Kimmedia

Brains of Earth by Jack Vance

Kimm Wiens — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 05:46:44 +0000

All of Jack Vance’s books have alot to offer. Vance is an extraordinary wordsmith and his fantastical worlds are a pleasure to escape into albeit many portray the dark / shadow side of humanity. This book’s a special one and hard to find. Also published as "The Nopalgarth", if you can find it read it!

“Cat’s Eye” by Margaret Atwood

Kimm Wiens — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:26:26 +0000

Females can be every bit as mean as men they just do it in a different way. Women seem to talk alot more about men’s abuse of women while women’s abuse of women is rarely brought up as a problem. In my life, there’s been as much or more of the latter. As Atwood clearly shows in this book, women’s meanness can be extremely spiteful and uncaring and can leave damaging scars that are quite profound. Often girls who are treated this way grow up to prefer men who seem to bring more acceptance and less grief to their lives.

Margaret Atwood’s creative ability for description alone makes this book a worthwhile read. Her writing conjures up sensory experiences that are utterly unique, surprsing and yet familiar at the same time. Her observations are of new, uncliched discoveries, even while she is talking about an everyday, normally overlooked object. The psychological complexity woven with her descriptive abiliity makes an interesting and provoking read.

This is the first book I have read by Atwood but I look forward to reading others.

Hancock

Kimm Wiens — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 04:03:12 +0000

Alot of people hated this movie but hey, I liked it. Not only that but because I didn’t expect much based on the reviews I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was I pleasantly surprised, I laughed my head off which was a really fun way to spend a Friday night.

Did people not like this because the superhero is an extremely (to put it mildly) imperfect, anti-social homeless guy? Just wondering . . .

The only shortcoming was a tepid ending but as I said the laughs made it worthwhile.

House of Cards Trilogy (House of Cards / To Play the King / The Final Cut) starring Ian Richardson

Kimm Wiens — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 04:19:50 +0000

This BBC miniseries is a study in political power struggles and the people whose lives fuel them. Francis Urquhart (played by Ian Richardson) happens to be the prime minister of England but his character gives insight into the motivations and actions of politicians everywhere obsessed with their own rise to power regardless of the cost to the people they simultaneously pretend to be serving.

Darshan – The Embrace . . . a film by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi and Jan Kounen

Kimm Wiens — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:27:17 +0000

While those familiar with Amma will surely enjoy this intimate and touching film about Amma – people with no awareness of who Amma is would probably also enjoy this film as: an introduction to Amma, gurus, Hindu religion, Darshan, pacifism or just as a beautifully executed film that is a visual pleasure to watch.

The thoughtful editing and diverse and artistic footage really conjured up the timelessness and intimacy many experience in Amma’s presence.

" A battle without bloodshed . . . only peace and love."

Disorient by Richard Bone

Kimm Wiens — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 04:29:12 +0000

Non-lyrical, upbeat, creatively interesting but unobtrusive music that goes well with reading or other "thinking required" tasks.

Only Yesterday by Isao Takahata

Kimm Wiens — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:25:18 +0000

Only Yesterday – an anime by Isao Takahata (a long-time colleague of Hayao Miyazaki) is called Omoide Poro Poro in Japanese which means "Memories Like Falling Teardrops".

In the film, Takahata poignantly captures the emotions of the rite of passage between girl and young woman. The anime – much of it taking place in the countryside of Japan – is beautifully artistic. The plot revolves around the main character’s childhood dreams juxtaposed with her adult ones – switching back and forth between them. A coming of age tale, the story is simple, direct, heartfelt and crosses cultural boundaries as a story any girl or grown woman could relate to. Notably, the article at Wikipedia on this movie states "In spite of its subject matter, the film was a surprise box office success, attracting a large adult audience of both sexes." So don’t shy away from watching it just cuz your a guy.

Rhialto the Marvelous by Jack Vance

Kimm Wiens — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:08:58 +0000

I’ve read all of Jack Vance’s books at least twice. Then there are my favorite Vance books like Rhialto the Marvelous which I reread with great satisfaction every 3 or 4 years.

The book is collection of linked stories revolving around Rhialto, magician extraordinaire. To sample some of Vance’s other works, check here.

Alternate Realities – by Richard Bone

Kimm Wiens — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:23:05 +0000

The music in this collection of music by Richard Bone invokes relaxation and calmness and is perfect for unwinding or listening to while writing or doing art.

Kimm Wiens — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:55:13 +0000

John Brunner describes a world overrun by consumerism, and corporate politics which is, at the time of writing, in the future.

The book is wild and strange and also a bit spooky since that future has arrived.