Was on sick bay and rested all day yesterday which is a novel thing for me. Finished Coehlo's "Veronika Decides to Die" Sat and started on David Baldacci's "The Christmas Train" Sun. Wrapped it up yesterday and having nothing much to do but read magazines, decided to watch 2 DVDs -- Orson Welles in "Citizen Kane" and Hitchcock's "Vertigo."
Midway through Coehlo's novel, I already got the feeling early on that somehow, our protagonist will not meet an early demise and I was right. But the novel was illuminating nonetheless and drives home the point it may be only when you have a short time to live when you appreciate living. Liked the elegant writing of "By the River Piedra.." more though.
Baldacci's writing, in contrast, is kinda straightforward and predictable. The story is likeable though and like a feel-good movie, is meant to be a heartwarming story for the holidays.
Finally got the time to watch what is touted to be the greatest movie of all time, "Citizen Kane." It is splendid and I think deserves much of the praise heaped on it over the years. Hitchcock's "Vertigo" is nowhere in the vicinity of his landmark "Psycho" but is great moviemaking and storytelling anyway. Lastly, got to watch "Dawn of the Dead," an updated version of the George Romero original and it was a gorefest of a bummer. 'nuf said.
Next stop: Kurosawa's "Ran" and "Rashomon"
