I was interested to see this after listening to an interview with Viggo Mortensen about the role of language (and accent) in his acting process. I wasn't disappointed, but the plot was too similar to the last Cronenberg/Mortensen film I saw: instead of a bad guy pretending to be "good", however, Viggo plays a "good" guy pretending to be bad.
I realize that I am becoming very squeamish in my old age. I can't seem to stomach much violence anymore, and this was Sopranosesque at times. (Makes sense, since it's a mob movie... just a different ethnic diaspora.)
In summary, the acting and directing was good. A good movie, yet still somehow forgettable. Rated 3/4
Monday, March 17, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
The Bourne Ultimatum
uh-oh... it was a few weeks ago I saw this, and already I remember very little. I suppose it was better than average, but that's not a good sign to be so forgettable. I remember being less impressed by the use of more technology (especially cell phones). Seemed a bit "Alias" like that. And to have hopelessly ensnared a mostly-innocent person in his flight seemed very deja vu... Rated 5+.
Sicko
OK, I'm ready to defect to another country.
No, seriously.
My life rocks in recent years. I really have everything to be thankful for, but I have also lived on the other side and know just how lucky I am. How we treat the rabble of uninsured is one issue, but this movie isn't even about the uninsured. It's about those who pay into the system and the American way of life and still end up screwed over/ dead. If you're lucky to have a network of some affluence, you might have some theoretical support on a personal level (if you're not too proud to beg), but we as Americans are by and large simply horrible to each other. But how can we help but be when we have to look after our own interests so closely?
Several days ago, I was listening to a story on Fresh Air (NPR) about a father and son who had written books about the son's battle with drug addiction. In recovery, the son discovered that what he really needed was just anti-depressants, not crystal meth. Apparently, 80% of drug addicts are suspected to be self-medicating for psychological disorders. I wonder if we had nationalized health care, and if we had doctors who earned bonuses based on the quality of attention doted on their patients, if it wouldn't affect the "war on drugs"... It would certainly help stem the feelings of exclusion and hopelessness that lead to violent outbursts , so we could stop being so bloody afraid of each other... (I'd pay an extra 10% in taxes to not have to read about another school shooting, but maybe that's just me...)
...but i digress...
I've lived abroad and already know how much better the quality of life is for folks in other developed countries. Halfway through the film, I found myself looking around the room and seriously asking myself if I could abandon all the great stuff I have (I do like my stuff) to live around other dirty socialists, and I found myself honestly replying: "If the weather is still nice? If I could have an equally awesome job? Absolutely."
No, seriously.
My life rocks in recent years. I really have everything to be thankful for, but I have also lived on the other side and know just how lucky I am. How we treat the rabble of uninsured is one issue, but this movie isn't even about the uninsured. It's about those who pay into the system and the American way of life and still end up screwed over/ dead. If you're lucky to have a network of some affluence, you might have some theoretical support on a personal level (if you're not too proud to beg), but we as Americans are by and large simply horrible to each other. But how can we help but be when we have to look after our own interests so closely?
Several days ago, I was listening to a story on Fresh Air (NPR) about a father and son who had written books about the son's battle with drug addiction. In recovery, the son discovered that what he really needed was just anti-depressants, not crystal meth. Apparently, 80% of drug addicts are suspected to be self-medicating for psychological disorders. I wonder if we had nationalized health care, and if we had doctors who earned bonuses based on the quality of attention doted on their patients, if it wouldn't affect the "war on drugs"... It would certainly help stem the feelings of exclusion and hopelessness that lead to violent outbursts , so we could stop being so bloody afraid of each other... (I'd pay an extra 10% in taxes to not have to read about another school shooting, but maybe that's just me...)
...but i digress...
I've lived abroad and already know how much better the quality of life is for folks in other developed countries. Halfway through the film, I found myself looking around the room and seriously asking myself if I could abandon all the great stuff I have (I do like my stuff) to live around other dirty socialists, and I found myself honestly replying: "If the weather is still nice? If I could have an equally awesome job? Absolutely."
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Enter the Dragon
I expected this to be a crappy action movie, but I was interested in watching it after hearing the
soundtrack from the next room. Between that and the dude with the big 'fro, I expected it to be a blacksploitation piece, with at least a lot of camp entertainment value. ...but it actually wasn't bad as a movie. The choreography was very real and well-designed. I watched a very poorly-derived vhs print, so I have to wonder if the film had higher production values than it appeared. If it was originally made well and a print can be cleaned up, however, it's a keeper in the action canon. The foley editors obviously had a little too much fun with the sound effects and post-dubbing, making it cornier than it needed to be... but it was a fun romp. Rated 3/4.
soundtrack from the next room. Between that and the dude with the big 'fro, I expected it to be a blacksploitation piece, with at least a lot of camp entertainment value. ...but it actually wasn't bad as a movie. The choreography was very real and well-designed. I watched a very poorly-derived vhs print, so I have to wonder if the film had higher production values than it appeared. If it was originally made well and a print can be cleaned up, however, it's a keeper in the action canon. The foley editors obviously had a little too much fun with the sound effects and post-dubbing, making it cornier than it needed to be... but it was a fun romp. Rated 3/4.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Simpsons - Season 8
Homer's Enemy - so sad... i've seen it before and thought that it was sad then, too... I suppose that it's not poorly written, but I feel too much for the guy (and I don't watch 'Simpsons' for Schadenfreude) to rate it any higher than a 5.
Spin-off Showcase - Cute. Clever. Rated 4+.
The Secret War of Lisa Simpson - Cute. Would be cuter if it were ever alluded to again... 4+
Spin-off Showcase - Cute. Clever. Rated 4+.
The Secret War of Lisa Simpson - Cute. Would be cuter if it were ever alluded to again... 4+
From the Earth to the Moon (pt 1 & 2)
Too many guys who look the same for me to focus well on the narrative. And I'm seriously failing to see why I should get excited about a space program that was almost always one step behind the cutting edge... The second episode was a little easier to follow, however. Rated 5+.
Outfoxed
Why I am such a bad American? Because movies like this one are true. The more Fox you watch, the more falsely informed you are... yet those same people think themselves the truest, bluest patriots. We're going to H*** in a handbasket, but the journey has nothing to do w/ gay marriage. Whachagonnado? 'fraid nothin' can be done... Rated 3.
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