'Life on Mars' vid, 'Night Watch' film thoughts, more TK fangirling..
Last night I went to see Russian scifi/fantasy thriller Night Watch. If you recall I posted the Washington Post review here. I really enjoyed it, and I am very interested to see what the next film of the trilogy has in store.
alexandral - I can entirely see what bothered you with the flashing lights. While it didn't bug me as much, there were a couple moments when I felt a flare of pain from the sudden change. Let me explain - they used very interesting special effects to indicate the "otherness" of the Others, particularly when they were seen through "The Gloom." Their true nature sort of phased over their human features and there would be a flash of light. It wasn't a harsh light like a strobe, but nonetheless if you're sensitive to it, then it would certainly affect you.
I like the story...I supected the way it would end due to the fact that there are 2 more films in store for us. I'm still interested in the woman Svetlana, who I didn't feel like we got enough of a backstory on. There was a funny moment when Anton goes to Svetlana to try figure out who cursed her, and he's complaining of having an ulcer to her (she's a doctor). When she asks him if he's been under stress lately, he says something like "no more than the usual" (I can't remember exactly) - which cracked me up since he'd nearly been killed in a vicious fight only a little earlier!
I loved the leader of the Dark pulling the spine-like sword from under his skin.
I loved how it was filmed; it was fairly bloody, edgy and dark. I really liked it - it was such a gritty vision of Moscow of the Others. Creepy in places. And another moment TOTALLY cracked me up - when Anton and Olga go to the kid's house to protect him from the vampire who's stalking him, guess what is playing on the television? The Dracula episode of Buffy: the Vampire Slayer!! I died laughing at that. There were a lot of funny moments, which was good because it helped balance against the darkness.
One other interesting thing - there were a LOT of grey- and white-haired people in the audience!! At least half, mostly older couples. I'm guessing that they were Russian-speaking and wanted to see a film in their own tongue. It was strange (to say the least) to see a film like this with so many people that stereotypically aren't known for seeing this genre of film. It was pretty cool, though!
As both catdecember and koalathebear know, I have been looking for SMAP video clips so I can enjoy more smiling Takuya Kimura who doesn't smile nearly enough in his jdoramas. It's quite refreshing to see him smile...I know it sounds SOO fangirly, but he has a great smile, that I always think it is like the sun coming out. So...even though he doesn't smile in it, I found this lovely blue-colored video of SMAP doing "Lion Heart." Crazily enough, I actually really like this song. Song of the day. :)
ETA: I'm going to see Coldplay tonight, so I really have to switch from the SMAP videos to Coldplay, as I have done hardly any prep for this show...;)
alexandral - I can entirely see what bothered you with the flashing lights. While it didn't bug me as much, there were a couple moments when I felt a flare of pain from the sudden change. Let me explain - they used very interesting special effects to indicate the "otherness" of the Others, particularly when they were seen through "The Gloom." Their true nature sort of phased over their human features and there would be a flash of light. It wasn't a harsh light like a strobe, but nonetheless if you're sensitive to it, then it would certainly affect you.
I like the story...I supected the way it would end due to the fact that there are 2 more films in store for us. I'm still interested in the woman Svetlana, who I didn't feel like we got enough of a backstory on. There was a funny moment when Anton goes to Svetlana to try figure out who cursed her, and he's complaining of having an ulcer to her (she's a doctor). When she asks him if he's been under stress lately, he says something like "no more than the usual" (I can't remember exactly) - which cracked me up since he'd nearly been killed in a vicious fight only a little earlier!
I loved the leader of the Dark pulling the spine-like sword from under his skin.
I loved how it was filmed; it was fairly bloody, edgy and dark. I really liked it - it was such a gritty vision of Moscow of the Others. Creepy in places. And another moment TOTALLY cracked me up - when Anton and Olga go to the kid's house to protect him from the vampire who's stalking him, guess what is playing on the television? The Dracula episode of Buffy: the Vampire Slayer!! I died laughing at that. There were a lot of funny moments, which was good because it helped balance against the darkness.
One other interesting thing - there were a LOT of grey- and white-haired people in the audience!! At least half, mostly older couples. I'm guessing that they were Russian-speaking and wanted to see a film in their own tongue. It was strange (to say the least) to see a film like this with so many people that stereotypically aren't known for seeing this genre of film. It was pretty cool, though!
As both catdecember and koalathebear know, I have been looking for SMAP video clips so I can enjoy more smiling Takuya Kimura who doesn't smile nearly enough in his jdoramas. It's quite refreshing to see him smile...I know it sounds SOO fangirly, but he has a great smile, that I always think it is like the sun coming out. So...even though he doesn't smile in it, I found this lovely blue-colored video of SMAP doing "Lion Heart." Crazily enough, I actually really like this song. Song of the day. :)
ETA: I'm going to see Coldplay tonight, so I really have to switch from the SMAP videos to Coldplay, as I have done hardly any prep for this show...;)