Book & Movie Double the Fun

Back in August, a neighbor recommended a movie called 84 Charing Cross Road starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins. It was wonderful! It’s an older movie, but it is so charming it’s now one of my favorites. If I’ve ever seen a movie for people who love to read, this is it. The story is based around a series of real-life letters written between Helene Hanff in New York City and the staff of Marks & Co. in London, most especially Frank Doel. Helene has unusual taste in books, and only Marks & Co. seems to be able to find nice editions of the books she’s looking for. So, over the years as she writes to order books, and Frank writes back to inform her of what is or isn’t available, a unique friendship is formed. All of this begins shortly after World War II, when England is still on rations, and Helene really wins over the staff of Marks & Co. with the holiday parcels of food with ham, eggs and more that she has sent to the store.

In the credits at the end of the movie, I saw that Helene Hanff had actually published a book by the same name. I wanted to read it right away, but I didn’t get to it until today. 84 Charing Cross Road, the book, is a slim, quick read and every bit as enjoyable as the movie. The edition I read has a nice introduction written by Anne Bancroft, but the entire rest of the book is all letters written by Helene herself, Frank Doel, Frank’s wife Nora and members of the Marks & Co. staff in the years 1949 – 1969. I think that Helene Hanff, who died in 1997, would have been a very interesting person to know. If she was alive today and I had the chance to talk with her, I’d be curious to see what she thinks about Amazon (a wonderful resource or too impersonal?) and if she’s read anything by Bill Bryson (Notes From a Small Island maybe?). Instead, I will be content to read my way through her other books, Under Foot In Show Business, The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street, Apple of My Eye: A Personal Tour of New York and Q’s Legacy.

Lessons In Becoming Myself by Ellen Burstyn

Academy and Tony Award winning actress Ellen Burstyn recounts her life from her first memory to present day with wisdom and honesty. Growing up surrounded by abusive adults is how the story begins. It continues through many life struggles, including several failed marriages and continued abuse from her mother and father. Although the mark her childhood left on her was strong, Ellen never ceased to move toward understanding herself and those she shared her life with. Her story is one of a famous film, stage and TV actress, however it is told without pretense and could just as well be anyone’s story. Although Ellen’s life continues today, the book ends when she finally makes sense of it all and strives to live in an enlightened state. This memoir serves as a testament to the resilient human spirit and it’s search for meaning in life. Those who are age 50 + would probably enjoy this book the most – just because we grew up with Ellen Burstyn movies.

Hard Row

Just finished reading the latest Deborah Knott mystery by Margaret Maron, Hard Row.   These mysteries are set in North Carolina and based somewhat on the life of Margaret Maron, who grew up on a farm near Raleigh.  My brother, sister-in-law, and niece live in the country outside Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  We visited them this summer, and I found myself being reminded of that countryside as I read.  In addition to clever plotting of the mystery, the book updates us on the continuing relationship between Judge Deborah, her still-new husband Sheriff Dwight Bryant, and his 8-year-old son Cal; the extended Knott family and their struggles with what crops to plant as they phase out tobacco farming; Mexican immigrants, prejudice, and labor abuses; abusive ex-husbands and the difficulties protecting the women they stalk; and ice hockey.

You had me at the whole global warming thing

I just read Al Gore’s book “The Assault on Reason” and it definitely left a bad taste in my mouth.  The subject of the current Bush administration has troubled me for many years now, and this is not the first book I have read showing the ineptitude and often questionable intentions of our current Executive branch.  And this book is no slouch when it comes to giving factual, comparative reasoning why Bush and his fellow politicians have brought so many problems that we as a people need to straighten out.  However, the book lost me many times in its analytical reasoning thanks to my lack of sleep or the sometimes longwindedness of Gore’s arguments.  Don’t get me wrong, the former Vice President gives sound arguments backed up by historical as well as philosophical reference, I think he just gives too much for a layman to absorb without getting a headache or falling asleep.  It is a shame too, because so many of Gore’s arguments are ones that need to be refined so that everyday folk can better grasp the way that the Executive Branch has been manipulating the law in such a way as to cause an imbalance in the delicate system our ancestors fought so hard to attain.  In the end, it was a great book that may be studied academically one day, I just hope I don’t have to take the class.

Kanye? Or Can’t They?

The “battle for Hip-Hop” began last week, and from what I can see, it will be something to check out the highlights about.  For those with little interest in such matters, I am referring to the CD sales battle between Kanye West and 50 Cent.  Both have become household names in the past few years.  Both are multi-platinum artists, but that is where the similarities begin to fade.  So far I have listened to a few 50 singles and Kanye’s new album, Graduation.  While I found 50 Cent’s singles lacking, I will reserve judgement until I have heard the whole CD.  On the other hand, I have listened to Kanye’s new work, and  I am fairly disappointed.  I have to say Up front that Kanye is one of my favorite producers, and he has already had a prolific career as beat-maker for many of Hip-Hop’s greats.  It is this that forces me to set the bar so high for him.  Musically he pulls through.  Electronica affects and patented sped up vocals flow together seamlessly and would make for a great rap album, if Kanye weren’t the one rapping.  Lyrically, I have never been impressed by Mr. West.  The fact that this album is titled “Graduation” makes me laugh because of the sophomoric nature of Kanye’s licks.  Don’t get me wrong, the guy is witty and can make for some funny rhymes, it just seems as though the lyrics don’t do justice to the beats.  But what do I know?  This album is currently ranked #1 on the Billboard charts, so it definitely strikes a chord with many people.  I guess many people can identify with the notorious drop-out.  This is definitely a must-listen-to for any true Hip-Hop fan, I’m thank God for my library card.

The beat goes on

American Band: Music, Dreams, and Coming of Age in the Heartland by Kristen Laine

I have to admit, I almost didn’t finish this. The start was rather slow, getting into the kids’ personal lives before the marching band season started. Once the author got into the band director’s background, though, and also into the nuts and bolts of making a marching band happen, I was hooked. And by that time I actually “knew” some of the kids, so I was a bit more understanding of what was going on with them.

In addition, my experience of marching band about 3 decades back was a little different. Though I know that myself and others were probably pretty consistent church-goers, I don’t know that we were as focused on our faith journeys as the kids at Concord seemed to be. We were worried about grades, scholarships, relationships, fitting in, and the usual teenage rebellions, but not so much about religion. Different times, different place … who knows?

Of course, this being an Indiana band and the Indiana music system was a big draw for me, too. But I think there might an appeal for anyone who has ever set heel/toe to turf, pointed their instruments to the pressbox, and played their hearts out. Recalling those moments of striving for excellence and living it again with the Concord students made this book a satisfying read for me.

Miss Potter (2006)

If you’re looking for a couple of hours to relax and enjoy the tale of an extraordinary woman, take a look at “Miss Potter”. Beatrix Potter (Renee Zellweger), the author and beloved illustrator of the Peter Rabbit books, isn’t the only one that comes to life in this movie – her illustrations do too. This movie is pleasing to the eyes and ears and is definitely a family film (PG) that has no earth-shattering surprises or convoluted plot. It’s a simple story of how Potter fell in love with her publisher Norman Wayne (Ewan McGregor) and how they worked as a team to get her work published – despite all odds. The film has a magical feel which I think is supported by the chemistry between Zellweger and McGregor. I liked this movie despite the mixed reviews and would encourage anyone to give it a try. Just don’t expect anything more than a simple heartwarming story.

The healing road …

Over the years, my musical tastes have changed. After I got married, I discovered the undiscovered territory of progressive rock, namely the “Canadian power trio,” Rush. Neil Peart is Rush’s drummer and lyricist, and a published author. In the late 1990s Peart lost his only daughter in a car accident, and ten months later, his wife to cancer. Overwhelmed with grief and without direction, he took a hiatus from the band and for two years traveled 55,000 miles throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Belize. Peart’s travels and reflections are recounted in Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road.

Peart is very introspective by nature; at times this view into his inner life makes for painfully honest reading. He is also a gifted travel writer, and the accounts of his journey are enjoyable and sometimes very witty. My only concern about this book is that it’s probably not possible for many of us to take a two-year break from our “regular lives” to work through our sadnesses and difficulties.

All it all, it was an insightful look at a (reluctant) celebrity’s passage through grief into healing. And it had my favorite kind of ending …

 

Just when we were having fun consuming …

I recently picked up “An Inconvenient Truth,” Al Gore’s bleak but ultimately promising documentary on global warming.  In light of record bad weather from the Koreas to the Tri-State, this video is a wake-up call for us all.  Gore’s truth is steeped in heavy factual waters and when unemotionally measured is a bitter drought to take.  Definitely should have won the award for best use of a graph in a powerpoint presentation.  If you haven’t seen this video, get it, if you have, I hope you are working on your carbon signature.

Blog, me?!? You blog!!!

Blog entries are short and sweet, but still provide meat for a good debate.  That is why many voices are needed to help a blog survive.  Variety is the spice, and with all of us, we could have a pleasant blend.  Remember, it isn’t always how you say it, it is what you say it about.