More of the Twain

Once again two months stretch ahead of us. Insert angsty blah about work here.

Okay, we're done with that. Some momentous things have occurred recently. For example, last week I watched The Prestige. I have no time or energy to write a review, especially when the prudent reviewer must needs deftly avoid the subject of the (shockingly) convoluted plot while interspersing pithy insights about how it contributes to the artistic development of the film industry at large, and by logical extension, director Chris Nolan's pants pocket. Let us perhaps, say that it gets rather (shockingly) repetitive at times. Still, there are some odd features of the technical periphanalia that remind one of Xerox and horns overflowing with lush fruit. Still, I would advise you to look closely at Christian Bale's fingers.

I have recently been obsessed with fantasy fiction. Rather, I have been overwhelmed by a deluge of fantasy. First, A Feast for Crows, by George RR Martin. Following We, which is more science fiction in the sff continuum, The Simoqin Prophecies and its successor The Manticore's Secret, by Samit Basu, lent to me by Nova in bitter revenge over my similar act of insidious manipulation, i.e., the seemingly magmanimous lending of A Game of Thrones, a riveting tale that has left him unable to perform tasks that require both hands for a week, which is, in any case, followed by at least 7 more.

Nova will perhaps write about it. The Simoqin Prophecies is written by an Indian and is rather novel (no pun intended). It's written like a traditional fantasy novel a la Terry Brooks and then given a shocking twist. It draws from Greek and Indian mythology and is written in a very tongue in cheek fashion, similar to Pratchett's Discworld. Except this is the GameWorld, the origin of which is not a subject until the second book. The book features two fascinating names: Narak and Kirin. Hm.

I have been thinking of Star Wars. I believe it is an artistic experiment, a treatment on the Campbellian hero-legend in a sci-fi, pop-culture universe. It is an indie film that never lost its indieness, which is still indie, except the company that produced it is a large corporation now, and makes indie films that are no longer as indie, but perhaps indie because stylistically it incurs the wrath of Luddite fans who prefer 'ol' bucket o' bolts', like, "what the hell is an aluminium falcon?" or perhaps neo-Victorian love dialogue is not to their taste. So it is indie and affected by other indies who, by the very act of observation, are destroying the indieness of the movie by demanding the good ol' days where they, as tiny children, played with Slave I toys. But maybe the indies affect indies by increasing the indieness of the said indie, because they are already indie, ergo, they have the right to determine the indieness of the movie, unlike the unwashed peasants that are the masses. No literati will touch that which is already soiled by the lips of the Untermensch that are the amateur. Thus, Star Wars comports itself badly. So does Lord of the Rings. I mean, who reads Pepys nowadays.

Rain threatens to consume the earth. Normally I despise rain but evenings are particularly nice for a heavy storm. Unless you're like, outside.

Wee Shu Min. Undoubtedly she has been misquoted by the press and has been put under mind control by the secret paparrazi organization known as the Flashy Four Hundred. She now lives an ascetic lifestyle and is served by short bald men called Abhishek, summoned now and then to declare statements of apology from her underground bunker-house. Ok. Obligatory mention of significant event over the vast thing that is the Web.

More later.

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