…if there is any at all. Just seen “Pirates of the Caribbean: at World’s End” and absolutely loved it.
It’s a bit long, about 3 hours but quite bearable. Didn’t do well with
the critics though, but let’s “hang the critics”. I’ll have to write a
proper review soon. But I’ll give tidbits. I liked the “Davy Jones/Calypso Arc”
(now we finally understand why he is the way he is, it’s very difficult
to be “deeply attached” to “an entity” as moody and unpredicatable as
Calypso - the legendary sea goddess - and I wouldn’t tell you who she
is yet. ;p) ; the overall development of Elizabeth Swann as a character (from the quintessential “rebellious daddy’s girl” - she seems several degrees more “manly” than Will Turner at times
- to a mature woman - and Pirate Lord.)was something I have expected
and was glad not to be disappointed. The scene with Elizabeth’s father
gave me a “lump in the throat”. There was a touch of “sadness” as the
movie was essentially about the end of an era. The Pirates singing “the
song” at the beginning (as they were about to be hanged) was both eerie
and moving. Jack Sparrow was as “piratey” as ever -
he was more “serious” though - being alone with nothing but yourself to
talk to while in “Davy Jones locker” was the most probable reason. You
can expect nothing less from Mr. Depp. As for Liz ending up with Will
(that is something I have expected as well, she needs someone more
“stable”- although Will Turner isn’t THAT stable
either, he tends to make snap decisions as well- to temper that “strong
will.”). And everything was wrapped up quite nicely.

And I’m quite thankful that I did not encounter people infected with the “uncouthness virus”
(symptoms include talking out loud, giving their own interpretations of
every scene -w/c tend to be wrong) while in the theater. They even
laugh (collectively) at the right moments (how extraordinary)!

I’m rather shocked though why “Fantastic Four” was
given a second outing (given the “what were they THINKING??” aura of
the first film). Although I admit I’m a bit impressed with the trailer
for “rise of the silver surfer” - thank goodness they
decided to do away with Galactus’ ridiculous costume - he looks more
like Darth Sidius here- (although I only saw his back), it’s very hard
to imagine a giant wearing a radio antenna striding around Manhattan
(order to fighter pilots: target the “balls” gentlemen).

As for other things, I have just “discovered” another wonderful song, “Flavor of Life” by Utada Hikaru
(just downloaded it to my player), it’s a basically a “love song”, but
very tastefully done. it has a very definitive touch of sadness. lyrics:

Arigatou to kimi ni iwareru to nandaka setsunai
sayonara no ato no tokenu mahou awaku horonigai
The flavor of life

tomodachi demo koibito demo nai chuukan chiten de
shuukaku no hi wo yumemiteru aoi furu-tsu
ato ippo ga fumidasenai sei de
jirettai no nan notte? baby~

arigatou to kimi ni iwareru to nandaka setsunai
sayounara no ato no tokenu mahou awaku horonigai
The flavor of life

amai dake no sasoi monku ajike no nai doku
sonna mono ni wa kyoumi wa sosorarenai
omoitoori ni ikanai toki datte
jinsei suteta mon janai tte

doushita no? to kyuu ni kikareru to “uun. nandemo nai”
sayounara no ato ni kieru egao watashi rashikunai
sinjitai to negaeba negau hodo nandaka setsunai
“aishiteru yo” yori mo “daisuki” no hou ga kimi rashii janai?
The flavor of life

wasurekakete ita hito no omoi wo totsuzen omoidasu koro
furitsumoru yuki no shirosa wo omou to sunao ni yorokobitai yo

daiyamondo yorimo yawarakakute atatakana mirai
teni shitai yo kagiri aru jikan wo kimi to sugoshitai
“arigatou” to kimi ni iwareru to nandaka setsunai
sayounara no ato no tokenu mahou awaku horonigai
The flavor of life

Translations here: http://akaiyubi.wordpress.com/2007/01/18/utada-hikaru-flavor-of-life-lyrics/

WiP(s): Padme: The Mirror has a Thousand Faces (all ive done was draw the line work and shade half the face (wedding dress); Swann & Sparrow
(I’m halfway with Jack - I enjoy working on it, but sometimes I curse
the costume and the hair for being so detailed and complicated…hehe

Reading: “Tis” by Frank McCourt (I love
the way he wrote the whole thing - with such an admirable degree of
honesty and openess- no wonder he won the Pulitzer.)