Museum Mile and Andromeda Klein

PART I: THE GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM/MUSEUM MILE

Don't you just love Museum Mile?

Always a beautiful springtime evening in New York City.

5th Avenue is closed from 84th to 104th street.

10 Museums are of free admission and include internationally renowned museums such as The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Neue Gallery.

There is live music, chalk drawings, and free activities all along the mile.

The main museum I wanted to visit was the Guggenheim.  However, I did not know what I would be getting myself into.  I knew that the main exhibit featured in the rotunda was called "haunted" but I thought it would be works that had to do with people who were haunted by something. For example, the pictures n the pamphlet featured an original Andy Warhol and a Princess Diana portrait.  However, I was very wrong.  Little did I realize that the Rotunda would have quite gruesome and disturbing images. Example #1: collages of photographs which each had an eerie/creepy theme. Example #2: An x-ray shot of the oral sodomization of a DOG! Example 3: There were some photographs of naked children. Nothing sexual, but the lighting of the exhibit and photos around made them seem a little out of place. Example 4: The top rotunda level featured about 5 or 6 different angles of one continuous shot of an old man sitting in the chair.  Nothing happened to him but they put the explanation of the film at the end of the exhibit. I did not like this because I thought something bad or disturbing was going to happen to the old man.

If you are interested in this "modern art" you still have the chance to see "Haunted" until the beginning of September.

On the other hand, the annex levels of the Guggenheim featured amazing original peices from the likes of Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. Another special exhibit on one of the annex levels was artwork created by NYC elementry school children. I recommend these exhibits, but you should wait until the Haunted exhibit is gone so the general admission of $18 is worth it.
Other museums on the mile I recommend include The Museum of the City of New York and the Cooper–Hewitt, National Design Museum which is affiliated with the Smithsonain.

PART II: BOOK REVIEW: ANDROMEDA KLEIN
Title: Andromeda Klein
Author: Frank Portman
Genre: Dark Comedy
Summary: Andromeda Klein focuses on high school occultist, Andromeda, who simultaneously tries to save her beloved local library from modernization and solve the various mysteries surrounding: her missing much-older boyfriend; the strange signs seemingly being sent to her from her recently deceased best friend Daisy; and her ever more prophetic tarot readings. (From Wikipedia)
Review: Andromeda Klein is the second novel by Frank Portman (the first being King Dork, an excellent read, I might add.) and has a similar style of writing and themes.  I've noticed Portman tends to write about teenage misfits and let's face it, we've all been there.  He also tends to write in stereotypic high school figure. Ex: a geek, the hot popular girl, etc, etc. Even though in the grand scheme of things Portman's writing has sunken to a lower level since King Dork.  Maybe I feel this way because King Dork had a male lead and Andromeda just wasn't there for me.  In fact, Portman made me feel like I was there for Andromeda.  At least Tom from King Dork was loveable whereas, Andromeda was just weird and not developed enough.  Sure, Portman included daily rituals and specific things about Andi's life but they just kind of felt like minor details that were just there. But, I did like that Andromeda Klein was a quick and easy read that was, for the most part, entertaining.
Grade: B-

BRONX ZOO!!!!

HI GUYS!

Today, I went to the Bronx Zoo.
I saw baby lions.
What is not to love?
I took about 400 pictures
The best of the best will be on my Flickr.
The Bronx Zoo is a beautiful zoo, obviously, I had a great time.
Photos from the gallery walk are on my flickr now too.
I expect zoo pictures to be up later tonight or this week.
ENJOYING SPRINGTIME IN NYC!
Have a wonderful day! :)

http://www.flickr.com/robs320 --> my flickr account

2010 Madison Avenue Gallery Walk

HEY GUYS!

Wow, its been almost exactly a month since my last post.  Sorry! I haven't really been doing anything interesting lately.  However, I did do something pretty interesting today, because it was FREE and in MANHATTAN.  Today (May 15, 2010) was the 2nd annual Madison Avenue Gallery walk running from 57th and Madison all the way up to 83rd.  This event was alot of fun and it was for a good cause! First, let me give you a desciption of what the event was about.

The Madison Avenue Gallery Walk is an event where most of the high end galleries on Madison Avenue in the Upper East Side of Manhattan are open and any artwork bought from a partcipating gallery donates a portion of the proceeds to NYC Public Schools.  This event gives regular people a chance to go into high-end galleries and not feel so intimidated.  On the otherhand, the artwork is expensive.  For example, there was a gallery of photographs in the Hermes store and another that sold classic Tiffany jewlery and another that sold ORIGINAL PICASSO'S! Also, most of the galleries required that you rang a doorbell to enter which made me feel like I was entering a space where I didn't really belong.

Anyways, there were a lot of really beautiful galleries that were really interesting to look at.  This reminded me of the annual Museum Mile Festival (This event is coming up soon; I will be attending again this year.) where you could go into a museum-like space for absolutly no cost.

Overall, next year you might find some of the stuff interesting.  And besides that, there are plenty of luxury fashion retail stores you can peek into.   This event is also great for people watching.  Today, I saw the EXACT kind of people you think of when you think of the Upper East Side. It was really fun to watch. Today was a beautiful day and I hope you all got some fresh air!

Tomorrow, I'm going to the Bronx Zoo to see the three new lion cubs! I'll definitly be posting about that along with pictures on my Flickr.

http://www.flickr.com/RobS320

ENJOY SPRINGTIME IN NYC! ITS BEEN GREAT THIS YEAR!

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

Hola! Yesterday I finished reading the newest book by Chelsea Handler, Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang.

Title: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang
Author: Chelsea Handler
Genre: Memoir, Humor
Summary (from dustjacket): Life doesn't get more hilarious than when Chelsea Handler takes aim with her irreverent wit. Who else would send all-staff emails to smoke out the dumbest people on her show? Now, in this new collection of original essays, the #1 bestselling author of Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea delivers one laugh-out-loud moment after another as she sets her sights on the ridiculous side of childhood, adulthood, and daughterhood. Family moments are fair game, whether it's writing a report on Reaganomics to earn a Cabbage Patch doll, or teaching her father social graces by ordering him to stay indoors. It's open season on her love life, from playing a prank on her boyfriend (using a ravioli, a fake autopsy, and the Santa Monica pier) to adopting a dog so she can snuggle with someone who doesn't talk. And everyone better duck for cover when her beach vacation turns into matchmaking gone wild. Outrageously funny and deliciously wicked, CHELSEA CHELSEA BANG BANG is good good good good!
Review: I felt that Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang was a little too similar to Vodka. I knew that it was the same formating of Vodka, but I guess I was just expecting a different experience.  I felt like there wasn't anything really different about the quality of writing.  Don't get me wrong, I did like the book.   Quite a few parts were laugh out loud funny.  I also think that Chelsea Handler is much funnier in person because she's talking and thinking of the top of her head.  Books don't really have the same sense of quick and cruel humor.  Sorry this review is so short but those are my feelings in a nutshell.  Also, I like Chelsea Handler so I am being very lenient with my grade.  Plus, the book is worth reading if you want a very non serious book to read.
Grade: B

P.S. I have a suprise to tell you! Stay tuned!

Date Night

Wow, it seems like a really long time since I posted.  Almost a month! Great to be back.  Whenecer I see a new movie or read a new book I think "Oh God when will I have time to update my blog?", but then I sign in and start typing and I feel like I could write for days! So happy to be back!

Title: Date Night

Genre: Comedy

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Summary: Steve Carell and Tina Fey play Phil and Claire Foster, a "boring couple from New Jersey" in their first and highly anticipated on-screen colaboration.  The night starts when they go out for a date night in Manhattan to an exclusive restaurant.  There are no tables available so they take another couples reservations.  Little did they know that the couple they stole a reservation from were on the run from the mafia.  During their meal two suspicious characters ask them for the flash drive which Phil and Claire know nothing about.  This leads to a comedy-filled, action-packed night in Manhattan that involves Will.I.Am, a strip club, and a car chase that will make you literally lol.
Review: I am a HUGE fan of Tina Fey and all of her work.  SNL, 30 Rock, Baby Mama, etc.  I had very high expectaitions for this movie and boy did it live up to them!  Date Night was one of the funniest movies I have ever seen.  Hands down.  Steve Carell and Tina Fey have an amazing on screen chemistry which really helps alot.  They are two naturally very funny people so there really wasn't any possible way this movie could've gone wrong.  Another thing I loved about this movie were the rediculous amount of stars.  These included Steve Carell and Tina Fey of course, Will.I.Am (Black Eyed Peas), Olivia Munn (G4TV), Kristen Wiig (SNL), Mark Whalberg (The Departed, Entourage), Ray Liotta (Goodfellas), John Franco (Spider-Man trilogy, Pineapple Express, Milk), Mila Kunis (That 70's Show, Family Guy), and SO MANY MORE!
Another thing about this movie is that I think alot of people think it's a romantic comedy but it really isn't!  Sure there are some "aww" moments but this movie is purley a COMEDY! Guys will enjoy this just as much as girls will.  There is an AMAZINGLY HILARIOUS AND ACTION-PACKED CAR CHASE and a pretty long scene at a strip club where Phil and Claire bust a move.  See this movie.  See it on a date, some friends, or even by yourself because this movie will make you leave the theater smiling.
Grade: A+ Tina, you've done it again.

Double Review ft. Going Bovine and Love is the Higher Law! Plus An Encounter With TWO Great Authors at the NYC TEEN BOOK FESTIVAL FINALE!

Can I get a moo, moo!?

Last saturday was a very exciting day as it was the finale of the 2nd annual NYC Teen Author Book Festival. The NYC Teen Author Book Festival (lets call it NYCTABF) is a week long event where some of the best YA authors gather throughout the five boroughs and do talks, meetings, and signings all of which are open to the public.  The NYCTABF is open to the public and the event that always gets the biggest crowd is the mass book signing at Books of Wonder ( http://www.booksofwonder.com/ ) where over 60 authors get to celebrate with cupcakes, sign books and meet the fans.  I hope this tradition will last until I have teens who will want to celebrate.  Last year I had the privilege to meet with Scott Westerfeld, author of the Uglies trilogy and Leviathan (picture above at right); Ned Vizzini, author of Be More Chill and It's Kind of a Funny Story (It's Kind of a Funny story is a book I highly recommend and don't judge it by the back cover summary; it's inaccurate); David Levithan, co-author of Nick and Norah's Infinate Playlist and author of Boy Meets Boy and Love is the Higher Law.  Robin Wasserman, author of the Skinned trilogy, Hacking Harvard, Chasing Yesterday, and less popular Seven Deadly Sins series also regularly makes an appearence although I've yet to meet with her. 

I just found out that the mass book signing was occuring about a week before the event through a tweet sent by Scott Westerfeld ( @ScottWesterfeld ).  I was reading through the list of authors and discovered I had two books from authors who were going to be there. I immediately started reading in preperation for this event.

Below is a pic of Libba Bray and I. It's a little blurry and I look horrible, then again, my mom took it :-P

FIRST REVIEW:
Title: Going Bovine
Author: Libba Bray
Genre: Dark Comedy, Adventure

Summary: 16-year old Cameron is a misfit diagnosed with Mad Cow Disease. When a punk-rock angel named Dulcie tells him there may be a cure he goes on a road trip with along with a video-game obsessed dwarf named Gonzo and yard gnome who just so happens to be Balder, a Norse god.

Review: When I saw this book in Barnes and Noble when it first came out in October, I was instantly drawn to it.  The cover art is great and when I looked at the summary that was even greater.  I got it for Christmas and it was on my very long list of books to read. Like I said earlier when I heard Libba would be at the signing, I just had to start reading it.  Going into this book I didn't expect it to be as non-realistic as it was. I did know however, that it was going to be pretty sarcastic, loony, and a pretty good read.  Going Bovine recently won the 2010 Michael L. Printz Award which is, along with the Caldecott and Newberry honors, like the Oscars of children and young adult literature.  Now on to the actual review.  Let me start off by saying that, even though at 480 pages, Going Bovine is a pretty quick read.  The story is straight-foward and at an easy reading level.  Don't let this fool you! There is reference to marijuana use, loss of virginity, and many F-bombs are dropped.  However, I feel this is realistic as part of a troubled teen's life and does not take away from the reading experience.  Some things I liked about Going Bovine were the sense of high school realism you get at the beginning of the story, the sarcastic humor, and the changes you see as Cameron goes on his adventure through a surreal yet not-so-surreal America.  I also liked the messages and morals of the true meaning of life that we all know deep, down inside.  My final thoughts: A pretty funny and real yet imaginary read that will leave readers with a bittersweet taste in their mouth.

Grade: A/A-

SECOND REVIEW:

Title: Love is the Higher Law

Author: David Levithan

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, LGBT

Summary: Three New York City teens named Claire, Jasper, and Peter express their reactions to the terrorist attacks of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 and it's impact on their lives.

Review: Like Going Bovine, Love is the Higher Law instantly caught my eye with its dark cover picture of the downtown NYC skyline highlighting the Ground Zero memorial lights.  I was also excited to see that David Levithan was the author.  I didn't expect David to write on such a serious topic based on reading Nick and Norah's Infinate Playlist which is more on the comedic side of the literature spectrum.

       As soon as I read the first page I instantly felt a strong sense of realism.  This remained true throughout the book and I even felt that parts of the book could be semi-autobiographical.  Another thing about the book is that it's not easy to read.  There aren't graphic descriptions of the actual attack but there are very detailed descriptions of what is happening in the streets below right after.  Most parts were difficult to read mainly because it was almost like I was experiencing the aftermath for the first time, being only in kindergarten when they happend in reality.   Two scenes that got me really emotional was one where Claire is out in Battery Park in the middle of the night helping a woman light candles in the rain.  The other was one where Claire and Jasper are walking around Ground Zero in the middle of the night having a conversation. The second one didn't really have any super-emotional feeling to it but I think it was the part in the book where everything really hit me.

       Overall, Love is the Higher Law is a thought provoking book for kids my age who aren't really old enough to remember everything that happend.  It also gives adult's at the time three new points of views from teenagers with different backgrounds and boroughs.  Love is the Higher Law gives an extreme sense of realism that is tuly touching to New Yorkers.  I was sure to let Levithan know how much this book means to me when I met with him last Sunday.

Grade: A+

                                                                               
                                                                                                                                 

Alice in Wonderland

Hello!  Welcome!

Before we begin, I would like to tell any parents reading this, not to take your sick kids to the movies.  There was a little boy sitting behind me coughing the entire time.  Also, please do not have a 5-minute phone conversation during and movie.  Please, be considerate of other people.  Thank you.

Today is the opening day of a film that I highly anticipated.  The name of the movie is Alice in Wonderland.  I was so excited to see it!  I love the work of Tim Burton and there were some very well known actors in it too.  Johnny Depp, Helena Bohnam Carter, and Anne Hathaway, to name a few.  I was also very excited to see how the new Alice (Mia Wasikowska) would turn out.  Anyways, time to review.

Title: Alice in Wonderland
Genre: Fantasy
MPAA Rating: PG

Summary: Alice Kingsley, now 19, attends a party at a Victorian estate shortly after the death of her beloved father.  Alice spots a white rabbit wearing a waistcoat and pocket watch.  In shock and confusion, she runs off into a maze and follows the White Rabbit through it.  She eventually tumbles down a rabbit hole into Underland, more commonly referred to as "Wonderland" by its inhabitants.  She had visited this place 10 years earlier, but had entirely forgotten about it.  She is also told that she is the only one who can slay the Jabberwocky, the dragon who terrorizes the inhabitants of Wonderland under the rule of the Red Queen.

Review: -sigh- Where do I begin?  I was pretty disappointed with the marvelous Tim Burton's rendition of Alice in Wonderland, a story that truly do enjoy.  I think the main reason I wasn't too happy with it is that it didn't have a very genuine Tim Burton feel.  Sure it had kooky characters and dark elements. but it just wasn't the same.  I think the reason being is that Burton nearly ALWAYS uses physical set and very few CGI effects.  "Alice" did not have that.  The backgrounds and such were most definitly green or blue screen and almost all the characters had to have a touch of CGI to them.  Example, Johnny Depp's eyes were increased in size 15% and Helena Bohnam Carters head was increased neary double its size!  Also, alot of the animal-like creatures (Cheshire Cat, White Rabbit, Jabberwocky, etc.) had to be done using CGI.  Also, you kind of forget you're watching it in 3-D, which was not worth the $16 admission at my local theatre.

       One of the elements I did enjoy was the costume design.  Mostly, the changing of Alice's dresses due to her changes in size.  I also liked the set of the White Queen's palace which was one set that did have a genuine feel to it.  Everything on the Red Queen's side of Underland seemed like nuclear wasteland.  I also liked most of the bits of humor throughout mostly coming from the Red Queen.  The Mad Hatter's humour was more intended for little kids.

       Overall, I feel like this was not Tim Burton's best piece of work.  I missed the genuine sets and disliked the usage of CGI which is fairly new to Buton's films.  Had the film been PG-13 he could've gotten away with something darker and wierder (which is what I was expecting).  Also, this movie is better for kids and tweens.  Don't really take it too seriously.  And any die-hard "Alice" fans out there, do not get your hopes up.

Grade:  C (unfortunatly)