Let us cavort like the Greeks of old!
Some recent films . . .
At the the-atre: 300. I'm sure everyone's see it by now, and loved it, but still I recommend it if you've somehow slipped by. I'd put it at about three stars of four rather than say, Best Movie Ever. It has a generous helping of over-the-top moments, however, I still found that overall it was too sincere, hoping to evoke the same feelings in its audience as Gladiator, Braveheart, etc. (What's all this "freedom" business anyway? In SPARTA? Heh.) I would have preferred pure pulp/camp in the tradition of Conan the Barbarian and Clash of the Titans - this would have also made the monsters and things a less jarring.
I also got to thinking that this trend of shooting films frame-for-frame from comics books might not be for the best. Certainly the dialogue and design can be imported, but comics work differently than movies, in terms of movement and pacing. Basically we end up with the high-tech equivilant of a panel of the Hulk in the middle of a black screen, his arm jerking up and down. (I know you've seen those late at night on TeleToon.)
Anyway, 300 is still an quite exciting - great soundtrack too.
And at home: Keeping Mum. Downloaded this mainly to see that Rowan Atkinson is still finding respectable work (well, he was two years ago), but it's actually excellent. Lots of laughs and a few heartfelt scenes. Mind you, it's black comedy in the finest British tradition, with murder a major element. Basically Maggie Smith plays a Mary Poppins figure who kills anyone who is an inconvenience (this is revealed early on, so no spoilers here.) Rowan is a little understated and manages not to steal the scenes, while still using bits of wit and physical comedy. Every line of Patrick Swayze's is a double-entendre.
This was likely too dark for the American masses (hence no wide release), but if your sense of humour subsists on more than slapstick and racial jokes (American staples), rent this.
Of course, the highlight of the week was dressing Bill up as a woman. Since this might be locked for some of you, I'll say that his charming war bride act won him a bag of coffee and the "Reminds Me of Grandma" prize, while his roommate's slutty act won him the crown of Ms. King's. Ah well.
As Bill also mentions, it was our one-year anniversary last weekend. We went on our first date a year ago Saturday, seeing Beowolf & Grendel. Continuing this action-movie tradition, we'll prolly rent Starship Troopers tonight, with dinner beforehand. Nothing says love like yummy food and squishy space bugs. :)
Anyway, I'm at work, so back to it. (And by work I mean the St. Patrick's Day office party.)
At the the-atre: 300. I'm sure everyone's see it by now, and loved it, but still I recommend it if you've somehow slipped by. I'd put it at about three stars of four rather than say, Best Movie Ever. It has a generous helping of over-the-top moments, however, I still found that overall it was too sincere, hoping to evoke the same feelings in its audience as Gladiator, Braveheart, etc. (What's all this "freedom" business anyway? In SPARTA? Heh.) I would have preferred pure pulp/camp in the tradition of Conan the Barbarian and Clash of the Titans - this would have also made the monsters and things a less jarring.
I also got to thinking that this trend of shooting films frame-for-frame from comics books might not be for the best. Certainly the dialogue and design can be imported, but comics work differently than movies, in terms of movement and pacing. Basically we end up with the high-tech equivilant of a panel of the Hulk in the middle of a black screen, his arm jerking up and down. (I know you've seen those late at night on TeleToon.)
Anyway, 300 is still an quite exciting - great soundtrack too.
And at home: Keeping Mum. Downloaded this mainly to see that Rowan Atkinson is still finding respectable work (well, he was two years ago), but it's actually excellent. Lots of laughs and a few heartfelt scenes. Mind you, it's black comedy in the finest British tradition, with murder a major element. Basically Maggie Smith plays a Mary Poppins figure who kills anyone who is an inconvenience (this is revealed early on, so no spoilers here.) Rowan is a little understated and manages not to steal the scenes, while still using bits of wit and physical comedy. Every line of Patrick Swayze's is a double-entendre.
This was likely too dark for the American masses (hence no wide release), but if your sense of humour subsists on more than slapstick and racial jokes (American staples), rent this.
Of course, the highlight of the week was dressing Bill up as a woman. Since this might be locked for some of you, I'll say that his charming war bride act won him a bag of coffee and the "Reminds Me of Grandma" prize, while his roommate's slutty act won him the crown of Ms. King's. Ah well.
As Bill also mentions, it was our one-year anniversary last weekend. We went on our first date a year ago Saturday, seeing Beowolf & Grendel. Continuing this action-movie tradition, we'll prolly rent Starship Troopers tonight, with dinner beforehand. Nothing says love like yummy food and squishy space bugs. :)
Anyway, I'm at work, so back to it. (And by work I mean the St. Patrick's Day office party.)