Film Festival 2020 – Part One

Movies




We’ve never been disappointed in an Almodóvar film and this was no exception. The main character, Mallo played by Banderas, is an aging film director who is going back through his life and his relationships. I my opinion this should have been the film they started the festival with. Both the younger (Penelope Cruz) and older actors who played his mother were great, as was the young Mallo.

I have to say the movie was better than the book. I wondered if the movie would be done in a comedic style but it stuck very closely to the theme of a theory. While the book stated a few examples, the examples were much more effective with an actual speaker. There was a segment that concerned the behaviour of the RCMP in Canada; there are definitely some assholes in that organization. I found it interesting that one of the speakers compared the bad behaviour of toddlers (who can't be called assholes) to teenagers (when some strive to be an asshole). All is not lost though; in both the book and the movie it is suggested that we need to continue to stand up to assholes in order that the community around us will also see the need to standup and, even if we aren't able to change the asshole, we may be able to drown him out (statistically most assholes are men).

Now I know where it is

Journal

Friday, February 7, 2020

I had a good day of sewing yesterday. Yesterday morning I finished the row on my Seminole quilt that was giving me so much trouble; I knew it wasn’t right and I thought I could live with it but I can’t. So it is stuffed in a bag that may or may not see the light of day again. I picked up the Seminole book from the library last night and I can see how I will put all the pieces together – I’m quite looking forward to that. I also found a pattern in the book very similar to the one that I messed up; it is constructed quite differently and, if I have enough fabric, I may try a row of it.

I’ve been putting the various rows on my design wall and I know why I never seem to have any yellow in my stash – it is all in this Seminole project. I hope I have some other-coloured rows to divide the yellows up somewhat.

I also have another 3-Yard quilt in the final stages – only the borders need to be added. I brought it home from Gail’s studio because I want to get those borders added before our Community Quilts weekend so they can sandwich it for me. Because of the film festival I won’t be at Thursday sewing next week.

I finished another Seminole row this morning – it went together quite well. I made a start on another row but there is some cutting at a 45 degree angle and I need to be fresh to do that (and maybe have some help). Overall the UFO is going very quickly and I shouldn’t have any trouble getting a top finished. I’ll have to decide how I want it quilted; if I’m going to do anything more than straight lines it will have to go to Texada.

There will be some leftover bits of rows (some are longer than others); the leftovers will be perfect for our Hands Across the Water Challenge in the fall. We decided at the meeting last night that our theme is “Escape Into Colour” and these bits certainly are colourful.

We’re off to the movies tonight and, aside from some movie reviews, I won’t be posting much during the next week.

Assholes: A Theory

Books

Author: Aaron James

There were a couple of reasons I wanted to read this one. First, a documentary based on the book is the opening film at the Film Festival this year. Second, the library were doing a “Philosopher’s Cafe” on the book and they ordered extra copies so everyone would have a chance to read the book before these two events.

I’m glad I missed the Philosopher’s Cafe – when I went looking for it today it has already been done. I’m not sure how they are going to make an interesting movie from the book but the festival selection committee generally get good movies.

Did I learn anything from the book? Perhaps one thing; doing a stupid and/or rude thing doesn’t make you an asshole even if, in the spur of the moment, you call them that. What makes a genuine asshole is someone who is stupid and/or rude and expects to get away with their actions because they are “entitled” and somehow more important than anyone else. Does that remind you of anyone?

Stay tuned for my movie review.

Goodreads Rating: * *

Now I remember

Journal

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

I had a bit of work to do at my desk this morning and when I was finished I headed out to run the errands I didn’t do yesterday. I don’t remember the last time I had my car out (probably a week ago yesterday); it complained when I started it so as I popped into various stores I kept it running to charge up the battery.

The big snowfall warning didn’t actually materialize into anything – nothing at the house but there was a bit more in the Cranberry area. The parking lot at the Hall was a bit messy when I stopped there. It was senior’s day at the Cranberry grocery store and I got most of my groceries there. They don’t stock all the brands I like so I’ll have to do another shop later this week or on the weekend.

I was able to start on my Seminole project this afternoon. Now I remember why I quit in the first place. The patterns are black and white, the instructions are terrible and, at least today, I’m more or less winging it. Some of the issues may be my own inexperience but I really think the patterns aren’t well done.

I’m one ball of yarn in on a new shawl so I’ll pick that up again tonight. I found three new series (or new episodes) to watch on Netflix so I’m set for awhile.