Amusements of the weeks past

[avrelia]

Non-work-related:

The Corpse Bride – we saw it last Friday, and were rather disenchanted about it. I certainly expected to like it much more. The Bride was lovely, and visuals were stunning, the music with songs and without was good, and the dancing skeletons were amazing and very enjoyable, but… It was boring! The story was absent whatsoever, and the fact that I couldn’t care for any of the characters lost the movie for me.

Just like Heaven – rather enjoyable fluff, but utterly forgettable. The end was too happy for my taste (I am surprised, as I usually like happy ends) – too magical or whatever. They seem to put all the best things in the trailer, which is the wrong idea, as it brings higher expectations. Except I didn’t (as opposed to the Corpse Bride), and managed to enjoy the movie and forget it immediately after.

To say nothing about the dog by Connie Willis. I’ve never heard about it before, but somehow through some cross-references I found it, ordered from the library – and was happy for several days reading it. It hit all the right buttons with me- the time-travel, the mystery of time, the making of history, personal choices and general course of events, happy fluff and irony. Kittens and ugly objects of décor to add – all made for very satisfied Avrelia.

I almost didn’t watch TV, and I don’t feel anything about it. What I did watch though – AtS DVD, s1 and 2 – still the for the first time ever. And it feels a lot like filling in the blanks. And seeing it all again, it came to me that they face the same problems over and over again - it is they are running circles – first just running, then running and jumping through the hoops, them running, jumping through the hoops blinded, then all that but carrying 50-pounds stones, then all that, but with the left big toe in each others’ ear… Yes, a disturbing image…

Work-related:

It was crazy and very crazy – conducting the shareholders’ meeting in Russia, while being here. I didn’t sleep that well, and when I did, I dreamed about shareholders’ meetings and raccoons. It is done now, It could have been done better – I could have done it better, but it is done, and now I can focus on other things – not better, but different. I am still worried silly about the thing, but the important thing, it is over. (and on Friday night – after work- I fall asleep on the couch at our friends’ place watching Star Wars.)


Looking forward to the vacation…

Comments

[zimshan.livejournal.com]

The Corpse Bride – we saw it last Friday, and were rather disenchanted about it. I certainly expected to like it much more. The Bride was lovely, and visuals were stunning, the music with songs and without was good, and the dancing skeletons were amazing and very enjoyable, but… It was boring! The story was absent whatsoever, and the fact that I couldn’t care for any of the characters lost the movie for me.

So this would be good news for Serenity, right?

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

Definitely. ;)

I am happily waiting for Serenity.

[gobi-rex.livejournal.com]

I'm torn between Corpse Bride and Flight Plan. J.Depp in animated form and a yummy Tim Burton production vs a smart thriller with delectable Sean Bean. Actually, I'm not especially excited about either, I would much rather wait until they come out on video/dvd. My movie buddy friend is kind of itching to see either, so I don't know.

I'm glad you liked To say nothing of the dog. It's a terrific book and it pushes all my buttons, too.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

For me one plane-thriller (Red Eye) was enough for now, so I am not planning to see Flight Plan any time soon. Corpse Bride has its moments, but this time the pretty didn't save the whole movie for me.

[lillianmorgan.livejournal.com]

And seeing it all again, it came to me that they face the same problems over and over again - it is they are running circles –
I really felt watching those first few seasons that W&H spotted Angel's weak-point almost immediately and very effectively. And that is the ability for him to not fade away, to always doggedly go after something even when he possibly shouldn't.
but the important thing, it is over.
I'm very happy for you! Congrats!

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

I really felt watching those first few seasons that W&H spotted Angel's weak-point almost immediately and very effectively. And that is the ability for him to not fade away, to always doggedly go after something even when he possibly shouldn't.

That too, but even without W&H influence - he goes dealing with the same problems over and over again. Another cool thing - a study of obsession: whatever our guys are obsessed with is the cause for their fall. True to every character in Angelverse. so cool.

Congrats! THanks, it was driving me crazy.

[missmurchison.livejournal.com]

If you liked "To Say Nothing of the Dog," you should read Jerome K Jerome's, "Three Men in a Boat" if you haven't already. The other Connie Willis I really enjoyed was "Bellwether." Some of her others are very different and often overwritten, unfortunately.

I'm glad the stress is less at work. Don't worry about the "I could have done better" part. There comes a point where you have to say this is all you'll give to a job because your life deserves some of your attention too. I'm sure you did great!

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

I definitely read "Three Men in a Boat" - in two languages and several times since I was a teenager. It just gets better and better. ;)

Don't worry about the "I could have done better" part. I do worry though - because there was a mistake I should have caught and it bugs me a lot. The whole thing was overwhelming, honestly.

[missmurchison.livejournal.com]

It can't be as big as the thing I just screwed up! I need a stiff drink.

I know it's a waste of time telling you not to worry, but at least go as easy on yourself as you would on anyone else.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

::offers you virtual vodka with orange juice (very comforting)::

[missmurchison.livejournal.com]

::mixes you a margarita with lots of salt.::

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

Cheers!

Ваше здоровье!

[fishsanwitt]

I *adore* Connie Willis. The first book I read of hers was 'Doomsday Book' - time-travellers and the plague!

I have to say I *loved* 'To Say Nothing Of The Dog' and my other personal favourite is 'Lincoln's Dreams' - this is a beautiful book, spare, lean - and truly unforgettable. I wanted to read it as soon as I'd finished it.

I just read 'Passages' and I told Jim I had to stop halfway through because she made me *care* so much for the characters that I had to take a break and compose myself before I could continue.

She *can* be repetitive (I read the other comments :) but I don't find that a failing.

Wonderful writer. I hope you explore her work further - and 'Bellwether' is *wonderful* - I loved that one too!

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

I definitely will be looking into more Connie Willis, so your recs are very welcome!

[asta77.livejournal.com]

I expected to like 'Corpse Bride' more, but I still enjoyed it. I think the performances made up for a very thin story and I found the visuals stunning as well. I actually found myself sympathizing with Victor and Victoria quite a bit.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

I liked Victoria's run from home, and Victor's music-playing, but I can't help wishing they were a bit more alive (hee!)

[molly_may]

I'm also a Connie Willis fan, and would especially recommend her short story collections Impossible Things and Fire Watch. I'm not generally a big fan of short stories, but I love most of hers.

And seeing it all again, it came to me that they face the same problems over and over again - it is they are running circles

Yeah, I would agree. And a lot of it is interesting and entertaining, but it does seem like they run around in circles a lot with nothing to show for it.

then all that, but with the left big toe in each others’ ear… Yes, a disturbing image…

Very disturbing.

[avrelia.livejournal.com]

a lot of it is interesting and entertaining, but it does seem like they run around in circles a lot with nothing to show for it. And the reset in s5 just sealed it! Seriously, it is the most strange feeling to see them getting through one round and know they will have another one shortly after.

Very disturbing.
Sorry. It just came and stayed there. But then I last week had a dream about racoon's plot to take over the Earth, and in order to be ready they send out spies - racoons who turn into humans. and the dream ended up about a racoon boy and a short plump woman scientist whom he spies on...