Category: Movies / TV

Kevin Smith Protests Dogma

How can you NOT like Kevin Smith? The man’s an absolute genius. Dogma is one of the most (simultaneously) funny and thought provoking film poking fun at the dogma that surrounds the Catholic church.

It’s just too funny that he insinuated himself into the sorry crowd of protesters in his own home town of New Jersey. Hmmm.. do you suppose they might have recognized him had any of them actually… I dunno… *seen* the film? 🙂

And I’m a big fan of Alan Rickman’s work, especially when he’s playing a humorous character. He is GREAT in this film as he was great in “Robin Hood” as the evil Sherrif of Nottingham.

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou

2/5 stars

Can anybody tell me why I like Cate Blanchett? I mean she’s not typically attractive, the first time I saw her was in the movie “The Aviator” and I was very taken by her portrayal there of Katharine Hepburn. In this quirky movie again I found her character to be odd but very likeable.

The movie itself seemed completely undirected. I haven’t done any research into any grand purpose or message that it was trying to portray, but it drifted around a lot. Mich liked this movie a lot more than I did, she enjoyed its lack of predictability. I would suggest that if a logical flow of events (even if only in retrospect) is your thing, then this movie may not be for you.

Odd and I had no idea really of what the point of the story was supposed to be…

Excalibur

5/5 stars (I’d rate it even higher but that 110% stuff is overused..)

Excalibur is, quite simply, the best movie in cinematic history.

When I first saw this move way back in the early 1980’s I was stunned. Most of the actors were unknowns or at least unknowns to *me*. This extraordinary movie weaves together all of the major pieces of the Arthurian legend from the sword Excalibur and Merlin through the creation of Camelot to the quest for the Holy Grail to the devastating final battle with Mordred.

One may quibble about the historical accuracy of the costumes (most notably the armour in which respect, I must admit Monty Python’s Holy Grail movie was probably much closer to the period). But the sheer wonder of that epic story being presented as a coherent whole combined with a spectacular musical score and the innocence and growth of the players make this the best film that I have seen to date.

The Aviator

4/5 stars

Who knew Leonardo DiCaprio could act? Like most folks I am intrigued by Howard Hughes. To be that wealthy and powerful and to ultimately be such a victim to your own fears and insecurities. The story is a fanciful portrayal of Hughes’ from his first appearance on the Hollywood scene up until the quasi-victorious flight of “The Spruce Goose”.

Also featured in the film was Cate Blanchett who made quite an impression as Katharine Hepburn. Especially enjoyable was Hughes’ meeting the Hepburn clan. Also taking down Alan Alda’s Senator Ralph Owen Brewster character in Senate hearings was dramatic but exultant.

Be Cool

3/5 stars

A fun romp. Uma Thurman looks very appealing even as she is terribly under utilized in this movie. I’m still swooning over her from her explosive performance in Kill Bill Volume One (not to be confused with the not so good Kill Bill Volume Two).

I think the primary appeal of this movie is that the character played by John Travolta – Chili Palmer – is just (cliche/pun warning) so cool. Nothing fazes him, he has a goal and whatever obstacles get in his way he resolutely engineers his way around or, if necessary, through them.

The movie is far more comedy than action. Best served as a rental with a cold beer.

Hitch

4/5 stars

Just saw the movie “Hitch” with Will Smith.

Largely a chick-flick but enjoyable anyway. I *really* enjoyed some of the earlier scenes where Will was more suave and sophisticated but even the more tortured moments were carried off quite well. Kevin James’ moments on the screen were somewhat more cringe-worthy but then I’m not a great fan of slapstick. Still, you won’t be disappointed that you rented this one.

Is Spartacus diminished because he’s satarized?

Regarding “You Ain’t Spartacus“,

Hi Bertzen, I’m not sure if you read my entire post or not, but all I can add is that my own experience is what I am describing.

I’m not one to sample through libraries of older films. If I see a great scene from a movie (altered though it may be) and it inspires me to seek out that film, then I believe I’ve benefited in that way.

And if today’s kiddies see the bastardized version of the film and never learn any more about it or see it, then I cannot really see where the loss is. They didn’t know about it before and they still don’t care about it now.

I suppose folks who work in the industry may feel strongly about their work being used for other than it’s originally intended purpose. But as an individual who has enjoyed certain songs, plays, films, books and games throughout my life – some passionately – I can still appreciate the new perspectives offered and I don’t feel particularly betrayed or outraged by them. Sometimes they’re good and I agree with them, sometimes they aren’t and/or I don’t.

In our remix culture, planting a stake in the ground and declaring “these items are sacrosanct” is going to be a source of a lot of frustration for those who choose to do so.