Shout Out to the Flist

[itsallovernow]

It's hot here.

And sticky.

But I saw Superman Returns with filmg33k and a fabulous time was had, despite the comedy of errors that was us getting into the theater. I went to her place so we could go to the Los Feliz Grand, and when that was sold out, we drove to the Chinese which was by my house and got in. The movie was entirely effecting, and fun, and I agree completely with Kath. It's exactly what a superhero movie should be despite making absolutely no sense in places. I kinda of totally loved it.

I'm shepherding a bunch of International Scholars around the city tomorrow. Oy. It's going to be sticky.

And I'm currently watching Ghostbusters. Yeah for our ridiculous temporary cable package. I have an unholy love for this movie.

And for the actual reason behind this post. I'm looking for Chinese Fairytales. Particularly ones that have a darker sort of bent. Anyone have any ideas? I pretty much know my regular fairy tales - Western and Eastern European. I even have a passing knowledge of Japanese folk tales. But Chinese seems to have passed me by.

Comments

[redstarrobot.livejournal.com]

Mulan was actually based on a Chinese folk tale, which was considerably darker in the original. (I believe her village carved their complaints into the skin of her back with a knife before sending her off to the army.) Google tends to turn up good results on folktale searches; their top link is this one.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

I had really bad luck getting what I wanted from Google, actually. But thank you!! Although, apparently your Kung Fu is better than mine because this didn't come up for me! Thanks.

[redstarrobot.livejournal.com]

You've actually reminded me that I had a big book of Chinese folktales as a kid, and I wish I could remember more of them, but there was a lot of stuff about the Monkey King (as well as a Chinese series voiced over in Britain by a character actor from the '70s who did a lot of guest spots on SF of the era). Quan Yin sprang up in China, too, although she spread through much of Buddhist Asia. (That page links to a page of Chinese deities, which mentions the Eight Immortals, which I also remember reading about as a kid.)

[scapersuse.livejournal.com]

Ah, Ghostbusters. My go-to movie when I want something playing in the background that I can recite all the lines to (yes, I do that *is a dork*) or just get a good giggle out of.

I've been wanting to see Superman Returns - what you said is what I've been hearing, that the cast is good, the movie is fun, but at one point (or possibly more?) it gets totally illogical and falls apart. Between Toronto Trek and my trip to see my dad I don't know when I'll get to see it but hopefully it won't leave theatres in the next two weeks! Heh.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

It doesn't fall apart:) It just doesn't make a lot of linear logical sense. But dude, it's Superman. It doesn't have to.

[scapersuse.livejournal.com]

But dude, it's Superman. It doesn't have to.

Exactly!! I mean, when I saw him flying around the planet, reversing it's direction and turning back time, I wasn't like "but, but .. !" Superman we can handwave. *g*

[rubberneck.livejournal.com]

"Hey, remember that time when you tried to drill a hole in your head?"

"That would've worked if you hadn't stopped me."

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Hee. Dude, I totally thought of you!!!

"Ray, the next time someone asks if you're a god, you say YES!"