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Character-wise, I enjoyed the third book (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) because of the introductions of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. However, in my opinion the most satisfying read goes to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix because of the way Rowling was able to throw the shadow of doubt on the "Harry as Chosen One" theme. I loved that the climax was essentially an ensemble piece, and boy did I get a massive kick out of Neville Longbottom's progress. I do wish Rowling had done more with him as the tale progressed, but oh well.
*
I went to see the new Judd Apatow movie Funny People this afternoon. Apatow's work has been very hit-or-miss for me: 40 Year-Old Virgin still gets more than a few laughs upon rewatchings, but while I didn't think any of his other movies were *bad* I also haven't bothered to revisit them. Funny People toes the "hated it" line for me more than any other one of his movies. I've only walked out of one movie ever, and that was a showing of Scary Movie 3 (I know!) to which my brothers had dragged me. The only reason I didn't walk out for this movie was because, unlike for Scary Movie, I plunked down for my own ticket and figured I might as well get my money's worth. For one, the initial bevy of ads for the movie were somewhat misleading. Secondly, the movie was entirely *too long*, and the improvisation on the part of the actors really grated. And by the time the final credits rolled I hated ALL of the characters I'd been introduced to...sadly, including the two children. And I do wish Apatow would stop using his wife and kids in his works; not that they're not capable, but it's distracting and wall-breaking as all fuck at this point. There's a scene where we are forced to watch a video of the oldest Apatow daughter (admirably, I will admit) perform a three (!) minute number from Cats that struck me as a *forced* and such a "look what my girl can do!" moment on the part of the director. I should have known what I was getting into, but more fool am I.
*
Continuing on the Things that Irk Me vein, my agency services some patients that TPTB have deemed Very Important People for one reason or the other. Most of the V.I.P.s are rich bigwigs with political connections or have donated lots of money to the organization. These folks get preferential treatment like various disciplines bending over backwards and forwards to make sure their needs and wants are met, and exceptions to company policies that would usually have anyone else summarily dismissed from services. One of the things I feel strongly about in my personal practice is that every patient should be treated the same, and being told that so and so on Park Avenue is essentially more important to management than the folks down in Lincoln Houses makes me somewhat angry and quite sad, especially since the Park Avenue crowd can generally afford to pay *more* out of pocket than my peeps in the PJs. But, yeah, no soapboxing on the weekends.
*
The squirrels have eaten ALL of our cucumbers, even the baby ones. One day of cucumber salad for us and that was it. Bastards. Littlest bro ships off to college next week. I'd say my parents are feeling the effects of Empty Nest Syndrome, but, well. *sigh* I did manage to finish my first book in about a month; kudos to me (even if it was The Snow Garden. GAH! sums up my reaction quite nicely).
Quiet and boring is good. Better than the alternative, at least. I think if I keep repeating that things will become more palatable.
Character-wise, I enjoyed the third book (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) because of the introductions of Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. However, in my opinion the most satisfying read goes to Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix because of the way Rowling was able to throw the shadow of doubt on the "Harry as Chosen One" theme. I loved that the climax was essentially an ensemble piece, and boy did I get a massive kick out of Neville Longbottom's progress. I do wish Rowling had done more with him as the tale progressed, but oh well.
*
I went to see the new Judd Apatow movie Funny People this afternoon. Apatow's work has been very hit-or-miss for me: 40 Year-Old Virgin still gets more than a few laughs upon rewatchings, but while I didn't think any of his other movies were *bad* I also haven't bothered to revisit them. Funny People toes the "hated it" line for me more than any other one of his movies. I've only walked out of one movie ever, and that was a showing of Scary Movie 3 (I know!) to which my brothers had dragged me. The only reason I didn't walk out for this movie was because, unlike for Scary Movie, I plunked down for my own ticket and figured I might as well get my money's worth. For one, the initial bevy of ads for the movie were somewhat misleading. Secondly, the movie was entirely *too long*, and the improvisation on the part of the actors really grated. And by the time the final credits rolled I hated ALL of the characters I'd been introduced to...sadly, including the two children. And I do wish Apatow would stop using his wife and kids in his works; not that they're not capable, but it's distracting and wall-breaking as all fuck at this point. There's a scene where we are forced to watch a video of the oldest Apatow daughter (admirably, I will admit) perform a three (!) minute number from Cats that struck me as a *forced* and such a "look what my girl can do!" moment on the part of the director. I should have known what I was getting into, but more fool am I.
*
Continuing on the Things that Irk Me vein, my agency services some patients that TPTB have deemed Very Important People for one reason or the other. Most of the V.I.P.s are rich bigwigs with political connections or have donated lots of money to the organization. These folks get preferential treatment like various disciplines bending over backwards and forwards to make sure their needs and wants are met, and exceptions to company policies that would usually have anyone else summarily dismissed from services. One of the things I feel strongly about in my personal practice is that every patient should be treated the same, and being told that so and so on Park Avenue is essentially more important to management than the folks down in Lincoln Houses makes me somewhat angry and quite sad, especially since the Park Avenue crowd can generally afford to pay *more* out of pocket than my peeps in the PJs. But, yeah, no soapboxing on the weekends.
*
The squirrels have eaten ALL of our cucumbers, even the baby ones. One day of cucumber salad for us and that was it. Bastards. Littlest bro ships off to college next week. I'd say my parents are feeling the effects of Empty Nest Syndrome, but, well. *sigh* I did manage to finish my first book in about a month; kudos to me (even if it was The Snow Garden. GAH! sums up my reaction quite nicely).
Quiet and boring is good. Better than the alternative, at least. I think if I keep repeating that things will become more palatable.
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no subject
Date: 2009-08-02 03:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-02 03:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-02 09:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-02 10:24 am (UTC)Heh. Yes, great lit indeed. Sexual cults and guilty closeted gays and mysterious identities and random add-on murder plots. I was surprised Michael didn't emerge with a Snidely Whiplash mustache during the climax. That was funny.
Next on my agenda? Shadow's Return. *grin* Give me another month and I'll tell you how that goes.
The next movie I'm looking forward to is Sherlock Holmes. Robert Downey AND Jude Law. ::fans self::
no subject
Date: 2009-08-02 08:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-08-04 03:40 am (UTC)I've come to find that I need a lot of direction and forward-driven plot in my movies to enjoy them. Apatow's films just seem *lazy* to me. I'm going to have to stop giving that man my money.
no subject
Date: 2009-08-03 04:30 am (UTC)And I agree with your being irked, there...
no subject
Date: 2009-08-04 03:42 am (UTC)