Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Bon Voyage to Me
Au revoir
Ciao
Adios
Arrivederci
Auf Wiedersehen
Goodbye :(
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Life updates!
Accounting Courses --- Ivey may be in the ground, but accountants never sleep! So far we've written 3 exams, done 2 presentations and submitted 2 assignments. Did I mention we started these courses only two weeks ago?! Still to go there is one exam and 4 assignments. Funnily, this hasn't been stressing me out that much. The only difference between getting a 50 and a 90 is personal satisfaction ... it still just goes down as pass or fail on your CA transcript! (I've been getting 80s, for the record).
Europe Trip Planning --- I leave in less than 3 weeks and I'm gone for quite a long time. I'm also going alone, and in peak season, which means it is really best to book hostels in advance. All of which adds up to a pound of work. You should see my spreadsheets!
Saying Goodbye to Friends --- nearly everyone but the accountants and those who hail from London have left by now, but at one point I had a close friend leaving nearly every day! Many of whom (because Ivey graduates tend to pursue international careers) I will not see for at least a few years. And of course everyone wants to have dinner or hang out before they leave...
The Toronto Kerfuffle --- so you may remember a few months ago I joyfully posted some pictures of my future roommate, Azadeh. Well turns out that's not happening! She's transferring to a different school and won't be living in Toronto anymore. As much of a hassle this is, a part of me is relieved because she is really quite unreliable. I've been talking to a few friends and haven't had much luck finding a new roommate yet. I know a couple of Ivey girls who want to collect 4-5 girls and get a big house in North York. This would be great except they're being sort of wishy-washy about doing it for sure ... I just want people who can committ! So if there's one thing keeping me up at night, it's this.
Tying Up Lose Ends --- along with the trip planning, comes things like taxes (which are done but still not sent in! I suck!), cancelling internet for the summer, dealing with graduation details, needing to get glasses before I leave, confirming employment details with Deloitte, etc. etc.
Not complaining or anything - these last few weeks have honestly been great! But if you haven't heard from me in a while and you think you should have (i.e. my parents! not the rest of you!), here endeth my explanation.
Monday, April 30, 2007
# 7 - The History Boys
Ah, they should make more movies like this. By that I mean ones which are driven by character and not plot. The History Boys is a bit like an R-rated Dead Poets Society, at least in form. The substance is really quite different. The mentor, instead of being harmless and inspirational like Robin Williams, likes to take his male students for rides on his motorcycle so that he can make them do ... naughty things. Strangely enough, this teacher (played delightfully by Richard Griffiths) is also harmless! The movie makes his behavior acceptable and even funny; a note-worthy achievement in itself. I really like that the film was able to make light of what are usually such serious, depressing issues. Quite an original take on a group of young British men as they finish their entrance exams to Oxford and Cambridge. The “inspirational learning” scenes are so much better than the ones in DPS (which I also love). They mostly take place in French and are so intellectually stimulating that they make you wish you had gone to a British prep school, even if you had to endure the creepy motorcycle rides! I love that this movie just has so much life. Everything from the back-and-forth banter, to the luscious green scenery, to the boys’ (mostly homosexual) passion is endowed with so much vivacity. Even the bittersweet (and slightly miscalculated) ending could not dampen the joyful memories I have of watching this film.
Critic's Review.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
# 8 - Children of Men
Don’t let the gray cinematography, 1984-ish themes, or the fact that none of the characters have a future fool you --- this in an uplifting movie! I may be the only person who walked out of the theatre with that sentiment, but I’m sticking to it. But first, some background info. So one day, humans stop having babies and everyone goes a bit crazy. Then some activists (lead by Julianne Moore) find a pregnant lady and … well everyone goes even more nuts. Clive Owen is protecting the mommy to be, and in the process there is a scene where the chaos that surrounds them stops for a second to appreciate this woman (pictured above). I found it to be one of the most hopeful moments of any film in 2007. Children of Men is one of those rare action-packed, heart pounding movies that is about something more than a jewel heist or a bomb in the subway. It’s kind of about what it means to be human, and how our legacy (or lack thereof) can affect that. Watch this excellent piece of sci-fi work, and then consider movies like War of the Worlds and Hitchiker's Guide and what a diservice they have done to the genre.
Critic's Review.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
# 9 - Casino Royale
Finally, the franchise gets its much-needed upgrade (not just an update). This entry throws away the usual nonsensical plot, increasingly absurd gadgets, and unskilled female leads. This is a gritty, emotional, well-made film. Much more Bourne Identity than The Avengers. What’s particularly lovely is that Craig’s Bond goes far beyond martinis and beautiful women – he’s a fully fleshed-out human being for the first time. Sometimes he’s impossibly cruel, other times achingly vulnerable, and finally we understand his attitude towards relationships, MI6, and England. I would argue that (hold your breath) this goes beyond anything Sean Connery ever brought to the role. Ok, feel free to stop reading now. The ending runs too long and is a bit too predictable, and I’ll need a few more Craig outings to officially decide … but I have an inkling we’ve just seen the best Bond, in one of the best Bond films ever.
Critic's Review.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
# 10 - V for Vendetta
Having read the graphic novel some time before seeing the movie, it’s obvious that two hours isn’t nearly enough to present the complexities of Alan Moore’s work. But, I would say, despite the standard ‘Hollywoodization’ process, the Wachowski brothers did the source material considerable justice. The film retains its soul and spirit, and is a really a movie driven more by the message than the medium (despite all the jaw-dropping action and special effects). Natalie Portman is good, Hugo Weaving embodies everything that V is, and the authentic British supporting cast lend some credibility. The twists and turns are well executed, it never drags on, and it’s impossible not to get at least a little emotional during the climactic final scenes.
Critic's Review.
Monday, April 09, 2007
The Worst Movies of 2006
Preface: I mercifully didn’t see very many bad movies this year. Certainly none that rival my hatred for The Aviator. In fact, I don’t feel particularly strongly about any of them, but of course I’ll beef up my hatred for the sake of this list.
5. The Da Vinci Code
Not a particularly good book (if someone tells you anything by Dan Brown is one of their favorite books, discard their knowledge of all pop culture as irrelevant), but certainly an exciting one. Although you might find yourself throwing the book across the room in a rage fueled by its utter disregard for believability, it is fairly well the definition of a page-turner. Unfortunately, the movie is neither good nor exciting. First we have the terrible casting of all the main characters (Harrison Ford, at age 64, would have made a better Robert Langdon than the all too loveable and wimpy Tom Hanks). And what were they thinking with Ron Howard? One of the most bland, literal directors operating today brought nothing interesting to the production. Even Audrey Tautou, a very lovely actress, was too obvious a choice. Can you imagine what a different movie this could have been with the same script but this line-up: Alfonso Cuaron, Daniel Craig, and Sophie Marceau?
4. The Lakehouse
The passionate chemistry between Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock was lost after Speed. Maybe they’re both too old, or too married, but it feels like this is their 50th wedding anniversary. In other words, they are in love but boringly so. On top of that, it makes no sense. Literally sit there with a pencil and paper and try to make some sense of the timeline (not to mention how they could possibly own the same dog), and you’ll agree it’s impossible. And no, the story isn’t good enough to overlook this ridiculousness.
3. Superman Returns
Oh what a train wreck. Can someone please ban Kate Bosworth and her ribs from making movies? And Kevin Spacey’s days as an arch villain should have ended with Keyser Soze. But I won’t argue with the choice of Brandon Routh, he was physically perfect and a decent enough (if not good) actor for the part. What’s really upsetting is how lackluster everyone is. It’s like they are living in a nightmare that they can’t wait to wake up from. Batman had more gusto for life and I think Metropolis would be a more joyful hometown than Gotham City! They should have made Superman Begins instead of Returns ... oh and also with a completely different cast and script.
2. Cars
I don’t see why everyone went so ga-ga for this animated drivel. Sure Paul Newman was pretty cute as a blue chevy (or whatever he was), but the story was so contrived and snore-worthy. Cars do not make good animated characters. Penguins do! Happy Feet was much better.
1. The Devil Wears Prada
The more praise a film gets that I did not like, the higher it’s pushed on this list. I can understand the love for Meryl Streep – excellent as always – but otherwise this movie has no soul. We’re suppose to relate to Anne Hathaway’s character, the everyday girl shoved into the New York fashion world, but she makes such inane choices like cheating on her amazing farm-boy boyfriend (Adrien Grenier of Entourage, wildly miscast) and we’re still suppose to sympathize with her and cheer when he takes her back? That’s not laudable, in my mind, and neither is this movie.
Friday, April 06, 2007
In other, far less important news, I have a million things to do and at the bottom of that list is writing and publishing (to this blog) my 2006 movie list. The actual rankings are complete, but it's the write-ups that take time. I'd like to do it right now, I'm really quite tempted! Soon.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
This can't be good
Friday, March 09, 2007
Frugality Breakthrough
I even considered getting rid of my cell phone, but decided that would be slightly too sketchy as I don't even have a land line. What if someone important (like Deloitte or FedEx needs to reach me), or what if I have to fill out some kind of application where phone number is one of those starred fields? So I decided to just be really careful about my minutes so I don't get any extra charges.
I decided I pretty much couldn't live without my PVR or high speed internet, but that I certainly don't need any new clothes, lunches at school, dinners out, etc. I also did some more apartment hunting and found that my standards are much lower now!
Finally, I reworked my Europe budget and found that if I control my day-to-day budget quite well that I can save up to $4,000. Without sleeping in parks! Here it is:
(per day, in Euros, 1.5 CND exchange rate)
Accomodations - 25
Food - 20
Inter-City Transportation (metro, buses, bike rentals) - 10
Admissions - 10
TOTAL = 65
So here's to the dawn of a new age in my budgeting process. Time to file my taxes.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Oscars 2007
- Though not particularly funny, I enjoyed Ellen's relaxed attitude as a host. None of her jokes fell totally flat, she wasn't awkward (except maybe when vaccuuming, what was up with that?), and her style left the focus on the ceremony, which I thought was nice for a change.
- I liked the 4+ hour length, unlike most. It's never too long for me!
- Enjoyed the dance troupe, and still can't figure out how they made some of those images.
- Too many tribute montages! Did we really need the ones about America and writers?
- Acting awards were as expected, with the exception of Alan Arkin over Eddie Murphy --- although most of the major TV affiliates were predicting that the tide had shifted after Norbit.
- I should have made predictions this year because I think I would have done pretty well! Alas.
- Really quite happy with all of the outcomes: LMS getting some screenplay love, Inconvenient Truth documentary and (strangely) song, Pan's Labyrinth getting everything except Best Foreign Film (CNN coverage illuminated this a little --- apparently this category is one that in order to vote for you must have screened all 5 nominees, something that only 200 voters do - compared to the 5,800 that regularly vote in the other categories).
- Yayyyyyy for The Departed.
All in all, my most personally satisfying Oscars in years!
