Quote of the day----Goodreads

I once saw a sign in Chicago that stated
Silence once broken can never be repeated.
This has always been an interesting concept to me. Today's Goodreads quote is similar





Does not everything depend on our interpretation of the silence around us? - Lawrence Durrell





Some folks consider silence a negative thing, you probably know folks that are never comfortable unless they are talking non-stop, don't they just drive you crazy? Silence is a lovely thing to enjoy.





Happy day to you!

Marion Bridge, a Canadian film

Marion Bridge, a Canadian film, by Wiebke Von Carolsfeld.

James and I watched this film several nights ago. This is not a light and fuzzy film, it took us by surprise, as it starts out very "gloomy" indeed. Three sisters have grown apart, two sisters have remained living with their dying mother in Nova Scotia, while the third has been living in Toronto where she has finally overcome her drug and alcohol additions, however, she smokes one cigarette after another........ Agnes returns to make peace with her dying mother and her estranged sisters, AND to attempt to gain entrance to the daughter she left behind, who knows nothing of Agnes.

The sisters share unspoken memories of the "abuse" they suffered at their father's hands, he now lives in a "neater" neighborhood in a "better" house. When they finally come face to face with him and his "new" wife, their hatred is shattered when they realize he is no longer mentally functioning......

The very end of the film really blew me away, "The song for the Mira", sung by the three cast members - well, it is pronounced the way I pronounce Mira, and I never knew there was a river in Nova Scotia with my name........ You can hear it on "YouTube" look for the version from the movie. At the end, you will come to understand the title of the film.

The acting in this was so very well done, it was heartbreaking to watch some scenes, however, it was a very well done movie.

Quote of the day-----Goodreads.com

Once again, a thought worthy quote from Goodreads.



The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference. - Elie Wiesel





Have a good day, and don't be indifferent about anything.

Man from London---2007 black and white film

The Man from London, a joint Hungarian,French,German black and white film, by Bela Tarr. 2007

I noticed this film coming into the library one day, and placed a hold on it.

James and I watched this the other evening. I must say first off, if you are into action packed films this one is NOT for you. If, on the other hand, you are one who enjoys watching the art of a film being "developed" before your eyes, then you might want to take a look at this one. It was like watching an artist paint a painting, with the paint drying before your eyes. If you also are of the "old" school of enjoying black and white films that create shadows, then once again this film is for you. Scenes take several moments to unfold, there is not an abundance of dialogue, so the scenes do most of the "talking" for you.

It is based on the novel by Georges Simenon. Dialogue switches back and forth between French, English, German and Hungarian..... It is pretty easy to follow.

Hope you will give it a shot. Enjoy

Quote of the Day-----Goodreads

Everything in the world exists in order to end up as a book. - Stéphane Mallarmé

Books they are just such wonderful friends.

Crow Planet, a book by Lyanda Lynn Haupt

Lyanda Lynn Haupt's book "Crow Planet, Essential Wisdom from the Urban Wilderness" is a must for everyone who lives on the planet earth. This book is not just about crows, but about humans and their footprints on the earth's surface, and why some species are disappearing and why some species, ie CROWS, are multiplying in alarming rates........

Lyanda lives the Seattle area, crows have become common city dwellers, having adapted to living in small crowded urban areas, as well as suburbs and in their natural habitat.

Lyanda refers frequently to John Marzluff's study at the University of Washington. John believes that "there might be about one crow for every five to ten humans." John's study was very interesting and had been part of a Nature series program that James and I had watched several years ago on Canadian television.... Crows do recognize people that "interact" with them on a daily basis, and depending on the way crows are treated by humans, they will either interact in a positive manner or a negative one.

This is one of those books that I need to re-read from time to time, so I purchased it.

Hope you will consider this one.

Bab Aziz --- Tunisian film

"Bab Aziz, The Prince who contemplated his Soul", a Tunisian film with Arabic and Farsi, English subtitles.

James and I watched this "lovely" film several weeks ago. Once again one from the Middle East that just caught us with the story, the photography, the beauty, the music and the dancing. Don't forget the dancing! Whirling Dervishes!!!!!

Bab'Aziz is on a pilgrimage with his granddaughter, Ishtar, in search of the great reunion of dervishes that occurs only once every thirty years. Bab'Aziz is in search of what he lost many years ago, and needs Ishtar to help guide him there, as he was blinded in his younger years. Ishtar asks many questions, Bab'Aziz relates the tale of a young prince who gave up his realm. As the tale unfolds, Ishtar and the viewers come to understand that Bab'Aziz is recounting his very own story.

This is a lovely tale of lost love and found love.

Happy viewing. Hope you enjoy!

"A Simple Curve" a Canadian film

James and I watched this a few weeks ago. It is always enjoyable to view the Film Movement series of "Indie" films, Hollywood sticks to the same old stuff, they need to wake up and see what else is out there!

This is a Canadian film, filmed in British Columbia, so the scenery is breath-taking. Of course, that being said, one also gets an earful of the "f" word, I think one can "turn" it our mentally if one really tries.

Premise is Father (fled USA during the Vietnam war, and remained in Canada even after the amnesty for deserters was granted) and son own a down-trodden wood working business in a tiny hamlet. They strive to produce only the very best to offer to would be buyers. An "old" friend of the father arrives one day to possibly bring a major source of business for them, the son falls for it "hook, line and sinker", the father is not impressed. Needless to say there is disharmony between the two.

There are some really humorous scenes, especially the "outdoor" toilet - for those who have septic systems, one can really appreciate the on-going situation with not having a working indoor

toilet!!!!!! James and I really enjoyed one scene in particular - what a hoot!

Hope you will consider this one.

Quote of the Day-------Goodreads

This is Philip Pullman, author of "The Golden Compass" one of my all time favorite "children's" books from his "Dark Materials" series, and today's Quote of the Day is from Philip.

After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world. - Philip Pullman

Thank you, Philip, for reminding of us of the importance of stories.

Happy Reading Folks!

Mao's Last Dancer by Li Cunxin

In an earlier post, I wrote about the movie version of this book, same title.

Naturally, knowing that Hollywood would concentrate on the more "romantic" parts of the story, I decided that I needed to read the story told by Li Cunxin. I had checked the book at the library, however, as there were many others who also wanted to read the book, I was unable to renew it, and I was only about a third of the way through - so I ordered the book at the local bookstore, and waited for it. It was well worth the wait.

To say that I was NOT disappointed with the book is putting it mildly - I LOVED the book. Although the film was pretty accurate, I was right about Hollywood's take on the story. The first 260 pages of the book are dedicated to Cunxin's childhood in his village and then his years of study at the Beiing Ballet Academy, the remaining pages are dedicated to his time in Houston and his career in the world of ballet. It was hard to put the book down, and it was equally as hard to have the book end, it was such a well written story.

I hope that you will consider reading the book.
Happy reading!

Quote of the Day-----Goodreads.com

Consider


Life is to be lived, not controlled; and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat. - Ralph Ellison The author of The Invisible Man was born on this day in 1914



Possibly our world leaders need to meditate on this one for awhile..........

Read a book, any book!