October Theater-Hopping
Since I had a free Saturday this weekend to either do some reading, some writing, some cleaning, or even get outside and do some hiking, I thought it prudent to go to the movies and spend 10+ hours sitting on my ass. A good time was had, here's my thoughts on the four movies I saw.
One ticket: $6.75 Large Popcorn, Large soda: $8:50 One hotdog: $3.00 50 seconds of fun on shoot-'em game: $1.00
Elizabethtown - I went into the flick not expecting much, mainly because I'm not a worshipper of Cameron Crowe (Say Anything isn't even in my top five Cusack films, and I've never seen Almost Famous), so maybe that's why I enjoyed it. True, the movie tries way too hard to pull the heart strings, and the family "wackiness" isn't nearly as wacky as it's trying to be, but overall, it's a nice love story, with believable family interactions. Many reviews I've read find fault in the Susan Sarandon memorial scene, but I really enjoyed it, as it came off incredibly real to me... of course, it's probably because the mother reminded my of a mix between my own mom and my Aunt Marie. Only fault I find (and I suppose it's a big one) is Orlando Bloom, who I don't believe has earned the right to be in this movie. The film is full of voice-over narration from him, and seeing as I find his acting wooden, and his voice grating, it fails to inspire. 3 out of 5 stars.
Serenity - Finally got to see it again, and I had the experience tainted by a 7 year-old talking to his dad throughout the entire movie and throwing coins around, not to mention a back corner speaker had static for all the loud scenes. Still, the movie is just as good as I remember it, but in a theater without browncoats, I had to drop it half a star from it's original rating, because I seemed to be the only one laughing at the right moments. I really want a sequel, but seeing as it's not even in the top ten anymore, that could be hard. 4 out of 5 stars.
Domino - I wasn't planning on seeing this flick, because I was warned it had a non-linear storyline, and I'm not a big fan of that (see: Pulp Fiction... or more to the point, don't). Still, it had Keira and Mickey in it, so I gave it a shot. Glad I did, as the flick is a damn enjoyable popcorn flick that is a blurry mix of fantastical unbelievability and intriguing biography. It's kinda tough to watch the movie, even when you know alot of it is made up, mainly because I knew the person the movie is based on recently died, and you certainly come to love the girl. There's an interesting mix in actor's that surprisingly work well, and come on: you get to see Keira Knightly naked (or more likely an impressive body-double)... that's worth the price of admission alone (which, admittedly, I didn't provide). 3 and Half out of 5 Stars.
A History of Violence - This was the one I was looking forward to the most, as I had heard some good things, and I'm a big fan of all the actor's in it. Sadly, this movie just sucked. Hard. Don't believe the hype of the critics, this movie is gratuitous for no reason (both with gore and sex), poorly acted, has a ham-fisted message that is not resolved well, and left many in my theater complaining about wanting their money back. Viggo, who has said this is his best performance in his career, is mind-numbingly boring, and not even the always-impressive Ed Harris can save this train-wreck. Being a fan of gratuitous sex scenes and all-out gore, neither worked for me here... the two sex scenes don't add to the story, and the only cool gore scene occurs early when a bad guy tries to talk through an obliterated jaw. Truly a disappointment, even with a Maria Bello nude-shot. 1 out of 5 stars.
posted by Holz |
11:01 AM |
Rant & Rave, Bitches! (6)
6 Comments:
In your August 16th, 2005 post you stated:
"*More often than not, I side with intellectual property supporters, and find illegal downloading of films/music/TV to be against the law."
The redundancy of this statement aside, could you please explain to me the difference between downloading films/music/TV from the internet and paying for one ticket at a movie theatre and seeing four movies? I'm not seeing the distinction, ethically speaking. Of course there is the possibility you were being ironic in reafirming the illegality of unlawful downloads but the entirety of the post seemed sincere so I just have to wonder.
"...it had a non-linear storyline, and I'm not a big fan of that..."
Memento must have given you shit-fits then. Unless you didn't see it which wouldn't surprise me since it got such rave reviews when it came out.
I'm not seeing the distinction, ethically speaking.
Not much of a distinction. They're both stealing. I'm just not trying to defend myself with weak arguments that it's "not illegal, bewcause they're over-priced to begin with". I have no doubt it's illegel. Just 'cause I think it may be against the law doesn't mean I won't do it.
Memento must have given you shit-fits then.
Heh, nope, I loved Memento. And it did have a linear storyline.... it just went the other way.
Unless you didn't see it which wouldn't surprise me since it got such rave reviews when it came out.
I liked A History of Violence, although I agree that it's been over-rated in reviews. The main problem is there isn't much meat to the story. But I thought there were lots of subtle comments about how people are attracted to and repulsed by both violence and innocence. (Both sex scenes, while unnecessarily graphic, demonstrated that.) Unfortunately, those themes weren't enough to fill up a sparse story. I'd give it 3 1/2 out of 5.
Serenity was entertaining--both comic and dark with solid character work, but I was never a diehard browncoat. Plus, I’m so tired of (spoiler!) Joss killing off characters to show the randomness of death or to shock the audience or whatever. Joss writes it into everything he does now, so it doesn't feel random and is shocking for about 2 seconds until I think, "Oh right, this is Joss." Find a new motif, already. I give it 4 out of 5.
Watching: Lost, Heroes, 24, Criminal Minds Listening: Brobdingnagian Bards Reading: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman Playing: Final Fantasy XII Eating: Healthy...er Doing: Running... hopefully Wishing:
Comic Quote of the Week
"It's trying to end the suffering of everything. Do you want to discuss our options? Maybe together we can, you know, workshop?"
"Okay, best way to stop a ten-story godlike monster from destroying existence? I'm gonna go with hitting, you have anything?"
"You took mine."
Wesley and Angel, Angel: After The Fall #15
Who Am I?
Name: Holz Home: Sonoma County, California About Me: I'm a comfortador. See my complete profile
AKA: Ozymandias, DrOzymandias, Darth Angelus, Darque Feonix, Trip McNeely Kicking ass for: 29 years Job: UWing Systems Design Specialist Walking Theme: Believe It Or Not by Joey Scarbury Most watched movie: The Princess Bride Most read book: The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
"Let a man get away with fuckin' you once, you stay bent over so's he can fuck you again whenever he damn well pleases. An' if one man can do it? Another will too. An' another, an' another still. So's being fucked, that's yer life. 'Til who you were, you ain't. 'Cause all you are is an asshole." 100 Bullets #42
