It's true Internet, I forgive you
As you may or may not know I had some time ago purchased a domain name of my own and had been running my very own fancy-schmancy website/blog at geekjane.com. Well I realized that the best thing for me to do was revert back to this simple yet completely lovable wordpress blogette where I did some of my best (and most consistent) writing.
Other reasons for abandoning my geeky domain were of course factors (who will remain nameless and soulless) but that’s neither here nor there. Word to the webwise: Never, ever, put your blogs Google adsense account in the name of someone not worthy of anyone’s trust. Lesson learned.
So, whew, here I am. As usual hoping for the best. Hope you continue to enjoy.
Filed under: movie review | Tags: action, alan moore, graphic novel, superheroes, watchmen
Watchmen
Starring: Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino
Rating: Major R (graphic everything)
Release Date: March 6, 2009
Basis: Graphic Novel by Alan Moore & Dave GibbonsI had really high expectations for this movie as did I’m sure most people who had read the graphic novel (and probably most who didn’t). I had done quite a bit of keeping up with the filming and news regarding how the adaptation of it would look on screen so I wasn’t really in for any big surprises. Or so I thought. Some have called ‘Watchmen‘ the greatest graphic novel of all time. I wouldn’t necessarily say that but it would be one of my top three so far, since I have only recently gotten into reading them.
I think by now most people have at least some idea what the film is about since there has been an enormous amount of publicity surrounding the film whether it be from the lawsuit that almost prevented it from being released or from all the trailers and buzz on the web. But just in case you didn’t know the basic idea for the film surrounds a group of ex-superheroes who ban together again after one of them is murdered. Each one of their stories gets told and through the telling the mystery slowly begins to unravel.
The Comedian/ AKA total a-hole
There were a lot of things I liked about the movie. Obviously visually it was amazing. The whole tone of the film and it’s setting was perfect for the storyline and it had some of the best fight scenes I’ve seen in a while. Of course there was quite a bit of gore which I expected and appreciated since toning that part of it down would have been disappointing. The acting wasn’t bad at all and I liked the fact that it really showed the human side of superheroes while most similar movies don’t. That was the purpose of the graphic novel I think, to show that realistically we might not want people to exist with super-powers. Just like the rest of us, they have the ability to do good and evil so with that kind of power given to them how would it be controlled.
Unfortunately, as with most all movies where a great deal of hype is involved, this one had some flaws. I can easily see how someone not familiar with the graphic novel would have been totally lost through most of the first part. It was a bit confusing going from past to present rapidly and not really explaining things until towards the end. But perhaps the creators of the movie expected that most people seeing it would already understand the story and follow along easily. I can understand that too because in the theater opening night I was surrounded by mostly the geek crowd (my peers) and most people were clapping at the end and hung out afterwards to talk about it.
What's with the horns?
My biggest problem with the movie (other than Dr. Manhattan’s penis being it’s own character and making many appearances & that horned tiger thing) was that it took itself extremely seriously. There were meanings inside meanings inside meanings and one of the final sequences where things start to come together had at least 6 epiphanies within a few minutes. That was enough to either make you really confused or really annoyed. I got to the point where I was just thinking to myself “just let it be over with already”. After the countless “ah hah!” moments by the end I was just ready to go; I think that had some of the really deeply dramatic themes not been revealed at once it would have been easier to swallow.
I totally get that the graphic novel was supposed to make its reader think and really dissect it’s imbedded metaphorical and even political themes but in film form viewers who aren’t total graphic novel nerds could easily have been overwhelmed. The graphic novel was meant to be read over and over so that one could truly appreciate it’s depth but when you watch a really long movie it’s much easier on an audience to have things more simple.
Final Kiss
I’m not saying that I would have done things differently because honestly I don’t know how, while staying true to the original story they could have done any better. Perhaps that is why they originally called this a movie that couldn’t be made.
Bottom Line: VISUALLY STUNNING BUT TRIES TOO HARD
baby ginger
I know I haven’t posted a cutetastic pic lately so here it is. This adorable little ginger is a Francois Langur Monkey at the Rotterdam Zoo, in The Netherlands. I totally want to go monkey-nap this little guy and keep him in one of those Baby Pikkolo’s.
Filed under: movie review | Tags: cate blanchett, Drama, f. scott fitzgerald, movie review
Life Lived Backwards
Starring: Brad Pitt / Cate Blanchett / Taraji P. Henson / Tilda Swinton
Rating: PG-13 (Mild Adult Themes)
Basis: Short Story: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Release Date: December 25, 2008
I know I’m a little behind schedule on this one since it’s been in theaters since last Christmas, but honestly until last week I just wasn’t in the mood for a incredibly long drama. Once I finally broke down and saw it I barely noticed the running time which is quite an accomplishment (one I hope that Watchmen can achieve this weekend). The film is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald (screenplay by Eric Roth) and the cast is far from unknown. Of course the other half of Brangelia is the main focus as Benjamin and the amazing Cate Blanchettt plays his love interest.
Basically to put it short but sweet the movie is about an infant whose body at birth is that of an incredibly old man. The poor child is abandoned by his terrified father after his mother dies in childbirth, and left on the doorstep of an elderly people’s home in New Orleans, Louisiana. Taken in by Queenie, a black woman who worked at the home, Benjamin is loved dearly by her and raised as her son. He goes through his life and his incredible adventures while all the time aging backwards. He meets Daisy at a young age who’s grandmother lives in the elderly home and they stay in contact throughout the years. They finally meet again in their forties when they are the same age and fall in love.
The story is narrated by Daisy’s daughter Caroline who is reading from Benjamin’s diary to her dying mother on the eve on Hurricane Katrina’s arrival in a hospital. Through the diary both Carolina and Daisy learn of all the challenges and experiences of his life that are both amazing and somewhat sad.
The Older Man
I found the movie very moving and even though I’m not known for being much of a sappy kind of girl I though it was both inspiring and a bit depressing at the same time. I was able to relate to many of the themes in the film as I would imagine most people would and loved the plot design and underlying metaphorical meaning of the story.
Daisy & Benjamin
As I stated before I didn’t mind the length of the film because I was so engulfed in the story that I didn’t notice how long I was there and I haven’t experienced that in a lengthy film since the LOTR’s trilogy. The acting by both Pitt and Blanchettt was as always excellent and I was pleasantly surprised by both Taraji P. Henson (Queenie) and Tilda Swinton who played Elizabeth Abbott, who Benjamin has a love affair with in his early twenties.
Bottom Line: WONDERFULLY MOVING DRAMA
Filed under: Literature, Preview | Tags: childrens book, fantasy, Preview, spike jonze, where the wild thing are
Max is the King
I’m sure lots of kids have read the wonderful book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. It’s a classic story of imagination and fantasy that has just been waiting to be made into a great film. Soon hopefully that great film will be hitting a theater nearby since it is now in post-production after filming started in 2005. Spike Jonze is directing this live action feature the screenplay of which he co-wrote with David Eggers. The basic storyline is as follows:
“One night Max dresses up in his wolf suit and does all kinds of things he shouldn’t, like chasing the dog with a fork. His mother scolds him and calls him a “WILD THING!” Max is so mad he shouts back, “I’LL EAT YOU UP!” As a result, his mother sends him to his bedroom without any supper. Max’s imagination transforms his bedroom into an extraordinary setting, with a forest and an ocean and a little boat that Max sails in until he comes to a land full of “wild things.” Although they look and sound very fierce, Max is able to tame them with a single glance. They all realize Max is “…The most wild thing of all” and make him their king. Max and the wild things have a fine time creating a rumpus until Max begins to want to be “…where someone loved him best of all.” Max’s fantasy ends when he smells his dinner. Despite the wild things’ protests, Max sails back to his own room where he finds his supper waiting for him. ” Via about.com
The images that have emerged of the film’s characters (some being up to 8 feet tall) are amazing and bring back warm memories of The Labyrinth and my love for Jim Henson. The Jim Henson Company who was also responsible for the Labyrinth’s creatures are responsible for the Wild Things and I cannot wait to see how the film turns out. I have a feeling it will be great, even without David Bowie in tight pants.
Beautiful Sunset
Filed under: hateraid, Preview | Tags: horror, john carpenter, Preview, Sci-Fi, the thing
So I have previously shared my objections to hearing that there is a remake of the classic horror Sci-Fi film The Thing (John Carpenter 1982) in the works. I have just learned a bit more about the production and I have to say I am still extremely skeptical about it. As I stated before, it’s going to be based on the Norwegian Research Team that first encounters the mutating alien being and meets their demise before Kurt Russell’s team gets introduced. Sure, that may have sounded like a decent idea over soy-decafe lattes but realistically is it really worth spending time and money on?
Classic to Craptastic
The writer of the film gives it a bit of a chance since Ronald D. Moore has signed on (New Battlestar Galactica Series) to the project. That might make it worth while but to counteract that goodness apparently a commercial director by the name of Matthijs Van Heijningen has gotten on board to direct this feature. Okay, so I know he’s also signed on to the new Army of the Dead project, but a commercial director? Really Hollywood? Well this is still in the early development stages so I will keep hoping that things start sounding better. Oh and by the way, would the film be in subtitles and if not then how would they get away with it?
Filed under: hateraid, Preview, remake | Tags: board games, candyland, clue, monopoly, movie news, previews, remake, Ridley Scott
With the recent (and not so recent) wave of Comic book movies that have been flooding theaters apparently Hollywood has decided to switch gears a little and start a new fad. Quite a few board game movies will soon be coming to a big screen near you and I can’t help but ask…why? Sure, most people have played some kind of board game in their lives; these games might even have been enjoyable as a kid but to really make them into a film seems a bit silly and ironic since most kid’s movies these days are made into board games.
Acclaimed director Ridley Scott is set to direct a film version of Monopoly, which seems like a waste to me. There are so many wonderful scripts and stories out there that would make for much better material but who knows, maybe Scott is just a really big fan of the game itself; I however tend to throw the tiny houses at people when I loose.
Board Game Movies: Who Really Wins?
Then there’s Candyland. With director Kevin Lima (Enchanted) and awesome writer Etan Cohen (Tropic Thunder) getting the production started it might be interesting especially if they try to put Gloppy (evil chocolate monster thing) in the mix. It would make for an interesting 3D film too I think. Not necessarily for the adult crowd but kids would love it and of course so would any other person on hallucinogenics.
It's Rainbow-rific
Last and at the very least is Clue. I am a big fan f the original Clue film which was released in 1985 with Christopher Lloyd, Tim Curry and the hilariously wonderful Madeline Kahn. I don’t see any reason why this movie needs a remake but then again, with the swarm of remakes happening all over Hollywood, I’m not that surprised. Gore Verbinski is set to helm the project. The 1985 version had somewhat of a small following and didn’t do well in theaters so the chances of a revamp doing well are slim to none.
Dream Home
Man, what I wouldn’t give to have the money to purchase this amazing Cave-dream home in Festus, MO. The Sleeper Family is unfortunately facing foreclosure on their uniquely fantastic home and has put it up for sale on none-other than Ebay(where they originally found the cave itself for sale). The home is equipped with 3 Bedrooms/2 Bathrooms, full kitchen and a massive party room in the furthest interior chamber. It is amazing to watch the transformation here on one of their sites full of pictures documenting the construction. I am totally going to look for cave’s for sale now on EBay!
Choke
DVD Review: Choke
Starring: Sam Rockwell / Anjelica Houston / Kelly Macdonald / Clark Gregg
Director: Clark Gregg
Rating: Major R
Writer: Based on “Choke” by Chuck Palahniuk
Released Date: February 17, 2009 DVD
One writer who is not exactly known for subtly would be Chuck Palahniuk. His novels are abrasive, offensive and yet completely hilarious. It’s a guilty pleasure I guess you could say and Choke is probably one of the worst as far as out-right repulsiveness of all his works. I knew this movie was going to be funny but I also watched it with a bit of apprehension due to how uncomfortable the novel of his I am currently reading has been so far. I was prepared to be shocked and possibly nauseated by its content from the beginning.
I was not disappointed by the gross-out factor but like his books the movie had a deeper meaning behind the unabashed crudeness of the character’s behavior. The basis for the story is surrounding Victor (Sam Rockwell): a self proclaimed sex addict who is completely incapable of having a meaningful relationship due to his unconventional and perhaps emotionally abusive upbringing by his mother played by Anjelica Houston.
The backbone of Colonial America
Victor spends most of his time as a “tour guide” at a colonial park and has a habit of fake choking on food in restaurants in order to have wealthy sympathetic individual feel that they have saved his life. Once these strangers have “saved” him from choking he depends on their charity financially for the rest of his life as a sort of responsibility he feels they have for rescuing him. The money he receives allows him to pay for a private hospital for his mother who suffers from severe dementia barely knowing who he is when he visits her.
There is a pretty even balance of shock-humor, witty dialogue and drama in the film that gives it meaning and makes it somewhat identifiable. It is full of metaphors and sucessfully pulls of visually projecting the writing technique of Palahniuk. I was horrified at times by the events that take place but like whenever I watch WifeSwap I just can’t look away no matter how bad it gets. The ending ties up things rather well and still leaves a bit of mystery to the story which I think is good. I enjoyed it but I wouldn’t watch with many people because it’s rather offensive.
Bottom Line: VERY DARK DRAMEDY W/ MAJOR SHOCK VALUE
Filed under: Bad News Bears, hateraid | Tags: bailout, banks, congress, craptastic, government, northern trust
The Rich Get Richer
Okay, so by now most people have heard about these God-awful bailouts that congress is just throwing at banks. Most people know that the only people benefiting from these bailouts are the stinking-rich executives that need a good ass-kicking from each and every person who they’ve casually laid off.
Well I’ve just found out about one particular scum-bucket bank who decided to not only take a 1.6 billion dollar bailout that they claim they didn’t even request, but to add insult to injury they just recently threw a HUGE bash in L.A to celebrate the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera Country Club for the PGA.
There are no words for how completely horrible this is. The bash lasted most of the week following the PGA and included performances by Sheryl Crowe, Chicago and Earth Wind and Fire (who are all on my crap list from here on out). Guests dined on fillet and seared salmon and the ladies received gift bags from Tiffany & Co. We can only hope that they all got horrific food poisoning…
The cost of all these INSANELYexpensive treats for the filthy rich? Millions…I can’t even imagine a punishment bad enough for these people. There has to be some kind of repercussions for these banks who WASTE OUR MONEY! So much for “Change”. I am incredibly disappointed in our congress who probably got some kind of kick-back for these bailouts.
Oh and I forgot to mention, this bank who threw the lavish cash burning bash laid off 4% of their workforce in December of last year. That’s 450 working class folks who most likely wouldn’t have even been on the guest list to begin with. As they say, The Rich get Richer, and the Poor get Poorer.
Brite-Idea Blog 