Posted By: sandybryant on

Monday, July 21st, 2008, 10:02 am

This has been a summer for movie watching for me, many of them films I've been looking forward to. I've seen Sex in the City, Iron Man, The Hulk, The Fall, Wall*E, the new Indiana Jones film, and this weekend's selections: Mama Mia! and Hellboy II.

Mama Mia! is bad. It is badly danced, the two real romantic leads (Meryl Streep & Pierce Brosnan) can't really sing their parts, and the story is just plain silly. But I guarantee if you go to see this movie you won't be able to wipe the silly grin off your face. Streep throws herself into this role and does a great job even though many of the songs are too much for her limited vocal range. (If they keep it soft and high, she does very well, but drop into her chest voice and you're listening to her croak through the song.) Pierce Brosnan cannot sing at all, something that is evident not just from the noises emitting from his mouth but also from the strain on his face as he's squeezing them out. But you have sympathy for the guy and wonder at his willingness to play a role so ripe for ridicule. In the end, you still wish you were the one kissing him and not Streep. The best scene in the whole movie is The Dancing Queen sequence, which starts as a bedroom dress up and act silly scene and ends with all the women in town dancing down to the docks and jumping into the harbor. Particularly fun is seeing an older woman collecting wood who throwns down her load to join the ladies dancing singing "OH YEAH!"

Hellboy II is very good, and I'd probably be singing it's praises if I hadn't seen Mama Mia! the night before.  It's not as fun as Mama Mia!, but as is to be expected from Guillermo del Toro, the graphics are beautiful. The little commercials on USA and Spike TV give you an idea of the humor of the film (and I say BRAVO to the folks who came up with this ad campaign idea!). The story is touching and funny and action packed. Not as great as the first Hellboy (what sequel is as good as the original?) but certainly is a worthy Part II to the story of Hellboy. And the scene where Red and Abe get drunk and sing Barry Manilow is just hilarious!

As for the rest of the weekend, I had ballet for the first time since the end of May. I'm not sore, but apparently I've already started with the bad habits. Oy, is it gonna be bad when I have to take all of September off (and already have August off) to prepare for the 3 Day! I also led a training walk of 10 miles on Sunday morning. Goodness it was hot, but folks seemed to really like the trail and I may be able to schedule more like this. It's a shame the trail doesn't have more hills on it, but I'd rather make sure folks aren't getting too much sun than worry about varying the terrain.

Tags: movies, 3day, training

Posted By: sandybryant on

Tuesday, June 24th, 2008, 12:39 pm

Steve and I saw a lovely movie Sunday, The Fall. It was filmed/released in 2006 but it's only just now making the artsy theaters in the U.S.

I really recommend this movie. The story is about a little girl with a broken arm in a hospital in California in the 1930s, and the stories a paraplegic stuntman tells her to get her to do things for her. I won't give away the magic of the story, only remind you that it is a movie with the flavor of 1930s movies.

It was beautiful and touching, and that little girl was FABULOUS! 

Tags: movies

Posted By: tarot1 on

Friday, October 12th, 2007, 11:45 am

The Stantons are now an American family with English ancestry, and I’m not certain why this change was made.  Will’s dad is now John Stanton a Physics professor rather than Roger Stanton the jeweler.  The name change puzzles me but the physics tie in was an interesting addition.

Instead of Mr. Mitothin, the diamond dealer, we get a local doctor for the Rider to disguise himself as.  I love how Will recognizes him anyway and is still scared of him.  I also like the fact that he acts so benign around Will’s mom.  Chris looked like he was having a blast with this part of the role. 

The attic is now a place of semi-exile rather than a prized sanctuary.  It’s almost a metaphor for what Will is going through.  He’s part of a family, yet so different from them.  He’s an Old One but the youngest one.

The signs are no longer simple quartered circles and I wonder if the art department was having fun.  I’m not certain what to make of the final sign being Will’s own soul and I wonder how exactly that works.

The Rider’s horse is now white rather than black.  Rusty is awesome!  I also think this may be a reference to the myth/legend that “Death rides a pale horse.”

Herne the Hunter and the Wild Hunt is not there nor is either mentioned.  Without Herne, there was no need for the mask or the White Mare.  Granted I know who Herne is, but I didn’t learn much about him until College (University), and I’m still learning.  Without the Hunt to chase him away, Will trapped the Rider in a sphere, much as Tom had been.

(I so gotta find that sphere!)

As I said before, I really enjoyed this film and plan to see it again.

Tags: movies, christopher eccleston

Posted By: tarot1 on

Friday, October 12th, 2007, 11:44 am

Maggie Barnes- interesting how it’s not Max she winds up with but James, and how all the Stanton boys seem to admire her.  And she is still an agent of the Dark.

Max- he strikes me as subbing in for the Walker a bit.  He gets used as a pawn by the Dark.  It was clear something was up when he returned home from college unexpectedly.

Changes from book to film:

Tom- now Will’s lost twin rather than a much older brother and he’s not dead! That was a nice twist.

Gwen- Will only has one sister and she’s younger.  They had a clear bond onscreen.  I think maybe this change was made to clear up any 7th son of a 7th son confusion.  I’m not certain how this works but what I have read about, it’s always been an unbroken line of boys, with no girl births in between.  It may not matter in actuality or in the original legends.

The Lady seems to be combined with Ms. Greythorne.

The Walker is missing but with the Signs being hidden differently as well as a different set up for the Book, he was not needed.

TBC

Tags: movies, christopher eccleston

Posted By: tarot1 on

Friday, October 12th, 2007, 11:41 am

Do Not Read this unless you’ve seen the film…Massive spoilers!!!!            

I’ve seen this movie 4 times thus far and I plan to go again.  How many times I’ll see it in all, I’m not certain, but I’ve really enjoyed it.  The film went by quickly without being rushed, but there is still a lot to cover, so I shall, as usual, touch upon what got my attention. 

Will Stanton- very believable an for any who complain “it’s not realistic” all I have to say is, “How would you react if you were a 14 year old who suddenly discovered magic powers and massive responsibility?”  Any who were able to empathize with Harry Potter will easily be able to empathize with Will.  Alexander Ludwig does a fine job as the film’s hero. 

The Rider- Christopher Eccleston is amazing! (as always)  Evil should not look that good.  Chris is as gorgeous and captivating as ever while still very very dark.  He works very well with Rusty and, despite that I know what Chris said in interviews, between what skill he’s acquired and Rusty, Chris looks very much like a very experienced rider!(And no, Chris, you don’t look like Popeye in your close ups!)I like the fact that when the Rider is in disguise as the “doctor” he tries to make Will an offer in addition to just scaring and threatening him. “I don’t forget those who stand with me, nor those who stand against ..." “These old fools would have you do work that they can’t, but they haven’t told you that you’ll fail.” 

I’m sure these thoughts crossed Will’s mind, especially given that he still thought he was only the 6th son of a 7th son at this point. Yes, I know the Rider is evil, but he’s still captivating. (First pigeons now ravens, I have to wonder what’s next in this sequence)  

TBC

Tags: movies, christopher eccleston