Hipsy's View: Benjamin Button

*WARNING: SPOILER ALERT!!!!!! If you have not read this story, I advice you not to read this blog, due to that it contains some spoilers. If you do not mind being told parts of the stories, then please read this review and comment.*

Today, I read a story where I first laughed, and by the end of it I cried. Some may think that strange to do, but this is the second book I have read from F. Scott Fitzgerald, and had the similar feeling towards the end of a story. For the first time, I have read The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and I pity the character Benjamin. In the beginning, the story seems like a comedy; it's funny to see how a child is born a fully grown, elderly man, and can speak as though he has been talking for sixty years. I could even imagine his bridle, old legs sticking out of a baby carriage. But as the story progresses, I feel sorry for poor Benjamin because instead of enjoying the things we should as we age, such as becoming a parent and being successful in business --and in Benjamin's case, war-- those things start to slip away. They don't slip away because of old age and the loss of memory, but because things like that do not matter to little boys. And instead of dying knowing he has loved ones among him, it became "all dark" and everything "faded out altogether from his mind." Now usually I cry when a character dies in a movie or a good story, but I felt sad for Benjamin. Life was unusual for him, like it is for everyone, but to go through it backwards I think would be horrible. It would be unfair to go through life in an unusual order and not know what you could have, and did accomplished when you were on this earth in the end.

I liked this story, but I feel sad to think of a character who had to live a life backwards and not join us in the things we all must -- or have already have -- experience in the beginning, in the middle, and near the end of our own stories.

Hipsy's View: Matched

Well, today's the day I give you my very first review on a book I have read during my leisure time. I couldn't put it down, and though I had to begin classes today, I finished reading it within four days (which is like a record for me). So all of those of you that enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's The Host, I would certainly recommend that you read Ally Condie's Matched. Condie plans to write two more sequels to this novel, completing a trilogy by the end on 2012 (the second is rumored to be released November 2011, and the third on November 2012). As an avid reader myself, I must tell you, this book was GREAT!!!!!!!! 

Growing up, I was always told two things about books:  One, never judge a book by it's cover, and two, never read the ending of book because you'll ruin the story and not be interested in it. Well, this may come as no surprise, but I usually break those two rules. It's habit for someone to judge a book by it's cover, plus I find it helpful to do so (last time I judged a book by it's cover and tried to read it, I couldn't finish the book because the judgment I made was right; it was dull and not interesting, just like it's cover). Also, I find that reading the ending of a story to be helpful, because after reading a small piece of the ending, I want to know more of how the story or novel came to that ending, and who are some of the characters that are referred to. Well, as usual, I judged Matched by it's cover. 

I found it interesting, seeing a girl in a green dress trapped in a bubble. It made me wonder what it could be about. I heard a little about it, and I thought it could be a good read whenever I could get a chance to go to the library. Then, luckily for me, I went to a bookstore near the laundromat I was at on Thursday. I was searching for a different series I have been badly wanting to read again. After picking up a classic book I once read when I was younger (A Wrinkle In Time), the bookstore owner pointed out Ally Condie's novel to me; it was the last copy on the bookshelf. I was intrigued to pick it up and read it right away. I thought to myself, I may after all be able to read this novel before school began again (and I did). As I got back to the laundromat, I started to read the book (surprisingly, I didn't read the ending this time, which is a good thing for this story). But I had to reluctantly, put it down. The next day though, I was able to enjoy the story, which I think many of you will as well.

The story is about 17-year-old Cassia Reyes, who lives in the Oria Province, in the near future. The province and many others are under control by the Society. The Society has helped perfect the world as we know it and everything is done for the greater good. The Society also tells people who they must love, where they must live and work, and when they must die. When the time came for Cassia to be matched with her future "husband", she was matched with her best friend Xander. Both were given a microcard, explaining to them about their match. Since Cassia and Xander grew up together, they knew much about each other all ready. But the day after they are matched, Cassia looks at the microcard, meaning to see Xander's face and maybe learn something she may not know about him yet. But instead of seeing Xander, she sees another boy from her childhood past; his name is Ky. Was she matched correctly, or did the Society match her with wrong person?

This is another perfect story for all those who are not much into science fiction. Plus, as the reader, I was able to connect with Cassia and her story. She starts off doing everything that the Society says is right, and then she starts to think for herself and wonders if everything the Society says or does is best for anyone. Why can't we choose for ourselves? Why can't we love those we want to love? Why can't we die on our own terms? Everything Cassia felt, I felt. Like many readers, I was no longer myself; I was Cassia Reyes. But if you truly want to know more about the story, you're going to have to go to the library or buy the novel, and read the story. If I was a certified and paid critic, I would give Condie's Matched five stars and perhaps a "Book of the Year" award. So go check it out. If you want to know more about the novel, go to it's website at http://www.matched-book.com/

*Note: the picture above is the cover of the novel, but I added the words on the bottom of the picture. I have no copyrights to the picture or verse below the picture; those belong to the owners.

Hipsy's View: Merry Christmas 2010

Hey everyone, just dropping a line to wish you all a Merry, MERRY Christmas and a Happy New Year. Coming to the end of another year, and just beginning a new year in my life (I just recently turned 21), I realized how many things I have seen in such little time. I know I've started this blog to be a somewhat freelance, unemployed critic, but I'd like now to share with you some of the things I have seen.

I'm young, and I still have more to learn about, but I have seen so much all ready; you, my readers, may even shared these experiences (even more than me).

A year after I was born, the Berlin Wall came down. When I was seven, the world was shocked by JonBonet Ramsey's death. After I was ten, I saw that world didn't change into a "Jetsons" episode with flying cars and maid robots in 2000. But three months before my 12th birthday, it did feel for moment as though the world was coming to an end as I watched along with my classmates the Twin Towers fall during 9/11. As I got into high school, I changed from the tomboy to the quiet loner-with-friends. And now, I am 21-year-old Hispanic/Caucasian girl who almost has an AA, and who has yet still to see the real world. 

This past year has been difficult for my family and I, but as we come to the end of another year, I have a feeling this next year holds something better for us. I pray your future in the next year will be just as grand. Again, Merry Christmas, everyone. May your holidays be as wonderful as mine have been so far.

Sky Alicia

Hipsy's View: Oeipus the King

In my World Literature class, we are required to write an interact for each reading we discuss in class. By this, I mean that we the students are read our assignments, discuss them in class, and then give our opinion on the readings. One that I did earlier this year was on Sophocles Oedipus the King. I thought it would be interesting for you all to read it; it kinda makes think. Hope you enjoy it.

Oedipus: Was It Fate or Ignorance?

            Many of us know the story of Oedipus: as a younger man, he killed his father and married his mother, not knowing his true identity or that he fulfilled the prophecy the Lord of Apollo in Delphi told him. When he found out the truth, he dug out his eyes with his dead mother-wife’s dress pins, saying he did not deserve to see since all the once beautiful things he knew were gone with the truth revealed. But one must wonder if it was fate that caused this happened to Oedipus or if it was his own ignorance that caused his ill fortune.

            This is a very strong, debatable conversation. One like this can possibly lead to someone’s faith. Are we set on a path that leads us to our fate, be it good or bad? Or are we in control of our own life and can we make our own path by the choices we make? What if it’s both? If we look closer to the story of Oedipus, we learn from not one, but three oracles that Oedipus was destined to kill his father and lay with his mother; to the oracles, this was the will of the gods. When Oedipus tries to escape his fate, he instead runs straight into the path the gods set for him. Then, being ignorant and not thinking before he speaks, he sets his own destiny of exile and hardship while charging the late King Liaus’ murderer before finding him.

So, many could say Oedipus set his own path. Or that whether he tried to escape it or not, he had a set path ahead of him that he was meant to take. I believe both of these statements are true: Oedipus had a set path and it evolved in time with the decisions he had made. What I’m trying to say is whether we think it or not, our decisions coincide with the path all ready set for us, and together, the path and the decisions shows a future we must face, be it great or horrible.

©2010 Sky Duran

Hipsy's View: Happy Halloween

Hello, my frightful ghouls and ghosts.
I'm mostly writing this blog to say Happy Halloween. Now "All Hallow's Eve" is a very popular holiday. In fact, it's the second most popular holiday known in the world, the first being Christmas. Many celebrate the holiday by dressing up (originally to scare off evil spirits), trick-or-treating (usually done by the poor who could not afford to buy a meal; in return, the poor would give the giving family a prayer to protect their home), and enjoying ourselves by going to parties, watching our favorite scary movies, and reading our favorite eerie poems and novels. Some of us have either all ready celebrated Halloween last night (on Devil's Night) or plan to do so tonight. I for one will be continuing my Halloween by reading Bram Stocker's Dracula, watching A Nightmare before Christmas, and just spend time with my family.

So to end this blog, I am hoping you all enjoy yourselves. Read Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven and The Tell-Tale Heart, watch your favorite classic horror film, and have fun dressing up as a vampire, a zombie, a ghost, a princess, WHATEVER you want to be. Have fun and stay safe tonight.

Happy Halloween!!!!!

Hipsy's View: John Malkovich

This is my first view on an actor, and is more than likely not the last.

John Malkovich, in my opinion, is one of the greatest actors known in today's entertainment society. Every character he brings to life is unique in its own way. One of my favorite characters Malkovich help bring to the movie screen was a character named Lenny. Lenny is a character from a book by John Steinbeck called Of Mice and Men. Lenny is mentally disabled, due to kick in the head by a horse when he was young. He's a big man who is more like child in his own way. In 1992, Malkovich starred in the the movie Of Mice and Men, along side with Gary Sinise (who also directed the movie). Just look at the video clip from the movie (the link after this paragraph) to see Malkovich's performance; those that have read the book may agree with me that his performance was great. http://movieclips.com/watch/of-mice-and-men-1992/lennies-dead-mouse/

One the thing I love about Malkovich's performances and portrayals is that he makes the viewers believe in the characters; the characters become real to us. We feel what we are suppose to: we feel fear for him and Mary in the movie Mary Reilly when he plays Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde; we feel sympathy and remorse for him in The Man in the Iron Mask because of how he lost his son Raul; we don't like him when he plays the bad guy on Eragon. These are just some of his characters! The main point I'm trying to show is that he is an exceptional actor whose portrayal of so many characters amazes me that I can't help but what to watch the movies he is in over and over again. If I ever had the chance to meet him in person, I would consider it an honor and a privilege to meet someone with great talent such as his.

The following link is to Mary Reilly, available on hulu.com (note: you must have an account through hulu to view this; it's meant for mature audiences only):
http://www.hulu.com/watch/174888/mary-reilly

Hipsy's View: Another Reason for Helen leaving with Paris?

Ok, I don't mean to seem obsessed with this Illiad topic, but I couldn't resist this one. My mother and I were talking about it just the other day, and I just can't get it out of my head. So maybe writing it down may help.

Now I know of two versions of how Paris brought Helen to Troy: 1) He brought her by force and so the Greeks were fighting to save her. And 2) Helen went on her own accord with Paris because she loved him. But after reading Book IV of the Odyssey, I saw Helen seemed quite faithful to Menelaus. This brings me to a possible third way of Helen's reason of leaving Sparta for Troy:

We know that Aphrodite promised Paris the most fairest and beautiful woman on earth if he chose her as the most beautiful goddess and not Hera or Athena. We also know Paris took Aphrodite's offer. Here's how I see: Helen may have loved Menelaus, and was happy. Aphrodite saw Helen was the most beautiful and fairest woman considered on earth, but also noticed that she was happily married. Aphrodite may have not liked Troy like Hera and Athena didn't, or it was just fate for Troy to fall, but Aphrodite was also a part of the construction of destroying Troy. Seeing how Helen was married, and wanting to keep a promise to Paris (or create chaos), Aphrodite sent her son Eros (Cupid) down to Earth to strike Helen with a love-struck arrow. After this was done, and Helen went with Paris to Troy, the battle began.

Now there have been in some Greek stories that the love sick feelings sometimes fade away, and I believed this happened to Helen. In Book IV of the Odyssey, she states in lines 288-296 how she was happy to see Odysseus and other Greeks in the city of Troy:

      "The rest of the Trojan women shrilled their grief. Not I: / my heart leapt up--my heart had changed by now--I yearned / to sail back home again! I grieved too late for the madness / Aphrodite sent me, luring me there, far from my dear land, / forsaking my own child, my bridal bed, my husband too, / a man who lacked for neither brains not beauty." ll 291-296

Now either she is a good liar, or Helen was telling the truth. That is how I view a possible third version of how Helen came to be with Paris.