Memories are made of this

broderic on November 13, 2009

I was watching a night of Grace Kelly on TCM. I can't get enough of her and of watching TCM. There's something I really like about the old-timey movies on that channel. Is it the uncomplicated innocence of the era? Is it the actors before there was an idea of celebrity? Is it the stories? Or am I just nostalgic about things?I am nostalgic and sentimental, but this post isn't about movies on TCM. It's about a dream this morning. *Groan* I know I've trod this path before. And I know I promised not to. But you know what? I like to make Google index my brain. So I'll write this dream down, let Google store it in its hive mind for eternity.This dream was probably driven by Grace Kelly She's from Philly. The girl I dreamt about is from Philly. The Phillies lost the World Series. I lost contact with this girl.So S., I meet her somewhere. I forget where. We did stuff around and end up at my Mom's. My Mom's house, circa 1995 around the time I met S.. Next, thing I know I'm waking up and dressing for something important. I'm wearing something a little more adult and I pull on a blazer. My brothers are dressing up as well. I'm thinking, "Where's S.?" Where did I leave her? She came home with me? Is she still asleep? Yes.She's still asleep in my brothers room. I'm getting changed as she wakes up. Now, S. was super pretty: brunette, hair to her shoulders, freckles — enough to see, but not enough to get in the way. She's just getting up. Naked, but wrapped in the bed sheet. Like this doesn't make me happy. She takes a shower. She's dressed.The dream moves forward in the disjointed way dreams do. We end up at some wedding shower! Hosted by my Tita! How does she know S.?! Of course, she knows S. She knows everyone! And the wedding shower is for her. I'm saddened by it all. There she is sitting front and center, looking pretty and amazing. She's seated next to a picture of her with curls! Curls? Is G. getting in on this dream?I'm thinking, "She's been in Baltimore all this time?" How come I didn't meet her againg? How come Tita didn't mention it? This is just awful to meet the girl in your dreams again on the day that she is celebrating being betrothed to another. Que lastima!Anger for missing this opportunity. Sadness for missing this opportunity. Resigned that this is my life. In a dream, I still don't catch any breaks.

Quote of the Day [11.12.09]

broderic on November 12, 2009

"An avidity to punish is always dangerous to liberty. It leads men to stretch, to misinterpret, and to misapply even the best of laws. He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself."Thomas Paine, "Dissertions on First Principles of Government"

The Men Who Stare at Goats

broderic on November 12, 2009

The Men Who Stare at Goats (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1234548/) was a movie I knew nothing about before paying my $8, plopping myself in a seat at a Sunday matinee, and getting to see a pleasant surprise of a movie. Of course I've seen the trailers and commercials, but I didn't bother to read the movie reviews. You see, I usually like to know what it is I'm getting myself into. When I don't know anything about the movie, I'm usually sceptical about how good it would be. I prepare for the worst. Most of the time, the movie is better than I expected. This one is one of the ones that turned out to be such. It must be because of the movie type, the actors involved, and the time of year. Thrillers and non-fictional fiction turn out for the better. Action and comedy turn out for the worst. George Clooney: yes. Jim Carey: no. The serious Oscar season of late fall and winter works. Silly summer movies doesn't. As you can see, my mindset entering into this movie was susceptible to liking the film. So, entering the theatre for The Men Who Stare at Goats, I had low expectations. I left liking the movie. First, George Clooney is always decent in a movie. I've not found him unlikeable in any of his recent outings. Also, Ewan McGregor and Jeff Bridges are also likeable in this film. McGregor, an actual Jedi Knight, investigating Jeff Bridges' New Earth Army of Jedi Knights. They're just a wink-wink, nudge-nudge reference to previous roles. And also, a cameo by my favorite, Stephen Root. I was waiting for his Milton to show up.The tale is also intriguing. Is it real? Did the US Army really create a unit of psychic warriors? Possibly. Anything goes with this army. If they can torture, why not ESP? The plot boils down to be a Mulder revelation, an explanation of the unexplainable. It'll leave you laughing and crying about our US Army. Finally, I couldn't help but be amused by the fact that a few weeks ago an internet meme was running through twitter, one letter movie titles. It's taking a movie and transforming it by adding or changing a letter to the movie. "The Men Who Stare at Goats" became "The Men Who Stare at Goatse." I'll leave that as an exercise to the reader to find out. I apologize in advance.3 of 5 stars.

Manga of November 2009

broderic on November 10, 2009

Just a list of the manga I’m reading.

Scanlations:
Cross Game
Yankee-kun to Magane-chan

Books:
Yotsuba &!
Pluto
20th Century Boys
Kimi ni Todoki
High School Debut
Bamboo Blade
Detroit Metal City
School Rumble
Strawberry 100%
Black God
We Were There

Just started:
Monster

On hold:
Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service
Sundome

This lists probably grows and grows as I find more and more interesting things to read.

D’entre des Mortes

broderic on November 10, 2009

I’m sure I’ve embedded this before, but you can never get enough Vertigo.

I recently saw it again over the weekend. It was awesome. I really dig the madness of both Madeleine and Scotty.

And it had the greatest nun scene ever: “I heard voices.”

Maybe, one time, I should go out to SF and check out the places in the film. Perhaps a ghostwalk style endeavor of SF. Vertigo by the Bay.