Last time I was at the book store my eyes stumbled across this book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brain Selznick, and I found it completely irresistible. It was the 2008 Caldecott Medal winner, the first novel to do so.

ORPHAN, CLOCK KEEPER, AND THIEF, twelve-year-old Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric girl and the owner of a small toy booth in the train station, Hugo’s undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message all come together… in The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

This 526-page book is told in both words and pictures. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is not exactly a novel, and it’s not quite a picture book, and it’s not really a graphic novel, or a flip book, or a movie, but a combination of all these things. Each picture (there are nearly three hundred pages of pictures!) takes up an entire double page spread, and the story moves forward because you turn the pages to see the next moment unfold in front of you.

The story revolves around automata and early cinema (specifically the works of Georges Méliès). While it is a work of fiction, it references a lot of historical fact from the early years of film. Georges Méliès’ 1902 classic, A Trip To The Moon, plays a major character in the book.

It’s basically a steampunk primer for kids.

I tried to read it slowly, because I really wanted to savor every little bit of it, but it’s not only beautiful, it’s a great tale. I’ve already read it twice, and I foresee another read in my immediate future. I highly recommend this book to anyone with working eyeballs.

This is my favorite thing of the day. Thanks, Kiersten, for sharing this little gem with me.

After many long discussions with him about his behaviour, I have invited Mr. Oso Loso, Esq. back into the house. He was banned last summer due to his incessant urinating in places I did not want him urinating. I got fed up, and I kicked him out.

But I really missed him. He is cuddle buddy extraordinaire. And now that it is just me and the Nems in the house, I felt like Nemmie needed a friend (and I needed a cuddle buddy).

So we talked. I told him this was a trial run, and if he starts to pee again, he’s out. He’s been bathed, had his nails trimmed, and I’ve been spoiling him with meaty food. So far, so good. He is taking the cuddling a bit to the extreme, but we have a year to make up for, so I’m allowing it. Hopefully the ecstatic drooling will subside soon.

I need to take him to the vet next week. Looks like he may have an abscess. He has notoriously bad teeth (just like his poppa). He’s eating fine, but his mouth is always slightly open, and he looks a little dumb. He’s too handsome for that.

District 9 was pretty much perfect, and I absolutely loved it. I am not usually a fan of CGI movies, my eyes can’t get past the obvious differences, but this one felt very natural to me. Kudos to the filmmakers for that.

It does an extraordinary job of illustrating how idiotic male-driven societies are, and what complete power-hungry fools they can be. It’s all kill or conquer. There isn’t a strong female character seen anywhere in the film, and in a normal Hollywood blockbuster setting this would piss me off, but I think it worked out well here. I don’t know if any of this was intentional, I’m sure it’s just me being boys-are-dumb bitchy, but it really made me fall for the film.

One of the best experiences of the movie was when it ended and the guy behind me said, “At first I didn’t know who to root for. But then I saw the slums they lived in. Just exterminate them all. Get rid of them.”

Perfect. Thank you for validating it all for me.

*Side note: They played the trailer for Jennifer’s Body. I know this is a Diablo Cody movie, and I keep reading such good things about it, but that trailer is awful. I will still watch it when it comes to either Naro or DVD, but I am in no rush. There have been times where a trailer is just really bad, and does a horrible job of selling the film. I hope this is one of them.

Happy Birthday to my favorite ManEatingVixen! An evening of chilaquiles lessons and Romy and Michele is in order. And new tunes.

1. Smokey Hormel – Louise Marie Wa Motema
2. Elvis Perkins In Dearland – Shampoo
3. Howling Bells – Cities Burning Down
4. Rainbow Arabia – Harlem Sunrise
5. Chosen Armies – Children Collide
6. Anjulie – Boom
7. CuCu Diamantes – Mas Fuerte
8. Looper – These Things
9. Eels – Fresh Blood
10. The Dirty Projectors – Stillness Is the Move
11. Phantogram – When I’m Small
12. The Horrors – Sea Within a Sea
13. Bat For Lashes – Use Somebody (Live Lounge BBC Radio 1)

Listen Here

(for jlt)

1. Juana Molina – Rudo y Cursi
2. Björk – Earth Intruders (Lexx Remix)
3. Yeasayer – Final Path (Daytrotter Session)
4. WHY? – This Blackest Purse
5. Danger Mouse & Sparklehorse – Jaykub (feat. Jason Lytle)
6. Federico Aubele – Otra Vez (feat. Sabina Scuibba)
7. Forro In The Dark – Perro Loco
8. Blind Pilot – Go On, Say It
9. Rodriguez – Crucify Your Mind (Daytrotter Session)
10. Psapp – The Camel’s Back
11. edIT – Certified Air Raid Material
12. The Mekons – Stilltime

Listen Here

Jared’s little brother just gave him a copy of the colorized version of Forbidden Zone (aka the movie we love so much we flew to CA to view the theatrical re-release). I had no idea about this release, but rest assured, i have since ordered myself a copy.

I’ve been telling Amanda for the past year that she must come over and watch it with me, or maybe even show it for Outdoor Movie Party one night, but it hasn’t happened yet. I think getting this new version of it might a sign that it is now the time.

This is a great week for DVDs. It’s almost like I’m in the condo again getting daily package deliveries. Ahhh, the good old days. Soon. Very soon.

I realize this blog as of late is just video after video, but it’s hot and I’m lazy and I like movies. And fall is when all the good stuff comes out, so late summer is filled with nerdy excitement. Plus, it’s Terry Gilliam, so you really shouldn’t even complain.

I have a very vague idea what this movie is about, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to love it. It has a very limited US release (3 theaters), so I just ordered the UK DVD. Can’t wait to watch it.

(Also ordered a Hong Kong DVD of Ponyo, because I’m sure the Disney version will suck.)

I just remembered reading recently about a planned remake of The Secret of NIMH. I hope that this is exciting news. That is one of my favorite childhood films. It was so scary and great.