Sleepwalk With Me

Directed by: Mike Birbiglia, Seth Barrish

Written by: Mike Birbiglia, Joe Birbiglia, Ira Glass, Seth Barrish












I've heard this story once or twice on "This American Life," and it's a very interesting story. Essentially, a sleepwalking disorder and a quest to become a comedian help Mike learn some important life lessons. Unfortunately, aside from a few funny scenes, it didn't really translate into the film medium as much as I had hoped.  It may be worth watching if the story is new to you, but there isn't much added in the film that isn't already available elsewhere.

Darth Paper Strikes Back

Written by: Tom Angleberger












In this second book of the "Origami Yoda" series, a villainous Darth Paper shows up to wreak havoc with the Origami Yoda universe.  Not quite as charming as the first book, but at least a fitting sequel.

Lincoln

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Written by: Tony Kushner (screenplay); Doris Kearns Goodwin (book - "Team of Rivals)









Abraham Lincoln is such a massive figure in American history, that it's hard to believe that any one movie could reasonably define him.  Of course, only Steven Spielberg could even reasonably attempt a movie of this scale.  And, for the most part, he was pretty successful.

Part of the film's success lies in its relativey limited scope.  "Lincoln" only shows the president at the peak of his leadership, nearing the end of the Civil War while he is trying to have the 14th Amendment passed and ratified.

Daniel Day-Lewis somehow becomes Lincoln (or, at least, how I always imagined him to be), but great performances are pretty much expected from him.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda

Written by: Tom Angleberger












"The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda" compiles a "case file" proving the wisdom of a paper Yoda.  (And that makes even less sense than when I planned it in my head, but bear with me.)  It's a fun young-adult book, well worth reading and crammed with enough Star Wars references to choke a wookie.

The Game

Directed by: David Fincher

Written by: John D. Brancato, Michael Ferris










This film is a plot twist within a plot twist, a reveal within a reveal.  Its a bit clunky at a few points, close to stalling on itself, but picks back up again a few beats later.  The acting isn't terribly remarkable, but the film is carried mostly by its story.  The last twenty minutes of the movie make some of the earlier sluggish scenes worth the slogging.

Quick Note

I'm using the New Year's Day holiday to catch up a bit and start the year off fresh.

Anything posted today (from "The Crucible" to anything else I can get through) may be shorter and shallower than usual.  I simply don't have the time for reflection on these that I usually do.  Please keep that in mind.

The Grapes of Wrath

Written by: John Steinbeck












Easily one of the greatest and most important novels ever written.  If you haven't read it yet, there's not much I can add hear that would be meaningful.  You need to experience if yourself.