A quick rant for you before I hit the sack tonight:
I am a reader and a movie watcher. As such, I generally enjoy seeing the film versions of books I liked. Even though we know that movies have been "ruining the book since 1920," I usually watch and enjoy with few complaints; most of these films are fairly true to the plot of the story--even if they have to bypass some of the side stories or small details. In pieces like Harry Potter or the epic LOTR Trilogy you have to skip things in filming--they're just too long and involved to capture every little piece in even a 3.5 hour* movie. Even the Twilight films, which most people would agree are TERRIBLE, at least follow the basic plot line of Meyer's books. Four stars for faithfulness to the material! Two thumbs down for general suckiness. Woohoo!
The point in all of this is that I will forgive a lot when they're trying to translate book to screen. But I get really peeved when they (whomever THEY are...) take an incredibly awesome book to the Silver Screen with the same title, but only loooooosely base their movie on what happens in the story. Case in Point--The Power of One. The book is amazing. One of the best things I read in 2010. Its an engrossing and involved tale of South Africa. The protagonist is a young English boy who has an almost mythical ability to span the many and various divisions in this country of "tribes." I loved it. So tonight I saw the movie. And was sorely disappointed. The script took out key characters and plot points, created new things that were never in the book, and generally changed a whole heck of a lot. The theme of the movie wasn't even close to the theme of the book, for heaven's sake! Boo.
Moral of the story is: Read the book. Skip the movie. Good night, ladies and gentlemen.
*Three and a half hours in a movie theater just really shouldn't happen, though. Let's be honest.
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rant. Show all posts
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
You're Ruining My Magic Time!
I went to Disneyland last weekend with my family. It was super fun and I'm so glad my parents decided to make it a family trip. We flew in early Thursday morning and came home Saturday evening. We got about 2 1/2 days in at the parks and good times were had. I loved the new Toy Story ride--Midway Mania--and would go back today to ride it again. Those Imagineers...genius.
Anyway, despite all these good times and good treats, I couldn't help but be frustrated by a few things. It doesn't matter how magical Disney is, its also a public place thus forcing you to deal with people. And people, as a general rule, are annoying. With some analysis and time to think, I have crystalized my Four Disney Pet Peeves--in a very particular order.
1. Strollers. I hate strollers at Disneyland. They get in the way. Parents use them as weapons whilst moving through crowds. If a person were to stop in the middle of the pathway, you go around them easily; if a person with a stroller stops, the entire crowd has to stop because its just so big! My siblings suggested we market shirts featuring this wise saying: "Strollers: Ruining Disneyland Since 1955." I'd buy one.
2. Babies/Toddlers. Maybe this seems wrong because Disney is for kids, right? But I firmly believe Disneyland is not the place for children under the age of 6. Relating directly to #1, if your children still need a stroller they shouldn't be at Disneyland. Children under the age of 6 can't handle, or appreciate, the magic of Disney. I hate the crying, the screaming, the little human-ites underfoot...leave them at home. Bring them to this happy place when they are old enough to deal with it. And really love it.
3. No Line Etiquette. If I was to write a book on any aspect of Disneyland Touring, it would be on proper line etiquette. I would send copies to everyone who books a trip through Disney Vacations in the hope that it might make a difference. If you have a trip planned to Disneyland or Disney World or the movie theater or anywhere that queuing will take place--please pay attention. Proper Line Etiquette is simple.
4. My Vacation is More Important Than Yours. Despite the fact that they are surrounded by hundreds of other people who have come to this happy place for a fun vacation with family and friends, some Disney guests act like they are the only people there. Or at least like they should be the only people there. These are the brash, rude, line jumping guests who will do anything to make sure their vacation is the best--even if it means infringing on the good times of others.
The answer to all of these problems is easy. People need to stop and have a little consideration for others. Really. That's it. If people would stop and think about the other people who will be vacationing around them at Disneyland, they'd probably act a little different--a little better. They would realize that their untameable 2-year old might be frustrating to have at a busy park--especially when strapped into a large stroller. They would realize that many people want to ride Peter Pan's Flight and they should get in line in an orderly fashion to as not cause more problems to other people looking for a good time.
Really folks. This is not hard. Just try a little hard. Be a little better. Then we can all enjoy the magic of Disney a little bit more. And eat lots of churros together in harmony. Nothing wrong with that.
Anyway, despite all these good times and good treats, I couldn't help but be frustrated by a few things. It doesn't matter how magical Disney is, its also a public place thus forcing you to deal with people. And people, as a general rule, are annoying. With some analysis and time to think, I have crystalized my Four Disney Pet Peeves--in a very particular order.
1. Strollers. I hate strollers at Disneyland. They get in the way. Parents use them as weapons whilst moving through crowds. If a person were to stop in the middle of the pathway, you go around them easily; if a person with a stroller stops, the entire crowd has to stop because its just so big! My siblings suggested we market shirts featuring this wise saying: "Strollers: Ruining Disneyland Since 1955." I'd buy one.
2. Babies/Toddlers. Maybe this seems wrong because Disney is for kids, right? But I firmly believe Disneyland is not the place for children under the age of 6. Relating directly to #1, if your children still need a stroller they shouldn't be at Disneyland. Children under the age of 6 can't handle, or appreciate, the magic of Disney. I hate the crying, the screaming, the little human-ites underfoot...leave them at home. Bring them to this happy place when they are old enough to deal with it. And really love it.
3. No Line Etiquette. If I was to write a book on any aspect of Disneyland Touring, it would be on proper line etiquette. I would send copies to everyone who books a trip through Disney Vacations in the hope that it might make a difference. If you have a trip planned to Disneyland or Disney World or the movie theater or anywhere that queuing will take place--please pay attention. Proper Line Etiquette is simple.
- Do Not Get In Line Until Your Entire Party Is With You.
- If you get in line first and the rest of your party gets in four people back, you move back--they don't move up with you.
4. My Vacation is More Important Than Yours. Despite the fact that they are surrounded by hundreds of other people who have come to this happy place for a fun vacation with family and friends, some Disney guests act like they are the only people there. Or at least like they should be the only people there. These are the brash, rude, line jumping guests who will do anything to make sure their vacation is the best--even if it means infringing on the good times of others.
The answer to all of these problems is easy. People need to stop and have a little consideration for others. Really. That's it. If people would stop and think about the other people who will be vacationing around them at Disneyland, they'd probably act a little different--a little better. They would realize that their untameable 2-year old might be frustrating to have at a busy park--especially when strapped into a large stroller. They would realize that many people want to ride Peter Pan's Flight and they should get in line in an orderly fashion to as not cause more problems to other people looking for a good time.
Really folks. This is not hard. Just try a little hard. Be a little better. Then we can all enjoy the magic of Disney a little bit more. And eat lots of churros together in harmony. Nothing wrong with that.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Wherever LDS Books are sold...
I hate Mormon Fiction. I can say that honestly because I've tried it. I've read it. And after partaking of a good number of novels I can conclude it is terrible.
My only explanation is that the authors who write this stuff must be suffering from some sort of complex about their own writing abilities. The sad thing is a lot of these books do have potential: A local politician's son is kidnapped. The Native American tracker hired to help find him in the wilderness is followed by a hapless TV reporter looking for the story. Thus begins an unlikely romance and a tale of adventure.
That's about as good as a lot of books out there today. But this author didn't think so. They couldn't bear the idea of shopping their book around to normal publishing houses like Random House or Schuster Bros. Nope. The only company willing to buy their book would probably be Bookcraft, so you'd better make that tracker a Returned Missionary, the boy a local primary kid, and the TV reporter his Primary teacher. Bada bing, bada boom! Classic Mormon fiction.
GAG ME WITH A FORK.
Mormon Cinema is just as bad. Its either so campy and dumb you feel your IQ dropping rapidly as the movie plays (i.e. The R.M.) or its an okay movie and then the director's/writer's self-doubt comes flying in out of no where and throws some random religion in your face ruining everything (i.e. Brigham City).
I don't think Mormon Fiction or Mormon Cinema is doing anything to help Mormons move into the mainstream. In fact, I'd venture to guess it has the exact opposite effect. How can I convince my "friends of other faiths" that we're really normal when Piccadilly Cowboy and Singles Ward are still available to rent?
Now, before DB Rewards Club members threaten to beat me to death with their Illustrated Family Hymn Books, let me add this: I do enjoy some Mormon literature. I like Mormon literature that doesn't pretend to be something else. I do enjoy some Mormon cinema. I like Mormon films that actually try to tell a good story. I guess I just enjoy quality art and entertainment, and the vast majority of Mormon artists/authors/filmmakers/etc. don't know what that looks like.
Agree or Disagree, but do yourself a favor and expand your horizons. Venture outside the realm of Halestorm Entertainment, Bookcraft, and Deseret Book (i.e. God's Preferred Bookstore). And Piccadilly Cowboy? Seriously. Don't waste your time.
My only explanation is that the authors who write this stuff must be suffering from some sort of complex about their own writing abilities. The sad thing is a lot of these books do have potential: A local politician's son is kidnapped. The Native American tracker hired to help find him in the wilderness is followed by a hapless TV reporter looking for the story. Thus begins an unlikely romance and a tale of adventure.
That's about as good as a lot of books out there today. But this author didn't think so. They couldn't bear the idea of shopping their book around to normal publishing houses like Random House or Schuster Bros. Nope. The only company willing to buy their book would probably be Bookcraft, so you'd better make that tracker a Returned Missionary, the boy a local primary kid, and the TV reporter his Primary teacher. Bada bing, bada boom! Classic Mormon fiction.
GAG ME WITH A FORK.
Mormon Cinema is just as bad. Its either so campy and dumb you feel your IQ dropping rapidly as the movie plays (i.e. The R.M.) or its an okay movie and then the director's/writer's self-doubt comes flying in out of no where and throws some random religion in your face ruining everything (i.e. Brigham City).
I don't think Mormon Fiction or Mormon Cinema is doing anything to help Mormons move into the mainstream. In fact, I'd venture to guess it has the exact opposite effect. How can I convince my "friends of other faiths" that we're really normal when Piccadilly Cowboy and Singles Ward are still available to rent?
Now, before DB Rewards Club members threaten to beat me to death with their Illustrated Family Hymn Books, let me add this: I do enjoy some Mormon literature. I like Mormon literature that doesn't pretend to be something else. I do enjoy some Mormon cinema. I like Mormon films that actually try to tell a good story. I guess I just enjoy quality art and entertainment, and the vast majority of Mormon artists/authors/filmmakers/etc. don't know what that looks like.
Agree or Disagree, but do yourself a favor and expand your horizons. Venture outside the realm of Halestorm Entertainment, Bookcraft, and Deseret Book (i.e. God's Preferred Bookstore). And Piccadilly Cowboy? Seriously. Don't waste your time.
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