Watchmen

So Watchmen is out on DVD. I'd have to say the Amazon Exclusive Director's Cut version is pretty cute. It comes with a Nite Owl ship DVD case! Awww *pet pet*

Anyway, I know people didn't really like the movie. And I guess I'm going to have to agree. After reading the graphic novel, I wasn't really sure how well it would translate to film. But to be honest, the movie DID stick pretty damn close to the novel (except the end, which I thought was a good move). Perhaps, as some critics believe, a little too much. So I can't say I totally hated the movie because they did a good job staying true. But like many novels turned into films, perhaps it was always best for the story to stay on paper.

Anyway, I do have a point and it's this: read the graphic novel. The novel is really good. I don't want people to be turned off by it just because the movie wasn't the best. And I know the ending is a little WTF, but I think the story isn't really the main focus. It's more just a vessel to show what the novel is truly about--the characters and their history. And Watchmen has some amazing, complex characters! My favorite. Perhaps I need to broaden my literary horizon, but in my opinion, Watchmen has a few of the most well-constructed characters I have ever read about (I wasn't too crazy about the young Nite Owl and Silk Spectre II, but the rest... :).

So if you haven't already, give it a chance and read it. You will see how much more Rorschach comes to life!

What you should be reading if you don't already

Entertainment Weekly!
It has moved up to my #1 favorite magazine to read in the bathroom. I would read it normally too, of course, but I always like a "light" read in there so I save it for that occasion.

My mom subscribed to it before I did and to be honest, I don't know why, but I didn't like it that much at first. Probably because I didn't fully understand the type of magazine it was and didn't give the articles a chance. But now, I absolutely love it and here's why:

Sure, there are a few interviews with celebrities and blah blah blah, but it mainly focuses on behind the scenes aspects and that's why I love it. It gives you a different view of entertainment; not the glitz and glamour, but the fears and hopes. Not to mention the hows and whys (e.g., "How did this movie end up doing so well?" "Why did they push the release date of this movie back six months?) and the ifs, whens, and buts (e.g., "Is there going to be a sequel to this movie? And if so, does the production company believe the movie will do well?").

It's a magazine I've genuinely learned to appreciate. Most of the articles are more about the directors, screenwriters, and marketing of movies than about the celebrities which star in them. Several book and music reviews are thrown in as well. And the articles are really well written (funny, smart, good insight) with contributions even from Stephen King and Diablo Cody. It's not often you find a magazine with content that truly lives up to its' title, but EW does just that--entertainment in small, weekly doses.

Short Stories

Short stories. I used to like them, then I hated them and I'll tell you why.

I'll start with the first part--I used to like them. I guess it was because they didn't take much time to read and usually had a whimsical edge because that's what you have to do when you write a short story; the author only has a few pages to impress the readers and make an impression. But to be honest, I never came across a short story I actually even liked or remembered. I just kept reading them, buying books full of them and even writing them myself.

So then comes the second part--I hated them. And I realized why. Because by the time you actually know the characters and remotely care what happens to them or understand where the plot is going, the story's over. Super anti-climactic. That's when I realized they were a waste of time, money, and energy and I stopped giving a crap. Although the occasional short story while taking a crap did prove to be somewhat enjoyable. Better than the back of a shampoo bottle.

Then one day, I was at the bookstore and saw a 2 for 1 deal. I came across No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July. Initially, it was the bright fluorescent cover that caught my eye and I really liked the plain cover; simple and bold. But then my brain yelled, "Don't do it! It's a collection of short stories!" But of course, I didn't listen because the back of the book had blurbs of how great the stories were and it was enough to persuade me to open to the first page. I wasn't too impressed by the first story, although it did have some good moments (such as the dead whale part ^_^), but it was enough to make me buy it at a discount. And I'm sure glad I did. I read all of them in one sitting and absolutely fell in love with each story. I don't really know how Miranda July does it, but she made me like short stories once more, well, at least hers. I think it's the way she writes; not very typical, even somewhat "unprofessional" (no fancy words or flowery prose), but her unique writing voice brings her stories to life--a mixture of beauty, humor, bitter-sweetness, and little noticed yet unnoticed truths of life that would make Seinfeld proud.

I actually had it for a few years and almost forgot about it. But today, when I was cleaning out my bookshelf, I saw it sitting in the back and had an "aww, this book" moment. So I had to post it up and share. Beautiful, wonderful, all things good in the world.

The Mortal Instruments Trilogy

Wait, before you take one glance at the young adult fantasy book cover and shun it away thinking, "Lame ass nerd!" in the back of your head, listen to what I have to say. This might be a long one, so if you need to take a crap, do it now...

First of all, books are awesome. Perhaps one of the most awesome forms of entertainment in the olden days and the most awesomest awesome forms we still have today.
Nothing gives a sense of satisfaction like a good book.
Why?
Because books are awesome.
So awesome.

Okay, now let's get serious. Why books? Take a movie, for instance. I know everyone enjoys a good movie, right? Sometimes it's the emotions that get us, other times we're just searching for action or computer-generated eye candy, but the bottom line is, we want a good story. A story we'll remember even long after the credits have rolled and the lights have flicked on. And every now and then, we come across a few special movies that end up doing just that... and all after what? A few hours? Take the feeling of satisfaction from seeing a great movie and times it by a hundred--that's when you have a great book.

Besides a few narrated movies (and even then, the depth is not comparable to that of a book), the audience can never really tell what the characters are thinking, feeling inside. They can only draw on conclusions conveyed by either how a character acts or what he/she says. Sometimes, that very fact is what makes a movie good, but other times it can leave a cloud of confusion. But when you read a book, painstakingly turning each page, the words burn right off the paper and into your soul--okay, maybe not that intense, but you get the idea. :)

It's a very intimate journey, sometimes even a lonely one, but in a good way; a world where it's just you, the characters, and the story. The journey is longer than a movie, giving you ample time to really know the characters, almost being sucked into the story yourself, right alongside your favorite heroes or heroines. That indescribable feeling is very difficult, if not impossible, to get through any other means.

I guess that's a major reason why I've always been drawn to RPGs. I know I must sound like a major dork/nerd and belong at a Star Trek convention (although, with Star Trek remake, that might not seem like such a bad idea), but it's the countless hours (took me 60 hrs to beat FF VII) that makes it worthwhile. Almost as if you had to work for the fulfillment, giving you even GREATER fulfillment in return. Okay, I know it doesn't exactly make sense, but it's true... at least, for me.

I can also completely understand why people are turned off by books--high school ruined it for everyone, including myself. Maybe even before then. I'd say starting from junior high. Being forced to read all those boring books (Lord of the Flies anyone?) starts making you think, no believe, that all books are ever good for is collecting dust. But I can guarantee that anyone who has given reading a second chance has never looked back and knows how great it can be.

I also have to clear up a thing or two about young adult novels. I've read both adult and young adult novels and honestly, the only difference is the main character's age. The writing is not less professional, in fact, I even believe some young adult authors write better than adult fiction writers. Nor is the storyline less compelling, and often times, again, I find even more compelling than adult fiction. Too frequently, adult fiction tries to push boundaries, bring something new to the table, and in the process, certain qualities are lost and the novel never truly shines. However, young adult novels stay pretty true to the basics--creative plots, a bit of magic, good heart, great laughs, bravery, friendship, love, all the fundamentals of a great story.

On that note, try City of Bones (pictured up top), the first book in The Mortal Instruments trilogy. It's currently my favorite book, the kind you don't want to put down. It has definitely distracted me from studying for my CPA exam, forcing me to stay up to 9am on several occasions. I read all three books within a few days and I'm even tempted to read them again! Some parts are a bit similar to the novel I'm currently working on (like it will ever get published, but one can dream), but it's well worth recommending. If you haven't read in a while and you don't like fantasy books, I think it's something worth giving a shot--it might just change your mind.