Finally the moment arrived. I have been waiting for this.
Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides
Yes, I was counting the days, and not just because of the delightfully camp Captain Jack Sparrow. Johnny Depp is always a drawcard, his characters are quirky and committed. So did Tides satisfy? Yes and no. I saw it in 3D and found that a little disconcerting, way too many swordfights.
Some of the old guard have gone - Keira, Orlando, they guy from The Office and those two dopey soldiers. The Old Rocker was in it briefly but memorably ("does this face look like I found the Fountain of Youth?" ... "depends on the light"). The new main character Blackbeard was played very well by the rather nice Ian McShane, whom we all remember as Jonathan Gash's divvy Lovejoy. Mystery fans, try the Lovejoy books - Firefly Gadroon, Gold from Gemini, the Judas Pair, there is a whole series. Slightly metaphysical, and lots of antiques.
But I digress. Tides is about the search for the Fountain of Youth and the quest to recover the Black Pearl - that issue was a setup for the next movie. Penelope Cruz is a nice pirate, subscribing to the heavy black eyeliner almost as much as Sparrow and Blackbeard. Some great locations, nice scenery, vampire mermaids, Gemma Ward (vacant looking model) among them. A somewhat gratuitous missionary - his position was ambiguous (sorry, couldn't resist that). Ghastly effect after drinking the waters of the Fountain - just say no.
Not a bad story, a nice looking movie, good characters, I didn't miss the lightweight Orlando at all. 3D was neither here nor there, it probably didn't enhance the experience, except for a moment at the end, when the two characters appear to step into the screen and walk along a beach. That moment could have been a live show with Depp actually on a stage in front of me. Be sure to stay until after the credits. Be warned, it is quite a long movie.
Pirates 3 is still my favourite.
Have not seen the new batch of kittens yet. And by the way, looks like Avatar is back. No, sorry, I mean The Smurfs movie, I get those two mixed up. Blue you know.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Didn't quite work
Bought some movies this time.
For your consideration
A rather odd movie, bought solely because of the pic of Ricky Gervais on the front of the box. I can only describe it as one of those charming, quirky English movies but made by Americans, with mostly American actors. It didn't quite work.
A simple idea, based on Oscar speculation in Hollywood. Quite amusing, and some odd characters who could have been funny if maybe they were developed more, or less. I don't know, it just didn't get off the ground.
Lots of famous faces - the mother from Home Alone (love her transformation), the sleazy little guy who is NOT a PhD in Big Bang, a face from The Office, Jane Lynch looking very glam, the dad from American Pie, Stiffler's Mom! and an apparently dazed and bewildered Parker Posey. Ricky Gervais of course and best of all - the weather girl with the monkey. Who says ventriloquism is dead (without moving their lips).
Watchable, sort of funny, sort of pathetic. At the end we actually said that it was an odd movie. It was very inexpensive so that's okay.
The Tourist
Yes, again. I think I liked it better this time. Funny, light, pretty, a kind of blonde bimbo of a movie. Still no chemistry and Johnny Depp is still plain, but funny. I feel there was a marked lack of depth in this movie, it skimmed the surface of what could have been a more involving story. Not brain surgery, but entertaining.
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
I really want to see this movie but my local doesn't have it. Hmm, written by a Scot, set in Botswana, I wonder why. I have enjoyed this series by Alexander McCall Smith, I found the characters engaging and I want to see how they are portrayed in the movie.
Precious Ramotswe sets up a detective agency, takes on an assistant, they solve mysteries and problems in a very gentle, human way. Warmth, patience and a down to earth wisdom pervade these stories. A slower pace of life and a pleasantly old-fashioned attitude provide a calm oasis for the reader. I have read the whole series and will continue with each new one. Keep writing sir.
Snow and hail a couple of days ago, hot and sunny now.
For your consideration
A rather odd movie, bought solely because of the pic of Ricky Gervais on the front of the box. I can only describe it as one of those charming, quirky English movies but made by Americans, with mostly American actors. It didn't quite work.
A simple idea, based on Oscar speculation in Hollywood. Quite amusing, and some odd characters who could have been funny if maybe they were developed more, or less. I don't know, it just didn't get off the ground.
Lots of famous faces - the mother from Home Alone (love her transformation), the sleazy little guy who is NOT a PhD in Big Bang, a face from The Office, Jane Lynch looking very glam, the dad from American Pie, Stiffler's Mom! and an apparently dazed and bewildered Parker Posey. Ricky Gervais of course and best of all - the weather girl with the monkey. Who says ventriloquism is dead (without moving their lips).
Watchable, sort of funny, sort of pathetic. At the end we actually said that it was an odd movie. It was very inexpensive so that's okay.
The Tourist
Yes, again. I think I liked it better this time. Funny, light, pretty, a kind of blonde bimbo of a movie. Still no chemistry and Johnny Depp is still plain, but funny. I feel there was a marked lack of depth in this movie, it skimmed the surface of what could have been a more involving story. Not brain surgery, but entertaining.
The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
I really want to see this movie but my local doesn't have it. Hmm, written by a Scot, set in Botswana, I wonder why. I have enjoyed this series by Alexander McCall Smith, I found the characters engaging and I want to see how they are portrayed in the movie.
Precious Ramotswe sets up a detective agency, takes on an assistant, they solve mysteries and problems in a very gentle, human way. Warmth, patience and a down to earth wisdom pervade these stories. A slower pace of life and a pleasantly old-fashioned attitude provide a calm oasis for the reader. I have read the whole series and will continue with each new one. Keep writing sir.
Snow and hail a couple of days ago, hot and sunny now.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Jury room
A mixed bag this week, yep, we went to the video store.
12 Angry Men
Sidney Lumet died recently and NPR played an old interview with him, which sparked my interest in this movie. Did you know that the Republicans want to stop funding National Public Radio? Is that the worst kind of censorship or what? I suppose they want us all to watch Fox news, or as I prefer to call it, Faux news, carefully tailored to the Republican cause, not unlike that scary propagandist, Tokyo Rose, I mean Rush Limbaugh. At least nobody would believe his rants. Would they?
Back to Lumet's movie. 12 Angry Men (look for it under 12, not twelve) was made in 1957, a particularly good year, the year BH and I were born. It's about a jury of white men who have to decide the guilt, and therefore the fate, of a Hispanic boy. Apart from brief opening and closing scenes, it is completely set in the jury room. It shows the process by which the jury is swayed from 11 - 1 one way, until it is 11 - 1 the other way. Henry Fonda is the main character, but they are all convincing. For example Jack Klugman (remember Quincy?) plays a mild man who becomes stronger through his convictions as the story develops. The entire jury is white, and there is open demonstration of racist views and language. Fonda appears to be not acting at all, his character is so low key and realistic. His arguments gradually sway the others, as he allows them to discover their own reasons to change their minds.
The movie is shot in black and white, but I can't say I noticed that, it certainly didn't detract. The lighting and camera angles were magnificent and added greatly to the atmosphere and dramatic development. The music, not so much. It was heavy and overly portentous, but not totally inappropriate. I think it was standard for the era. This movie did not have the dramatic build-up of a Tennessee Williams play but the one room setting and hot humid atmosphere (yes I know it was a film, but the weather was a part of it) did remind me of William's claustrophobic southern moments.
You should watch this movie for, if nothing else, an understanding of the phrase "beyond reasonable doubt". I recommend this movie. It's a classic.
Kate and Leopold
A lighthearted, time travelling, humorous romp starring Meg Ryan and Wolverine, I mean Hugh Jackman. It's all good.
Transporter 3
Starring the lovely Jason Statham in another tough guy role. He drives a nice car across Europe, has some adventures, takes off his shirt several times (that man works out), has a McGuyver moment in the lake and that's about it. Some unusual and unnecessary camera trickery. Best bit (apart from the shirt removal) is the chase through the market and the eventual ejection of the baddie from the car. The heroine/love interest/gratuitous tottie is played by not only a redhead, but a redhead with a very generous crop of freckles. How unusual. She acts as if she is on some kind of semi-prescription medication, and has a lovely fake-Russian, sorry, fake-Ukrainian accent. An entertaining action movie for when there is nothing else to watch.
The Big Bang Theory
A television series featuring a reunion of the "Roseanne" cast apparently. It's about four extremely intelligent young men who are social misfits. It is very funny and I got a lot of pleasure out of watching it. I love Sheldon.
Ricky Gervais - Out of England
The master in New York. This was tailored for an American audience but was still good. I wonder if that self-deprecating humour translates? BH likes Gervais so maybe it does. A devastating split-second Hitler impersonation. BH asked if Gervais writes for "The Office". I told him Gervais CREATED "The Office". The real one that is, the one set in Slough. "Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVr6rFXJg88
I had to put the big cat out so I could write this. He wanted some attention and was using his claws to get it.
12 Angry Men
Sidney Lumet died recently and NPR played an old interview with him, which sparked my interest in this movie. Did you know that the Republicans want to stop funding National Public Radio? Is that the worst kind of censorship or what? I suppose they want us all to watch Fox news, or as I prefer to call it, Faux news, carefully tailored to the Republican cause, not unlike that scary propagandist, Tokyo Rose, I mean Rush Limbaugh. At least nobody would believe his rants. Would they?
Back to Lumet's movie. 12 Angry Men (look for it under 12, not twelve) was made in 1957, a particularly good year, the year BH and I were born. It's about a jury of white men who have to decide the guilt, and therefore the fate, of a Hispanic boy. Apart from brief opening and closing scenes, it is completely set in the jury room. It shows the process by which the jury is swayed from 11 - 1 one way, until it is 11 - 1 the other way. Henry Fonda is the main character, but they are all convincing. For example Jack Klugman (remember Quincy?) plays a mild man who becomes stronger through his convictions as the story develops. The entire jury is white, and there is open demonstration of racist views and language. Fonda appears to be not acting at all, his character is so low key and realistic. His arguments gradually sway the others, as he allows them to discover their own reasons to change their minds.
The movie is shot in black and white, but I can't say I noticed that, it certainly didn't detract. The lighting and camera angles were magnificent and added greatly to the atmosphere and dramatic development. The music, not so much. It was heavy and overly portentous, but not totally inappropriate. I think it was standard for the era. This movie did not have the dramatic build-up of a Tennessee Williams play but the one room setting and hot humid atmosphere (yes I know it was a film, but the weather was a part of it) did remind me of William's claustrophobic southern moments.
You should watch this movie for, if nothing else, an understanding of the phrase "beyond reasonable doubt". I recommend this movie. It's a classic.
Kate and Leopold
A lighthearted, time travelling, humorous romp starring Meg Ryan and Wolverine, I mean Hugh Jackman. It's all good.
Transporter 3
Starring the lovely Jason Statham in another tough guy role. He drives a nice car across Europe, has some adventures, takes off his shirt several times (that man works out), has a McGuyver moment in the lake and that's about it. Some unusual and unnecessary camera trickery. Best bit (apart from the shirt removal) is the chase through the market and the eventual ejection of the baddie from the car. The heroine/love interest/gratuitous tottie is played by not only a redhead, but a redhead with a very generous crop of freckles. How unusual. She acts as if she is on some kind of semi-prescription medication, and has a lovely fake-Russian, sorry, fake-Ukrainian accent. An entertaining action movie for when there is nothing else to watch.
The Big Bang Theory
A television series featuring a reunion of the "Roseanne" cast apparently. It's about four extremely intelligent young men who are social misfits. It is very funny and I got a lot of pleasure out of watching it. I love Sheldon.
Ricky Gervais - Out of England
The master in New York. This was tailored for an American audience but was still good. I wonder if that self-deprecating humour translates? BH likes Gervais so maybe it does. A devastating split-second Hitler impersonation. BH asked if Gervais writes for "The Office". I told him Gervais CREATED "The Office". The real one that is, the one set in Slough. "Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVr6rFXJg88
I had to put the big cat out so I could write this. He wanted some attention and was using his claws to get it.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Gratuitous photo
Just a gratuitous photo of an attractive young lady. Completely unrelated to movie reviewing.
Local hero
A classic this week. Always good when right prevails, and I don't mean that in a political sense.
Erin Brockovich
As you know, I don't think people's names make good titles for movies, but in this case I will make an exception. Hinkley, California - residents are getting sick even though officials from the nearby PG & E plant have explained that alleged contamination of ground water by chromium-3 is a good thing with lots of health benefits. Shame it is chromium-6 then. Solo mum Erin hires a lawyer on an unrelated matter, they lose the case, she demands a job at his law firm and stumbles across the chromium contamination thing. Thanks to her tireless efforts, justice is served. That's the story in a nutshell.
Julia Roberts plays Erin Brockovich, and this movie is an excellent vehicle for showing off her great legs and, well, she has a nice figure. That's a bit of a theme through the movie. Another thing about Julia Roberts - does she have a portrait in the attic because she is just not looking any older. Remember I sort of watched "Eat, Pray, Love". The real Erin Brockovich (did I mention this is a true story?) has a brief cameo as a waitress and she is a good looking woman too. Lots of down-home commonsense feistiness in this movie, not compromised too much by the ... trashy but enhancing outfits. There is a man, and some children, the baby is adorable, the lawyer has a heart of gold, and there are some other familiar faces. The housekeeper from "Two and a half men" (speaking of trashy - Charlie Sheen in that show, and maybe in real life too) is the secretary, and I have an idea that the first emissary from PG & E, the meek one, may be in "Bones" now.
This is a good story, moves along at a smart pace and Roberts is believable. Money talks, but not loud enough, and justice prevails. I'm sure this sort of thing goes on all over the place, with big business literally getting away with murder (or at least stupidity, incompetence and an inflated sense of their own importance and invulnerability if we are talking about GM, the big banks, Lehman brothers, Freddie Mac etc - which the public paid for). Anyways ... in the last few weeks I have seen in the news that the hexavalent chromium plume is spreading again, Hinkley is back in the spotlight and Erin Brockovich is on the case again. Thank goodness for concerned citizens and real people. Keep up the fantastic work Erin.
One thing people remember about this movie - Julia Roberts won an Oscar for her performance and famously omitted to mention the real Erin Brockovich in her acceptance speech.
One week ago we had snow and storms and roads were closed. This week it is t-shirt and shorts weather. Bizarre.
Erin Brockovich
As you know, I don't think people's names make good titles for movies, but in this case I will make an exception. Hinkley, California - residents are getting sick even though officials from the nearby PG & E plant have explained that alleged contamination of ground water by chromium-3 is a good thing with lots of health benefits. Shame it is chromium-6 then. Solo mum Erin hires a lawyer on an unrelated matter, they lose the case, she demands a job at his law firm and stumbles across the chromium contamination thing. Thanks to her tireless efforts, justice is served. That's the story in a nutshell.
Julia Roberts plays Erin Brockovich, and this movie is an excellent vehicle for showing off her great legs and, well, she has a nice figure. That's a bit of a theme through the movie. Another thing about Julia Roberts - does she have a portrait in the attic because she is just not looking any older. Remember I sort of watched "Eat, Pray, Love". The real Erin Brockovich (did I mention this is a true story?) has a brief cameo as a waitress and she is a good looking woman too. Lots of down-home commonsense feistiness in this movie, not compromised too much by the ... trashy but enhancing outfits. There is a man, and some children, the baby is adorable, the lawyer has a heart of gold, and there are some other familiar faces. The housekeeper from "Two and a half men" (speaking of trashy - Charlie Sheen in that show, and maybe in real life too) is the secretary, and I have an idea that the first emissary from PG & E, the meek one, may be in "Bones" now.
This is a good story, moves along at a smart pace and Roberts is believable. Money talks, but not loud enough, and justice prevails. I'm sure this sort of thing goes on all over the place, with big business literally getting away with murder (or at least stupidity, incompetence and an inflated sense of their own importance and invulnerability if we are talking about GM, the big banks, Lehman brothers, Freddie Mac etc - which the public paid for). Anyways ... in the last few weeks I have seen in the news that the hexavalent chromium plume is spreading again, Hinkley is back in the spotlight and Erin Brockovich is on the case again. Thank goodness for concerned citizens and real people. Keep up the fantastic work Erin.
One thing people remember about this movie - Julia Roberts won an Oscar for her performance and famously omitted to mention the real Erin Brockovich in her acceptance speech.
One week ago we had snow and storms and roads were closed. This week it is t-shirt and shorts weather. Bizarre.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
English actors
A good movie for a change. Actors who can act, and not many men. Hmmm ...
Crush
A great chick flick. Also a great cheapie from the thrift store where I purchased (drum roll please) a KATE SPADE bag for next to nothing. How cool is that! Shame I have no friends to share that info with. Anyway, back to the movie. Not just your standard silly chick flick, this one has some class actors. Imelda Staunton - anything she is in is going to be good. She is one of the wonderful pack of English actors who make English movies so good. Anna Chancellor - Duckface in Four Weddings and a Funeral, also that girl from the Boddington's ad, if you are old enough and English enough to remember that. She teams up again with Andie Macdowell for this movie.
Macdowell is Kate, a prim headmistress, Staunton a copper, actually I think she is the Chief Inspector, and Chancellor is a doctor. They get together and see who has the most disastrous man story. Macdowell meets up with an ex-pupil (read: toyboy) and they hit it off. Oh yes, warning for the easily shocked - there is a fair bit of sex in this movie, but nothing graphic. Macdowell has great legs. Chancellor and Staunton try to break up the romance to prevent Macdowell's character from heartbreak and it all goes horribly wrong, but there is kind of a happy ending.
A good movie, well constructed. Great lighting as usual, and wonderful music. The clothes are interesting ... There is a lot of humour, a lot of which went straight over BH's head, as it is very English. For example, Staunton (the policewoman) says she has met a man, his name is Bill, and Chancellor immediately says"Old Bill?" For the uninitiated let me explain that in England, the police are often referred to as the Old Bill. I don't know why. Google it. A cheap laugh but realistic.
This is a female dominated movie, and all the better for that. I like a movie with real people (I know, contradiction in terms) with real situations in real places. James Cameron tried that once, with "Titanic" but things have gone downhill for him since than. Maybe if he hired a real writer ...
Lots of snow forecast, but very little arrived here. That's probably a good thing, although snow does make everything look pretty (and let's face it, "here" could do with the help).
Crush
A great chick flick. Also a great cheapie from the thrift store where I purchased (drum roll please) a KATE SPADE bag for next to nothing. How cool is that! Shame I have no friends to share that info with. Anyway, back to the movie. Not just your standard silly chick flick, this one has some class actors. Imelda Staunton - anything she is in is going to be good. She is one of the wonderful pack of English actors who make English movies so good. Anna Chancellor - Duckface in Four Weddings and a Funeral, also that girl from the Boddington's ad, if you are old enough and English enough to remember that. She teams up again with Andie Macdowell for this movie.
Macdowell is Kate, a prim headmistress, Staunton a copper, actually I think she is the Chief Inspector, and Chancellor is a doctor. They get together and see who has the most disastrous man story. Macdowell meets up with an ex-pupil (read: toyboy) and they hit it off. Oh yes, warning for the easily shocked - there is a fair bit of sex in this movie, but nothing graphic. Macdowell has great legs. Chancellor and Staunton try to break up the romance to prevent Macdowell's character from heartbreak and it all goes horribly wrong, but there is kind of a happy ending.
A good movie, well constructed. Great lighting as usual, and wonderful music. The clothes are interesting ... There is a lot of humour, a lot of which went straight over BH's head, as it is very English. For example, Staunton (the policewoman) says she has met a man, his name is Bill, and Chancellor immediately says"Old Bill?" For the uninitiated let me explain that in England, the police are often referred to as the Old Bill. I don't know why. Google it. A cheap laugh but realistic.
This is a female dominated movie, and all the better for that. I like a movie with real people (I know, contradiction in terms) with real situations in real places. James Cameron tried that once, with "Titanic" but things have gone downhill for him since than. Maybe if he hired a real writer ...
Lots of snow forecast, but very little arrived here. That's probably a good thing, although snow does make everything look pretty (and let's face it, "here" could do with the help).
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Jaded viewer
I chose most of these movies. I have only myself to blame.
Eat, Pray, Love
Too much of a chick flick even for me. I watched the Italy bit then fast-forwarded to the end. I did not enjoy seeing Julia Roberts slurping spaghetti, but she did make a nice antipasto plate. Please note - American antipasto is NOT the same as Italian antipasto. I'm not a big Julia Roberts fan. This movie didn't do it for me. although I may have missed the point by not actually watching it at normal speed. I could make some comment about self indulgence, but who cares. Dolce far niente.
Snow is forecast for the next ten days.
Eat, Pray, Love
Too much of a chick flick even for me. I watched the Italy bit then fast-forwarded to the end. I did not enjoy seeing Julia Roberts slurping spaghetti, but she did make a nice antipasto plate. Please note - American antipasto is NOT the same as Italian antipasto. I'm not a big Julia Roberts fan. This movie didn't do it for me. although I may have missed the point by not actually watching it at normal speed. I could make some comment about self indulgence, but who cares. Dolce far niente.
Snow is forecast for the next ten days.
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