Soley - Pretty Face

So this song, a rather haunting and delicate and gorgeous one, was used for the opening number in this week's So You Think You Can Dance...which I watched (as usual, ahem, I love this show). The dance was amaaazing and I wish I could post it and watch it many many more times. One of the two choreographers was Sonya Tayeh and everything she creates gives me goosebumps, it's so good!! Dark and primal and gorgeous and unique. She describes her style as "combat jazz". And she always chooses good music. Um, I'll stop gushing now. Hooray for dance!

Miike Snow - Paddling Out

So I've somehow gotten addicted to the show Castle and occasionally watch several episodes in a row while drinking tea and imagining life as a writer, living in a fabulous apartment in New York. One of the main characters, Richard Castle, is a successful mystery novel author and his apartment is magnificent - spacious, open-concept, contemporary but still cozy and inviting. And that's not the only positive feature of the show. Castle himself is charming and brings humor and warmth to a genre that's usually stark and depressing. I don't think there's any other crime-y series that I would look forward to watching, eek. His partner in (solving) crime is Kate Beckett, tough and relentless in carrying out her duty in the pursuit of justice, da da daaaa! Beckett's co-workers, and Castle's daughter and mother are also delightful and often hilarious characters. His mother is an actress in flamboyant clothing and I want her wardrobe...at least the scarves. In general, I enjoy author-related stuff, even if it's a bit silly. Seeing the portrayal of people's imaginations creating something out of nothing, using words to bring magic into the world, thinking a little bit differently, and finding inspiration in seemingly insignificant things...is fascinating and makes me want to write more myself. Now I'm just rambling. So, to conclude, have you SEEN Castle's fireplace? Magnificent.

Bunheads Returns!

I love this show! This clip makes it seem uber dramatic, but besides the beautiful dancing it also features great humor, characterization, and super fast talking since it is, after all, the brainchild of Amy Sherman-Palladino. It's the next best thing to Gilmore Girls (with dancing!!). Also, Sutton Foster is amazing! Magnetic, hilarious, and effortless in her skill.

Watching: Pushing Daisies

I watched this show back when it was actually airing (oh so briefly, sigh) and recently realized that I miss it, so it's time for a rewatch! 

Ned and Chuck are the cutest couple ever, there's pie, colours pop off the screen, mystery and intrigue, a touch of the supernatural, Ned and Chuck in love (but they can never touch!), Kristin Chenoweth, colours, Ned and Chuck, yay!!

I will now watch Pushing Daisies while hula hooping. I have finally perfected the art of hula hooping in not just one but TWO directions and it feels wonderful! 

Cheerio!

Frasier: Niles Starts a Fire

I was struck down with a cold recently and some of my comfort viewing included old episodes of Frasier (and new episodes of Downton Abbey, woohoo!). I firmly believe that laughter boosts our immune system so watching comedies while one is ailing and confined to one's apartment isn't really a choice but more like necessary medicine ;-) However, I may be counteracting the supercharging of my immune system by eating multiple chocolate chip cookies, sigh.

Watching: Game of Thrones Season 2

I watched the first season after it had already finished...so it was basically a marathon that didn't take much longer than two or three days. Now, finally...season two is here! Summer winter is coming, yay!

I can listen to Tyrion talk for hours, I can't wait to see what happens with Daenerys' dragons, Jon Snow's adventures in the north are electrifying...ah, there are too many characters to gush about so let me just say I love it all! Such rich, vivid, compelling storytelling! And the look of the show is incredible. They brought all of these dynamic worlds to life.

Last Day of Sweet Freedom!

Well, winter is just about over (though the weather disagrees)...which means that it's time to head back to work for one more semester of elementary school in Korea. Today is my last day of freedom...so I will continue to watch gluttonous amounts of Parks & Recreation. I have now reached the glory of Season 4. The thought of finishing all the episodes and being unable to prolong my obsessive continuous nonstop viewing frightens me. What will I do with myself? Sigh. I wish I could work for Leslie Knope.

I'm now temped to go back and revisit all three seasons of Arrested Development. And perhaps try watching Community, I haven't gotten around to that one yet.

Sweet hilarious television, how comforting thou art! In the depths of winter, ice, and permanently cold feet thou provideth solace and joy. 

And now it's time to return to Pawnee.

Watching: Parks & Recreation (aka Amy Poehler is my hero!)

I remember watching commercials for this show when it first came out and thinking that I absolutely had to watch it, but somehow that never happened.

Which means that I can now watch it marathon style. Sometimes I hula hoop while watching - super fun!

Amy Poehler/Leslie Knope is wonderfully hilarious but also just a great female role model. She seems a little silly and delusional at the beginning, but the more we see of her, the more we can admire her optimism, strength, feminism, and desire to help people. 

Despite being a sitcom (or because of it), the show makes super sharp and intelligent observations and criticisms of many aspects of society. 

But I don't want to dissect it here. The best thing is just to go and watch and laugh and feel awesome!

Winter's Almost Over!

I've had the pleasure of enjoying a looong winter vacation. Watching movies and awesome tv shows while sprawled out on my bed is, well, super fun. Eating ice cream and delicious Korean snacks, occasionally ordering pizza, and drinking ridiculous amounts of tea - all of these activities are super fun...but I am absolutely desperately longing for SPRING! 

As much as I love feeling cozy, too much of a good thing makes it less good. Rather than hibernating, I would love to run around outside, breathe fresh air, and see some gorgeous spring flowers. I cannot wait! Winter always feels like the longest season. 

In other news, I am getting ready to watch Season 2 of Downton Abbey. Now that it's all wrapped up, I can watch all the episodes in a somewhat continuous manner, without waiting too long in between. Hooray!

I've also been craving some classic film watching time. Maybe Roman Holiday + The Umbrellas of Cherbourg + Rear Window. And I still haven't seen The Artist, oh my!

Perhaps winter isn't quite so bad...there's no better time for oodles of film watching and book reading and conversation having :-)

Watching: Friday Night Lights

My most recent obsession (or at least one of them) is the TV drama Friday Night Lights. It's not a new show but I was never particularly drawn to it before since it's about high school American football...in a small town in Texas. Things that I am not familiar with in the slightest. However, I kept hearing about how amazing and fantastic it is so I gave it a chance, and I was completely hooked from the very first episode.

The show isn't so much about football as it is about the people living in this town and their relationships, goals, fears, etc. The portrayal is so realistic, it feels like you're also part of it all, experiencing all the highs and lows along with the other townspeople. 

I also like how the female characters are portrayed in this drama. My favourite character is the coach's wife, Tami. Instead of being sidelined while he takes the glory and makes all the big decisions, her part is equally important and her voice is always heard and respected. She is never subservient and she also makes a big impact through her role as a guidance counselor at the high school. And she's kind of tough, which she has to be in order to be the coach's wife, but also her own person. Their daughter is also very smart, independent, and sure of herself in a good way. She is self reliant and confident without being self-centered and idiotic, as teenage girls are often presented. So far, I have agreed with all of her choices and admired her for standing up to her father. Although his point of view is also understandable and one we can sympathize with. Ahem. Moving on...

I can't wait to watch the rest of the show. It's so compelling that time always flies by and before I know it, I've watched 3 episodes in a row. But that's the best part of watching TV shows after they've already finished - you don't have to wait a week for the next ep, just dive right in and turn it into a mini marathon. Make sure to include some popcorn, tea, and a blanket :-)

Watching: New Girl

It's been a fun week of teaching playing with the kids and now I'm enjoying a cozy, relaxing weekend.

Like this cheerful latte in a bright red cup, New Girl is a show that always brightens up my day and makes me smile. Pretty much ALL television these days is full of cynicism, negativity, pessimism, Kardashians, etc. so I was so delighted to find a show that is the opposite of that.

Characters similar to Jess are usually portrayed as fools who are not really in touch with the realities of life. Here, however, Jess is shown in a very positive light. She sincerely believes in the goodness of others, she's optimistic, she's childlike in a good way (as in not jaded and skeptical of everything). Basically, she's still in touch with the magic of life and refuses to have her world view darkened by others' negativity. (Also, she's funny and wears the most wonderful clothes.)

Most female characters on television are extremely different from this. And I can't think of anyone more 'girly' than Jess. I for one am grateful to have this kind of character on mainstream television. It's important to show that there are many ways of being female and that feminism does not require us to act in masculine ways and leave girlishness behind. 

I'm proud of being a girl. I enjoy being a girl. I also tend to see the world through rose coloured glasses. And there is nothing wrong or demeaning about that. 

 

Comfort...from the screen

There are some movies, TV shows, songs, books, other various media whatsits that never fail to cheer me up, or bring forth oodles of nostalgia, or make me feel intensely happy to be alive. Instant coziness and comfort! Here are some of the aforementioned whatsits:

Movies:

- Almost Famous
- Roman Holiday
- Pretty in Pink/Sixteen Candles/The Breakfast Club/Say Anything...
- Elf
- Little Women
- Edward Scissorhands
- Wallace and Gromit and the Curse of the Were Rabbit
- Sense and Sensibility
- Only You
- The Shop Around the Corner

Television

Gilmore Girls
Arrested Development
Freaks and Geeks
Rugrats
Frasier
The Vampire Diaries (hehe)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Seinfeld

Music

- Simon and Garfunkel
- Queen
- The National
- Cat Stevens
- Bat for Lashes
- Silverchair
- 80s music in general
- Christmas music
- old soft rock that gets played on the radio
- movie soundtrack songs and TV theme songs....ex) Time of My Liiiife or I Don't Want to Wait

Books

- His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
- Roald Dahl - especially Matilda and The Witches
- Jane Austen
- Elizabeth Gaskell
- Tamora Pierce (the Lioness Quartet, Immortals Quartet)
- Victorian lit (especially by female authors) in general, fantasy (esp by female authors) not quite in general
- Agatha Christie
- Sherlock Holmes stories
- Royal Spyness series by Rhys Bowen
- Hamish Macbeth series by M.C. Beaton

And now to wind things up as it is time to refuel and watch some Gilmore Girls! Hooray for vacations!!!

Masterpiece Classic - Jane Austen's Persuasion

I always enjoy watching Masterpiece Classic on PBS, whichever classic it happens to be that week. Yesterday I watched the 2007 version of Persuasion, starring Sally Hawkins and Rupert Penry-Jones. I had previously seen Sally Hawkins in 2008's Happy-Go-Lucky and really enjoyed her performance; however, in this film her role was not to be exuberant, outgoing, impish, etc. but to portray the heartache and quiet suffering of a 27-year old Jane Austen heroine who turned her back on love many years ago.

What happens? Anne's love, who she has never forgotten or stopped loving, returns to her neighbourhood after becoming a successful and wealthy captain. She is forced to look upon him again and to feel all the pain of her lost love even as he walks right in front of her.

The beauty of the novel is that it is absolutely bursting with silent, passionate, long-felt, undying love - on both sides. How do you show that on a screen? I felt that, in this version, this wasn't very well done. To me, Anne looked nervous and hyper rather than profoundly in love. Captain Wentworth was portrayed in a smoother manner; however, there was so little character development that he only had a couple of good moments rationed out to him.

I am reminded of last week's Northanger Abbey; however, Persuasion is a more complex and longer novel, so all of the flaws stemming from cramming it into such a short, fast-paced film are more obvious and less easily forgiven. Persuasion is a quiet, subtle novel full of unspoken feelings and significant glances. The film was melodramatic, hyper, and focused completely on moving the action along rather than on the actual characters and their relationships. There were definitely some lovely moments, but mostly it was a bit of a miss for me.

Another good thing though - now I feel like reading the book again! This is an Austen novel that I have only read once so far and now I'm wanting to pick it up all over again.

Do you prefer to always read and watch new things that you've never experienced before, or do you enjoy going back to the same books, films, etc. because they are your favourites and provide something that you yearn for? I know some people have books that they find comforting. Personally, I prefer to go for something new, but when I do go back to something from the past, Jane Austen looms at the forefront :)