Tristan
-
Posts
160 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Books
Posts posted by Tristan
-
-
Finally saw Some Like it Hot last night.
Great fun, I have to say. -
And It stoned Me - Van Morrison
-
I don't know if this counts but I watched 3 minutes of 'The Human Centipede' and quickly turned it over, it was awful, creepy and well, awful
That's some sick, hardcore stuff. I'm surprised to see it mentioned on this forum, actually. I haven't seen it myself( if it's just for shock value, I've no interest in seeing it ), but it's quickly growing in legend for its distastefulness. Or so I've heard.
I saw White Noiselast night. Intriguing concept (Electronic Voice Phenomenon, now who wouldn't want to watch that?), and it was actually pretty decent.. that was,until the ending came. What was left was a bland, mediocre film that could have been so much more. Still, I had some pretty good scares.
-
Local - Brian Wood
You know, admiting (as a grown up) you read comics is a hard thing to do. It still happens that someone looks at me funny when I mouth that oh-so-horrifying C-word. No matter how many accolades respected critics chose to bestow the 'graphic novel' medium, no matter how aptly the medium shows it's every bit as good as the other media, there are still some misguided people that reject it for mostly irrational reasons. Oh, how I pity them. For they will never know the joy of reading Local, one of the most personally affecting comics I've ever had the pleasure to delve into.
In 12 issues (which can all be read as stand-alone stories), we follow Megan, a troubled girl that lacks direction in her life. In every story we see her trying to build up a life, subsequently taking it apart, and starting again somewhere else. A lot of people around my age feel like this. The feeling of isolation, not belonging anywhere, and I'm no different. It's mostly a fleeting feeling as one gets older, but it's definitely there. If someone recognizes him/herself in this short description, read this book. It's simply beautiful and evocative, in content and in artwork. An excellent example of what the medium is truly capable of.
-
When I was in high school, I must have read a shitload of Latin texts. Ovidius, Cicero, Homer, Julius Caesar,.. ranging from poetry/mythology to socio-political works. There's a lot in them to appreciate, even to love. Still, I wouldn't even dream of reading them in the original language though. I'm afraid my Latin is a tad too rusty these days.
-
The Most Dangerous Game - Richard Connel
A man, survivor of a shipwreck, finds himself to be in good luck indeed when he manages to reach a nearby island. This momentary happpiness quickly dissolves when he is being hunted by a master-hunter and his terrifying henchman. A thrilling chase ensues, and makes for a more than worthy contribution to the still staggering anthology 'Great Tales of Terror and the Supernatural'.
I recently picked up a worn - don't really care though - copy of the rather awesome 'The Elephant Man and other Freaks', so I've read a couple of stories contained therein as well.
The Elephant Man, a true account of John Merrick's trials and tribulations in his life, is a wonderful start to the anthology. Not so much horrifying as touching, the tale clearly distinguishes itself in tone from the others.
The Bird Woman, a negligable tale lenghtwise, doesn't need any real explanation. Woman looks like a bird, scares some other woman, end of story.
The Reptile Man is an oddity. strangely enough, the title does not refer to any exterior attributes, but to a ploy a man uses to wreak revenge on the man that tried to murder him. The latter has a devastating fear for reptiles, it soon turns out. It's a simple revenge story, but oh what a gem it is! Simply wonderful.
Still good, but not as masterful as his predecessor, is Bal Macabre, detailing a night of some good old fashioned mass-poisoning. So far, this collection hasn't disappointed me yet, so I'm hopeful for what's to come.
-
Parabola by Tool
Lateralus, by Tool.
-
The Cell, starring Jennifer Lopez. After an odd 10 years or so, the main concept remains utterly interesting. Visually, the film is spectacular. And for once, Lopez didn't bother me at all.
-
I agree with you on the fact that the Coen bros make the best kind of subtle film, but I guess for me, True Grit was. I didn't see it as having a typical Hollywood ending, primarily because it didn't necessarily end happily or with everything tied up in a nice pretty package. I haven't read the book, but apparently the Coen's based their film on that and didn't consult the John Wayne version, which is a good thing, IMO, because they obviously altered much of the story in that 1969 film. I liked the 'quiet' feeling of this new version (if that makes sense
), and thought the voice-over and score matched it perfectly, not to mention the cinematography. The world would be a pretty boring place though if we all agreed on our choice of films, eh?
It would,indeed.
-
I'm sorry you didn't like this one, Tristan, it was one of my favorites of the year. Can I ask what about the last 5 minutes ruined it for you?
Because Rooster died before Maddie got to see him all those years later?
Have you seen the John Wayne version?
I didn't see the John Wayne version and I haven't read the book, so I'm not drawing any comparison between them. I merely try to judge the film on its own merits. I really loved the film, btw. Just the ending bothered me. The reason why it didn't do it for me was because it was -to my taste- too medodramatic, too obvious in trying to convey the theme of the film. It wasn't exactly subtle - I would even go as far as calling this your typical Hollywood ending - while the Coen brothers excell in making subtle films. It's the primary reason why I adore their filmmaking. This effort was just very a-typical for them, and as a result very disappointing. It didn't mesh with the overall tone of the film at all. I would love to see a fan-edited version of this, ending the thing with the scene in the snow. Bridges saves the girl, redeems himself, and the girl has -at least partially - completed her process of growning into adulthood. Conveys the theme in a much more eloquent, more symbolical way. No voice-over required.
-
I haven't seen this, but it made me think of Cloverfield, which I really enjoyed. Have you seen it?
Seen it, scared to death by it, loved it. But still, Blair Witch reigns supreme
-
True Grit. Bit of a misfire, and it didn't have to be. The ending (a mere 5 minutes) ruined the entire flick. Rare mistake for the Coen brothers to make. Better luck next time, fellas.
-
Looks classy. Oké, thanks guys.
-
The Blair Witch Project. One of those films I revisit once in a while. Don't really know why..
-
There's something else I wanted to write to you guys about. I've been visiting this Finnish book 'forum' for a while now, you don't have to be a registered member there and it's a very loose and unorganised, even a dysfunctional forum: you just write in the threads and nobody really pays attention who's who and nobody's trying to make friends there or anything. Sometimes I think people don't even read what other people have posted there. I don't know why I go there, it certainly has nothing on this forum
Well anyways, 4-5 months ago there was this girl who posted about possibly setting up a reading group in the town where I live, asking if there are any people on the forum who'd be willing to join. After giving it a bit of thought, I replied and said I'd be interested but I'm a bit shy in real life and I wonder if I'd have the courage to meet strangers over a cup of coffee and an armful of books. She wrote back and said that it only takes one meeting and it doesn't have to be a big deal, just a cup of coffee and talking about books and we'll see how it goes from there. She also asked me what kind of books I like to read etc.This was the time when I flew to Australia so I forgot about the thread and the forum altogether for a month, and when I went back and replied, I didn't hear from her anymore, but there was another person posting that she'd be interested. I told her that I'd be back in Joensuu in December, but that's very likely a busy month for everyone so we should probably leave it til January. After that there were no more replies from anyone and I'd given up on the whole thing.
Until today. I was thinking about the reading group idea again and was considering setting up something one my own, perhaps asking the library if they had a reading group (which I think is highly unlikely), or posting a notice somewhere in the library. I went to have a look at the forum, not expecting to find anything there, but the original poster had actually come back to post about the reading group and suggesting that we meet this month. I wrote back and agreed, and I guess now we're going to meet at some point to discuss books! I'm pretty nervous and excited, it's all pretty random
I've met people whom I've met online before and I've never had any problems, but this time it feels a bit different because I don't know the other person at all, and we're supposed to meet and start up a group, so it would be a really great thing if I liked her and got along with her, but what if I don't? I know it's early days and I shouldn't be bothering myself with stuff like this when we haven't even set a date yet, but well, that's the way I am. She suggested we bring books we've liked and would like to recommend each other and I already have a lot of ideas. I wonder what she'll bring. I wonder if we won't have any kind of common ground when it comes to books. Apparently she likes Harry Potter and Sofi Oksanen so that's all good, but who knows.
Hehe. I just wanted to talk to you guys about it. Very exciting!
Well, yeah it could very well turn out to be a horrendous experience. But, it can also go the other way completely. you just never know. And if it doesn't work out, at least you can say to yourself that you've tried. No one can fault you for that.
I say go for it, be receptive towards everything that comes your way. View this as a way to grow as a bookreader, even as a person. Life would be pretty shitty if people never evolved and always stayed the same.. Just my view on things, on course.
P.S. It's the randomness that makes life interesting
-
Kids don't follow - The Replacements
-
We watched Mary and Max this evening. So, so, so good.
It's very touching, that's for sure. One of my modern favorites.
I just saw Naked, the Mike Leigh film. Not so touching (or better, touching in a different way), but still awfully good. A masterpiece, I dare say.
-
Could someone suggest me a good (or the best) collection that contains all Sherlock Holmes' adventures (novels and short stories)? It seems there is an abundance of publications out there.. Preferably hardcover.
-
I like the sound of Suspicion, don't think I've read any of her books before. Thanks for the review
I've come to discover that (as a beginning reader) I really like the short story format. It's compact, has a tight dramatic arc (when done well), and it lets you discover writers fairly quickly (without having to invest your precious time in a novel ). Not that I don't read them,
but reading short stories (or novella's) is the quickest way for developing a broad sense of literature and for determining what your taste is.
-
Saw this years ago and I quite liked it, although, the book of the same title by Jeffrey Deaver is much much better and is the start of a brilliant series.
I'm not saying it's terrible, but I felt much more could have been done with the material. There were some minor flaws throughout, but the ending (and specifically the reveal of the killer) was utterly disappointing and just not convincing by any stretch of the imagination..
-
I seem to be getting through a few movies this weekend. I just finished watching Cape Fear starring Gregory Peck.
Robert Mitchum is stellar in that one, isn't he?
-
Tristan, it was a pretty freaky movie (for me, at least; I don't generally watch scary movies) but I liked the ambiguous ending.
I'm now watching Burn After Reading.
Yeah, you're right. But, sometimes, one has to allow some degree of freakiness in one's life. Don't you agree?
-
The Spiral Staircase. An old (but awfully good) thriller/horror from the forties. Yah!
-
I'm watching a scary movie called The Descent, about a bunch of girls who go caving and are chased by some horrible beasties. (Why am I watching this right before bedtime?
)Awesome movie.
Tristan's Log of Logorrhea - 2011 Edition
in Past Book Logs
Posted
Leiningen verus the Ants - Carl Stephenson
A relatively straightforward man versus nature tale but, by golly, what a riveting one it was. By using his intellect, a plantation owner tries to save his life (and those of his 4OO labourers) from a killer ant species, heading his way. Self-assured, he makes ready for battle, only to find out that his opponent is just as clever as he is. A definite winner, this one.
The Minority Report - Philip K. Dick
Having seen the adaptation, I didn't think this one would surprise me as much as it did. Conceptually ( the idea remains absolutely brilliant ) and in actual execution one of Dick's better works. Maybe the best I've read of his ( Upon the Dull Earth is a close second ). I'll start on his novels very soon.
Oh yeah, I bought some books online also. The Stories of Ray Bradbury (all his pre-1980 short stories), Animal Farm and 1984 (double package), Lord of the Flies and Frankenstein. So excited.