Filmage
I originally didn't intend for this to lead into a discussion on horror movies, and what makes them stupid or interesting... but I suppose that's the wonder of free-associative writing on one's own livejournal. ;-)
Last night, we watched "Primary Colors" over udon and sake-fried salmon. This is a movie rife with satire and subtle commentary (some of it not so subtle) on the political process. And especially, the process of picking a President. And many of the pitfalls of politics which can cause one to lose one's idealism along the way. Perhaps, sell out. The original book was penned by an author who has remained anonymous... with speculation about the author's identity adding to interest in the movie. Clinton loved the movie so much -- especially as it seems to portray him more than anyone else -- that he invited John Travolta to the White House. (On the condition that he had to come as his character... Travolta refused)
Pipes acquired a copy of "Meet Joe Black" in the last week, which she wants me to watch with her sometime. As a fan of pretty much anything by Anthony Hopkins, I'll be pleased to acquiesce. =)
Recently, 'twas my pleasure to give Pipes her first viewing of the movie, "Titanic". She'd never gotten 'round to it. And, she was a bit younger when it originally came out in 1997. :::rolls eyes at himself:::
And, to give myself a little kudos for starting my new job, I acquired a copy of "I am Legend" on half.com. This is one of the first movies to really scare me in a good, long while. I may acquire the original book (written in 1954) sometime, as I've heard it's much better than any of the three movie-adaptations which have been done.
Lastly, I've begun looking for a rare copy of a movie I once saw (at age seven or eight) which scared the living heck out of me: "Johnny Got His Gun" I caught it on a lazy Saturday afternoon, when the between-times on television were populated with old black 'n whites, and not infomercials. The basic premise is as follows:
Joe Bonham, a young soldier serving in World War I, awakes in a hospital bed after being hit by an artillery shell. He gradually realizes that he has lost all of his senses - his arms, legs, eyes, nose and ears have been blown off - but that his mind functions perfectly, leaving him a prisoner in his own body. He attempts to communicate with his doctors (by banging his head on his pillow in Morse code) his wish to either die or be put in a freak show as a testament to the horrors of war.
As he drifts between reality and fantasy, he remembers his old life with his family and girlfriend, and reflects upon the myths and realities of war. He also forms a bond, of sorts, with a young nurse who senses his plight.
This movie scared me so much that it was seared into my thinking. It's an amazing thing that I chose to become a soldier anyway. And, a combat nurse, who might eventually have to take care of someone in this situation, someday. Clips from the film were later used in Metallica's music-video, "One".
I suppose it could be said that blood and gore, when tossed around willy-nilly, just turn me off. For a movie to be really scary, there has to be a certain psychology to the situation. Whether a ghost story or a thriller, movies like that are what make me grip my seat, and have strange dreams in the night. As a result of "Johnny Got His Gun", one of my most terrible fears is of going blind. And deaf. Anyway, while searching -- and not finding -- I came upon a note that a new version is apparently being made for release later this year. So, perhaps I'll bide my time, instead.
The one horror movie I've seen which truly deserves to incorporate blood and gore (where it isn't just egregiously tossed-in to evoke a visceral reaction to blood for the sake of blood) was "The Thing". One of my favorite movies of all time. Real horror. Each character, living in fear of his friends, even wondering if he might be the next one to become the monster. A rare chance to see Wilford Brimley do something other than talk about the wonders of oatmeal and diabetic products.
Last night, we watched "Primary Colors" over udon and sake-fried salmon. This is a movie rife with satire and subtle commentary (some of it not so subtle) on the political process. And especially, the process of picking a President. And many of the pitfalls of politics which can cause one to lose one's idealism along the way. Perhaps, sell out. The original book was penned by an author who has remained anonymous... with speculation about the author's identity adding to interest in the movie. Clinton loved the movie so much -- especially as it seems to portray him more than anyone else -- that he invited John Travolta to the White House. (On the condition that he had to come as his character... Travolta refused)
Pipes acquired a copy of "Meet Joe Black" in the last week, which she wants me to watch with her sometime. As a fan of pretty much anything by Anthony Hopkins, I'll be pleased to acquiesce. =)
Recently, 'twas my pleasure to give Pipes her first viewing of the movie, "Titanic". She'd never gotten 'round to it. And, she was a bit younger when it originally came out in 1997. :::rolls eyes at himself:::
And, to give myself a little kudos for starting my new job, I acquired a copy of "I am Legend" on half.com. This is one of the first movies to really scare me in a good, long while. I may acquire the original book (written in 1954) sometime, as I've heard it's much better than any of the three movie-adaptations which have been done.
Lastly, I've begun looking for a rare copy of a movie I once saw (at age seven or eight) which scared the living heck out of me: "Johnny Got His Gun" I caught it on a lazy Saturday afternoon, when the between-times on television were populated with old black 'n whites, and not infomercials. The basic premise is as follows:
Joe Bonham, a young soldier serving in World War I, awakes in a hospital bed after being hit by an artillery shell. He gradually realizes that he has lost all of his senses - his arms, legs, eyes, nose and ears have been blown off - but that his mind functions perfectly, leaving him a prisoner in his own body. He attempts to communicate with his doctors (by banging his head on his pillow in Morse code) his wish to either die or be put in a freak show as a testament to the horrors of war.
As he drifts between reality and fantasy, he remembers his old life with his family and girlfriend, and reflects upon the myths and realities of war. He also forms a bond, of sorts, with a young nurse who senses his plight.
This movie scared me so much that it was seared into my thinking. It's an amazing thing that I chose to become a soldier anyway. And, a combat nurse, who might eventually have to take care of someone in this situation, someday. Clips from the film were later used in Metallica's music-video, "One".
I suppose it could be said that blood and gore, when tossed around willy-nilly, just turn me off. For a movie to be really scary, there has to be a certain psychology to the situation. Whether a ghost story or a thriller, movies like that are what make me grip my seat, and have strange dreams in the night. As a result of "Johnny Got His Gun", one of my most terrible fears is of going blind. And deaf. Anyway, while searching -- and not finding -- I came upon a note that a new version is apparently being made for release later this year. So, perhaps I'll bide my time, instead.
The one horror movie I've seen which truly deserves to incorporate blood and gore (where it isn't just egregiously tossed-in to evoke a visceral reaction to blood for the sake of blood) was "The Thing". One of my favorite movies of all time. Real horror. Each character, living in fear of his friends, even wondering if he might be the next one to become the monster. A rare chance to see Wilford Brimley do something other than talk about the wonders of oatmeal and diabetic products.