Lady in the Water: A Lovely Story

I will preface this by saying that I've just finished The Man Who Heard Voices and I may have been pursuaded by the story behind the story. I must admit to a fair amount of sympathy for Mr. Shyamalan after reading the book and knowing how poorly the movie did at the box office. I'm not going to examine the film as that's already been done, and since I happen to believe that most critics are really just cynics who aren't able to make movies of their own. I'm simply going to defend a film that deserves it and suggest you see it for yourself if you haven't already. It is worth the time and the money.

I saw Lady in the Water a week or two after it opened. It had already gotten several unfortunate reviews, but the theater I saw it in still had a respectable sized audience. People were willing to go to it regardless of the critics.

When it was over, as I was leaving the theater, raw with emotion, I turned to my mom and said that it was just a fairy tale. I had an overwhelming urge to defend it. I couldn't understand why people weren't taking it at face value and simply enjoying it for what it was - a lovely story. I was so very happy I had kept my faith in a great storyteller. The movie lived up to the M. Night Shyamalan legacy.

Going in, I had been worried that I might be let down by a director I admired, that my expecations would be disappointed after months of anticipation (I do so look forward to his movies), that the critics had actually been right. During the opening narrative, I was still fretting and expecting the worst, having a hard time not being judgmental. As the movie progressed, I let the outside influences fade and let the fantasy envelop me. It was wonderful. No one makes movies like that anymore, and the last fairy tales I can remember being that good are all from the classic Disney era. I've been so disappointed with the post-Walt Disney films. When I saw Pocahontas, I knew the studio had lost it's way. All the classics - Bambi, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland - were based on fairy tales and children's stories, not history lessons. That's what a movie for children is supposed to be about. Lessons are learned through the happy endings, not the ability to take a test afterward.

Lady in the Water belongs in that category of films for which no skepticism or rational thinking is required. It should not be picked apart looking for the logic in the plot. In fairy tales, fantastic things are supposed to happen. Characters aren't bound by reality. Lady is a perfect example of why a vast majority of people go to the movies, or why they started going when they were young - to escape. To dream.

Sadly, I think a few too many people have grown up and lost the willingness to use their imaginations. Just look at the popularity of reality television.

What I want to know is: When - and more importantly why - did storytelling go out of style?

After Two Bad Days, Today is an Okay Day

I suppose it's best to start with a good day as there will be many, many bad days if I keep this up.

I'll start by explaining that I hate New York. It was a mistake to move here, and more days than not, I desperately wish I hadn't done it. Thankfully, my mom keeps reminding me that it was just too easy to get here for this not to be the right place for me - at least for this short period of time in my life. So, I can stick it out for two years and finish this degree I started. But, not for one second can I believe that I will stay here indefinitely and become a fan of this, "the greatest city in the world." How can so many people say that with a straight face?

So, why doesn't today suck? Really, it's the little things in life that make me happy. I got my Amazon deliveries far earlier than expected. Having something to read is a very good thing. I picked up my freshly cleaned 33 pounds of laundry. I love having my chores done for me, and at a very reasonable price, too. I bought a Snapple at the corner store in my neighborhood. It was only a dollar and they threw in a straw for free. No 7-11 I've ever been to sells a drink so cheap or offers you a straw when you pay. That made me happy. Plus, a dog was on the train into Manhattan with me. I think it was a young boxer. His head was sticking out the end of his little carrier, and he was doing that typical "I'm pathetic and cold, protect me from the world" shake that all dogs do when they want sympathy. He was also wearing a pink sweater or blanket, so perhaps he was a she. Regardless of gender, if a dog can be happy in this disgusting city, maybe I can too.

I'll ignore the knowledge I have of dogs snacking out of cat boxes so I can believe that rationalization.

Revisions

Well, I've been away from this for months now - really with no interest in continuing it. I have deleted most of the old posts except one I found somewhat amusing, somewhat ridiculous. Anyway, I'm going to revive it for the sake of an in class activity. Perhaps only briefly, perhaps for a while. We shall see.

Still, in all seriousness, I hate blogs. I think they are a silly waste of time and I want nothing to do with them. This page is henceforth to be known as my Internet journal. That sounds so much more low-tech and acceptable.