The Hunger Games: Book vs. Movie

Overall, I think that this motion picture was well done.

I can see where people were disappointed about the movie skipping certain parts and not developing the characters enough, but there's no way that the producers could fit everything in a reel that's less than three hours. I honestly feel that every moment they chose to show in the movie was absolutely necessary, and adding more to it could have made it too lengthy for one sitting.

That being said, I can't believe that they changed the origin of the mockingjay token. For a theme so deeply embedded in this series, it doesn't make any sense to alter the backstory of the pin. In the text, the pin is a symbol of friendship and respect - something rare in the life of the protagonist. The pin also will later bring up references to a past tribute and mean significantly more to the struggle for humanity and decency. So why cut this vital detail out? They might have saved maybe two, three minutes? There were other details that were changed for the sake of efficiency and simplicity (which were understandable), but the mockingjay pin's origin is one that I cannot and will not forgive.

I also realized today, that the characters that I had developed in my imagination were all White. I was actually taken aback when Rue and Thresh were black actors in the movie. I can see how it makes sense from a casting standpoint, but I didn't realize until now how much the media's tendency to rely on White actors has affected my subconscious.

And on a final note, I must say that Gale could not have been dreamier. Swoon.

Imax, Inception & Brief Inspiration

Today I saw Inception, and it was actually my first experience with Imax - I was absolutely impressed. I think the volume was a bit loud, but other than that I was wowed by the gigantic, perforated screen with mega surround sound and all that jazz.

The movie was great, probably one of the top 3 action movies I've ever seen. I couldn't get over how intricate the screenplay was, and as I was watching I was also hoping that I too, one day, could compose something as flawless as this. As we exited the theatre, Chris and I discussed our takes on the events and the ending. I couldn't stop commenting on how much I enjoyed the movie and I was just really excited about it. This doesn't usually happen, actually ever. Normally I don't have too much to say about movies, but today I was spewing. Inception was cinematic genius.

AND THEN when I got home, someone else wanted to discuss the movie, and consequently the ending. The discussion turned into what I felt was an unwelcome debate, and at first I tried to entertain his notions but eventually they began to undermine my own. Now I don't know if I even understand the movie. Even though I still feel strongly about my interpretation, I'm not excited about the movie at all - I'm simply frustrated.

Maybe it's because I don't like feeling unsure of things, maybe it's because I just wanted to enjoy the movie for what it was. Now the joy has been sucked away by analysis and imposing theories. I feel like whatever inspiration that such a great movie had brought has been slammed, and I won't feel that way again for a long time. Obviously, I appreciate movies in a different way than others - at face value. Tearing things to pieces brings me no joy.

The Power of Expectation

Donnie Darko is one of my favorite movies of all time. It's creepy, it's crawly, and it's twisted beyond recognition. That bunny suit scares the crap out of me, but it also deeply intrigues me.

So tonight I got really excited when I saw S. Darko on Netflix! Users only gave it a 2-star rating, so that lowered the bar a bit - but maybe not enough. I was still expecting the awesome flavors that Donnie Darko left lingering oh so long ago.

The outcome? I spent the first half of the movie thinking "God, this is so lame" over and over. There were moments taken from first movie and cheaply imitated in the second for the sake of tying the two together. As though the producers were grasping for reoccuring themes to make the sequel seem legit.

I kept watching, because I liked the cast. The two girls were each a less-crazy adaption off Megan Fox's role in Jennifer's Body (or actually any of her roles, for that matter) and it was VERY entertaining. After I deemed this a horrible sequel, I let all of my expectations go and was finally able to enjoy the movie.

The ending tied everything together, and once I started following the movie as an independent work and not a "sequel", I thoroughly appreciated it. This revelation was reminiscent of what a really close friend said to me recently. When I was frustrated and upset, my trust betrayed by someone close, he told me: "People never fail to disappoint, that's why I keep my expectations so low".

At first this statement seems intensely negative, and perhaps unhealthy. But in all honesty, if I could keep my expectations low I would never be disappointed. And when you invest too much into a person, an idea, a movie even - you will likely get left high and dry! BUT IF you can refrain from harboring expectation, you just might be able to find satisfaction in everything at face value. Like S. Darko. Like the flawed people we encounter in our lives.

Feeding & Movie Frenzy

This weekend was pretty eventful. Thursday night I went to HH with Charles to celebrate my new job and catch up, and then went to Holy Cow with the guys. Needless to say, Friday night I was home recovering. I finished Weeds season 5, and it definitely did not disappoint. I also watched Invictus, and I was momentarily inspired by the power of rugby to unite a nation. Yeah, go rugby! Saturday night, I went to dinner with Julian at Santana Row and we got to check out the newly remodeled Straits! His parents joined us at Sino and we lost track of time, so I didn't make it to Pearl for Lily's birthday =(.

Sunday, I was back at the driving range - I did pretty well, but I think it's sad that I have still yet to play a game. As soon as my schedule settles down, lessons it is! I went to watch Despicable Me with Julian, and we ran into two of our guy friends who just came out of Twilight together. HOW CUTE!!! Afterwards, we ate at Red Crawfish (nom nom nom) and then watched Bounty Hunter at his place while he packed the rest of his stuff.

Monday I purposely did absolutely nothing. Yup, I've got to enjoy what remains of my mondays off. They will be gone soon! I watched Paul Blart Mall Cop, and then I realized that the movie I REALLY wanted to watch was Observe & Report. Damnit, I didn't realize there were two mall cop movies!

For lunch at work today, we ordered pastrami sandos from Deli Board. O, M, F, G. SO GOOD. And then after work, I went to the optometrist and got glasses for driving. I'm excited to pick them up next week =) I can be a four-eyes too! After the optomo, I went to Alex's house and played with his SUPER CUTE dog. He also gave me Sharks goodies HOW COOL IS HE!! I'm so excited for next season. We got a 10pak! WOOT! And we watched Inglorious Basterds, and his mom cooked dinner. OMG her food is always so good, I feel like a stuffed pig. NO, I AM a stuffed pig. Sigh.

AND THE CELEBRATION GOES ON!

Today I put in some overtime for BMW to get paperwork done. It was a gorgeous day though, so I didn't mind the drive to Mountain View at all! When I got back to the city, Albert took me to Kome for sushi birthday buffet madness. All of the staff people there look like they're from Volcano High LOL. And when we were eating, one of the waiters walked into a wall and I couldn't control my laughter. I ended up like silently convulsing, I hope he didn't see me. It was SO funny.

Then I went home, and I felt like a fat turd from gorging on sushi so I laid around in bed. But a-hah! I did clean up my room and get rid of a bunch of stuff. And I did start looking around at what kind of careers are of interest and available! Good start =)

For dinner, Julian took me to House of Prime Rib. It was both of our first times there, isn't that kind of sad? Born and raised in San Francisco, and it took 24 years for us to finally eat at HOPR. But anyway, it was fantastic. And we ordered a bottle of Gerwutztriminer with our meal and that also was amazing. We ended up slightly drunk, and we headed to AMC1000 to watch Splice. It was such a dark and twisted movie that we both ended up feeling disturbed as we exited the theatre. But I've got to admit, it was a unique and fresh plot with unexpected twists - that's pretty impressive for a movie nowadays.


This truly was my best birthday ever. I SERIOUSLY do not know how it gets any better than this. :)

The Learning Experience

I've always most hated feeling: 1) inadequate or inefficient, and 2) betrayed. The past two days I've contemplated the latter, and I've come to terms with a falling out in my personal life much more quickly than I'd have anticipated. The verdict? I'm getting better at this whole learning experience thing.

The sad part - I have to learn and relearn to not trust people, time and time again. Whenever I get close to something I feel is solid, it turns to shit. I've been told that I probably expect too much from people. And this is true - I do expect a lot from the people around me. Isn't it hard not to? But again, this is a learning experience, and I will keep trying until I get it right.

Watching Sex and the City 2 with my two best girls tonight really cheered me up. My coworker brought me cake today at work, and Menie brought me a red velvet cupcake before the movie. YUM! I also had an ICEE at the movie, and I haven't had one of THOSE in years!! The movie was so emotional, and funny, and sweet. Watching those women makes me feel like I pick up two years of wisdom and maturity in a matter of hours. I'm so glad we went to the movie, and I'm glad that I've come this far in terms of coping.

Just keepin' it classy, one day at a time.

SO CUTE DRAGON!!!!!

Today was a good day! I woke to a really funny text from Alex about firreeahh. LOL. And work wasn't bad at all... and then I went to dinner with my family at O Izakaya.. and finally I went on a movie date with Charles! We watched HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON and it was SOOOO GOOD!

Probably in the top 3 best animated movies I've seen thus far! I was smiling a mile wide, and the tears of joy were definitely flowing. Awh... Toothless is so cute :) I WANT A DRAGON!!!


But since I can't have a dragon, I'll get golf clubs! I decided to hold off on getting a gun at least for now. It was a tough choice but I'd get more use out of clubs. After all, I did go to the driving range by myself on Tuesday night! Bo helped me figure out what I need. I just need to pull the trigger, after I get my furniture! =) Change and new toys.. I like the way this sounds...

Spontaneous Shopping & Santa (Ramen), ETC.

I recruited two gay boys, Andy & Kevin, to accompany me to Hillsdale in search of my New Years dress! We ate at Santa Ramen first and it was good, as expected. Then we proceeded to Nijiya for some ALOE DRINK! Ohh aloe, it's been too long..

Shopping went well, I ended up letting a gay employee at Express choose my dress because the boys were taking forever. A dress that I REALLY liked at Guess wasn't available in my size...sad panda. Side note: leave it to Kevin to try on heels at Guess. Oh god, those two were a handful. But all in all, I wasn't COMPLETELY satisfied with my new dress so...

Serramonte for more shopping! I bought a bunch of other items at the new store, and a jacket from Forever. I decided I should stop there, because I'm close to maxing out my credit card! All of the holiday travel arrangements are definitely adding up..

Later, I caught an HH date @ Palomino with Bo and Charles. We ate, drank, and were merry, and along the way decided to watch Avatar! First we went to Century 20 - sold out. Then we went to Metreon - sold out. I demanded that we watch a movie anyway! And Bo chose The Blind Side, such a great decision.

The movie was fantastic! Sandra Bullock did an amazing job playing her I-get-what-I-want role, and also exuding the commendable Christian efforts of the real woman who helped Oher. I didn't realize that this was a true story until the very end, and it made all the difference. THERE *IS* GOOD IN THIS WORLD!

Law Abiding Citizen & Becoming Wiser

I saw Law Abiding Citizen earlier tonight and I thought it was a PHENOMENAL movie. I won't spoil - I'll just say it's about a man consumed by revenge and I la-la-LOVE it. When people get what they deserve and consequences are forced upon them, it makes me feel like there is hope for righteousness. I highly recommend!

I also got my snow pants today, they fit perfectly and are super cute. I'm excited! This almost makes up for my failed Poison Ivy costume.

As for making better decisions, I resumed my GMAT studies today and I've realized that it has been at least two months (maybe three) since I've smoked a cigarette. AND I have no desire to! I also started wearing my seat belt in July, and plan to keep it up forever! ;) I'm getting older AND wiser!

The Invention of Lying

I saw The Invention of Lying at a preview screening earlier, and I have to say it didn't live up to my expectations - and my expectations were low. The storyline was weak, and I only chuckled a few times (it was a comedy, right?). Not worth theatre-time, but thank goodness it was free.

OH - and, because we arrived relatively late we ended up sitting in the front row. Never again.