I couldn’t help but gravitate toward the recent controversy of Amy Chua and her “tiger mothering” methods. After all, like my other Chinese (or Asian, really) first/second generation counterparts, we’ve all been through similar childhoods, and we’ve all had a good self-deprecating chortle at all the “fobby” things our parents did and made us do. Ms Chua, however, is an entity unto herself. Extremely neurotic, obsessive, controlling—she is all those things, and then some. She herself admits in her book that she wouldn’t wish herself on any child. This book is by no means a how-to guide for parenting—it is a surprisingly entertaining (sometimes on a perverse level) memoir, fusing a celebration of parental success with a cautionary tale of the dangers of caring too much.

I saw The Spirit at the Jam Factory this morning with Sylv. Since we went to the very first session of the day we had the whole theatre to ourselves! That was great. The movie—not so great, but still entertaining albeit on a superficial level. The excitement died down the instant we left the cinema.

Essentially the Spirit (Gabriel Macht) is former rookie cop Denny Colt, brought back into the world to rid Central City of the bad guys, namely the Octopus (Samuel L Jackson). He has the begrudging blessings of the Chief Commisioner Dolan (Clearly Commissioner Gordon and Batman have a far healthier work relationship than Dolan and Spirit ever had…) who doesn’t exactly approve of the Spirit’s methods. Well, shock horror there.

I’ve always thought that Frank Miller is a mad genius but lately his work has been nothing short of confusing, bizarre and way beyond the post-post-post-post-modern. And yes, his misogyny and sexism is duly noted (Selina Kyle the whore much?). But in spite of all this, I still enjoy most of his new stuff since he dares to push his audiences to the limit. The only work of his I simply could not handle was The Dark Knight …

I’ve decided after 3 listens, I love Anastacia’s new album, Heavy Rotation. A lot of people dislike her not quite “white”, yet not quite “black” voice; her not quite “manly” yet not quite “womanly” voice, but it’s so powerful and versatile. This album reveals more of her funky, soulful style, and to great effect. My favourite tracks have to be “I Call It Love”, “Heavy Rotation” and “Absolutely Positively”. Much love from me!

Also saw Australia yesterday.

I liked it overall, most likely ’cause I didn’t have great expectations, although I am partial to a sweeping, war epic (when it’s good, and this is quite good). Luhrmann’s really tried to pay tribute to the colonial Australian vernacular, perhaps to its downfall. It’s really, really long. But Hugh Jackman is hot. REALLY hot. And that should justify a viewing, at the very least!

Rating:

(I initally meant to post this on the 1st October. Go me.)

Brideshead Revisited

Up until this point I always assumed Evelyn Waugh was a woman, but this is the name, in fact, of a man. And I had no idea that the mini-series adaptation was held in such high regard. I got “free” tickets for an advanced screening at Nova, thanks to my delightful affiliation with the Monash Golden Key Society. Honestly, I paid $93 to join them; I should get the money back slowly but surely, no? In any case, I’m glad I didn’t technically pay for the film, because it was a bit of a disappointment. My appetite for visual candy was more than satisfied, however, probably to the point of gluttony. It is a sumptuous, seductive film for the senses. But for the mind? Maybe not so much. The protagonist, Charles Ryder, a modest painter is introduced to a world of decadence, wealth and opulence through his growing relationship with Sebastian Flyte at Oxford. He is swept away by the grandness of Sebastian’s home, Brideshead. What follows is a series of events that lead Charles into the closing, controlling grip of Brideshead itself, and the choices he makes …