The score this weekend
Movies seen in a theater: 2
1: Encounters at the End of the World (SIFF): Werner Herzog's documentary about his visit to McMurdough Station in Antarctica, the people he meets, the sights he sees, the things he learns. Good documentary if a bit long. It had more of a sense of humor about it than I expected. Herzog's darker perspective is certainly present but not overwhelming. The vistas, both above and below the ice, are breathtaking. Occasionally, I thought the camera lingered a little too long. I also though that occasionally the music was a little too intrusive. Still, the personalities interviewed were interesting and colorful, and the landscapes and creatures were fascinating. I admit a temptation, now, to head to the bottom of the world. I believe Earthwatch offers an opportunity.... (I should note that my taking such an excursion is unlikely. I have other places I really want to go first.)
2: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD) I loved it. Flat-out loved it. It gave me some of my favorite cookies: Area 51, aliens, the Nazca lines (!!!!), eeeeevil villains, clever dialog. Cate Blanchett chewed the scenery; she was delicious. Karen Allen was underutilized but lovely to see nevertheless. I think that ultimately John Hurt was underutilized as well, though he uses every on-screen moment to bring humanity to his character. Surprisingly, I didn't find Shia Lebeouf's character intrusive. oldmangrumpus, with whom I saw the film at 9 AM today, thought there were one too many people in the cast and perhaps one too many story threads. I can see his perspective. Didn't bother me. I can understand why the folks at Cannes, and many critiques, weren't bowled over by it. I don't care. I had a marvelous time.
Movies seen at home: 1
1. Ice Pirates: This 1984 science fiction spoof starring Robert Urich and Mary Crosby is a guilty pleasure of mine. I saw it at the supermarket on DVD for $9.99 and couldn't resist. It's about a universe where water is the rarest of all commodities. In the course of attempting to hijack an ice shipment, pirates Robert Urich and Michael D. Johnson rescue a princess who hires them to help her find her father, lost to the search for a legendary seventh world--a planet covered by water. In the course of this adventure, they attempt to send up the Mad Max films, Star Wars and any number of space operas. The look of the film rather reminds me of the original Battlestar Galactica. It's silly as hell and some people would probably describe it as dreadful. I rather detest the fight sequence at the end of the film and the ongoing robot jokes. In some ways the film is badly dated (all the jokes about herpes, for example). But I love watching the astonishingly hot Robert Urich. I also love seeing Ron Perlman and John Matuzak early in their acting careers. It's all mindless and, yes, kind of dreadful. But, um, Robert Urich: hello, the hot!
Short programs: 2
1. The Family Picture Show (SIFF): A series of 12 family-oriented short subjects. I love short films. This was one of several programs I wanted to see. Of the 12 items on the program, my favorites included (in no particular order):
Zoologic: A zookeeper tries to put his zoo in order and finds himself foiled by a gorilla and a baby penguin. Animation was black line on white background and had enormous humor about it. Clever and unexpected.
The Watchman and the Little Girl: A museum watchman encounters a little girl in one of the galleries, and discovers a whole new perspective on the art he mostly ignores. Very imaginative.
Sleeping Betty: Princess Betty won't wake up, so her parents call the nearest prince to help out. The animation reminded me, in a way, of stuff you'd see in a Monty Python episode. The prince looked like the Prince of Wales. Betty's relatives and attendants included Queen Victoria and Henry VIII, plus a jester and a nine-eyed thing that looked weirdly familiar. The short played with every convention of the "Sleeping Beauty" story. Wonderful stuff.
Lavatory Love: A lonely lavatory attendant discovers a secret admirer. More black-and-white line art. A very sweet piece.
Inquisitive Snail: If short films can be said to have their version of flash fiction, this was it: a one-minute stop-motion animation about a man who purchases a curious snail, and the snail's startling fate. It made everyone in the theater burst into laughter--funny and a little bit horrifying, which just enhanced the effect.
Herzog and the Monsters: A little boy who can't read steals the letters from books in a library to write his own stories. I found it visually stunning but, as ironymaiden pointed out, paced a little too quickly for it to succeed in its intended overall effect.
People seen: 3
Had a lovely sunset dinner Friday evening with wanton_heat_jet. It had been much too long since we'd seen each other. The visit was a blessing.
Enjoyed the Family Picture Show Saturday with ironymaiden, followed by sharing lunch with her at Peso's, where the decor and food were exceptionally good. The company, as ever, was delightful.
Saw Indiana Jones with oldmangrumpus this AM, and had lunch with him at the Blue Onion Bistro. Glad he was able to take time away from his studies to catch the flick and the meal.
Spent the rest of today putting away elongated coins that I've accumulated over the last 6 months or so. I was short on storage supplies until a new shipment arrived a week or so ago in the mail. I have a lot more work to do to get them in order and put away, but I got a good start tonight, so I'm pleased. Also wrote one article for the smashed penny collector's newsletter and started researching another. (Said research will probably also allow me to write an article for the Women in Numismatics newsletter as well.)
Not ready for the work week, I admit. The lousy weather report does not encourage me to take mass transit to work, I admit, though my gas bill makes a convincing argument for same. We'll see how I feel in the morning.
1: Encounters at the End of the World (SIFF): Werner Herzog's documentary about his visit to McMurdough Station in Antarctica, the people he meets, the sights he sees, the things he learns. Good documentary if a bit long. It had more of a sense of humor about it than I expected. Herzog's darker perspective is certainly present but not overwhelming. The vistas, both above and below the ice, are breathtaking. Occasionally, I thought the camera lingered a little too long. I also though that occasionally the music was a little too intrusive. Still, the personalities interviewed were interesting and colorful, and the landscapes and creatures were fascinating. I admit a temptation, now, to head to the bottom of the world. I believe Earthwatch offers an opportunity.... (I should note that my taking such an excursion is unlikely. I have other places I really want to go first.)
2: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: (WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD) I loved it. Flat-out loved it. It gave me some of my favorite cookies: Area 51, aliens, the Nazca lines (!!!!), eeeeevil villains, clever dialog. Cate Blanchett chewed the scenery; she was delicious. Karen Allen was underutilized but lovely to see nevertheless. I think that ultimately John Hurt was underutilized as well, though he uses every on-screen moment to bring humanity to his character. Surprisingly, I didn't find Shia Lebeouf's character intrusive. oldmangrumpus, with whom I saw the film at 9 AM today, thought there were one too many people in the cast and perhaps one too many story threads. I can see his perspective. Didn't bother me. I can understand why the folks at Cannes, and many critiques, weren't bowled over by it. I don't care. I had a marvelous time.
Movies seen at home: 1
1. Ice Pirates: This 1984 science fiction spoof starring Robert Urich and Mary Crosby is a guilty pleasure of mine. I saw it at the supermarket on DVD for $9.99 and couldn't resist. It's about a universe where water is the rarest of all commodities. In the course of attempting to hijack an ice shipment, pirates Robert Urich and Michael D. Johnson rescue a princess who hires them to help her find her father, lost to the search for a legendary seventh world--a planet covered by water. In the course of this adventure, they attempt to send up the Mad Max films, Star Wars and any number of space operas. The look of the film rather reminds me of the original Battlestar Galactica. It's silly as hell and some people would probably describe it as dreadful. I rather detest the fight sequence at the end of the film and the ongoing robot jokes. In some ways the film is badly dated (all the jokes about herpes, for example). But I love watching the astonishingly hot Robert Urich. I also love seeing Ron Perlman and John Matuzak early in their acting careers. It's all mindless and, yes, kind of dreadful. But, um, Robert Urich: hello, the hot!
Short programs: 2
1. The Family Picture Show (SIFF): A series of 12 family-oriented short subjects. I love short films. This was one of several programs I wanted to see. Of the 12 items on the program, my favorites included (in no particular order):
Zoologic: A zookeeper tries to put his zoo in order and finds himself foiled by a gorilla and a baby penguin. Animation was black line on white background and had enormous humor about it. Clever and unexpected.
The Watchman and the Little Girl: A museum watchman encounters a little girl in one of the galleries, and discovers a whole new perspective on the art he mostly ignores. Very imaginative.
Sleeping Betty: Princess Betty won't wake up, so her parents call the nearest prince to help out. The animation reminded me, in a way, of stuff you'd see in a Monty Python episode. The prince looked like the Prince of Wales. Betty's relatives and attendants included Queen Victoria and Henry VIII, plus a jester and a nine-eyed thing that looked weirdly familiar. The short played with every convention of the "Sleeping Beauty" story. Wonderful stuff.
Lavatory Love: A lonely lavatory attendant discovers a secret admirer. More black-and-white line art. A very sweet piece.
Inquisitive Snail: If short films can be said to have their version of flash fiction, this was it: a one-minute stop-motion animation about a man who purchases a curious snail, and the snail's startling fate. It made everyone in the theater burst into laughter--funny and a little bit horrifying, which just enhanced the effect.
Herzog and the Monsters: A little boy who can't read steals the letters from books in a library to write his own stories. I found it visually stunning but, as ironymaiden pointed out, paced a little too quickly for it to succeed in its intended overall effect.
People seen: 3
Had a lovely sunset dinner Friday evening with wanton_heat_jet. It had been much too long since we'd seen each other. The visit was a blessing.
Enjoyed the Family Picture Show Saturday with ironymaiden, followed by sharing lunch with her at Peso's, where the decor and food were exceptionally good. The company, as ever, was delightful.
Saw Indiana Jones with oldmangrumpus this AM, and had lunch with him at the Blue Onion Bistro. Glad he was able to take time away from his studies to catch the flick and the meal.
Spent the rest of today putting away elongated coins that I've accumulated over the last 6 months or so. I was short on storage supplies until a new shipment arrived a week or so ago in the mail. I have a lot more work to do to get them in order and put away, but I got a good start tonight, so I'm pleased. Also wrote one article for the smashed penny collector's newsletter and started researching another. (Said research will probably also allow me to write an article for the Women in Numismatics newsletter as well.)
Not ready for the work week, I admit. The lousy weather report does not encourage me to take mass transit to work, I admit, though my gas bill makes a convincing argument for same. We'll see how I feel in the morning.