Book Review: The Alchemist

I have to admit that the program at Wilkes really made me lose my taste for non-fiction. I went into the program expecting to write a memoir and ended up doing something I never thought I could - writing at 90,000+ word fictional novel. Since then, I have barely read an non-fiction and have been gravitating toward good fiction. When it was my turn to make a pick for the one on one book club, I chose The Alchemist because it had awesome reviews and also because it was compared to The Little Prince, one of my favorites.

All I can say is...eeeehhhhhhhhh. I was totally disappointed. The Little Prince it ain't.

Look. If you love this book you probably want to stab my eyeballs out with a pen, but hear me out. It's not that I don't get it. I do...you have everything you need to succeed already there within your heart. That's nice. I've heard it a million times already though. I've heard it in better ways.

Santiago, the main character, is so open to suggestion that at times I felt as though he wasn't even exercising his own will. A little silly to have a character doing that when the point of the story is to follow your heart. I did like that he was willing to make mistakes and pretty much picked himself up and dusted himself off easily, but really, how couldn't he? He had everyone telling him what steps he should be taking next to follow his personal legend.

While I usually enjoy concise writing, this book felt a little to simplistic to me. There is no elegance in these pages. There were no images that stuck with me. The story is flat, the characters are flat and the message has been done to death.

My main problem is this - is anything in life figured out with a couple snappy answers from some strangers? If that were the case we'd all have it figured out with ease. If this is a modern fable or a fairy tale it lacks the things that make those kinds of stories so enjoyable: great characters, a lot of adventure, fear, fun, a sense that all can be lost if the main character doesn't get it together and a good overall plot. I felt less lectured in fourteen years of Catholic school (1-12 and two years at a Catholic college) than I did when reading this.

If you like being told what to think, this book will be perfect for you. If you like boring stories that are vague and go nowhere, pick this up. You'll love it.

Book Review: City of Thieves

City of Thieves. This book about Lev and Kolya, two young Russian men who are sent on a very strange quest during the Leningrad blockade, is very hard to put down. Almost immediately, I was taken to Russia during World War II. I could feel the cold as it penetrated me to my bones. I could see the bleak landscape, the roads covered in snow. But most importantly, I could feel their fear as they traveled throughout their homeland.

Lev is an awkward seventeen year old who has the misfortune of being caught after curfew on a night when a German bomber pilot has literally fallen from the sky. Strict rules dictate that no one is allowed out for any reason, even if it was just to check the Fritz's body. After watching his comrades get shot, he is jailed, and there he meets Kolya, a strapping lad who is Lev's perfect foil. What they don't know is that they are about to be sent out to find eggs for Colonel Grechko's daughter's wedding cake.

The narrative that follows is nothing short of pure magic, and David Benioff shows that he has got some wickedly good writing chops. The banter between Lev and Kolya is at times, laugh out loud hysterical, and at others, heartwrenching. These two unlikely companions form a friendship that is strong and true. The trust they share is a beautiful thing to watch as it unfolds on the pages. One thing I really liked was the real care these characters shared for one another. They felt real.

Benioff doesn't shy away from the grim realities that the people of Russia faced during that time. Cannabalism, the constant fear they experienced, it's all there and plainly laid out. I don't like historical fiction that goes soft or tries to hide the truth, and Benioff manages to weave in these truths without weighing the story down and making it too dark.

This was one of Geronimo's picks and it was a very good one. This is now one of my favorite books, one that I'm sure I will pick up and read again and again. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes historical ficition, has an interest in World War II, or who just likes amazing characters.

Movie Review: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Right from the very first second of the first preview I had seen for Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, I knew I had to see it. I loved the look of the preview - the slick video game feel, the witty humor and the over the top fighting scenes seemed like something I would really enjoy, even though I secretly didn't want to admit it. It isn't often that something new and fresh in entertainment comes along, but with Scott Pilgrim, I can honestly say that it really has.

From the opening scene, it's clear that the audience is going to be in for completely unique viewing experience. As Scott (Michael Cera) walks around his apartment, little boxes pop up with information about his roommate and friends, just like they would in a video game. It's clear right away that belief needs not only be suspended, but shattered. When people kiss, tiny pink hearts leave their lips and flutter around them. Doors magically appear and people fly through them. Scott punches another character clear up into the air. He jumps through a window to avoid his girlfriend, then jumps back in to grab his coat.

All of this stuff is incredibly cool, but the story is actually pretty good. I have to admit I didn't think I was going to be able to get into it because I tend to really dislike romantic comedies. I also didn't think that I would like a story centered on yet another cool nerd cliched character. Somehow, it all worked together and produced something that made me smile throughout the entire movie.

I'm just going to add here that I feel like the imminent Michael Cera backlash will be coming soon. During the movie I tried to think about what was so great about him, and I couldn't really come up with any reasons as to why this kid is this popular. You know the universe will start hating on him any second now.

There were some parts where it felt rushed and other parts where it dragged. I just got my hands on the comic series so I'm curious to see how the characters develop throughout. Apparently there are much more detailed back stories for the exes, plus tons of other stuff I'm sure.

Should you see it? Definitely. While some of the older crowd might feel baffled by some of the references, I think that it's so unique that even if you don't understand, you won't be disappointed. I also scored a pretty cool guitar pick keychain that I've been rocking since the weekend, which was a nice added bonus.

TV Shows You Need to be Watching: The IT Crowd

I have no idea how my husband found out about this show, but I'm so glad he did. At its most basic level, its a British sitcome about Ross, Roy and Jen, three folks who work in the IT department. Computer geeks everywhere would rejoice at the little inside jokes that are peppered throughout this show, but what I love it for is its irreverence.

At first, I didn't really like this show. I didn't know why, and I couldn't even tell you why, but this is a trait of mine that I've had ever since I can remember. I will irrationally hate something intensely, but then all of a sudden I'll notice something that I didn't before and then love it with all of my being. This is exactly what happened with this show. It was an episode where Moss, Jen and Roy are attending the funeral of their boss. Unfortunately, I can't embed the clip, but this is the very moment when Roy stole my heart - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOTW6gFQUlg

I know, right? It's so me. I especially love Moss, a superdork who passes out when he hears the word "bra" unexpectedly. Check him out here:

Jen is also a really great female lead. I love her because she is always trying to get ahead in a male dominated field, and she tries very hard to break the glass ceiling. What I think is very interesting about her character is that she is a feminist without being the feminazi stereotype. Most of her time is spent trying make sure that Moss and Roy stay firmly out of trouble, and she's rarely successful.

Which comes to my next point - this show is absolutely brilliantly written. It's funny, full of social commentary and random while not being too out there. Everything has a purpose, and it's almost Seinfeldesque in the way that little things from the beginning of the show will come back around full circle in the end. Some of the situations they get themselves into are absolutely hilarious. Plus, everything is better in a British accent.

If you have the IFC channel, I highly recommend that you set this show to record. If you like really smart comedy, you'll love this, I promise. The DVDs are also available on Netflix and you can probably pick them up at Amazon too. Such good stuff.

Movie Review: The Other Guys

Another weekend past, another movie seen. This time it was The Other Guys, a comedy about an Odd Couple like team who end up busting a big time baddie. I was really looking forward to this film because I love Will Ferrell because he makes me laugh, and I love Mark Wahlberg because I love to laugh at him. I went into this with Anchorman expectations and left feeling like I just sat through another Ricky Bobby movie.

Don't get me wrong - there are plenty of hilarious parts in this movie. I laughed out loud quite a few times and thought that the over the top acting on the part of the cast was absolutely perfect. Mark Wahlberg was particularly hilarious as a miserable, angry cop who wants a chance to be in the spotlight. Will Ferrell was his usual unassumingly funny self, even if I thought a part of his character reveal was one of the most idiotic things I've seen in a long time. I really enjoyed Dwayne Johnson and Samuel L. Jackson in their roles as the supercops. They were absolutely hysterical. Eva Mendes was all right. Michael Keaton was entertaining as the police chief. Are you noticing something here? No character names? Right, because I don't remember any of them and I'm not looking them up.

I know I should expect much of a plot from a comedy, but seriously, the story line in this movie was pure garbage. Bernie Madoff was the inspiration, with the character played by Steve Coogan as the leader of a Ponzi scheme. Most of the movie revolved around Marky Mark and Will trying to figure out exactly which was going on, which I think left the audience as confused as they were. By the time the movie was over, I didn't care what was going on. I just wanted to leave.

The worst part was that there were a lot of irrelevant jokes, like a running one about TLC songs. Really? The best the writers could come up with was references from 1999? Add in a completely out of left field credit roll with all kinds of pie charts and figures about CEOs and Fortune 500 companies, and there you have the randomness of this movie. Random is good, but at some point everything has to come together, and in this trainwreck, it didn't. I heartily suggest you avoid this at all costs, or at least wait until you can rent it. Don't encourage these people!

Seriously, I'm not even taking the time to look up a picture for this piece of crap. That's how bad it was.

Book Review: The Shadow of the Wind

I have a thing for Spanish language authors, and it's no secret. I like to be seduced when I read. I like a narrative that grips my mind and incites passion in my heart. I like books that give me a very clear view of the deepest hearts of its characters. I even like things that don't have true happy endings. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon is all of these things and more.

Ruiz Zafon's tale centers around Daniel, a young boy who discovers the author and other main character, Julian Carax, while looking through the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. Daniel chooses Carax's book, also titled Shadow of the Wind, and he's instantly hooked. Of course, he wants to read more books by the wonderful author, but in trying to find his other works, he uncovers the tragic past of Carax. Through his detective work, he ends up finding more than he bargained for and begins to suffer as a consequence.

There is so much to love about this book. The descriptions of Barcelona post World War II are incredible, and Ruiz Zafon also has a knack for poetic descriptions of mundane things. I am really bad at describing things because when I read, I usually skip anything that doesn't directly pertain to the story or the characters, but in this case, I read them. I also really enjoyed his characterization of Daniel, a young boy who is a complete romantic and who can't help but fall in love with nearly every woman he meets. Fermin, a homeless man he befriends who ends up working with Daniel and his father in their bookstore, is a really fun character who adds a lot of levity in a sometimes very depressing book. The female characters are strong as well, even though they don't play a huge role other than being objects of desire. I especially liked Nuria, who I thought had an incredible female voice.

While I enjoyed reading, I was a little disappointed at how Ruiz Zafon chose to reconcile the mystery of Julian Carax. It was a little too easy. I also tend to despair when all of the women in a book are these super sexy temptresses who show up and ruin men's lives, and there was plenty of that in this book too. The only real saving grace is that they were smart, headstrong and not afraid to voice their opinions. It also read like a romance novel in some parts, although it wasn't over the top. No bodice ripping here.

I liked this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes mysteries. It's also loaded with romance as well, but the tragic type that at times to me felt a little unbelievable. I definitely think it's worth the read.

Movie Review: Dinner for Schmucks

Ah, comedies. Sometimes you're not so funny. Sometimes all of your funny parts have been shown in previews, so that by the time I get to the theater, I've seen everything there is to see. I'm always really skeptical of comedies, mostly because I know how hard it is to write something that will make a wide range of people laugh. Dinner for Schmucks has gotten some lukewarm reviews, and I do agree that there are times when the film kind of drags, especially because it's a romantic comedy in disguise. But overall, I thought it was pretty entertaining, and I enjoyed that not every punchline was given away in the previews.

I know I mentioned in an earlier post that I like to be entertained. I find all forms of entertainment valid, even if they might not fit into the label of things I should like. This is something I have a real problem with. I actually broke up with a guy because he didn't think Joe Dirt was as hilarious as I did. He said it was beneath him to watch that kind of movie. I sent him packing, and he went home to rearrange his skinny tie collection while I stayed at my house and laughed my ass off. I guess if you're afraid of being judged for liking a certain kind of movie then maybe you have a bigger problem that needs to be addressed.

I like to laugh, and I certainly did during Dinner for Schmucks. What I particularly enjoyed were all of the cringe-worthy scenes they manages to pack into this film. That type of comedy is rare, and I thought it was done very well in this movie. I also loved how a lot of the dialogue was set ups and punchlines, which is a part of the reason why I love The Emperor's New Groove so very much.

Some of the stuff was a little mean, although the main character Tim (Paul Rudd), is aware that making fun of Barry (Steve Carell) is gross. But, the heart wants what it wants and Tim wants nothing more than to marry Julie (Stephanie Szostak) and get a big promotion at work. If you've seen the previews, then you know that Barry is the potential key to Tim getting that nice corner office. We basically watch Barry screw up Tim's life is ways that are hard to imagine, but in the end, everything works out. I don't think I'm spoiling anything here.

Jamaine Clement is hilarious in his role as Kieran, a hypersexual artist who has a thing for Julie. And even though Zach Galifianakis isn't in the movie for very long, he totally steals every scene he's in as Therman, Barry's boss and rival. The rest of the supporting cast is great too, although I wouldn't have minded some more Ron Livingston. Lucy Punch is really convincing as Darla, a woman who has been stalking Tim for years.

I will admit that I was not a fan of the crazy and/or stupid women in this film, although women are usually not treated very well in comedies, which is a shame. It was also tooth-achingly sweet at some points, which was strange but (I guess) all right. While this might not be a movie that you need to see on the big screen, I think it's definitely something worth watching. You'll leave the theater with a warm, fuzzy feeling, and that certainly isn't a bad thing.