Adaptations (2)

Continuing from yesterday (Adaptations 1) I will keep yakking about Film(s)/Book(s)...

Atonement (Ian McEwan) is another one of those thought-provoking films (like the Reader). It was on cable this past weekend and I ended up watching it until Robbie is accused. I could watch the first part of it over and over again (the second half is too heartbreaking). The two versions of the "fountain" scene are inspired--then we have the two versions of "the library" to think about. Wow. I have read sections of the book, but I haven't read it cover to cover yet.

The Hours (Michael Cunningham) I can't begin to tell you how much I love this movie. I saw it in the theatre (I cried). I bought it the moment it came out on DVD (still cried) I had no idea that it was a book before it was a movie (obviously I wasn't thinking about books as much last decade). Kidman, Moore, and Streep are powerhouse actors! I read about 60% of the book last November. Now that I've finished Mrs. Dalloway (Woolf) I think the book will be richer for me.

All The Pretty Horses (Cormac McCarthy) I grabbed the book sometime last summer--but have yet to crack it open. After reading one of his more "graphic" novels for a class, I have come to appreciate McCarthy, but fear his violence. I saw the movie a few months ago, watched it with a classmate who took the aforementioned class with me. I think we both liked it enough.

Evening (Susan Minot) *swoon swoon swoon* Was that enough? I wrote extensively about Evening (the film version) for a class several semesters ago. It is both deep and charming. Similar to The Hours in the emotional effect it has had on me. Even though I have read several short stories by Minot, I have yet to get started on the book. I have a feeling I'm never going to catch up with my reading (not a complaint).

Le Divorce (Diane Johnson) Even though I seem to be the only person in my circle of friends who actually liked this movie--I am going to continue to sing it's praises. I saw it in the theatre--it's both quirky and "realistic" as any Kate Hudson in Paris movie can be--well, even more so, which may be why it didn't do well. I just got the book...

Bridget Jones's Diary (Helen Fielding) has been semi-credited with bringing the genre of "chick lit" to the front of the bookstore shelves. Of course I saw the movie. Who hasn't seen the movie? (If you're male, your vote may not count on this one). I even saw the "second" movie for goodness sake. I've read snippets of the book; they are actually in diary format so it's quite easy to follow along (and was pretty innovative when it first came out).

And therein finishes my twelve book/film or film/book writing exercise (which took a whole hell of a lot longer than I thought it would).

*APPLAUSE SIGN*

~~J

Adaptations (1)

Another trip to the bookstore (they usually run about $1 a piece) made me realize the amount of books I own which have also been made into films.

"Modern" books, let me rephrase this--because how many film versions are there of anything Shakespeare or Austen? Exactly. You could also include Little Women, Gone With the Wind, The Great Gatsby, Of Mine and Men, To Kill a Mockingbird in the realm of "classics" I own which have also been made into film.

And In Cold Blood was turned into Capote (recently read)...and then I have a few short stories which... OKAY...we're only talking about the twelve SIX pictured above!

Now here's a secret: I think I say 100% of the time that I read the BOOK first before seeing the FILM version. NOT TRUE! I only read TWO of the above books before the film came out.

Animal Husbandry (Laura Zigman) was turned into Someone Like You in 2001. I had read the book and had no idea about a movie until I saw a preview and screamed, "HEY! They stole that from the book I read a while ago!" Yeah, I was that passionate about it.

The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold) was read several years before the (very) recent film. I even loaned it to someone so she could read it before the movie came out. I liked the book better, although I appreciated the film as well.

---------------------------------------

I learned via a somewhat terse conversation in a Film class that movies and books are to be seen as separate from one another. This is a hard concept. Readers don't want to see their imagined worlds "ruined" on the big screen. We're a very specific bunch. I've learned to handle/watch the film version with a grain of salt (so to speak).

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(Films before Book for the remaining run down)

Little Children (Tom Perrotta) is one of my favorite films as well as one of my favorite "modern" books. It is a guilty little pleasure for me (personal reasons) and even though the laundry room/basement scene in the movie is beyond amazing (hot hot hot), the chapter entitled "Reasons it Might Be True" is just as gripping.

What Was She Thinking? (Zoë Heller) was turned into Notes On a Scandal (2006). I was highly "into" the film, but have yet to read the book. It is one of the $1 finds of the day. The ephebophilic relationship is a commonly written about subject. I learned a new word today--click on the link and you will as well. (Edit: I'm 50 pages into it now)

Girl With A Pearl Earring (Tracy Chevalier) is a historical novel written/based on a painting by Vermeer. I have seen the film and I have studied Vermeer (officially, for a class) and so I felt it was time to grab the book. Again, it was hiding in a $1 box; glad I went shuffling through it.

The Reader (Bernhard Schlink) was one of those thought provoking films. It really had me. I bought the book in hopes of digesting it. It still hasn't happened. It was translated from German. As someone who has a deep understanding of the language, I can't stand reading the translation. I need the original (in German) I think. This is the same reason I can't read Kafka.

(six more to come tomorrow)

~~J

Dammit Janet!

TONIGHT!!!

(it's the only good "moving picture" clip I could find)

~~J

Say it ain't Heath:

Heath Ledger 1979-2008

I will never forget this scene from 10 Things I Hate About You from 1999. I can't tell you how many times I have seen this film--it was the perfect "thinking" teen flick and modern rendition of Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. This is probably how I will always see him.

Very Sad.

~~J

2 Scheduled Study Sessions and...

a partridge in a pear tree!

So I have finished one class (Art) and now I can really focus on the remaining two. Really? I keep telling myself "What does not destroy me, makes me stronger" (Nietzsche, not Kanye West) but sometimes I have to wonder.

Last night I took a "soul break" and attended the 85th Performance of Handel's Messiah at Calvary Episcopal Church downtown. This was my 3rd or 4th time attending and it was just as beautiful and spectacular as ever!

Afterward I got to drive "up" Poplar Ave and see my old "stomping ground"...I definitely miss Midtown. It just feels right! I wanted to eat at Fino's (closed, of course) and then go to Bookstar (almost closed) for coffee..who could forget grocery shopping at Schnucks on Union?

If I talk about Studio on the Square, I might cry *sniff*...BUT I did have to stop at Poplar & Highland for gas (or I wouldn't have made it back home)...

& the point of all of this is? I don't know.

Tomorrow I have a study session for Film (again) BEFORE work and then I have a study session Wednesday night for Bio II AFTER work (and my Film final)...WOO!

I am gonna miss my Bio Girls...and my Film Crew!

Lord, help me!

~~J

A Tangled Web*

One of the challenges of being a college student is the ability to balance everything accordingly. It's something I had difficulty with the first time around and thus I am trying to keep it all together now.

This weekend has been spent immersed in Art. Two chapters of Art (one chapter is "make-up") and one major paper about a work of art. See that lovely piece? It's La Mariée by Marc Chagall.

I love, love, love, love, LOVE it!

I thought about doing a different piece and artist, but when I found myself drawn to holiday cards last week featuring work by Chagall, I knew it was a sign to go a different way. This different way includes more research. But that's how I roll.

Due Date? MONDAY MONDAY MONDAY. Yes, Tomorrow.

I went back to Barnes & Noble last night to meet with my Film study group. Our final is Wednesday night. I will miss my fellow "old" students very much! We bonded immediately and apparently make a fabulous team.

Next to us in the cafe, was a professor at the University of Memphis. I know this, because she inquired about our discussion and said we worked so well together. We were "the perfect example of a study group."

insert AWWWWWWWWs here

The model study group shall meet again--tonight. If I ever finish my paper (half way through!) and last Art chapter. THEN I can start worrying about my Bio II final (Thursday). I still have to meet with a classmate and get some information.

*Oh I weave it well.

~~J

Biological Species Concept:

Why are you reading this? I know it wasn't the title that made you click on through--or maybe it was & you felt sorry for me. Moths to a flame, I'll never really know.

So I am thinking about 35312532 things I could be doing instead of doing what I need to do.

(That's a LOT of do do doing--can anyone else hear The Police right now?)

Perhaps I should be studying for my Last Bio II Exam (not including the final), which is scheduled to begin about 10 hours from now...tickticktick

HEY! My Biology Clock is literally ticking (not to be confused with my Biological Clock)

Tonight we watched THE PLAYER (1992) in Film class and I really liked it. I would say RENT IT asap! Besides, who knew Tim Robbins not only starred in the film, but he also makes a cameo! (Ladies, Susan Sarandon knows how to pick 'em!) I digress...

I also got my paper back (the one I stressed about for a couple weeks and changed films 1-week before the due date)...Good Times! Watch me tap dance around NOT studying for aforementioned Biology Exam.

Species are groups of actually or potentially interbreeding organisms that are reproductively isolated from such groups.

Before you know it, I'll be promising to wake up early and study BEFORE class...Oy!

~~J

The Convergence:

If in the World of Janet Art=Love & Music=Love & Film=Love,
then you can say that Art + Music + Film= Love (to the third power)

(I just turned myself into a simple algebraic expression, give me a moment of realization because I don't like math...okay, I do. WHAT?)

So last night in Film we watched Un Chien Andalou. It's a 16-minute experimental (surrealism) short film made in France in 1928. If you've ever taken a Film Class, you've probably seen it. If you are a Film buff, you've probably seen it. It's one of the most famous short films EVER made.

Cue the cuckoo bird calls or whatever else you like to use when referring to something as "nuts" or "crazy"...this film is OUT THERE and I really liked it.

Salvador Dali (yes, the artist) was part of the writing team & he is in the film. So in this case Art + Film = (?) Genius? Brilliance? The most horrible thing ever made? I'll let fill in the equation for yourself.

We also watched the opening of 8 1/2 by Fellini. LOVED IT! I have to Netflix the film when I get a chance. And the music is just fantastic (help me out here--is it the Flight of the Valkyries by Wagner)...Film + Music = (?) I'll let you fill in the equation again.

I'll have to get back to this beginning theory or what have you about myself.

Work calls.

Job + School + Finals Week = TIRED!

~~J

For Your Viewing Pleasure:

In celebration of finally finishing my "big" paper for Film class, here is some FINNISH Disco Dancing from YouTube (clever, right?)!




I guess we'll see how I REALLY feel about the paper in the morning, right?

~~J

p.s. I was NOT talented enough to find this on my own, thanks Kristen!

The Beat Goes On...

*insert a super cheesy duet by Sonny & Cher here*

So it's Tuesday and I already feel as if I've run out of time...on Tuesday.

Art last night was pretty interesting and eye-opening. We added another chapter under our belt (Africa, Oceania, and the Americas). I didn't realize the Pyramid of the Sun built in Teotihuacan (South America) is actually wider than anything in Egypt. It blows my mind when seeing the expert but functional art which is soooooooooo old.

In Bio II this morning we actually looked at specimens of Cartilaginous and Bony Fishes along with many members of the Rodentia family. It was a far cry from our last Lab (don't get me started)!

Fun Facts from Lab:
*If a shark swims up on you...hold absolutely still!
*if you must, and only if you must KNOCK it in the nose as hard as possible

*Rodents encompass the largest single group of mammals and their teeth NEVER stop growing!
*members of Rodentia include: Rats, Mice, Squirrels, Beavers
*Rabbits are NOT Rodents, they have extra pair of incisors

Don't ask me about that paper due tomorrow, that's what the hours from 9pm to midnight are for tonight...FINISHING IT!

~~J

“We are mysterious creatures, aren't we?"

Danes, Collette, Redgrave, Richardson, Streep, Close--OH MY!

The list of actresses who grace the screen during EVENING is both stunning and scary all at the same time.

Stunning? You saw the list of names, right?

Scary? Can one movie handle all the collective power and beauty--yes! I say YES! Many critics have gone the opposite direction however; and consider the movie SLOW and too emotional. Pshaw!

I loved The Hours & The Notebook and this one conjures visions of both. Therefore, if you liked either of them, you will be able to handle this one nicely. (Oddly enough--all three films are adapted from novels)

So why am I talking about EVENING all of a sudden? I bravely decided to switch films for my analytical film paper one week before the due date. Sorry, Pan's Labyrinth--but you left me uninspired. I couldn't write a thing about you and to keep from stressing over the situation any longer I had to CHANGE!

Am I done with my paper yet? As if! However, I'm securely on my way.

Bio II: only 1 Lab & 1 Lecture left (this week) then 1 lab exam, 1 lecture exam (next week)

Papers remaining: 1 substantial, (after my Film paper) I have to write about one specific piece of Art--I'm leaning toward a Waterhouse.

In other news, I've registered for the Spring Semester. Only two classes this time around because one I need is not available. But we'll discuss that in depth at a later date.

~~J

p.s. this is my 100th Student: Revisited blog post!

Many Blessings to Felix, Smiley, & Wally:

I went into my Bio II Lab today, not exactly sure what to expect. About 2 minutes into class, Dr. Jennings had on gloves and was pulling out a cat for dissection. Fabulous. It’s the smell more than anything that really bothers me about this part of Biology. At least they don’t use formaldehyde for preservation anymore.

Cats & Rats, oh my!

Call me a hippie, but I found time to thank the animal(s) for allowing me to view their body for the purpose of science. (I secretly named our class cat Felix and our group rat Smiley) I can understand the purpose for animal research, but I still don't understand the whole "dissection" in basic biology classes.

I’d prefer an alternative to dissection, but it wasn’t an option today. And we won’t have to do this again…only take a practical lab exam in which identifying and labeling parts is required.

Vegetarian? Yeah, I'm thinking more and more about it.

Bless you Marlon W. Morgan, but the headline to your article today about the Grizzlies winning (way to go!!!!) conjures up imagines...I can't discuss here.

Griz jump on weary Sonics early

Ladies (in case all the NBA trading leaves your collective heads spinning--it does mine), Wally Szczerbiak plays for the Sonics now. You understand, right? I'm sure his wife does!

No more class until after Thanksgiving. No more class until after Thanksgiving! This means I have to continue on with the dreadful Film analytical review paper.

As if I have a problem stating my opinion?


~~J

(stating the obvious)

It's difficult to catch up when you've gotten behind.

So I've returned from the Island of Misfit Sick (or toys, right? name THAT seasonal flick!). I feel very close to "normal" and it seems as if it's been ages since I last updated my blog.

Let me catch you up:

Saturday: I worked
Sunday: I worked on school work (I even decided upon and watched a film for my final paper for film class: Pan's Labyrinth)
Monday: went to Nashville, saw a show
Tuesday: came back home, went to work

Tonight in Film we watched Wild Strawberries (Ingmar Bergman) and discussed "classic Hollywood cinema" and various film theories. Thank goodness for the Film Theory discuss because now I'll be able to think about Pan's Labyrinth more effectively.

I disagree with about 97% of the population who has actually seen the movie. Yeah, I'm odd.

Biology Update: Placoza =Trichoplax, Porifera = Sponges, Ctenophora = comb jellies (invertebrates, baby!)

Art Update: I am writing about Renoir's The Picture Book for my second Gallery visit paper. It's available for viewing locally at The Dixon (as I've mentioned a million times in this blog).

Finals are in less than a month!

~~J

p.s. Did I mention the dream in which Oprah was my boss? Yeah. I'll save it for a rainy day.

The Perfect Storm:

actually, it's more like "The Perfect Sick"

(this post is unofficially brought to you by my new best friend, Kleenex)

This is Day 3 of full-blown nasty sickness, and it's the worse by far. Head Congestion + Chest Congestion = Sore Throat. I am around just this sort of thing nearly every single day because of where I work. And the first few years I worked in a pharmacy, I caught everything. Over the last few years though, it seemed as if I was immune to it all.

Not so fast! I forgot to factor in the immune system run ragged since May (when I started back to school) and the crazy schedule I have undertaken.

Maybe that's why Mr. "Congestion" was able to crawl into my head and attack before I knew what hit me?!?!?

I attended class last night—we screened CRASH (which I had seen before, such a good film), but today—sorry. No Bio II lecture for me.

Speaking of CRASH, I think it's time to nap! I've been drinking hot tea (peppermint) ever since finally deciding to get out of bed. It's time to go back.

~~J

The Door on the Left or on the Right?

November? Is it really November? Wow! So time flies when you spend all of your waking in hours in two places—school & work or work & school.

*throws confetti*

But seriously, I’ve been a bit of a procrastinator lately. Instead of watching the film I am going to be doing my “very big” Film paper (Il Postino) on, I’ve been watching a couple episodes of The Office EVERY single night this week.

Now I will tell you this: I never, ever “got” the absolute hysteria surrounding this show…until now. Thank you Netflix and the “watch now” feature. I can stream episodes instead of having to wait for them to ship to my house.

I finished Season 1 and now find myself halfway through Season 2. (and I totally have a crush on Jim--okay!)

Lets see--study for Bio II Lab exam? Watch film for Film? Get ready to teach Baroque Art period to class? Chose work of art to write about? OR...WATCH THE OFFICE? Feel my pain? Very, very tough choices...

And I might want to work out the details for my upcoming overnight trip to Nashville (where not only do I get to see one of my favorite singer-songwriters but I get to see one of my favorite buildings too!)


~~J

Such Great Heights...

everything looks perfect from far away...

(Earth from Apollo 17, 1972)

Yes. I'm about to go "Hippie" on you and I've decided it's okay because it is MY blog afterall. This is related to school because last night in Film we watched An Inconvenient Truth. I was listening and watching my classmates throughout to see if their reactions were similar to mine.

And? Yes, yes they were.

No matter what you actually think about Al Gore politically, he wasn't just part of the team that won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for nothing.

in other words: if you haven't seen this documentary yet--please do so soon. Then start unplugging your chargers, recycling, and visiting sites like: http://www.savetheplanetearth.com/

~~J
p.s. Yes, The Postal Service (and Iron & Wine) song totally inspired this as well. GREAT SONG! Check it out as well.

Gray is my favorite color, I felt so symbolic:

*insert the Counting Crows here*

It's been a rather gray day. I can safely say my mood has matched our lovely Memphis weather!

Tonight in Film I made it through my first Western (as an adult). I'd have to say, The Magnificent Seven (1960) was quite good. And it's not just because all the stars (cowboys) wear extremely tight pants (as discussed with another female classmate afterward) either.

It was interesting to watch this film after watching the "original" last week. Seven Samurai (1954) actually inspired The Magnificent Seven. It keeps the basic idea of the original and then makes it a bit more American with it's setting and ending. I would recommend watching both.

Another Reason I love October:

24) Scream! It's the perfect time of year to watch "scary" movies! I am not talking about the uber-graphic flicks which seem to be all the rage. A dark room, a blanket, and a bowlful of popcorn can be perfection with the right movie.

Some of my personal favorites include:
Halloween (1978)
Psycho (1960)
Scream trilogy (1996-2000)
The Grudge (2004)
Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Se7en (1995)
Carrie (1976)

and yours?

~~J

Mother Nature says, "Hello"

Questions that will probably NOT be on our Bio II Exam today (simply because I know the answer):

Which of the following is NOT an advantage to plants living on land?
A. There is greater availability of light for photosynthesis.
B. Carbon dioxide can diffuse more readily in air.
C. Oxygen can diffuse more readily in air.
-----> D. The plant is more likely to become desiccated.

Which of these may occur in both angiosperms and gymnosperms?
A. Seeds develop within a cone.
B. Seeds develop within a flower.
C. Seeds are surrounded by a fruit at maturity.
-----> D. Pollen is carried by the wind for pollination.
E. Pollen is carried by animal pollinators.

So goes life. But if I have another Bio-Exam-Meltdown© I could permanently lose my mind!

In other news, guess which film we screened in Film class last night? The one I didn't want to watch, but ended up appreciating anyway: Seven Samurai (1954). It was 3.28 hours (we even ran 15+ minutes late) of a black & white, subtitled Japanese film that I will probably never watch again. But, at least I can say that I have seen it.

More Reasons Why I love October:

17 + 18) Dark & Stormy Nights/Blustery Days. Last night was a grand example of the perfect dark & stormy night. I half expected Janet Weiss and Brad Majors to knock on the door while we were watching our movie! When we got out of class (after 10pm) lightning flashes were cutting up the sky and making everything very spooky.

Now reverse to our Blustery Day. When working in a Pharmacy with a Drive-Thru the Wind can make for a spectacular challenge. If you ever visit one under these circumstances, remember to use the little metal bar provided when slipping in prescriptions, cash, or checks.

We can NOT be responsible for Mother Nature stealing aforementioned items!

I watched leaves swirl and dance along most of the day (no money or prescriptions!)--and I'm pretty sure Piglet even went sailing by.

~~J

Sunday is for Books & Movies:

How can I be in the middle of watching two movies?

I don't know either, but technically I'm not anymore because I finished them both tonight. The first one I started one night this past week (Veronica Guerin, 2003) and then other I began last night (Evening, 2007).

Now the first is a story based on facts--specifically the death of a journalist in 1996, murdered by the Irish drug dealers she was investigating. A clever "line" from the film: I never thought they would shoot the messenger.

The second was originally a book--both the book and screenplay were written by author, Susan Minot. It's an emotional journey from the deathbed of a woman remembering a weekend which changed her life more than 50 years earlier. It got horrible reviews, but I liked it! We are mysterious creatures, aren't we?

I can consider either one for my next (and final) paper in Film.

Another Reason I love October:

14) The Bookstore. Okay, I know you can visit the bookstore anytime--this isn't a seasonal phenomenon. But, this girl can stay in a bookstore for HOURS...seriously, HOURS! So far this month alone I have racked up plenty of time amongst the books--specifically drinking coffee and STUDYING (today it was Bio II--Plants). It just feels right, to be surrounded by so many pages and topics while putting more knowledge into your brain. Besides, you never know what lovely book you'll pick up in the discounted section!

I've finished all the extra credit for this section, now I have 3 more nights to study for the exam (Thursday).

The fun never stops.

~~J

Know thyself, Know thy Pharmacist:

At least 10 years ago I saw the film Reservoir Dogs (1992), it didn't make a huge impression on me back then--I barely remember it. Then I watched it again tonight (IN FILM CLASS) and I am absolutely horrified.

First and foremost I have to tell you--I did NOT vote to watch the film. We get to vote on movies and this is NOT the one I wanted to see. I am also very upset to point out--the group of people who VOTED to see the movie LEFT before it was even over!

And now I have to write about the movie. I am getting old or I'm too sensitive or BOTH!

Another Reason Why I love October:

Two years ago there was a Gallup poll conducted Pharmacists ranked 2nd (behind Nurses, I love y'all too!) in honesty and ethical standards receiving “high ethical “ rating.

Pharmacists are the nation’s medication experts, and if they don't know the answer, they can (and will) find it for you!

Maybe you didn't know, but I have worked in a pharmacy for all of my adult life...and part of my "teenage" years as well. I am pretty confident to say, I have yet to work with a Pharmacist or Pharmacy Student that I did NOT TRUST. They are very spectacular people and some of my best friends. <3 <3 <3

And now for some Biology...weeeeeeee!

~~J