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shadowkat1. On FACEBOOK there's this lovely bit about how you should "never take anything personally" or rather "don't take anything personally - refuse to eat that poison".
My response, "easier said than done. just saying."
2. While the critics disliked Black Box, I found it rather enjoyable far more so than so of the critical darlings of late, including the weirdly applauded Welcome to Sweden and Tyrant...neither of which held my attention.
Once again, I don't believe we are being honest when we state something is bad, without the caveat - well, it just didn't appeal to me. I'm not sure it is possible to critique cultural works of art objectively. I think it's always personal, and how we view a work of art or story (book, tv series, painting, comic, movie) is indicative of how we are thinking and feeling at that moment in time. Come back years later, and you may or may not feel the same way. Or even days..for that matter. Which in a way makes me question critical reviews. Constructive critiques - stating clearly what works and what doesn't, are one thing. But a review that simply disparages or applauds a work of art is merely an opinion piece telling us more about the reviewer than the work - and only constructive to the degree that we share or don't share that reviewer's tastes. For example? I did not stick with Welcome to Sweden or Tyrant - it bored me. But all that tells you is I didn't like it. Not why or what didn't work.
Anyhow...Black Box is the story of a brilliant neurologist working at premiere neurological facility (The Cube) in NYC (although it looks more like Vancouver, actually quite a few tv shows located in NY look like Vancouver, while various tv series located in Chicago look like NYC). Katherine Black is bi-polar. Her brother and sister-inlaw are raising her child Esme, whom she had at the age of 16 and gave to her brother and sister-inlaw to raise, with the caveat that she'd never tell Esme that she was her mother. Doctor Black hasn't told anyone at the Cube that she is bi-polar. And she's engaged to a chef named Will. Over the course of the series, which is episodic and serial in nature - Doctor Black's life slowly unravels. She breaks up with Will and gets involved with hot neurosurgeon, Doctor Beckett. Beckett meanwhile is screwing the intake nurse, Carlotta. Doctor Black also goes off her meds, and takes oxycodeine. Vanessa Redgrave stars as Doctor Black's pyschologist. There are a few twists and turns. Some melodramatic, some logical and interesting, and some out of nowhere. I think the critics problem with it - was the out of nowhere or overly melodramatic bordering on cliche plot twists. But overall - the series was different, for a medical serial, and engrossing. Far from perfect, but if given half a chance - I think it could grow and get stronger with time. But I fear low ratings and bad reviews may have killed it dead.
3. Taking a break from the rigorous apartment hunting this weekend. To visit family in upstate NY (ie. The Hudson River Valley), who will no doubt want to discuss it on some level. So not a complete break. And a break from work - which has slowed to a crawl. But at least the strike was averted and everyone is getting a much needed raise.
4. The trailer for the flick "50 Shades of Grey" has been released. What amused me was the blurb I caught about it on The Insider - before I could flip channels. The commentators stated that the biggest problem with the marketing effort is that the two actors playing the fictional roles of Christian Grey and Anastia Steele aren't really in love. Because you know, it's more real if the actors are in love and having sex too.
(Alrighty then. "50 Shades of Grey" is the gift that keeps on giving in the humor department. Apparently, this was the deal with Twilight - Kristen Stewart and What's His Name (Rob Pattinson?) were allegedly in love and engaged - which cemented their relationship on screen.)
As far as the movie goes - I want to know if they are going to do the bit with the BDSM contract? That was hilarious. Don't see how they can pull it off. It was very funny book in places. (Even the names are hilarious - Anastia Steele - come on.) Sort of slow in others. Like GRRM actually, except less violence and more sex.
My response, "easier said than done. just saying."
2. While the critics disliked Black Box, I found it rather enjoyable far more so than so of the critical darlings of late, including the weirdly applauded Welcome to Sweden and Tyrant...neither of which held my attention.
Once again, I don't believe we are being honest when we state something is bad, without the caveat - well, it just didn't appeal to me. I'm not sure it is possible to critique cultural works of art objectively. I think it's always personal, and how we view a work of art or story (book, tv series, painting, comic, movie) is indicative of how we are thinking and feeling at that moment in time. Come back years later, and you may or may not feel the same way. Or even days..for that matter. Which in a way makes me question critical reviews. Constructive critiques - stating clearly what works and what doesn't, are one thing. But a review that simply disparages or applauds a work of art is merely an opinion piece telling us more about the reviewer than the work - and only constructive to the degree that we share or don't share that reviewer's tastes. For example? I did not stick with Welcome to Sweden or Tyrant - it bored me. But all that tells you is I didn't like it. Not why or what didn't work.
Anyhow...Black Box is the story of a brilliant neurologist working at premiere neurological facility (The Cube) in NYC (although it looks more like Vancouver, actually quite a few tv shows located in NY look like Vancouver, while various tv series located in Chicago look like NYC). Katherine Black is bi-polar. Her brother and sister-inlaw are raising her child Esme, whom she had at the age of 16 and gave to her brother and sister-inlaw to raise, with the caveat that she'd never tell Esme that she was her mother. Doctor Black hasn't told anyone at the Cube that she is bi-polar. And she's engaged to a chef named Will. Over the course of the series, which is episodic and serial in nature - Doctor Black's life slowly unravels. She breaks up with Will and gets involved with hot neurosurgeon, Doctor Beckett. Beckett meanwhile is screwing the intake nurse, Carlotta. Doctor Black also goes off her meds, and takes oxycodeine. Vanessa Redgrave stars as Doctor Black's pyschologist. There are a few twists and turns. Some melodramatic, some logical and interesting, and some out of nowhere. I think the critics problem with it - was the out of nowhere or overly melodramatic bordering on cliche plot twists. But overall - the series was different, for a medical serial, and engrossing. Far from perfect, but if given half a chance - I think it could grow and get stronger with time. But I fear low ratings and bad reviews may have killed it dead.
3. Taking a break from the rigorous apartment hunting this weekend. To visit family in upstate NY (ie. The Hudson River Valley), who will no doubt want to discuss it on some level. So not a complete break. And a break from work - which has slowed to a crawl. But at least the strike was averted and everyone is getting a much needed raise.
4. The trailer for the flick "50 Shades of Grey" has been released. What amused me was the blurb I caught about it on The Insider - before I could flip channels. The commentators stated that the biggest problem with the marketing effort is that the two actors playing the fictional roles of Christian Grey and Anastia Steele aren't really in love. Because you know, it's more real if the actors are in love and having sex too.
(Alrighty then. "50 Shades of Grey" is the gift that keeps on giving in the humor department. Apparently, this was the deal with Twilight - Kristen Stewart and What's His Name (Rob Pattinson?) were allegedly in love and engaged - which cemented their relationship on screen.)
As far as the movie goes - I want to know if they are going to do the bit with the BDSM contract? That was hilarious. Don't see how they can pull it off. It was very funny book in places. (Even the names are hilarious - Anastia Steele - come on.) Sort of slow in others. Like GRRM actually, except less violence and more sex.
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no subject
Date: 2014-07-25 03:11 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-07-27 11:31 pm (UTC)It's hard to convey well on-screen or visually. In some respects it may be better than the book - because a lot of the repetitive passages will be gone. (I can't see them doing the inner goddess bit.)
And if they're smart they'll condense all three books into one movie.
Because you have :
1. Heroine discovers Hero is into kinky sex and she sort of likes it.
2. Heroine kicks rapist who is her editor and boss in the balls, Hero buys Heroine's company so, editor is out of a job and Heroine gets evil editor's job
3. Heroine leaves hero after he loses it and beats her
4. Hero almost dies in helicopter crash
5. Hero and Heroine marry
6. Hero finds out Heroine is pregnant and freaks, going back to ex, almost losing heroine...
7. Heroine almost dies saving Hero's sister from Hero's nemesis.
Plus the kinky sex scenes, of course. ;-) Wonder if it will be NC-17?
And people say the books have no plot.
no subject
Date: 2014-07-28 09:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-07-28 11:46 pm (UTC)And there's a few action scenes - the whole kidnapping/rescue of the sister, and Anastia getting shot. As well as the helicopter crash, and the attempted rape.
Lots of stuff to choose from.