V for Vendetta

"Remeber, remember the fifth of November." So ends one of the trailers for the new DC Comic movie V for Vendetta. Hugo Weaving and Natalie Portman star. You probably would recognize Hugo Weaving as Lord Elrond in The Lord of the Rings Triology and as Mr. Smith in the Matrix Triology. Ever since I saw the trailer, I have been hooked. I have to see this movie. There is something alluring about this film - I feel inexplicably drawn to it. Perhaps it's because I recognized the line about the fifth of November, a reference to Guy Fawkes's ill-fated attempt to blow parliament up. Perhaps I like Hugo Weaving's voice. Or perhaps it's the story line of a mysterious, masked Hero crusading for the people. Whatever the reason, when this film comes to theatre, I will have to see it. Check the trailer out at V for Vendetta . Hopefully, I'll have a means of getting to a theatre on 17 March!

As Promised...

Ok, here's my review of the Oscar nominations for this year. For a list of the nominees, click here: Oscar Nominees
A word of warning: I won't make a complete rundown of all the categories - just the ones that interest me the most.
Best Picture: The nominees this year were definitely not hits at the box office. I hadn't even heard of Capote or Good Night and Good Luck prior to the annoucement of their nominations. I've heard much about Brokeback Mountain, and I predict that it will win the Oscar. I respect this film for presenting a topic with which many, many people are uncomfortable. I also respect it for being able to stand up to so many humorous and at times very crude jokes and jabs. I've read a little about Munich, mainly in my hometown paper, where it was strongly critiqued, and I've read some about Crash, in the same manner, in the same light. I really don't know which film deserves to win, but my money (well, if I had any) is on Brokeback Mountain. Oh, and what happened to Walk the Line and Cinderella Man? They were pretty big box-office hits and I think they were pretty good films. Why were they passed over?
Best Director: Again, I've not seen the films, so I have nothing to go on except for what I've said about the films themselves. My money is on Ang Lee for Brokeback Mountain.
Best Actor: Finally! Some names I recognize! I actually did see one actor in his nominated role - Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line, and he has my vote to win the Oscar, although with Philip Seymour Hoffman of Capote is where I'll place my money. Joaquin Phoenix busted his butt to play Johnny Cash in Walk the Line - I think that deserves the Oscar. I think Brokeback Mountain will have a Titanic victory, in that it will win most of its nominations, excepting those for Best Actor and Actress. Hoffman has been the favorite for the Golden Globe and the SAG awards and I see no reason not to continue the trend. I would have liked to have seen Russell Crowe nominated for Cinderella Man, but I haven't yet seen the film, so I'll reserve judgment for later.
Best Actress: I'm torn on this category. I either want Keira Knightley or Reese Witherspoon to win. I didn't see Pride and Prejudice, although I wanted to something fierce, but I have seen Walk the Line, and I know that Reese Witherspoon deserves that Oscar for what she accomplished as June Carter Cash. I am a great fan of Knightley's, and I'd like to see her win, but I really hope to see Witherspoon take home the gold.
Best Supporting Actor: This catergory has me the most upset. Why the hell did they nominate William Hurt for A History of Violence? He's in the film for maybe five minutes, and I don't care if he was in it for an hour, that film doesn't deserve to send nominees anywhere, least of all to the Oscars! Now, don't get me wrong, I think William Hurt is a good actor, and I love him as Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre and as The Doctor in The Doctor. But come on! There are more talented actors out there who deserve this nod (I call it a nod because I think he doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of winning). I can name one: Sean Bean. Sean Bean appeared in Flightplan and North Country this past year. North Country is twice nominated this year for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress - why not a Best Supporting Actor? I haven't seen the film, but I know that Sean Bean has acted in gobs of movies, portraying the entire gamut of antagonists and occasionally protagonists - why shouldn't he get a break now? Besides, he just happens to be the hottest man alive - that has to count for something! Other than that, I have no idea who should win, but I'd fancy seeing Paul Giamatti win for Cinderella Man, a film that was overlooked in both the Best Film and Best Actor categories.
Best Supporting Actress: Hands down, my vote is on Rachel Weisz. She endeared herself to me as Evie in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, and I genuinely think she should win. She's been the favorite so far, why not at the Oscars as well?
Best Original Score: I'm going to have to go with John Williams. I haven't seen any of the films or heard any of the scores, but John Williams kicks butt as a composer. He's nominated twice, and I'll go with either film, as long as he wins.

Well, there you have it. A little scatter-brained, but somewhat coherent. I can't wait until March 5th, when the Academy Awards air, hosted by Jon Stewart. And on that note, I think Jon Stewart will make a good host provided he remembers that this is a celebration of film, not a public forum for political debate and vitriol.

Roma Victor!

I finally finished the thank you letters for all the presents my family received this Christmas. I sent them home, and this is what I received from my parents:

The "Thank You" letters were great,
We're just sorry they are so late.
Next year get your priorities in line,
And get them out in a reasonable time!

Just a little humor to lighten your day,
We appreciate you and your rhyming way.
And for taking on this enormous chore,
Now that it’s done, we’ll bug you no more.

Although there were complements enough throughout, I had to submit a rebuttal:

Most glad was I to receive your approval of my hard-spent time,
Much happier was I to receive said appreciation in rhyme.
My surprise, you can guess, was great upon reading your quatrains.
After all this time spent waiting, I’m puzzled as to why you refrained,
From writing these thank you notes in your own eloquent verse,
And sparing one child with a proclivity to delay, and what’s worse,
A heavy load of courses, with writings, calculations, and exams galore.
But rest easy, for come next year, I’ll undertake this challenge once more.

I thought both were rather ingenous compilations of wit and rhyme.

Walk The Line

"I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because your mine I walk the line"

I saw it. I loved it. I hope Joaquin Phoenix wins the Oscar for Best Actor. I hope Reese Witherspoon wins the Oscar for Best Actress. I never knew much about J.R. Cash, or June Carter Cash, and I've never much cared for country. I didn't even know that my Dad was a Johnny Cash fan until Johnny Cash passed away. I couldn't have named one of his songs, or recognized his voice. Now, however, I think I could manage. I am very impressed with Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix. They both took vocal lessons for six months prior to filming. Mr. Phoenix learned how to play the guitar and Ms. Witherspoon learned how to play the auto-harp. They both did their own singing for the movie - no small feat. I haven't seen any of the films that sent actors and actresses to the Oscars, save Walk The Line, but I hope it kicks some serious butt at the Oscars. Go see it - go buy it-go rent it-just watch it. Even if you hate biographies, even if you hate country, even if you hate the fifties and sixties, you should see this film. I laughed, I almost cried, and I loved it.

¿Por Qué No?

A Blog is a place to post whatever you write. I write little nothings the like of which I'd never use to clutter up this blog. However, I have written a few pieces of which I am proud - in the form of thank you letters for Christmas. I've decided to post a few here just to exhibit a little originality. Here goes:

Christmas this year was better than The Sun Also Rises,
Full of fun things and packed with surprises.
A tasteful surprise, the cookies of chocolate mint,
You should have seen how quickly they went.
A thrifty surprise, the gift cards from Wal Mart,
With so many choices we know not where to start.
A melodious surprise, the disc of Christmas songs,
With all those yuletide hits, you just couldn’t go wrong.
A shocking surprise, the gift from Victoria’s Secret,
Most secret, Jessica swears, is the place where she’ll keep it.
An awesome surprise, Rob’s new surf shirt,
Not long will that garment remain inert.
An expected surprise, the one from Fredericks of Hollywood,
Your delicate selection was both awed and oohed.
Thank you for giving us a Christmas so entertaining,
Our delight in your gifts will be self-sustaining.
We’ll wear them, hide them, and play them for all to hear,
While wondering what surprises lay waiting for next year.


Of Christmas this year, our memories are particularly warm,
Especially of our gifts, of all sizes, shapes, and forms.
Rebecca’s new brown shoes she’s wanted for ages,
And Rob’s new book Eldest has him racing to turn its pages.
And speaking of books, Jessica loves her new edition,
Book two of English History is a most excellent addition.
Of Rob’s new jacket and two new shirts of blue and green,
Words can’t express how often in them he’s been seen.
And of Jessica’s new shirt, supporting NC State,
She was delighted to add it to her collection of her school most great.
Thank you, for this year, your gifts brightened our day,
We wanted to let you know in our own special way.


Christmas this year was an excellent affair,
Packed with beautiful things and chock full of flair.
The box of See’s candy is hidden for a rainy day,
Tucked away safely for when the kid’s are away.
The music to The Phantom of the Opera was met with delight,
Jessica loves it so much she plays it day and night.
The two War of the Worlds were received quite well,
As for the Polar Express, his excitement we can’t quell.
And Rebecca has been making jewelry, she just won’t quit,
When she’s not doing school work, she playing with her kit.
Thank you for sending us so many spectacular gifts,
Our holiday spirit you really helped to lift.


Our family’s Christmas this year was received merrily,
And the first thanks we must give is for our new evergreen tree.
And next is Donna’s new candle topper of the Yankee persuasion,
She promises to display it fondly at every occasion.
Many a laugh has its roots in Terry’s new Christmas book,
Its hilarious schemes have us all begging to take a look.
Jessica loves her new book and her trilogy’s special extended editions,
Darwin and The Lord of the Rings have proven to be splendid additions.
Of Rob’s hunting knife, Nike sweat suit, and new red shirt,
One could hardly call his approval of all three covert.
Rebecca loves her new outfits, together numbering two,
And she spends all her spare time solving puzzles of Sudoku.
We loved all of our gifts so very much, our thanks again,
Especially for our gifts from Europe, particularly Spain.
Of pendants there were three, of wallets two,
Enough to sate us, but of all they were only a few.
Several books were met with surprise and delight,
Telling us of cooking, history, and great vistas bright.
Scarves numbering two, so too the shawls, both light and delicate,
All four were welcomed and immediately declared first-rate.
And last, but certainly not least, dos abanicos bonitos, ¡Ole!
Combined with Cantes Flamencos, ¡Empiece el baile!
Thank you for our gifts, of sizes both small and great,
Please accept our thanks, although it be a tad bit late!


Gracias, Señor, Señora, o Señorita. Por favor, leave a contribtion in the comment box!

"A Mime Is a Terrible Thing to Waste"

Earlier today, when I was absolutely free of any assignment or looming test, I sat down at my computer with the intent to create a new background for my header. (I should probably make mention of my preference for tinkering with my template rather than for writing) I searched the web for images and inspiration. I found images, plenty of images, but no inspiration. I've lost my muse! Sometimes, I feel that college is ruining my mind. I've been having trouble lately doing the little things - like writing and spelling correctly. It took me four tries the other day just to spell "remember" correctly! And every time I write something by hand, the message from my brain to my hand becomes befuddled, causing my hand to cramp up as if it is thinking really hard, "What I am supposed to be doing?" The resulting scattered and fragmented chicken scratch is a poor excuse for what used to be my own unique and curvaceous handwriting. My attention span is shot - I have trouble focusing on anything for more than a hour, if it even gets that far. My mind keeps wandering in the middle of lectures, conversations, reading assignments, and even in the brief walks between classes. I'll be walking to class, and I'll be thinking about something, maybe even daydreaming, and I'll forget where I am and what I'm doing. That is, I'll completely phase out and go blank for a moment while my body is on auto pilot. Then I'll snap awake and realize that I'm in the middle of a crowded brickyard walking toward class. It's one of the weirdest feelings I've ever had, perhaps topped by my weird reaction to a certain anti-histamine last year. And, I used to be a prolific reader - I read and I read, and then I read. I loved reading - fiction, good fiction, that is - and I still do. But now the only time I have for it is between classes. But when I do have time for it, I'll make an honest attempt, and ten minutes later, I'm doing something different. However, I did finish a book Saturday night, Mansfield Park by Jane Austen - possibly one of my favorite books - and I was so proud of myself! But now, I'm reading Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. It's a good book, and I loved The DaVinci Code, but I can't keep my mind on it. I've barely made a dent into the book. Maybe I'll give it another try - perhaps now. Adieu

Prunus Mume

Prunus mume, or the Japanese Apricot, is currently in full bloom on North Campus, just beside the brickyard. I managed to take a few photos of these fluffy feathery pink clouds, as you can see. A woman asked me if I thought they were blooming early due to the warmer temperatures we've been experiencing. I replied that I thought that this was the normal blooming season, because way back in August of last year, at the start of my Botany course, I remember learning that these trees bloomed in later winter - early spring. Of course, I questioned myself immediately. Luckily, I knew the scientific name, so I looked it up - and I was semi-correct: they do bloom in late winter/early spring, but this is not late winter - it is barely middle winter! Can you believe that? Well, you can if you woke up early this morning - 29 degrees Fahrenheit! Brrrrrr. And yet tomorrow's high will be in the 60's - can't we just have some constant temperatures, please? And while I'm begging, can we please have some snow! Snow, fluffy, pristine snow, lovely white snow, delicious delicate snow! At home, snow is a rare occurrence - we normally receive a flake a year, with some variation, of course. Two years ago we received 6 inches! But I think that was directly related to the re-roofing of my family's home. 6 inches of snow, no roof on some sections, just the shell of one on others, and only one or two rooms with a suitable roof and insulation - can you say brrrrr? But the fun thing about being from such an environment is that at the first sign of imminent snow, schools, colleges, and businesses shut down. I'm in a similar place now, but they wait for the snow to accumulate before closing anything. Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes, I want snow, and I love the beautiful pink blossoms that so gracefully adorn the brickyard.