes I find excessive use distracting from the forward motion of a given scene.

I have to give them credit for acknowledging the failure of both members of the couple on more than one occasion, which is refreshing because most romantic comedies focus on the shortcomings of only one side, and either play the "Women are crazy, hormonal, and will never be understood" or the "Men are scum, dogs, and women should rule supreme" cards. Both of which trigger my vomit reflex.

I also appreciate the humour with which they approached the situation, and they were incredibly honest regarding some of the issues that cause problems, without turning off the younger viewer. After seeing this I can't say I am looking forward to the "crowning moment" of giving birth, this movie is definitely not for the faint of heart (or the abstainers of the occassional gutter laugh).

Either way, it will turn up on my DVD shelf in the future.

Return.

So I was offered a subtle hint that I should begin blogging again...and by subtle I mean direct, and by hint I mean blatant remark. Therefore, since I'm a total conformist (if you jump, I'll jump) I decided I'd better get on that. I suppose it's not that I have nothing to say, and it's most DEFINITELY not that I've been deferring to Facebook...right. I just feel uninteresting. I love writing my thoughts - I think they're interesting but I have a strong inkling that if I was anyone other than myself I would be uninterested and probably in a state of dislike towards myself. Anyhow, I digress.
So this return to blogging entry, what should it consist of I wonder? I suppose I could discuss the five weeks Derek recently spent exiled in Edmonton, or the addition to our circle of existence the BEAUTIFUL new vehicle that is our new Dodge Caliber, but I seem to have just done that. And that is about all the rehashing I can stomach at this point.

Therefore I will ease back into the blogosphere with a discussion of media, the OTHER love of my life. Here's what I've been taking in lately.

Music: With Derek gone for so long, my recent selections have been decidedly Emo.

"Some Surprise" Reindeer Section feat. Gary Lightbody and Lisa Hannigan
"Samson" Regina Spektor
"My Number" Tegan and Sara
"4:35 AM" Gemma Hayes
"One More Night (Your Ex-Lover Remains Dead)" The Stars
"Jezebel" Iron and Wine
"Sometimes (I Wish)" City and Colour
"Doctor Blind" Emily Haines and the Soft Skeleton
"Blankest Year" Nada Surf

Television:

"Grey's Anatomy" Not necessarily because it's the best written show I've ever witnessed, but the girl in me became intrinsically attached to the characters and their general happiness within the first episode, and you have to at least give credit for that, non?

"Veronica Mars" This one enticed me right away, though I was more impressed with the beginning of Season 1 than the end. I am happy to have seen it, and will likely continue with the second season once I decide to spend the money on the DVD's.

Movies:

The Queen:
Gets top rating, I was pleasantly surprised by this one, definitely worth the watch.

The Illlusionist:

The Prestige:
I am curious to hear which one of these you all preferred, I was much more drawn in by "The Illusionist" though I think it's a personality thing.

Pirates 3: BOOOO, except for Johnny Depp.

TO SEE:
-Knocked Up

Books:

"Wicked" by Gregory Maguire
I am almost finished this and I was thrilled with the read. I will be picking up his others in great anticipation!!

Graphic Novels/Comics:

"Y the Last Man" This one features art by a local Vancouver-ite. I've only gotten through the first trade, and am still a bit on the fence over the story. I think it has earned a second trade before judgement.

"Buffy: Season Eight" As a fan of the show, I am SO pleased with the consistency of the characters, it's as though I'm watching the show in my mind as I read, although I find my lack of experience with the medium of graphic novels is slowing my comprehension down somewhat.

That's about it for now. Happy Sunday to you all.