updates

hello my lovelies~ hope you are all doing well.

I’ve been keeping busy with readings, papers, poetry, and natural history documentaries. Sir David came out with a ton of new materials. I loved his “Kingdom of Plants”, but was a little bit let down by “Africa”, the stories weren’t as cohesive as I’ve come to expect from his programs, and as one reviewer mentioned, the music selection is way too heavy handed.

I’m off to Montreal in a week and I have a bunch of things due before then, so I’ll have to sign off here. Everybody stay warm~~

 

MERLIN

should I or shouldn’t I? The show seems to be my cup of tea, historic, bromance-filled (eep! fanfics!), and English.

But with school looming so close, should I begin a possible new obsession?

FRANKENSTEIN [Part 2]

ohmygoodness, this is so overdue–apologies all around~~

CONTINUING FROM LAST TIME:

Following’s the Monster’s miraculous ascend, a man stumbles upon him. This is Victor Frankenstein, the creator. Frankenstein is stunned at the moving creature and throws a large red cape over the Monster. Frightened and confused, the Monster leaves Victor stunned at the perfection of his own creation.

There is a strange sequence involving a rowdy group of men and women. Thumping, rhythmic music plays (I like Underworld, but not in the context. To be honest, this musical-sque section of the play was my least favourite.) as they flirt and drink. Later on, the Monster learns about fire (by accidentally burning himself on a stolen cooking pot) and is ridiculed by humans. This doesn’t bode well.

We switch to a homely small house – its occupants are one blind elderly man, and a sickeningly sick couple. The couple leaves for the fields and the Monster creeps up to the house. Having no sight, the old man (De Lacey) welcomes the strangely silent stranger. This is the Monster’s first taste of human warmth and he quickly befriends De Lacey, who, upon discovering that the Monster does not speak (De Lacey assumed it’s due to some sort of PTSD), teaches him the English language. I love love love this entire sequence. The Monster is like a child, fascinated and by the world and so happy that there is someone to introduce all its beauty to him. As the Monster begins to grasp basic language skills, his queries become more sophisticated. He begins to question his existence, he wonders why he is in pain, in emotional pain be cause his creator abandoned him.

For instance (from here):

De Lacey:  There are two school of thought. One says that we are all made imperfect, and require the assistance of a higher authority—a deity—to overcome the sin of being born. The other school of thought—to which I subscribe—insists that when we leave the womb we are pure, that a babe in arms is untainted by sin, that evil is the product of social forces, and that God has nothing to do with how a man turns out, be it good or be it bad.

Creature:  Me not do bad things.

De Lacey:  I know you do not do bad things. You have a good heart. I know that.

Creature:  Why my hungry?

De Lacey:  Eh?

Creature:  Why my hungry? Why no food for me?

De Lacey:  I give you half of my food.

Creature:  Still hungry.

De Lacey:  It is the condition of men to be hungry.

Creature (jabbing a finger at his books):  Not kings! Not emperors!

De Lacey (laughs):  You’re learning fast.

Creature:  Why my not a king?

De Lacey:  I don’t know. Perhaps you are.

Creature:  Yes! A king! Is my name?

De Lacey:  I don’t know.

Creature:  King what?

De Lacey:  You have never told me your name.

Creature:  Gnaaagh! Never heard. Not know.

De Lacey:  You are a poor lost thing.

——————-

• De Lacey: It is night in the Garden of Eden. Do you see the moon?
• Creature: There. There it is.
• De Lacey: Describe it to me.
• Creature: Solitary.
• De Lacey: That’s a good word. Good.
• Creature: And sad, like me.
• De Lacey: Why is it sad?
• Creature: Because it is solitary.
• De Lacey: Why are you sad?
• Creature: Because with all that I read, all that I learn, I discover how much I do not know. Ideas batter me like hailstones. Questions but no answers. Who am I? Where am I from? Do I have a family?

He knows that there is something about his appearance that is disturbing and terrifying to other people. After many a time of De Lacey assuring him that his daughter and son-in-law are lovely, non-judgemental folks, the Monster allows himself to be seen.

Of course, it’s catastrophic. The Monster, feeling utterly betrayed and hurt, flees.

And it is here that he begins his moral descent.

LINGERING THOUGHTS:

1. I loved the Monster’s relationship with the old man, even though it had to end. There was so much humour, truth and goodness between the two.

Creature:  White! What? White! What?
De Lacey:  Where?
Creature:  In the air!
De Lacey:  That’s snow. It’s not very interesting—a natural phenomenon, no more. Now please stop leaping about, we need to concentrate.
Creature:  Snow! Snow!
De Lacey:  Sit! We’ve work to do.

The Creature sits at a pile of books, rather grumpily.

2. I found the couple really irritating. They were over the top with cheeriness. And of course, the reason for the Monster’s ill-natured transformation.

Spread

 

 

I feel completely overwhelmed by the quality of arts that is available to me. On the Asian end, Answer Me, 1997 and Gaksital are totally rocking’ my socks off. The former drama is reminiscing an era slightly half a decade ahead of mine, but I can still relate to its stories and characters. Gosh, episode 12 came out and heck, my heart just feeeeeels.

It is so silly and nostalgic to think of my teenage years,  when I used to go insane over certain celebrities, when everything seems like the end of the world, when I talked like a James Dean wannabe and pinned after older guys when I was already attached myself. And all those one sided, hopeless crushes, they killed me.

Gaksital is killing it for me in a different way. The taut plotting and rich complexities between and within the two male leads are making it the best period kdrama I have ever seen.

TIFF will be in full swing in a week’s time, so even more goodies to come. All these films I am dying to see-it’s just a matter of time and money. I’m frugal, and the money saved from buying used textbooks goes away in a flash on things like this.

If only I could live a life of leisure and be guiltless of responsibilities. But hell, what would be the point then?

the book of general ignorance

 

I am not a regular QI viewer. Even though it’s got my beloved Stephen Fry, it’s just too long and too much to get into (hence my fear of Dr. Who – which I’ll get into later). However, I get a blast out of watching the highlights on youtube. They’ve released “The Book of General Ignorance” which chronicles common mis-truths and darling things like that.

I’m a sucker for these types of books, I’m just a factoid nerd!

Anyway – I have been addicted to this tumblr and of course I have to share this:SIDE NOTE: I caught an episode of Dr. Who (the one with David Tennant) where this hospital suddenly disappears and reappears on the moon. The sci-fi stuff I’m not yet crazy about but I can already tell that the quirky Doctor is a character I can love. But it takes time!! I’m scared of being sucked into another fandom!!! That’s the difference between these damnable English shows and American shows. I love Mad Men, but the love isn’t self-destructive.

PS. Parade’s End airs next week – there goes my sleep

 

 

 

National Theater: FRANKENSTEIN [Encore Screening] PART 1

After a needless but painful kerfuffle, I made my way to the local cinema to watch an encore screening of Frankenstein, a National Theater (UK) production directed by Danny Boyles (of Slumdog Millionaire fame) and led by Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller.I was not a great fan of the original novel Mary Shelley (published in 1818). I think I was too young, maybe pre-teens, and the story horrified me. Thus, I was a little apprehensive going into this theatrical revival.

One of the things that contributed to the play’s successful run in 2011 was that Benedict and Jonny actually alternated the roles of Victor and the Monster every other night. But the Monster is, without a doubt, the meatier role of the two. In this production, we don’t actually meet Frankenstein by name until 40 minutes into the play. Nonetheless, my recent history of appreciation upon rediscovering initially “balked at” works urged me to give Frankenstein a second chance.  And the lure of Benedict Cumberbatch (who plays the Monster in this case) helped too – so there goes my twenty bucks.

http://cumberbatchweb.tumblr.com/post/3128119983/benedict-cumberbatch-in-the-programme-for

Thinking back, it was more than worth it.  SPOILERS GALORE BELOW

The show began with a brief overview of how the production came together: the writing, the casting (Benedict only wanted the part because of the reversed roles), the direction, the acting (both actors took movement classes to hone their interpretation of the Monster’s manner of moving. Jonny, for instance, said that he became an infant in his turn as the Monster.)

 

http://frankensteinia.blogspot.ca/2011/02/national-theaters-frankenstein.html

 

After the few words from the writer (Nick Dear) and the director, the screen dimmed.

First, we see a circling shot of what seem to be a huge cluster of stars – the lens zoom to show us they are in fact, countless twinkling light bulbs dangling from the ceiling, lighting the stage.

http://fyeahsetsandprops.tumblr.com/post/24643878094

The stage is dark, safe for a strange upright womb-like sack. There is something within its semitransparent film and it’s pulsating with increasing intensity. After a good minute of struggle, the thing manages to get its legs out of the sack. An explosion of light from the ceiling signals another crack in the sack – and the thing, all contorted, slides onto the floor, trembling. This is our Monster.

http://calitreview.com/14682

It’s a human shaped creature, with a bald head and crude surgical stitches inches long all over its body.  Its limbs flail, shaking like mad. At first, he (obvious by the loincloth) tries to crawl. But like a baby zebra, can’t muster the energy to hold his arms straight. He falls to the floor again and again with loud thuds and grimaces, and still, he cannot support his own body. After many attempts, he finally manages to lift himself up. From then on, the progress is quicker, and easier – eventually rising unsteadily but triumphantly to his feet. Within moments, the Monster is galloping in circles, howling with delight.

I’m sorry I can’t remember where I got this photo from – but it’s everywhere on tumblr.

LINGERING THOUGHTS:

1. Benedict’s body is UNREAL. I recall someone commenting that it was akin to a boxer’s physic – and they are right. But gosh, going through that beat every night must have been torture.
2. The Monster does not speak (intelligibly) for at least 20min. It’s incredible how expressive and powerful body language can be. Like good old fashioned silent films, Benedict was able to convey a wealth of meaning through sheer physicality. 15min into the play, when the Monster first stands firmly on his feet, inwardly I was applauding him.
3. Initially, i was going to do just one post for the review – but that’s just not possible. The next post will conclude Act 1.

Oldman Gary

VANITY POST! How badass does Gary Oldman look?

casually strutting his way down the Prada catwalk – no biggie

I was introduced to his work via Harry Potter (3rd film) – I didn’t much like the film or his portrayal of Sirius. BUT he’s done a fantastic job in his other roles, so I feel obligated to love him – since he’s cool and old and all.

PS Who really wants to see him with them HP shades (breast pocket) on?

 

Benedict Cumberbatch… and the like

Let’s take a trip down the memory lane; I’d like to draw your attention to this (stolen from the faint-worthy Cumberbatched tumblr):

2005 – 2012

BAFTA TV awards 2005. nominated for Best Leading Actor for his performance in Hawking.

stolen from Sherlology

BAFTA TV awards 2009. nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Small Island.

that’s right, take a moment just to bask in all his glorious beauty. Look at his eyes! They are LUMINOUS

BAFTA TV awards 2011. nominated for Best Leading Actor for his performance in Sherlock.

That nose wrinkle is exquisite. AHAHAAAA, I love that he looks so supremely annoyed – probably because he’s in the vicinity of ordinary people

BAFTA TV awards 2012. nominated for Best Leading Actor for his performance in Sherlock.

I chose this photo just to prove how uncanny similar he can look to Ralph Fiennes (IMO, i think it’s the forehead)

After being nominated FOUR SEPARATE TIMES, the BAFTA still eludes BC. WHAT GIVES? Granted, I am so pleased for Andrew Scott – who won best supporting actor for his Moriarty to BC’s Sherlock, but still! Literally everyone who’s seen Sherlock is fuming – that’s not to take away Dominic West‘s win – who was apparently brilliant (and thus, a well deserved win), but I’m a little anxious that BC will have Hugh Laurie‘s luck in terms of awards: always nominated, but never wins.

attributive compounds

MUST SHARE THIS. It’s an astonishingly candid interview with the great Jeremy Brett (who I should mention, was gorgeous and talented and thus, very accordingly stolen my unyielding affections. Hey! Another dead old guy to add to my list of obsessions ~ whatdoyaknow?) I believe this interview took place during his last years, when he was addled with both physical and emotional distress – some people believe that’s the reason why his words don’t conceal but reveal, unlike most actors’ speeches.

I’ve seen every one of the 42 ACD stories and I whole hearted agree with the general online consensus that Brett was the authentic Holmes as ACD had written and envisioned him, down to the barking laugh, the persian cigar slipper, the aquiline nose and impeccable wit.

FRIDAY: Hawaiian pizza, mexican fries, juice

SATURDAY: chicken strips, coffee, preserved egg congee, egg and tomatoes with rice

SUNDAY: congee, mango juice, baked salmon, stir-fried broccoli, egg and tomatoes with rice

MONDAY: 2 buttered honey oats bagels with strawberry jam, disguising coffee I made (I only had 1% at home!), chicken strips…

bump

-ed into a dear old chum i haven’t seen properly for months on my way home today. I was a little anxious; and although i was the first to spot her, I nearly wanted to pretend I didn’t see her. Why? I was in a hurry and I looked completely disheveled and … sloppy? I suppose I am vain like that. I don’t care when strangers see me all sweaty and blah, but people I know? Whole different story.

Nevertheless, the joy of seeing each other rather overwhelmed whatever comment she might’ve thought when she saw me.

in other matters, the universe no doubt works to ensure I get no real work done. What do I see when I popped into the neighborhood Sunrise Records? Under the 2/$18 banner was:

Romeo & Juliet (1968) (and not only because Olivia Hussey is a goddess)

Mildred Pierce (the 5 parter w/ Kate Winslet-can you believe she’s never been in a live play? at least the kind with a paying audience. INSANITY! I hope she’s as good a live actress as she is a screen actress)

The Wild One
Tinker… (can’t remember full name, but it’s the one with Gary old man and among other awesome dudes, BC!!)

Also – I need to make a concerted effort to make time for:

DRAW MORE!!! Although most of this puts my doodles to shame.

Improve my penmanship and learn more about typography. I need to spent a few days at Chapters, in fact.