What's John watching?
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Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Malèna: As poignant a film as I've seen. While, thankfully, I can't speak to the veracity of scenes like the bombing and the beating, I can say without hesitation that Renato (Giuseppe Sulfaro), and his director, Giuseppe Tornatore, nailed the unrequited love of an adolescent male. I know nothing of Italian customs, but I accepted everything this film had to say, no matter how horrible it seemed to my eyes, because it rang true. It was human. Terribly human.
Kate & Leopold: Well, I must say that this one surprised me. Frankly, the premise, as portrayed in the trailer, was silly. The movie, on the other hand, let the characters shine; the time-travel premise really took a backseat. The dialogue was sharp, Brecklin Meyer as Kate's brother was so... full, and Jackman... He used silence, he expressed so much. In my opinion, he made the film.
Meg is always fun to watch, but all her characters are attached; little threads, like her muttered words, here in a taxi cab, in bed as,
Meg is always fun to watch, but all her characters are attached; little threads, like her muttered words, here in a taxi cab, in bed as,
Fight, fight, fight!in You've Got Mail, or the perfectly-offended expression that Kevin Kline saw - long before Jackman was a big-screen star - in French Kiss, resonate among them. Don't get me wrong: I love those films. Truly! But the result is that Meg needs a good counterpart to carry a film, and she got it in Jackman.
Monday, December 29, 2003
Suddenly Naked: Man, I am on fire! My wife was looking for a feel-good movie, and I was looking for more than your typical Hollywood fluff. Enter Suddenly Naked. Such a smart, sexy movie... and it got an
I believe it's a Canadian production, but that isn't a bad thing; it's very polished and professional. It was the little things that tipped me: Terry David Mulligan plays a TV host at one point. :-) I haven't seen that guy in years. Now I'll have to rent Better Than Chocolate.
I love this movie!from my wife! What more can you ask for?
I believe it's a Canadian production, but that isn't a bad thing; it's very polished and professional. It was the little things that tipped me: Terry David Mulligan plays a TV host at one point. :-) I haven't seen that guy in years. Now I'll have to rent Better Than Chocolate.
Sunday, December 28, 2003
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines: Well, first, let me just say that it took me a long time to decide that I wanted to see this movie. In fact, I think I only decided a few months ago, after watching Terminator 2: Judgment Day for the sixth or seventh time.
I'd heard a lot about this movie. Some said the story was excellent (I agree), others said it followed T2 scene-for-scene (again, I agree; more on this in a moment) and they never should've bothered to make it, still others said it was great on its own.
All this served to prepare me for what turned out to be a very bizarre experience. I love T2, and I don't think I could've enjoyed this movie if I didn't know that it would follow T2 so closely; it would've upset and annoyed me. As it was, I just sat in wonder as it followed the formula for Terminator success.
Observe the following similarities (off the top of my head):
Having said all that, I really liked this movie. I know, it sounds strange, but once I knew to expect it I thought,
I'd heard a lot about this movie. Some said the story was excellent (I agree), others said it followed T2 scene-for-scene (again, I agree; more on this in a moment) and they never should've bothered to make it, still others said it was great on its own.
All this served to prepare me for what turned out to be a very bizarre experience. I love T2, and I don't think I could've enjoyed this movie if I didn't know that it would follow T2 so closely; it would've upset and annoyed me. As it was, I just sat in wonder as it followed the formula for Terminator success.
Observe the following similarities (off the top of my head):
- Both have a naked bar scene;
- Both have a huge truck chasing a pick-up truck;
- Both have a
Nice bike
scene; - Both have an well-meaning
Creator of Evil
who attempts to absolve himself before dying; - Both have a scene where a roof is ripped off a vehicle;
- Both have a scene where the Terminator shuts down, only to boot up later;
- Both have a scene where the Terminator is
tricked
into changing its plan (You have to do what I tell you
); - Both have a
Police casualty: 0
scene.
Bad Terminator crashes their vehicle and begins the final stalkscene; you know, the factory scene in T2? It's a bunker scene in this one. What's even more uncanny is the timing of these similarities. I swear that the initial chase sequence occurs within 15 minutes of the
Dirt bike versus tow truckscene in T2. It's the same all the way through, and then this one tacks on a 10-minute conclusion.
Having said all that, I really liked this movie. I know, it sounds strange, but once I knew to expect it I thought,
Oh, I loved this scene in T2.It was like watching an alternate movie; and let's face it, these time-travel movies lend themselves quite well to that sort of thing.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl: We rented this one over the holidays; our second time seeing it. It was a lot of fun. I like Geoffrey Rush, my wife really likes Johnny Depp... How can you go wrong?
The duel between Jack and Will was my favourite scene, closely followed by the
The duel between Jack and Will was my favourite scene, closely followed by the
Take a walk, boysscene, where we see the cursed pirates advancing underwater. At the other end of the scale was the attack on Port Royal. What's with all the explosions? There was an excellent shot of a cannonball flying through the foyer of the Swann mansion; they should've stuck that sort of effect, in my opinion.
Monday, December 22, 2003
Babylon 5 - Season 3: Episode 19: Grey 17 Is Missing: O.K., that talking dummy on Grey 17 was really freaky. Very Blade Runner. *shudder* I really enjoyed the pike duel between Marcus and Neroon; certainly not for the choreography (which was blatant... Who turns their back to their enemy that many times in a duel to the death?), but rather the lighting, the scripting... I don't know, there's something about the Minbari warrior caste that reminds me of Dune (the book? Lynch's movie? Maybe both...) and that's good.
Oh, and on Garibaldi's make-shift gun: a metal tube, half a dozen bullets, steam... Seems more likely to blow his hands off than shoot anything, but hey, it's TV. :-)
Oh, and on Garibaldi's make-shift gun: a metal tube, half a dozen bullets, steam... Seems more likely to blow his hands off than shoot anything, but hey, it's TV. :-)
Sunday, December 21, 2003
Babylon 5 - Season 3: Episode 18: Walkabout: The Shadows can be stopped telepathically. As the new Kosh said,
So it begins.I found Garibaldi's moral authority speech interesting; the military's use of it has always fascinated me. As a soldier, at what point do you question it? The moment you wonder whether you're on the side of the right.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: I loved it just as much the second time. There was something so moving about the opening of the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, when Gandalf rode out of Minas Tirith to save the retreating soldiers of Gondor (led by Faramir). The music, the effects, those shots from a distance... It really moved me both times.
Saturday, December 20, 2003
Something's Gotta Give: What a beautiful film! The trailer had me suspecting it would be funny and poignant, but nothing like it was... It was like a great piece of music, for goodness sake, the way it moved and came together. (And while I'm on the subject, the soundtrack was spectacular. I had my doubts when it opened with that stupid Butterfly song, but even that worked... somehow.)
Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson were amazing. I mean, truly amazing. The script was excellent, but they brought those characters to life. This movie had some extreme highs and lows, and we rode each one with them. They both have a number of scenes where they cry, and I know you'd think that would knock you out of the moment at some point, but the truth is that those scenes wouldn't have worked without it; they felt right, and Keaton and Nicholson made them right.
It's funny: I wondered why Keanu hadn't bugged me, why he wasn't his goofy self. "Could he have acted?" I wondered. "No," my wife assured me, "he was simply blown off the screen by Keaton and Nicholson." So true!
Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson were amazing. I mean, truly amazing. The script was excellent, but they brought those characters to life. This movie had some extreme highs and lows, and we rode each one with them. They both have a number of scenes where they cry, and I know you'd think that would knock you out of the moment at some point, but the truth is that those scenes wouldn't have worked without it; they felt right, and Keaton and Nicholson made them right.
It's funny: I wondered why Keanu hadn't bugged me, why he wasn't his goofy self. "Could he have acted?" I wondered. "No," my wife assured me, "he was simply blown off the screen by Keaton and Nicholson." So true!
Thursday, December 18, 2003
The Towering Inferno: I guess it was about half way through this nearly-three-hour movie when I started thinking that I'd only seen horrible images like these one other time in my life: the morning of September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center towers in New York City burned and collapsed, killing nearly 3000 people. This realization made the final scene all the more chilling: Chief O'Hallorhan (Steve McQueen) turns to Doug (Paul Newman) and says:
I could say a lot more about this great film - it was a masterpiece of suspense - but all my thoughts pale in comparison to that ending.
Architect! You know, we were lucky tonight. The body count was less than two hundred. One day, you're going to kill ten thousand in one of these, unless someone asks us how to build them.
I could say a lot more about this great film - it was a masterpiece of suspense - but all my thoughts pale in comparison to that ending.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King: Well, the culmination of three years has come and passed. I am definitely getting older. This time just flew! Not that I didn't anticipate these films; they just arrived more quickly than, say, The Phantom Menace did (my last, truly great, opening night experience).
I don't remember this book as well as the other two, so you won't find me pointing out discrepancies here. No, while I realized that the ending didn't quite match the book, I thought it was a very satisfying end to the movie...
The performances were outstanding. Sean Astin had such a role to play (as Sam)... I can hardly believe how well the material worked on the big screen. Hats off to Fran and Philippa (and Peter too, I guess)! :-)
I don't know what else to say... Other than, I'll be seeing it again very shortly. :-)
I don't remember this book as well as the other two, so you won't find me pointing out discrepancies here. No, while I realized that the ending didn't quite match the book, I thought it was a very satisfying end to the movie...
The performances were outstanding. Sean Astin had such a role to play (as Sam)... I can hardly believe how well the material worked on the big screen. Hats off to Fran and Philippa (and Peter too, I guess)! :-)
I don't know what else to say... Other than, I'll be seeing it again very shortly. :-)
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Survivor: Three hours... The finale was definitely the best of the three I've seen, though; worth my time, and a lot of fun.
But, before I get to that, there was Lill, who finally did something, finally stepped beyond that malleable whiner: She won immunity (in a physical contest, no less). Her talk of being strong... That annoyed me more than any other aspect of this season, but she finally put her money where her mouth was. And she also had a very good point: It's easy to judge from your couch. That's one thing I was telling my wife: I'd be proud of the focused, intelligent performance Jon gave us. Where Lill looked simple-minded, he was a mastermind. It's easy for viewers to judge - and they will - so you have to hope that your best performance looks good on film (or that your money feels good in the editors' pockets).
I was surprised at how well Sandra and Lill stood up to questioning. Some of their answers were better than others, but when the jury was done, I found myself thinking about particular answers and nodding: Lill's closing remarks were very focused, Sandra's admission about the part luck played in her getting there was heartfelt; both very well done.
I was also surprised at how well Osten handled the finale. Heck, I don't know if I would've shown up. But, people, it is a game. On that note, I hope Jon makes the All-star Castaway list. He played like I hope I'd play; as Christa said, "I wished I'd thought of [the grandmother lie]." I'd also like to see Savage come back. That guy really gave it his all. And then to sit at the finale and say that he could've been better, that he'd learned a thing or two... That man has character and integrity.
But, before I get to that, there was Lill, who finally did something, finally stepped beyond that malleable whiner: She won immunity (in a physical contest, no less). Her talk of being strong... That annoyed me more than any other aspect of this season, but she finally put her money where her mouth was. And she also had a very good point: It's easy to judge from your couch. That's one thing I was telling my wife: I'd be proud of the focused, intelligent performance Jon gave us. Where Lill looked simple-minded, he was a mastermind. It's easy for viewers to judge - and they will - so you have to hope that your best performance looks good on film (or that your money feels good in the editors' pockets).
I was surprised at how well Sandra and Lill stood up to questioning. Some of their answers were better than others, but when the jury was done, I found myself thinking about particular answers and nodding: Lill's closing remarks were very focused, Sandra's admission about the part luck played in her getting there was heartfelt; both very well done.
I was also surprised at how well Osten handled the finale. Heck, I don't know if I would've shown up. But, people, it is a game. On that note, I hope Jon makes the All-star Castaway list. He played like I hope I'd play; as Christa said, "I wished I'd thought of [the grandmother lie]." I'd also like to see Savage come back. That guy really gave it his all. And then to sit at the finale and say that he could've been better, that he'd learned a thing or two... That man has character and integrity.
Saturday, December 13, 2003
Survivor: *sigh* Jon, Jon, Jon... What were you thinking? How did that smug crap - just flowing out of your mouth - not snap you back into the game?
As soon as Burton said it was nice to spend some time away from the game, in good company, I thought, "What? The game's still on, Numb Nuts!" Even when they got back, blowing off the girls' over-the-top lies as irrelevant... Even I saw this result coming a mile away. All Burton had to do was take Lill, get her fed, let her get some sleep, and she would've been putty in his hand. And then to use his final words to berate her for voting against their alliance... That's the game, asshole! Get with the program!
Sandra's getting that lying down now... Should make for a great finale (as Jeff said).
As soon as Burton said it was nice to spend some time away from the game, in good company, I thought, "What? The game's still on, Numb Nuts!" Even when they got back, blowing off the girls' over-the-top lies as irrelevant... Even I saw this result coming a mile away. All Burton had to do was take Lill, get her fed, let her get some sleep, and she would've been putty in his hand. And then to use his final words to berate her for voting against their alliance... That's the game, asshole! Get with the program!
Sandra's getting that lying down now... Should make for a great finale (as Jeff said).
Friday, December 12, 2003
Third Watch: A Christmas show to warm the heart. Need I say more? Well, maybe. It got me thinking about my childhood: I don't remember a time when I believed in Santa Claus. Am I alone?
I remember great times spent with my friends in the neighborhood on Christmas Eve; the parents would all get together after the Candlelight Service at our church, leaving us kids to speculate on the gifts that awaited us. Yes, I remember all that, but never as coming down the chimney.
I remember great times spent with my friends in the neighborhood on Christmas Eve; the parents would all get together after the Candlelight Service at our church, leaving us kids to speculate on the gifts that awaited us. Yes, I remember all that, but never as coming down the chimney.
Wednesday, December 10, 2003
Babylon 5 - Season 3: Episodes 16 & 17: War Without End: Well, that episode from the first season makes more sense now. Actually, a lot of statements from the first season make more sense now. This show is closer to one really long movie than five seasons of a TV show... The intricate web never ceases to amaze me.
Boy, Zathras was great fun in this double episode:
He's definitely one of my favourite characters, played by Tim Choate, I've discovered. Probably a very funny guy.
O'Hare actually looked good as Valen... I don't know, for a time-travel show, I followed it pretty well.
Boy, Zathras was great fun in this double episode:
Zathras is used to being beast of burden. Had very sad life. Will probably have very sad death. Ah! at least there is symmetry!
He's definitely one of my favourite characters, played by Tim Choate, I've discovered. Probably a very funny guy.
O'Hare actually looked good as Valen... I don't know, for a time-travel show, I followed it pretty well.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
8 million ways to die: In the naked city. Why do they call New York the naked city? I'll have to google it.
This movie had me from the opening: Flying over the city, nonchalant monologue, and then the camera starts turning over on itself; it gets to an angle no chopper could fly at, and, bang! Cut to a graveyard, and see Detective Matt Scudder (Jeff Bridges) take a swig from his flask minutes before he makes a bust.
I guess I had it good, because I like Jeff Bridges. A lot of people I know intentionally skirt this guy's films, but I think he's great. He is The Dude, in my mind. All that's to say I was ready for this character from the first minute on. And they started quickly. I haven't dealt with an alcoholic, but this character felt real. The first scenes were from his family's point of view, very disorienting: You feel for them, not him... Hell, you don't even know him at this point.
Then Sunny's (Alexandra Paul) killed, and you are Matt. You wake up in the drunk tank, and you have no idea why you look like someone's punching bag, what day it is, anything. You see him losing his relationship with his daughter, and you feel for him. At least I did.
I noticed a comment on the Internet Movie Database entry called the movie unsatisfying. I disagree. It never went for the neat and tidy story line. Chance wasn't that bright; he got the wool pulled over his eyes. Matt didn't pull off the perfect bust, not in the first scene (O.K., predictably), and not in the warehouse scene. All that shouting, confusion... I loved it! Nobody knew what the hell they were doing. That makes sense to me. The team leader saying, "This is a tactical nightmare." Again, I'm loving it.
I don't know why Bridges hasn't had more success with his career. This was a personal, moving performance. And the movie had all the little things down too. The bartender filling Sarah's (Rosanna Arquette) glass three times before leaving her the bottle, Angel's (Andy Garcia) men dancing in the right of the shot as he realizes that the love of his life doesn't want to go away with him, or have anything to do with him. Actually, that scene broke with the neat and tidy story line too. No, he doesn't hit her. No, they don't cut away after he freaks out. That was an awesome performance by Garcia.
This movie had me from the opening: Flying over the city, nonchalant monologue, and then the camera starts turning over on itself; it gets to an angle no chopper could fly at, and, bang! Cut to a graveyard, and see Detective Matt Scudder (Jeff Bridges) take a swig from his flask minutes before he makes a bust.
I guess I had it good, because I like Jeff Bridges. A lot of people I know intentionally skirt this guy's films, but I think he's great. He is The Dude, in my mind. All that's to say I was ready for this character from the first minute on. And they started quickly. I haven't dealt with an alcoholic, but this character felt real. The first scenes were from his family's point of view, very disorienting: You feel for them, not him... Hell, you don't even know him at this point.
Then Sunny's (Alexandra Paul) killed, and you are Matt. You wake up in the drunk tank, and you have no idea why you look like someone's punching bag, what day it is, anything. You see him losing his relationship with his daughter, and you feel for him. At least I did.
I noticed a comment on the Internet Movie Database entry called the movie unsatisfying. I disagree. It never went for the neat and tidy story line. Chance wasn't that bright; he got the wool pulled over his eyes. Matt didn't pull off the perfect bust, not in the first scene (O.K., predictably), and not in the warehouse scene. All that shouting, confusion... I loved it! Nobody knew what the hell they were doing. That makes sense to me. The team leader saying, "This is a tactical nightmare." Again, I'm loving it.
I don't know why Bridges hasn't had more success with his career. This was a personal, moving performance. And the movie had all the little things down too. The bartender filling Sarah's (Rosanna Arquette) glass three times before leaving her the bottle, Angel's (Andy Garcia) men dancing in the right of the shot as he realizes that the love of his life doesn't want to go away with him, or have anything to do with him. Actually, that scene broke with the neat and tidy story line too. No, he doesn't hit her. No, they don't cut away after he freaks out. That was an awesome performance by Garcia.
Monday, December 08, 2003
Yes, Dear: Vicki Lawrence and Tim Conway made guest appearances on tonight's episode! I was really excited, having spent a significant portion of my childhood watching reruns of The Carol Burnett Show. Of course, I had no idea they were reruns at the time. It's only through the wonder of the Internet that I've learned that the show ran from 1967 - 1978, by which time I'd reached the ripe old age of four.
Anyway, I get a kick out of a mediocre episode of Yes, Dear, so I was in stitches for this star-studded event. Tim is such a great physical comedian; this episode showcased that wonderfully. I could barely breathe after watching him get hit in the nuts with a model airplane. And then there was the glue-sniffing scene... The man is 70 years old and his timing is still bang on. What a gem to stumble upon while surfing the TV netherworld.
Anyway, I get a kick out of a mediocre episode of Yes, Dear, so I was in stitches for this star-studded event. Tim is such a great physical comedian; this episode showcased that wonderfully. I could barely breathe after watching him get hit in the nuts with a model airplane. And then there was the glue-sniffing scene... The man is 70 years old and his timing is still bang on. What a gem to stumble upon while surfing the TV netherworld.
Life or Something Like It: This is one of my wife's favourite movies; she's probably seen it a dozen times now, whereas this was only my second viewing. I'd forgotten how charming it was at points; material that might've flopped in other deliveries was real... Coming out of Lanie's (Angelina Jolie) mouth, written on her face. I think Angelina did a great job.
The strike scene was one of my favourites. It's amazing how the same footage can appear inspired and... normal with a bit of background music, and so off-the-wall as a close-up voice track. She singing Satisfaction, along with 50 other people, and then, she's just yelling, much loader than everyone else, and the camera's so close that you can't see the crowd, only her wild expression. It was very effective, and a little disturbing. The power of the media...
I guess Edward Burns got this job after Edward Norton pulled out. I only mention it as trivia. While I like Ed Norton a lot, I think Ed Burns did a great job. His scene in the bar with Vin (Max Baker) was a hoot too: the Altoids metaphor. :-)
The strike scene was one of my favourites. It's amazing how the same footage can appear inspired and... normal with a bit of background music, and so off-the-wall as a close-up voice track. She singing Satisfaction, along with 50 other people, and then, she's just yelling, much loader than everyone else, and the camera's so close that you can't see the crowd, only her wild expression. It was very effective, and a little disturbing. The power of the media...
I guess Edward Burns got this job after Edward Norton pulled out. I only mention it as trivia. While I like Ed Norton a lot, I think Ed Burns did a great job. His scene in the bar with Vin (Max Baker) was a hoot too: the Altoids metaphor. :-)
Babylon 5 - Season 3: Episode 15: Interludes and Examinations: The death of Ambassador Kosh... I really didn't see that coming. His father-son relationship with Sheridan worked, in my opinion. Kosh was more alive in those scenes than in any of the first season's episodes, for instance.
Sunday, December 07, 2003
Bullitt: I have at least one reader; he berated me for not watching any Steve McQueen movies. Well, I'm happy to say that's no longer the case, because, despite all the hype, I'm not disappointed. I really enjoyed this film.
There's something about older movies; the pace... Well, it's down right slow at times, but the tension never wanes. I guess it's the realism that pace brings to the movie; you could be Frank Bullitt, in this case. Incidentally, I can't believe the guy's name is Bullitt and he doesn't draw a gun until the last few minutes of the movie, doesn't even carry a gun for the first half of it. That was awesome. Hell, McQueen looked like he could stop a bullet with that stare of his.
And what about that chase on the tarmac! That just screamed Heat! I can picture a young Michael Mann watching it and thinking, "I'm going to make a movie that ends on the tarmac." The other wave of déjà vu hit me during the car chase, but I can't pin that one down. Again, just awesome pacing, and all the better because Bullitt doesn't draw his gun.
There's something about older movies; the pace... Well, it's down right slow at times, but the tension never wanes. I guess it's the realism that pace brings to the movie; you could be Frank Bullitt, in this case. Incidentally, I can't believe the guy's name is Bullitt and he doesn't draw a gun until the last few minutes of the movie, doesn't even carry a gun for the first half of it. That was awesome. Hell, McQueen looked like he could stop a bullet with that stare of his.
And what about that chase on the tarmac! That just screamed Heat! I can picture a young Michael Mann watching it and thinking, "I'm going to make a movie that ends on the tarmac." The other wave of déjà vu hit me during the car chase, but I can't pin that one down. Again, just awesome pacing, and all the better because Bullitt doesn't draw his gun.
Friday, December 05, 2003
Third Watch: Not a bad show tonight; some very moving scenes. I've never really liked that 3 Doors Down single When I'm Gone, but it was really apropos in this episode. Well done.
Thursday, December 04, 2003
Will & Grace: Tonight was a tube night. We watched back-to-back episodes of Will & Grace after Survivor. Some good laughs, but nothing worthy of even this smidgen of bandwidth. I guess that's why sitcoms are so popular.
Survivor: Ah, more lies. I guess it's getting down to the wire now. One of the strangest moments in this show was when Lill, Jon and Darrah saw themselves in a mirror. It never occurred to me that they wouldn't realize how much weight they were losing.
Man, it seems like I'm never going to be free of watching that annoying Lill; I was really hoping she was done tonight. Oh well. I guess Jon and crew like her naïvety.
Man, it seems like I'm never going to be free of watching that annoying Lill; I was really hoping she was done tonight. Oh well. I guess Jon and crew like her naïvety.
