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loot gluts

Films these days are really lacking in originality. If we look at what films are in cinemas, the majority are sequels or remakes, novel adaptions or follow the same formula as other films of a similar genre. It's sad that things have become about money making. I mean, as a film maker myself, I'd love to be paid to make films. But I don't want to be one of those people who just churn out shit romantic comedy after shit romantic comedy. Where is the joy in that?

I just watched the season finale of Gossip Girl and (spoilers), there's a scene where Serena Van Der Woodsen spots a handsome but Dan-esque gentleman adapting F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Beautiful and The Damned into a film, so this is where all the heat is coming from. I think I'm just jealous that Serena Van Der Woodsen has everything. But my point still stands that films these days don't require as much thought. Or maybe it requires more thought, because not all novels are really compatible with the screen. I mean, imagine adapting Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis into a short film. Actually, I think that's been done. But I mean, even if it has been done, it probably takes a bit more creativity to make it compatible for the screen. Like one of my favourite lecturer's have said to me, creativity flows better when we have restrictions placed upon us.

Maybe I shouldn't be too harsh about all the sequels and novel adaptions. I suppose it can be just as hard to turn a novel into a film as it is to come up with a story from scratch. But the thing is though, a lot of our ideas aren't purely from scratch. Our experiences in life, what we read in books and what we see in films all contribute to all these "original screenplays". I suppose what I'm trying to say is that inspiration comes from anywhere. We appropriate from what is good, and we extend from what is lacking.

Now, excuse me while I start writing my zombcom...

Cruise-athon

Hello, Zheng here. My partner in crime has taken the liberty to post a couple of funny things that has happened to her and she has strongly advised that I follow suit. And indeed I will/have!

The other day, I was watching The Last Samurai, with Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. I don't normally watch these kinds of films because a lot of them are really just "look how the white guy saved/tamed the non-white" etc. The Last Samurai is a bit like that, but it was still pretty good.

As I watched the film, I noticed myself growing more and more attracted to Tom Cruise, something I never thought would happen due to his intensity in the public. But the inevitable has happened (I think it was because he had a beard and his hair was long and unkempt - signs of true masculinity), and now I've embarked on a solo Cruise-athon, watching the back catalog of his greatest hits.

One film in particular was sensational. It is Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia. I don't like Tom Cruise's character in the film (he's kinda shit), but the whole film was gorgeous. I loved it. It was all quite touching. It's about the lives of several characters and how they all intersect with each other. One character that eats into my heart is Donnie the Quiz Kid. Watch the film, and you'll see what I mean.

Not quite monitored

Zhara on phone:

Zhara: "So just letting you know this conversation will be monitored for quality control purposes. Is that ok with you?"
Grumpy old Man: " No."
Zhara:" Ok, we don't have to do that."
Grumpy old Man: "I am going to monitor you."
Zhara:"...Ok...um, why?"
Grumpy old Man: "Why shouldn't I?"
Zhara:" Ok.. you can if you want to."
Grumpy old Man: "No, I don't want to, Goodbye!"
Zhara: (shakes head and hangs up)

German expressionist films

Zhara: "Must watch more German expressionist films"
N man: "I just watched the episode of Fawlty towers with the Germans in it, does that count? :D"
Z: "Nope."
N man: "Aw :("

Knock knock knock, its Zhara and Zheng!

Hey hey,

welcome to our blog! Here you will find all kinds of cool and wacky things, inspiring things, silly things and anything we feel deserve a Zhara and Zheng mention! ;)
So welcome, and we hope you have fun!

cheers,
Zhara and Zheng