What’s cookin’

Because I have a bad memory. This page will be dedicated to good books bad books, mind-fucking docus and hahaha films.

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Lee Daniels — Precious

I don’t really have much to say about this. There were moments that made me tear, moments that made me laugh and moments that made me hold my breadth and moments which made me go woah woah woah ahhhhhh ouch. Guess a film that can make you feel a range of emotions should be a good one? I don’t think I’ll be watching it  a second time though…

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Modernity — From Revolutions to Social Movements

I feel like Annabelle Chow when I sit for this class of mine. It feels like something she would do a mindmap on. ugh. This is my least favourite subject, but at the same time, the one that’s churning my brain juice. I have probably 5% interest in Marx, Durkheim and Weber, but these three form the base of the triangle of sociology. So I do have to suck it up and put toothpicks in my eyelids to read about them.

I think I can relate most to Weber’s theories on disenchantment, on anti-positism and rationalisation. When reading his text, it feels like he has a depressing, bleak view of the modern world. He talked much about how the role of an individual in the modern world is to work, work, work, to churn out profit. It’s like we don’t have a deeper bond with labour, we are not born to do this or that, but we take it in as a must task. For example, he says anyone can be a stocks broker, you simply apply for the job, and when you don’t perform you’re sacked. Bureaucracy was how he explained everything in our disenchanted world, how an Official’s present whereever we go, and how specialised our work becomes. This is as far as it gets to my understanding of Weber’s theories. of cuz, this isn’t enough.

I have a 1000 word essay due soon, and I have no idea where to start. ):

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Mike Leigh films — Happy Go Lucky + Secrets and Lies

Two very different yet similar in style films. I do like Leigh’s films, it feels like he doesn’t overthink what he wants to portray, instead he takes time and effort to put across simple themes like family, friendship, love, through the use of dialogue. The scripting’s really genius to me — if I ever do write a script I want to write one like his. The banters, chemistry, body language just makes his films romantic and unpretentious. He even puts in the effort to characterise extras in his show, like g’s favourite flamenco teacher (:, what would happy go lucky be without her?

Life and taste, is what Leigh’s film have a kickass extra bit of.

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HK drama — 烈火雄心III

I’ll definitely recommend everyone to have a series of HK drama stashed in their computer’s hard drive, or burnt into DVDs. It is a great way to laugh, tear and pass time. And for some, AHEM, they can even relate their love troubles in the characters played in this drama.

HK TVB drama, a successful way to live a housewife life. YEEEEEEEE…

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A Million Little Pieces, James Frey

A gift from Shirley. I’ve never quite like autobiographys, especially ones written by drug addicts on the road to getting rid of their addiction. This felt the same too. I felt James Frey was pretty egoistic in his battle agains the drug addiction, but some may see him as a character of confidence. I was unable to relate in his battle against  alcohol too, how he can still down a bottle of wine when he was in such a pathetic state — he had lost all his front teeth, had a bruised up face, and cuts in his mouth. Nonetheless, this book did help me pass time, and I did tear at some parts, the story of Leonard, Miles and Lilly.

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Wish you were here, Mike Gayle

Gift from Janice. Another disappointing read! I feel almost sorry to say this, but I thought Gayles way of writing was childish. I knew why you gave it to me though, it was the connection and love between Donna and Charlie, Libran and Gemini. (: But I would classify this as chic lit. I didn’t feel like I had a connection with the book too, in some ways, I even felt Charlie was such a loser acting the way he did. Another chance to introduce me to another book?

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G and I have been watching many films! I think we average about 2 days, 1 film. We live near this theatre called ASTOR, where they show old films and films that are no longer playing on the big screens.

GRINDHOUSE was what we caught last week. Two back to back hilarious films PLANET TERROR and DEATH PROOF, by best mates, Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino.

haha! It’s feels awesome living with a film whiz-kid. I’ve learnt a lot, and am learning to appreciate different aspects of film-making. GRINDHOUSE was awesome, I think it was well-suited for the lazy days we were passing, finally we had some creativity and laughter in mundane melbourne life. Taratino’s a talent. Although his jokes and style is somewhat getting old and predictable. Uncle T, come up with something new for your next film!

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Christopher Guest — Best in Show

A mokumentary by Christopher Guest, also starring Christopher Guest. Seems like Directors with a sense of humour love starring in their own shows. If I ever get to direct anything though, I’d like to star in it too. haha! I’ve never seen a mokumentary before, and I thought this was done brilliantly. The casting was awesome. Everyone was convincing and consistent in acting. For a good good laugh.

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