Friday, January 11, 2008

An Addiction

I am rather out of practice blogging since the break I took at the end of 2007. It certainly isn't helping my situation that the library came through and fulfilled my request for the entire Up series minus the most recent installment, 49 Up. Which should be arriving via Netflix Saturday or Monday. I mentioned this series a few posts back and found that many people are fans of this series - how is it I not known about it until the past year? In any case, I have watched them all (except the most recent) this week and would like to listen to the director's commentary on 42 Up as well. I just find the series completely addictive. I don't know what it is exactly - in most cases the subjects of the film are not that different from you or I. I suppose it's just the factor of being able to 'find out' what has happened to them - I always wonder whatever became of people I used to know. It's just human nature, I suppose. I can't help but think that my child will be 7 in another year - so what does that mean? The movie states "Show me a child at 7 and I'll show you the man." That is to say, within one year, my child's future 'self' will be set in some ways. I find that alsolutely mind-boggling.

14 comments:

lazy cow said...

Isn't it a wonderful series? I watched them all last year, including the latest installment. The more recent ones made me cry and left me feeling quite drained for days. I love Neil, and the Aussie bloke (can't remember his name) and just want them to be happy!
My daughter is 7 and if she continues on the way she is now, she'll be a wonderful woman!

StuckInABook said...

I love this, though I've only seen 49, 42 and possibly 35. Didn't realise it was available elsewhere... Do all the catch-ups get boring, or do they cut them out of subsequent episodes?

StuckInABook said...

Oh, how irritating (for me) - despite being a British programme, it is only available on Region 1 DVD!

Nan said...

Well, you may add to your addiction a book: 42 Up. :<) Probably not necessary but fun nonetheless. Did you know that Roger Ebert says it is one of the 10 best films ever made?

Tara said...

Lazy Cow, they make me feel so emotional and I find myself thinking about these people. I am also a big fan of Neil. I can't help but wonder how much the director may have tried to help Neil behind the camera - but in any case I'm so glad to see he's doing better. What a lovely thing to say about your daughter!

Simon, I am so surprised the DVD is region 1 only! So often, everything I want to watch is in your region. I wish they would do away with the region coding. I did find myself skipping over many of the older parts, having just watched them, and I think if you've watched the later installments you've seen much of what was in the first program. I have found it worthwhile to watch each one, because each presents a portrait of a time period as well as a portrait of each person. The one when they are 14 is almost painful to watch, so many of them are so shy, and the contrast of their confidence at 21 is amazing.

A book, Nan?? Oh, my. Might have to check that out. I did hear that Roger Ebert said that, and there is an interview with him and the director on 49 Up.

Becca said...

I have not see this series but am always glad of recommendations. I'll visit Netflix to find out ...

melanie said...

i've heard of these movies - definitely going to check them out.

that statement about the child at 7 - frighteningly true. i have one who is 9 and one who is 6 and i can already see future struggles and triumphs based on their personalities. they are so cool.

Bookfool said...

I've never heard of that series, but I see that's because it's British. Darn.

Well, hmm, yes. I can see a little bit of that in my kids. At 7, my eldest was crazy about cars and planes; he was extraordinarily stubborn and self-sufficient. At 23, he's decided a "fun car" is crucial to his existence, he wants to learn how to fly & has a model plane on the shelf in his cubicle, he's not willing to listen to my opinion about purchasing a practical car (stubborn, stubborn) and he's completely independent and self-sufficient. Yep.

At 7, my youngest was happy-go-lucky but hyperactive, fiercely determined and crazy about books and water. At 16, he has channeled his surplus energy into swimming, he reads like a fiend (at least twice as many books per year as I read), is still remarkably happy and carefree (sometimes a little too much) but can do anything when he puts his mind to it. So, yep. I think that comment is pretty much true!

Tara said...

Bookfool - check your library - mine has it - and Netflix does as well. What interesting observations you make about your own children. I'm certainly looking forward to seeing what age 7 looks like around here!

Danielle said...

My library has this--I keep meaning to borrow them, but haven't yet done so. With Netflix I usually have too many movies at home to watch...and that cuts into reading time...

Jeane said...

My husband and I started watching that series last year- starting with 7 Up, was it? We got tired of it after the first few though; there was just too much repetitive flashbacks to remind you of what the subjects had said before- but it seemed they always quoted the same statements. It was just so tiresome!

Tara said...

Jeane, I certainly see your point about the reptition, but I generally was in the habit of fast forwarding through the opening segment of each person, thus lessening the repetition.

Camille said...

Hi Tara! Nice to meet you! OK, you're probably right about not wanting to spend a whole winter in Minnesota, but I do still have a burning desire to visit.

Also, as it turns out, my husband and I have been watching the Up series. We've seen 7, 14, and 21 and are taking a mini-break before we see 28. We're really enjoying it.

And, I have The Book Thief on my shelf but haven't gotten to it yet.

Tara said...

Camille, thanks for stopping by! You should definitely visit Minnesota someday - though the summer is especially beautiful, especially near Lake Superior. I am not originally from here, so there's lots more of the state for me to explore. What a coincidence that you are also enjoying the Up series. I find it so fascinating.