(no subject)

1. Watched The Amazing Spiderman flick last night, which I enjoyed more than expected. And more than Sam Rami's Spiderman movies, in part because I was never a fan of Tobey McGuire, who ever since The Ice House creeps me out a bit. Also, James Franco is painfully stiff. And William Defo chews scenery.

This version in some respects was better cast and reminded me more of the comic books that I'd enjoyed over 20 years ago. Andrew Garfield was the Peter Parker I remember, quippy, and awkward. Also liked how they kept it in high school and didn't fast-forward to adult hood.
Plus the villain in this one was more interesting and more complex, Dr. Connors isn't a bad guy, he's a good man, corrupted by an experiment gone wrong. A very good echo of Peter Parker's own fears and his fears regarding what happened to his parents. Also rather liked the throw-away line at the end which is the main theme of the film - "All stories at their heart are really just about one thing...and that is 'who am I'?"

At any rate, I recommend it. More enjoyable than expected.

2. Once Upon a Time is that weird series that improves upon re-watching or the early episodes have greater resonance and deeper meaning after you've seen later ones. It's like one of those books that you finish reading and think, wait, I have to go back and re-read that - because now I see that first chapter in a whole new way. Or a movie, like The Prestige, where you want to re-watch, because now that you know the ending, you'll see it completely differently. Buffy was like that, as was Lost and to a degree BSG and Babylon 5. Once Upon a Time really is - I find myself liking the first season better now than I did when I first saw it. And it's like I'm watching a new series at the same time. Very cool.

Also, I rarely ship parental/child relationships on tv (mainly because they are usually insanely dysfunctional and I'm one of those lucky people who was gifted with sane and good parents not well, crazy people), but here I do - because they aren't insanely dysfunctional and somewhat relateable. Also...I rather like the fact that the relationships are unconventional, with fairy-tale/non-fairy tale characters and how we view our parents - in the fairy tale vs. real world sense.

This show is different from everything else on tv. Everything else is either about the murder of the week, spies, conspiracy theories, or sex. I'm bored of these storylines. I can barely make it through this season of Justified. And while The Americans is well-written and strangely compelling, I'm not interested in the story - been there done that one too many times. I know what will happen and I find I no longer care. I guess I'm less interested in execution and more interested in the story itself?

3. Father: Happy Birthday, how was it?
Me: Another year older, not necessarily any wiser.
Father: If you are willing to admit that, you probably are.

4. Book Meme: Day 22 – Favorite book you own

Eh...Checkmate by Dorothy Dunnette.

( rest of the days )

5. TV Meme: Day 25 - A show you plan on watching (old or new)

Homeland, Scandal, and possibly Highlander - all of which I keep hearing a lot of good things about - but haven't really seen. Saw bits and pieces of the first seasons of Scandal and Highlander, but I'm told the next season is better. Also the original House of Cards which I bought on DVD.

Also still need to watch Parade's End which I never quite seem to be in the mood for.
Considered Grimm - but I'm not really a fan of horror, gore, and scary monsters. Despite what you may think watching the tv through my fingers is not that entertaining.

( rest of the days )

Once Upon a Time - The Miller's Daughter

Another Rumplestilskin centric episode - so of course it was quite good and well-paced.
Also we finally got our twist on the Rumplestilskin story, which was intriguing. Particularly if you know the original - go here:http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/Rum.shtml. I won't retell it - I already posted on it last year.

( spoilers )