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November 11, 2011
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About Random Musings
Susan Solomon is a media, entertainment and political news junkie who some days feels like writing about what she reads, hears and sees. Here lives that randomness.
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Just Listened
Just Watched
Excellent.
will most likely be a very expensive smash.
The reviews weren't inviting, but I tried nonetheless. I couldn't get through the pilot. I wanted to. I really did. How could I not with a cast that includes Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte, Dennis Farina amongst others and produced by David Milch and Michael Mann - on HBO. As I type the names of that talent, I feel guilt thinking I should give it another shot, check out another episode.. Maybe it gets better? Or maybe, sometimes the stars just don't align. Sometimes referred to as luck.
I understand the accolades, it's an incredibly well done, clever, adorable film. I thoroughly enjoyed it. But is it the best picture for the year? I could see how the academy may decide it is. It's right up their alley and is a stand out in its uniqueness.. But best for me? Not sure I could say that...
I got bored of the actual campaign season taking place.. It's now all but certain Romney's going to win, so nothing much in the way of a contest to watch. So got my political fix elsewhere, first with Ides of March, and then moved on to two classics with the Parallax View and the Candidate. What's remarkable is how both of these films have stood the test of time. Although little things like watching how quaint air travel was back in the early '70 - minimal airport security, Warren Beatty paying for his plane ticket while on the plane, Redford & crew walking straight into the pilot's cabin for a private meeting, the smoking & drinking, etc - both are intelligent, well crafted films, with stars that light up the screen. Parallax View is a thriller, with Beatty playing a reporter looking into an organization training political assassins. I was riveted. Far better than most thrillers today. In The Candidate Redford plays an unknown candidate, plucked from relative obscurity, to go on and win the California senate seat. Although in some ways the politics of that day - or at least how the film portrayed it - are less subtle, it is almost a mirror image to the rules of the today's game. "What do we do know," Redford's last line of the film says it all. Running a campaign is all together very different than running a country. Go ask Obama.
Far darker than I imagined it would be. Apparently wasn't paying attention to anyone's reviews. Really slow to start, began losing interest right before the big heist gone wrong. Then it got interesting.. and really dark. Didn't love it, but does have a haunting effect, feel it will stay with me for a bit.
Home sick.. watched the 3 available episodes back to back. I get it.. Cheedle is excellent. And the concept quite good - and most certainly relevant today. Stylistically, like the way it's done. Feels a bit uneven, but it's only first few episodes. Could certainly smooth out... will continue to watch. That pretty much tells the story...
Labeled a comedy - but would hardly call it that. It's more a drama with some comedic moments. And a well done one at that. Sweet, sensitive, acting & script really good.. Joseph Gordon-Levitt was good as the lead and just love that Seth Rogen. Anna Kendrick really good too. Oh, and Angelica Huston as mom, great role.. I pretty much sobbed throughout the whole film..
Catfish came out a while ago & I remember my mom talking about it, it's strangeness. Now I know why. What a bizarre story. In short, via Facebook, a young guy in NY develops a relationship with a family - or so he thinks. The twists of the story and twistedness of this 'family' is just bizzaro. Was thoroughly captivated by it..
Truly adored the book. And transforming books into movies is always a challenge - this one being no different. The kid, Thomas Horn, was absolutely fantastic. While Sandra Bullock and Tom Hanks felt like they phoned it in. Or maybe it was just that you never felt the family unit connection somehow. Maybe the problem was with editing, as some parts seemed to work well? ...It was beautifully shot, the script was quite good and the supporting roles played incredibly well - Viola Davis and Max von Sydow. But generally uneven and incomplete. I still sobbed like a baby at the end when.. well, won't spoil for those who haven't read or seen. But the kid's performance is really the only real reason to check it out. Otherwise, read the book.. so, so good.
Absolutely loved it! Not sure why there were so many "iffy" reviews, maybe the topic? I, of course, love the topic - the strategy behind the politics. The acting was fantastic and casting spot-on: shlumpy Philip Seymuor Hoffman and Paul Giamatti as campaign managers! Ryan Gosling was truly excellent, and what's not to like about George Clooney... Great script, great editing, etc.. Absolutely loved.
Just Read
Tom Kelley: The Art of Innovation: Lessons in Creativity from IDEO, America's Leading Design Firm
Published 11 years ago, but the concepts & process are still relevant.Rob Lowe: Stories I Only Tell My Friends: An Autobiography
In bed sick & was looking for a no-brainer of a read.. I got my wish. My sister and sister in law both said they enjoyed it, so I figured why not. It was hardly a work of literary genius, but somewhat enjoyable for the first half. Brought me back to the 70's and 80's...After that, was just hoping I felt better and up for a weightier title..Jeffrey Eugenides: The Marriage Plot: A Novel
In general, it's an intertwined narrative of three characters trying to find their way in their years after college. The characters are wonderful, fully realized. And the story good too. Definitely enjoyed, and would recommend, but as a rating, I'd say great, not excellent...Kevin Wilson: The Family Fang: A Novel
We all have unique and sometimes fucked up families - but the parents of this family might take the entire cake. Great book all around. Well written, funny, poignant - totally entertaining.. would make an incredible Wes Anderson movie..Craig Marks and Rob Tannenbaum: I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video Revolution
If you didn't live the business, this book would be of zero interest. I lived through half of the years focused on - and still it only kept me mildly attentive. I read all the way through though - skimmed through bands I couldn't care less about (then and now), while, other sections definitely did amuse - brought me back to a very fun, exciting time in my life. And the last days of the music industry as we knew it.Walter Isaacson: Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs was certainly not a warm & fuzzy guy you'd have wanted to hang out with, but I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent reading the book. His 'genius' is truly remarkable and awe inspiring - his insights, his passion, his focus, the company he built and the products he developed - and though he really wasn't a very nice guy, his brilliance and drive made him impossible to ignore and more than deserving of the lavish praise he received.Marty Neumeier: The Designful Company: How to build a culture of nonstop innovation
Neumeier's core belief: "Design drives innovation; innovation powers brand; brand builds loyalty; and loyalty sustains profits. If you want long-term profits, start with design." The concept of creating a corporate culture of innovation by incorporating design is a fascinating one - to me, and a topic many have been discussing for years. But is concisely and well articulated here.Debbie Millman: Brand Thinking and Other Noble Pursuits
Interesting that Brand is hard to define and articulate well - even for industry leaders. As Debbie Millman's focus and expertise is on Design, much of the conversation about Brand came back to the articulation of brand through design. But design is a big concept - one that I wish had been defined and described simultaneously by those that defined brand.Katherine Rosman: If You Knew Suzy: A Mother, a Daughter, a Reporter's Notebook
I'm not sure what possessed me to read this book being that my mother died only 10 months ago from cancer - clearly a glutton for pain. The author, a WSJ reporter, deals with the pain of her mothers death by "investigating" her mother's life, by interviewing the people she touched. It's about mothers and daughters, sisters, death and dying.. it's a well-written, honest, emotional weeper.W. Bruce Cameron: A Dog's Purpose
I didn't think I'd like it, but I was sucked in - being the sucker for dogs that I am. Fantastic job of writing from a dog's perspective. (What we imagine they must be thinking, more like it..) A little hokey and corny at the end, but still an enjoyable read. I'm missing my little mutt, so gave me a little doggie comfort..Rebecca Skloot: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Really interesting, very well writtenJennifer Egan: A Visit from the Goon Squad
Some great characters (Bennie Salazar), others not that interesting. I liked it, can't say I loved it. A bit of a roller coaster of interest throughout.
