Pirates, proofs and everything in between.
We've been on a bit of a movie kick around here lately. Last Sunday, we went to the theater to watch Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. I can't help admitting I was a tad bit disappointed in this one. It just seemed too grim for me. And the ending...don't even get me started on that. So sad, so depressing - it broke my heart. Call me crazy, but sometimes all I expect of a movie is entertainment and a happy ending. Didn't happen with this one by any stretch of the imagination. Plus, after watching the complete story unfold in all three installments, I have to say it all seemed a bit too contrived to me. Made me long for the fluidity and focused approach of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I did think the Keith Richards cameo was great, and I thought Geoffrey Rush was wonderful, even better than the first time around. In fact, I might even go so far as to say he stole Johnny's thunder in this one, which is saying a lot considering how much I love Johnny Depp.
As for my other love, Orlando Bloom, well he looked hotter than the 4th of July by the end of the film. I honestly think he should be forced to wear billowy white shirts, tight pants, long hair pulled away from his face by a bandanna and a goatee every day of the week. Even the scar was mildly appealing to me. Made him seem that much more masculine. (Okay, I really need a cold shower. Must remember wedding vows...) Anyway, I do feel sorry for the guy in some ways, though. Seems there's always at least one detractor on the message boards I've seen accusing him of being the worst actor ever. (Obviously these people have never watched Hayden Christiansen in anything.) I think it actually has less to do with his talent and more to do with the film choices he's made since LOTR. He seems to have become this Hollywood generation's Errol Flynn. I've been hoping he would take a break from film work after the last Pirates installment and do some theater work in New York or London, and happily, that's exactly what he is doing. In fact, he'll be premiering on the London stage in July in a play called for In Consideration. I hope he's a smashing success in it.
Earlier this week, we also watched the original King Kong and Anastasia starring Yul Brynner and Ingrid Bergman. Last night, I watched The Holiday with Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Kate Winslet, which I thought was utterly charming. It was interesting to see Jack Black play a bit of serious, and Winslet was enchanting as always. The chemistry between the two of them was cute, too - not your typical Hollywood film couple by any stretch, meaning of course that it was a welcome change and an absolute breath of fresh air. The chemistry between Diaz and Law, on the other hand, had a lot more sizzle. Diaz was cute and quirky, the two things I love most about her. As for Law, I was pleasantly surprised by his performance. After the train wreck that was Cold Mountain left a bad taste in my mouth for his acting, I've been avoiding watching more of his films. To be honest, I haven't watched very many of his films in general. At the moment, only four come to mind (Cold Mountain, Wilde, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and The Aviator), two in which he only had small, secondary roles. After seeing his performance in this film, perhaps I won't be as hesitant to view more of his work.
Once I awoke tonight, I watched Proof starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins. Definitely, a different type of movie - more of a character study with a unique focus on the lives of mathematicians. Not a storyline you see everyday in Hollywood. I can see how it would work on the stage. It's a well-scripted, tightly-packaged bit of storytelling. The flashbacks sequences can be a little confusing, but I think it adds an interesting layer to the story by allowing us to feel the inner turmoil and confusion of Paltrow's character. Very atypical and refreshing.
As for my other love, Orlando Bloom, well he looked hotter than the 4th of July by the end of the film. I honestly think he should be forced to wear billowy white shirts, tight pants, long hair pulled away from his face by a bandanna and a goatee every day of the week. Even the scar was mildly appealing to me. Made him seem that much more masculine. (Okay, I really need a cold shower. Must remember wedding vows...) Anyway, I do feel sorry for the guy in some ways, though. Seems there's always at least one detractor on the message boards I've seen accusing him of being the worst actor ever. (Obviously these people have never watched Hayden Christiansen in anything.) I think it actually has less to do with his talent and more to do with the film choices he's made since LOTR. He seems to have become this Hollywood generation's Errol Flynn. I've been hoping he would take a break from film work after the last Pirates installment and do some theater work in New York or London, and happily, that's exactly what he is doing. In fact, he'll be premiering on the London stage in July in a play called for In Consideration. I hope he's a smashing success in it.
Earlier this week, we also watched the original King Kong and Anastasia starring Yul Brynner and Ingrid Bergman. Last night, I watched The Holiday with Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Jack Black and Kate Winslet, which I thought was utterly charming. It was interesting to see Jack Black play a bit of serious, and Winslet was enchanting as always. The chemistry between the two of them was cute, too - not your typical Hollywood film couple by any stretch, meaning of course that it was a welcome change and an absolute breath of fresh air. The chemistry between Diaz and Law, on the other hand, had a lot more sizzle. Diaz was cute and quirky, the two things I love most about her. As for Law, I was pleasantly surprised by his performance. After the train wreck that was Cold Mountain left a bad taste in my mouth for his acting, I've been avoiding watching more of his films. To be honest, I haven't watched very many of his films in general. At the moment, only four come to mind (Cold Mountain, Wilde, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and The Aviator), two in which he only had small, secondary roles. After seeing his performance in this film, perhaps I won't be as hesitant to view more of his work.
Once I awoke tonight, I watched Proof starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins. Definitely, a different type of movie - more of a character study with a unique focus on the lives of mathematicians. Not a storyline you see everyday in Hollywood. I can see how it would work on the stage. It's a well-scripted, tightly-packaged bit of storytelling. The flashbacks sequences can be a little confusing, but I think it adds an interesting layer to the story by allowing us to feel the inner turmoil and confusion of Paltrow's character. Very atypical and refreshing.