While in France, ndless_mike and I happened to see the movie 'Eragon' (original language voice acting with French subtitles). It was very much a kiddie film, not particularly good or bad, rather short (good because we went to the 10 PM showing) and not really worth seeing more than once. Bad points: the plot was derivative, the dialog was stiff and there was no character development at all. On the other hand the conflict was fairly clear-cut and the actors did the best they could with their characters and the dialog.

Anyway, having seen the movie and wondering how this drabble made it to the bestseller list, I went out and bought the book. I've been reading it in between lectures and my homework, which is why this is only going up now, if you're curious.

So like I said, I bought the book. And now I see why they made it into a movie in the first place. The two are so different; it's almost like they took the theme of the book (boy with dragon), then wrote a completely different story for the movie. And then ripped off all the names for the characters.

There's plot! There's advanced conflict! World-building! Humor! There's actual character development! In other words, it's actually very good. Although the basic premise of the two is the same, the book explores the moral and political conflicts that the movie doesn't even acknowledge. Eragon isn't the naive do-gooder hero either, he starts out darker and actually grows into his role. And Brom nearly broke my heart.

All in all, I'd definitely recommend reading the book over the movie. It's actually good enough that I'm going to buy the sequel.

( Read more... )

Inspired by this by mooncalf. Who one of the few people I know who has also written something (anything) for this pairing.

( Read more... )

It's been raining for the entire week. I really miss the sun.

Apparently, I can tie a tie on myself, but not on someone else.

So now lj is offering sponsored accounts. I'm kind of interested: more userpics, the scrapbook, phone entries. On the other hand, I'm wondering if this involves having to stick to a certain standard. Some of my entries are pretty out there, not to mention I don't update that often. Is anyone else going for these sponsored accounts? Why or why not?

And I'm now being devoured by the KHII fandom. rayemars this is all your fault!

( Savior, for 30kisses. )

Drat. Does anyone know how to make accent marks in lj?

Someone was kind enough to inform me that Anna Nicole Smith is taking her case to the Supreme Court. I've gotten what information I can from the web and from what I can tell, it's actually legitimate issue. I just feel that no one who doesn't study law is going to take whatever the ruling seriously because it was Anna Nicole Smith. She just oozes triviality.

Speaking of the Supreme Court, here's an interesting quote from my textbook:

The freedom to decide as one's conscience and intellect demand, without fear of political retribution , is a rare luxury for any office-holder, and it certainly helps to explain what happens to men when they don the robes of a Supreme Court justice. The southern Senator required to go through the motions of defending segregation-and many in the Senate today are only going through the motions-can shed that dispiriting burden if he goes on the bench. The state judge who has to look to political bosses for re-election-as many do-cuts that tie upon appointment to the Supreme Court. The independence given to the justices enables them to do things that others know are right but have never had the courage or the determination to do by themselves. (Lewis, 1964)

A nice, optimistic view of the Supreme Court.

I'll accept the mayo since fruitypoundcake said it was popular in Japan. I'll accept the ketchup under the same principals. I can't accept the cream cheese as being part of authentic sushi. I mean really, there's just no way it's not an Americanization of the food.

The woman who did the 'Vagina Monologues' has a new show out. It's called 'The Good Body' and it appears to be a satire on the cultural obsession with appearance. If Wellesley gets around to having it, I would probably consider that worth the cost of watching.

Speaking of food, I found a milk-less 'Hot Toddy' recipe:

1 Jigger of alcohol
2 tbsp. honey
2 tbsp. lemon juice
Hot water
Sprinkling of cinnamon

It tastes much better than the one with milk in my opinion. Sort of like strong tea.

I'd just like to make some observations on BLEACH so far. Ichigo has managed to escape the usual 'idiotic main character' that mars so many of the other manga or anime that I like. Byakuya makes the funniest 'surprised' expressions ever. I wouldn't be surprised if the other heirs of the Four Houses made it a competition to see who managed to freak him out the most often. And Division 11 is the best family in the series (the Kurosakis were a close second, but they've got a permanent cloud of angst hanging over each and every one of them)! They're not even dysfunctional! They're actually nice, caring and supportive of each other. True, they're nice, caring and supportive while beating up other the members of other divisions, but really their actually the most mentally healthy of all the other family units that we see.

Here are various scenarios between Sakura and Deidara. I actually feel a little sorry for Sasori here.

( Why me? )

( More Nigredo/Rubedo stuff. )

Saw some new anime recently, 'Area 88' and 'Jing: King of Bandits'. (Is that the right title? I've also seen it listed as "Bandit King Jing' and "King of Bandits, Jing'.) I really don't get 'Area 88'. I think it's about a war photographer, and it doesn't seem to have much of a plot. 'Jing' doesn't have a plot either, as far as I can tell, but at least it's funny. It kind of reminds me of 'Slayers', so maybe the plot comes in later? And is it just me or are most people named after drinks?

Not too many SasoSaku drabbles left. I'm running out of inspiration.

( Sakura, can you help me with this? )

And I'm coming to the close on my first 30_kisses pairing soon too. Perhaps I should get another one? Any suggestions?

( Red Dragon )

Hey, if any of you participate in the GW fandom, do you know the author Honor A De'Mandoran? If you do, do you know if and where she archives her fics?

Now, a little SasoSaku drabble-

( Things found on the cutting room floor. )

And something for my first 30_kisses pairing. I hit the halfway mark and didn't even notice.

( #26 If only I could make you mine. )

If you like vampire stories, but don't like Anne Rice or if you're a Robin McKinley fan, I highly recommend that you read Sunshine. It takes place in a sort of post-war alternate world. It's not too provocative (one of my objections with Anne Rice) or dark and there's a definite touch of whimsy. The main character is interesting (she's a BAKER! When's the last time you've seen that?) and the vampire's certainly not a cliche portrayal. Yeah, that's a really horrible description, but check it out anyway.

( First something for Naruto )

( First for my new pairing. Not that good yet. )