Wolf Creek (R)

Amanda recommended this film to me (as well as Perfume). She painted a picture for me: the backpaker murders. She warned me that this film was so scary my back would probably ache with the sheer suspense of it all. The bloke at my local video store warned me that it would scare the pants off me. The image of a bloodstained brunette on the front cover worried me, so I was quite nervous as I got ready to watch it.

In my opinion, it is not that scary. It is really sad though, what happened to the girls. The graffic scenes are disturbing but the level of violence is not too terrible ... in my opinion. I find it harder to fathom that anybody could be so cruel. It scares me that this dude is still out there. We have so much faith that our national protection will actually protect us. That somebody could hunt down a person is really quite awful.

I will watch this film again, because there are hints throughout that can help us understand the story better. Krissy's laughter really annoyed me. I liked Liz. I thought that Ben was ok - cute but annoying in some ways. That he survives (this is based on true events) is a miracle.

Recommended viewing for those who are not easily freaked ***

Perfume

I really like this film. I love the raw setting. The opening scenes were vile and raw and my eyes were glued to the screen in the manner of looking at roadkill ("Oh gross, I can't look" [but look anyway]). I liked the plot and the making of perfume: I thought this interesting and well researched. I thought it sad that the young women were killed and dumped in their vulnerability, but as far as murder stories go, I though this was a good one.

Until the really strange final scenes filled the screen. My mouth agape, I couldn't quite work out what the heck was happening. How bizarre. That the scent of the women could render an evil man an angel; unfathomable.

The protagonist is weird and I thought him unlikeable. He has no soul and no scent, and he appears in the dark in many scenes, slowly appearing as if he were a ghost. His sillhouette enters our vision before his face does - eerie!

And the wonderfully rich colours: opulent emerald, ravishing red - the girls' hair flying in the wind, wonderful rich colours and tumbling curls. The pukey greys and sloshing sounds in the opening scenes is foul but brilliant: slashes on the screen of gutting animals and the raw brutality that is the fishmarket.

Overall I rate this film average (see it because it's different) **

In the Woods - Tana French

Giving up on Picoult's "Nineteen Minutes" (too annoyingly multi-POV [point-of-view]), I have begun my FIRST EVER crime novel, "In the Woods." This is an intriguing story. Unfortumately, however, I am finding the same problem with any crime novel I've tried to read: it's written badly. There are far too many broken, interrupted clauses that I forget what the sentence is about. Please, write simple sentences; use punctuation properly!

Anyway, I will persevere, because this is a book we're doing for our mum's group reading circle (I like the term 'circle' because it sounds much more D&M).

I reckon the protagonist and narrator, Adam/Robert is a hunk! I don't know why. He just is. A bit annoying, but sexy. And I am hopeful of a romance between him and Cassie, his force partner. I really like the story; I really like the setting; and I like the characters. The whole murdered child thing is completely off, but I like the mystery of the children who go missing in the woods etc.

So, I'm, like*, up to page 100, so don't give anything away. It's quite depressing that I'm only 1/5 the way through. I'll write a better review when I'm finished...

* Sorry, I've caught this terrible bug from my students, where, like, you write how you speak? Except I don't even speak like that? I've just, like, caught the way they write?

UGH!

De Ja Vu

I watched "de Ja Vu" last night and thoroughly enjoyed it! Denzel Washington played Doug, a very gentle and caring fonrensic investigator. Val Kilmer was in it too, as was a very beautiful woman - I think her name is Erika something.

The story goes that there is an attack on a ferry and lots of people are killed. Doug is sent to investigate. Through some interesting technology he and his team learn that they can change the past. I can't go into any more detail than that.

The film features lots of neutral tones except for Claire, who wears pretty colours. The scenes are fluid and blend to tell the story in an understandable way. The dialogue is clear and Denzel's silky voice is just a pleasure to hear.

I enjoyed the plot and the film was gripping and intriguing. Some of the sci fi parts were over the top - or so I thought until I realised that there are no limits with fantasy and sci fi. Don't get the wrong idea about this film though - it is actually reasonably realistic, not way-out like a lot of films from that genre are.

I really enjoyed this film. *****

Babel

I would not say that this film is terribly enjoyable, but I will say that this film is gripping, well structured and harrowing.

It is the story of a gun, and its impact on the lives of several people from different countries. Its impace left people raw; viewers see the characters at their most vulnerable. Pain and suffering in its many forms is a major theme of this text - portrayed through simple camera techniques. The stories of the different characters are tied in so well, despite the differing time frames.

The settings are vivid and complement the overal atmosphere of the scene. The bright lights in Tokyo contrast with Chieko's grief. The arid desolateness of Morocco contrast with the blood that stains Susan and Richard's clothing. The red dress that Amelia wears to the wedding stands out in all its absurdity in the desert. The tourist bus contrasts to the mud brick houses of Morocco.

Speech is fast paced and at times furious. The different languages contrast and thus the label Babel is suitable to this film; how people of different cultures are related through one incident.

The moral questions are paramount in this film. Firstly, the issue of guns and who should use them and be allowed to have them. The issue of incest is one that I find awkward and terrifying. Other questions, such as how could a busload of tourists leave one of their company to die - are people so terrified and selfish in times of fear, that they would let others suffer instead? What does that say of the human race?

Do I recommend this film? Most certainly. Be prepared for a contrast of colours, languages, cultures and values.

*****

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

It is so cold; my hands are barely able to move!

I am teaching this book to my year 8s. I have just finished reading it and I love it!

Stargirl is about a girl, Stargirl, who is different to the mainstream (annoying) teenager. She sings happy birthday to people; she wears long skirts and no makeup. I think she is lovely. However, she is not admired by the schoolkids. Until she becomes a cheerleader, and she becomes popular. When SG is popular it is like the kids' eyes have opened and they are born again (and other cliches). They become nice to eachother! But then they think she does something wrong - she barracks for the other basketball team too, and the entire school shuns her!

Leo, the narrator, has a thing with Stargirl. They seem to have a very beautiful, natural, innocent love affair. But he gets shunned too, so he asks her to be normal. And she loves him so much she becomes normal.

This novel covers many themes. The publication my school has has a reading guide at the end. I have been devising some thought-provoking journal entries too. Throughout the book, there are several activities that SG does that I might get my students to do.

How to be a starperson:

• Get a jar (literal or metaphoric). Write down things that make you happy and put them in the jar. Write down things that make you unhappy and put them outside the jar. Try altering it each day.


• Observe somebody for a day. Write them a card that you think will mean a lot to them. Or get to know someone and write them a letter.


• Take photos of a friend or relative. Give them a little scrapbook to remind them of what they did (could be a long-term project for loved ones).

Reflections

1. Who are the 'star people' in your life (the people who are truly happy, "a little more in touch with our beginnings, a little more in touch with the stuff we're made of")?


2. How important is it to be liked by other people? To fit in? To belong? How would you feel if you weren't/didn't?


3. Are you a star person or a normal person? How do you know? Would you like to be a star person?


4. Archie says (41): "You'll learn more by your questions than her answers." What does he mean?


5. Stargirl seems in tune with nature. She even has an 'enchanted place.' Do you believe in enchanted places? Do you have one? Is it more a state of mind? How can it be created and what would you expect from it?


6. Would you change who you are for the person you love?


7. If you were Leo, how would you respond to Stargirl?


8. Search: find as many similes and metaphors as you can (the book is riddled with them!)

I recommend this book. Although it is written for teens, it is a quick, enjoyable read for all. 180+p. ****

I finished "Notes on a Scandal" by Zoe Heller

I finished the book. It was such a quick read. It only took me a few days. I enjoyed it. I think it is more about the character Barbara than the affair between Sheba and her student. How gross - an affair with a child. I can't fathom why or how. Maybe that is why I chose to concentrate on Barbara instead.

Barbara is insecure yet self righteous. She is old, staid and quite weird. She is obsessive, possessive and emotionally attached to her cat. She is lonely because she is not such a good friend. She is intriguing. I am not sure if she is a good person or not. I don't really like her. I sort of liked her...she's odd.

I recommend this read. It is different and enjoyable yet irksome. ***1/2

Some questions:

1. Do you admire Barbara? What are her good qualities?
2. Sheba is beautiful and lovely. Why does she choose to have an affair with Connolly?
3. Can we justify and forgive Sheba for her love for Connolly?
4. Is Barbara's cat, Portia, a metaphor for her relationship with Sheba?
5. What do you think happens to Sheba at the end of the novel?

Notes on a Scandal - novel

I picked this novel because I want to see the film and novels are always better. I have not read very much but I am already so engrossed in the text! It is written from the point of view of Barbara, a staid old maid who teaches at St George, where Sheba, a beautiful woman comes to work. Barbara has an unhealthy obsession with Sheba. Sheba has an inappropriate relationship with a young student. The 'notes' in this book are actually Barbara's account. I love the story. I feel that I can relate to the school setting and the relationships between staff members. It is not uncommon for teachers to marry their ex-students. I know a few who have. The relationships don't last though. Not often anyway. I can relate to the descriptions of students and classes and the school as a whole.

This novel is fascinating and I hate to put it down. It is not a very easy read because Barbara uses pretentious huge long words that I don't understand. I can't be bothered reading with my dictionary on hand, although Monte (DH) says I should. I might go back and highlight the big words to get a better understanding - but the point of the big words is to show how self-important Barbara is, I reckon.

Anyway, I recommend this novel. It is great (so far). ****

Anonymous Lawyer

Well good on me for actually finishing one of our set texts! I must admit that by halfway through this novel I was bored and very tired of the protagonist and his obsession with hierarchy and self importance. However, as the character started to face certain obstacles, I admired him a bit more (only a little bit).

My question is: Does Anonymous Lawyer deserve the final outcome? My answer is yes, most certainly. But I believe there is a twist in the final pages and the end might not be as it seems...

Writing style: Being a blogger, I liked this entertaining mode of delivery for a novel. What I liked most were the date stamps and related emails, which told the real parts of the story; for example, the true ending of the volleyball tournament vs the published version. I thought this was a different and refreshing way to write a book and I enjoyed it. I liked the technical references to things like Blackberries. I could relate to the comments about how technology means we are never really away from the office!

Plot: AL, a hiring partner, seeks to become chairman of his firm and plots ways to get there. Some subplots are: bring down The Jerk, make life a misery for The Suck Up, talk his neice into joining his firm and build a better relationship with his son. Oh, and write a blog without being found out.

Character: Every good jerk deserves to be brought down by his own impudence. I half liked AL because he shows some love towards his son (not his wife and daughter though) and he admires and supports his neice. I thought his treatment of subordinates was ludicrous yet rather hilarious at the same time. I couldn't understand how he could possibly think he was actually better than anybody, but I am not in the field of law and i don't know if that is really the case. I'd hate to work in that kind of office environment with that kind of politicking going on! Sometimes I felt sorry for AL because he has to put on a show every time he talks to anybody. He has to give off the impression that he is rich, successful and professional. He probably is all of these things to an extent, however, his bedside manner is atrocious!

Themes: power corrupts but absolute power corrupts absolutely. AL deserves his downfall. He has enough money to make it through the rest of his life.

Some questions about the novel:

• What are some examples of AL's attitude to women?
• Is working life really this difficult for women who are wives and mothers? Is there such thing as not being able to work part time? I'm thinking of Ellis Grey in 'Grey's Anatomy.' Look how she turned out.
• For what is his office/home/wife a metaphor?
• How would you feel if you were a) talking to Al, b) working for Al? c) hiring Al (ie a client)?
• Does this type of office hierarchy exist in real life? Give examples. How can we work around it/deal with it/embrace it?
• Is such office politics healthy?

Do I recommend this novel? Yes, because it is written in a different form. It is an eye-opener and my sister wants to be a lawyer so I thought she should read it. The book is based on an actual blog (see link to the left) but I think the book is better. Still, very entertaining. ***

Idea

I was wondering if you girls are interested in sharing recipes on this blog? The discussion today about vegetarian meals for Michele's mum got me thinking. We've mentioned this before. So let's come up with some dairy-free vegetarian meals for Mrs Michele.

If I move to Tassie, we can still keep this blog going.