Things I Should Like But Don't: Part 5

As I was thinking about what I felt like sharing today, I realized that I went through the entire month of August without a "Things I Should Like But Don't" post.  (My previous posts on this topic can be found here, here, here, and here.)

If you've missed my other posts and don't feel like clicking on all of those links, here's the basic premise: once in a while I cover something that, based on my interests and hobbies, I should probably like.  Despite the fact that it would make sense for me to like it, I don't.  I've honestly tried to like everything I've added to the ever growing "Things I should like but don't" list, but, like I said, I just don't.

Today's post covers both a book and a movie based on that book.  (See?  I really tried to give this a fair chance ... I watched the movie after reading the book to see if it would be any better.  It wasn't.)  Today's post is about Atonement.

Image courtesy of IMDB.com.

I first read the novel (written by Ian McEwan) several years ago after picking up a copy at Half Price books.  The plot sounded like something I would love (I'm a huge fan of darker stories), and it received so many rave reviews that I had to read it!

I'll admit that the first third of the book was amazing.  I couldn't put it down!  And then Robbie goes off to war ... And the whole book went downhill.  I was so bored throughout the second part of the novel.  It focused solely on Robbie's experiences at war, so you'd think it would be thrilling (or at least interesting).  Nope.  I think it took me over a month just to make it through that section because I had no desire to pick it up and continue reading.  The last section of the book was slightly better, but it was still kind of ... Meh.  I did appreciate the ending, but I wasn't overly impressed with the way McEwan arrived there.

After reading the book, I decided I'd try to watch the movie.  Again, it seemed to get many rave reviews, and I was curious to see how a novel with such rich imagery and character development (Ian McEwan is an amazing writer even if I don't always adore his work) would translate to the screen.

I was pleasantly surprised that the war portions of the novel were significantly reduced in the film, but it still managed to let me down.  I can't put my finger on what exactly turned me off, but the whole thing just kind of flopped for me.

I know a lot of people enjoyed both the book and film versions of Atonement (the movie was even nominated for Best Motion Picture of the Year at the 2008 Academy Awards!), but I'm just not one of them.

Things I Should Like But Don't: Part 4

I've already written three posts dedicated to things I should like but don't.  If you missed those posts and feel like reading them, they can be found here, here, and here.

I feel like there are a ridiculous amount of things that fall under this category for me.  Because of this, I've been giving each item its own post instead of trying to cram a bunch of things into one extremely long post.

This installment covers something I wish I liked, but just can't bring myself to actually want to use: E-readers.

Image courtesy of www.arstechnica.com.

I can understand the appeal of E-readers like the Kindle.  They're great for people who travel frequently, want to save space, or want to purchase (and receive!) books with the click of a button.  But, as much as I want to, I just don't like them.

My mom offered to buy Kindles for Eric and me a couple of years ago for Christmas.  He was kind of like, "Eh, I might use it or I might not."  I, on the other hand, responded with, "I'm definitely not interested."  Call me old fashioned, but I love to hold a book in my hands and flip through the pages.  I also love the smell of books (and no, I'm not kidding).  A Kindle will not be able to recreate those things for me.

And what about book shopping?  I've always loved the feeling I get when I go to a bookstore (new or used, it doesn't matter) and stroll up and down the aisles, thumbing through any books that spark my interest.  I do order books on Amazon regularly, but I still would never completely replace the experience of in person book shopping with online book shopping.

I wish I wanted a Kindle.  I really do.  I have tons of books, and my collection continues to grow.  I'm sure at some point I'll need even more bookshelves to house them.  I also love to travel, and a Kindle would be so much easier to tote around than a thick, heavy novel.  Additionally, I'd never have to wait impatiently for my books to arrive from Amazon again.

Maybe one day I'll learn to embrace this technology.  Until then, E-readers just aren't my thing.

Things I Should Like But Don't: Part 3

One thing I've always found fascinating is what people like and dislike.  What makes someone like one thing and dislike another?  And why do I often feel like I should like something (based on the other stuff I like) but find that I just don't?

This feeling is what sparked the idea to create a series of posts I like to call "Things I should like but don't."  If you missed the first two posts in this series, you can find them here and here.

Today's post focuses on a band most people are surprised to learn I dislike.  That band is The Postal Service.

Image courtesy of www.pitchfork.com.

Death Cab for Cutie is one of my favorite bands ... And I still hate The Postal Service.

I want to like them, but their style just grates on my nerves.  I mean, the song "Such Great Heights" is great lyrically.  But, to be honest, I much prefer the Iron & Wine version.

I'm not the type of person who expects side projects to sound just like someone's "main" body of work.  I genuinely think some people can produce incredibly diverse and amazing music by branching out a bit and trying something completely different (Dallas Green of Alexisonfire/City and Colour and James Mercer of The Shins/Broken Bells immediately come to mind, but I'm sure I could think of more).

I also actually like some "electronic"  and/or "experimental" music.  But there's something about the "electropop" sound of The Postal Service that's just completely obnoxious to me.

In summary:

Ben Gibbard + Death Cab = Phenomenal

Ben Gibbard + The Postal Service = Thank God this was only a side project

Things I Should Like But Don't: Part 2

Earlier this month I posted the first installment in a series I like to call "Things I should like but don't."  That post can be found here if you're interested.

Today I'm going to share yet another thing I should like but just ... Don't.

Image courtesy of en.wikipedia.org.

I love Charlie Kaufman.  Love him.  I will watch anything as long as his name is attached to the project.

Adaptation.?  Awesome.

Synecdoche, New York?  Wonderful.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?  One of the most heartbreakingly beautiful films I've ever seen.

Being John Malkovich?  One of my favorite movies of all time.

Human Nature?  Sucked.

I wanted to love this movie.  I really did.  I mean, Charlie Kaufman wrote it and Michel Gondry directed it.  (This is the same team that produced the amazing Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.)  The plot sounded interesting (could I expect any less from Charlie Kaufman?), and I expected a blend of dark humor, the absurd, and an overall unique viewing experience.

I saw this movie several years ago, so it's not really fresh in my mind.  I will say, though, that I remember being bored as I watched it.  I also remember wanting to shut it off several times but thinking, "No ... It will get better."

It never got better.

Sorry, Charlie Kaufman.  Don't worry ... I still love you.

Things I Should Like But Don't: Part 1

I wrote a post on my last blog listing 5 things I should probably like based on my personal tastes and interests but, for whatever reason, don’t.  I really liked the way it turned out, so I’ve decided to recycle the old post (and add in some new things as well).  I know that’s probably considered lazy blogging, but I’d rather keep interest and attention on this new and (hopefully) improved blog instead of linking to my old one.

Instead of making a list today, though, I’m going to chop the original entry up.  If I don’t, I feel like it could get really long and overwhelming.  There are a ridiculously large number of things I could add to this list, but I’m sure no one feels like reading a novel when they click over to a blog.  Over time, I’ll be covering my original 5 things, as well as any new things that come to mind.
In this first installment, I’ll be covering something I really should like if I ever want to be a successful blogger.  That something is Twitter.

Image courtesy of blog.twitter.com.

I use Facebook (though I’m not a very active user).  I use Pinterest.  I even blog.  But I don’t use Twitter.

I signed up for a Twitter account a long time ago.  So long ago, in fact, that I honestly can’t even remember the username I selected for myself.  I’d heard only positive things about it, and I’d read that it can be an invaluable networking tool in many cases … So I figured I should jump on the bandwagon and use it.

I think I literally signed in one time (and tweeted zero times).  I poked around a bit, trying to figure out what all the fuss was about.  I guess I never figured it out, because I thought it seemed ridiculous and boring.

I realize that Facebook has unfortunately become much like Twitter with the news feed and status updates.  People love to post about what they had for breakfast, what they’re doing later, and things that are of a much more TMI nature.  (Seriously, some things are just better left unsaid!)  I think that’s what I didn’t like about Twitter in the first place.  Everyone seemed to want to post bigger, better, more interesting things so that people would want to follow them, but no one was really saying anything at all.  (Although the 140 character limit might be partially to blame there.)

@twitter #notafan

At least I’ve got the lingo down … I think.