The Hours by Michael Cunningham

Well I warned ya. Here it is. My thoughts on The Hours by Michael Cunningham. I watched the movie before I read the book. Usually I try to red the book first. Mostly, the books are always better and watching the movie first makes the reading less enjoyable for me. I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and the book.

So, the what's the story. Basically, Cunningham tells the stories of three women, Virginia Woolf, Laura Brown and Clarissa Vaughan (who is called Mrs. Dalloway by her beloved Richard). We get a glimpse into each of their lives. Cunningham gives some early hints at how their stories are intertwined and all becomes clear by the end of the book.

I understand The Hours to be Cunningham's tribute and homage to Mrs. Woolf. Having never read and of her books ... including Mrs. Dalloway, I can only take the critics' word for it! The style of writing is not something I would typically enjoy. However, I noticed that it is not too far from my own (especially the use of extra dialogue in parentheses). It is however, beautifully written. It some sense it is lyrical, poetic even. But, more than the wonderful writing, the story is magnificent. I can only describe it as extraordinarily ordinary.

I would like to point out something from the book and the movie adaptation that made me laugh. Clarissa Vaughan is played (brilliantly, I might add) by Meryl Streep (okay, she is brilliant in practically everything). In the book, Clarissa passes a movie set on her way to buy flowers. While in the flower shop, she catches a glimpse of a star emerge from her trailer inquiring about a sound. Clarissa thinks that maybe, just maybe, that was Meryl Streep or Vanessa Redgrave. That scene did not make it into the movie. But that would have been hilarious.

Anyway ... on to the

Last Words: Great book, I recommend it, it is beautifully written.

Netflix

Netflix

So I figured I should share my opinion something since it appears to have been a while since I have posted anything. I am working on reading The Hours by Michael Cunningham. I will have a review up for that soon.

But, as usual, I digress. Lets talk about Netflix. A couple of reviews ago, I recommended that if you MUST see the Fantastic Four, wait till you can Netflix it. Netflix is fabulous.

In case you have been stuck under a rock, Netflix is the online movie rental original. Pay a monthly fee, get x number of movies at a time. The more titles you want at one time, the more you pay per month. You set up a Queue of the movies you want to see and everything gets sent automatically. Keep each movie as long as you like. Postage is paid both ways. Simple, eh?

So I have the three-at-a-time program. Sometimes I think I could go for a two-at-a-time deal. But, three is good most of the time. It is great. So easy to use, add movies, and rearrange the order of movies.

I have had only one problem where a disc I got was just refusing to play. I notified Netflix online and was send a new disc before I even sent the dead one back. Good stuff.

Netflix also has some great and nifty tools and features. Based on the movies you have watched and ranked, Netflix will recommend other titles for you. While I have enjoyed most of my recommendations, some of them are just way out there. You can also share ratings with friends who use Netflix. I have personally never tried it, but it seems like fun.

Now, I will admit that I have not tried Blockbuster's online rental service. I don't plan on trying it either. Netflix is the original, and that's enough for me. I will say that, if you are not a big move renter/watcher, you might want to stick with Blockbuster. This is most suitable for people who always like to have a new movie on hand.

Netflix is one of those phenomena that changes our language (remember way back when we simply searched the internet instead of "googling" it?). I no longer rent movies. I Netflix them

Last Words: It is so great, I recommend it, FREE TRIAL!