I am now typing with one and a half hands. I’m trying not to use the injured finger, which is my forefinger on the right hand and it’s probably the finger I use the most for typing. Hence counting it as half my hand. But it hurts when I type with it. The whole hand still aches, but the healing process is definitely underway and I think I’m out of the dangers of permanent damage or hospitalization if I use it a bit. If I’m wrong, I’ll blog about it later! But I really want to keep up with the rest of my August Blog Challenge buddies and this week I’ve felt a bit like Randy in CHRISTMAS STORY, running after the gang in his snowsuit, whining ‘Awwww, come on, guys! Wait up! Wait for me!’ and then falling to the ground, only to thrash in the snow like a turtle on his back. Now I’ve been flipped back over, have stumbled to my feet and am toddling after you all again.
Over the last few days I’ve caught bits and pieces of movies. CHILL has been running a Jaws-A-Thon, including all four of the Jaws movies. I’ve watched the original Jaws (the movie that kept an entire generation of kids out of the ocean) many times, but it never fails to strike me just what a good movie it is, in all areas: acting, directing and writing. I caught the first hour the other day and during the scene where Brody is filling out the first coroner’s report and the camera does a close-up on the paper as he types the words ‘shark attack,’ I chuckled at the old fashioned type writer he was using. That’s right, this movie was made before PCs or cell phones. And you know what? I don’t miss them at all when watching this movie. It doesn’t feel dated at all, not even with the total ’70s hairstyles and clothing and that, for me, is a sign of really good writing.
On the other end of the spectrum is Jaws 4: The Revenge, in which Brody’s widow takes on a vengeful shark that tracks anyone with Brody blood running through their veins from Amity to the Bahamas. If you haven’t seen it…well, I’m not sure if I should recommend it or not. If you like bad movies, bad acting, bad writing and bad FX, by all means check it out! Even Lorraine Gary, who was quite good in the original Jaws as Mrs. Brody, is absolutely dreadful. Her acting is forced and frenetic, and her co-star Michael Caine is just picking up a paycheck. This movie is not timeless…unless timelessly awful counts.
Seriously, though, good writing, be it a movie or a book, transcends the time in which it was written. You won’t notice the hair styles or bell bottom slacks, the lack of cell phones or other modern devices which we now take for granted because you’ll be too caught up in the story and characters to care. I use Jaws as my example. What are some of your favorite movies or books that stand this test of time?
Er….I also saw 10 minutes of Roadhouse with Patrick Swayze. My brain is still melting…
LOL – only a writer would call that a “short” post. Hee hee. Glad to see you’re still pounding away at your keyboard, 1-1/2 hands and all. I agree on the timelessness transcendence of good writing. I just re-read Rober Heinlein’s “the Moon is a Harsh Mistress” – first pub’d in 1966, it was STILL as riveting and relevant a read today as it was four decades ago.
I’m glad you are able, even if still gingerly, to post such a “short” entry today.
I’d have to say that “Gone with the Wind” is always the first timeless book and movie that pops into my mind.
Vivian
PS Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope you return often.
Marvin, compared to your eloquent posts of the last few days, this is a MINI postlet! I haven’t read that particular book of Heinlein’s, although I did love PUPPET MASTERS…
Good job, considering cat bite. My cat occasionally bites a tad too hard in play and pricks the skin. It never occurred to me it could lead to so much misery.
I always have a hard time when someone asks for my favorite movie or book. I like so many of both I usually can’t pick one.
I enjoy the old movies because of the differences, not in spite of them. It’s fun to watch what they had to go through to find a pay phone and a dime; or listen to the clatter of an old manual typewriter or a roomful of them in a newspaper office; or as you mentioned giggle at the hairstyles and clothing.
Great blog, Dana
Chocolat! We have more than cats in common. 🙂
Hope that bite heals up fast. Nasty things, cat bites are. Be prepared with my remedy next time. Slippery elm, comfrey, and goldenseal poultice, heated up for the drawing effect. It’s pretty awesome, and works on any infected wound.
Gone with the Wind is one of my favorite books EVER, Vivian! I can’t count how many times I’ve reread it…
Velda, I’ve been bitten many times, but only gotten an infection twice. It’s NOT fun. And I will indeed have Dani’s remedy on hand for the next time – I really hate taking antibiotics!
I love the old movies too, both the good and the bad. I just love it when characters make me forget the cell phone and iPod era…
chocolat!!!! have you read the sequel yet, Dani? It’s excellent!!!!
Hang in there–cat bites take a lot out of you–but we love those kitties anyway 🙂 Glad to see you “keeping on” !
Aww, thank you, Joyce! I do adore my babies…even when they take pieces out of me…
Take care of the hand. That sounds just awful!
So glad you mentioned the sequel to Chocolat. I’d forgotten about it and would like to read it. I loved Chocolat–and loved the movie even more since I’d happily watch Johnny Depp read the phone book!
So hard to choose. As soon as I list one, I’ll think of another. Lately, I’ve been watching Masterpiece Theatre on PBS and love all the British movies. Ah, Mr. Darcy — woo,woo.
Oh, Karen, you just imagine Johnny Depp as Roux in the sequel and you;ll be a VERY happy camper indeed…
HAH! Mr. Darcy – woo woo indeed… What is it about Colin Firth in that role?…