Yes, I’ve been posting a lot lately. I will balance it by not posting for weeks once I start the new job. ;)
I saw this on ‘s lj, and though it was a good idea. Recommend to me:
1. A movie.
2. A book.
3. A musical artist, song, or album.
4. An LJ user not on my friends list.
I saw an interesting article today, as I was rather aimlessly surfing; it concerned Dick Francis. I’ve always loved his books, and I share this love with my father, who is also a big fan. He likes the books because they are so masculine, and the characters can take so much pain – in other words, they’re very strong. I like his characters because he always gives them a flaw – the man with the invalid wife who is struggling with guilt over sleeping with another woman, the jockey who has lost his nerve, the character struggling with depression and fantasies of suicide. Both viewpoints are valid, and both exist simultaneously: his characters overcome their flaws.
Anyway, there hasn’t been a recent book, and Dick Francis normally has a very regular publishing schedule. I was afraid that he had died, or that he was too ill to write; I knew that his wife had died, and wondered if that had affected his writing. And then I found this article. “A new unauthorised biography, Dick Francis: A Racing Life, suggests that Mary Francis wrote most of the former jockey’s novels but shunned the limelight in favour of the pulling power of her husband’s name.”
Intriguing…I sent the link to my father, and I will be interested to see what he thinks about it. It would make sense to use the “pulling power” of the name of the famous jockey to sell the books. They could have been written by a woman. How strange to be in the shadows, totally unknown, spinning tales that make your husband famous. I doubt we’ll ever know.
1. A movie.
I’m going to assume you’ve seen my top 5 (Casablanca, Some Like it Hot, The Shawshank Redemption, Seven Samurai, It’s a Wonderful Life) so not one of those.
Solaris – the George Clooney version, because it’s a beautiful, slow film; one I didn’t think Hollywood would make.
2. A book.
Only one? Sheesh.
Umbarto Eco – Foucaults Pendulum. If the Conspiracy isn’t complicated enough, make up a new conspiracy.
Oh – and Colours in the Steel by K J Parker – fantasy novel where fencing plays an important part.
3. A musical artist, song, or album.
Tori Amos – especially the earlier stuff – Little Earthquakes is particularly fine.
4. An LJ user not on my friends list.
– I think you two would get on well together.
1. The Secretary-James Spader does his best subversive devient , whilst Maggie Gyllannhal takes it on the rear.
2. Michael Moores Stupid white Americans-a good mix of vitriol and satire about a man who stole the Whitehouse.
3. Regeneration by Divine Comedy. Neil Hannon does a mix betweenTS Eliot and Radiohead, and comes out of the other end enlightened.
4. a sassy, witty American red head, with ramblings on her errant publisher and insane cat.I think you are both similar and would get on.
lj user not on your list
1. Sex, Lies and Videotape – another movie featuring James Spader – not explicit – but intelligent and intriguing – with incredible sexual tension between Andie McDowell and James S. (I’m off to get hold of The Secretary now – sounds interesting!!)
2. The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera – set in Prague and Switzerland, not only a book about a womaniser – but philosophical as well! Oh, and the part about the dog will make you cry…
3. Darklands by The Jesus and Mary Chain. Everyone should own this, for those dark moments
4. Don’t know any!
Berni
Interesting. I’m ashamed to say that I’ve never seen Seven Samurai. Thank you for the Colours in the Steel tip – I looked them up on Amazon, and I’ll have to read them!
I loved Secretary! Also Stupid White Americans. I saw Bowling for Columbine here in the UK, which was an interesting experience. I wonder what it would have felt like to see it with an American audience. Divine Comedy sounds very promising, and I shall have to have a listen – I’ve been looking for new music.
Sex, Lies and Videotape was wonderful. And you should watch Secretary – it was not what I anticipated, and I think you would like it. I’ve seen the movie of The Unbearable Lightness of Being, but never read the book; I’ll have to look for it. As for Darklands, I meant to look for songs from it online, but then Kazaa Lite went away, so I shall have to buy it. *pout*
Movie: One choice is not enough. Until The End of the World – Wim Wenders, a feast of a movie. The Legend of Hell House Starring Roddy McDowall – scared me to death when I was a youth. L.A. Confidential – superb, must-see film.
Music: Don’t Let it Bring You Down, Neil Young. Fast Cars, Tracy Chapman. Almost anything by Joni Mitchell.
Book: Anything by Anita Shreve, try The Last Time They Met or The Pilots Wife. Love Anne Tyler, Carol Shields and Wilkie Collins too.
CathyPacific