Archive for July, 2006

The Break Up

Friday, July 28th, 2006

theBreakUp

A ‘girlie’ film but I loved it! I smiled at the sharp and familiar dialogue and liked it even more when it didn’t end with a cliché Hollywood ending.

Jennifer Aniston was on top form, althought her character Brooke was basically the likeable Richael from Friends. Unfortunately, Brooke’s boyfriend (played by Vince Vaughn) was even more clueless than Ross. The arguement of the lemons and dirty dishes really made me laugh as the description of the fundamental difference between men and women couldn’t have been more accurate.

It was weird to see the transformation of the cool ‘Mac’ from the Apple ads into a long-haired, over-the-top homosexual gallery receptionist - Justin Long’s performance is worth mentioning.

The Break Up is definitely my favourite Peyton Reed (director) film so far as I am not a fan of Down With Love and Bring It On.

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Undercover Surrealism

Sunday, July 23rd, 2006

Undercover Surrealism

Founded by the poet Andre Bréton in 1924, Surrealism was one of the most influential art movements of the 20th century. An admirer of the revolutionary ideas of Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud, Bréton defined Surrealism as ‘Pure psychic automatism… Thought’s dictation, in the absence of all control execrised by the reason and outside all aesthetic or moral preoccupations.’

Source: Essential Design by Catherine McDermott

I didn’t need much encouragement to go to see the Undercover Surrealism exhibition as I have always been a fan of Salvador Dali.

However, the reality didn’t live up to my expectation. Although the Hayward Gallery was a great venue to host this exhibition - with a sense of darkness and mystery - the details were missing. I am no expert in Surrealism and would appreciate a bit more explanation and narrative on the collection. It was easy enough to curate the exhibition based on the Documents magazine founded by Georges Bataille, but I was hoping for more insight into the reasons behind the selection or some interpretations.

On the bright side, I’m pleased that I went to see it as it urged me to find out more about Surrealism and how it can apply to films and music. It’s always good to discover a subject that is worth investigation.

Posted in Exhibitions | 1 Comment »

E-Luv: An Internet Romance

Saturday, July 22nd, 2006

photo of the e-luv: an Internet romance book

A journal style novel which recalls a series of e-romances of Trevor’s cyber persona ‘Lord Brett Sinclair’. The attraction of a journal style novel is to satisfy our curiousity of other people’s lives; there are no unnecessary descriptions of detail and focuses on the incidents and feelings. This is exactly why Bridget Jones’ Diary was a big success - it was also due to the fact that Bridget was embarassing yet hilarious (a bit like David Brent in The Office), and Helen Fielding is a gifted writer with great sense of humour.

Unfortunately, Dave Roberts’ E-Luv is not in the same league. His ‘adventures’ might be a little unusual but nothing unheard of - if anyone who is ready to throw themselves into trouble like Trevor does, anything could happen. It was not witty when he invited his cyber lover and her daughter (from across the Atlantic) to move in with him whilst being dishonest about his appearance, medical situation and pretty much everything else. It was painful to read but not especially funny.

Two stars out of five - if it was published five years ago before the many ridiculous e-romances were exposed in tabloid media, it would have been more amusing.

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