Coming Soon…

Just look at that, the year’s already half over. It feels like yesterday I was trying to watch out those final awards’ worthy films in preparation for the Oscars and now it’s six months later and 2011 hasn’t given me anything special to fête (although I haven’t seen much, and Hanna was loads of fun). I’m currently engaging in some lively discussions on the subject of potential Emmy nominations with Ryan of Sorta That Guy. But, the Emmy’s can only take you so far. I’m much fonder of my own nominees which I’ll start revealing this weekend recapping the last television season. For one, I decide which players to submit, in what categories I want to. Because, I’m way more fun than the Emmys.

          

ELIGIBLE COMEDIES: 30 Rock / The Big C / Community / Cougar Town / Desperate Housewives / Entourage / Episodes / Glee / How I Met Your Mother / Modern Family / Nurse Jackie / The Office / Parks and Recreation / Private Practice / True Blood / United States of Tara

    

ELIGIBLE DRAMAS: Big Love / Boardwalk Empire / Brothers and Sisters / The Closer / Dexter / The Good Wife / Grey’s Anatomy / The Killing / Mad Men / Parenthood

              

Yup, I’ve gone rogue putting United States of Tara in the drama category. I know that I’m really a movie blog, for the most part, so I’ve got some cinematic features coming up. For one, the long awaited return of Forgotten Characters. Don’t deny it; you know you’ve been waiting with bated breath. I’ve also got a feature set to temporarily replace Scene on a Sunday (although it ends up seeming more like a complement). And, I’ve also got a short-term feature to last for the remainder of the summer. Look out for some more life on the blog starting later tonight.

                

But now’s as good a time as any. Is there anything special you want on the blog?

Quarter Gone...

It’s such a terrible writing trait to begin with a negative, but I must apologise for my splotchy blogging lately. I haven’t been that – at least, I don’t think so – but for the lack of anything significant. What’s making me feel even more terrible, though, is the fact that three months have gone and I still haven’t seen any 2011 release. I’m rectifying that tonight, though; I’m seeing Keira Knightley’s Last Night and possibly Gyllenhaal in Source Code.

        

This happens every year, though, I feel a dearth of anticipation for new films – last year it lasted the whole year, hopefully this year is more positive. But, I’ve got other things to occupy my time in the interim of no exciting 2011 releases. I’ll finally get started on that “Pilot Me” series I mentioned so long ago, and it’s probably time to resurrect “Scene On A Sunday” and “Forgotten Characters”...but I do need to start on 2011 films. I feel like such a synthetic blogger.

          

Most of you have been watching films as you should, though, has anything wowed you yet. Or, better yet, you know my inclinations by now make a case in the comment sections for which 2011 I should see first.

Literature Review

I’m reading “Jane Eyre” at the moment and it’s annoying me a little. I read it at a very young age, but that was one of those ludicrously abridged Illustrated Classics, reading it for an English Lit class is way more taxing – that book is long. I’m not a huge fan of the Bronte’s – save for “Wuthering Heights” which I sort of worship, sort of. We just wrapped up “Pride & Prejudice” and the parallels between Austen’s narrative and Charlotte are a bit striking if you look at it in the right perspective, and then I came across this article which amused me. It seems many are not fond of Austen, Bronte included. I’m a Jane Austen apologist, but in her defence – no one can take such simple plots and turn them into brilliant ruminations like she. “Jane Eyre”? Not so much.  After the atrocity of “Robinson Crusoe” – I refuse to retract that statement, I loathed the book - Henry Fielding and Jane Austen were welcome distractions, but now we're on to Bronte and Charlotte and her fancifulness aren’t making me very pleased. Ah, school is bland – and then we’re doing “Paradise Lost” for Poetry – ugh, not a fan of Milton....

           

Speaking of aged 18th century lit, though, I had the weirdest experience last week. I went into a library, told the Librarian that I was looking for Caribbean plays. She’s there looking and turns to me, “Oliver Twist isn’t Caribbean, is it?” W! T! F!??????????????? It’s not Caribbean, it’s not even a freakin’ play! And from a librarian? And people wonder why I have no faith in humanity. Sigh.

            

What have you been reading lately? I hope it’s for pleasure, and not for school. Scholastic reading always ends up becoming tedious...

"Not Waving, But Drowning"

I've done it. Yet again, I've descended into that realm where I'm turning into a pseudo-blogger, akin with the mystic-blogger, the ghost blogger and the lazy blogger. Guilty, guilty, guilty and guilty. It's not that I don't have articles to publish (I do, I need to edit them first). It's not that I haven't seen any new movies (I have), and it's not that I don't want to blog (I do) but I'm been insanely busy and I guess that's a legitimate excuse - but I hate to think that because the blog isn't my work I shouldn't be dedicated to it. Speaking of which, I've got a job! I'm working as the editorial intern at De Pulse Magazine which is a Guyanese Magazine that you may probably never read, but still. It's writing, and that means that it should end up helping my blogging skills. It's vaguely weird since my ex-brother-in-law is my boss, but it's all good - he is a good writer.

               

Sigh, that still doesn't count as real blogging. And I'm feeling really guilty. Ugh, tell me what you want me to blog about....(hopefully, I'll get the time).

On A Break...

...is what I am...obviously.
              
What's new in your neck of the woods cinematic wise (or TV wise)? Crazy about the God of Carnage news, crazy over the premiere of Modern Family and Glee. Crazy about nothing?

(I shall be back on Sunday with some reviews, TV roundup, and some catching up...)

House Keeping Matters: (Action, Fantasy and Rain)

Due to travelling and eventual issues with the internet I’ve been more off than on the blogosphere this past week which means that I’ve failed to keep you updated on a few things.

     

Firstly, Heather (of Movie Mobsters) and Andy (of Fandango Groovers) were kind enough to let me take part in their Round Table Discussion – of sorts – discussing some great action flicks. The entry was up since Saturday, but in case you missed it now is as good a time as any to head over there and take a look at the submissions. I wrote a bit on my favourite Kurosawa film – Ran.

“It’s probably not the least bit ironic that the Kurosawa film that jumps out at me is the one that has relations to Shakespeare. Ran is an unlikely choice for an action flick conversation. It is one – it’s also a host of other things. Apparently it wasn’t his intention, but Ran plays out like an updated and ultimately bleaker and more morose of “King Lear”. Hidetora is the leader of the Ichimonji clan, unlike Lear he has lived his life as a ruthless warrior. Like Lear he decides, foolishly, to divide his estate among his three sons with hopes of retaining a modicum of power. Of course, things do not end as he hopes.”

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

Leon: The Professional and Die Hard were only a couple of the choices.

  

Next, if you’ve been visiting Castor’s Anomalous Material you’ve gotten wind of his Hollywood Fantasy Draft – a game that’s grown to enormous proportions in a matter of days. Bloggers are casting their own films (along with directors) and we’re drawing to the end of the seventh round. Due to my tardiness I ended up missing some choices – like Ralph Fiennes, grrr – but I’ve wracked up a good cast thus far including Helena Bonham Carter, Carey Mulligan, Jude Law and Kristin Scott Thomas; with Joe Wright directing. Go HERE to see everyone’s picks…thus far.

             

Finally, it shows how much bad karma I have that this was the week I was off the blogosphere, which meant I was unable to promote my quasi-blogathon which was inspired by kick-ass Jose of Movies Kick Ass, no less. As I said before, it’s nothing laborious. All I want is at least one screen-capture of any film scene involving rain and your thoughts on why you love that scene. A line, a paragraph an essay…really it’s up to you. It’s a weekend of rain blogging, so if you’re interested you have from Friday afternoon to Sunday midday to post your rainy thoughts (and email me your posts, my email is at the top of the page: title, WET BLOGATHON). Just in case you’re fishing for a choice…here are 15 films with some good rain scenes…if you’re stumped.

         

Bright Star / Cold Mountain / Dirty Dancing / Enchanted / Gosford Park / The Graduate / Home Alone / Howards End / Match Point / Minority Report / One Fine Day / Pride & Prejudice Sense & Sensibility / Something New / The Sound of Music

 

Spread the word!

Let the Angels Rejoice…

…or Not

      

Hello folks. I’m back. Sort of. If you’ve just been skimming through the blog you probably didn’t miss me…but I’ve been automating my posts for the last seven days (hence the unceremonious lack of comments on your blogs and such); I was on line for ten lousy minutes on Tuesday but other than that I’ve been gone since last Saturday. I feel like I’ve died and gone to hell…I MISS THE INTERNET. I was out of town until earlier today, which was fine but for the lack of the internet. My father lives on a quasi-farm in the middle of nowhere (says me). I cut short my visit and return to the real world to be hit with a broken modem.

Whhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhy?

Ugh, I can’t live like this. I’m on borrowed internet time at the moment. I miss the blogosphere, but I’m back. Sporadically yes, but I’m back at least.

      

Okay. As you were....off to read some blogs...

Happy 101 (…or An Evening with Sondheim)

I’m having a terrible day, so it’s as good a time as any to take note of the meme that has not been floating around the blogosphere. It’s all about happiness, my general nature is being generally acerbic…but I’m not above happiness. I’m doing something slightly different with the titles…you’ll realise what at the end. Click on the links…if you care to.

         

“Being Alive” from Company

Life

I’m prone to the occasional bout of what we could refer to as an existentialist crisis…nonetheless; I’m generally pleased to be alive. Sure, horrible things abound but in the larger picture the good outweighs the bad and there’s really no point in worrying, is there?

“Our Little World” from Into the Woods

The Blogosphere

I still struggle at times to make the distinction between the real world, and the blogging one. Recently the real one’s been looking rather dismal, to be honest. I still don’t approach blogging as a job, regardless of what the rules say, and in its own way it’s been a big part of keeping me occupied and cheerful during my current vacation from jail school.

          

“Who’s That Woman?” from Follies

Actresses

I’ll always be more interested in the fairer sex with it comes to motion pictures and such. I’m more likely to go see a movie for Cate Blanchett alone than for Jude Law alone (two of my favourites in their generation). Case in point: I’ve seen Robin Hood but I’ve not seen Repo Men. I don’t know…there’s just something great about seeing an actress doing her stuff on the screen, big or small, and yes – I think they’re more talented performers too.

         

“The Day Off” from Sunday in the Park with George

Wasting Time

Though I get neurotic when it’s time for me to do something, I prefer when I have nothing to do. Of course, doing “nothing” for me means wasting time on the internet, listening to music, watching movies or reading anything I can get my hands on. For me that’s the ultimate day off. Few things could make me happier.

         

“I Read” from Passion

Books

They deserve their own spot on the list because I’ll always be particularly indebted to them. They were my first passion (no pun intended). I still prefer them (slightly) to movies, even though watching a movie is relatively simpler. Even though I would hate having to choose between the two I wish books weren’t considered to be so pedantic all the time.

        

“(Children & ) Art” from Sunday in the Park With George

But not in that order

Actually, by children I mean my nephew. I’m an young Scrooge, truth be told, children exasperate me…but I have a softspot for my nephew – for obvious reasons. The art bit is more important – painting, writing, film, whatever. Creation is good and worthy of adulation.

“Everybody Says Don’t” from Anyone Can Whistle

Breaking All the Rules

I like digressing from the norm. I’m not a convict – or a convict in training. I’m rather good at keeping my deviant urges hidden, for the most part. But I hate following the rules. I have a definitive aversion to authority figures.

      

“My Friends” from Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

In the real world and cyberspace

Do I really need to explain this?

        

“Do I Hear A Waltz” from Do I Hear A Waltz

Music

Lovely music. If you’re astute when it comes to theatre, you’ll notice each of the titles was from a Stephen Sondheim song. I’m a big fan of the man and of music in general. It was a bit inevitable, my father is a musician so we children grew up with it. I have little talent for music (I can’t remember to play the piano or the flute) but I do like listening to it. I’m open to all genres…music is just lovely.

        

And there you have it: ten things (and songs) that make me happy. Am I less dour than when the day started…yes, but that doesn’t say much. I’m not tagging anyone, I don’t know who. I really would like to see what makes some of you happy though…do if it you care to, that would make me happy too (no pics, I'm tired).

Dry Spell Yonder

Well, not quite. Due to the insufficiencies of technology combined with the woes of the third world my time on the internet will be sparse for the upcoming week. I still have this meme on my shoulders, though, so posting will occur I’ll just be ever longer with responding to comments and checking out your blogs. I'll be back, per normal, as soon as possible...hopefully, that's sooner than later.

Literature Review

Wuthering Heights is such a depressing novel, I wonder why I keep rereading. Of course it will be compulsory on my reading list, so it doesn’t hurt to get reacquainted with it. It’s still the only Brontë novel I like (neither Jane Eyre or Agnes Grey, et al do move me). I used to consider the possibility of Joaquin Phoenix and Kate Winslet reteaming for a film (or TV) adaptation of it – but I suppose they’re too old. I’m still not sure that the “current” version ever will be made. 

               

I’ve lazily reached an impasse with Wicked: The Life & Times of the Wicked Witch of the East. I should restart it soon, Jose says it’s a blast (as have many others). It doesn’t help that I’m being distracted by David Sedaris’ hilarious Me Talk Pretty One Day (which reinforces the possible fact that gay writers are funnier than us straight folks). Honestly, though, Sedaris may be one of the best nonfiction writers ever – although nonfiction sounds like the wrong word to describe something so irreverent.

    

(I should be blogging more.)

         

What have you been reading lately?

Tennis

I'm thinking of going back to Tennis lessons. I have not played tennis in about six years. It still is my favourite sport, I just haven't had time for it and all. I always get the tennis bug around this season, so it's no surprise that I feel like going back...and I actually think I will. For some reason whenever I think of tennis in film I always remember Alvy Singer and Annie Hall meeting in Annie Hall. I don't know why, you say tennis, I think Diane Keaton.
What movie do you think of when you hear the word tennis?

Oh, June...

Perhaps projection from hatred of my birthday made June a bit unbearable at times....

                    

It’s weird. It seems the more stressed out I am the more blogging I do. That’s the only reason to explain the 70 posts this month – June was even worse than May.

            

Along with Jose and Luke, I finally discussed the Best Actor Race of 1985. Two actors nominated for action films? That doesn’t happen often.

On the collaborative note I teamed up with Yojimbo for a Scene On A Sunday discussion centring on Atonement.

                  

Of course, I probably should take into account the 30 posts dedicated to the overlong TV Meme, but despite the stress it was fun. Rachel and Ryan T. have been counting with me and Luke, Robert and Jude are still in the process. Yes, we know most of you are movie blogs, but TV has its moments.

          

Speaking of which, I submitted my own ballot for the upcoming Emmy Awards a few days ago. The Emmy’s are notorious for depressing me, but I’m like a dog with a bone.

                            

I’ve reached the homestretch of my Top 100 films and only recently singled out The Apartment as #10. More to come in July. I’ve also got a countdown of sorts (inspired by Heather) premiering tomorrow, so check back for more details.

                

I revisited the lovely An Education though what I did was nothing like a review, hence the poll in the sidebar...I'll review whatever wins. 

My movie watching has been considerably down, what with exams and all – though I did see Nowhere BoyR (liked it very much), Robin Hood (appreciated it in spots) Toy Story III (liked it, generally). The latter got me wondering about the animation format... July should point to increased viewing, I’m very curious to see Knight & Day actually.

                               

After Marshall won LAMB Casting she went for a lighter film. Get your ideas for My Best Friend's Wedding sent to me.

                      

June marks the halfway mark to the year. How was it for you?

My Buddy Film

CS of Big Thoughts From A Small Mind invites bloggers to Pitch a Movie every month. This month, it's the Buddy Film.

        

Examples of the Genre: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; Thelma and Louise; Midnight Cowboy; Planes Trains and Automobiles; Sex and the City; Strange Brew; The Hangover; Toy Story; Fried Green Tomatoes; Swingers; Grumpy Old Men; Sideways; The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

10 words/phrases to get you started:

1. You owe me! Remember that...
2. I think the walls are moving...
3. Leslie
4. Did we forget something?
5. Drinks
6. Well look who just walked in...
7. Road Trip
8. You know I would do the same for you...
9. Cellphone
10. Who’s going to know?

Like with the last title I pitched, I'm not sure how much it stays within the genre...and as usual...still no name. Here goes...The words I used from the list are bold.

                            

It opens with a wedding. It’s the usual posh, but not over the top arrangement and all seems fine except that the groom is outside smoking, very tense. This is JOSHUA KLINE. Eventually, a bridesmaid comes out; the wedding has to be started. The wedding procession begins and his bride (LESLIE) arrives at his side. He shakes his head imperceptibly, and we pan out to see he is without a best man. We arrive at the wedding ceremony, dancing, conversing and a bottle of champagne opens as we cut to a man in the shower. This is PATRICK JONES, the missing best man. He enters his bedroom where a woman lays there, post coitus – SOFIA VIERA. They have a cold conversation where, after being goaded, Patrick reveals that he doesn’t believe in weddings – that’s why he didn’t turn up at Joshua’s. After a slight spat Sofia leaves.

A couple of weeks pass and Patrick eventually turns up at the newlyweds’ home, with a bonsai tree as a gift. Leslie smiles wanly letting him in. Joshua enters the kitchen where they are and shakes his head, “Well look who just walked in…” The air is tense for a few seconds and the three sit and have breakfast as if nothing has happened, with Patrick mentioning that the gift is really from Sofia.

A few years go by peppered by the usual. The couple have a baby, and then another one – Patrick stands as the godfather for both, even though he hasn’t exactly become a “new man”. Sofia gets married and Patrick refuses to be motivated to make any romantic gesture to thwart it, though he still maintains a friendship with her. As marriages go, problems are forthcoming with Leslie and Joshua and Leslie and Patrick unwittingly have sexual encounter at low points in their lives after talking over drinks. “Who’s going to know?” a drunken Patrick whispers to her as they consummate the affair. Conversations afterward reveal that this is not the first encounter of the kind between the two.

                  

Both wake guilt ridden and Leslie anxious to rekindle the flame her marriage severs the relationship with Patrick and suggests the idea of a road trip for the couple – to Las Vegas. Patrick is given the task of babysitting the children. Sofia, now separated from her husband, turns up to help him. While out with the two children and Sofia at the playground Patrick gets a call on his cell phone. On the way back home, Leslie and Joshua have been in an accident. Leslie has died and Joshua, just barely hanging on, pleads with Patrick to adopt the children. A distraught Patrick is reticent and Joshua implores “I’d do the same for you.” Patrick shakes his head, “I’d never have had children.” Angrily Joshua shouts, “You owe me! Remember that.” Patrick thinks he’s referring to the wedding that he missed seven years ago, but (of course) Joshua knew of the affair all along. Joshua goes into shock and dies as a frantic Patrick sits down. He leaves the hospital room to see Sofia and waiting expectantly with the children. He sighs heavily as the screen fades to black. 

           

CAST

Joshua / James Franco

Leslie / Rosemarie DeWitt

Patrick / Derek Luke

Sofia / Sara Ramirez

               

Oh, how I love a tragedy. Any suggestions on a title?

House Keeping Matters

In case you didn't notice, I've got a poll up on the sidebar. I actually hate polls (anonymity does not do it for me), I actually did two polls way back when when you picked Sweeney Todd as your favourite musical and Sense & Sensibility as your favourite nineties period piece. I reviewed both, as promised. I didn't do well in attempting to review An Education, so this is take on 2009 reviewing. I wrote various musings on three of the four, and very little on The Last Station and Up. So, you decide which I should review.
            
While you're on that, I'm accepting ideas for the newest LAMB Casting, we're recasting My Best Friend's Wedding, see more here.
 
Okay...as you were.

What Do You Want From Me…?

…only versatility.

             

After the last streak of memes I figured that we’d all been “memed” out. Obviously, not.

I’ve been lucky enough (all things being relative) to be singled out by two bloggers for my versatility. In all my 18 months of blogging I’ve never used the word. I’m not quite sure what they mean when they tell I’m versatile, but I’ll surmise it has something to do with my mind hopping to and fro without order. Apparently they do give out an award for general craziness and hysteria. Joy.

                   

Anna is a young up-and-coming blogger with a thirst for knowledge. She also happens to be one of the most prolific tweeters (twitterer?) I know and Darren of the M0vie Blog doesn’t grade his reviews, which means you’re forced to read his reviews. Luckily, they’re quite lucid and well written so it’s a win-win situation. Both of them are worth having on your blog roll.

                 

I’m obliged to nominate fifteen blogs, I can’t say if they all will reciprocate with the meme rules, but here goes. I can't count pass ten…hopefully they haven’t been struck with the disease er, tagged yet. They all are versatile.

           

Luke of Journalistic Skepticism: because he covers everything from the big screen to the small screen to list making, and more list making and Meryl loving and…well, you get it.

Jude of And All that Film: he’s young but he’s enthused about the whole blogging thing (bless him) notes on theatre, notes on film and notes on TV

            

Ryan T. of Sorta that Guy: he loves Federer to a fault and all things Josh Whedon (especially a certain wicca named Willow)

Crazy Cris of Here and There and Everywhere: a bit obsessed with the tube, and football and European things especially Spanish (particularly Nadal)

Rachel of Rachel’s Reel Reviews: recently began a podcast with Jess and is always skipping back and forth between film and TV with a very cool rating system.

              

Jess of Insight into Entertainment: A West Wing aficionado and a Friends lover that I'm now getting to know

       

Yojimbo of Let’s Not Talk About Movies: smart but personable, well written but simple to understand. If that’s not versatility…

                

Walter of The Silver Screening Room: a big fan of Drew Barymore, ALW and Glenn Close (but I don’t know in what order). Goes to film school and will blog about anything…or else…

            

Tom S. of Reinvention, the Journal of a Dog Lover...: Thoughtful essays on film and on platitudes of life (that end up seeming inventive). 

              

And now on to some random intimation that makes me lose a little bit of my privacy, in keeping with the theme it shall all be very versatile.

                 

1: I consider William Wordsworth to be the greatest poet of all time. I suppose today his “traditional” romanticism does not seem as innovative as some of the more contemporary rule-breakers, but I have special place in my heart for him. He can be light (and lithe) and carefree and then move to moving and poignant in one line.

    

2: On the note of artists, I’d probably say Stephen Sondheim is the greatest musician (at least of the last century). I’m never sure if I prefer his words or his music but they’re all so excellent together or alone. He’s worked with so many of the greats and has become a great himself – deservedly so.

          

3: One of my nicknames in high school was “The Human Dictionary”. I probably don’t need to deign to explain, Univarn recently told me I’m notorious for my big words which are never deliberate. I know they say people who use big words have some complex, but I just like the variety of the English Language.

            

4: I generally alternate between moments of excessive obsessive compulsion and moments of not caring at all. One thing I’m particularly neurotic about is school, which I hate but I still obsess over it. I’m an anomaly of a student, I don’t study regularly, I skip classes but I still end up doing quite well. I’m sensing my bad deeds will catch up with me sometime.

                

5: I’m infamous for hating (my) birthdays. I can’t remember when it started, but I was ill-fated enough to watch The Hours on one of them and ever since then Laura Brown just haunts my days (…and what’s to celebrate about the aging process, anyway?).

                   

6: I may have said this before, but post-Shakespeare I’d say Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams are possibly my favourite playwrights of all time. I know Eugene O’Neill is often identified with them, but I generally loathe the man. I just find him to be a chore (“Strange Interlude? Ick.)

              

7: I said this on Heather’s blog recently; I’ve never seen a movie with my father. It’s weird, and embarrassing. We don’t live together, but we’re not estranged. I shall be rectifying that in due time. Incidentally, I’m always forcing my mother and sisters (and my nephew) to watch movies. My mother loved Places in the Heart, one of my sisters still thinks Streisand’s “So Long Dearie” in Hello, Dolly! is one of the greatest bits of comedic timing and the other one believes that Dangerous Liaisons has some of the greatest lines of the cinema.

             

There, take that for your inquisitiveness. 

ADDENDUM: Silly me, I didn't realise that the lovely Heather of Movie Mobsters tagged me too. I've been commenting on Heather's site very crazily this month, it started off as a shameless attempt to win the $10 I-tunes giftcard and then I realised that hers was actually an excellent blog (I'm glad I got around to following her and her Mobster Family).

Banner

RESULTS: Hello folks, again. I realised I was just being a tad hard on Luke since he's guessed the correct answer. Each of the seven characters above was involved in a tragic love affair. Six of them were involved in a love affair where one of the parties died, and five of them died themselves. So, it's all together a rather bleak banner - but I love it nonetheless. The clue was that I said look at the characters (not the actors) but I still applaud Ryan's thinking...

...so Luke wins the guest post. Shoot me an email whenever you're ready, and thanks to all for guessing.

Hello folks, as you can see the banner has been changed. As usual I'll let you take a guess, but it will be more diffiuclt than choosing which movie the actors are from (which is quite easy, no?). The seven characters above have something in common, tell me what it is. To narrow it down, another five of the seven have something else in common. Answer one, or both and you'll get bragging rights...and a guest post if you're desirous.

HINT: You could probably say that most of the seven took my tagline advice...So many of those characters cast off common sense...they did a lot of feeling and little thinking. Viola is moved by Will's poetry, Madame de Tourvel casts off her religion for her seducer, Cecilia petulantly (but courageously) casts off her family in the face of wisdom, Keats was the ultimate sympathetic artist, and Tony didn't think enough about the ramifications of his romance with Maria. I can't say if Katherine and Frank were thinkers or feelers though...

PS. The quote is from Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George - my favourite musical.
                

This is how I shall be spending the next week beginning tomorrow, but sans Kate Winslet. Yes, my exams are underway from Monday. The meme will go on (automated posting) and I do have a special event planned for Sunday (not sure if I'll actually be online on Sunday though) and then there was another event a number of you know of,  but that will have to be pushed back to the next Monday (sorry)...but enough about me...what are you doing for the weekend? Any movie plans?

May, A Look Back: How Was It?

I'm not usually in the habit of recapping months, but May seemed like it needed its own post.It easily takes the prize for the most hectic month this year (thus far). It came and went in a blur and yet I feel like it lasted forever, moreover I still feel like I’ve been hit by a hurricane. The end of May signals three things – final exams (ugh), heating up with the release of “prestige flicks” (The Kid Are All Right – I cannot, Inception - Marion and Leo, yum) and my birthday (in six days – sigh, getting older). Movie wise, May has been fairly good. I mean, Nanny McPhee was an all around delight and much more satisfying than the other sequel that was getting all the buzz. I’m still split on Chloe and Fish Tank (confused about both, though the latter is “better” - a word I use looesley) and How To Train Your Dragon was enjoyable – though I sincerely hope that this isn’t the best animated film we’ll be getting this year.

Of course, May had to end with a scorcher – the controversial release of Sex & the City . I’m really nonplussed about the controversy. I don’t particularly worship Ebert so I’m not wholly distressed by his rantings – it’s been done before. But I’m not sure why so many found it to be so offensive. To each his own I suppose, but Jose's word are quite sage.

             
Blogging wise: the nominees for the LAMMY’s have been announced. Congrats to all the nominees – especially those I voted for (Movies Kick Ass, M. Carter at the Movies, Movie Mobsters, Anomalous Material - Movies, A Life in Equinox, The Dark of the Matinee, Ross v Ross, He Shot Cyrus, Reel Whore) and a shoutout to all the great blogs (especially those I voted for) that weren’t nominated (Journalistic Skepticism, The Kid in the Front Row, The Floating Red Couch, The M0vie Blog, Four of Them).
               

I've been so loopy LAMB Casting is only now in its voting stages. I hope you've cast your votes.

        
I’m not particularly looking forward to what June brings, but I sure am glad to be done with May. Here’s to hoping June is a little more…peaceful.
          
How was your May? Looking forward to June?

Strangely, this month was so hectic and yet I've meted out 56 posts. Strange.

Reminder…

I’m hosting that Musical Blog-a-thon on Sunday (details here), so if I hope you’re getting those entire prepared – thanks to those who’ve already submitted. The list of entries will be up on Sunday by 5:00 pm.
     
PS. I hope you're voting for the LAMB Casting feature
Silly me, I forgot to leave the link...so I'm reposting...

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh...

...Don't tell anyone I'm here...I'm supposed to be studying...