Wednesday, April 28, 2004
Clean Sweep: Well, I'm breakin' one of the few rules I made for this blog: only blog on shows you've watched from beginning to end (unless it's bloody
hours of
Lord of the Rings extras... a man could perish tryin' to watch those in a sitting). In this case, I caught five minutes while I was makin' a cup o' tea. But those five minutes got me thinkin'...
Background
They're gettin' to that point in the show where the loser (no, I'm not passing judgment here; one person sells more than the other... more than
the loser) has to give away their prized possession, and the woman is
bawling over... a crib.
Meanwhile, John's thinkin'...
What the f*** is the matter with her? It's a crib. She doesn't have to give up the kid.
This is immediately followed by,
You hypocrite! What was your reaction upon first seeing this show?
Shame is flooding over me as I remember violently cussing the show, talking about the torture of giving up your most prized possession, and what would happen to blondie if she touched my Lego.
But ya know what, folks? I'm happy to say I'm changing. I've heard that it's the friendships, the people you meet, your family, that you remember fondly at the end of your life, not your car, your cabin, your island. I bet that woman would be devastated if her house burned down, even if everyone got out alive.
Uh, no, thanks. I'll pass on that; take a page from
Neil's book:
Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat...
Course, he was talking about people too... I'd have plenty o' time to scoop my wife up in those 30 seconds, though. It's all good.
Tuesday, April 27, 2004
Escape from the Planet of the Apes: I have to admit, after reading the synopses for all the
Planet of the Apes movies, I thought this one would be one of the worst; it seemed to be reaching... for more money. However, very early on I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, right from Dr. Otto Hasslein's (
Eric Braeden) televised interview explaining the infinite perspective - I believe that's what he called it - I was entranced by his character.
Now, there was a moment - right about when Dr. Lewis (
Bradford Dillman) gave Cornelius (
Roddy McDowall) a pistol, making
Heston and all card-carrying members of the
NRA proud, no doubt - when I figured the movie would descend into cheesiness - more than one, in fact - but it always managed to turn it around. When I thought Dr. Hasslein wouldn't call in
the Army, so he could board the ship
John Wayne style and have a big shootout, they knew right where to find him, indicating that he had called them offscreen at some point. And when I thought the happy ending was inevitable, a bittersweet ending emerged.
And then there was
Ricardo Montalban as Armando. :-) I don't remember watching a lot of
Fantasy Island, but, with the grin that that guy puts on my face every time I see him, I must have. (I always think of him with his arms wide open too. Not sure what that's about. Welcoming people to the island, maybe.)
Sunday, April 25, 2004
Beneath the Planet of the Apes: Huh, don't see that too often: the movie's over because everyone's dead. Not exactly the escapist stuff Hollywood pumps out these days, but, at the same time, it doesn't live up to the possibilities of
the first one either. It's almost like some things are better left unsaid; that you could never compete with the fancies born in the minds of the audience upon seeing the half-buried
Statue of Liberty.
While there were some interesting ideas presented, they seemed a little off. For example, worshiping an atomic bomb, as an idea, is interesting, and I enjoyed the off-kilter singing, and even the telepathic tones, but there seemed to be gaps in the story of the worshipers. Were they always the protectors of the bomb? Why were there no physical defences? How did that poster survive? Why was Brent (
James Franciscus) - or anyone, for that matter - sent to rescue Taylor (
Charlton Heston), when it seemed clear to him at least, if not all his crew, that it was a one-way trip? O.K., O.K., I'm getting a bit off track here, but all these gaps kept nagging at me throughout the movie.
Pulp Fiction: Watched it again late last night; had to get up early this morning, so no writing 'til now.
After mentioning Fruit Brute earlier, what I thought was a
T
on the cereal box looked more like an
S
this time around. Fruit Bruse doesn't make a lot of sense though... Strange. Another reason to pick up the DVD.
Oh, and of course I saw lots of other similarities between this one and
Kill Bill: Jules actually mentions Caine and
Kung Fu (not sure how I forgot that one), the
Red Apples, rapists with personalized key rings.
Huh, man, it's hours later and my
Bell Sympatico High Speed service is anything but... Talk about a mood killer. And, you know, while it usually isn't this bad, their
DNS is always flaky.
Saturday, April 24, 2004
Cocktail (1988): Ah,
the Superstation movie sucked us in again; really should've been out enjoying the sun. I really like this movie, though. For me, the reason it works is simple: the story is about friendship - how much Brian (
Tom Cruise) and Doug (
Bryan Brown) enjoy their conversations - and, guess what?
I enjoy their conversations; they're my favourite scenes in the movie.
I also love the way time just slips by in the movie; that's a big theme too. Don't be the worker, be the thinker or dreamer that's living it, commanding the workers. I did it my way. But, as I was saying, time. Like the last bet they make for the $500 bottle of... brandy, I believe: you know that all that time down the road, Doug'll win the bet, and die by his own hand that same day. (O.K., you don't know that the first time you watch it... Guess my point is that this movie is worth buying because you can appreciate it more than once.)
Bryan Brown is one of my favourite actors. Yes, I
loved F/X. Or at least I did, those many years ago that I watched it. Hmm, a rental for this evening maybe?
Friday, April 23, 2004
Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica: Ah, the video episode. I'm sorry, I have to agree with Nick: today, your first video can make or break your music career; especially in pop music.
My wife was telling me that Jessica's dad is her manager (I had no idea who the guy on the couch was before that); how weird would it be to watch your daughter prance around in a soaked camisole and panties, while she's saying, "What'dya think?"
"Put on some f***in' clothes!"
Tuesday, April 20, 2004
Hockey Night in Canada: the Ottawa Senators at the Toronto Maple Leafs - Game 7: No, I'm not gonna watch the rest of it; haven't been a great Sens fan all year, so there's no point in tryin' to pose as one now.
That was a sweet assist for
Domi on the first goal, no matter who you're cheering for. Maybe I'll root for the Flames now. I remember watchin' ole handlebar mustache
Lanny McDonald the last time they were in, so many years ago (as a Habs fan, though; that was
Gainey's last year, I think).
Kill Bill - Volume 2: Saw it last night, but was too sleepy to write when we got home...
David Carradine as Bill was... just so surprising. I'm used to Carradine as Kwai Chang Caine in
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues; not exactly
Emmy, or even
Gemini, material. :-/ (No, I'm not raggin' the show - I did watch it, after all - but I'm not delusional either.) But the man is truly an actor, and was perfect for this role.
And then there's
Gordon Liu as Pai Mei and - the General, I thought, but Johnny Mo for sure, in
the first volume: he was great! He wouldn't stop raggin' the Japanese, American women... it was quite a list! The scene where the Bride (
Uma Thurman) meets Pai Mei - the whole scene - was hilarious.
As always, I'll be watching this one many times, probably before it's even out of the theatres. And then there'll undoubtedly be a
Kill Bill night at the
Mayfair. :-)
Sunday, April 18, 2004
Kill Bill - Volume 1: For those that don't know the flesh 'n' blood me, I'm a
huge Tarantino fan. Not sure if I'm repeating myself, but I had a sheltered childhood; movie watching was often a biannual event - on my and my brother's birthdays - that only got to the terribly disturbing level of
Darkman (heavy sarcasm) in later years. (I actually remember my father's horror when he caught my brother and I watching the first five minutes of
Lethal Weapon in Uncle Fraser's den all those years ago.) My point, you ask? I was just getting into movies - and music, beer, women, etc., but I digress - when
Pulp Fiction was released, and I've loved Tarantino's movies ever since.
Speaking of
Pulp Fiction, I was cool to hear Tarantino talk about the birth of
Kill Bill in the making-of feature on the DVD: it was during the shooting of
Pulp Fiction, and it really shows. From fantastic music - in the vein of
Misirlou - to
Uma's drawing a square to Vernita Green's (
Vivica A. Fox) perfect
Jules voice... it just dripped off this thing.
I'm going to be watching this again and again, just like I've watched
Reservoir Dogs and
Pulp Fiction many times; that's the only way you come to appreciate his Fruit Brutes. And, actually, this movie's got me thinkin' I should give
Jackie Brown another chance. I think I was expecting too much the first time I saw it... It's been a long time, and I think I'm ready to appreciate it. Plus, my wife hasn't seen it. She loved this one too, by the way. Just a great ride.
Planet of the Apes (1968): I watched the DVD; heck of a spoiler on the cover. :-) Guess they assume everyone knows they crash on Earth.
I tried to imagine what it would be like to watch this when it was released.
Neil Armstrong wouldn't speak his famous phrase until the following year, but people knew it was coming (based on the success of previous
Apollo missions). They must've just ate this movie up.
I don't know why, but so many older movies have an excellent handle on pacing. I can't think of any recent releases that spent anywhere near the amount of footage that you see of the desert - no dialogue - in this movie; the music and the scenery are perfect, building the tension until it's unbearable, and then, the "scarecrows." *shudder* What a shot! Freaked the s**t out of me! I wouldn't be goin' for a swim 30 seconds after seein' that, let me tell you.
Taylor (
Charlton Heston) does eventually turn things his way; gets a gun in his hands, of course. Most of the devices that prolonged his climb back to the top were overt (e.g., getting shot in the throat so he couldn't speak, attacking Zira (
Kim Hunter) for her pencil and paper instead playing charades), but the story was still a good one, so I forgave a lot.
Taylor's relationship with Nova (
Linda Harrison) reminded me of a poignant scene in
Birthday Girl: Sophia (
Nicole Kidman) tells John (
Ben Chaplin) that he isn't the only man who's been duped by her mail-order-bride routine. In fact, she's done it so many times that she's been able to hone it. Her trick? Pretend that she doesn't speak or understand English. The blokes fall quicker then. I guess they project everything they want right on her then; no speakin' her own mind to muck up the fantasy. Same goes for Taylor's bringin' Nova with him: what? She smiles at him, so they're an item? Doesn't say much for the male psyche, eh?
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: 1984, eh? Man, you can tell
Lucas was just finishing up with
Star Wars for a bit... A crazy mine cart chase, silly I-wouldn't-kiss-you-if-you-were-the-last-man-on-earth banter and swinging across deep chasms. Don't get me wrong; it was a lot of fun. It just went for too much, too often. (Like, why whip the kids? Why even use kids as slaves? So that we know they're bad guys? The human sacrifice made that abundantly clear, 'K., George?)
The premise was good, though. They could've done a lot with origin of the stones. Yeah, right up until the kid stumbled on screen with a valuable, ancient manuscript, I was on board. Ah well, did you notice
Dan Aykroyd's... I was going to say cameo, but the
IMDB credits him, so I'll say "small part?"
Metallica: St. Anger Rehearsals: It's actually a pretty cool DVD; something you could throw on at a party instead of the CD. It's just a take of each track on the album, but seein' as they're all over five minutes, that's still close to an hour and a half of video.
The Canadian flag features prominently in the background. :-)
The band's energy really comes across... Having never seen them live, it was a cool experience. I think it's at the end of the second track,
St. Anger, that
Hetfield says, "Please say next." No wonder... 7+ minutes of intense riffs.
A buddy of mine labeled
Ulrich "the most boring drummer in the industry." I could be wrong, but I have to think he's dynamic on this album, mixing it up quite nicely. I really like this album. It's my favourite since
...And Justice For All.
Sunday, April 11, 2004
The Time Machine (2002): Wow! I've seen some great movies lately, and this was one of 'em! The cast was incredible;
Jeremy Irons gave a great
supporting performance. With a third line like that...
I haven't read
the book or watched
the 1960 take on it, so I have no idea how much praise the screenwriter,
Logan, deserves vice the author,
H.G. Wells, or the earlier screenwriter,
Duncan, but I really enjoyed the story. It started simply, and grew to adventurous proportions;
grew is the important word, because so many movies seem to introduce the action based on audience time-in-seat: oh, they've been sitting for half an hour now, cue the beast!
And speaking of beasts, the Morloks were truly terrifying, especially the bigger ones that rose out of the sand to snatch their prey. The effects were unbelievable. As
Samantha Mumba (playing Mara, one of the Eloi/sheep) said in
The Making of the Time Machine, you
didn't have to act scared [when they came at you].
The Transporter: I watched this one last night; what a ride! It was like
BMW Films meets
Jackie Chan. :-) Yes, it was a little outlandish at times, but those fights... Oh, I can't get enough of that stuff. (Bike pedals on oil/chocolate syrup... Who doesn't love that?)
My wife made a good point about why this movie works (or one of the reasons why it does): its location. France, and local colour like Tarconi (
François Berléand), added authenticity... Just as it did in
Ronin, now that I think about it.
Monday, April 05, 2004
Lost in Translation: Bonus Materials [sic]: Some great extras. 'Bout half an hour of on-set footage, an interview with
Sophia and
Bill, and some great deleted scenes. I loved the "Bill as a seal" stuff, and, of course, his constant companion:
Making Out in Japanese. :-D The man asked an armed sushi chef whether he had protection (of the contraceptive variety)! Damn, he must've been a hoot to work with...
Sunday, April 04, 2004
Lost in Translation: Well... This is what it's all about, right?
Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson): Does [life] get easier?
Bob (Bill Murray): No... Yes.
...
Charlotte: I just don't know what I'm supposed to be.
Bob: You'll figure that out. The more you know who you are, and what you want, the less you let things upset you.
I'll take his word for it; it sounds good, but I'm still on the outside, looking in.
It's movies like this that scare me... We're here for such a short time... I've been here for a significant chunk of my time (optimistically speaking, of course; don't know my departure date), and I'm still lost, in many ways. And yet, it's so easy to forget that. Stay away from movies like this, and you're just about home free in fact. I mean, yes, the world will try to convince you that you don't have enough stuff, but you've got half a dozen tools - right in your back pocket - to deal with that crap, right?
I wrote a message to myself last year - 2003-05-18 to be precise - a map of where my head was; just so I wouldn't forget. At that time, I was thinking about moving to Italy - moving to another country's the important part; Italy had competition from New Zealand as the months passed - to help me focus on what's important. To find myself, if you want to continue the lost theme. I arbitrarily gave myself a year. Obviously I'm not going to make it. Still, I haven't forgotten. That's something.
The movie? Oh. I loved it. There was something about it - so many silent or quiet scenes - that you knew to pay attention to everything; every shot had something to say. Both Bill and Scarlett respected that, delivering simple, beautiful performances. World, if you're listening, this movie is me.
Intolerable Cruelty: It opened with Donovan Donaly (
Geoffrey Rush) wildly shooting his pistol and photographing his butt... Tell me you're not intrigued. It ended 90 minutes later. No concern over whether the audience would feel gypped: "What? I paid $13 for this show! Where's my two hours?" The story's told; hope you enjoyed it; good night.
I don't know where the Coen brothers (
Joel and
Ethan) find the time to make all these movies. And what's shocking is how many are good. I mean, yes, the acting is great in this one, but I can't help thinking that, under less precise direction, it would've unraveled a bit; you'd see the creases, get caught up on the rough bits. But this... this is a well-oiled machine:
Cedric the Entertainer has just enough screen time to deliver a hilarious performance as Gus Petch,
George Clooney's close-ups linger just long enough for him to deliver great expressions,
Catherine Zeta-Jones' mask is complete, until that moment... and then the movie's over.
Just great stuff. I never thought I'd say this, but Clooney is becoming one of my favourite actors. First
Solaris (2002) and now this. What a range! I'm serious, folks: he's an actor!
Trevor Tchir: Live at Café Nostalgica: It was good, getting down to the
U of O campus again. I lived there for a summer, many years ago, a cheap sublet while the students were on break.
Tchir is a local talent, as far as I can tell, although he's from Alberta. Why he chose to come to the nation's capital - and when - I don't know. He's a talent, though; no question. I saw him on
a local breakfast show and was immediately struck by his voice; it's what gives him more power, more presence, than other folk singers. Now, I'm also a
Bob Dylan fan, so the similarities in their styles and the tone of their lyrics doesn't hurt either.
Tchir's show was even better than the
MP3s I downloaded from his Web site; he's comfortable in his skin, and that adds a lot.
A note on
Café Nostalgica: My buddy's $20 sat on his bill for hours after he left. At one point, my wife and I even got up and wandered around the little café, and at no point was there concern over whether we had split without paying our tabs. It was great, and, I'd like to think, very Canadian. Of course, eventually, we settled up and my buddy's cash was picked up, but the freedom from concerned or accusing glances was great.
