The Plain at Suzaki by Utagawa HiroshigeI apologize for not posting on a more frequent basis. We've been without the internet for the past 6 months and so it has been difficult to get around to posting. We're tossing around the idea of going back online next year so hopefully I'll be able to resume a more regular posting schedule. In the meantime, I've enjoyed not having the internet cause I read a lot more books, but do miss it for all the little conveniences. I've been on a bit of a Middle East binge lately, here are some recomendations:
Books:From Beirut to Jerusalem by Thomas Friedman. Kind of a memoir of the time he spent as a journalist in the Middle East. Eye opening and pretty fair for a guy from the enemy paper.
Guests of the Ayatollah by Mark Bowden. Super interesting read about the Iranian hostage crisis from 79-81. I absolutely love the way this guy writes. Super thorough, never dry, covers all the angles. Stayed up way too late, way too many night in a row reading this one.
Vengeance by George Jonas. This thriller is the true story that Steven Spielberg based his movie Munich on. The movie was horrible, the book is incredible. When I got done reading it I wished I wished I had never read it just so that I could read it all over again for the first time. Disturbing, makes your pulse race.
Movies:
The Color of Paradise. This Iranian film is about a blind boy whose widowed father is ashamed of him. Beautiful, a real treat for sensates, moves slowly enough to let you feel it. Also gives you a heart for the Iranian people and their land (which was surprisingly scenic).
The Kite Runner. A heavy but ultimately redemptive film about two boys from Afghanistan. Again, will give you a love for the people and the parts of their culture not corrupted by the Taliban. These two movies are both sad and heavy, but I can't stand nor would I recommend a movie without redemption. Redemption doesn't have to come wrapped neatly with a bow on top at the end of the movie, but it must be there for me to enjoy a movie.
Charlie Wilson's War. Gentlemen, you'll have to avert your eyes during the first 3-4 minutes of this one, but it's clean after that. Interesting. The end will make you whistle and mutter sadly, "well, we really blew that one didn't we?"
3 comments:
I thought I would come by the blog today, kinda like driving by a house you used to live in, just to see if anything had changed. It was a sad coming, though - not really anticipating anything, and rather somber considering so many happy days gone by never to be shared again - or so I thought. And then it was there before my eyes like running into an old friend as you turn the corner on some busy street - you posted a NEW post! Now the parting is thoroughly joyous because we have renewed our acquaintance and it seems vibrant again. Please don't let it wither. For the longest time I would visit, as if stopping by to pay my respects at a never-changing tombstone. I even thought of leaving a comment on an old post, thinking maybe someone would read it and send it your way - but I never did. It was too sad a thing to do. But now, a new post and a comment in response. We are alive again. Thank you, my friend.
I read "The Kite Runner" and was so disturbed I'd never watch the movie, and I really enjoyed "Charlie Wilson's.." with Lanier (on our honeymoon, no less). Have you ever read "Conquest of the Middle East" by Robert Fisk? It's huge and I've never finished it but it's a great read. We also rented "Paradise Now" about 2 Palestinian guys picked for martyrdom. VERY interesting movie. I recommend it.
Thanks for the recommendation for "The Color of Paradise." Sarah and I watched it two nights ago, and really enjoyed it. I don't think we would've found that movie if you hadn't mentioned it on here. I like and agree with your description of "slowly enough to feel it." We've seen the other two movies, and liked them both, though I liked the kite runner book better than the movie. Still worth watching though.
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