Makers of a potential 3rd Dark Knight, hear my cry...

So, I just got back from the film Terminator Salvation and I have to say that it lived up to my extremely un-lofty expectations: it was exciting, loud, had great special effects, actors chewing the scenery, and terminators. What else are you looking for? But Paul, who loves these films almost as much as the Alien franchise was extremely disappointed. I tried to make him feel better by saying that, with the exception of movies that were filmed as an all-in-one such as Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings, film franchises should always stop after the first sequel. My cases in point: Empire Strikes Back rules. The Return of the Jedi has ewoks and a yodeling Chewbacca. Spiderman 2 has an insecure hero and Doc Ock. Spiderman 3 has a hip-thrusting Peter Parker. The Matrix should have stopped after the first one. Ditto Pirates of the Caribbean. I can't even begin to discuss the pile of manure that is X-men 3 after two very respectable efforts. The third Bourne movie is fine, but I think the first two are better. Paul tried to find exceptions to my rule. Unfortunately, the Harry Potter film franchise actually GOT BETTER by the 3rd, but since it sucked for the first two, that doesn't count (and it still continues to bring on the suckage)! So, now I must rest my case with my rule on "the curse of the third film." I'm just praying that any aspirants to making a third Dark Knight film will feel my pain and reconsider.

What. The. Hell. and other literary criticisms...

I've just finished the fourth of nine books that I have to read for my summer graduate class on the 20th Century Global Novel. Each of these first four have had atmosphere in spades. In fact, at times, that's all they are is atmosphere. Is it a symptom of explaining the aftershocks of 19th century colonialism and the societies that have risen from the ashes? What I think I mean is, are they so resonant with the atmosphere of their respective settings in an effort to capture and reflect that underlying culture? I'm not sure. But I'm fascinated by these lyrical authors who evoke Place so well. And the main issue in each so far has been power - whether it is a cultural clash, gender clash, familial relations clash - a lot of it seems to come down to power: who used to have it, who has it now - and how the newly empowered are often no better than their predecessors. Among other things. All I can say so far, and I just wanted to spell some of this out for myself, is Holy Wow. Pretty amazing books. I LOVED J.M. Coetzee's Disgrace and Michael Ondaatje's Anil's Ghost and really liked Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea. I have more mixed feelings about Jamaica Kincaid's Annie John but it was drenched in atmosphere.

So, now for my "what the hell" moment: I looked up some critical reviews on each of the books and just have a bone to pick with these "literary" personages of The New York Times book review, especially this guy: http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/05/14/reviews/000514.14ederlt.html. What the F is this even saying? Honestly. This is just bad writing. It says nothing but has a lot of stylistic pyrotechnics. Someone ought to punch this guy. I'm just sayin'.