Dexter and Temple Grandlin Reviews
Aug. 20th, 2011 10:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatRather decent day, back is a whole lot better - that lying down on the ground with my legs up on the arm chair and pelvis raised, head on a pillow bit - works like a charm. (Massage therapist last week recommended it, along with alternating hot and cold, every 10-15 minutes. No more than 20.)
Bought 1) egg poacher (finally got tired of the mess I make whenever I try to poach eggs in a skillet with just boiling water - there's a trick to it, which works better if you have a reliable stove that boils water quickly and evenly. What you do is butter the pan, fill it with water, let it come to a rolling boil, plop egg in and it is poached in a nice oval, if you put it in too soon? It looks like a fried egg trying to become a poached egg, with the egg white drifting away from the yoke, in short you lose the egg white. Egg poachers - a skillet with a top that has cups for eggs, works a lot better), 2) a silver-ware organizer for drawer, and 3) a new kitchen chopping knife at Discount Warehouse on Court Street. Plus a new wallet at a small boutique, old one was literally falling apart. It was past time. I'm picky about wallets and bags, so it takes forever for me to find one I like. Not a fashion accessory gal.
And stopped by Trader Joes in Brooklyn - Atlantic Avenue and Court Street...I didn't buy a thing. Although I did flirt with chocolat cup creme brulees. The difference between Trader Joes and all the other grocery stores I frequent is that it does not have a gluten free section or gluten free products - I looked. Outside of produce, which so doesn't count, and obvious items like flourless chocolate cake. Nor does it contain labels. Whole Foods does. Trader Joes doesn't. Also? It's more expensive than all the other stores. Harder to find things in. And far more crowded with ruder people. I honestly don't understand the appeal.
1. Just watched a rather good made for HBO film entitled Temple Grandlin - starring Clare Danes and David Straithorn, and based on the true story of the real Temple Grandlin - a woman with autism who became a leading human rights advocate for autism and the humane treatment of livestock. Quite inspiring film, well written, acted and directed. I'm not a huge fan of bio-pics, which are often told in a somewhat emotionally manipulative and boringly linear manner. But this film was non-linear, and did an excellent job of taking us inside the mind of someone with autism. Instead of the film being told from the mother or a Doctor's point of view, it was told from the point of view of Temple Grandlin, who thinks in pictures. Underlining how people think differently.
Clare Danes is rather brilliant as Temple Grandlin. She gets across the mannerisms without falling into caricature, which often happens. And I love this line in the film:
Being autistic means you are DIFFERENT, not LESS.
Films, TV series, and novels that take me into a point of view different from my own...that is what I see every day, are rare treats. They provide understanding. An ability to fall inside another mind, if only for a moment. And afterwards, I am a bit different for the experience, possibly a little more patient, a little kinder, or so I hope. This film accomplishes that - it provides understanding into another perspective or point of view. It's hard not to identify with Temple Grandlin - we've all been bullied, treated unfairly, prevented from doing what we wish to do. And she's a modern day hero - because she preservers no matter what and over time, manages to get people to listen. She does have a bit of luck - in her mother, who was an advocate for her, and her aunt and uncle, also advocates, a beloved teacher - who was an advocate, and a couple of people in the animal husbandry industry who act as advocates - demonstrating we can't do it alone.
It's the pattern of those relationships and connections that enable Temple to achieve.
Inspiring and uplifting film - highly recommend.
2. Also watched the first five episodes of Dexter S5 - not bad so far. I'm not really sure why so many people hated this season on my flist? Granted I'm not that far in yet. Yes, it's a bit slow in places, but all of the Dexter seasons have been a bit slow in places - that's par for the course.
What I like most about Dexter and the main reason I watch it - is Debra Morgan, Dex's younger/tough as nails sister. I adore that character. And her partnership with the young rookie officer this season - who in some respects is a younger version of herself...is appealing. The Battista and Marta Guerto relationship grates, but I do adore Lt. Guerto. Dexter is amongst the few cop shows that has strong female leads.
As to believability? My suspension of disbelief went out the window in S1, when I decided it was completely unrealistic and clearly a somewhat tongue in cheek satire of the vigilante trope. So that doesn't bother me. Any more than Glee bugs me. For me - it depends on what the tv show, film or book is trying to do. If it is trying for hyper-realism or "reality" - like The WIRE, I expect that to come across. If it is satire - I judge it by that basis. If it is pure metaphor, using monsters, and campy gothic stuff to describe emotion - I judge it on that basis. Dexter - from the opening credits - is telling me to suspend disbelief, so I do.
The only weaknesses I see so far are the Dexter/Julia Stiles arc feels a bit too reminiscent of the Dexter/Jimmy Smitts and Dexter/Lilah arcs, with the slight twist that Julia Stiles is a victim. There's a danger that this will turn into the victimized girl turns into kick-ass vigilante trope that has began to grate on my nerves. So we shall see. (If that's the case, I get why a lot of people disliked this season.) The other arc that may get on my ever-living nerve - is the nasty cop who suspects Dexter is a serial killer or up to no good. Here it's Quinn, in season two - it was Guerta's friend, whose name I forget, and in S3-4 it looked for a while like it might be Keith Carradine. In each case, the cop is involved with Debra, they get close to discovering who Dex is, and something happens to either make them dismiss it, or they get killed. It's becoming old and a bit of a stretch. That doesn't work for me any more. And I hope they aren't doing it again. I keep waiting for Deb or someone close to Dex, to figure out what he is. Someone he can't kill. That needs to happen soon. Or this tv show is going to lose me. Tired of being teased. It's gotten to the point - even with Quinn, that you sort of know Dex will slip out of it and allude him, just not quite sure how. That's the problem with tv shows - and where the whole unbelievability thing comes into play - you know the lead characters won't die, won't get caught, and will find a way out. (Rita really wasn't that much of a lead character to count, and her character became problematic for the series, so was not surprised that they found a way to write out Rita and her two kids. )Which is not true of life. TV shows that buck that trend - are more interesting to me, even if they happen to be soap operas, because let's face it the only tv shows that buck that trend are ensemble serial dramas, and that often is a soap opera, although not always. The WIRE
is an example of one that bucked the trend.
What is working for me is Debra Morgan's arc and the case she's working on. This works. As does Dex's relationship with Deb and with his son.
So at the moment, Season 5 is a mixed bag.
Bought 1) egg poacher (finally got tired of the mess I make whenever I try to poach eggs in a skillet with just boiling water - there's a trick to it, which works better if you have a reliable stove that boils water quickly and evenly. What you do is butter the pan, fill it with water, let it come to a rolling boil, plop egg in and it is poached in a nice oval, if you put it in too soon? It looks like a fried egg trying to become a poached egg, with the egg white drifting away from the yoke, in short you lose the egg white. Egg poachers - a skillet with a top that has cups for eggs, works a lot better), 2) a silver-ware organizer for drawer, and 3) a new kitchen chopping knife at Discount Warehouse on Court Street. Plus a new wallet at a small boutique, old one was literally falling apart. It was past time. I'm picky about wallets and bags, so it takes forever for me to find one I like. Not a fashion accessory gal.
And stopped by Trader Joes in Brooklyn - Atlantic Avenue and Court Street...I didn't buy a thing. Although I did flirt with chocolat cup creme brulees. The difference between Trader Joes and all the other grocery stores I frequent is that it does not have a gluten free section or gluten free products - I looked. Outside of produce, which so doesn't count, and obvious items like flourless chocolate cake. Nor does it contain labels. Whole Foods does. Trader Joes doesn't. Also? It's more expensive than all the other stores. Harder to find things in. And far more crowded with ruder people. I honestly don't understand the appeal.
1. Just watched a rather good made for HBO film entitled Temple Grandlin - starring Clare Danes and David Straithorn, and based on the true story of the real Temple Grandlin - a woman with autism who became a leading human rights advocate for autism and the humane treatment of livestock. Quite inspiring film, well written, acted and directed. I'm not a huge fan of bio-pics, which are often told in a somewhat emotionally manipulative and boringly linear manner. But this film was non-linear, and did an excellent job of taking us inside the mind of someone with autism. Instead of the film being told from the mother or a Doctor's point of view, it was told from the point of view of Temple Grandlin, who thinks in pictures. Underlining how people think differently.
Clare Danes is rather brilliant as Temple Grandlin. She gets across the mannerisms without falling into caricature, which often happens. And I love this line in the film:
Being autistic means you are DIFFERENT, not LESS.
Films, TV series, and novels that take me into a point of view different from my own...that is what I see every day, are rare treats. They provide understanding. An ability to fall inside another mind, if only for a moment. And afterwards, I am a bit different for the experience, possibly a little more patient, a little kinder, or so I hope. This film accomplishes that - it provides understanding into another perspective or point of view. It's hard not to identify with Temple Grandlin - we've all been bullied, treated unfairly, prevented from doing what we wish to do. And she's a modern day hero - because she preservers no matter what and over time, manages to get people to listen. She does have a bit of luck - in her mother, who was an advocate for her, and her aunt and uncle, also advocates, a beloved teacher - who was an advocate, and a couple of people in the animal husbandry industry who act as advocates - demonstrating we can't do it alone.
It's the pattern of those relationships and connections that enable Temple to achieve.
Inspiring and uplifting film - highly recommend.
2. Also watched the first five episodes of Dexter S5 - not bad so far. I'm not really sure why so many people hated this season on my flist? Granted I'm not that far in yet. Yes, it's a bit slow in places, but all of the Dexter seasons have been a bit slow in places - that's par for the course.
What I like most about Dexter and the main reason I watch it - is Debra Morgan, Dex's younger/tough as nails sister. I adore that character. And her partnership with the young rookie officer this season - who in some respects is a younger version of herself...is appealing. The Battista and Marta Guerto relationship grates, but I do adore Lt. Guerto. Dexter is amongst the few cop shows that has strong female leads.
As to believability? My suspension of disbelief went out the window in S1, when I decided it was completely unrealistic and clearly a somewhat tongue in cheek satire of the vigilante trope. So that doesn't bother me. Any more than Glee bugs me. For me - it depends on what the tv show, film or book is trying to do. If it is trying for hyper-realism or "reality" - like The WIRE, I expect that to come across. If it is satire - I judge it by that basis. If it is pure metaphor, using monsters, and campy gothic stuff to describe emotion - I judge it on that basis. Dexter - from the opening credits - is telling me to suspend disbelief, so I do.
The only weaknesses I see so far are the Dexter/Julia Stiles arc feels a bit too reminiscent of the Dexter/Jimmy Smitts and Dexter/Lilah arcs, with the slight twist that Julia Stiles is a victim. There's a danger that this will turn into the victimized girl turns into kick-ass vigilante trope that has began to grate on my nerves. So we shall see. (If that's the case, I get why a lot of people disliked this season.) The other arc that may get on my ever-living nerve - is the nasty cop who suspects Dexter is a serial killer or up to no good. Here it's Quinn, in season two - it was Guerta's friend, whose name I forget, and in S3-4 it looked for a while like it might be Keith Carradine. In each case, the cop is involved with Debra, they get close to discovering who Dex is, and something happens to either make them dismiss it, or they get killed. It's becoming old and a bit of a stretch. That doesn't work for me any more. And I hope they aren't doing it again. I keep waiting for Deb or someone close to Dex, to figure out what he is. Someone he can't kill. That needs to happen soon. Or this tv show is going to lose me. Tired of being teased. It's gotten to the point - even with Quinn, that you sort of know Dex will slip out of it and allude him, just not quite sure how. That's the problem with tv shows - and where the whole unbelievability thing comes into play - you know the lead characters won't die, won't get caught, and will find a way out. (Rita really wasn't that much of a lead character to count, and her character became problematic for the series, so was not surprised that they found a way to write out Rita and her two kids. )Which is not true of life. TV shows that buck that trend - are more interesting to me, even if they happen to be soap operas, because let's face it the only tv shows that buck that trend are ensemble serial dramas, and that often is a soap opera, although not always. The WIRE
is an example of one that bucked the trend.
What is working for me is Debra Morgan's arc and the case she's working on. This works. As does Dex's relationship with Deb and with his son.
So at the moment, Season 5 is a mixed bag.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2011-08-21 02:45 am (UTC)I didn't love the season as much as 1 and 4, but I liked it a LOT more than 3(!)... so maybe equal to 2 (but you know it is all subjective).
I'll be looking forward to your posts to see how you react to the story. I hope you'll watch and comment on the whole thing (even if it starts to annoy you).
no subject
Date: 2011-08-21 07:50 am (UTC)You have to add some white vinegar to the water, it helps the egg form up into the oval.
Clare Danes is rather brilliant as Temple Grandlin. She gets across the mannerisms without falling into caricature, which often happens. And I love this line in the film:
Being autistic means you are DIFFERENT, not LESS.
Yes, she's wonderful as Temple. And after watching this I read Temple's book, it was a very thought provoking read.
no subject
Date: 2011-08-21 11:27 pm (UTC)Basically a nice little poacher is so much simpler and guaranteed to please. In fact I think I'll have myself a poached egg now! LOL
no subject
Date: 2011-08-22 12:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-08-22 12:45 am (UTC)Some people also suggest a little bit of water in each section of the poacher helps the egg to slide out more easily....
I do enjoy a nice poached egg now and then!