Light and Darkness

"We peaked on the phone."

Trying to kill time waiting for my child to get ready for school. I've woken her up several times in the last thirty minutes, which is an indication that she will be late today. It's seven in the morning and we still haven't walked out of the door....Soooooooo, as I wait I thought I'd do the movie recap for yesterday's viewing.

Was able to see three movies on my day off. Alone, I watched Elizabethtown with Orlando Bloom and Kirsten Dunst. I have a movie to add to my favorites list. There isn't anything innovative to this film but the story is touchingly beautiful. There are several journeys within it for the main chaacter. We have Bloom's Drew discovering himself in the wake of his father's death. Yes, I know.....done before but the theme was beautifully executed here.

I LOVED the music. I hope the soundtrack had everything in the film...doubt seriously, but by God....It was good. Mix of modern, classic rock, blues, and the lot. Yummy!!!! Anyone who wants to, I will not turn down this (or Rollbounce's soundtrack) for my birthday.

One of my favorite scenes was Drew and Claire's (Dunst) final hug. The look on his face was a loud, resounding "I am home." Every single one of us should have a look like that when we hug someone.

sigh....love the loving in that film. Between the memories (albeit, brief) Drew has of his dad and the final acceptance of Susan Sarandon's character (by the way...have I mentioned I love Sarandon. She gets more beautiful each year. She is one female that gracefully ages and says "I refuse to be someone I am not" with every role she takes. Brava, Susan. Brava!). I was even able to not stare at Kirsten's mouth throughout the movie....Have I mentioned that I get sidetracked watching that chick? Her mouth is all wrong for her face. Lips too thin. Teeth too small. Gums WAY TOO BIG. I end up watching her mouth in every thing I see her in. Eh, distracting. BUUUUUUT, I was able to focus on  other things despite the mouth (and I'm not saying she's unattractive. She has a simple prettiness to her. I don't think she's drop dead gorgeous. Not even beautiful. She's just a 'simple pretty.' Others may say plain.).

hmmmm.

Ok. Next film: Waiting. The Penis Showing Game. Yes, the film has its immature base but who can't do with a little Penis Showing Game every now and then.

(10.21.05 @714a)

Team Edward vs Team Jacob

Just watched Twilight with Emmaline. I laughed so much. Horrible script. Funny. Supposed to be so serious. Definitely made for the young. I don't know why women my age or older are fanatical about this. But it was two hours of comedy for me. Bad acting and bad dialogue make for hours of

A Real Love Story

I have another favorite film on my list. One about love and its infinite power to heal. It's a story about how true love is unconditional, supportive, and awe-inspiring. It is Lars and the Real Girl, starring Ryan Gosling, who I have to give kudos for playing such an unconventional role.

Gosling plays Lars who is crippled by so many fears: social involvement, physical touching, emotional attachment. He runs from his pregnant sister-in-law, who literally tackles him just to invite him to dinner. He swallows words when female co-workers say hello. He withdraws into a dark garage for protection. Until he meets Bianca, a real doll.

When first watching this film, I thought at some moment in it that Lars would get enormous backlash for being involved with Bianca. The pessimistic, socialized part of me. We fear for ourselves and others when differences are evident in a person. In such a world of intolerance, surely Lars would get heckled or worse yet, tortured for his relationship with Bianca. But it never happens. An entire town of people embrace her and help this shy, scarred, young man leave a world of introversion in his own time and in his own way. It's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

It's a good ensemble of people that bring Bianca to life. Patricia Clarkson, who I have enjoyed in many things especially, The Station Agent (another film about a socially awkward person and tolerance) is in such a superb supporting role. The entire cast made this humble film into a tale of courage and love.

I'm not a doctor. But there's some holes in his stomach.

Horrorfest is going on at my theater right now. It's great. Little mini horror film festival that started last year. The films are campy but so fantastic. Surprisingly, there are some big stars in these films; noone like Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, but still some names you would recognize....if your name isn't like the person who is dead to me because he doesn't know who the hell Robert Rodriguez is.

Monday night, Emmaline and I watched Tooth and Nail, which is set in Philadelphia after civilization ends as we know it. Without even watching it, you'd probably guess the premise of the film, although that's not where the title comes into play in the movie. We had fun watching this because it's entirely predictable. The characters are exactly like every character you would expect in a survival of man sort of film especially when you have them living together in a post-apocalyptic world. PREDICTABLE. What I find head-scratching about the film are the death scenes. These mountainous, Viking-like band with men the size of 300 pound bears make these earth shattering blows on tiny wimpy folks. The wimpies crawl and drag themselves away from these huge beasts in a futile attempt to get away. Several more fatal blows and then death. HOWEVER, when the wimpies fight back and get to kill their antagonists, it takes very little to fell a Giganto!

The best line of the whole film is the title of this post. I will be using it. Going around quoting it as often as I can because it' a line with that denotes sarcasm, fun, and disbelief. It's just as much fun as my favorite line...which is all me, by the way....."DAMN YOU, SCOOBY DOO!" (note: to get the full effect must have closed fist, which is shaken towards sky as to indicate being trumped by those pesky kids).

We're off to see a second film in just a moment, Unearthed. Hopefully, it will be just as awful and fun as Tooth. Laughter is so good for the soul.

Elizabeth: The Golden Age

Cate Blanchett is yet again, divine, reprising her role as Elizabeth, The Virgin Queen. She portrayed the monarch with the fierce strength we've heard of her in our world history classes as well as this woman whose pleasures and freedoms were always at a feather's touch away. I have admiration and sympathy for the woman who was infamously Elizabeth I.

Geoffrey Rush....oye, what a great actor. A man who always pulls interest to him, no matter the role. His voice commands attention even in a whisper. Emmaline made note of his voice also. I enjoy watching him. He acts with genuine emotion and talent. I loved him as the strange writer who by far, the best in the film, The Banger Sisters. As Walsingham, he is yet again superb.

Clive Owen. Juicy, of course. Sorry, Mr. Owen. I am a woman who can appreciate who superbly beautiful you are. Forgive me of my shallowness. Other than being gorgeous as the pirate knighted by a queen, Sir Walter Raleigh, Owen helps us have sympathy for Elizabeth. There was some stiffness in scenes, which I don't know if it was intended by him. Moments in the film that the eye contact between him and Blanchett as well as his body language garnered a love for the queen. At other times, I felt uncomfortable with him and even more sympathetic for Elizabeth. Again, intentional for effect or just awkward acting?

One other actor, I watched whilst he was onscreen. I probably wouldn't have even brought this guy up if it weren't for a quirky little film I recently watched, Danny Deckchair. Rhy Ifans. He played Robert Reston. He was really only an incidental in the film, but I watched.

Films like this one make me more and more curious about figures and events in history. I've always loved delving into history when in school; and I'm thrilled when a film piques my interest to investigate and learn more. Chacracters like Blanchett's Elizabeth are perfect for the silver screen. Bigger than life and captivating from start to close.

Of the 6.5 billion people on earth, one can't make an original movie?

Scheduled remakes:

• Barbarella
• Escape from New York
• The Karate Kid
• Star Trek
• Tron

TV to Big Screen

• Justice League of America
• Dallas
• Sex and the City
• The Incredible Hulk
• Magnum PI
• Fraggle Rock: The Movie

This just pisses me off. Yes, I go films that do this. And yes, I'm sometimes pleasantly surprised. I was upset with the whole Transformers movie when it was announced that it was going to be made. I was happy with the end result. Do you know there's a Transformers 2 scheduled for filming? Like we didn't anticipate that. Even though films can do well like the aforementioned Transformers, I'm still upset.

I don't mind books to film as much. But the remake thing is going beyond "Oh, that was a good idea to remake that film." Let's look at what's playing now.

3:10 to Yuma - Originally starred Glenn Ford in 1957. I have heard great things about the remake but again, why? Couldn't a great western have been created in the minds of the Hollywood genius? Or has Hollywood genius become an oxymoron.

The Heartbreak Kid - Starred Charles Grodin and Sybil Shepherd in 1972. If you don't like Ben Stiller (and there are those of you out there), don't go.

Halloween - Its the same but different than the Halloween of 1978 starring our beloved Jamie Lee Curtis. Just like Texas Chainsaw Massacre..."I swear that despite the same plot line, same characters and same overwhelming feeling of hopelessness, it's a different film."

Hairspray - Ok. I really enjoyed this film. But a remake? Rikki Lake in John Waters' cult classic still warms my heart. Hairspray falls into another category of lazy writing amongst the creative folks of the world. Movie to musical/musician's work to musical. Did you know there's a fucking musical called LEGALLY BLOND?! What in Mount Olympus were the Muses thinking?

Underdog - Are you fucking serious? I hated the cartoon as a kid so why the fuck would I drag my ass to this piece of atrocious shit? I'm sorry. I can't do it. I won't do. My kid wanted to see it because of Jason Lee.

The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D - I like the movie but a re-release every year is a bit ridiculous. Disney is subliminally trying to modify our brain patterns with this Tim Burton gem. Don't they understand the concept of absence and the fonder heart? Hey Disney folks, I have an idea for you.....fund a channel on cable or satellite television and broadcast the film 24hours daily. Was the revenue worth it last year to release it in 3D? I think I may have to look into that.

I want more from my film makers.  Stop the remakes. Stop the big screen adaptations of the small screen shows. Stop doing an English version of foreign films, which is yet another subject that pisses me off. Seriously, movie goers...are you that fucking lazy or close-minded that you can't watch a foreign film once in a while. We are not the center of the movie making universe. Incidentally, Bollywood is much more productive than Hollywood.

Eh, I'm done....for now. But if they bring Joanie Love Chachi to the big screen, I'm driving to LA in a rented monster truck, hitching the Hollywood sign up to a wench, and bringing that bad boy down myself. Film makers, you have been warned.

(thanks to following sites for the info: Snarkerati.com, IMDB, Moviehole.net, and Filmfodder.)

Bug

Talk about severe paranoia. This movie based upon the play of the same name is nuts. I'm not saying that I didn't enjoy it because I did.....but wow.

A commentary on how we lose ourselves whenever we have a dysfunctional attraction to another person? A look at the irrational yet highly addicting phenomena of conspiracy theorists? Another film exploring the depths of what scares us? All a resounding yes.

My friend Edwin and I had a conversation once during rehearsal of the play Arsenic and Old Lace. If you take away the sets, the props, and the costumes, could you still give the audience an effective performance? Well, this film to me is an ode to this sentiment. Bug's lack of multiple sets works for the film and is definitely a salute to its genesis as a play. The setting enhances the meat of this film which is the actors' and their dialogue.

As the audience, you sit stunned at what the two main characters become as the film develops. Hints of their irrationality are there from the very beginning but as the story evolves, you are just swept up at just how crazy it all becomes.

Michael Shannon resurrects the role of Peter Evans, which he performed on stage. Shannon is the consummate character actor. He moves from the intimidated quiet one to the enraged psychotic quickly and effortlessly. The role fits him like the proverbial glove; and had I not known that he played the role before, I would have thought the same. Ashley Judd's Agnes was unattractive and sympathetic. She is a broken woman with no initiative to change her circumstance, which is evident more so when she meets Peter. I wanted both characters to succeed but obvious from the start that success is a relative word.

It's an intense film that had me shaking my head, gathering my dropped jaw, and saying "What the fuck?!"

POTC 3

We screened the third installment of the Pirates adventures. Yes, it was good. No, Keith Richards' Captain Teague is not worth the all the hype brought on by the months and months of publicity. Yes, everyone is still yummy and beautiful as they have been in the past. No, I'm not going to give any spoilers away because there are those people that absolutely hate that. Yes, I'll stop with this stupid method because it's annoying me as well.

All of those that watched it said it is worth it. Understand that this movie is three hours long. I'm left with some unresolved things which I hate in a movie; and not in that "oh, that can be left in the fourth film of this series" type of unfinished business. I guess how the story goes with Davey Jones went the way it did intentionally but eh, not done. To me the entire series is a predictable yet fun ride....let us not forget that millions of dollars have been earned based upon a mediocre ride at Disney World so plot development and character building are for really superfluous.

I think with each movie after the original, Johnny Depp's Sparrow is just icing on the cake. His screen time seems to shorten with the sequels although billed as extremely important. Had anyone noticed this in the second film? The other characters' story lines and development have become much more prevalent. Intentional? Perhaps. This latest (wouldn't say last) film has Sparrow's appearances as garnish. He emphasizes points. Sparrow is integral but the lack of Depp-time proves a murderer can be found guilty without the presence of a body.

It is still a fun movie that WILL do very well in the theaters. And again, I will not be surprised with another sequel in a couple of years.

I may have more to say once the movie has been out this weekend. Eh, probably not. Just enjoy!

*BANG!* And They're Off.

Blockbuster Season, which is generally the summertime, has begun in the movie industry. Actually it began very early this year, and I guarantee that I will be one tired person when by time it's all said and done. I have missed the opportunity to review a few films but will start my season with Grindhouse, which I watched before leaving on my trip to Tennessee.

Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez collaborated on this one. It's billed as two full-length features with an intermission bridging them. The first is zombie-like film called "Planet Terror" and the second is "Death Proof."

Don't go to this film taking it seriously. The story lines are not meant to be Oscar winners; they are trashy, an homage to the 70s B movies. Yes, those ones that filled your screen on Saturday and Sunday afternoons on one of the only four channels your TV received before satellite and DVRs became the average Joe's basic channels. The actors are deadpan serious in the delivery of purposefully cheesy dialogue, the shots are blocked with novice grace, and the edits are grotesquely obvious. All to the effect of brilliance!

I loved this film. I think the true connoisseurs of Grindhouse will be my generation and perhaps, my parents' as well. If you are a child of the 70s and 80s, you are going to understand why this film is going to be a favorite of this year.

"Death Proof," I warn you, does drag a bit in the beginning. But it does remind you of every slow starting cheerleader-slashing film. Once it gets going, it doesn't stop until it's over. Funny, but it reminded me of the 70s horror flick "The Car," which revolves around a driverless car that terrorizes a town. Most people have enjoyed "Planet Terror" more but Kurt Russell does such a great job that I just can't ignore the fun that is Stuntman Mike.

You may want to go to the bathroom or get your refills during the "intermission" but don't. The trailers that tie the two movies together are just as worthy of any reviewer's write-up as the main features. And count the cameo appearances.

The few moments that made me cringe are tied in directly to seeing Tarantino on screen. I just can't watch that guy at all. Great filmmaker. Obviously talented and smart. But his Alfred Hitchcock moments onscreen? Eh. His monologues in every film he appears are supposed to be quick quips that deliver  punchy little bits of dialogue that generate laughter and head nodding but to me they become long diatribes where I watch his eyes to try and figure out what the hell he's looking at while really trying to understand what the fuck he is saying. I want him to be the Wizard of Oz....put him behind the curtain and let the magic happen. He doesn't need to be revealed.

Grindhouse, it's a good one. Worthy of the shelf space you are going to give its DVD.

Springtime for Whom?

Em, Adrian (friend and fellow manager), and I saw The Producers at the Saenger Theatre tonight. Some of the cast members of the touring company came to the theater last night with their company manager. Talked to them a bit and landed some tickets to see the show. They caught a flick on us.

What a fantastic cast. They did a brilliant job. Voices were in good form. Energy amongst the actors was up and they played to the audience wonderfully. Such a good show. Em loves the movie and thought this cast did so much better.

Afterwards, we met the cast and they signed a playbill for Emmaline. What was great was that the actors that had gone to the movies had told the others about us. And they were so sweet and kind and just in great spirits. Good troupe, honestly. Held up their bus to say hi to Em and give autographs.

Check out their site and bios. See if they are playing in your town and show your love for the arts by checking out their show.

This is my Double O face.

Watched Casino Royale.

Am in love with Daniel Craig.

He is sexy. And he is blond. Amazing that I'm attracted to a blond man.

Yum.

drool

Incidentally, when you watch through this....notice my house at the end. It's the quaint one you get an arial shot of before  the film is over. It's small but we like it.

Daniel Craig.

yum

mmmmmm.

There is scene that he sits absolutely naked in a chair. You see nothing but the imagination of EVERY THING. Even the villain wanted to fuck him because he looked so good.

I say 'god damn! Goddamn. Goddamn! Mmmmm. Mmmmm. MMMM.'

Another little side note....Mr. Craig is in one of my favorite films, and I didn't recall that it was him until I IMDB'd him. The BBC version of Moll Flanders (if anyone wants to buy it for me....it's a good one.) and no, it's not the one with Gwyneth or whoever that was in it. I'm talking about the good one with Alex Kingston (who is a hottie in her own right. Awesome woman and actor). Craig plays Moll's perfect mate Jemmy, a highwayman. He was damn sexy in that too.

Ok. Vincent may just have to step aside for Daniel....maybe. Or they can share me.

And by the way....the villain is played by Mads Mikkelsen, a Danish actor that is hot! He doesn't look the linked photo in the film except in one scene where he goes sadist on Bond.

Who doesn't like a good James Bond movie? Seriously, you're dead to me if you answer no..

How Many Stars for That?

I am baaaaaad about posting about my movie viewing, and you all know I watch a lot of movies. (Can I add for the billionth time that I enjoy working where I work? How great is it to watch any freaking movie for free? And as many times as I want? Just putting that out there again.)

So, what do you want to watch? Is it worth your $8-12? Just a few notes on what's out right now.

The Night Listener -  I was looking forward to this one. I am a Robin Williams fan. I don't know why. It may have something to do with wanting to fuck him at least once in my life. Yes, I have a teeny little thing for Robin Williams. And he is funny.

But this movie.....I call it "The Little Engine that Could've." So many elements about this film were right on but never went anywhere. The plot was a good one that could have taken the actors to so many places. A boy who was used for the sick sexual pleasure of his parents and their friends has AIDS and writes a book. He was adopted by a woman who keeps him from the dangerous elements of his past. But does he exist?

How can you screw that up? You've got suspense just dripping from that plot. And throw in that this story is based on actual events? People are gonna want to see it. But screw the movie up, indeed. It had Toni Collette and Sandra Oh acting beside Robin Williams. Speaking of Ms. Oh...why introduce a character and do nothing with her? Same with Williams' character's boyfriend. The movie makes this announcement about the main's relationship and puts a spotlight on it frequently. Yes, I understand the reason why. I do but there was no resolution to any of it.

And the movie was sooooooooo slow. Honestly, I wanted to leave so many times but the scenes would build up to these "Don't leave. I promise. Something is going to happen that will leapfrog this film into an amazingly crazy ride." Then nothing would happen. Don't believe me? Em went to the bathroom at one moment and when she returned asked what had happened. I explained that the cop tasered Williams' character. "Great! I missed the most exciting part of the movie!"

So much potential. Honestly, it's not that acting was bad or any of those natural things that make a film suck were there. It just did. I left pissed that I didn't get more from the film.

The Descent/Pulse - The Descent is about a group of splunking women. They have to find their way out of a cave. There are human-like things in the cave. There is death. Blood. Escape. Yada Yada Yada. I watched The Cave months and months ago. Then I watched it again when I walked into The Descent.

Pulse is evidently like Stir of Echoes and White Noise, which I haven't seen either. I do know that elements of Pulse are similar to a Japanese film called Sukima (Crevices). My understanding is that Pulse is based on a Japanese film anyways. Creepy moments and the greyness of the backdrop make it more wicked seeming, which was a bonus. Who wants to think that the dead are just walking around wanting to suck our souls out because they crave what we have? If you want to waste some money, go see Pulse. Otherwise, wait until it's released on DVD. I will say though Japanese writers should be applauded for knowing how to make a scary movie. I'm tired of gore equating scary. No. When you can scare an audience with very little effort on your part and the imagination in overdrive, you've done a good job.

Talladega Nights - If you don't like Will Ferrell, don't go (talking to my lovely Ms. Carrie). This is typical Ferrell stuff, and yes, I laughed. Two of the best scenes in the film are the dinner prayer and the steak knife. "Dear baby Jesus watching your Baby Einstein....." And when someone starts praying to Tom Cruise to use his witchcraft?! You know the night is good! Funniest thing by far about this movie are the people walking out of this film because they are offended. It's helped me past the nights at work sometimes.

World Trade Center - I will admit that when we first received posters for this film, I did not put them up. I didn't know what Oliver Stone was going to do; and I just didn't want to have any part in advertising more friction between people. But, after discovering it was a film about the survival of two men, I decided to watch it. I cried, mostly out of remembering what happened that day. That day, people both lost and found hope. Man showed his beauty and his cruelty. So, I have to say that most of my tears were for the apathy and empathy we have for each other. Otherwise, the film should be given some kudos. Applause goes to Nicholas Cage and Michael Pena for the close quarters they squeezed into for the filming of the duration of the film. Their performances were quite good. I don't think they were as visible in this film then they should have been. The men they portrayed survived and we got a lot of what their families were going through during the film. I know you can't have a two hour film about their experiences when mostly all these men did was wait. Still...I wanted to see Cage and Pena more.

Clerks II - Kevin Smith was ruder and cruder. The Wild Bill scene was fabulous (Jason Mews is the best). But Elias is by far the greatest character Smith has created or perhaps it's just the genius way that Trevor Fehrman carried him off. He is the antithesis of Randall's character and you can see them being best friends until the day they both die. And Pillow Pants is a must know.

Monster House 3D/Barnyard - We are showing 3D movies at our place now and I am so freakin happy because it's in time for the re-release of The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D. Our inaugral 3D is Monster House and I really enjoyed it. The sidekick character is one that you both laugh at and thank God he's not yours.

Now, Barnyard was definitely made for young children. Not really a good film. Two things redeem it and make me want to walk back into the theater to see it at least once more. 1)The special chick. You know how animators draw chicks cute and cuddly and you just want to own one? Well, for some reason....some really messed up reason....there is a baby chick in the film that is 'special'. He doesn't look the same as the other chicks. He doesn't sound the same as the other chicks. And no one seems to notice he's different....except Naomi and Emma who couldn't stop laughing at the poor chick. It's a pee in your pants sort of laugh. One that continues past the point of appropriateness. Yeah. 2) The nosy neighbor and her husband. I swear. I hope I live next to people like these two. I think it would give me a sense of joy knowing that I wake up every day to them. And the best line? Come on. You've seen the commercials: "It's a cow farm There's gonna be cows outside." If you have very young children, take them to this one but really....

One more and then I'm off to bed (not saying that I haven't seen others).

Snakes on a Plane - Really, I didn't want to see this one. Emma wanted to so I took her. It's not an Oscar winner. Absolutely not. And there are far better films out there. Far funnier films out there. But it was funny. It was stupid. It made you squirm. I don't have a penis but even I jump at seeing a huge ass snake chomp down on a man's bed snake. Wanna see it? Go with friends. I don't think this is going to be that cult classic that they were hoping for....or advertised gratuitiously for.

Superman Returns

Screened the latest Superman movie.

I had reservations about the actor since I'm a child of the Christopher Reeve days. He seemed to skinny...meaning not as broad shouldered...and not as tall. But watching it, I am satisfied. He was good.

Movie is definitely worth the ticket price. This isn't a review. It was also dedicated to Christopher and Dana Reeve, which is definitely fitting and beautiful.

Just one thing.  I will always hate the Lois Lane character. ALWAYS. I don't care who plays her (although I admit Teri Hatcher was my LEAST favorites...eck!), I will always think she is the stupidest person in creation. Ok. Yes, any person living in Superman's Earth is stupid. How hard is it to tell the difference between Clark Kent and Superman? I mean when mothers got their hairs cut, did any of us suddenly weep uncontrollably when we were children because we don't know who the funny woman with the weird hairdo walk in the door and suddenly start cooking dinner? GLASSES do not serve as a secret identity, stupid people. BUT come on....Lois Lane? Even dumber. She's a freaking investigative (let me interrupt this rant with a note that YES, I KNOW IT'S A COMIC STRIP. I'm not a total loon) reporter. She works with Clark every day. She fucked Superman. And yet....AND YET.....she doesn't know they are the same guy?!

DUMB WOMAN!

Eh!

Good Night, El Matador.

If you are going to the movies and want to spend your money on something worth watching, there are two choices I can suggest....but only if you can appreciate things other than mindless idiocy like The Dukes of Hazard (and yes, I watched that. I work at cinema. I watch A LOT of mindless crap. But it's all free so what do I care): the black and white, Good Night, and Good Luck with David Strathairn as infamous journalist Edward Murrow or the dark comedy, The Matador with Pierce Brosnan and Greg Kinnear.

First, Good Night, and Good Luck. The movie assumes you understand a thing or two about the era. If you don't know, it's about Murrow's editorials on CBS of the McCarthy trials and of Senator McCarthy himself. Great film. Strathairn made this film. His performance was absolutely brilliant as Murrow. I can't imagine anyone else in the role. With such reservation and calm in his dead pan face, I saw so much emotion beneath the surface. Brilliant. Bloody Brilliant performance. So often, you could easily pass Strathairn over in a film. He's just one of those actors that sort of blends into the film. I think that proves the excellence of an actor. Even though, he generally doesn't have these magnificently loud roles that puts him center stage, he becomes a vein of the film. Well, here...wow. He embodied Murrow. Made the film.

Now, The Matador. We are all so used to seeing Pierce Brosnan in these sexy roles. Remington Steele, James Bond, etc etc. He plays Julian, a middle-aged facilitator (aka assassin) who befriends a salesman, Danny (played by Greg Kinnear). Julian is oversexed, crude, rude, and perhaps bisexual. He is often drunk and unshaven. He chain smokes like there is no tomorrow. And let us not forget that he kills people for a living. And yet, you can't help but love him. My God...I think this is by far my favorite role I have seen Brosnan in. He is stunning in pulling on a coat of something that is not his traditional garb. The title is fitting, quite metaphorical....and I'm not going to explain it for those who want to see it. I'd rather you get the idea.

Ok....I'm off. Have some things to do. Then I'm off to the movies again. today is my second day off in a row. Woo Hoo! I'm going to see Brokeback Mountain this afternoon. Pick Em up and then we are going to watch Munich. And tonight we are screening Final Destination 3 (I told you I watch the fluff movies. I do fill my brain with nonsensical things. Hey, I LOVED..loved....loved Grandma's Boy.)

Human Torture with Some Masago

Just came from the movies. Hostel.....um, ok. Have you seen this yet? Torture for sport. No real plot. Just lots of blood, pain, and watching through clenched teeth and eyes. Did Eli Roth really try to write a message into this thing? Yeah, I get we're supposed to be sickened by man's inhumanity against man (did you know that's what was trying to be said?) but honestly, there have been films that have portrayed far better than Hostel. It was basically a gore flick. No fear. No surprises. Blood and guts and death. That's it. Even the sexy scenes left you deflated. Yes, cringing will occur watching it. Who really would sit there as a woman's blowtorch burned eye is being cut off and the cooked gelatinous fluid that once held her pretty Asian occular ball comes seeping out. Yep. Wanna waste some money (again..thanking all that is holy that I get to watch movies for free), then by all means go see it.

Went bookstore shopping yesterday and picked up Neil Gaiman's American Gods as well as Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha (I have mentioned that I loved that book, right?!). Wanted Memoirs for my own shelf. Will be starting Gaiman's sometime tonight. Was told it is goooood.

Ate some sushi today. YUM!!! My God, the Japanese know what they are doing with that culinary delight. Orgasmic! I swear I will marry a man simply for keeping me happy with sushi. Yes, I'm a whore.

Just catching up on my blog reading and found this at Jez's journal. I'm a little stunned that it can be accurate. And a little shock that I could be blatantly summarized so correctly. Eh.

Naomi took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! "Preoccupied with things of an intensely exciting n..." Click here to read the rest of the results.

So, I took it again. And these results are more disturbing. A little Orwellian for me. Feels like someone has been listening to my conversations and spying on me for the description to be so right on.

 

Naomi took the free ColorQuiz.com personality test! "Longs for sensitive and sympathetic understanding ..." Click here to read the rest of the results.

Well, I guess I'm just a cold, stubborn, sex fiend that is needy and always looking for validation in places other than myself; and when I don't get it, I withdraw.

...

hmph

...

If it's going to be that way about it, I'm going to my room and turning up the stereo. I don't have to listen to that crap..