If there's something strange, in your neighborhood...

"If there's something strange....and it don't look good...who ya gonna call?"

You know you like that song. iKnow you do.

Possibly one of my favourite comedy-fiction films of the century, The Ghosbusters is a bag of treats. It's funny in a way that doesn't insult your intelligence, the characters are lovable and who doesn't like that marshmallow monster?

My excursions into old-era movies (a.k.a. movies some people in my age group have never heard of or watched) have numbed me in regard to the special effects glitches, thank heavens. A lesser-Nuri would've laughed non-stop when I saw Zuul! But that's just the CGI-watcher in me talking. Pay no attention.

Why aren't there anymore movies like Ghostbusters around anymore? It's a funny movie that entertains both children and adults without resorting to extremes of a mature nature. We need more movies like that! Maybe they're still out there, being directed. But please don't make a comment mentioning a Pixar film. It's not that iHate Pixar, but only a handful of their movies (The Incredibles, Monster Inc. and Toy's Story, to be specific) have hit the nail on the head.

Movies aside, I'm presently reading "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin after much persuasion from some online friends. It's a long book and entertaining in spite of some vulgarities. Fantasy fans take note: this is definitely something you want to pick up, even if it doesn't suit me much. I'll write more when I'm done reading the bloody tome.

Write you later. Go read something.

-The illiterate Blogger-

It's been one heck of a trip, Mister Potter.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Come now, iKnow you all saw this one coming. Who can resist writing about the darling Mister Potter and his daring adventures? At 4.30am on the 21st of July, I lined up among other youths to get Rowling's latest novel at Kinokuniya bookstores. I made the trip to see the crowd and watch them run, but ended up in the line later on with some acquaintances (for more info on that, check my comment on Bibliobibuli's blog).

Faithful to my role as a Potter reader, I shan't spoil the story for anyone reading this who hasn't gotten or read the final book. But I will say that it was a fun ride.

Nostalgic, thrilling and (inevitably) sad at some points. I can overlook the flaws for now. It's been one heck of a trip. I'm sure that fellow readers will know what I mean when I say that I can neither feel happy nor sad now that it's finally over. Eitherways, the next time you're ever out with like-minded friends, make a (non-alcoholic) toast to our dear friend Harry.

Write you later. Go read something.

-The illiterate Blogger-

iWrite. Do you...?

iWrite. Do you...?

I recently scanned through an interesting article by blogger Bibliobibuli, about how she started writing. It got me thinking about writing in general.

How much do you enjoy writing? I've met many people who tell me that writing is torture, and yet they continue to put pen onto paper because they have a story to tell . Lots of writers have also told me that they write because it's enjoyable, a release of emotions. I think that they're both correct and that it just feels different at different points of your life. Personally, I'm not sure why iWrite. I think it's because iLove words.


But then again-- me and my keyboard? We have a love-hate relationship. Pens are out of the question... left-handers with the hook syndrome will know what I'm talking about.

I'll leave you here for now. It's a short entry today, because Bibliobibuli's article is quite long and I don't want what few readers I have to strain their eyes.

Write you later. Go read something.

-The illiterate Blogger-

Curiouser and curiouser...

The curious incident of the dog in the night-time.

This is one of those books that iAlways hear about and see on the shelves. My friends have recommended it and even the cover presents itself very nicely to my eyes-- iHave this thing for simple covers (but don't acuse me for judging a book as such!).

I'm not sure if the author is faithful in his depiction of an autistic child's perspective, but the book was quite interesting to read. It wasn't ground-breaking in my opinion and there were parts that made me feel like Haddon was overdoing it, because the text was starting to give me a headache.

The way Christopher thought to himself started to become repetitive after I was through with the first half of the novel. I felt like there should have been more text between every sentence of repeated information (like a certain neurotic rule about red and yellow cars) so that it didn't feel like he was trying to point things out to an idiot through repetition. I also wish that there was more description to the book. Not just short moments of observation followed by memories that're connected to them. It didn't feel *real* in that way.

On the other hand, I was compelled to read on and find out what was to become of Christopher. The reader knows more of the world around him than he does because he isn't in-tune with the vastness of human emotions. The mathematical puzzles and little drawings were quite a delight as well.

My conclusion? A good book that I'd rather study in a Lit course than read for enjoyment. iThink that it is the novelty which makes it so charming to readers, though I'd rather not make that a generalization.

If any of you feel like reading more about people with strange minds (that's what I call 'em), iHear that "Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls" by Jane Lindskold is pretty good. Haven't read it myself although I may give it a try once I've recovered from The curious incident of the dog in the night-time.

Write you later. Go read Something.

-The illiterate Blogger-

Of Labyrinths.

"You remind me of the babe..."

Older readers of my blog will probably recognize the quotation on top from the 80's movie: "The Labyrinth." Don't you just love David Bowie?

I like to watch films from before my time. Dr.Zhivago, My Fair Lady, Sangam (classic Hindi film), etc. It's great fun because you get to see how some productions manage to stand the test of time in spite of special effects degradation.

The Labyrinth was reasonably good, even in the CGI era of epic LoTR or Narnia films. Jennifer Connelly's acting is probably the worst thing about it but that doesn't matter-- although she is technically the protagonist of the film, Connelly isn't its 'star'. Center-stage is stolen from the pretty teenager by more eccentric characters... notably Goblin King Jareth (David Bowie), Hoggle and Dydimus the talking fox.

What really makes the movie memorable is its soundtrack: catchy tunes sung by the Goblin King himself and accompanied by some very funky dance movies! I can't bring myself to forget "Dance, Magic, Dance" or the more sombre "Within You". This has definitely been one of the weirdest films I've seen in a while and a classic to boot.

In other news, I'm currently reading Mark Haddon's "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time."

Here's a 'did you know' fact that I acquired from a fellow avid reader: Haddon was the friend of a creative writing lecturer whose son had Asperger's syndrome. He spent a lot of time with his friend's son-- based on this experience, he wrote and submitted the novel without telling the boy's mother, despite knowing that she planned to write a similar novel.

I'll write about my understanding of the book when I'm done with it.

Write you later. Go read something.

-The illiterate Blogger-

of Children's books and Reviewing books.

The Mysterious Benedict Society.

The cover of this novel has haunted me from its place on Kino's shelves for ages until I finally gave in a few days ago, bought the bloody thing and read it. Incidentally, it was exactly what iNeeded to read to get out of my Reader's Block. And yes, I'm sure you can make the connection between that and the more lethal Writer's Block.

Trenton Lee Stewart has never written a children's book before-- this is his first, apparently. You wouldn't know it. Its beginning is simplicity itself and easy to slip into, while the world around you slips out. But adult readers will notice some very non-childish concepts in this book: there is, for instance, a sort of familiarity to Orwell's Big Brother theme. The feeling of something hidden and sickeningly dangerous.

In fact, one of the characters even speaks of how total control is impossible but the illusion of total control equals to the same results. Doesn't that ring a bell? Mention of torture and an ominous place called the Waiting Room adds to the impression. In spite of this, The Mysterious Benedict Society is still very much a children's book. You can tell from the dialog, the caring characters, the slightly cheesy villains and beautiful coincidences that were orchestrated to an unlikely extent. It was as if the author Mister Stewart had taken a menacing bowl of batter and added in sweet things so that the young'uns wouldn't be scared by the spice. To top it off, iAm quite sure he smothered it with extremely sweet vanilla icing.

Hooray for yummy analogies.

This is the sort of book tweens (10-12/13 years old) should be reading. Never mind those 'Gossip Girls' or 'Sweet Valley High's. This has an interesting balance of realism, imagination and sweetness that would be much healthier for the mentality of growing children. Especially the ones who leave that idiot box.

Now on another note...

iSuddenly realized a few days ago that I am not in the habit of reviewing books. I don't enjoy reviewing books, unlike most literary bloggers, if you can call me one. My reviews always end up conveying mixed feelings that make some readers a little tentative about reading the book(s) in question. So I'm going to say this now, before someone comes along and tells me iShouldn't review books. This isn't a blog that reviews books. It is merely about the books I read. There.

Write you later. Go read something.


-The illiterate Blogger- (who can't underline this for some reason)

Honey, iAm home!

I'm back from BC, Canada. The jet-lag is infuriating!

But let's not go into my personal life.... it's boring. iWould rather talk about my latest read.

It's depressing, it's Shakespeare and it's made easy. Any guesses? I suppose the picture's a dead giveaway.

Macbeth!

I'll be honest about my attitude towards Shakespeare. I don't read him much. The only play of his I've truly enjoyed was Twelfth Night because it was amusing. An old age romance comedy, if you will. Romeo & Juliet was tolerable. And now Macbeth. Having spent some of my younger years watching a Gargoyles cartoon where Macbeth was arguably one of my favourite villians, it was interesting to see him in his original form. It also damprened the experience. iWould have enjoyed this one more if it I wasn't so fond of the bloody cartoon character!

Lady Macbeth is pure evil and her relationship with her husband would make for some interesting analysis if one were up to it. What iFound most interesting however, was the mythical aspect. Double, double toil and trouble? The mysterious glimpses of bloody daggers and ghosts? It made the plot more delicious and I can see why an audience would enjoy its on-stage version.

Ah, well. I'll cut this post short. The Hobbit is next on my reading list. I read the first few pages and knew instinctively that I'm going to enjoy reading it. Has that ever happened to you?

Write you later. Go read something.

-The illiterate Blogger-