So, this week I read a very interesting book.
Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. I first thought this book would be very boring...much like my Econ 100 class. In actuality, it was very interesting. Not very long either. And as long as you don't check out the large print copy from the library, you won't get reader's cramp. The introduction reveals that this book has no "unifying theme." Who needs a unifying theme when you can have schoolteachers who cheat, real-estate agents who info-hoard, drug dealers who deal drugs (I didn't know either), and parents who obsess? You can find out how abortion and crime are related (not in the way you're thinking) and why not to name your child Winner or Loser (also not in the way you're thinking.) In actuality, I think the chapter on names was my favorite. I hear there are those out there who are baby name hunting...I highly recommend this book, it's named
Freakonomics, but it's really a baby name book.
On to the movie of the week. Mirage from 1965 stars Gregory Peck, Diane Baker, and Walter Matthau. Now there may be readers out there who don't watch movies older than 2001, but old movies are my absolute favorite and you don't know what you're missing out on. I had never seen this movie before which is highly irregular, especially as Gregory Peck goes. Mr. Peck plays the part of an amnesiac wandering around New York trying to find out who he is and trying to stay alive while he does. There was a definite
Hitchcock feeling to this movie, but I think Hitchcock probably would have done a better job (no offense
Mr. Dmytryk.) I really enjoyed Mr. Matthau in this movie with his dry sense of humor. Ms. Baker seemed a little young for old Greg, but what do I know. I don't know what else to say that won't give away the movie, so just take my word for it and watch it.
12 comments:
I've heard a lot about that book and been meaning to read it. I'll have to check it out.
As for old movies -- do you ever watch Doris Day movies. She makes me laugh.
Yes, I love Doris Day. We just watched the last movie she made, "With Six You Get Eggroll" with Brian Keith. It definitely had a "Yours, Mine, and Ours" vibe but as always Doris was great. Too bad she stopped making movies after her husband died.
Ooh. I lvoe old movies. Mostly musicals though...which could include a couple of Doris Days fliks. So, do you want to lend me that book on Sunday?
:)
lvoe=LOVE.
What else would you like me to translate?
:)
I really liked Freakonomics, too. Much better then boring Wimmer lectures where we would both fall asleep :) I've never even HEARD of that movie - and I love Gregory Peck. I'll have to check it out! Thanks for the recommendation.
Freakonomics is an awesome book. I really enjoyed it too. I also love old movies. I watch one almost every Wednesday night while Brett is playing Starcraft with his friends. Maybe I'll check out your recommendation this next time.
I really enjoy reading your blog. I am going to read that book when I get home. Love you. Mom
Wow, I loved that book as well. What did you think of the abortion/crime argument?
Incidentally, Steven Levitt predicted Obama would be president on his blog on Nov. 25, 2006.
http://freakonomics.blogs.nytimes.com/2006/11/25/if-barack-obama-is-as-good-a-politician-as-he-is-a-writer-he-will-soon-be-president/
Adam, yeah I thought that argument was interesting, I wonder if it applies to crooked businessmen or lying politicians? I'm predicting an Obama win as well...doesn't mean anything. Maybe the media is getting to me though.
If we were to see the next president elected solely on stage presence and bravado, then yes, I can see Obama being elected.
And since people are treating this thing like a beauty pageant/nest top President contest, that's what we're going to get.
And, yes, I totally think the media is getting to you and everyone.
I find it rather interesting that when I logged on to Yahoo a few minutes after Obama's 30 min. show there was an "attack" on his infomercial. I left the site to check something and came back about 30 mins later and that headlining story was GONE and replaced by an article "praising" his infomercial.
No reference to the aforementioned article. No link to the section that would lead me back to it. Nothing.
I can go on and on about this. Perhaps I'll post it in my FB notes.
:)
Wow, thanks for that spirited comment Crystal! I agree with you. And that's what you get with reading the Yahoo page. It might be "prettier" than drudge but the news isn't very "pretty" :)
Oh, and there are people voting for him because they agree with him. Scary as that may be.
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