Inception

Dreams. They are intensely important to me, personally. I based my NaNoWriMo novel off of recurring nightmares I'd been having for weeks on end. I I spent months before I began writing researching lucid dreaming, dream theories, questioning reality and its limits. So, you can imagine, the incredible amount of anticipation I felt while viewing  the Inception preview for the first time in theaters.  I thought 'This is my world!' and other unbelievable geeky things like that. Dreams, honestly, are the raw source of all my inspiration for writing anything at all. My dreams are where my creativity blossoms, its where my ideas and my voice is born. 

Enough about what dreams mean to me. I just wanted to get that out so you can understand exactly how high expectations I had for this film. I know high exceptions are bad, especially for someone like me, who tends to judge (ha ha, yes I'm a hater). Well, guys, I saw the movie today. And without farther a due, here are my thoughts:

The film kicks off in the middle of the excitement, leaving audiences to fend for themselves when it comes to explanations (they'll get used it). The first half hour seemed to drag, with scrappy acting on Leonardo DiCaprio's part. His character comes off as shallow and a tad boring. Things starts looking up with the arrival of Ellen Page's character (Don't ask me to pronounce her name in the film. It's something long--that starts with an A) and it begins to explore the limits of reality. We start to realize exactly how awesome (and dangerous) this dream realm is. We begin to explore the realities.

I think I had a problem with the way the director handled this aspect-dreaming-that is. My favorite part was when Ellen Page starting dreaming for the first time. I expected more like that. Inside, I got violent gunfights and dramatic car chases. Come on, guys! Absolutely any summer blockbuster I watch can give me gunfights. 

You've chosen to write a movie about dreams! So keeps the focus on dreams. Cut back on the music. I mean, there is no denying that it gives you an adrenaline rush, but sometimes silence is the scariest thing there is. Don't be afraid to step outside the viewers comfort zone. Make it as awkward and dreamlike as possible. Dreams are the most tantalizing thing there is. Play with reality. Make my skin crawl! Please. I'm begging you. 

This film as so much potential. Don't get me wrong-it delivers! As we go deeper and deeper in the subconscious (this is why the movie is two hours and forty five minutes long), layer upon layer, dream within dream, the thrill builds. But that's it. The film leaves confusion where it trails and it leaves my imagination heavily unsatisfied. Now, let's talk about the my second favorite part.....THE ENDING. 

I've mentioned various times before how much I love twisted-you'd never see it coming-surprise endings. Really, nothing heightens my respect for a film that endings that whip around all of your previous assumptions  and cause audiences to gasp in unison. You know the kind. Shockers. 

On the this account no film knows how to handle shocker endings quite like Inception. Whoa. If you've seen the film, you know where I'm coming from. If you haven't, what are you doing reading this post anyway? Just when you think Inception will tie up with nice, sweet, formula happy ending, you get a hint that it might all have been.....a dream? I swear to God, this ending will no doubt keep me up all night attempting to unravel it. 

In the universe of my mind, this ending is either genius of sloppy. It asks questions and leaves them unanswered. Or does it actually ask you to think and work it out for yourself? I guess it's up to us to decide (no sequels please!)

The Truman Syndrom

The scariest movie I've ever watched is The Truman Show. That may be quite a shocking statement coming from a self-confessed vampire enthusiast and horror movie junkie, but honestly guys, nothing gives me the creeps as much as this movie does. Need a plot summary? Okay, here's one I picked up off of  IMD:

 Truman is a man whose life is a fake one... The place he lives is in fact a big studio with hidden cameras everywhere, and all his friends and people around him, are actors who play their roles in the most popular TV-series in the world: The Truman Show. Truman thinks that he is an ordinary man with an ordinary life and has no idea about how he is exploited. Until one day... he finds out everything. Will he react?

He's been watched by millions of viewers worldwide. The people he knows and loves are actors with tiny microphones hidden in there ears that tell them what to say. There is a writers room where they discuss Truman's future.....this movie is genius (it's no wonder Jim Carrey's Truman made EW's 100 best characters from the past twenty years list, along with some of my other favs including Buffy Summers, Spongebob and Tony Stark). It's utterly horrifying, watching Truman came to unraveling realization that everything in his life is a lie.

I've seen this movie a few years ago and I've been diagnosed with what can only be deemed as the 'Truman Syndrom'. To explain, in a few words: I am completely convinced that my entrie life is a TV show. There, I said it. After feeling this way for at least a year, I'm finally coming out.

Seriously, I know I sound like a crazy person. But my theory explains a lot. I often think about my life in seasons and wonder why The Writers introducted a character, ect. For explame:

My parents got a divoriced becuase the actor who plays my dad wanted more time to spend with his real off- screen family.  He still wanted to be on the show, only he wanted to become a supporting character (in other words, he doesn't get paid as much).

Also check this out:

Season Twelve of my life was about moving on. There was a major character switch and introduction of a new cast. The Babauta family moved away mainly because the actress who play Chloe Babauta wanted to have an off-screen life and go to collage, considering that she'd been on the show since she was four. The Babauta's where also taken off in order to create waves, because viewers where complaining that the show had gotten too predictable.

Another obsevervation:

People have been cussing around me a lot more! I'm not freaking out or anything, but doesn't strike you as odd that all of sudden everyone at once would start to cuss around me? I'm thinking that they upped the rating. I'm thinking the show was moved from ABC to HBO. Right??

Yes, I'm considering seeing a therapist.

Come on, think about this in terms of you're life. Really. Just take a breather here and think. Trippy, huh? I know I sound incredibly self absorbed but......it really is trippy.

Any, that, blogings, is why my mother has to take extra precautions when deciding what movies to allow me to watch. Because I have what is classified in some societies as an 'OVER ACTIVE IMAGINATION'.

.........Or do I?

In Which I Decide To Confuse Everyone By Changing My Cat's Names

Nope, I'm not kidding.

 Don't give me that look.

I have good reasons. It started with the urge. My dad's cat (mother of my cats) had kittens! Again (yes, this is a habit).

I'm sure I don't have to tell you how cute they are. And so tiny! They can fit into the palm of your hand. Len and I fell into  fits of "Ohhhhh, sooooo cute! Ohhhhhh, sooo soft! Soooooo tiny! Ohhhhhhh!" You get the picture.

I phoned home and gushed on about cuteness and softness and tinyness to my mother's dismay.

Mom: You guys know they won't stay kittens forever.

Sam: Yes. But they're so cute! And if we got them we could name them 'Louis' and 'Lestat'!

Mom: You already have cats.

Sam: But we could name them Louis and Lestat!

Mom: Why don't you just keep the cats at your dad's house?

Sam (pondering): Okay. But can we at least rename our cats?

Mom (laughing): What happens in six months when you get tired of Interview and regret naming them after the characters?

Sam: NEVER!

Because, although I admit I may get tired of the Vampire Chronicles, I will never get tired of the characters. They will be my life long friends. Who live inside of books.

So now Jinx is Lestat and Forest is Louis!

Just look at the similarities:

Brooding eyes, just like Louis

Blue eyes, just like Lestat

See? Lestat has blond hair and blue eyes. Cat Lestat, check (blond hair translates into white fur). Lestat is arrogant and a tad spoiled. Cat Lestat, check. Same goes for Louis/ cat Louis. No kidding. Just look at the pictures again.

On the Subject of Pronunciation:

How do you pronounce the name Louis?

See this video. Cracks me up every time.

How do you pronounce Lestat's name?

Here's what Laura Troise (with various contributions by numerous others) says (article from Anne Rice FAQ):

"There are three schools of thought on this:
Less-tat (rhymes with 'hat')
Luh-stat (also rhymes with 'hat')
Luh-staht (ah sounding like the 'o' in 'dot' or 'hot')"

While reading the novel aloud my mother and I used the third prounciation. Anne Rice uses the same prounciation. But in the film they tended to use the first form of prounciation. I was personally appalled. Less-tat just doesn't sound as vampire-y. When adressing my cat please use the Anne Rice way.

What happens if I adress your cat as 'Less-tat'?

You get sprayed (this also apiles for you adressing cat by old names).

Don't let this be you!

Thank you for reading and coping with my obsession!

From Bloodsucking to Fiddle De De

I just got this in the mail:

So far this book is amazing. Very candid. Anne Rice, in her own words talks about everything from first publication to the process of turning her novel into a movie.

She writes the kind of novels that make you really feel like writing but at the same time never, ever writing again because you know you can't possibly compare. Expect a biography of her life posted on this blog soon.

I also got this:

Oh. My. This book is breathtaking. I started reading it with my mom the other day and it has the same hold on me that one of personal favorites, Tuck Everlasting, did. Margaret Mitchell is the kind of writer whose work seeps into your soul, it drenches you in it's story and characters. Profound. Adictive.

I'm actually very talented when it comes to transitioning from this:

To this:

I love them both dearly. And I'll be posting reviews soon.

Archeology Essay

Perhaps what sparked my interest in archeology is because it is the study of past civilizations, therefore being the story of our past. And being an aspiring novelist, stories are the things that I generally live for. The story of our past......it's a complex and unexplored terrain that we must learn from if we ever plan on attending to our future. To able to unearth our own past as humans, as inhabitants of this earth.....to able to explore it and study and learn from the great rises and falls of our own species. An honor. To discover the footprints that man left behind, the tiny clues, carefully persevered bodies and secrets that past civilizations buried deep. The greatest story yet. The history of our world.

The word archeology derives from the Greek, fittingly translating into 'the study of what is ancient'. Very few artifacts of past civilizations actually endure the grueling test of time. Unless properly preserved, artifacts are likely to decay, be destroyed or simply fade as the centuries fly by. This makes an archaeologists mission in piecing together the great mystery of the past even harder. From the tiny clues that they are able to obtain they must attempt to learn more and dig deeper (no pun intended) into the tangle of what is left of the past. But how does an archaeologist proceed to uncovering theses artifacts? What is process that must be undertaken?

The archaeologist is first employed by either a museum, university, government or a private company before they are assigned an area. There are many steps an archaeologist must carefully follow in order to conduct a proper and legal archaeological expedition.

Area Research

Before an archaeologist can begin surveying an area they must first study the site's history and background. The archaeologist's team must learn of the people who'd once lived there and what kind of artifacts they might have left behind to better prepare them for the expedition.

Survey

An archaeologist's team survey's the area for any promising signs of artifacts. Sometimes, an archaeological team may chose to perform an aerial survey by tying cameras to airplanes or balloons (let's not forget the occasional kite) to get a birds eye view of the area. Other archaeologist's may chose to conduct a geopyshical survey, which in some cases can be an extremely effective way to see beneath the surface of the ground. Using a magnetometer to detect changes in the Earth's magnetic field, caused by iron artifacts and stone structures. Others still may chose to simply use a metal detector to sniff out metal artifacts under the surface.

Excavation

The site is now carefully uncovered, layer by layer. Archaeologist's ofter use shovels, hand picks, trowels, small brushes and dental picks to do the job. A essential part of the excavation process is recording. Every step of the expedition must be carefully written down or photographed. Larger finds must be photographed and mapped before being completely uncovered. Once uncovered, artifacts are bagged and labeled. The label must include the name of the archaeologist who discovered it as well as the site number.

Artifact Processing

Artifacts are taken to a museum to be cleaned and cataloged.

Analysis

The archaeologist's must study the artifacts and then attempt to figure out how they were used and time period they're from. The archaeologist must decipher as much data from the artifact as possible and then write a concluding report of all the information they were able to obtain from the artifact.

Curating

The artifacts are then expertly stored safely away by the museum workers so that they are available for future study.


The whole process seems thrilling to me. Being out there digging up the remains of our past and piecing them together for so that we may study them, learn from them so that we can avoid repeating our mistakes. We must do the best the we can for our world in the little time that we will be allowed to occupy it. We must leave behind artifacts for future civilizations so that they might learn from our mistakes. So that we can move on to make a better world but never, never forget our past. Time will keep moving forward, til we are all but ghosts of the past. Washed away by eternity. But never forgotten.

My Brother is Pretty Awesome

Here's a link to the blog post Lennon wrote for me as a half birthday present. Len, best present ever!

And as a token for my gratitude, I have rewarded you with the Awesome Badge!

Feeding The Addiction: The Movie

Well, bloglings. I've watched it. The movie I've been anticipating for weeks now. The movie that I've begged to be allowed to see. The movie whose preview I've watched at least ten times on You Tube. Yes. I'm talking about Interview With The Vampire.

Actually, it's been a few weeks since I've watched it. I know what you're thinking. 'What's taken you so long to blog about it, then? Huh, Sam? Don't you know you're being an irresponsible blogger? Leaving your readers to cope with their suspense?' or something along those lines.

I've been thinking about how to compose this post for a while. On some levels, I completely adored this movie. It's got an intriguing story line, beautifully created and portrayed characters, some pretty hilarious parts and just the right amount of horror. But in comparison to the novel? Don't start. I was a good girl. I didn't do ANY comparing during the movie.

It took a lot of contemplation. I've decided to tackle the review by breaking it up into parts. I've put a lot of thought into this post (can't you tell I take my movies seriously?). So, without farther a due, here it is:

Screen Play:

It's interesting how the screen play was written by Anne Rice, the author of the beloved novel, herself. I noticed that a lot of the best lines from the book were included. I appreciated that. The screen play did a great job of having us get to know the characters in only two hours.

The ending of the movie was very different from the ending of the book. I loved it! It did everything a great movie ending should do: it shocked, it gave a hint of what direction the characters lives would be heading in (with or without a continuing film) and it left a great after taste kind of feeling in your mind.

Believe it or not, I actually liked it better than the ending in the book. I think it's awesome that Ms. Rice changed the ending around herself, so you know that it was genuine to her characters and it was what she would want for them. More power to you.

Characters and How they were Portrayed:

Louis (pronounced the French way):

As our narrator, the vampire protagonist's face must portray the pain and confusion he feels once transformed. He's been described as a 'vampire with a mortals passion' and or, to put it simply, a whiner. I think Brad Pitt did a pretty good job of portraying him. You can really read the agony on his face as he watches mortals die at his hand and Claudia turning cruel.

Although, I think he could have done a better job portraying his and Claudia's relationship. There is something missing here. I understand that it must have been difficult to portray their relationship in visual format. Somethings just can't be brought over to the big screen. Somethings are so intimate, fragile and poetic that they just can't be translated.

Lestat:

Wow.

I've heard there has been much debate whether Tom Cruise would be suitable to play Lestat but, to put it frankly, I think he was just awesome.

He captured every aspect (from the lovable to the hate able) perfectly. From his manic laugh to his arrogant self, it was right on target. He manged to be comical and ignorant at the same time. Exactly how I imagined him. It was just like he jumped off the page.

I loved how all of his arguments with Claudia take place at the piano. You could really see his anger just by watching how hard he slammed down on the keys.

There's really not much else to say here. No words to describe this character expect, that he's Lestat. The brat prince.

Highest of compliments.

Claudia:

Hmmmm.

I understand how hard it must of been to cast a child actor to play Claudia. I mean, she's a child vampire. Over time she develops a woman's mind but she's forever trapped in a little girl's body. How do you get a child actor to portray the agony that Claudia feels, the agony that you can see in her eyes?

In the movie they used Claudia's character to act as comic relief. She craves blood as a mortal child might whine and crave for candy. I have to admit, the Claudia scenes are funny. But a major theme of the novel was the horrid truth of what it means to be immortal and how Louis and Claudia suffer from it.

But, if I was being fair (what a strain) I would say that Claudia was played with quite an impressive vengeance and feeling. But only if I was being fair.

Comparison To The Book:

With all that said, I think that the book was done justice. The character were (more or less) brought to life. The screenplay and ending were excellent.

Of course, many qualities of the book did not survive the process to the big screen. The poetic prose and lengthly descriptions are lost. So is the general tone of heartbreaking agony that the book so beautifully possessed.

But, as movie adaptations go, this was pretty well done. I love them both dearly (Just ask my mom. I'm constantly sprouting lines from the movie with no warning) but in entirely different ways and for entirely different reasons.

Bravo.