A Phone and SYTYCD

Forgot to write a post again. I'll blame it on the fact that I finally, finally, finally got a new phone, and I was texting texts, keying keys, and setting settings for longer than I'm sure was necessary. I cannot tell you how ecstatic I am about this new development.

Abrupt subject change!

The top 20 were chosen for So You Think You Can Dance last night, and I'm thinking about writing about it here every week. I love that show. They show nearly all the personal drama during the audition episodes, and when the actual competition starts it's nearly personal drama free because it's all about the dance. It really is a great place to see bits of all kinds of dance--jazz, contemporary, ballroom, ballet, hiphop, tap, broadway--performed and choreographed by talented people. And it gets better every year. The show also makes me think that I can dance, so I shuffle my feet, wave my arms, and jerk my body around for a good hour after watching the show.

I can't think of any words or phrases that appropriately describe last year's winner, Melanie Moore. She has a gift, she has the heart and strength to wield said gift, and she is glorious to behold. Below is a photo of Melanie and a video of her first audition. I can't hardly wait to see what the show has in store this season.

For those of you who are watching this season: I can't pick a favorite dancer yet, but my favorite people as people so far are Amelia of the 20s bob; Cyrus (Glitch) of the ear gauges; and Dareian of the bad feet that remind me of hobbit feet.

Movie Review: Brave

My dad took me to see Brave yesterday, just like he took me to see The Little Mermaid in 1989, only this time he didn't fall asleep. I was a  little reluctant to share my true feelings about the movie, but then I remembered that I'm usually not one to go along with the crowd to avoid scrutiny (leg shaving exception), so bombs away!

In a nutshell, I enjoyed Brave well enough, but it wasn't all fantastic. It breaks my heart a little too, because I love Pixar and the level of quality they strive for.

Merida, voiced by Kelly MacDonaldImage via filmofilia.com.

On the surface Brave is about Merida, a highland princess who wants to control her own fate. Basically that means she doesn't want to be a bride who is given to the winner of some highland games, she wants to marry who she chooses and only when she's ready. (It certainly doesn't mean that she wants to travel or learn a trade or become a warrior or be an independent woman.) But really the movie is about a mother and daughter who don't understand each other and communicate poorly. It's pretty much the Freaky Friday plot. Even though they don't switch places, they find themselves in a magical situation that forces them to respect and understand each other's skill sets and viewpoints in order to break the spell.

The actual script held a few problems for me. There were some pacing problems, there were a couple of characters and plot points that felt as though they were added hastily in order to make it all work, and there was at least one major theme that was too loosely connected to truly make the impact that was desired or deserved. Additionally the humor was obvious, meaning it was at a much lower cleverness level than I'm accustomed to in a Pixar film. It was a real missed opportunity.

Merida's mum and dad, voiced by Billy Connelly and Emma Thompson. Image via filmofilia.com.

On the positive side, when all is said and done, I'm ecstatic that Merida and her mother are strong, clever female characters. There are no dewey eyes or fluttering abouts or talk of beauty, it's all about strength of character and solving problems and taking action.

The animation is completely fantastic, especially the hair, as I'm sure you are well aware from the preview, but there were also great things happening with the fabrics. Animated films are gaining more and more textures and depth, much to my delight.

The voice casting was fantastic. I love Billy Connelly's scratchy and somehow irreverent voice. (I just feel like he's going to say something naughty at any given moment.) Of course I was in hog heaven listening to all that Scottish dialect, but that doesn't really recommend the movie to anyone but me.

The final word is go and see it. You'll likely enjoy it enough, especially with checked expectations, and you can't really not see a Pixar film at this point anyway, right?

P.S. La Luna, the short that played before the movie, was adorably delightful.

Trailer Tuesday: Celeste and Jesse Forever & Anna Karenina

First things first: I was going to try and see Brave last weekend and do a nice little review for you, but I went to see Moonrise Kingdom again with a ragtag group of friends instead of seeing Brave by myself. (I also had Ethiopian food for the first time. Delish!) Moonrise Kingdom was just as good if not better the second time around, I tell you what. Maybe if I ask nicely Wes Anderson will marry me.

Once again 'tis Trailer Tuesday, and once again I have a couple of goods,but they may turn into greats. First in queue is Celeste and Jesse Forever starring Andy Samberg and Rashida Jones. (Did you know that she's Quincey Jones' daughter?) I like both these actors and I like comedies that are bittersweet, so I should enjoy this movie on some level.

Next is Anna Karenina. Normally I would be jazzed beyond jazzed about a period drama with all the period clothes, but this one happens to star Kiera Knightly, another "leading lady" that joins Anne Hathaway and Scarlett Johansson in ruining my life. I feel like she has only two faces: passive and weirdly contorted with rage. She also does a lot of screaming instead of acting. But there's no screaming in the preview, so maybe we'll be safe. The slightly stylized sets and luminescent lighting in the trailer look a bit surreal and lovely. 

Pictures Are Important Too

Since my last few posts were all text heavy, I decided that today will be image heavy. Yes, I know my last post said this blog was about me writing, but my mama didn't raise no fool. If I don't temper my writing with great or relevant images, big blocks of writing become intimidating and arduous to read.

Here are a few of the favorite images I've pinned on Pinterest lately. If you wish, you can follow me on Pinterest using using the handy button on the right or searching for MarthaO.

Fashion!
Not every man can or wants to pull this off, but the right man would certainly shine in this ensemble. Notice the contrasting buttonhole thread and the high-stand peter pan collar.

Source: thesnobreport.tumblr.com via MarthaO on Pinterest

In my experience most people opine that couture fashion impractical and ridiculous, but the truth is that it's truly a legitimate art from. It takes hundreds of hours, usually with skilled handwork and little or no use of machines, to produce just one couture garment. I don't believe that most designers realistically expect these pieces to be worn. This Antonio Berardi doesn't look like high couture, but that crystal/paillette/bead work is a lot of hand work done by a lot of hands. Gorgeous.

Source: rocks-of-all-colors.tumblr.com via MarthaO on Pinterest

Art!
I try not to allow a lot of envy in my life, but I am jealous of people who have a talent for hand lettering like this.

Source: typeverything.com via MarthaO on Pinterest

What a juxtaposition of color! Oh, and there's some elephants, too.

Source: i.imgur.com via MarthaO on Pinterest

I love looking at "Shipwreck" by Sterling Hundley. I'm entranced with the skewed and flattened perspective, the color palette, and the flowers in her hair.

Source: ffffound.com via MarthaO on Pinterest

Ewan!

Just...thank you Ewan McGregor for having amazing hair.

Source: harrisonfords.tumblr.com via MarthaO on Pinterest

Cats!

I tried so hard not to make a board of cats on Pinterest; I didn't want to be one of "those" people. Then I got over myself and remembered that I love cats so who cares. I have never seen such...faces on cats before. I would run away if I saw them in a dark alley, yet I would snuggle them so hard if they were mine.

Source: inpic.ru via MarthaO on Pinterest

Mini Milestones

This isn't some life changing milestone like winning an Oscar or running a marathon or falling in love. But this is a milestone of work and gratitude.

This week I surpassed 5,000 views on my blog. Of course in the grand world of the internet, this isn't even a drop in the bucket (more like half a molecule, maybe), but it is a mini milestone for me nonetheless. I began blogging because writing still feels like somewhat of a chore (I'd much rather edit), so I needed motivation to write on a regular basis about topics I liked. While this is still my main purpose, the function of writing is for people to read it! So it's grand to have people read what I'm writing and perhaps be entertained or feel solidarity or maybe even be a wee bit more curious about the world, even if that world is only filled with movies and rants.

So thank you and thank you for coming and reading and commenting! I hope to see you here again soon and often. And since you know that I want the practice, let me know if there's anything you want me to review, research, or opine about.

Fun Milestone Facts!

1) My most popular post to date is this one about Nathan Fillion.

2) I've had one spammer comment, which I deleted immediately.

3) I've had two strangers comment. I'm fairly certain that means I'm made in the shade.

4) My favorite posts to write are Trailer Tuesdays, but they generally get the least amount of views. (They're probably only my favorite because I get to watch loads of trailers and not feel like I'm procrastinating.)

5) I'm fairly certain that this post that damns denim capris has lots of hits because people are searching for denim capris to buy. Sigh.

Summer. Ew.

I don't like to complain about the weather or hear others complain about the weather. Comment, yes; complain, no. Weather is just one of those life things that you can do nothing to change outside of changing your location. You just dress and behave appropriately and hope for the best.

But I can hold it in no longer: I loathe summer. 

Do not get incredulous and indignant with me. I realize that if you do not like the sun, surf, and sand, in America that you are perceived as some sort of inhumane monster. I get that you feel that way about me now. I'm cool with it. (And since we're on the topic, I also have little desire to vacation in tropical locals, generally speaking. Now I am truly a monster!)

Let me break it down for you.

1) I'm not a delicate female in the sense that I "glow"; I sweat. And it doesn't take much for me to break a sweat in the first place. All I need are the genes that my father so lovingly bestowed upon me. (I love you, dad!) So the summer exacerbates things into a nightmarish pool of sweat for me (slight exaggeration), and this is without humidity. 

2) I am not overly outdoorsy. Partly because of the reason above, but mostly because outdoorsy things aren't all that fun for me. So I'm not waiting on pins and needles for summer so I can "get out there" and "get my nature on," as the kids say. I like a good walk or hike in the fall or spring, when the air is crisp and fresh and cool. I also really like wearing sweaters. 

3) Mosquitos. You know, some people get bitten by mosquitos all the time but they have no reaction the the bites, and some people simply don't get bitten at all. Not only do mosquitos think I'm the most delicious human on the planet, but my reaction to the bites is severe and long lasting. We're talking swollen welts and itching to the point of distraction or pain for several days. 

4) Not only do I get a bit lethargic when I get overly hot, but I get even more crabby and unsociable than usual. Shocker, I know. And let me tell you, there is almost nothing I hate more than waking up in the middle of the night because my feet are too hot. It takes a 3 a.m. cold water foot soak to set them right again. Scumbag feet.

5) I don't like shaving my legs. It feels like such a waste of time, and having smooth legs doesn't make me feel prettier or sexier or whatever. But do you know what's more of a waste of time? Explaining myself and/or ignoring the almost terrified looks on people's faces as they ask you why or talk about it incessantly because they don't understand why in the world I don't like to shave my legs. So I shave them as little as possible in the summer to avoid the apparent social horror, but I almost never shave them in the winter. 

Well, today it's supposed to be 100 degrees (no exaggeration). To add insult to injury the A/C window unit in my room works only sort of, the rest of the house has no A/C, and the A/C in my car is done broked and not worth repairing in my jalopy of a car. These Perfect Storm conditions just might make this the day I get arrested for indecent exposure when I rip my clothes off Hulk style because I can no longer take the heat. Wish me luck.

This is me today. Via Hyperbole and a Half.

Now that I have made myself sound grumpy and physically repugnant, and now that my true feelings about summer are out in the world, I can move on. Thank you for being there for me, anonymous internet. You are the wind beneath my wings.

Update: Just found this .gif that explains my feelings perfectly. http://i.imgur.com/LYhJo.gif

Saying Stuff Wrong

"Use what language you will,
you can never say anything but what you are."
               Ralph Waldo Emerson

A long while ago a FB friend posted an article called "10 Words That You Mispronounce That Make People Think You're an IDIOT" by Justin Brown for Primer. I delight in lists like this, but not necessarily in the way the author delighted in writing his article to proclaim his superiority over all people who have dialects that aren't his own.

Don't get me wrong, I will usually do whatever I can to assert my superiority over other people, but it's mostly in a backdoor way with sarcasm and jokes. That way not everyone catches on that they are my inferior and they can maintain their self-esteem without me losing dominance and power. Kidding. Mostly. But in the interest of full disclosure, I admit that I used to be more like Mr. Brown. I used to feel angry at people who said things "wrong"; I used to feel smug and superior that I "knew better" and was therefore "smarter" than they were. Oh, me.

Hello, my name is Martha, and I'm a recovering language snob.

The most glaring problem Mr. Brown seems to have is that he does not take into account dialects, idiolects, and language development, not to mention the perfectly explainable linguistic reasons why some of these innocent pronunciation mistakes happen. For example, cochlear is about the only word in English that is structured like nuclear, and the consonant cluster in this setting is on the difficult side for an English speaker. The simple fact is that it's much easier to physically articulate noo-cue-lar, so it's a rather easy pronunciation mistake to make and adopt, especially within certain English dialects.

Sure, some things are out and out mistakes. Many people say things they've only heard and have not seen in writing (I'm looking at you girl in high school who said ackleast [at least] and the Entire State Building [Empire State Building]), and sure, it's hard not to scoff a little (or a lot) at those mistakes. But why do we have to get our knickers in a twist over it? Can't we just politely correct or teach people (only when appropriate) and move on? Do we have to be insulting and dictatorial? Can't we all just get along?

The hard fact is that there are awful biases against some dialects, and people often feel compelled to change their dialects to find success in their careers. This world and the lives we lead are hard enough, so it's kind of terrible that so many feel shame about how they have been raised to speak. After all, each of us were raised speaking a dialect that clearly communicates and is valid within our varying speech communities. (I'm sorry mom and dad for gibing you about your Canadianisms and your ruralisms, respectively.) 

I'm not saying that we should throw out all rules and standards in language, in fact I think they hold a heavier importance in written communication, but maybe we could all relax a little and enjoy the variety and differences that language adds to our own unique personages. To me the best part about English is that it's especially malleable. We have a lot of language options that do nothing to disrupt clear communication. Meaning that we have borrowed so much structure and words from other languages that we generally have more creative ways of expressing ourselves and playing with language than so many other languages. So work with it, love it.

In the end I wouldn't have minded Mr. Brown's list if I believed he truly wanted to educate people. Instead he's borderline to actually insulting in his attempt to shame people into his ideal. 

P.S. I don't think I've heard anyone say prerogative the way Mr. Brown prescribes. Bobby Brown might 100% culpable. 

Trailer Tuesday Plus!

The "plus" in this post about Ethan Hawke, but I'm not posting any of his trailers. I was thinking the other day that I hadn't seen Mr. Hawke in anything in forevers. Then, voila, I see him two movie trailers: Sinister and The Woman in the Fifth. The thing is one is a straight up horror/thriller movie, and the other is a horror/thriller movie with what looks like lots of sex and Kristen Scott Thomas. Usually actors start with horror and move on. (Johnny Depp in Nightmare on Elm Street, for example). I mean, in the 90s Ethan Hawke was this huge rising star that was going places, so it feels a little melancholy that he's doing horror. "A" grade horror, but horror nonetheless.

As far as actual trailers go, I have a bit of an odd selection. I probably won't see either movie per se, but  they seemed interesting small ways.

First is 2 Days in New York with Chris Rock and Julie Deply. (It looks like a retooling of a movie Julie Deply made called 2 Days in Paris.) I know what you're thinking, but the trailer looks like a huge departure from anything that seems familiar about Chris Rock's work. I think one of the reviewer tags even equated it to early Woody Allen films, which is probably over-stating it, but still illustrates what a departure it is for Chris Rock. It does look quirky with hilarity that sneaks up on you. On second thought, maybe I will see this one.

I can almost state with 98% surety that I will not see The Watch with Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, and Jonah Hill. I'm just okay with Ben Stiller, Jonah Hill is hit and miss, and Vince Vaughn plays the same slightly to highly morally disgusting character over and over again. But the reason why I'm even talking about The Watch is that is also stars British comedian Richard Ayoade. He plays IT geek extraordinaire Moss in a series called The IT Crowd. (It's currently on Netflix.) If you like British comedy, The IT Crowd resides at the top. In The Watch it appears that Ayoade is pretty much reprising his role as Moss, but I'm okay with that, because I seriously love Moss and I wish he was my real life friend.

Reminder: Brave releases this weekend. Squee!

Portland and Seattle

I just confirmed plans to visit a friend that I haven't seen in two years. We went to London for six weeks in the same group and we had a smashing time, we did!

Lexy and me with fish and chips, curry, and ginger beer
from Borough Market. Pink tables by Southwark Cathedral. 

Of course I am very excited to reconnect with her, but my excitement is a scoach higher because she lives in Portland, Oregon. I've never been and I've wanted to go since for forever. Extra bonus: We are also doing an overnighter in Seattle, another one of my must-see places!

Since she's a local, of course she has all sorts of great ideas of things to see and do in Portland, but other than the famous tourist sights in Seattle, we are both at a loss in that area. So as part of my trip research I want to hear about what other people have enjoyed at my planned destinations. Please regale me with your tales of Portland and Seattle and what you loved doing in these places. I think we're both pretty much up for anything, but I'm very fond of art, generally local-y stuff over tourist-y stuff, and non-mainstream shops, especially if they include fabric.

I'm also watching loads of Portlandia to prepare. That's realistic, right?

The Truth Hurts, Part 1

Prologue: I have subtitled this Part 1 because a post called The Truth Hurts could go on for infinity. I'm sure I'll be posting on this broad topic again.

Dearest Readers,

I'm a bit under the weather. I always imagined myself to be a brave, stalwart stick person, suffering mostly in silence and with good humor. I imagined I wasn't the type to make others suffer just because I'm suffering.

False. Times ten.

I'm an overly dramatic and loathsome sick person. I whine and fake cry and point and grunt when I want something. Sure, I am sick, but it's only a trifling, run-of-the-mill cold: stuffy nose, watery eyes, weak cough, one sore hip joint. Yet, I can't tell you how many times today I've thought to myself, "I want to die!" Oh, mercy me, the drama! (Reminder: It's just a cold.) The thing is, I have been much sicker than this. I've had pneumonia, and the worse case of strep throat one doctor has ever seen (it was also resistant to the first antibiotic have gave me), and recurring bronchitis while I was in high school. Yet now, with this wee cold, I want to die. Die!

Och, it's painful to look in that mirror of truth only find out you're your own obnoxious nightmare. And this is just about having a cold. I think I'll put the truth mirror away for a little while until I feel better. A year or two ought to do it.

Uuunng! (Points to "Publish" button.)

Sincerely,

Martha O.

Via http://etc.usf.edu/

Book: Among the Mad

Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There something comforting about reading a series of books with the same characters. And it's even better when it's British period drama, it involves mystery, and there's a strong female lead. Among the Mad is Jacqueline Winspear's sixth Masie Dobbs novel, and it was on par with the first five.

The series takes place just after the end of WWI, when a country, it's soldiers, and it's civilians are reeling and recovering from the physical, emotional, and mental damages of war. Maisie is a trained nurse who served in the war, but she now works as a private investigator with unusual methods of investigation. All of Maisie's cases have some connection to the hurt of war and the subsequent attempts at healing and moving on. She also has a plucky, lovable assistant named Billy and a slew of regular characters that pop up in every novel.

In the case of Among the Mad, Masie delves into a world of chemical warfare and the inevitable psychological damages of war. Maisie is temporarily recruited by Scotland Yard to find a once brilliant scientist who has lost his psychological battle and is threatening to release a chemical weapon on the masses of London.

Of course there are paralel's in the case to Maisie's personal life. Maisie did not escape psychological and physical repercussions on her return from war, and this book becomes Winspear's vehicle to push Maisie over the hump of emotional recovery. In fact, I have high hopes that Maisie will finally have a real romance in the next novel. (The funny thing is, Maisie doesn't really need a romance, but I like to read of dreamy men who respect verve and intelligence. I'm looking at you, Mr. Darcy and Gilbert Blithe.)

I can't say that the Masie Dobbs novels are sparkling brilliance, but they certainly provide quick-read entertainment that isn't inane. And despite the potentially heavy topics, the novels aren't generally heavy, even if they are a little heavy on the social messages.

View all my reviews

Trailer Tuesday: Wallflowers and Buttons

Welcome to the angsty teen, coming of age, it's hard to be a kid Trailer Tuesday.

I'm interested to see what the youth cast of Harry Potter actually do with their acting careers. Who knows if they're even good at anything but the characters they played for years and years. I know Daniel Radcliffe has had a lot of work, but it's all felt neither here nor there. I also know that Emma Watson has had a few projects, the second of which is coming out this year in the form of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. (Apparently she was in My Week with Marilyn, but I haven't seen it. Have you? Is it good?)

I have the most hope for Emma Watson to be a brilliant and successful actor. She seems the most skilled and driven thus far. The only complaint (that isn't really a complaint) I have so far is that even based on this preview I can tell her American accent needs some work. But I may be one of the few who notices because I have a high interest in dialects. But I digress and digress some more. What I'm really saying is that The Perks of Being a Wallflower looks sweet and interesting enough that I'll give it a go at the dollar theater, which really doesn't cost a dollar anymore, but it sounds better than the three dollar theater. Also, Paul Rudd.

On to War of the Buttons. This film is based on the book La Guerre des boutons (1912) by Louis Pergaud. It was first adapted into film by the French in 1962, then the Irish took a stab at it in 1994, and now the French have adapted a new version this year. I've seen the 1994 version, which was light-hearted and delightful. I don't know about the book or the 1962 version, but the new adaptation looks much darker and serious (because it has Nazis), but it still looks good. I want to read the book, so if I can find it in English at my library I'll let you know if it's worth a read. Side note: I love 40s and 50s European boys' clothes and all those sweaters with short pants, socks, and shoes.

And just for kicks, here's the 1994 trailer.

And the 1962 trailer is more like a hilarious black and white French music video. My favorite bit is at about 2:00.

Why Yes, I Saw Moonrise Kingdom

It certainly has been more difficult than anticipated to get back into my regular home routine, including but not limited to writing every night. I've done almost nothing productive aside from going to work and unpacking since I've come home late Wednesday night. I'm even starting to feel a little bad about my non-productivity. Luckily I've been really honing my "meh" skills, so I don't have too much guilt yet.

One of the most exciting things I did in California (ya know, besides seeing two of my BFFs and two of my sisters, and two of my favorite nieces) was seeing Moonrise Kingdom. I thought for sure that I would have to wait until the end of June to see it like the rest of the unwashed masses, but zip-a-dee-doo-dah, I saw it in Los Angeles in a theater with leather seats and assigned seating. Scrumptious. 

And the film was de-lightful!

Illustration inspired by Moonrise Kingdom, via thisisnthappiness.com.

I came out of the theater wanting to see it again immediately. There's just so much to look at in a Wes Anderson movie. I'm not really sure how to delineate the plot, but here's a stab: Two young teenagers (fourteen?) meet and secretly write to each other for a year. When Sam returns to the island where Suzy lives, they run away together. They say that they are in love, and maybe they are, but they are both also running away from something terrible in their lives. 

Bill Murray, Frances McDormand, Edward Norton, Bruce Willis

True to Wes Anderson's wont, Moonrise Kingdom takes real, difficult, and messy situations and emotions and puts them in an ever so slightly surreal world that is terribly heartbreaking but in a charming and often humorous way. (And in this case, because the main characters are teenagers, there's also a large amount of realistic awkwardness.) Anderson's viewpoint and execution resonate with me in a way that other films don't quite achieve.

Kara Hayward as Suzy and Jared Gilman as Sam.

I've seen internetters say that the teenagers, especially Jared Gilman as Sam, were excellent in the film, but I thought they were okay. Good enough, but still just slightly above okay. The standout for me was Edward Norton as Scout Leader Ward. I've always thought he was an fantastic actor, but he really did something subtle and special in this role. I can't quite put my finger on it, but if I figure it out I'll let you know. June 22 Update: I saw the film again and I thought much better of Gilman's and Hayward's performances. They are indeed very good.

Edward Norton as Scout Master Ward with a couple "Khaki Scouts."

If you have not seen a Wes Anderson movie, I highly recommend them. His attention to detail and aesthetic are unusual, interesting, and detailed. (Now that I think about it, his movies might be single-handedly fueling the hipster aesthetic.) Here is a list of his movies for easy perusal.

Trailer Tuesday: A Cat in Paris and The Illusionist

It's traditional animation day today. First is the new-to-wider-audiences-in-America A Cat In Paris. I know nothing about this movie aside what I've seen from the trailer, but the trailer looks great. The first video is the trailer in it's original French with subtitles, and the second has been dubbed with English.

Is is just me or does the English dubbing ruin the slinky, mysteriousness of the French version? The English dubbing seems loud, stiff, and clunky. I hope I can see it in the original French with subtitles. A little reading never killed no one.

Side note: Did you notice that the bad guy's voice in the English version is British? There's been linguistic research and studies on this very topic. It's funny how we as Americans still sometimes demonize the British even though the Revolutionary War ended over 200 years ago. Just think about the other British villains in American film, from Aladdin and The Lion King to Die Hard and Star Wars. Just keep your ears peeled and you'll notice it more and more. I mean, we certainly have enough villainy in America to cover the villain category, so why keep torturing the British? They certainly have their own problems.

Next I bring you The Illusionist that hit screens in 2010. As you can tell from the preview, The Illusionist has a nice subtle humor. But what the trailer doesn't convey is the deep vein of melancholy and and sense of loss that are present in the film. It is incredibly worth while, and I highly recommend it. (It's made by the same director who did The Triplets of Belleville, another fantastic animated delight.)

Reality After St. Regis

Just in case any of your were intensely jealous or thought I was bragging, I just wanted to show you my accommodations the two nights after I left the St. Regis.

The bottom bunk is tougher to get into than you would think. But hey, it was a bed and I'm certainly grateful for it and my nephew who gave it up for me.

This morning I'm off for my day at Disneyland. I am a Disneyland champ. I may not be the most knowledgeable or savvy Disneylander, but I might be in the running for the most funnest Disneylander. I find that what makes or breaks a Disneyland trip is the company you keep. I'd much rather go by myself than with a grump-gut, a moper, or a non-people watcher. Half the fun of going is people watching and discussing said people watching. Plus you gotta go with someone who is willing to temporarily embrace the cheese factor that happens at Disneyland...when in Rome, right?

St. Regis Resort, Monarch Beach

The slice of ocean is on the right, just out of frame.

I'm pretty sure I was born to be rich. I'm staying at the St. Regis in Monarch Beach for two days (my kind and generous brother got a sweet deal because of his work) and it is swank. I think I had four different bellboys help me with my carry-on bag. The balcony with my hand-delivered newspaper looks over an adults-only pool, an emerald green golf course, loads of palm trees, and a slice of the ocean. The bathroom is big enough for a dance party. There are robes and slippers for me, just like in the movies. All the linens are white and crisp and filled with down.

I feel so cozy and at home there.

Tomorrow morning I'm going for a kid-free swim and then going to the spa to sit in the steam room.

Haters gonna hate.

FYI: In a five-star hotel you still have to pay for internet access.