Restless - A thousand times yes

Yes.  Yes.  Yes.  Could be cliched but I suspect it won't be.  It is directed by Gus van Sant after all, the guy behind movies such as Good Will Hunting and Elephant.  The film will be opening at Cannes Film Festival next week.

The plot is described by imdb as "The story of a terminally ill teenage girl who falls for a boy who likes to attend funerals and their encounters with the ghost of a Japanese kamikaze pilot from WWII."  We all need a Hiroshi in our lives...am I right?

The kid is Harry Hopper = he might look slightly familiar as his father was the marvelously creative Dennis Hopper.  The sister is played by Schuyler Fisk who writes and performs the most lovely folk inspired pop music.  She was also Kirsty in the Babysitter's Club Movie and is Carrie's (Sissy Spacek) daughter.  Plus...I love Mia Wasikowska

Hot Picks

I like sharing my finds so I thought I'd post some pop culture laden items that I have been partaking of.


ADELE - 21
I have been transfixed by 21 for what seems like forever.  There isn't a track that I don't respond to on some gut level along with her beautiful vocals and the stunning arrangements.  I also love that one of my twitter friends indicated that listening to 21 made him dislike his entire gender because of the hurt and anger that permeates this album.  Amazing.

If you can check out John Legend's cover of 'Rolling in the Deep' as it is marvellous.

SOMETHING BORROWED
Stay with me...I know it is a chick flick.  I saw an early screening a few weeks back as I love the book (it's the best of chick-lit) as it explores the grey area of friendship and romance.  There are many moral quandaries in Something Borrowed (Emily Giffin) and while the movie doesn't depict itself as murky, it does show this less-than-desirable behaviour.  You see, women in romance films can do worse things than break a heel....like sleep with their best friend's fiance.  Is the film as compelling and snappy as the book?  No.  But it is a lively film that will probably lead into an adaptation of the sequel, Something Blue.  All the cast did supremely well  but I found the direction and the screenplay a little overwhelming.  Elevated by a slightly difference take on females in their 20s and fun performances.  However, Ginnifer Goodwin's wig must die.

John Krasinski is awfully cute but not all that different than his role on The Office (US).

FAST 5
Big grin.  Brainless, tongue-in-cheek action flick with Vin Diesel and The Rock hitting each other.  I don't like cars and yet I've seen each of these films in the cinema.  Who cares about the laws of physics?  Go with it.  Jordana Brewster needs a burger something bad, The Rock seemed to have a sweat gland issue and Vin Diesel should never (ever) smile.

Stay for the last scene.  I've never heard such an audible reaction to information revealed on screen before and it made me excited to see the sixth installment.

ELEVEN SCANDALS TO START TO WIN A SCOUNDRAL'S HEART
Sarah MacLean writes fantastically fun and heartfelt historical romance.  Some might know MacLean from her YA release, The Season (also great) but her historical romance releases are above the genre.  Yes, the titles of this series (also Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake and Ten Ways To Be Adored When Romancing a Lord) are overly long and cumbersome but their insides are a joy.

BLOG FINDS

• Post Secret - I have no idea why I failed to learn of this initiative, website, book series and exhibits before but I adore it.  Strangers share their innermost secrets anonymously on a homemade postcard and send it to Frank Warren.  What results is a curious blend of art, humanity and a sense of community - it is impossible not to see yourself in others with this project.  Moving and important. 
• Letters of Note - Some days I don't read the updates because I am not interested but there are some fascinating historical pieces of correspondence on this blog.  The letter Jim Morrison's (The Doors) father wrote to the Parole Commission when his son was arrested for lewd behaviour.  A telling reflection of this man and the fractured (yet loving) relationship he had with his son.
• Cultural Learnings - anyone who is invested in television probably knows about Miles McNutt and his critical breakdown of television episodes (whether it is Friday Night Lights, How I Met Your Mother or Community.).  Hes critical, he's insightful and you always come away thinking of a performance, a line or a arc in a different way.  I also cannot conceive of when this man sleeps as his discussions are so lengthy and he covers many shows (from a variety of genres) each day...incredible.  Worth a look if only for his Three Glees theory.

GAME OF THRONES

I have never read the book in which this HBO adaptation is based but three episodes into this series and I am hooked.  I find myself particularly invested in the personal journey of Daenerys, who we meet as her brother marries her to Drago as part of his machinations for the throne.  She's young, she's powerless and she's terrified.  And yet, she learns very very quickly.  The intelligence and subtlety of Emelia Clarke's performance is lovely, as are all the performances on this series.

PODCASTS

• Remote Viewing - recorded in Melbourne and reflecting on Australian releases the trio behind this podcast host interesting discussions on the state of Australian and international cinema and diverse reviews.  I particularly enjoy their weekly discussion whether it be the works of John Hughes, cult cinema or the nature of hype.  One of these days I'll sneak my way on ....
• Now Playing - I am in love.  Thorough, insightful and deep discussions of a movie from a variety of perspectives (newbie, movie fan, obsessive) all with a sense of humour.  I started listening for their Scream franchise retrospective and now have been sucked in completely.  I am starting on the Philip K. Dick adaptations and then play on going back to the Back to the Future retrospective.  My saviour on public transport.  If you are a horror fan, they've worked through the entire Halloween franchise and they have just started on X-Men leading up to the release of X-Men: First Class.

What are you digging on?

Television + Singing = :)

Apparently it is very possible to sing Whitney Huston well on a reality television show....even more amazing when you consider this singer is 14 and male.

I blame Young Talent Time.  My enjoyment of people singing on television knows no end.

What's new, Pussycat?

What's new?

Well...not a cat.

It's a Dog - insideadog.com.au.

While I've stepped away from Persnickety Snark I am blogging more over at the Dog.  I'm not alone.  Last month Gayle Forman (If I Stay, Where She Went) was our writer in residence and this month we have the fabulous homegrown Leanne Hall (This is Shyness).

What you might like to check out?

• Gayle Forman's posts from the road (publicising Where She Went) and other adventures.
• Leanne Hall started blogging today about her recommendations for YA book clubs.
• We brainstormed a book list of YA titles involving royal families to celebrate the big wedding.  There are more of these book lists to come!
• We launched a new competition - design a cover for Maile Meloy’s The Apothecary and win a Text prize pack of titles.
• When there is a movie adaptation of a book you want to unsee so you can experience the book first.  I name check Pollyanna which I am sure most of you haven't heard of.
• This great video from the US depicting the reading journey.
• Discussion post - Hunger Games: is it better to look the role, or play the role well?
• The Children’s Book Council of Australia’s announced its shortlist for Book of the Year: Older Readers.
• The Book Clubs are continuing to grow in number - the titles alone are worth a gander.
• The teacher resources continue to receive a lot of traffic as they run the gamut of YA literature in an online setting - from literature circles to book clubs to creative responses we have it all.

So as you can see, I am still producing content (just slightly different).  You can add this blog to your blog reader with the following rss feed - http://www.insideadog.com.au/blog/all/rss

Catch you around the web!