I have an informal list in my head, the Books I Should Read Before I Die list, and it just so happened that a bunch of them were on the display. I was going to grab three, but then decided to just grab two.
Pretend for a minute you don't know me, what about me would you derive from this selection? Oscar & Truman. Here's a hint the third book, the one I put back, was by E.M. Forster. Anyone? (OK, another hint - I can't whistle either.)
Anyhoo, there is a theme, and that theme is entertainment on a budget!
I also bought two discounted DVDs yesterday. One most excellent, and one... well, nice try. The excellent one was Season 1 of a little show you may have heard of, a little show about Vince Noir (King of the Mods) and Howard Moon (the Jazz Maverick, Monsoon Moon and don't you forget it) and their adventures in the Zooniverse... called The Mighty Boosh. (Wikipedia entry.)
OMG, hi-larious. It was one of those shows I caught snippets of every now and then late at night, and heard good buzz about, but never saw a full episode of. Well I caught a full Season 3 episode on SBS the other night and knew the buzz was true. So I picked up Season 1 post haste, and wasn't disappointed.
The other DVD was a, well, earnest and well intentioned gay film called Defying Gravity. Now I will freely admit that when it comes to judging harshly, I usually give indie gay flicks a bit of a free pass. Traditionally they have been hard to get made, with low budgets, and often with a cast of actors that are just starting their careers. (Actually, according to imdb some of them had no film or tv career they are aware of after this flick. Including the supporting actor whose name I adore - Seabass Diamond.)
There were a couple of quite good performances in the film, but they just threw the weaker actors into sharp relief. Not in a good way. With a more polished script and a more experienced director (this was his only directorial effort, although he has had a full writing and editorial career) some of those gaps might have been smoothed over. So nice try and good intentions, but I won't be adding it to my list of faves (either part 1, or part 2).
You know, I still might go back and get that Forster. And maybe the Gabriel Garcia Marquez... was he a poof too?
11 comments:
Mmmm....Tiffany's. You'll love. Have you read other Capote? I haven't read the other two you mention, either. Who has time with all the TiVo and Twitter?
(Don't know how GGM likes to do sex, but believe he IS, not WAS.)
I just consulted the Wik and yes, he's an IS not WAS. (Person that is, not poof.) I think everyone else on that display stand was totes dead though.
I started In Cold Blood Once, but stalled on it. I started Dorian Grey on the train home and so many "OMG quote!" moments already. "The only thing worse than being talked about, is not being talked about." just for starters.
You're twittering up a storm these days.
You'll love Tiffany's... it's like the movie plus... very worthwhile!
And I'm just about to start Maurice... although I am jealous about both the gorgeous Penguin versions, and the Oscar Wilde... ;)
I'm Old Gregg, and I've got a mangina! Do you love me?
I loved Dorian Grey, but am not a fan of Capote. I have read in Cold Blood & 1 other (not Tiffany) & didn't enjoy them. Big fan of Forster & have read most of his works - have Passage to India by the bedside. Also have GGM, so too scarey (since we have discussed our commonality of reading experiences).
OH GOD I want to run away with Noel Fielding!!! LOVE the Boosh!
Am also loving those Penguin editions - did they have lots of other titles?
Yani, the Aussie online bookstore www.booktopia.com has the penguins for $9 ea if you can't find them in Adelaide!
Mel, let's leave your mangina out of this! (PM me so we can discuss privately, kthxbai)
Peter, I started Dorian Gray and I'm loving it so far! Commonality indeed! (Does that mean the we are both common?)
Reecie, love The Boosh! And yes, they had LOTS of titles. They're on the wall as you turn right into Kinokuniya and head towards the design/Japanese books area.
Indeed! we aren't common at all!! Just cultured, my dear - with a capital K. :-p~~
Ideally Dorian Gray should be read in tandem with the bible of Decadence which inspired it (and which is referred to obliquely in its pages) À Rebours by JK Huysmans.
I nearly bought an old Penguin copy of the Capote book from when it was republished when the film was released. Kinda regret not doing so now, it's always nice to find special editions of things which are otherwise ubiquitous.
OMG John, you're so learned it makes my toes curl! Forget dirty talk, speak to me Huysmans!
Heh, more obsessed with the 1890s than learned.
And speaking of dirty, I should also have mentioned that you need to find the complete edition of À Rebours. Some versions omitted the chapters involving the minimal sexual exploits of Des Esseintes, including a scene where he meets a boy in the street and takes him home. (No wonder Wilde liked it.)
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