The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

broderic on December 31, 2013

The latest film version of Thurber’s short story, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, has nothing in common with the written word. It may have day dream sequences, but they are not like the ones in the story. Then after a bit, the day dreams go away and we are left with another movie whose sole purpose is to utter the banal line, “carpe diem.”

Yes, we know.

Walter Mitty is the analog curator at Life magazine as it transitions to the digital age of online internet. He receives the quintessence of Life magazine in a film negative, but loses it because he lacks reading comprehension or doesn’t put money in his wallet.

He also wants to flirt with a girl at work. He does say hi and they do start connecting and then you wonder how they did connect.

I wish this was a better movie, but it wasn’t. It was Ben Stiller putting on his indie director mood similar to how he became Simple Jack. Lots of weirdness. Could’ve been funnier. May become another hit on Comedy Central.

3 of 5 stars.

Link of the Day [12.30.13]

broderic on December 31, 2013

The penultimate day of the year! Yeah, I just used a vocabulary word. Yeah, I used it right. And, yeah, the year is almost over, but let’s not forget the past year. What I mean by that though is the past year in film.

Lately, this blog besides the “Twelve Days of Christmas” has devolved into my film comment blog. Not reviews, but comments. Not any insight into the movie I saw, but insight into my reactions to the film.

How is this holiday specific? It’s auld lang syne for movies. Pretty soon I will set up my own list of great movies this past 2013. Happy New Year! Enjoy another holiday… I’m stretching for things to write.

http://thedissolve.com/features/2013-in-review/

Quote of the Day [12.29.13]

broderic on December 29, 2013

Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the yearSnowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to shareSleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories thereChristmas time is here
Families drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the yearChristmas Time Is Here, Vince Girauldi Trio

Winter Wonderland

broderic on December 28, 2013

I’m purposely posting everyday to get me to Little Christmas as the eastern Church would call it. Here’s a shot from the Ice! ice show at National Harbor south of DC.

It was a cold, cold experience even though today’s temperatures reached into the 50s. I wore my Patagonia Better Sweater, a hat, and a scarf, yet the provided parka they gave to you help insulate me more. Unfortunately, I did not have gloves and it got cold. After a bit, I wanted warmth.

This is a reminder that over the Holidays there are some things to do besides eat, sleep, and watch television.

Get up.
Go out.
Enjoy the winter!

Staying Warm At Night

broderic on December 27, 2013

This ish is hard when you have no theme. I would post something more interesting, but I’m too lazy and stuffed to the gills with Holiday feasts. Maybe I can figure something out in the next couple of days…

Yule Log for your viewing pleasure. Not sure if it shows it for the full hour. I only watched 30 seconds in order to figure out if it was worth posting.

Give

broderic on December 26, 2013

Gift giving.


I pride myself on finding the perfect gift for those I know. Unfortunately, that means if I don’t know you, your gift will be rather lame. 

I’m going to have to be better at it. I need to be more thoughtful for those I don’t think too much about. Everyone I know, everyone I’ve met deserve some consideration. Thoughts on what they are like and what they may like are always good to have.

One of the sayings around this time, “Good will to all men,” is apropos. We should give with our hearts sincere loving thoughts.

It is a season of kindness. I would like to give it to you, my friends. 

Link of the Day [12.25.13]

broderic on December 26, 2013

It’s late on Christmas night, and I am stuffed. I’ve got my fill of festivities and of the food found at said festivities. I’ve got my fill of Holiday music. I’ve got my fill of gifts and giving. Yet, there is always more Christmas cheer.

There is still the other eleven days. Here’s the last bit of blogging of the year. What should I fill it with. The last time, I wrote about media associated with Christmas. It was a splendid idea. Here we are again, the first day of Christmas, Christmas Day. I’m not going to write about Christmas media. Not sure what I want to write. I just need to write.

So the final posts of 2013 should be a hodge-podge of things that I am thinking about this last week.

Maybe also get you a partridge and a pear tree.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve_days_of_Christmas

Happy Festivus!

broderic on December 24, 2013


Pasted from Jacob Hildebrandt flickr account.

And the party is already starting!

Don’t forget that today was Festivus! It’s for the rest of us.

Let me start with the airing of grievances…