More old videos
Jade
Two redheads in the same movie, in leading roles no less. This is a movie from 1995, starring David Caruso. He's okay. It's a story of sex, blackmail and murder. It has car chases in San Francisco, with the unique driving challenges that city presents. It has the most graphic car versus pedestrian accident. It has weird sex, a sulky-looking leading lady and scary music. Some crass lines. What is it with men - they have to denigrate what they are biologically compelled to seek. Why? Are they ashamed of their desires and their humanness? Are they all misogynists fighting a biological compulsion to mate with the female of the species but hating every second of it? I've been seeing a lot of it in movies and I know it happens in real life. Women like men. What do men like? Back to the movie - not a winner. Best bit: Caruso's character is assistant District Attorney. He works in a building which has a cat. I like that.
The Outlaw
I didn't watch all of this. It's a Howard Hughes movie from 1943. Jane Russell is well built - I noticed a distinct resemblance between us. She doesn't act much. The movie seems to be about the relationship between Billy the Kid, Doc Holliday and Pat Garrett. All funny. There is a bit of a school yard spat about friendship - those three-ways never work. I don't think it is intentionally gay, but that's what it looked and sounded like - a masculine love triangle. One of them has to die of course.
30 degrees C, but apparently only feels like 28 degrees C. That's a relief.
Monday, July 12, 2010
My Marley
Still hot. Went to the gym to watch a movie. Mistake.
Marley and Me
Sad. Too sad for pet owners. Way too sad for this blogger who has a well-loved 16 year old cat named Marley.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Happy remake
We went to the city and started the day right with:
Karate Kid
My choice, not his, but he was happy to see it. I'm not a martial arts movie fan, but I enjoyed the Karate Kid movie from way back so thought this would be okay. It was more than okay, it was excellent. Jaden Smith can act. He has subtlety, humour and humility. He acts with his eyebrows. If he avoids the Lindsay Lohan school of how to be famous and wreck your life, he surely has a great cinematic future. He can dance, is a Kung Fu master, and I expect he can sing as well. He is also a very good looking young man. A renaissance man like his father. His character Dre moves to China, has a hard time fitting in, likes a girl, gets beaten up by Chinese Kung Fu experts (his classmates), and is rescued by the maintenance man Mr Han (played by Jackie Chan). That rescue is a good scene. Mr Han teaches Dre Kung Fu so he can enter a competition and win some respect. At the same time Mr Han is restoring a car - that is explained later in a moving scene. The training is worth watching. Jaden Smith really did train that hard and built up his little body with muscles no twelve year old should have.
The training visits to the Dragon Well and the Great Wall are beautiful. Such scenery and serenity. A boost for the Chinese tourism industry no doubt. Truly magnificent. It's a happy ending story, as far as brutal martial arts competitions can be happy. Dre's mother is sitting in the audience cheering him on. I would have been down there in the ring berating the other child who was beating my baby up. Yes, I caused my children a degree of embarrassment at times. Smith and Chan triumphantly rule this movie. Chan needs more of those thinking-man character roles. Others of note are the violin-playing girlfriend, the main bully Cheng and the evil Kung Fu school instructor. He could be a Bond villain. The camera work is often choppy in an appropriate action-movie way, beware of that if you get migraines. The music is good, adding emphasis to the action. It's a long movie but holds the attention all the way through. A sequel would be most acceptable. So: it is a well-acted, well-written, attractive movie with messages. Uplifting and entertaining.
Slightly getting used to the heat now.
Karate Kid
My choice, not his, but he was happy to see it. I'm not a martial arts movie fan, but I enjoyed the Karate Kid movie from way back so thought this would be okay. It was more than okay, it was excellent. Jaden Smith can act. He has subtlety, humour and humility. He acts with his eyebrows. If he avoids the Lindsay Lohan school of how to be famous and wreck your life, he surely has a great cinematic future. He can dance, is a Kung Fu master, and I expect he can sing as well. He is also a very good looking young man. A renaissance man like his father. His character Dre moves to China, has a hard time fitting in, likes a girl, gets beaten up by Chinese Kung Fu experts (his classmates), and is rescued by the maintenance man Mr Han (played by Jackie Chan). That rescue is a good scene. Mr Han teaches Dre Kung Fu so he can enter a competition and win some respect. At the same time Mr Han is restoring a car - that is explained later in a moving scene. The training is worth watching. Jaden Smith really did train that hard and built up his little body with muscles no twelve year old should have.
The training visits to the Dragon Well and the Great Wall are beautiful. Such scenery and serenity. A boost for the Chinese tourism industry no doubt. Truly magnificent. It's a happy ending story, as far as brutal martial arts competitions can be happy. Dre's mother is sitting in the audience cheering him on. I would have been down there in the ring berating the other child who was beating my baby up. Yes, I caused my children a degree of embarrassment at times. Smith and Chan triumphantly rule this movie. Chan needs more of those thinking-man character roles. Others of note are the violin-playing girlfriend, the main bully Cheng and the evil Kung Fu school instructor. He could be a Bond villain. The camera work is often choppy in an appropriate action-movie way, beware of that if you get migraines. The music is good, adding emphasis to the action. It's a long movie but holds the attention all the way through. A sequel would be most acceptable. So: it is a well-acted, well-written, attractive movie with messages. Uplifting and entertaining.
Slightly getting used to the heat now.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Good advice
Found a nice way to keep cool. My gym has extra rooms, one for Wii and Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and one for PlayStation, dvds and Blu-Ray movies. It is also very well air conditioned. So after my workout I watched a movie. I'll be doing that again.
He's Just Not That Into You
I didn't have my glasses and this was the only title I could read that looked like a chick flick. It's a series of interconnecting stories about women and the men they meet. More specifically, it's about the waiting, the group agonising, the phone/email/text stalking that goes on when a man says he will call and then doesn't. The "signs" are discussed and interpreted at length. Extraordinary scenarios are dreamed up to explain the lack of contact. Gigi (the glowing and friendly looking Ginnifer Goodwin) meets Alex who tells her that if a man wants to see a girl again, he will make it happen.
This is very good advice and the movie should be required viewing for all women. Stop chasing men. Let the man chase you. Men value things that are hard to attain. So be hard to attain. Have a life of your own. If he really wants to be with you he will. Stop being so desperate. And forget any ideas you had about men and women being equal. This is an ancient game played by ancient rules.
As for men - if you don't want to see someone again - just say so. Say "Thanks for the great evening, it was nice to meet you but I don't think this is going to go any further." Or "You are a really interesting person but I feel we are too different to be together." Or "It was an interesting experience but I don't think we are on the same wavelength." Then shake hands and leave without a backward glance. DO NOT SAY you are going to call when you know you are not going to. It shows you up as unmanly and dishonest. Women talk and you will soon get a reputation for pathetic wimpiness so you will have to move to another town to date any women at all. Lecture over. What's the opposite of mysogyny? - I think I have that.
This movie has lots of famous faces, including the dashing but possibly surgically enhanced Kris Kristofferson. I saw him in concert - awesome. Jennifer Aniston is moving into character roles, Ben Affleck does the "right thing", Bradley Cooper ("Face" in the A-Team) wrecks his reluctantly-entered marriage, surprisingly not because of his fling with the luscious Scarlett Johansson but because of his failure to give up smoking. All engaging stories. The nicest characters are Gigi and Alex. Drew Barrymore is on the verge of the character role, but she is still undeniably cute. Cute like her character in ET. She has a Heidi-esque hairstyle (as in yodelling not modelling or madam-ing) and the worst blouse ever seen. Which designer? I'd like to avoid him or her. Jennifer Aniston walks up the aisle, as a bridesmaid, with a dog. Bad choice, prompted mean but joking comments. She suffers from some unflattering camera angles.
I liked this movie. Total chick flick. Men should not see this movie. Do we really want them to know how stupid women can be? Side benefit - I dreamed about Brad Pitt changing his career to become a gardener. He's not in the movie but can anyone see Jennifer Aniston and not think of him?
A trip to the city is planned for today, might even go to the movies.
He's Just Not That Into You
I didn't have my glasses and this was the only title I could read that looked like a chick flick. It's a series of interconnecting stories about women and the men they meet. More specifically, it's about the waiting, the group agonising, the phone/email/text stalking that goes on when a man says he will call and then doesn't. The "signs" are discussed and interpreted at length. Extraordinary scenarios are dreamed up to explain the lack of contact. Gigi (the glowing and friendly looking Ginnifer Goodwin) meets Alex who tells her that if a man wants to see a girl again, he will make it happen.
This is very good advice and the movie should be required viewing for all women. Stop chasing men. Let the man chase you. Men value things that are hard to attain. So be hard to attain. Have a life of your own. If he really wants to be with you he will. Stop being so desperate. And forget any ideas you had about men and women being equal. This is an ancient game played by ancient rules.
As for men - if you don't want to see someone again - just say so. Say "Thanks for the great evening, it was nice to meet you but I don't think this is going to go any further." Or "You are a really interesting person but I feel we are too different to be together." Or "It was an interesting experience but I don't think we are on the same wavelength." Then shake hands and leave without a backward glance. DO NOT SAY you are going to call when you know you are not going to. It shows you up as unmanly and dishonest. Women talk and you will soon get a reputation for pathetic wimpiness so you will have to move to another town to date any women at all. Lecture over. What's the opposite of mysogyny? - I think I have that.
This movie has lots of famous faces, including the dashing but possibly surgically enhanced Kris Kristofferson. I saw him in concert - awesome. Jennifer Aniston is moving into character roles, Ben Affleck does the "right thing", Bradley Cooper ("Face" in the A-Team) wrecks his reluctantly-entered marriage, surprisingly not because of his fling with the luscious Scarlett Johansson but because of his failure to give up smoking. All engaging stories. The nicest characters are Gigi and Alex. Drew Barrymore is on the verge of the character role, but she is still undeniably cute. Cute like her character in ET. She has a Heidi-esque hairstyle (as in yodelling not modelling or madam-ing) and the worst blouse ever seen. Which designer? I'd like to avoid him or her. Jennifer Aniston walks up the aisle, as a bridesmaid, with a dog. Bad choice, prompted mean but joking comments. She suffers from some unflattering camera angles.
I liked this movie. Total chick flick. Men should not see this movie. Do we really want them to know how stupid women can be? Side benefit - I dreamed about Brad Pitt changing his career to become a gardener. He's not in the movie but can anyone see Jennifer Aniston and not think of him?
A trip to the city is planned for today, might even go to the movies.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Fat and thin
At least the weather is consistent - the forecast is for daily highs of 29 degrees C for the next 10 days.
Someone is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe
A book by Nan and Ivan Lyons, also a movie under the name of Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe - I haven't seen it but will look out for it. This is a black comedy or maybe a humourous murder mystery with recipes you will not want to try. The title gives you the plot. Someone is killing the chefs whose decadently rich food is killing him. I enjoyed it for a light read. Why am I telling you about it? For this wonderful exchange between Max and Natasha:
"[They] had to have been killed by the same person, or maybe some international group of organized criminals."
"You mean like Weight Watchers?"
Castaway
Tom Hanks acting in his usual sincere and believable way. So sincere he lost a great deal of weight for this movie. I believe he had to do that for "Philadelphia" too. Why is Helen Hunt in movies? Fedex exec Hanks is cast away on a deserted island for a few years. The bulk of the movie is just him and a volleyball and how they cope with isolation and survival. I think that survival thing appeals to a lot of people - how could I survive, where would I make my camp, what can I use to help me survive? A modern day Robinson Crusoe, with some MacGyverish ideas. We put this DVD in the player just to check it was working and ended up watching the whole thing. A happy ending is implied after Hanks delivers a Fedex package that was cast away with him and let's face it, who wouldn't want to date Tom Hanks? A good movie.
When will they make a movie of MacGyver and will Richard Dean Anderson star? I understand one is on the way and I will be first in line to see it, I have to check if it is suitably MacGyverish. Janna, watch out for it.
Someone is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe
A book by Nan and Ivan Lyons, also a movie under the name of Who is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe - I haven't seen it but will look out for it. This is a black comedy or maybe a humourous murder mystery with recipes you will not want to try. The title gives you the plot. Someone is killing the chefs whose decadently rich food is killing him. I enjoyed it for a light read. Why am I telling you about it? For this wonderful exchange between Max and Natasha:
"[They] had to have been killed by the same person, or maybe some international group of organized criminals."
"You mean like Weight Watchers?"
Castaway
Tom Hanks acting in his usual sincere and believable way. So sincere he lost a great deal of weight for this movie. I believe he had to do that for "Philadelphia" too. Why is Helen Hunt in movies? Fedex exec Hanks is cast away on a deserted island for a few years. The bulk of the movie is just him and a volleyball and how they cope with isolation and survival. I think that survival thing appeals to a lot of people - how could I survive, where would I make my camp, what can I use to help me survive? A modern day Robinson Crusoe, with some MacGyverish ideas. We put this DVD in the player just to check it was working and ended up watching the whole thing. A happy ending is implied after Hanks delivers a Fedex package that was cast away with him and let's face it, who wouldn't want to date Tom Hanks? A good movie.
When will they make a movie of MacGyver and will Richard Dean Anderson star? I understand one is on the way and I will be first in line to see it, I have to check if it is suitably MacGyverish. Janna, watch out for it.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Kid's movie
Pleasant weather, not too hot.
Toy Story 3
Another animated/CGI movie. I watched the first Toy Story because a friend was working on it and it was cool to see her name in the credits. At that time it was a bit cutting edge as far as CGI goes. It also had a good story and great characters. Toy Story 3 does not disappoint. A lovely story, if a little scary at times. I can see a generation of children refusing to ever throw out old toys. The characters in this movie are well developed and very appropriately voiced. This is another MacGyverish tale of bravery, ingenuity, nostalgia, loyalty and love. The Heath-Robinson inventions that aid their adventures are delightful, showing the characters, the toys, in a realistic environment with it's unique challenges despite their abilities to walk, talk, and in the case of Mrs Potato Head, be far-seeing. Some toys are not what they seem, and the film abounds in social learning opportunities, as we are told by the doleful Chuckles just why a certain character is the way he is. I can't give too much away, my daughter hasn't seen the movie yet. Some scenes in this movie had me reaching out for a hand to hold as it seemed that there was no way for the toys to escape certain doom. A classic scene involves Ken modelling outfits from his extensive wardrobe for Barbie, who is not the dumb blonde she is sometimes portrayed as. Best characters: Woody, with his Tom Hanks wholesomeness, and the dear little girl Bonnie. She could star in her own CGI movie.
It's not real, but it's a darn good representation of reality, a very watchable morality tale.
Enjoy Independence Day.
Toy Story 3
Another animated/CGI movie. I watched the first Toy Story because a friend was working on it and it was cool to see her name in the credits. At that time it was a bit cutting edge as far as CGI goes. It also had a good story and great characters. Toy Story 3 does not disappoint. A lovely story, if a little scary at times. I can see a generation of children refusing to ever throw out old toys. The characters in this movie are well developed and very appropriately voiced. This is another MacGyverish tale of bravery, ingenuity, nostalgia, loyalty and love. The Heath-Robinson inventions that aid their adventures are delightful, showing the characters, the toys, in a realistic environment with it's unique challenges despite their abilities to walk, talk, and in the case of Mrs Potato Head, be far-seeing. Some toys are not what they seem, and the film abounds in social learning opportunities, as we are told by the doleful Chuckles just why a certain character is the way he is. I can't give too much away, my daughter hasn't seen the movie yet. Some scenes in this movie had me reaching out for a hand to hold as it seemed that there was no way for the toys to escape certain doom. A classic scene involves Ken modelling outfits from his extensive wardrobe for Barbie, who is not the dumb blonde she is sometimes portrayed as. Best characters: Woody, with his Tom Hanks wholesomeness, and the dear little girl Bonnie. She could star in her own CGI movie.
It's not real, but it's a darn good representation of reality, a very watchable morality tale.
Enjoy Independence Day.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Religion
Another old library video.
The Saint
The 1997 movie version of the television series. It lacks the sauvity (suaveness?) of the television series. Its an action movie with not enough action and far too much romance, with some of the ugliest movie kissing ever. Kilmer's character is a master of disguise but I was distracted by the way he seemed to be channelling Neil from "The Young Ones". The old Russian guy was apparently not George Best and his son was apparently not Laurence Llewelyn Bowen. Best line - "While you're down there ..." Highlight of the movie - Julian Rhind-Tutt (Mac from "Green Wing") in a bit part. Another dig at the Catholic church at the beginning. Well worth missing. It might just be acceptable if you have never seen the television series.
Good night.
The Saint
The 1997 movie version of the television series. It lacks the sauvity (suaveness?) of the television series. Its an action movie with not enough action and far too much romance, with some of the ugliest movie kissing ever. Kilmer's character is a master of disguise but I was distracted by the way he seemed to be channelling Neil from "The Young Ones". The old Russian guy was apparently not George Best and his son was apparently not Laurence Llewelyn Bowen. Best line - "While you're down there ..." Highlight of the movie - Julian Rhind-Tutt (Mac from "Green Wing") in a bit part. Another dig at the Catholic church at the beginning. Well worth missing. It might just be acceptable if you have never seen the television series.
Good night.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)