Das Überlist 2014 (Highlights)

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So, I finally watched the new Great Gatsby movie.  I was very concerned about it, because the book is dear to my heart.

I found it to be quite delightful and enjoyable.  Obviously, I watched it on the little wee TV because SOMEONE was playing Skyrim on the third floor, but other than the graphics being a bit muddled, both because of little TV and that it was filmed in 3D, I thought it was just great.

The acting was spot on, and well cast.  They were all very believable, and actually quite close to what I had always imagined.  The fraility and flutteriness of Daisy, the "safety" of Tom, and the crazed drive of Gatsby was evoked quite well.  I thought they really portrayed the characters close to what I thought they would be, and actually got into some subliminal messages that weren't obvious unless you've read the book a hundred times like I have.

Visually it was beautiful, though like I said, perhaps a little too CGI because of the 3D.

The soundtrack, which at first I was weirded out by because it was modern (I'm a traditionalist when it comes to period films), really actually fit the movie quite well and wasn't quite as odd as Moulin Rouge (which I also found delightful after getting over it and just rolling with the times).

Good show!

For my liebchen...

Sorry for when I'm crazy... you give me love.

Go on. Let the excitment happen.

Sweet Pete, I love museums and libraries.  They're always just so beautiful.

Here are a whole bunch of super pretty libraries:

 http://www.buzzfeed.com/mattortile/49-breathtaking-libraries-from-all-over-the-world

This is what my nightmares look like.

Brilliant man.  But his poor little ear freaks me out.

Stupid Life. It's just like this:

Fruitvale Station

I have high, but perhaps displaced, hopes that this movie will shed some light on some terrible things happening in our country, especially in light of recent events and rulings.

Forest Whitaker and Octavia Spencer are national treasures, and word is that Oakland local first time director and writer Ryan Coogler is an ace.  I lived in Oakland for more than 5 years, and it needs some love, some scrutiny, and some change.  But, like most cities with issues in the States, it just needs some attention in order to bounceback and thrive (see my other home, Pittsburgh, PA).

It is an amazing city, and each neighborhood is unique and beautiful and full of amazing people and thriving community love.

Let's look at some stats on the California poverty rates:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/14/california-poverty_n_2132920.htmlhttp://www.ppic.org/main/publication_show.asp?i=261

http://www.ppic.org/main/publication_show.asp?i=261

And let's look specifically at Oakland (this one has an interactive map!)

http://www.city-data.com/poverty/poverty-Oakland-California.html

And here is the trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ceVVVils8z4