Illusion of Words

Fall Break

All the hype about fall break is kind of baffling. After all, it’s only two days, plus a weekend. I don’t quite understand. But everyone asks, “What are your plans for fall break?” It was the question of the day for quite some time. But now that I’m in the middle of fall break, I have just realized how utterly unproductive it can be.

For one thing, I find myself stuck in my room for two entire days. I don’t really mind not going out, but it’s just that … well, it’s not really ‘living’, is it. At least I did two productive things - watching two movies that have been on my to do list for quite a while.

1. Silence of the Lambs: That was pretty spooky, but a brilliant movie nonetheless. The climax was bone-chilling. The actors were great. Hannibal Lecter is just a very compelling character. I wonder if he’d eat me for dinner - I’ll have to be not moronic and not some authority figure. Yes, the whole thing about serial killers is not exactly something to watch at night, especially when part of it takes place in Memphis, Tennessee, but still, a classic to be watched.

2. Schindler’s List: I’ve been wanting to watch for ever so long. And one word describes it: Intense. All the violence, the graphic scenes (if you watch it, you know what I mean). There is so much to be said behind it. Oskar Schindler was no saint, but he chose to do what was right. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, Schindler hired Jews to work in his factory, essentially saving their lives. There are many great scenes throughout the movie, any of which that are infinitely sad, but it was the last scenes that brought tears to my eyes. It was kind of dramatic, but still… I couldn’t help tearing up. Liam Neeson (oh, so that was him! I’d never seen him in action before) as Schindler was just wonderful. And Ben Kingsley - yeah, the first time too seeing him in action.. I’d heard about these two actors before, but for some reason, never watched a movie with them in it. Wonder why.

Now I think I’d better get some homework done. Schindler’s List was just really awesome though, I must say again. Esp. the red-coat girl part. I didn’t get it at first, but then rewatching the burning scene, I realized that it was the turning point in Schindler’s mind. I think. Anyway, no more spoilers. Definitely not a movie for children though. I feel I have dirtied my mind somewhat watching it… but then it’s just too good to be missed..

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Thoughts on CSI

With fall season comes all the TV shows. For all the tv addicts, it’s a relief to finally get out of the summer reruns. Now I’m not a tv addict, but I do watch some shows, mainly CSI, though I don’t really have to watch it.

I just finished the season 9 premiere of CSI:LV. 9 seasons is a very long time, which is why most of the characters are going out. We saw Warrick’s death, and even more of Grissom revealed through that death. I mean, you’d never imagine the aloof, taciturn guy of the beginning to be actually so moved and actually crying (kind of) during his speech at Warrick’s funeral. I’m sure CSI die-hards are weeping out there. It’s kind of sad that everyone has to eventually leave/die, including Grissom himself later this season, which will no doubt have some fans jumping the boat. But I guess 9 seasons is a little too much. If I were a CSI actor, I would get out too. You know, all the rest of your life you’re just gonna be that person from CSI. Which isn’t very nice - or it could be nice. Anyway, whatever.

CSI:Miami is just as usual, fast-paced and packed full of action. One would think that Miami was really that exciting (scary) with explosions and shootouts regularly. Of course, the fact that Horatio lives in Miami probably accounts for all the crimes happening. (btw, some of the people that are dangerous to befriend are Jessica Fletcher of ‘Murder, She Wrote’ and Conan, from the lame Japanese cartoon ‘Detective Conan’. Someone is bound to die wherever they go.)

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Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas)

I think it’s one of the better movies I’ve seen lately. In fact, so good that I’m blogging at 11:15 pm, after watching it. A couple of friends had rented the movie and invited me over to watch on a laptop, which is not a very wonderful thing to watch on - the very poor speakers. Which will leave room for imagining how wonderful it would be on a huge tv screen.

The movie actually isn’t English, as can be seen from the title. It’s a mix of French, German, and Scottish English. The story is about the 1914 Christmas truce, where the enemies ceased fire for Christmas and actually talked with each other. It is a true story (I love true stories!). And the movie is made really well. While some parts are lacking - the story line of the singers, which I felt was not dealt with as well as it could’ve been (and did they really have to put that well-deserved R-rated part in?), in whole it is an awesome movie. To see these soldiers, sick of fighting, and realizing that in fact, the enemy is just as they are… it is amazing. Taking place in a white, snow-covered land, the visuals of the movie are stunning too.

Of course, the movie is dramatized and probably took quite a bit of artistic license, but then well, it’s a wonderful movie. What more can I say about it? Just cut out that R-rated part (btw, this is actually a PG-13 movie that originally got a R rating, but the MPAA changed it when a critic complained..), then it’ll be even more big-group-watching-friendly.

Check out the historical background (yeah, my favorite thing to do after watching a movie based on historical facts). Oh and by the way, they had a truce because it was war time, specifically World War I, in case you haven’t realized. Sorry for underestimating you, if that’s the case…

Wikipedia
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