Good night, sweet prince.
I'm off to visit my friend John in San Francisco tomorrow - I love that city, so very much looking forward to it (although if someone could blow some warmer weather that way, I would appreciate it.) Leaving the husband home alone to fend for himself, but I think he'll manage. Our new kitty is keeping both of us occupied most of the time, demanding playtime and general attention.
Two quick things before I go:
1. I was very sad to hear of Heath Ledger's death yesterday. We do not yet know the circumstances - but it doesn't matter. Whether it was an accident, suicide, or stupid drug overdose - it doesn't matter. It's a loss. He was a fine actor who impressed the hell out of me, and I was excited to see what new roles he would be taking on. Certainly The Joker is a far cry from Ennis Del Mar - this was an actor with true range. I feel for his daughter, his friends and his family.
2. Cloverfield. Excellent. Absolutely excellent. On a grading scale I'd give it an A-. This is a movie with excellent pacing (I didn't look at my watch once, and I'm an impatient person), well-developed characters considering we only get to know them (with a few exceptions) in one evening. There are nice subtle touches, and as many other better writers have pointed out, it's a terrific departure from the standard monster movie where the audience knows what's going on at all times. We only know what the characters know, at the time that they learn the information - and the script wisely refrains from scientific explanations. Because it's from the point of view of a hand-held camera, the theater audience becomes part of the group of friends running from this .... thing. I was breathless at the end - felt like I had been running with them. And yes, the hand-held camera is shaky - so be prepared, and don't sit close if you have a tendency to get motion sickness. But that's really irrelevant to what is genuinely a new take on an old story. So thumbs up, and go see it in a theater.
That's all folks - have a lovely weekend!
.
Two quick things before I go:
1. I was very sad to hear of Heath Ledger's death yesterday. We do not yet know the circumstances - but it doesn't matter. Whether it was an accident, suicide, or stupid drug overdose - it doesn't matter. It's a loss. He was a fine actor who impressed the hell out of me, and I was excited to see what new roles he would be taking on. Certainly The Joker is a far cry from Ennis Del Mar - this was an actor with true range. I feel for his daughter, his friends and his family.
2. Cloverfield. Excellent. Absolutely excellent. On a grading scale I'd give it an A-. This is a movie with excellent pacing (I didn't look at my watch once, and I'm an impatient person), well-developed characters considering we only get to know them (with a few exceptions) in one evening. There are nice subtle touches, and as many other better writers have pointed out, it's a terrific departure from the standard monster movie where the audience knows what's going on at all times. We only know what the characters know, at the time that they learn the information - and the script wisely refrains from scientific explanations. Because it's from the point of view of a hand-held camera, the theater audience becomes part of the group of friends running from this .... thing. I was breathless at the end - felt like I had been running with them. And yes, the hand-held camera is shaky - so be prepared, and don't sit close if you have a tendency to get motion sickness. But that's really irrelevant to what is genuinely a new take on an old story. So thumbs up, and go see it in a theater.
That's all folks - have a lovely weekend!
.