2013 felt like a long year that flew past. I guess that is how time goes as you get older. It was a year with some big changes, but no big struggles.
Part of the reason, the year felt long was the constant balancing act between me time and family time. This year I probably weighted things to heavily on the family time side. It is not a complaint. I love family time. H and Bug are my two favorite people and being with them brings me joy. It is just that I also require time alone to kayak, bike, read, or just decompress. Often I feel like I need more alone time than most people and feel guilty about taking it. Then I fear that the guilt will ruin the alone time, so I don't take the alone time. Then I feel a little mad at myself for not taking the alone time and I don't get the regenerative effects. in 2014, I hope to find a better balance.
I had two big changes in 2013: a new job and Bug going to preschool.
The new job has been a generally positive change. I was miserable and bored at Red Hat. It was tough going from being senior and knowing where all the bodies are buried to being a new kid on the block. I had to learn how the new company functions, the politics, and the culture. That on top of doing the job I was hired to do. It is a good change overall. I did learn a few things about myself though. I like flexible work schedules more than I thought I did, I loathe commuting, and I do better working at home than I thought. I know these things because they are the only things I miss about Red Hat.
Bug heading off to preschool was more of a change than I anticipated. She was totally ready to go. I think she was a little bored with day care. For me the change was a reminder that with a child, things are always in flux. It seems like everyday she is a little more independent or has a new skill or is into some new thing. It is great and sad at the same time. She is doing great and that is what is most important.
Our summer was jam packed with travel. We went to Maine, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Florida. Bug is a great traveler and that is a boon for us. She really seems to enjoy camping and kayaking. We got her out a few more times this past summer. The downside of all the traveling is the lack of downtime.
As get older, I am coming to appreciate the value of downtime more and more. Sometimes it is important to have nothing planned and nowhere to go. H jokes that I cannot just sit around for a day and do nothing which is true. I do, however, appreciate the lack of a schedule. I also find that at work, I find it more important to be able to have short days and see my family than be in the thick of things. Relax, be happy.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Hugo
I got Hugo as part of Apple's 12 Days of Christmas promotion and had a few hours to kill on a flight from Boston to San Diego. It was a pretty great deal since the alternative films I had already seen. My flight left supposed to leave Boston at an ungodly hour, so I am sleep deprived. The flight left the gate more than two hours late, so I am a little peeved. Taken all that in consideration, I found Hugo to be a pleasant movie. It was somewhere between good and great.
I watched it on an iPad which does the film a disservice. It begs for a bigger screen. Even on the iPad's 10" screen the cinematography felt expansive. I can imagine that in the theater, Hugo was breathtaking. The digital and the real blend perfectly. The interspersion of old film clips felt organic.
The story itself was interesting if a little predictable. For film buffs it was probably more engaging. The plot moves along nicely and never bogs down. The time shifting fits organically into the telling.
The movie's other great strength is the relationship between the two children. Butterfield and Moranz draw you into their touching relationship and their characters. Even as I could tell where the plot was going and saw the danger spots a mile away, I was rooting for them and concerned that they were safe.
So, good movie that is better to watch on a bug screen. 42" inches is probably the smallest size to get the full effect. Although, Hugo was still gorgeous compressed into a tiny 10" display.
I watched it on an iPad which does the film a disservice. It begs for a bigger screen. Even on the iPad's 10" screen the cinematography felt expansive. I can imagine that in the theater, Hugo was breathtaking. The digital and the real blend perfectly. The interspersion of old film clips felt organic.
The story itself was interesting if a little predictable. For film buffs it was probably more engaging. The plot moves along nicely and never bogs down. The time shifting fits organically into the telling.
The movie's other great strength is the relationship between the two children. Butterfield and Moranz draw you into their touching relationship and their characters. Even as I could tell where the plot was going and saw the danger spots a mile away, I was rooting for them and concerned that they were safe.
So, good movie that is better to watch on a bug screen. 42" inches is probably the smallest size to get the full effect. Although, Hugo was still gorgeous compressed into a tiny 10" display.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Frozen
For Bug's first movie we decided on Frozen. It got generally good reviews from both the critics and other parents. I had also heard enough about it to believe that it wasn't the standard Disney princess movie where the hero and true love save the day. I'm not reflexively opposed to traditional fairy tale based princess movies, but I also like subverting tradition when possible.
Despite a rocky beginning, the outing was a success.
It turned out that the screening we went to was in 3D, so Bug was a little thrown by the glasses. Some of the previews were a little intense for her as well. The worst trailers, for a little kid, were for Maleficent and How to Train Your Dragon. How to Train Your Dragon was rough because, Bug saw the nice holiday special, so had happy feeling towards it. After the initial intro to the trailer, things get a little scary.
Frozen was excellent. There are a few heavy moments, but nothing truly scary. The music is great. The animation is luscious. The 3D effects were the smoothest I have seen. I do think that the movie is just as good without them; the 3D doesn't add anything. Bug stayed quite through the entire movie. She moved into the aisle a few times to get a better view of the screen. After the movie, she went home and asked to watch the trailers again. When asked what her favorite part of the movie was, she replied "the music."
Most of the story went over her head, which is to be expected given that she is under four. For us, or for a child old enough to follow it, the story is great. It balances serious and humor well. The tension is modulated well for the audience. You get that big things are being dealt with, but there are very few scares. The best thing about the story, for me, is its subversiveness. In many ways, it plays like the standard princess fairy tale with slight updates to make the princess more spunky ala Tangled. Then the plot turns and it is no longer in traditional fairy tale land.
The pre-movie feature, featuring classic Disney characters, is also top notch. To be most effective, it does require 3D, but it is a fun use of the technology.
Despite a rocky beginning, the outing was a success.
It turned out that the screening we went to was in 3D, so Bug was a little thrown by the glasses. Some of the previews were a little intense for her as well. The worst trailers, for a little kid, were for Maleficent and How to Train Your Dragon. How to Train Your Dragon was rough because, Bug saw the nice holiday special, so had happy feeling towards it. After the initial intro to the trailer, things get a little scary.
Frozen was excellent. There are a few heavy moments, but nothing truly scary. The music is great. The animation is luscious. The 3D effects were the smoothest I have seen. I do think that the movie is just as good without them; the 3D doesn't add anything. Bug stayed quite through the entire movie. She moved into the aisle a few times to get a better view of the screen. After the movie, she went home and asked to watch the trailers again. When asked what her favorite part of the movie was, she replied "the music."
Most of the story went over her head, which is to be expected given that she is under four. For us, or for a child old enough to follow it, the story is great. It balances serious and humor well. The tension is modulated well for the audience. You get that big things are being dealt with, but there are very few scares. The best thing about the story, for me, is its subversiveness. In many ways, it plays like the standard princess fairy tale with slight updates to make the princess more spunky ala Tangled. Then the plot turns and it is no longer in traditional fairy tale land.
The pre-movie feature, featuring classic Disney characters, is also top notch. To be most effective, it does require 3D, but it is a fun use of the technology.
Friday, January 17, 2014
American Hustle
H and I saw American Hustle just before the Oscar Nominations were announced. I was amazed that it dominated the nominations. It is a very good movie, but not what I would call award worthy. It is well shot, well directed, and well played, but I expected nothing else given the caliber of the cast and director. All of the four main players are A grade talents and if they turned in anything less than above average, it would be a disappointment.
The plot was lacking. The movie was too long. It could have lost a good 30 minutes. The starting in the middle and rewinding trope felt like a flourish. The narrative would have worked just as well by starting at the beginning and it would have saved time.
So good, but not great. If it is capturing the Oscars, 2013 must have been a poor year for movies.
The plot was lacking. The movie was too long. It could have lost a good 30 minutes. The starting in the middle and rewinding trope felt like a flourish. The narrative would have worked just as well by starting at the beginning and it would have saved time.
So good, but not great. If it is capturing the Oscars, 2013 must have been a poor year for movies.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Robot & Frank
Robot & Frank was a surprisingly deep movie. I thought it was just going to be a feel good odd couple tale. Instead, it offered a commentary on aging, our relationship to technology, friendship, and dealing with the decline of a loved one. It is also funny.
Frank is a retired cat burglar with some memory problems who insists on living alone. He has two adult children that try to do the best for him. It is clear that Frank was not the best Dad nor is he easy to help out. He clearly values his independence. He is an old school tough guy.
One day his son, who visits once a week, drops off a robot to help Frank. The robot is programmed to take care of Frank and help him improve his health and flagging memory. The interactions between Frank and the robot are great. The robot, while looking like a clunker, is capable of improvising and using human tricks to manipulate Frank.
As one would expect, Frank develops a fondness for the robot. The robots attempts to engage Frank in a project drive the plot. The plot in turn drives the thematic exploration without ever hitting you over the head. Most of the thinking comes after the credits roll.
The writing and acting is superb. Frank is delicately played. You are never quite sure about how impaired he is. He walks the difficult line between being a stereotypical grumpy old man and a lovable scourge. His interactions with the rest of the cast quietly speak volumes about the love he has for life and the knowledge he has about how the thing that makes him human is slipping away from him.
Robot & Frank will make you laugh and cry. It will make you love life and dread getting older. As with all the best things, it is bitter sweet.
Frank is a retired cat burglar with some memory problems who insists on living alone. He has two adult children that try to do the best for him. It is clear that Frank was not the best Dad nor is he easy to help out. He clearly values his independence. He is an old school tough guy.
One day his son, who visits once a week, drops off a robot to help Frank. The robot is programmed to take care of Frank and help him improve his health and flagging memory. The interactions between Frank and the robot are great. The robot, while looking like a clunker, is capable of improvising and using human tricks to manipulate Frank.
As one would expect, Frank develops a fondness for the robot. The robots attempts to engage Frank in a project drive the plot. The plot in turn drives the thematic exploration without ever hitting you over the head. Most of the thinking comes after the credits roll.
The writing and acting is superb. Frank is delicately played. You are never quite sure about how impaired he is. He walks the difficult line between being a stereotypical grumpy old man and a lovable scourge. His interactions with the rest of the cast quietly speak volumes about the love he has for life and the knowledge he has about how the thing that makes him human is slipping away from him.
Robot & Frank will make you laugh and cry. It will make you love life and dread getting older. As with all the best things, it is bitter sweet.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Despicable Me 2
H and I decided to go see this based solely on one joke that happens in the first twenty minutes of the movie. As far as I was concerned, the movie had little else to recommend it. I am not a fan of Steve Carell's work in general and reviews of the first film were pretty like warm.
It turns out that the sequel is better than the original. It must be because they ramped up the minion count. The adult characters are forgettable. The children are cute, but forgettable. The story is sweet, but predictable and forgettable.
What keeps things interesting is the comedy of the minions. I laughed enough to not feel like we wasted our money. I can imagine watching with wee child on Netflix and enjoying it.
It turns out that the sequel is better than the original. It must be because they ramped up the minion count. The adult characters are forgettable. The children are cute, but forgettable. The story is sweet, but predictable and forgettable.
What keeps things interesting is the comedy of the minions. I laughed enough to not feel like we wasted our money. I can imagine watching with wee child on Netflix and enjoying it.
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