I have been reading a LOT of Dean Koontz, lately. I thought I'd share a little about my experience.

Chad and I were preparing to go on vacation, which, of course, requires the purchase of fiction. I stopped by the book section of the local supermarket, since we don't have a book store in town and I didn't want to wait.

OK...now let's back up some. Well, a lot. Many years ago, when I had my hysterectomy, I turned out to be allergic to the pain medication that they used post-op, so they had to counteract it so they could give me something else. I had horrible hallucinations and dreams during that time and didn't sleep well for days afterward. When I came home from the hospital, someone gave me a Dean Kootz book to read. I don't remember what it was, but I didn't get two pages into it before it freaked me out, so I never read it. I've been afraid to read Dean Koontz ever since.

So, on this particular day, in Ingles, I saw a Dean Koontz book on the shelf. 'Strangers.' Several people had mentioned that I would like his writing, so I picked it up. I flipped it over to see what it was about, but there was only a picture of Dean. Well, Dean and his great golden retriever.

I bought the book because of Trixie. That's the dog. I figured, anyone who has such a great dog has to be a good person, so I should give his book a chance. You think I'm kidding. You're wrong. I didn't even bother to read anything else about the book until I started reading it the next day.


Well, it turned out to be a fabulous book. Dean has the greatest sense of humor that comes through in his writing. It brings a sense of trueness to the world he creates. His characters are real, his plots aren't redundant any more than real life is.

There is also, usually, a touch of the spiritual in his writing. Not necessarily of a particular religion, but the idea that there is Someone, even if it might be only a deeper part of ourselves.

I'm not sure where he stands on spirituality. He might be Buddhist or Christian or he might follow that book that half of Hollywood seems to be intrigued by. But in any case, he leaves enough to the imagination in that area so that I can draw my own conclusions, and he sprinkles enough Truth in there so I usually draw the ones I want.

So those are a few of the reasons that I like Dean. Why do I call him 'my bud?' Because he's one of those people I'd invite to dinner if given the chance.

A couple of quick updates:

I have moved the entries from the old seivom dna skoob site to this one, but I haven't added anything new, yet.

I think I have the comments issues worked out...if you don't mind, I'd appreciate it if you'd comment so I know I'm not the only one able to, or send me an email if the comments still aren't working.

There is a quick update section at amazed and at aLife ...if you happen over there, please check the comments on those as well.

You guys are fab!

I realize I haven't been blogging about the books I've been reading. So I thought I'd start with the book I am currently reading (well, one of them...I tend to read several at a time.)

Stephen King 's On Writing came out in paperback recently, so I picked up a copy and dove right in. The first part of the book is stories about his growing up, mainly surrounding his discovery of writing and the process through which he learns to write. Since I have been a Stephen King fan most of my life (sorry, Steve...I know that makes you feel old,) I really enjoyed that section.

The second part of the book is his advice about writing. It is aimed mainly at fiction writing, or at least book writing, and I don't reallly aspire to write books (I really don't think I have the talent and I doubt you think I do, either,) there is good advice on writing in general. I won't spoil the book by telling you what the advice is , just that it is good.

If you are interested in writing at all, or just interested in Stevie, pick up acopy and support his writing habit.

It pains me to post something that will move The Matrix post down and eventually off this screen. Never fear, however, you can always click on the link to the right and get to it!

First of all, let me say that my favorite guys name is Jack, so Fight Club had a point for it right from the beginning. And I usually like Brad Pitt, so that's another 1/2 point (hey, I don't always like him!) But this was definately a movie you had to hang with for a scene or two. I mean, what the heck is going on?!

But as the movie rolls and you relax and join Jack's world, things start to make sense. I mean, this is a guy whose life is falling apart for reasons we don't really know but can guess, who is being brainwashed by this other guy, Tyler, who is pretty wacko but also pretty cool. OK. Mostly he's wacko. But I love the punch line, which I won't ruin here, even though I've warned you to watch the movie before you read this. (Do you ever do as you're told?)

Of course, the psychology of the movie is quite interesting. First of all, the way Tyler brainwashes the men who have come to trust him. The way he abuses them and they come back for more...he gives them hope of becoming enlightened and they allow him to form them into whatever army he desires. Only Jack seems to notice that this stuff isn't healthy or good, but he seems to feel that there is nothing he can do about it. Until the punch line, of course. A movie about truly knowing yourself and allowing yourself to grow and change, giving yourself permission to be a little loony in the process. Yeah, that's an extreme simplification, but you really should analyze this movie for yourself, you know. What it means to me might not be what it means to you. But my point of view is still valid. And yours could be wrong.

The dialogue in this movie is great. The monologues have the appropriate affect of giving you a glimpse into Tyler's motives and Jack's frustrations as well as provide a great commentary on our culture. The Martha Stewart line is the my favorite.

One thing he says, "We’re the middle children of history, man. No purpose or place. We have no Great War...no Great Depression. Our Great War’s a spiritual war. Our Great Depression is our lives." Something I've heard about our generation (at least those of us on the cusp of boomer & X) is that we don't have anything to fight, so we fight ourselves. We turn in on our own culture and society because we need a way to identify ourselves somehow. I don't know how true this is, but it sure seems to hold true to some degree. I mean, after Sept. 9th, didn't people ban together and put aside their petty differences for a while? We found a common enemy, so we also found a common friend? The world became a little kinder and gentler for a while. Even New Yorkers had to be pleasant to each other. I see some truth here in what Tyler is saying.

Of course, there is truth in almost everything Tyler says. It's just his solutions that we aren't sure about. Well, we're sure about them, actually...sure that they aren't solutions. But Tyler is who he is, so what can you do?

I must admit, though...seeing Brad Pitt deliver those lines is one thing. Imagining Edward Norton saying them...well, I can't imagine him getting those guys to follow him the same way. I don't know why. I mean...who ever heard of a cult leader named 'Ed?' Of course, 'Brad' doesn't really do it for me, either. I guess 'Jack' really is the best name. 'Jack' can be anybody.

Hmmmm...but can anybody be Jack?

Woah. This movie has altered my life perspectives. It has made me rethink my paradigms, delve deeper into scripture, and covet black dusters.

There is far too much to say about this movie to do it here. I will summarize as best I can then leave you with a few links that will keep you tumbling down the rabbit hole.

The cast for the movie is amazing. Someone to emulate, someone to draw wisdom from and someone to dream about. You pick which ones do what for you. This movie had the action, the lighting, the intelligence, the acting, the music, and some of the most quotable lines. But you know all this.

The philosophies...what a superb job of interweaving western and eastern philosophies without trampling either too badly. After all, a parable can only go so far. This movie manages to take them almost full circle, though, and yet it is done so masterfully that you don't have to feel badly about missing any or all of them. The layers peel like paint on a hundred year old house, but from a distance you see just the top layer.

I feel like the main theme of the movie is faith...faith in absolute truth without physical evidence. Morpheus asks, "What is reality? How do you define reality?" But I think you could use the word 'truth' here and have the same meaning for the movie. Neo is asked to 'free his mind' from the constraints of the physical world that he understands and accept the 'truth' that he can bend reality, that he is, when in the construct, able to bend or break many physical laws. Parallel that to putting your faith in God, whom you don't see and whose power is beyond comprehension. Great parallel, huh? There is so much more, though. Are you beginning to believe?

Further paralleling Christian scripture, you have a death and resurrection scene, (actually, there are three, 2 of them include a baptism,) disciples who don't really know what to think, John the Baptist, prophesies, a lesson in sacrificial love, demons, Judas Iscariat, three temptations in the desert, a reference to the 2 lives we live, one physical the other not, and oh so much more.

Now, what's really going to bake your noodle is that the movie is so loaded with spiritual references, a majority of them Judeo/Christian themes, that finding them all is nearly impossible. There is Neo ('the one' who is to save us), Trinity, the Nebuchadnezzar (literally, "Nebo, protect the crown"...Nebo was the Babylonian God of Wisdom who later acknowledged God's power and goodness. There is more, but, not here.) These are but a few of the obvious things. There is so much more that theses have been composed. Very good ones, too. My two favorites are The Matrix: Cyberpunk Parable? and Generation Exile and Neo Restoration: A Study of Messianic Hope in The Matrix. There are many others, but these are the most comprehensive and well thought-out.

If you're interested, I have the DVD script in html form. I also have put together an 86 page document that
includes Cyberpunk Parable along with my own comments...this one is nice because it is in the order of the movie, so you can follow along with the DVD and catch the references as they happen -- I called it Decoded.
I also added things like what names mean, what each characters part in the parable is, tidbits about the making of the movie, etc. I'm working on combining them with the script in html and pdf form, but it will take me a while. Remember, I can only show you the door. You will have to open it and make up your own mind.

UPDATE: I've finished a website based on the original Decoded that I mention above. Check out The Matrix Decoded !

I just finished watching The Others on recommendation from several people. It wasn't quite what I expected...I thought the story lacked something that I haven't quite put my finger on, yet.

But the lighting amazed me. It lent a historic or an other worldy feel...often you felt the scene had been shot with sepia film and a few items colorized by hand, like an old photograph. Other times people went from being very alive and full of color to pale and ghostly while the camera never left their face. They also paid a great deal of attention to makeup, going so far as to make people's eyes appear bright or dead, sometimes glassy, sometimes sparkling. Some of the shots were very artful as well and did a good job of adding to the suspense and eeriness of the plot.

I did think Nicole Kidman choose a fine role...she is at her best when in a temper and she got to spend quite a bit of time slamming doors, sweeping her skirts, grandly entering or exiting a room. I like Ms. Kidman's acting a great deal, whether she is firey or subdued, but she is one of the best firey actresses on screen right now.

The plot left something to be desired, in my opinion. The movie had a 'made for tv' feel that I expect came across even on the big screen. Lots of inuendos, but not enough true suspense in some of the characters to carry their weight in the plot. I never really got the feel anyone was in danger, ghosts or no ghosts. I thought Alakina Mann who plays Anne did the finest jpb of being drawing out the suspense and drama of her scenes. For a while I expected her to turn out to be the 'evil' element of the story.

It wasn't a truly thought provoking movie, however. And since that is what I am primarily interested in as of late, I don't have much else to say about it. I didn't think the film was, overall, up to par for Ms. Kidman. I applaud her willingness to take risks, though...so many actors and actresses find what works for them and stick to it so long that you know exactly what will happen in the movie the moment you see the credits on the poster. Perhaps that is why she left Tom...he was too predictable. In any case, I am glad I waited for The Others to come out on video. The best thing about it, for me, was definately the cinematography.

What a hoot!

I loved the way they combined songs and used lyrics as dialogue. Just a fun movie!

I'm sure there are some Christian meanings in there.. I mean, 'Christian' and 'Satine"...sound like 'Christian' and 'Satan' to me...she brings him down into a horrible relationship that could never have worked, promising him things she could never give him, leaving him broken hearted and alone.

But you really have to stretch things to make that work. It's really just a fun, fun movie that should be watched witht the volume up load and plenty of floor space.

Be sure to check out the official site...Moulin Rouge