Han Shot First: An Open Letter to Screenwriters

The DVD of the Deathly Hallows, part 1, came out the other day. DVD releases mean deleted scenes. I checked out the deleted scenes over at YouTube.Why, may I ask were these scenes removed? They are fabulous, especially the goodbyes to the Dursleys.

I have often wondered what screenwriters could possibly be thinking when they make some of the edits they do. I accept that when turning books into movies, pleasant but tangential plot lines must fall away. I also except that movies need to devise other ways to express things often simply stated in the written work. I am also not one who wants to see a literal and direct translation from page to screen. But still, editing choices baffle me.

I offer a tip from a longtime geek: when we fans seem to want literal and detailed transcription to the screen, what we actually want is a product that is true to the nature of the book, the story, and the characters.  When we hate an adaption, it usually isn't because it wasn't a literal text translation but because it wasn't a true translation.

Reverse Culture Shock: Not Good Eats

Food.  I will skip the well known differences between the US and UK on food.  It is true that portion sizes are much larger here, and there isn't much I've got to say about that. I've posted on flavor palates previously, noting that US flavors are more intense across the board, but given a choice, Brits default to sweet, Texans to spicy.  (I'll leave it to JJ to rant in the comments about the flavor palate in the rest of the country.) I've discussed coffee, chocolate, and dairy as well.

I think US fare is better than UK fare, but it wasn't always so.  In the past 30 years or so, from Julia Child onward, American food has moved beyond marshmallow fluff.  To see how far we've come, check out this hilarious commentary on some Weight Watchers recipes, circa 1975--three words: fluffy mackerel pudding.  If you like that, James Lileks has a coffee table book, The Gallery of Regrettable Food.

Last week I was reminded just how bad American food can be.

The Internal Mommy Wars

Originally posted in May 2010, when I still lived in London, I updated this post after I found the Momastery post on the internal Mommy Wars:

Since I have started this blog, more than a few friends have asked how I have the time to do this with 4 little ones underfoot.  I am usually very organized, which is important, but organization skills only get one so far.   I also have help in the form of 2 part-time nannies and a part-time housekeeper.  I know what follows (not from my friends but from the other readers I hope to have): accusations that I’m privileged, not a real mom and/or don’t know how hard stay at home moms have it.   I'll accept the privileged part.  I am in fact very fortunate that I can have help.  On the other points, I could defend myself outright, claiming no family around and a traveling husband, nannies and I work in tandem, etc.  But a direct defense glosses over a fundamental problem in understanding modern women's roles. 

There are only two women archetypes commonly accepted today: the career woman and the stay at home mother.  One looks to her own needs, the other to the needs of her children.  For the career woman, anything she does for others fraught with angst.  For the stay at home mother, anything she does for herself fraught with guilt.  The tension between these two types colors how most women judge themselves and intensifies the expectations of motherhood. 

There is, however, a third archetype, a forgotten one: the housewife.