green_dreams: Books, and coffee cup with "Happiness is a cup of coffee and a really good book" on the side. (artsy spacey)
[personal profile] green_dreams
Went to see Quantum of Solace. Really engaging if not particularly complex (and honestly, keeping a movie interesting when that much of it is chase scenes is a feat. I fell asleep during one of the Bourne movies).

Bond, as per the last movie, remains something like a shark in a tuxedo. You wind him up, you put him in a situation, you hope that maybe he leaves someone alive for questioning. George Stark-ish, I tell you.

Random digression on the way home led to a brief discussion of the US Unknown Soldier, and the factoid that no-one guarding him has any rank (which I knew), and that the Unknown Soldiers are awarded the Medal of Honour. Find this oddly fascinating, and think there is a great deal to be said about archetypes right there (although admittedly, the last discussion I had on the topic of unidentified-individual-as-symbol revolved around Jack the Ripper, so I think I'm kind of bouncing around the map here).

On the topic of dead things and archetypes, recently finished Brian Keene's Dead Sea. Fast little read, and while I wouldn't call it remarkable it was definitely decent. Got the impression the professor character was a bit of a mouthpiece, but then I have no objection to listening to digressions on the Hero's Journey and Joseph Campbell, so that was okay. Also, zombies.

It's raining and grey, and generally the perfect kind of day to sit inside with a hot drink. I shall go continue to do this.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-11-16 02:13 am (UTC)
cyprinella: broken neon sign that reads "lies & fish" (Default)
From: [personal profile] cyprinella
Pardon the friendsfriends drive-by - your bit about the Unknown Soldier reminded me of this really interesting documentary I've seen on PBS a couple of times about Arlington Cemetary, its history and its rituals. They go into a lot of detail about the (living) soldiers at the Tomb and it's really interesting.

(no subject)

Date: 2008-11-16 03:28 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] aersi.livejournal.com
Oh good, glad to hear Bond is at least interesting! I was getting worried with the reviews I'd seen. Will be waiting to see it for at least another week though- I like having elbow room. >_<
Oh! Was it the second one?! I fell asleep during that one!

As for the Unknown- I've been to DC twice, and both times we went to Arlington. Honestly, its one of the most serene places that I've ever been, and if anyone deserves that its the people resting there. And there is something about watching the changing of the Guard is one of those things that you can't help but watch. The atmosphere around the place is just- well, you can feel it.
I recommend stopping in if you ever find yourself in DC. Certainly one to the better/more interesting monuments
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