What Movie Are You Watching Or Watched Today?

[cagliostro]

Yeah, it really does just end. I was in the theater, and Tommy Lee Jones was talking about a dream and I spaced out as I always do when someone wants to tell me about their dreams, and suddenly the credits started to roll. I know I must have missed something about the movie, as I so rarely space off during movies. I think what I missed was the appeal of this film. So, yeah, I'm in complete agreement with you DzM. But the Cohens are pretty hit and miss for me.

[BelfastsLittlesHobo]

I watched The Patriot this evening starring Mel Gibson. It is entertaining enough I suppose with obvious comparisons to Braveheart. My biggest problem with the movie though is that it seems to boil the American Revolution down to the participation of Gibson's character.

[philipchevron]

I watched The Patriot this evening starring Mel Gibson. It is entertaining enough I suppose with obvious comparisons to Braveheart. My biggest problem with the movie though is that it seems to boil the American Revolution down to the participation of Gibson's character.

Mel Gibson fought numerous wars single-handedly and was then nailed to a cross for his pains. It seems to have done little to deter him from being a pillock.

[Low D]

I watched The Patriot this evening starring Mel Gibson. It is entertaining enough I suppose with obvious comparisons to Braveheart. My biggest problem with the movie though is that it seems to boil the American Revolution down to the participation of Gibson's character.

I saw this accidentally when it came out. It's call to the pacifist veteran of the Indian wars to let their sons join in the war of revolution seemed a bit suspicious in timing - like encouraging Viet Nam vets to let their kids join the "war against terror". And in Gibson style, it wasn't a subtle message. But, like a hundred Hollywood guys & gals, he usually leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

We just watched "The Runaways" the other night, and it was great. Thought it actually went a bit easy on Kim Fowley, though. That said, he should be lined up with Bernie Rhodes & Malcolm MacLaren, and all given medals. And then sent off to a desert island with only each other for company for eternity (ok, a bit late for Malcolm...)

The film is really only about Joan & Cherie - Lita & Sandy were bit parts (& Jackie Fox unnamed - apparently by request), but that two-person relationship focus was used to tell one hell of a story. It's based on Cherie Currie's book and executive produced by Joan Jett, which certainly lends it some credibility. My kids current favourite superstars Dakota Fanning & Kirsten Stewart were amazing, and the whole bunch of them look ex-fucking-actly like the Runaways circa 1976. Crazy.

[FAY]

I NEED THAT RECORD
The Death (Or Possible Survival) of the Independent Record Store

[BelfastsLittlesHobo]

Went to see The Expendables with my girl friend tonight. Once you get past the cheesy dialogue, dodgy plastic surgery and CGI blood it is actually quiet enjoyable. I grew up watching all these action stars so the sentimentality could be clouding my judgment and I may be a little biased although my girlfriend also enjoyed it!.... Ah Escapism is a wonderful thing!

[cagliostro]

Speaking of escapism, I went to the drive-in recently and saw Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, and Inception. I really liked Scott Pilgrim - it delightfully overcame the premise, and was much more clever than the ads suggested. Hint: it is full of metaphor.

Inception is a film not built for the drive-in, particularly the later showing. It was very original and clever as well, but weighs down toward the end by infusing too many actiony moments when I just wanted the damn thing to wrap it up so I could go home and go to bed.

[firehazard]

Toy Story 3. In 3D.

Good movie, but 3D specs make my face hurt.

[Doktor Avalanche]

Saw The Kids Are Alright last week.

It was alright.

*rim shot*

[cagliostro]

Saw The Kids Are Alright last week.

It was alright.

*rim shot*

It seems such an obvious joke, that I can't believe it blindsided me and made me laugh. Well done.

[BelfastsLittlesHobo]

Just back from watching 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.' It was amazing. At times I wasnt sure if I was watching a movie, a video game or reading a comic. The CGI and effects were mind blowing. I believe Edgar Wright is truly one of the finest directors working today and Scot Pilgrim will be thought of as a masterpiece.

[DzM]

Just back from watching 'Scott Pilgrim vs. The World.' It was amazing. At times I wasnt sure if I was watching a movie, a video game or reading a comic. The CGI and effects were mind blowing. I believe Edgar Wright is truly one of the finest directors working today and Scot Pilgrim will be thought of as a masterpiece.

What a shame it's tanking (more or less) at the box office. This means that other movies with a similar nerd-aesthetic will have a tougher time getting made.

[DzM]

A day or so ago: Sweetgrass
A bittersweet cinema verte film following shepherds raising their herd for the last time in the Montana mountains. The events from winter lambing through the spring drive to the mountains, summer grazing, and the fall roundup and filmed and presented without comment. It's a charming film. And like Koyaanisqatsi you'll either love it or hate it (though I have to say that Koyaanisqatsi is, I think, a much better film).


Tonight: Where the Wild Things Are
I wasn't a fan of this book when I was a kid. Something about it never appealed to me. As such I can't really compare the execution of this film against the original, and I can't really be offended by changes in the story.

I recall that when this film was being released there was much hand-wringing from reviewers regarding whether it was too dark, or too mature, or too complex for children to follow. I can understand this hand-wringing, but I don't agree with it. This film, like The Incredible Mr. Fox, has elements that the young will follow and more mature elements that the rest of the family can follow.

At a basic level this story is about an angry young buy, Max. He's growing up and is none too pleased with the realization that he is not the center of his family's world. His sister would rather spend time with her teenage friends, his single mom is distracted by work and boyfriend, etc. And even worse, his family is not the center of the universe. He's learning that even the most eternal seeming of things, the Sun, will one day die. In a fit of anger Max runs away, literally and figuratively, into his imagination where he meets a family of monsters. He becomes their king and all is initially well. Rough-and-tumble wrestling, yelling, yowping, racing and romping.

As time passes in Max's fantasy interpersonal conflict plays out within the monster family which, over time, Max realizes reflects the conflicts in his own life and his own family. He comes to realize that his self-centered view of the world; his temper tantrums, his demands for attention, simply make things more difficult for those he loves and that, ultimately, he needs to show his love for them by not only considering his own wants.

So - kids will enjoy the rough housing, the silly monsters, that excellent puppetry and facial animation of the creatures, etc. Parents and other adults will recognize (and perhaps enjoy) the story of a boy realizing that there is more to the world than himself, and the process of his learning how his actions affect that greater world. It's a charming film, and one I'd recommend.

Something that crossed my mind several times during the film was the similarities between it and the revered comic strip Calvin & Hobbes. Calvin is also a narcissistic and precocious boy who has not come to terms with how his actions affect those around him. His interactions with reality leave him angry and confused, so he retreats into his imagination to escape his frustrations. As a teen I found Calvin & Hobbes a fantastic, well written romp. As an adult I see it also exploring that age when the individual is still the center of the family, the planet, and the universe. In a minor way Calving & Hobbes could be thought of as a prequil Where the Wild Things Are. Bill Waterson stopped creating new comics before Calvin ever had to come to terms with how he should interact with the world. Wild Things begins where C&H stops.

[old barney greyheron]

'eyup...Barry Norman's in.

[Clash Cadillac]

Calvin & Hobbes

Loved this strip. Calvin made the best snowmen.