This is tragic, but is it also kind of sweet in a way? They went together. I'm not sure. Appreciate the weirdness.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27666284/?gt1=43001
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Movie Review: Wall E
I've wanted to see this for quite some time, so a late review is almost tragic. A Pixar movie? The first Pixar sci-fi movie I'm aware of (talking animals and toys don't really count)? A non-depressing post-apocalyptic film? All of those and more made the anticipation quite a bit. All that to say, I'm glad I saw it.
The wait was well worth it. This is the first Pixar movie since Nemo I can honestly call a classic. The Incredibles and that rat cooking movie were good, pardon my absence of French, but not exactly classics. With Wall E, the bar has yet again been raised.
The bulk of the movie has no dialog, showing a patience usually absent in American films. The images, dance sequences, and spare, thoughtful lines resonate. This is the best sci-fi movie, animated or otherwise, I've seen in a while.
Some people complain about the preachy-ness of this movie. It's not preachy, just a fictional vision of a very possible future. The real story involves the interaction between two of the best characters in robot history. That and... well, watch it and then find out.
On another note, if you find yourself complaining about the bleak nature of movies nowadays, it's because you're not watching films like this. It starts with dust storms and post apocalyptic trash heaps, but in the end it's all about hope. Now that's a classic.
The wait was well worth it. This is the first Pixar movie since Nemo I can honestly call a classic. The Incredibles and that rat cooking movie were good, pardon my absence of French, but not exactly classics. With Wall E, the bar has yet again been raised.
The bulk of the movie has no dialog, showing a patience usually absent in American films. The images, dance sequences, and spare, thoughtful lines resonate. This is the best sci-fi movie, animated or otherwise, I've seen in a while.
Some people complain about the preachy-ness of this movie. It's not preachy, just a fictional vision of a very possible future. The real story involves the interaction between two of the best characters in robot history. That and... well, watch it and then find out.
On another note, if you find yourself complaining about the bleak nature of movies nowadays, it's because you're not watching films like this. It starts with dust storms and post apocalyptic trash heaps, but in the end it's all about hope. Now that's a classic.
Movie Review: Quantum of Solace
I see new movies so rarely now I have to keep logs like this to enjoy the rarity of it all. I'm still waiting to see Wall E, a movie I'll probably have a bit to write about as well. Until we went to the theater to see the new Bond movie, I thought the fact I wanted to see both movies was the only connection. But there's a green thread connecting the two. It's interesting, that's all.
It's difficult to make a movie that has green themes without being too cheesy ie. "Circle of Life" or Biodome. Those that succeed may deserve their own list. Who knows, maybe I'll get bored enough, I mean get inspired, to make one.
Anyway, the green theme in the new 007 movie was shown by the villains. They used environmental causes as fronts to their terrorism. The "greenies" are the bad guys. We could argue they aren't really greenies, but evil non-green posers. Personally, I think the writers got tired of recycling and hearing about carbon footprints, so they did a little venting. It can happen, so it's understandable.
The interesting connection with the green theme and others in this movie was knowing right from wrong, and friends from enemies. It's been argued this is the least likable Bond yet, as his personality gets closer to the character in the books. But in the end, he does his job.
I like this Bond better, as I can see how he was originally supposed to be. We are not supposed to want to be like Bond. He's cold and detached,and he throws money around like confetti. He also lacks any hint of subtlety, as evidenced in his conversations with M. She doubts him at times, and as we're along for the ride, we almost begin to as well.
The movie itself is intense, as the action and danger hardly let up. The chase and action sequences alone make the movie worthwhile. It also gives the sense of being, for just under two hours, in the hands of someone who just may not be the best person for the job. It adds to the tension and enjoyment of the movie.
I need to re watch Casino Royale, but this is at least a worthy sequel to it. Time will tell if it's better.
It's difficult to make a movie that has green themes without being too cheesy ie. "Circle of Life" or Biodome. Those that succeed may deserve their own list. Who knows, maybe I'll get bored enough, I mean get inspired, to make one.
Anyway, the green theme in the new 007 movie was shown by the villains. They used environmental causes as fronts to their terrorism. The "greenies" are the bad guys. We could argue they aren't really greenies, but evil non-green posers. Personally, I think the writers got tired of recycling and hearing about carbon footprints, so they did a little venting. It can happen, so it's understandable.
The interesting connection with the green theme and others in this movie was knowing right from wrong, and friends from enemies. It's been argued this is the least likable Bond yet, as his personality gets closer to the character in the books. But in the end, he does his job.
I like this Bond better, as I can see how he was originally supposed to be. We are not supposed to want to be like Bond. He's cold and detached,and he throws money around like confetti. He also lacks any hint of subtlety, as evidenced in his conversations with M. She doubts him at times, and as we're along for the ride, we almost begin to as well.
The movie itself is intense, as the action and danger hardly let up. The chase and action sequences alone make the movie worthwhile. It also gives the sense of being, for just under two hours, in the hands of someone who just may not be the best person for the job. It adds to the tension and enjoyment of the movie.
I need to re watch Casino Royale, but this is at least a worthy sequel to it. Time will tell if it's better.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
More Laughs
Here's an article from the Onion I felt was worth sharing. I think they put it pretty well.
Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job
WASHINGTON—African-American man Barack Obama, 47, was given the least-desirable job in the entire country Tuesday when he was elected president of the United States of America. In his new high-stress, low-reward position, Obama will be charged with such tasks as completely overhauling the nation's broken-down economy, repairing the crumbling infrastructure, and generally having to please more than 300 million Americans and cater to their every whim on a daily basis. As part of his duties, the black man will have to spend four to eight years cleaning up the messes other people left behind. The job comes with such intense scrutiny and so certain a guarantee of failure that only one other person even bothered applying for it. Said scholar and activist Mark L. Denton, "It just goes to show you that, in this country, a black man still can't catch a break."
Black Man Given Nation's Worst Job
WASHINGTON—African-American man Barack Obama, 47, was given the least-desirable job in the entire country Tuesday when he was elected president of the United States of America. In his new high-stress, low-reward position, Obama will be charged with such tasks as completely overhauling the nation's broken-down economy, repairing the crumbling infrastructure, and generally having to please more than 300 million Americans and cater to their every whim on a daily basis. As part of his duties, the black man will have to spend four to eight years cleaning up the messes other people left behind. The job comes with such intense scrutiny and so certain a guarantee of failure that only one other person even bothered applying for it. Said scholar and activist Mark L. Denton, "It just goes to show you that, in this country, a black man still can't catch a break."
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Closing Words
You can learn a lot from a non-victory speech. Mccain proves himself as a man of character, even in defeat. I hope we haven't heard the last of him.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Fun with Politics Round whatever
This is good for laughs, and hopefully some relief during a time that's tense for many.
http://www.burnsidewriterscollective.com/general/2008/11/seven_things_to_consider_befor.php
http://www.burnsidewriterscollective.com/general/2008/11/seven_things_to_consider_befor.php
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Best Unintentional Comedies
I know I'll need help on this one as I'll no doubt miss a few. But recently I thought of the need to recognize all movies we couldn't possibly take seriously. So here goes, and feel free to assist.
P.S. I'm not including any Ed Wood movies. Too easy.
10. The Village. Sorry, M. Night fans out there. I'm one too, up to Signs. But the dialogue from this one is so unbelievable, I couldn't help but laugh through the whole movie. The original settlers themselves would probably chuckle a bit. "William Hurt sounds so wooden. I didn't talk like that, did I?" I'm sure they didn't.
9.Jurassic Park 2. I'm only including this one because of the second half of the movie. It shows the direction the movie should have committed to in the first place, that of parody, or even better, satire. We could always use another Gremlins.
8.Dragonheart. I really want to use Eragorn, as I saw scenes from it and it looks hilarious. But let us not forget the first non-animated talking dragon movie. Even Sean Connery couldn't give that concept an ounce of dignity. And he definitely tried.
7.The Blair Witch Project. What? You found out this isn't real and it's just a movie? That gives you no choice but to laugh at these silly kids shoving cameras up their noses. Let that teach you that lies make no good substitute for good suspenseful storytelling.
6. The World is Not Enough. Some overdone one-liners and the casting of Denise Richards sunk this one and made it, along with Jurassic Park 2, extremely stinking of self-parody.
5.Star Wars, Episode III. Go ahead, yell at the screen. But you can't beat the lines of dialogue between Luke and Leah's parents for pure cheese. They fell just short of saying "I love you more," and "No, you hang up." Someone please get Mr. Lucas away from his typewriter.
4.The Incredible Hulk (Ang Lee version). Movies like The Dark Knight challenge us to take comic book characters a little more seriously. Movies like the Incredible Hulk remind us this isn't always a good idea. But what can I say? The comic book panels are well-done enough for plenty of laughs. If you need more, imagining Shrek as the Hulk could fill in the lulls.
3.Planet of the Apes. Charlton Heston could act. He made a decent Moses, and Ben Hur wasn't so bad either. But the most over quoted lines from Planet of the Apes are so over-the-top that I get the giggles just thinking about them.
2.Star Trek 2, The Wrath of Khan. You're already laughing, because you know the quote by heart. William Shatner yells at Ricardo Montelbaum at full, way-beyond- overacting volume. Much quoted and mocked, Shatner earned every bit of his accidental comic fame.
1. The Screaming Skull. It's the only movie I've ever seen that threatens to kill you from fright, and with (da da dum!) an old prop from Hamlet. Not a well known film, but well worth the laughs.
P.S. I'm not including any Ed Wood movies. Too easy.
10. The Village. Sorry, M. Night fans out there. I'm one too, up to Signs. But the dialogue from this one is so unbelievable, I couldn't help but laugh through the whole movie. The original settlers themselves would probably chuckle a bit. "William Hurt sounds so wooden. I didn't talk like that, did I?" I'm sure they didn't.
9.Jurassic Park 2. I'm only including this one because of the second half of the movie. It shows the direction the movie should have committed to in the first place, that of parody, or even better, satire. We could always use another Gremlins.
8.Dragonheart. I really want to use Eragorn, as I saw scenes from it and it looks hilarious. But let us not forget the first non-animated talking dragon movie. Even Sean Connery couldn't give that concept an ounce of dignity. And he definitely tried.
7.The Blair Witch Project. What? You found out this isn't real and it's just a movie? That gives you no choice but to laugh at these silly kids shoving cameras up their noses. Let that teach you that lies make no good substitute for good suspenseful storytelling.
6. The World is Not Enough. Some overdone one-liners and the casting of Denise Richards sunk this one and made it, along with Jurassic Park 2, extremely stinking of self-parody.
5.Star Wars, Episode III. Go ahead, yell at the screen. But you can't beat the lines of dialogue between Luke and Leah's parents for pure cheese. They fell just short of saying "I love you more," and "No, you hang up." Someone please get Mr. Lucas away from his typewriter.
4.The Incredible Hulk (Ang Lee version). Movies like The Dark Knight challenge us to take comic book characters a little more seriously. Movies like the Incredible Hulk remind us this isn't always a good idea. But what can I say? The comic book panels are well-done enough for plenty of laughs. If you need more, imagining Shrek as the Hulk could fill in the lulls.
3.Planet of the Apes. Charlton Heston could act. He made a decent Moses, and Ben Hur wasn't so bad either. But the most over quoted lines from Planet of the Apes are so over-the-top that I get the giggles just thinking about them.
2.Star Trek 2, The Wrath of Khan. You're already laughing, because you know the quote by heart. William Shatner yells at Ricardo Montelbaum at full, way-beyond- overacting volume. Much quoted and mocked, Shatner earned every bit of his accidental comic fame.
1. The Screaming Skull. It's the only movie I've ever seen that threatens to kill you from fright, and with (da da dum!) an old prop from Hamlet. Not a well known film, but well worth the laughs.
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