Maybe I could be a food critic. These muffins taste bad. Or an art critic. That painting is bad.
~ Andy Bernard, The Office
I’d like to think I’m a bit more insightful than Andy Bernard. However, just in case I’m not, I won’t call what I’m about to present “criticism.” Besides, “criticism” just sounds so negative, doesn’t it?
No, what I’m offering you today is just a review smorgasbord. Or a review montage. Okay, so it’s just a review of three random things. Ready?
First – the movie. Smitty and I watched Becoming Jane on Friday. As I noted on Facebook, it made me glad to be born in 1978, not 1778. Without getting all spoilery on you, the movie is about Jane Austen and her romance with a poor but charming lawyer before becoming a published author. From what I’ve read, the movie is very loosely based on what may possibly be a true story. I took it for fiction and enjoyed it.
And reminded me that I am likely the only person alive who has not watched Pride and Prejudice. Or read it. How embarrassing.
Second – the book. Several months ago, I started hearing about this Christian vampire book. While I wasn’t interested in reading about vampires (sorry, Twilight fans), I was intrigued by the book’s back story. I learned that the author, John Olson, wrote his first novel only to be told by his future agent, “I wouldn’t touch that with a sixty foot pole.”
Thankfully for Olson and his readers, the Christian fiction market has changed since then. Shade was published last year, and I read it in January. If you like paranormal stuff – think Frank Peretti or Ted Dekker – you’ll like this one. Olson created a believable main character with authentic character quirks, and a creepy situation for her to face. I’m not sure the end was tied up as neatly as I prefer, but maybe that’s the point: life, especially when dealing with the paranormal, has loose ends and unanswered questions.
I recommend this book, as well as reading about the book’s own story here and here.
Third – the TV show. Ed was the first TV show that Mark and I got hooked on together. So it has special meaning for us. So much so that we call Tom Cavanaugh “Ed,” no matter what his character is named in any new show.
When we saw that our beloved “Ed” was starring in a new show on TNT, along with another funny guy who I still call by his TV name, Will (Eric McCormack for those of you who like to call people by their real names), we knew we had to watch it. Even better, it’s about advertising.
Trust Me aired its first episode last Monday; we watched it over the weekend. I laughed a lot, but mainly because I recognized the environment and the situations the characters found themselves in, thanks to my time in an ad agency. I think the show has potential, and I’m going to watch it again. Ed and Will are both talented, quick-witted and fast-talking actors – and I like that sort of thing. One warning, though: apparently, the FCC allows pretty, um, colorful language at 9 p.m. on a Monday night. Even that, though, was a realistic portrayal of the world the characters live and work in.
There you have it. A review for you, no matter what your preferred medium. Unless you prefer radio, and then I’ve got nothing.
Do you think you have what it takes to be a movie critic? Do you think it would be fun to be a food critic? Did you know four-letter words are allowed on cable after 9?
Thanks for the encouragement over on Praise Baby! ;) I see you’re one their bloggers too. Isn;t it great.
I LOVED Ed! I saw those previews but with no cable, we’re going to have to wait for netflix. Alas.
I feel funny when I try to review movies…like I’m pulling quotes and phrases out of every movie review i’ve ever read and trying to apply them to whatever I’m reviewing… “Feel good movie,” “Heart Wrenching,” “Magnificent scope and cinematography…”
I read Pride and Prejudice, but didn’t like it so I never saw the movie. Truth be told I probably couldn’t critique much of anything other than possibly books because I don’t watch anything much and we rarely eat out. Also, I can give my opinions to people about the things I read, but generally I just end with saying “that’s just what I read, I’d be interested in your opinion” which would probably make me a pretty useless critic:)
Okay busy…when did you read P&P??? Because I read it as a teenager and hated it, but I watched the movie with Keira Knightly (which doesn't follow the book precisely) and LOVED the movie (HIGHLY recommend it!!!). Then I read P&P again and I can't get enough of it! I think I've read it over 30 times (well parts of it anyway! :-D). Anyway Photo…Highly recommend the Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightly…and then read the book! :-D
oh no no no! Read the book first, otherwise you’ll ruin the surprise!
And definitely read it- I think you’ll love the verbal sparring.
Is that Andy Bernard quote from the episode following the Super Bowl? That movie they were watching was just wrong! (I'm assuming they made it especially for 'The Office') Poor Andy…
I also have not read Pride & Prejudice. I've seen both of the movies though (well, the Keira Knightly one and the long Colin Firth one). I'd like to read it someday too, but Jane Austen can be a little slow. I'm not sure why though — I think I'm almost as wordy as her. ;)
Kimberly, I always prefer book first, movie second – so I was surprised at HM’s suggestion. HM – any reason why you suggested that order?
Amy – of course you loved Ed. :)
CarolinaMama – you’re quite welcome. I can’t wait for my Praise Baby day!
CB- what other Austen have you read? Because yes, I totally agree that some of her other ones are only for the very stalwart reader! P&P however, I love because it really just does fly by. There's not a page or a paragraph that I think she could have cut from the book!
Saying that, I can't stand the Kiera Knightly version because it misses out on so much. That and the characters aren't funny. It's supposed to be a comedy! Where is the halarious Mr. Collins? What happened to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet? The whole ending goes by much too fast for everything to really sink in. But I am glad, HM, that seeing the movie made you interested in Austen!
Anyways, yes, I much prefer the book. (Even over the A&E version, although Firth is sooooo dreamy!) :)
I think I’ve only read Sense and Sensibility, actually. :) And I usually like to read the book first (mostly because of spoilers!;), but that also often means I don’t like the movies because they never live up to the book. Sometimes I think they’re not really supposed to be like the book (just loosely based?) but I have a hard time accepting that unless it’s an entirely different version (like Bridget Jones’s Diary or Clueless, for example, which were based on Pride and Prejudice and Emma, respectively).
side note: I always have to think for a minute whenever I see ‘CB’ — is that me or not? :))
i've never read anything by jane austen (except the first 3 pages of p&p). i say skip the book and go straight for the a&e version. it's excellent.
i got 'becoming jane' out of the library once, but i ended up deciding that week that i wasn't going to watch chick flicks for awhile, so i never got to watch it.
I normally say read the book first, and I have read all of Jane Austen's and love them all–especially P&P and Emma. Actually Sense and Sensibility is my least favorite Chelley…but anyway…
The only reason I recommend watching the Keira version first is because it gets you in the mood. It is different than the book in a lot of respects…but I still think it is funny–Mr. Collins was HILARIOUS in the movie…the whole scene when he proposes had me laughing out loud in embarrassment for him! I think the book is hard to get into at first so that's why I recommend watching the movie first…even over the A&E version because it is more condensed and modern. Although I am addicted to all things Austen and happily sit through even the poorest made film…and then read through the book again and again afterward until I've re-memorized it. Yes, it's a sickness…
I absolutely loved P&P the movie (the most recent one), but I haven't read the book. Oh well.
However, you should try Twilight. You might be surprised. I'm totally and completely addicted. Jury's still out on the movie but I've read the whole series. Twice. Don't judge me.