Favorite Movies: Closer

"Do you have any children?"
"No."
"Would you like some?"
"Yes, but not today."


I first saw this picture in 2004 when the movie came out, and I knew I had to see it (because it looks so cool!). I finally did last year, and Closer has become one of my favorite movies of all time, for its clever banter, amazing performances by the actors, and raw honesty about love and relationships. Here are some of my favorite parts.


This has to be the hottest kiss I've seen in a film, all that nuzzling. Basically the guy (Dan) used to be this quiet nerdy guy until he meets Alice (Natalie Portman), and being with her transforms him into a cocky jerk who is so full of himself he just goes after random beautiful women. (boysaredumb)


"It's a lie. It's a bunch of sad strangers photographed beautifully, and all the glittery assholes who appreciate art say it's beautiful 'cause that's what they want to see. But the people in the photos are sad, and alone... But the pictures make the world seem beautiful, so... the exhibition is reassuring which makes it a lie, and everyone loves a big fat lie."

So this movie is about four people who fall in love and couple up, but two can't help but cheat on the other two. It is not for the soft-hearted, because it is very very sexual and probably very offensive too. But I think it gets right to the point about love and relationships and infidelity, more honest and direct than any other film. And with witty and cutting dialogue to go along with it.


"No one will ever love you as much as I do. Why isn't love enough?"

This is my favorite scene in the movie, with an amazing performance by Natalie Portman. She finds out that Dan has been cheating on her for a year when he just says it right to her, "This will hurt." It is heartbreaking and honest and very realistic. In real life when people break up the girl/guy doesn't just say something clever and biting and walk away like in other movies. It hurts but you just can't let go and leave, you want to hang on, you want to know all the details, exactly how/when/what happened. You want to know if anything had been real, because it's so incomprehensible that this could happen, and this scene does all that beautifully.

"You did love me?"
"I'll always love you, I hate hurting you."
"Why are you?"
"Because I'm selfish."


"How? How does it work? How do you do this to someone?"

After this you might think this movie gives a kind of a depressing view on love, but I think its honesty just addresses the truth about people. Relationships are hard and people are selfish and cruel and deceptive. None of these characters are what they appear to be.

I read a review that claimed Larry was the asshole most guys want to be, but Dan is the asshole most guys are, his petulance and immaturity lurking beneath the shy guy surface. So be careful, girls! The cute innocent ones are the ones that will turn into a huge jerk after they start a relationship with you. Not that that is the moral of this story (movie).

The moral of the story is that Natalie Portman is so so good (hot) in here....roflcakes. If there's nothing else you can get from it.

oh boy!

Finally made a trip to the library today (the public one, not the one at our high school in which we loitered yesterday), and picked up a bunch of books I had on hold. I now have two weeks to finish these. Ready set go!

Here they are, because after everything, I still love love love books:

1. Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card

OSC is so amazing because he just keeps churning out these Ender sequels. Of course they're not as good as Ender's Game or Speaker for the Dead, but I love seeing all these different sides of Ender, from his early childhood to old age and everything in between. I also enjoy reading about the Wiggin family, so so brilliant in every move. I think Ender is the one fictional character I love and admire the most because he is so real but also too good to be real.

2. Beloved by Toni Morrison

Read Toni Morrison's Love for school this past semester, and now I'm going to give this one a try. I hear it's much better and very much a beloved book... haha punny. One of the best works in the last 25 years, according to the sticker.

3. Wicked by Gregory Maguire

I am so excited to finally see this musical in San Francisco in February, so I want to actually read the original story. Looks like a long book though, so not sure if I'll get to it. Until then, I will just listen to the amazing music.

4. Paradise Lost by John Milton

Like Tolkien's The Silmarillion, I admire anyone who has read this. Once I saw someone reading it on the bus and I had instant respect for them. It's a classic that everything else in literature derives from... something I think all book buffs should at least attempt? (Guns, Germs, and Steel was an epic fail for me so sad). This particular edition has an intro by my favorite anti-Narnia author Philip Pullman.

5. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Just something I thought I'd scan over if I get bored. Read this last year. Written by one of my favorite (fanfiction) authors, whom I also met last year when she toured Berkeley. She remembered and knew who I was (loyal fan hello), fulfilling all my fangirl dreams. Though this trilogy is far from achieving the cult status of her fanfiction, still a worthy read. (Jace is so hawt like omgaww incest)

And now to brush the dust off my speedy reading skills and set them to work. Go me!

I made sushi!

Everyone look at the beautiful sushi I made:


wahh for crappy lighting. but still nomnomnom!!

First double post in a day.

Winter Break so far

It's only been around a week of break, and I am bored with still three weeks left. So here is some stuff I've been doing so far.

Snowboarding
First time snowboarding! Drove up to Northstar at Lake Tahoe for two days, where I took my first snowboarding lesson after seven years of not skiing. Getting up on the board is actually very tiring as I realized the next day. Despite this, I did manage to get on a ski lift to my first green hill and ride down a few times.


I looked something like this. No, really.

It was a lot funner and easier than I expected, almost like ice skating. Unfortunately our group had a bunch of uber pros, so I was very noob.


can you spot the noobs?

Caroling
First time caroling too! We actually did it on Christmas Day, instead of Christmas Eve... nonetheless, it was fun because I sang soprano, when I'm normally an alto. Some of the notes got a bit high for me... but at every house we hit, they stuffed us with various food items. Caroling for dinner is not a bad idea :D


what an awkward non-acapella formation.

Other than that, I've also been programming, practicing my cubing, and resisting sales. I want to go to the library soon and get some books maybe... any recommendations?

How to Shop Like an Asian

I started writing this a while ago, but now that it's Christmas season it's more relevant than ever! On other blogs I've been seeing all these lists on how to get gifts for people when you're dead broke (ie. college student), and they go kind of like this:

1. Make something
2. Provide services (no, not that kind)

Since I'm not 12 anymore, I'd rather not make Popsicle-stick frames for everyone on my list, so here are some handy ways to fork over less money than other blokes for the same things. Can't call it saving money because I've heard that buying stuff on sale ≠ saving money.

1. Shop Online
This is getting more and more convenient. In the comfort of your own home, you can have any fabulous thing be sent right to you! But be warned, you should not shop online to the point where you have your credit card number memorized.

In many cases shopping can save you loads of money and energy. Never buy anything at retail price online; you can always find some sort of coupon code in forums like Slickdeals. If you're worried about sizing, go to the store and get an idea first. Familiarize yourself with the store's return policy. In some cases you can just order a bunch of extra stuff to qualify for free shipping, and then if you don't want it go return it in-store.

There are also these sites like Ebates that give you money back for stuff you buy online... initial $5 for signing up!

2. Be patient but alert!
It takes a bit of stalking around on places like Slickdeals and The Bargainist to find something good. Be patient! But you should also familiarize yourself with different stores' inventory, and what you would want to buy from them. That way, when a deal pops up, you already know what you wanted and can jump on it fast. You either have to make very very fast good decisions or be very very patient.

Many times I have missed out on a good deal because I considered for too long (Seagate 120GB portable drive, $30 was it?), but other times I ordered too early and the price went down the day after.


Try to be like a cougar... stalk around, but always be ready to pounce!

3. Use Customer Service
That's what these people are here for. For YOU. Use them, either in stores or by calling their Customer Service line. Although the agents always seem to be Indian women (in India), most of the time they are very nice and helpful. Amazon has excellent Customer Service, by the way. If you think you got jipped on a purchase, call them and speak to an agent. Normally they will try their best to compensate. After all, you are the customer and you are ALWAYS RIGHT. Fight for that extra dollar!

This applies in stores too. Don't be afraid to ask the salespeople about discounts, sales, promotions, return policy. Smart shopping says inspect your merchandise before purchasing. If an item is damaged, point it out! They will most likely offer you a discount if it's the only one left in stock. I once got a $10 skirt for $5 because of a tiny rip.

4. But still be Asian!
Which is to say, after reading this you'll probably start seeing fantastic deals everywhere. That doesn't mean you should just keep spending and spending. Remember to still look at quality and usefulness and practicality and all that jazz. Do you really need another $6 microSD card? Do you really want to buy crappy clothes/jewelery at Wet Seal even though it's like $1?


Ask yourself: Do you really need a Nose Pencil Sharpener?

But of course, if you're just buying gifts for other people, this tip doesn't really matter. Who cares if it falls apart later as long as they like it when they open it?

Well I hope these helped! Have a good break everyone.

I need more interesting topics

So I will use the new additions to our quote big post-it board:

Stephanie: I just saw Vincent on the bus!
Me: Oh cool. He just sent us an email.
Stephanie: No wait. Not that Vincent. The other Vincent. Victor-Vincent.
Me: what...
Stephanie: Oh wait, his name is Victor.
Me: *feels sorry for Victor*

Stephanie: hey, how do you spell analyzation?
Me: ...you mean analysis?

Random pretty thing:

gorgeous photo by Nicoline Patricia Malina

throw rocks at them

After much consideration and debate, us girls of the apartment decided to change our router name from something a little too promiscuous and revealing to:

boysaredumb

What a nice philosophy that all four of us can share. except of course, we love Erik.

And in an attempt to recreate last year's quote wall, here is our first addition:
Christina: Our internet router's name is boysaredumb!
Stephanie: OMG YAY!!!