Summer, James Tissot

Summer, James Tissot

Worth a Thousand Words: Zebra Back Rub

Zebra Back Rub
taken by Valerie of ucumari photography
some rights reserved

You're really missing a treat if you don't browse Valerie's photography. There are some simply wonderful candid animal shots.

"I wouldn't want to do this with anyone but you."

These little choices to not selfishly take out one's frustration on another are not so different from the choices we have to make elsewhere in life in order to get along with others. In this sense, getting along with MrsDarwin is not so very different from getting along with anyone else. Thinking about marital virtue in this regard, one can think: Love is a choice. It doesn't have to be just one person.

There's truth in that too. Yet, it's so much easier to make those choices with someone to whom I'd so much rather be married.

I wouldn't want to do this with anyone but you.

Darwin

The best of all is when I love him because he is, literally, God’s gift to me: the unique spark of God’s creative love through whom, by the graces of marriage, I find my path to heaven. The path may be dark sometimes, or rough, or busy, or blissful, but it’s never solitary. Through the sacrament of marriage, we walk it together, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.

Mrs. Darwin

Over at DarwinCatholic the Darwins have a lovely post in praise of marriage that is written with both idealism (even after 17 years) and loads of reality (because - 17 years). I really enjoyed it and the above excerpts can't do it justice. Please do go and read it for yourself.

Summertime in Holland

Allegory of summer, Jan van Goyen

The medium and the message

In Jesus Christ, there is no separation between the medium and the message: it is the one case where we can say that the medium and the message are fully one and the same.

Marshall McLuhan, The Medium and the Light

Ridiculously Entertaining: Tashan and Dhoom 3

I was going to stop talking about Bollywood movies unless I came across something that I thought would be good entryway films.

And then this weekend I came across two such movies. These are both by director/screenwriter Vijay Krishna Acharya. That is completely coincidental but it did wind up leaving me with my first Indian director to keep an eye out for. Both these movies were on the top 100 Bollywood movies list that Rose is working from for guidance in exploration. Dhoom 3 has the added advantage of starring Aamir Khan who is a favorite of ours.

At any rate, both these combine recognizable Western styles with Bollywood filmmaking. It makes for extremely entertaining viewing.

Jeetendra Kumar Makwana is employed full-time at a Call Center and works part-time teaching English. He is recruited by an attractive young woman, Pooja, to teach her Hinglish-speaking boss, Bhaiyaji, English. Jeetendra agrees to do so, falls in love with Pooja, and joins forces with her to steal a bag containing 25 Crore Rupees in cash. He will soon find out that Bhaiyaji is a hoodlum and extortionist known to the Police as Lakhan Singh. And that spells big trouble for everyone.

Tashan means style and this picture has it in spades. It is ridiculously fun Tarantino style action (without the gore because it is Bollywood not Hollywood) with big song and dance numbers (Bollywood not Hollywood). Indian reviews wavered on giving approval but American reviews all raved, as did we. This director obviously has a way with movies that appeals to American sensibilities.

My favorite character was the hit man sent to retrieve the two thieves. The "Jackie Chan of India" he played a character who turned into a lovable oaf (much like Jayne on Firefly) and won my heart. My favorite number was the Hollywood film one, which got so many tiny Hollywood things wrong (in a charmingly Indian way) but still worked most amusingly. It also gave me a new Khan to keep an eye out for — Saif Ali Khan — whose charming twinkle reminded us all strongly of Bradley Cooper.

This was a milestone for us in several ways because we got an in-joke about Indian movies, recognized posters for other movies on city streets, and recognized two of the stars from other movies we'd seen. Baby steps. But fun.

Rating — Introduction to Bollywood (come on in, the water's fine!)

Hannah and Rose talk about Tashan at An American's Guide to Bollywood.

To avenge his father’s death, a circus entertainer trained in magic and acrobatics turns thief to take down a corrupt bank in Chicago. Two cops from Mumbai are assigned to the case.

Another ridiculously entertaining film from Vijay Krishna Acharya, starring Aamir Khan who carries the film on his broad, capable shoulders. It is part of the Dhoom buddy-cop franchise only in a minor way, with Jai and Ali's part being a subplot rather than the main action. And that works. In case we we were wondering who the movie is about, three of the four musical numbers are Aamir's, while the fourth is the female lead's audition for the Great Indian Circus — danced for Aamir. Aamir is the film's ostensible villain but by the time the film ends, we were wondering why policeman Jai gives a spech about the evil bank. (I guess that told us who the real villain is.) Anyway Aamir Khan's character is what this movie is about and Our household approved all the way.

This movie was set in Chicago which made us even more interested to see it and, as with Tashan, there were some endearing misunderstandings of America. My favorites were a newsstand which clearly looked Indian and the fact that the flashbacks were costumed as if they were from the 1920s instead of the 1990s. We could only figure that the filmmakers wanted to be sure we got a sense of "long ago" and couldn't find enough obvious differences between the clothing of 2013 and that of 20 years before. Regardless, it was extremely entertaining and those little missteps only added to the charm for us.

Rating — Introduction to Bollywood (come on in, the water's fine!)

Clara the rhinoceros in Paris in 1749

Jean-Baptiste Oudry, Clara the rhinoceros in Paris in 1749

Clara wowed them in Paris, prompting a lot of paintings. This is the one usually featured and I really love it.

Lagniappe

Helen shivered next to Jane. “Perhaps we should return to Charlotte. She probably misses us.”

“Us? Charlotte doesn’t know you exist.”

“Well, if she did, she would surely miss me.”

My Plain Jane; Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton

I might find this as amusing as I do because I really loved Helen's character.

Some Great Summer Reading: My Plain Jane and Understanding Movies

My Plain Jane
by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows

Move over, Charlotte Bronte. You may think you know the story. Penniless orphan Jane Eyre begins a new life as a governess at Thornfield Hall, where she meets one dark, brooding Mr. Rochester-and, Reader, she marries him. Or does she? Prepare for an adventure of Gothic proportions.

This was thoroughly enjoyable. I love Jane Eyre and these authors honor that classic novel by being (mostly) true to the storyline while simultaneously weaving it into another story completely.

Both Jane and her friend Charlotte Bronte get swept up in this tale which is loaded with ghosts, murder, revenge, love, and friendship. And humor. Lots of humor. As with these authors' previous book, My Lady Jane, you could see major plot points coming but it didn't take away from the fun.

I said it before for My Lady Jane and I'll say it again for My Plain Jane: For what it was — a humorous, inventive, light, romantic, alternative history — it was practically perfect in every way. It was sometimes silly but always charming and I was glued to it in every spare moment.

A wonderfully entertaining summer read read by the perfect narrator.



Understanding Movies: The Art and History of Film (The Modern Scholar)
by Raphael Shargel

Why does the cinema have the power to move the heart, stimulate the mind, and dazzle the imagination? How did the art of film develop from its origins to the present day? In each lecture, Professor Raphael Shargel introduces a period of film history, talks about its importance, covers aspects of cinematic technique, and illustrates his points by analyzing specific movies from the era under discussion. The course thus has both breadth and depth, covering the major movements in film history while at the same time focusing on key pictures worthy of study and enjoyment.

I really learned a lot from this class. The teacher has an mild-mannered, personable style that I enjoyed a lot and his own love of movies came through clearly though he never allowed his own preferences to overpower the commentary. This is only available as an audio class and there are a lot of negative remarks about sound quality on Audible. The sound must have been cleaned up at some time because I didn't hear any of the problems mentioned. This was delightful if you like movies.

A Little More Bollywood: Chak De! India and Ek Tha Tiger

RAW agent Tiger is on a mission to retrieve information from a scientist in Dublin. The plot centers on an Indian spy (RAW) code-named Tiger who falls in love with a Pakistani spy (ISI) during an investigation and how Tiger’s ideology and principles change over time.

This was our first movie by Salman Khan, the last of the Three Khans for us to sample.

The movie had problems, being a blend of James Bond with romantic comedy. And not a stellar version of either genre was being blended If that sounds awkward, then I did my job describing it.

Adding to the problems, Khan reminded me of no one so much as Sylvester Stallone. Now, there's nothing wrong with Sylvester Stallone. I am second to none in my admiration of Rocky, but he has definite limitations as an actor. And that's what we saw in this example of Khan's work.

Just a few Bollywood song and dance numbers in this one, with the stellar one being over the end credits. I realized I was a bit addicted to the Bollywood format by how happy I was to see a musical number begin. Happy out of all proportion considering they used to make me roll my eyes.

This won't be our last sampling of Salman Khan's movies. I want to give him a fair chance. He's a top Bollywood actor. But this isn't his finest hour. (Or if it is, then he just isn't be my favorite of the Three Khans.)

Rating — Introduction to Bollywood (come on in, the water's fine!)

Chak De! India follows a team of rag-tag girls with their own agenda who form Team India competing for international fame in field hockey. Their coach, the ex-men’s Indian National team captain, returns from a life of shame after being unjustly accused of match fixing in his last match. Can he give the girls the motivation required to win, while dealing with the shadows of his own past?

This was really solid. Shahrukh Khan shows he can play nice with others by not having to be in a lot of the scenes even though he is the main character and star. This is our second of his films and it was nice to see him in a more conventional role though I did miss seeing him shirtless in a dance number. This movie had songs but, as seems to be the case with some of the modern movies, they were played against standard montages (training, traveling, etc.).

It was a fairly straight forward feminist underdog sports film with an interesting undertone of combating regionalism in favor of nationalism. I never knew that was an Indian problem but I read that this movie was really significant for India in several ways and I'd guess that was one of them.

Overall it is, as I said, solid. And definitely enjoyable.

Rating — Introduction to Bollywood (come on in, the water's fine!)

The House of a Thousand Candles beginning at Forgotten Classics

The House of a Thousand Candles is part adventure/mystery and part romance. Jack Glenarm stands to inherit his grandfather’s estate, but only if he can remain for one year in residence at the old man’s unfinished “House of a Thousand Candles” in Annandale, Indiana, with only his grandfather’s mysterious valet for company. If he violates the terms of the will, the house will go to a young woman, heretofore unknown to him, whom the will also forbids Jack to marry if he wants to retain his inheritance. Soon after Jack’s arrival at Glenarm House various strange occurrences ensue, and he soon finds himself absorbed in the most lively adventure of his life! (summary by J. M. Smallheer)

This mystery was the #4 American bestseller in 1906. It is a favorite of mine and should be a lot of fun. Join us at Forgotten Classics where the first episode has just posted!

Simply beautifully said — "the gardener God walked again in the garden"

On the third day the friends of Christ coming at daybreak to the place found the grave empty and the stone rolled away. In varying ways they realised the new wonder; but even they hardly realised that the world had died in the night. What they were looking at was the first day of a new creation, with a new heaven and a new earth; and in a semblance of the gardener God walked again in the garden, in the cool not of the evening but the dawn.

G.K. Chesterton, The Everlasting Man

Capo di Noli — Real or a fairy tale setting?

Paul Signac, Capo di Noli

A Kim Jong-Il Production by Paul Fisher

A Kim Jong-Il Production:
The Extraordinary True Story of a Kidnapped Filmmaker, His Star Actress, and a Young Dictator's Rise to Power 
by Paul Fischer

This is a fascinating look inside North Korea but also at the power of movies.

Kim Jong-Il realized when young that he who wields the stories, wields the power. Using his passion for movies, Kim managed to become his father's favorite (and successor), revolutionize North Korean cinema, and be "Dear Leader" of his captive Hermit Kingdom. He had a higher goal, however, which was to gain the respect and acceptance of other countries.

He decided to follow in the footsteps of the Japanese who had used their post-WWII film industry to help regain favorable world standing. The problem was that North Korean film didn't have what it needed to make this happen. But South Korea did. So, of course, he had to kidnap a heralded South Korean director and famous actress in order to do it.

This is one nutty story and the fact that it is well documented and true just makes it even nuttier. It's one of those books that make you annoy everyone around you by telling them the amazing tidbits that arise every other page. For example, Kim thought that the James Bond films were essentially docudramas and planned espionage missions accordingly. (Ok, that's the last time I'll do that to you.)

I knew next to nothing about North Korea before reading this book. The story itself is amazing but also saddening when the North Koreans' lives were detailed. My favorite part was once the movies were being shown to the Korean public. Movies have a power that even the most movie-savvy dictator can't predict and can influence real life in a way no one can imagine.

I was the last person in our family to read this and really appreciate the heroic efforts that Hannah, Tom, and Rose made to not talk about it before I got my hands on it.

The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

The story of the University of Washington's 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic gold medal, a team that transformed the sport and grabbed the attention of millions of Americans. The sons of loggers, shipyard workers, and farmers, the boys defeated elite rivals first from eastern and British universities and finally the German crew rowing for Adolf Hitler in the Olympic games in Berlin, 1936.

The Boys in the Boat is an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times—the improbable, intimate story of nine working-class boys from the American west who, in the depths of the Great Depression, showed the world what true grit really meant.

I am really grateful that this book was selected for my Catholic women's book club. I'd certainly never have picked it up otherwise.

It paints a vivid picture of America in that time and what it means to be American specifically for one of the boys on the crew, of Hitler's Olympics and the whitewashing of Germany in preparation, and is inspirational about a lot of things we've forgotten today and need to remember.

I'm especially impressed at the way the author takes us through a similar journey to that of Joe, the main crew member who is focused on. We initially see alternating chapters about Joe's life, which is really tough, and the assembling of the crew over several years. As we get closer to the U.S. races and the Olympics, Joe's particular story is not as prominent as he becomes one with the crew, and realizes just what it is that he is representing. The author is skilled in putting us in a like frame of mind.

I certainly never thought I'd be moved to tears by a boat race but it happened. More than once. Even knowing how it turns out didn't reduce my tension ... I couldn't put it down.

Worth a Thousand Words: Lost in Africa

Lost in Africa: A Yarn of Adventure. Frederick Horatio Winder

I guess it is a sign of our times that I looked at the fellow in the lower right corner and, just for a second, thought he was on his cell phone.

Well Said: Myths Woven By Us

We have come from God and inevitably the myths woven by us, though they contain error, will also reflect a splintered fragment of true light, the eternal truth that is with God.

J.R.R. Tolkien

I think we all know I'm 100% with Tolkien on this one. In fact, he taught it to me.

Well Said: the whole world once very nearly died of broadmindedness and the brotherhood of all religions

Nobody understands the nature of the Church, or the ringing note of the creed descending from antiquity, who does not realize that the whole world once very nearly died of broadmindedness and the brotherhood of all religions.

G.K. Chesterton, The Everlasting Man

Of course, as with practically everything Chesterton ever wrote, this comes with pages and pages of context which would cross the average blog reader's eyes. And mine too if I weren't very slowly reading this book a little every morning. He's talking about Rome and all their broadminded acceptance of different religions as long as one was willing to give lip service to the emperor as God. This book seems a bit like Chesterton's continuation of Augustine's City of God in some ways. I say that without my having done more than listen to a class on City of God, but it will be the next big book of theology I begin after finishing this one.

Worth a Thousand Words: Whataburger Trot Thru

Two women getting their food on at a Whataburger in Corpus Christi
appeared in the Corpus Christi Caller newspaper
Via Traces of Texas

Burgers, Texas-style.

Worth a Thousand Words: Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl, Remo Savisaar