Tropic Thunder has an Oscar nomination. Robert Downey Jr., is up for best supporting actor.
I usually am disappointed in "big" comedies, finding them to be not so funny and way over hyped. So I was pretty happy with Tropic Thunder (2008), in that I found it funny the whole way through, and while maybe not roll-on-the-floor, peeing in your pants funny, at least it made me laugh at most of the right times.
The movie, about a group of bad actors trying to create Vietnam war film to give themselves an ego boost by being "serious" actors is fun. The mock trailers, chronicling the previous work by this group is a funny way to start the film and really let us know how bad they are.
Starring Ben Stiller and Jack Black, it is Robert Downey Jr., who has really captured attention. And so many descriptions say he plays a black man. No...he plays a Australian "serious method" actor, playing a black character in the movie. And that is why he is getting accolades. Because that is how he plays the role, with all those layers. And he does a very nice, and very funny job of it.
I know some people did not really like the movie and thought it did not live up to its hype. No, it did not live up to its hype...but it entertained me the whole time, and kept me very amused. That is better than a lot of comedies do.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Movie-The Visitor
The Visitor is the first of the Oscar nominated movies for me to see. Richard Jenkins is nominated as lead actor for his role in The Visitor.
The Visitor (2007) is a quiet movie. It is about isolation and loneliness, amidst many people. But despite that, it is really compelling. Richard Jenkins is the lead and he plays Walter Vale, an older college professor, who is going through the motions...in every aspect of his life. He is doing a reasonable imitation of living, but only just.
When he must leave his Connecticut university to present a paper in New York, he goes to an apartment he has kept there for years. And to his surprise, finds a couple living in it. And maybe more surprising, this couple, him from Syria and she from Senegal, both illegal aliens, give him what we intimate is his only real human connections in years.
Yes, Walter becomes friends with them, slowly, as if using a tool he has not touched for years, he learns again how to converse, how to be with people. It is almost like seeing the tin woodsman getting oil and being able to move again.
The story line contains some twists, but is always spare, and is Jenkins take on Vale. He plays the character amazingly! Nuanced and stripped down, Walter is on knife's edge to being an automaton, and instead starts to feel and see and learn.
The Visitor is a very good movie, and all four main actors are very good, but Richard Jenkins did a great job. From what I have heard he is a long shot to get the award, but he was perfect in this role.
The Visitor (2007) is a quiet movie. It is about isolation and loneliness, amidst many people. But despite that, it is really compelling. Richard Jenkins is the lead and he plays Walter Vale, an older college professor, who is going through the motions...in every aspect of his life. He is doing a reasonable imitation of living, but only just.
When he must leave his Connecticut university to present a paper in New York, he goes to an apartment he has kept there for years. And to his surprise, finds a couple living in it. And maybe more surprising, this couple, him from Syria and she from Senegal, both illegal aliens, give him what we intimate is his only real human connections in years.
Yes, Walter becomes friends with them, slowly, as if using a tool he has not touched for years, he learns again how to converse, how to be with people. It is almost like seeing the tin woodsman getting oil and being able to move again.
The story line contains some twists, but is always spare, and is Jenkins take on Vale. He plays the character amazingly! Nuanced and stripped down, Walter is on knife's edge to being an automaton, and instead starts to feel and see and learn.
The Visitor is a very good movie, and all four main actors are very good, but Richard Jenkins did a great job. From what I have heard he is a long shot to get the award, but he was perfect in this role.
Movie-Ice Princess
Sometimes I wonder what led me to out a movie in my queue several years ago. Did I read a good review, see a trailer, or did someone tell me about a movie? When I recently saw Constantine and hated it so much, I really wondered why I put that movie in my queue.
But almost as compensation for Constantine, here came Ice Princess (2005). Yes, it is a movie that is really aimed at tween girls...I don't quite fit the demographic. But that doesn't stop it from being a pretty good movie.
It seems to have a generic story line..really smart girl envies that popular ice skater champion girl, and tries to be like her. but while the characters start out typical, they end up being not quite so stereotypical at all.
With Michelle Trachtenberg (most famous as Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and a pre-Heroes Hayden Panettiere as the girls that actually become friends and help each other, the movie gets nice support from the moms, played by Joan Cusack and Kim Cattrall.
But it is the girls that star, and they both do a very good job. Ice Princess was a nice surprise, and reminds me that most of the time, I was right 4 years ago, when I added a movie to my list.
But almost as compensation for Constantine, here came Ice Princess (2005). Yes, it is a movie that is really aimed at tween girls...I don't quite fit the demographic. But that doesn't stop it from being a pretty good movie.
It seems to have a generic story line..really smart girl envies that popular ice skater champion girl, and tries to be like her. but while the characters start out typical, they end up being not quite so stereotypical at all.
With Michelle Trachtenberg (most famous as Dawn in Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and a pre-Heroes Hayden Panettiere as the girls that actually become friends and help each other, the movie gets nice support from the moms, played by Joan Cusack and Kim Cattrall.
But it is the girls that star, and they both do a very good job. Ice Princess was a nice surprise, and reminds me that most of the time, I was right 4 years ago, when I added a movie to my list.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Movie-Constantine
What a mess! This movie started out only OK, and went downhill from there. It got so bad, I fast forwarded through the last 40 minutes or so...and I am a pretty patient movie watcher...hell...I watched all of Zohan!
I shouldn't be surprised, it had Keanu Reeves in it...the worst actor ever. I don't know what directors think---"Hmmm. We need someone completely wooden, who cannot emote and sounds as if he is reading every single line. I got it! Keanu! Offer him 15million!"
Don't see it. If it is your queue...take it out! Bad bad movie.
I shouldn't be surprised, it had Keanu Reeves in it...the worst actor ever. I don't know what directors think---"Hmmm. We need someone completely wooden, who cannot emote and sounds as if he is reading every single line. I got it! Keanu! Offer him 15million!"
Don't see it. If it is your queue...take it out! Bad bad movie.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Movie-Sex and the City:The Movie
I think I am one of the few males who actually enjoyed the TV show when it was on (actually I watched it on DVD after each season), because when this movie was mentioned to many male colleagues and friends it acted much as garlic to a vampire. they seemed to whither away and hide in a dark place as if in terror.
Look, the show featured four (OK 3 1/2) very nice looking girls, drinking and talking about sex, and actually doing the act many times (that Samantha!) It was funny and touching, and I liked the women most of the time. Its all good as far as I am concerned.
I approached the movie with caution though...you know how these things go...trying to live up to old times. But Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) was not too bad. It did not live up to the show itself, but it was very close, and it was great to see these four women reunited.
There were some very nice moments in the movie, both funny and dramatic, and while I am glad they acknowledged the aging of the characters, and all that comes with that process, the scenes did sometimes still feel a bit forced, the gaiety a bit put on. And if they screamed one more time when they saw each other...that just needed to go!
Still, Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha are better than so many of the movie characters out there, that there was no deep disappointment or regret about the film. The next one really needs to be Sex and The Suburbs though.
Look, the show featured four (OK 3 1/2) very nice looking girls, drinking and talking about sex, and actually doing the act many times (that Samantha!) It was funny and touching, and I liked the women most of the time. Its all good as far as I am concerned.
I approached the movie with caution though...you know how these things go...trying to live up to old times. But Sex and the City: The Movie (2008) was not too bad. It did not live up to the show itself, but it was very close, and it was great to see these four women reunited.
There were some very nice moments in the movie, both funny and dramatic, and while I am glad they acknowledged the aging of the characters, and all that comes with that process, the scenes did sometimes still feel a bit forced, the gaiety a bit put on. And if they screamed one more time when they saw each other...that just needed to go!
Still, Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha are better than so many of the movie characters out there, that there was no deep disappointment or regret about the film. The next one really needs to be Sex and The Suburbs though.
Movie-You Don't Mess With the Zohan
What a stupid movie. The trailer looked pretty good, but the movie itself was a piece of crap.
The thing is, it didn't need to be. You Don't Mess With the Zohan (2007) had a decent movie lurking around in it somewhere. But it got lost in bad editing (the movie was WAAY too long) and no one to put the brakes on star Adam Sandler (who co-wrote this) and tell him, "no, that is not funny."
There were several subplots that could have just gone away and the movie would have been much better off for it. Like him having sex with all those elderly women...it wasn't funny...not even gross funny. It would have saved 20 minutes or so, and kept the movie from becoming weak and senseless.
There were a few humorous spots, but good editing would have made these more pronounced. But as the movie got more painful to watch, even the funny scenes became a mere distraction from the mental anguish.
And I can't believe Roger Ebert liked this movie! So disappointed in him.
The thing is, it didn't need to be. You Don't Mess With the Zohan (2007) had a decent movie lurking around in it somewhere. But it got lost in bad editing (the movie was WAAY too long) and no one to put the brakes on star Adam Sandler (who co-wrote this) and tell him, "no, that is not funny."
There were several subplots that could have just gone away and the movie would have been much better off for it. Like him having sex with all those elderly women...it wasn't funny...not even gross funny. It would have saved 20 minutes or so, and kept the movie from becoming weak and senseless.
There were a few humorous spots, but good editing would have made these more pronounced. But as the movie got more painful to watch, even the funny scenes became a mere distraction from the mental anguish.
And I can't believe Roger Ebert liked this movie! So disappointed in him.
Movie-Seven
Yes---I had never seen Seven before. It was one of those movies that I had heard a lot about but never got around to seeing. So, here it was, at the top of my queue.
Now I had heard mostly really good things about Seven (1995), but always with the caveat of "but its really disturbing." And that it was. It is about a strange serial killer, who bases his crimes on the seven deadly sins; pride, sloth, gluttony, envy, lust, greed and wrath. And he elaborately stages each crime to make is supremely horrific.
Starring Morgan Freeman as the world weary, ready to retire detective, and Brad Pitt, as the brash new detective, the film is very well made, magnificently staged to evoke the most horror factor it can, without being a horror movie. And Kevin Spacey as the killer, the John Doe who has masterminded this affair, is creepy and sinister.
It is creepy and disturbing...but for all that, it also seemed just a little too pat, and little too, not predictable exactly, but inevitable. And the mastermind seemed a little too masterful and perfect in his crimes.
All in all, a very good movie,and worth seeing. But somehow it lacks something true about it, which keeps it from being "Wow!"
Now I had heard mostly really good things about Seven (1995), but always with the caveat of "but its really disturbing." And that it was. It is about a strange serial killer, who bases his crimes on the seven deadly sins; pride, sloth, gluttony, envy, lust, greed and wrath. And he elaborately stages each crime to make is supremely horrific.
Starring Morgan Freeman as the world weary, ready to retire detective, and Brad Pitt, as the brash new detective, the film is very well made, magnificently staged to evoke the most horror factor it can, without being a horror movie. And Kevin Spacey as the killer, the John Doe who has masterminded this affair, is creepy and sinister.
It is creepy and disturbing...but for all that, it also seemed just a little too pat, and little too, not predictable exactly, but inevitable. And the mastermind seemed a little too masterful and perfect in his crimes.
All in all, a very good movie,and worth seeing. But somehow it lacks something true about it, which keeps it from being "Wow!"
2 Magazines-Pt 2
One last thing about Playboy. They have a section called Playmate News, where they update what former playboy models are doing. Well one of them is starting an organic formula company, for babies. Now that is fine, but she rants about doctors filling pregnant women with drugs that get into the babies, and so wants to go natural. At the same time she can't breast feed, because her implants block her milk ducts~~~~~
Does anyone else find that ironically hypocritical? Or at least intellectually weak?
Does anyone else find that ironically hypocritical? Or at least intellectually weak?
2 Magazines
To my surprise, Playboy did a nice little redesign with the Feb. issue, and for the most part it looked really good. Included in the redesign were a couple of new departments, nice updates of old ones (it is about time they used color images in Grapevine and the Interview) and just gave the issue a sleeker, more modern look. My only concern was the moving of the Forum (which is the political section) to the very back...I worry that may mean it is being fazed out, which would be a huge mistake.
As far as content, a good solid issue. A goodbye to the Girls Next Door, a very nice look at the cars of the year, and a fantastic piece of short fiction by Jess Walter called Helpless Little Thing. An excellent short story and one of the reasons I read Playboy is for fiction like this. The interview with Hugh Laurie (House) was good too.
February's National Geographic delved more into Charles Darwin and evolution. And I love that it is bringing this science to the forefront at a time when we have gone through an era in this country of rejecting science. Reading the articles about Darwin and evolution you wonder how anyone can really reject this. The other two articles that were fascinating to me were Escaping North Korea and Sicily's Mummies. The North Korea article was so humane and real, and it was sad and hopeful at the same time. And the mummy article...it was just macabre. So strange and weird, that the priests and monks would be preserved like that, their bones being cared for in the catacombs and crypts.
As far as content, a good solid issue. A goodbye to the Girls Next Door, a very nice look at the cars of the year, and a fantastic piece of short fiction by Jess Walter called Helpless Little Thing. An excellent short story and one of the reasons I read Playboy is for fiction like this. The interview with Hugh Laurie (House) was good too.
February's National Geographic delved more into Charles Darwin and evolution. And I love that it is bringing this science to the forefront at a time when we have gone through an era in this country of rejecting science. Reading the articles about Darwin and evolution you wonder how anyone can really reject this. The other two articles that were fascinating to me were Escaping North Korea and Sicily's Mummies. The North Korea article was so humane and real, and it was sad and hopeful at the same time. And the mummy article...it was just macabre. So strange and weird, that the priests and monks would be preserved like that, their bones being cared for in the catacombs and crypts.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
TV-CSI
Well, the 1st episode, sans Grissom has come and gone, and I am afraid that I am more confirmed in my opinion that the show will not hold interest for me.
Laurence Fishburn's character is good. And if he replaced Sara and Warrick, or Grissom, it would work. But with all those other characters gone...he cannot keep that much of my attention.
No...I think I will give it one more episode. I knew I was going to cut it after this season, but it may need to go now.
Laurence Fishburn's character is good. And if he replaced Sara and Warrick, or Grissom, it would work. But with all those other characters gone...he cannot keep that much of my attention.
No...I think I will give it one more episode. I knew I was going to cut it after this season, but it may need to go now.
Academy Award Nominations
Well, the nominations for the Oscars were announced this week, and, as usual, I have not seen ANY of the films on the list...in fact there are a few I haven't even heard of...What is Frozen River and who is Melissa Leo? in the best actress category.
Anyway...most of the movies are not yet out on DVD, but I am moving up in my queue the ones that are...so far, The Visitor, Tropic Thunder, Dark Knight, Wall-E, Vicki Christina Barcelona...and as soon as there is room in my queue, a few other currently available films.
At least on Oscar night I will be able to root for somebody and say I have seen some of the nominated films...
There are still 2 foreign films from last years nominations that are not out on DVD, Katyn and 12. So who knows how long it will take to see many of this year's films...but I will be dedicated in my task!
Anyway...most of the movies are not yet out on DVD, but I am moving up in my queue the ones that are...so far, The Visitor, Tropic Thunder, Dark Knight, Wall-E, Vicki Christina Barcelona...and as soon as there is room in my queue, a few other currently available films.
At least on Oscar night I will be able to root for somebody and say I have seen some of the nominated films...
There are still 2 foreign films from last years nominations that are not out on DVD, Katyn and 12. So who knows how long it will take to see many of this year's films...but I will be dedicated in my task!
Movie-Leatherheads
George Clooney just frickin' oozes charisma. I mean it is old Hollywood charisma---Clark Gable, Cary Grant type of action. And he exudes with such proportion that it literally carries Leatherheads (2007).
It is a fine movie...not fantastic by any means. But without Clooney, it really would have been not so good. It is about the time when pro football was nothing...especially compared to the college game. Clooney is an aging star in this pro game, and is trying desperately to make the game something more. Enter John Krasinski (of The Office fame) as a great college player who just wants to keep playing the game, and with his entrance, the pro game is transformed. The trouble is, Clooney no longer fits in the new game of pro football.
There are all sorts of twists and turns. Renee Zellweger provides a love interest for both the leading men. Krasinski does a very nice job. But really...it comes down to Clooney. And luckily, he has the ability to carry it.
Leatherheads is another movie that is fun, lighthearted entertainment. It won't win awards, but it is nice to watch after a hard day's work for an amusing distraction.
It is a fine movie...not fantastic by any means. But without Clooney, it really would have been not so good. It is about the time when pro football was nothing...especially compared to the college game. Clooney is an aging star in this pro game, and is trying desperately to make the game something more. Enter John Krasinski (of The Office fame) as a great college player who just wants to keep playing the game, and with his entrance, the pro game is transformed. The trouble is, Clooney no longer fits in the new game of pro football.
There are all sorts of twists and turns. Renee Zellweger provides a love interest for both the leading men. Krasinski does a very nice job. But really...it comes down to Clooney. And luckily, he has the ability to carry it.
Leatherheads is another movie that is fun, lighthearted entertainment. It won't win awards, but it is nice to watch after a hard day's work for an amusing distraction.
Movie-The Boys and Girls From County Claire
OK, this movie was not the most original or moving or earth shattering.
But The Boys and Girls From County Claire (2005) was charming and sweet and entertaining. Set in Ireland in the 60's, it is about two adult brothers who have not seen each for years and have a bit of a rivalry. They come together to compete in an annual competition of Irish bands. And the meeting unlocks some secrets of the past and sets some new romances into the future.
Again, this is not groundbreaking movie making. But it is funny and nice to watch. And it has an authenticity, probably based on the music that is hard to duplicate.
But The Boys and Girls From County Claire (2005) was charming and sweet and entertaining. Set in Ireland in the 60's, it is about two adult brothers who have not seen each for years and have a bit of a rivalry. They come together to compete in an annual competition of Irish bands. And the meeting unlocks some secrets of the past and sets some new romances into the future.
Again, this is not groundbreaking movie making. But it is funny and nice to watch. And it has an authenticity, probably based on the music that is hard to duplicate.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Movie-Mondovino
Mondovino (2005) is a documentary about one of my favorite subjects--Wine. And it is good that it is about something that I like so much, because that helped me watch it despite its problems, and it has a few.
It is about the wine business and it is interesting in its own way, as it interviews some big names, the Mondavi family, wine critic Robert Parker and consultant Michel Rolland, and very small names, with small local and regional wines. And he sets these two dynamics at each other.
However, he does not set them at each other very well, or very persuasively either way. I kept going back and forth, seeing one point of view and another. And the movie keeps on that track for way too long, running at a less than concise 2 hours and 15 minutes. It could have been done in an hour and a half. Also, the hand held camera, with bad edits, and pans and zooms...it just looked like I did the camera work, not a professional...I am not watching some one's vacation footage...I am watching a movie.
Again, the subject is great, and the dynamic is interesting...but there were far too many problems with the film to really enjoy it. I would like to see a movie about Robert Parker though, and find out how the hell he became so influential a wine critic. Now that would be an interesting movie.
It is about the wine business and it is interesting in its own way, as it interviews some big names, the Mondavi family, wine critic Robert Parker and consultant Michel Rolland, and very small names, with small local and regional wines. And he sets these two dynamics at each other.
However, he does not set them at each other very well, or very persuasively either way. I kept going back and forth, seeing one point of view and another. And the movie keeps on that track for way too long, running at a less than concise 2 hours and 15 minutes. It could have been done in an hour and a half. Also, the hand held camera, with bad edits, and pans and zooms...it just looked like I did the camera work, not a professional...I am not watching some one's vacation footage...I am watching a movie.
Again, the subject is great, and the dynamic is interesting...but there were far too many problems with the film to really enjoy it. I would like to see a movie about Robert Parker though, and find out how the hell he became so influential a wine critic. Now that would be an interesting movie.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Movie-The Air I Breathe
The Air I Breathe (2008) is a movie that has four vignettes, each ostensibly about one of our basic emotions, each tied together with characters from each other.
While I don't know if each vignettes succesfully explores the emotion it sets out to explore, the stories themselves are intriguing and well acted enough without that artifice to frame them, and I think the movie is sucessful, and would have been more so, if it had left that organizing device behind.
Starring some in Forest Whitaker, Brendan Fraser, Andy Garcia and Kevin Bacon, it is Sarah Michelle Gellar who really puts on the acting chops and does a great job in this drama, as the troubled young pop star in the third and fourth stories.
All the stories are linked, but I have been trying to put the timeline together in my head to see if they make sense and have been unsuccessful in doing it, so I will just accept that it does, and not let that deter from my enjoyment of the film...and I really did enjoy it.
While I don't know if each vignettes succesfully explores the emotion it sets out to explore, the stories themselves are intriguing and well acted enough without that artifice to frame them, and I think the movie is sucessful, and would have been more so, if it had left that organizing device behind.
Starring some in Forest Whitaker, Brendan Fraser, Andy Garcia and Kevin Bacon, it is Sarah Michelle Gellar who really puts on the acting chops and does a great job in this drama, as the troubled young pop star in the third and fourth stories.
All the stories are linked, but I have been trying to put the timeline together in my head to see if they make sense and have been unsuccessful in doing it, so I will just accept that it does, and not let that deter from my enjoyment of the film...and I really did enjoy it.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Movie-December Boys
Starring Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame, this movie about four orphan boys who take a trip to the coast one December is pretty good.
It is about friendship, but also how sometimes friendships bonds can get really frayed. The boys hear one of them may be getting adopted in the small fishing village, and so vie to be the "best" child. All except Radcliffe, called "Maps," because he knows he is too old to be adopted. He though has his own coming of age story to go through...first love, and first heartbreak, at the hands of a village girl.
I thought the movie did a nice job of showing the angst that the 4 boys felt...about being orphans and the extreme need to be the one picked. And Radcliffe did a nice job of being on the cusp of manhood...some understanding, but still being a kid at heart.
Some nice extra touches in here too. The hosts for the orphans were excellent, and the extra storyline was nicely written and played, and added an extra emotional depth. And the priest was a hoot, especially the scene with him hearing confession in the front seat of his car, with the confessees seated in the back.
December Boys (2006) was a very nice movie overall, with a good epilogue.
It is about friendship, but also how sometimes friendships bonds can get really frayed. The boys hear one of them may be getting adopted in the small fishing village, and so vie to be the "best" child. All except Radcliffe, called "Maps," because he knows he is too old to be adopted. He though has his own coming of age story to go through...first love, and first heartbreak, at the hands of a village girl.
I thought the movie did a nice job of showing the angst that the 4 boys felt...about being orphans and the extreme need to be the one picked. And Radcliffe did a nice job of being on the cusp of manhood...some understanding, but still being a kid at heart.
Some nice extra touches in here too. The hosts for the orphans were excellent, and the extra storyline was nicely written and played, and added an extra emotional depth. And the priest was a hoot, especially the scene with him hearing confession in the front seat of his car, with the confessees seated in the back.
December Boys (2006) was a very nice movie overall, with a good epilogue.
Book-Cry of the Kalahari
This was an amazing book. The true story of Mark and Delia Owens, married zoology students, who start their post grad work by selling everything they have and moving to Africa, hoping to find an undisturbed area to set up a research project.
Taking place in the early 1970's there were even then few undisturbed areas, with almost none now...but they found one, in Botswana in the Kalahari. And without any funding, grants or otherwise, they started studying the animals around them. Jackals and lions, and then brown hyenas.
So many times they almost did not make it, but for the kindness of a few people...then, National Geographic gives them their first grant, and they are off and running! We get to know the animals they study, the Blue Pride, the lions in the valley they share, the hyenas, especially Star. Captain and Mate, the jackals. We discover how this environment shapes the animals so differently than does the Serengeti, so the lions have a very different social structure
And as the Owens discover that brown hyenas are not solitary animals, but have a complex social structure, we find out also.
But the book is more than this. It is a love affair. It is so obvious that these two love each other...they love the work they do and where they are doing it. And that shows through in every paragraph. The joy they feel at the new discoveries they find, at the generations of animals they come to know, it shines through. The sadness they feel at the wantonness of the destruction of man also comes out.
Cry of the Kalahari is really a brilliant book. It is funny, and uplifting, and at times you wonder why these crazy people did this at all. It is a wonderful experience spending time with the Owens and getting to know them and the work the did in the Kalahari.
Taking place in the early 1970's there were even then few undisturbed areas, with almost none now...but they found one, in Botswana in the Kalahari. And without any funding, grants or otherwise, they started studying the animals around them. Jackals and lions, and then brown hyenas.
So many times they almost did not make it, but for the kindness of a few people...then, National Geographic gives them their first grant, and they are off and running! We get to know the animals they study, the Blue Pride, the lions in the valley they share, the hyenas, especially Star. Captain and Mate, the jackals. We discover how this environment shapes the animals so differently than does the Serengeti, so the lions have a very different social structure
And as the Owens discover that brown hyenas are not solitary animals, but have a complex social structure, we find out also.
But the book is more than this. It is a love affair. It is so obvious that these two love each other...they love the work they do and where they are doing it. And that shows through in every paragraph. The joy they feel at the new discoveries they find, at the generations of animals they come to know, it shines through. The sadness they feel at the wantonness of the destruction of man also comes out.
Cry of the Kalahari is really a brilliant book. It is funny, and uplifting, and at times you wonder why these crazy people did this at all. It is a wonderful experience spending time with the Owens and getting to know them and the work the did in the Kalahari.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Movie- Punch-Drunk Love
I am not a huge Adam Sandler fan. Usually when I like him I am surprised. And Punch-Drunk Love (2002)is good example of why I don't think too much of the movie roles he chooses.
He plays Barry Egan, a weird, angry guy. And some chick, a friend of one of his many sisters falls for him, and he falls back. But his anger is so violent and disturbing, that I have trouble feeling anything but dislike for him, and I don't see why anyone would like someone so freakin' weird.
Needless to say, I didn't like the movie much. Sandler has done better stuff since then, and I think he is growing as an actor. Try Reign Over Me (2007) instead.
He plays Barry Egan, a weird, angry guy. And some chick, a friend of one of his many sisters falls for him, and he falls back. But his anger is so violent and disturbing, that I have trouble feeling anything but dislike for him, and I don't see why anyone would like someone so freakin' weird.
Needless to say, I didn't like the movie much. Sandler has done better stuff since then, and I think he is growing as an actor. Try Reign Over Me (2007) instead.
TV Tidbits
Well-Gil Grissom is gone from CSI...and I realize in his last walk through the hallways of the crime lab, why I will drop the show at the end of the season. he is walking through, looking at the people working in the lab, and most of them are newer characters, characters, especially with him gone, that I do not care about. So, I will give it through the season...may even drop it before the season ends, but then CSI is not on my "watch" list anymore.
Big news from NBC on the Lipstick Jungle front. LJ is officially NOT cancelled. Now, that does not mean it is renewed. It is just "not cancelled." Hmmmmmm. The spokesperson apparently said that they want to think things over and discuss it more in the Fall. Now I can be a bit of an optimist, but this sounds like a very glass half empty proposition to me. Like a guy saying he'll call a girl if he finds nothing else better to do on a Friday night. yeah...thanks a lot! We will see, but I still don't think it is coming back.
Scrubs is great this season!
Big news from NBC on the Lipstick Jungle front. LJ is officially NOT cancelled. Now, that does not mean it is renewed. It is just "not cancelled." Hmmmmmm. The spokesperson apparently said that they want to think things over and discuss it more in the Fall. Now I can be a bit of an optimist, but this sounds like a very glass half empty proposition to me. Like a guy saying he'll call a girl if he finds nothing else better to do on a Friday night. yeah...thanks a lot! We will see, but I still don't think it is coming back.
Scrubs is great this season!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Movie-A Very Long Engagement
This was a very quirky movie...and I mean that in a good way. It is unique and engaging, and quite humorous despite having a serious subject.
A Very Long Engagement (2004) is a French film starring Audrey Tautou as Mathilde, who fiancee disappears on the lines in WW I, presumed by all to be dead. But she does not believe it, and as she digs into it, she finds more to make her question whether he is indeed dead, or somehow still alive.
The movie is not rushed, and is quaint. As Tautou is known to do, her character is not straight forward, but a little off kilter. But the movie is painted with lush colors, both cinematically and narratively. It is bold and vibrant and yet still quaint and subtle somehow.
While I sometimes did not follow every detail of the mystery, every nuance of the characters on the front, I was able to follow the broad strokes easily. A nice cameo from Jodie Foster speaking fluent French caught me by surprise. This is a very good movie, that is unique visually, and has some really nice story telling. Tautou really makes the movie work, and her talent of bringing the endearing character to life is in full form here.
A Very Long Engagement (2004) is a French film starring Audrey Tautou as Mathilde, who fiancee disappears on the lines in WW I, presumed by all to be dead. But she does not believe it, and as she digs into it, she finds more to make her question whether he is indeed dead, or somehow still alive.
The movie is not rushed, and is quaint. As Tautou is known to do, her character is not straight forward, but a little off kilter. But the movie is painted with lush colors, both cinematically and narratively. It is bold and vibrant and yet still quaint and subtle somehow.
While I sometimes did not follow every detail of the mystery, every nuance of the characters on the front, I was able to follow the broad strokes easily. A nice cameo from Jodie Foster speaking fluent French caught me by surprise. This is a very good movie, that is unique visually, and has some really nice story telling. Tautou really makes the movie work, and her talent of bringing the endearing character to life is in full form here.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Movie- Reservation Road
Get out the kleenex for this drama, because it is a tear jerker. Starring Joaquin Phoenix and Jennifer Connelly as parents who son is killed in a hit-and-run accident, Reservation Road (2007) is very good at showing heartache and terrible loss. It is also good at showing how loss can turn into a perverted need for vengeance at the cost to the living.
This film is good in many ways. Great acting not only by the two leads, but by Mark Ruffalo and Mira Sorvino (who I was glad to see back on screen). The story line is hard because of the subject...the loss of a child, but is handled very well, and really shows why this Ruffalo's character flees the scene. We never think it is right that he leaves...he never does either...but we understand why he made the mistake of doing it.
This is a very good movie, though not a fun one. Prepare for some tears or at least furrowed brows for the tough guys.
This film is good in many ways. Great acting not only by the two leads, but by Mark Ruffalo and Mira Sorvino (who I was glad to see back on screen). The story line is hard because of the subject...the loss of a child, but is handled very well, and really shows why this Ruffalo's character flees the scene. We never think it is right that he leaves...he never does either...but we understand why he made the mistake of doing it.
This is a very good movie, though not a fun one. Prepare for some tears or at least furrowed brows for the tough guys.
Movie- Primer
Primer (2004) was really smart science fiction. Unfortunately, that did not translate into a very good movie.
It is about a couple of engineers who are trying to invent something in their garage after work in their spare time...they are not sure what...and they invent a time machine...they start going back in time a day to buy stocks they know will go up so they can get rich. The trouble is...none of this is shown...they just talk about it.
Now this would be fine in a book...in fact it would be great, but two guys in white shirts and ties talking about this really is pretty ho hum. Like I said, it is smarter than a lot of sci-fi, but also A LOT more boring.
It is about a couple of engineers who are trying to invent something in their garage after work in their spare time...they are not sure what...and they invent a time machine...they start going back in time a day to buy stocks they know will go up so they can get rich. The trouble is...none of this is shown...they just talk about it.
Now this would be fine in a book...in fact it would be great, but two guys in white shirts and ties talking about this really is pretty ho hum. Like I said, it is smarter than a lot of sci-fi, but also A LOT more boring.
Book-Franny and Zooey by J. D. Salinger
In Franny and Zooey Salinger spends time with the Glass family again, a family that he visits many times in his short fiction. In "Carpenter and Seymour" he was with the two eldest members of the Glass family kids, but in this book he is with the two youngest members.
Salinger's heroes all seems to have an abiding dislike for fakes and frauds, like Holden Caulfield of "Catcher," and you have to think this comes from the author's own point of view since it is so dominant in his fiction. In this book, the Franny Glass, the youngest of the 7 kids, at about 18 years old, is just realizing how many fakes and frauds there are out there, and is getting sick of them, and trying to figure out how to cope with it. Her older brother, Zooey is trying to help her. What follows is an examination of religion, Christianity, Zen, Buddhism and belief in general. Also a deep thought process and how to decide what is real and what is fake.
And yet this is all much more entertaining than it sounds. Salinger is great with dialogue here. And he makes the meditations on belief interesting and thought provoking. Most of all, he makes us relate to the angst these two young people feel, much as we related to Holden. We all want to wipe the pretentiousness of bosses and co-workers off their faces, and tell them what smug uptight fake shallow people they really are...at least sometimes. Franny and Zooey makes us relate to that urge in all of us, to find and keep that special inner being aloof from the fakery of the world outside, and keep the real you alive.
Salinger's heroes all seems to have an abiding dislike for fakes and frauds, like Holden Caulfield of "Catcher," and you have to think this comes from the author's own point of view since it is so dominant in his fiction. In this book, the Franny Glass, the youngest of the 7 kids, at about 18 years old, is just realizing how many fakes and frauds there are out there, and is getting sick of them, and trying to figure out how to cope with it. Her older brother, Zooey is trying to help her. What follows is an examination of religion, Christianity, Zen, Buddhism and belief in general. Also a deep thought process and how to decide what is real and what is fake.
And yet this is all much more entertaining than it sounds. Salinger is great with dialogue here. And he makes the meditations on belief interesting and thought provoking. Most of all, he makes us relate to the angst these two young people feel, much as we related to Holden. We all want to wipe the pretentiousness of bosses and co-workers off their faces, and tell them what smug uptight fake shallow people they really are...at least sometimes. Franny and Zooey makes us relate to that urge in all of us, to find and keep that special inner being aloof from the fakery of the world outside, and keep the real you alive.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
TV-Midseason Shows Return-Scrubs and others
Well, after a lot of shows listed as cancelled, or soon to be cancelled, we started to see new episodes of shows start popping in after the new year. Chief among these was Scrubs, one of my favorite comedies!
For 7 seasons Scrubs has been on NBC, which has always treated Scrubs pretty...well, scrubby. Changing its nights willy nilly...putting it on hiatus...never knowing if it is coming back until the last minute. And last season was the worst...with the writer's strike, what was meant to be the final season turned into a horrible mish mash that NBC would not allow the creative staff the leeway to try to end the way they thought the series should go out.
So, as the series is produced by ABC studios, it went to ABC for a final season of 18episodes to go in style, with a proper send off, and boy, did the final season start of strong. Funny, touching and with great writing and acting, the final season of Scrubs looks to be on par with the best seasons of the show.
30 Rock returned, and Liz Lemon dated a little person. I have to say, this story line had us laughing, because my lovely wife once went to a nightclub party that our friend Sharon was hosting in PB. There she decided to dance with a little person (after a few drinks) and later in the evening committed the terrible act of patting him on the head!!!! C'MON! So Liz Lemon, you are not alone! This is such a funny show.
And Lipstick Jungle has aired its last episode, and went out in nice style. I liked the show, if not always some of the story lines. The thing that pisses me off is that this show gets bumped and they have crapola like Momma's Boy on and other reality dreck that is the worst kind of scum. Really? And you can't keep this show?
More TV to come as more shows return...
For 7 seasons Scrubs has been on NBC, which has always treated Scrubs pretty...well, scrubby. Changing its nights willy nilly...putting it on hiatus...never knowing if it is coming back until the last minute. And last season was the worst...with the writer's strike, what was meant to be the final season turned into a horrible mish mash that NBC would not allow the creative staff the leeway to try to end the way they thought the series should go out.
So, as the series is produced by ABC studios, it went to ABC for a final season of 18episodes to go in style, with a proper send off, and boy, did the final season start of strong. Funny, touching and with great writing and acting, the final season of Scrubs looks to be on par with the best seasons of the show.
30 Rock returned, and Liz Lemon dated a little person. I have to say, this story line had us laughing, because my lovely wife once went to a nightclub party that our friend Sharon was hosting in PB. There she decided to dance with a little person (after a few drinks) and later in the evening committed the terrible act of patting him on the head!!!! C'MON! So Liz Lemon, you are not alone! This is such a funny show.
And Lipstick Jungle has aired its last episode, and went out in nice style. I liked the show, if not always some of the story lines. The thing that pisses me off is that this show gets bumped and they have crapola like Momma's Boy on and other reality dreck that is the worst kind of scum. Really? And you can't keep this show?
More TV to come as more shows return...
Movie-Rendition
Rendition (2007) is a very good movie and is very very scary.
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon and Omar Metwally, it is a warning voice of a political and law system gone awry, a system that no longer is recongnizable as "American," but seems more and eeriely akin to communist or dictatorial systems of government.
Metwally is a Egyptian born, green card holding resident, living in Chicago with his wife, Witherspoon, son, and expectant second child. He is on a business trip to South Africa and disappears on his way home, abducted by the U.S. governement. Then, because legally, he cannot be held without charges on U.S. soil, he is sent to a foreign country, there to be "interrogated" by allies. So technically, maybe the U.S. did not torture him, but we sent him to be tortured.
Now if you think the is WAY out of the realm of possiblity, I urge you to watch the short documentary in the extras section called Outlaws. If that does not scare the crap out of you at the excess of power we have freely given our leaders, I don't know what will.
Rendition is powerful, frightening and overwhelming. It is also something that people should watch.
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Reese Witherspoon and Omar Metwally, it is a warning voice of a political and law system gone awry, a system that no longer is recongnizable as "American," but seems more and eeriely akin to communist or dictatorial systems of government.
Metwally is a Egyptian born, green card holding resident, living in Chicago with his wife, Witherspoon, son, and expectant second child. He is on a business trip to South Africa and disappears on his way home, abducted by the U.S. governement. Then, because legally, he cannot be held without charges on U.S. soil, he is sent to a foreign country, there to be "interrogated" by allies. So technically, maybe the U.S. did not torture him, but we sent him to be tortured.
Now if you think the is WAY out of the realm of possiblity, I urge you to watch the short documentary in the extras section called Outlaws. If that does not scare the crap out of you at the excess of power we have freely given our leaders, I don't know what will.
Rendition is powerful, frightening and overwhelming. It is also something that people should watch.
TV On Netflix- Roots: The Next Generations
In 1979, they made a sequel to the original Roots miniseries that was made in 1977. While not quite as well known as the first, mainly because it did not have the characters of Kunta Kinte and Chicken George in it, it was as good as the original, and brought the family saga up to modern times.
At the end of Roots, we saw the family at the end of the Civil War, resettle in Tennessee and prosper. This series takes up then, and brings us from then to the author Alex Hailey trying to find his roots in Africa, and finding the Kinte clan.
Along the way, we are treated to the overwhelming odds that blacks were against for most of the life of this country...many would contend they still are. We see freedoms taken away by Jim Crow laws in the south, and terror groups as real as Al Quaeda for non-whites, the KKK and others, who would routinely kill anyone who they thought was "uppity." We see institutionalized and legalized racism, and it is no wonder that many cried when Barack Obama won the presidency of the United States.
Both Roots sagas are great, and should be watched as civic lessons in junior high, and as excellent entertainment. The production values are a little lame by today's standards, especially makeup...it is typical of 1970's miniseries. Amazing guest stars, including a frightening turn from Marlon Brando as the American Nazi party leader as Alex Hailey (portrayed by James Earl Jones) interviews him for Playboy. Amazing scene.
At the end of Roots, we saw the family at the end of the Civil War, resettle in Tennessee and prosper. This series takes up then, and brings us from then to the author Alex Hailey trying to find his roots in Africa, and finding the Kinte clan.
Along the way, we are treated to the overwhelming odds that blacks were against for most of the life of this country...many would contend they still are. We see freedoms taken away by Jim Crow laws in the south, and terror groups as real as Al Quaeda for non-whites, the KKK and others, who would routinely kill anyone who they thought was "uppity." We see institutionalized and legalized racism, and it is no wonder that many cried when Barack Obama won the presidency of the United States.
Both Roots sagas are great, and should be watched as civic lessons in junior high, and as excellent entertainment. The production values are a little lame by today's standards, especially makeup...it is typical of 1970's miniseries. Amazing guest stars, including a frightening turn from Marlon Brando as the American Nazi party leader as Alex Hailey (portrayed by James Earl Jones) interviews him for Playboy. Amazing scene.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
2 Magazines
2 quick magazine reviews---The year end issue of Entertainment Weekly---again, I love the best of and worst of lists...gives me ideas of what to add to my Netflix queue and what to look for in the bookstore and on itunes. The downside, unlike the year end of People, they did not have Jennifer Aniston on the cover...SHAME on them!
The January issue of Zoonooz saw the redesign. I am so happy it is all on green paper stock now. Very cool. As far as content. Well...I have made a decision. After 22 plus years of making myself read it every month, I am stopping. I will glance through it, read something I am interested in maybe, but not read every article anymore. It did not improve dramatically, and as I was merely waiting for the redesign to decide this...that is it. And for such a creature of habit as am I, that is a huge decision!
The January issue of Zoonooz saw the redesign. I am so happy it is all on green paper stock now. Very cool. As far as content. Well...I have made a decision. After 22 plus years of making myself read it every month, I am stopping. I will glance through it, read something I am interested in maybe, but not read every article anymore. It did not improve dramatically, and as I was merely waiting for the redesign to decide this...that is it. And for such a creature of habit as am I, that is a huge decision!
Movie-Kundun
Who woulda thought? Scorsese does the Dalai Lama? But in Kundun (1997), the legendary director turns his lens on a biopic of the current Dalai Lama and Tibet, and comes up with a nice effort, but with a picture that somehow missed the mark for me.
I think he did make a strategic error first of all in making this movie with ethnic actors, but all speaking English. Somehow, it just sucks the authenticity right out of the film. Audiences are more and more accepting of subtitles it the movie is well made. OK, maybe that is why he goes with English, because this movie moves with fits and starts, starting with the young boy, a toddler really, and moving, seemingly at random, as the Dalai Lama ages.
And the film can never really decide if it wants to get into the political situation of Tibet, or just focus on the Dalai Lama, so it kind of just straddles both, hoping to throw in enough of both to be satisfactory...but it isn't.
This film is well intentioned. I love the subject matter. I love the Scorsese had the guts to try something different. But really, for me, it did not work that well. It did not engage me much emotionally or intellectually due to the problems mentioned above. And though the Dalai Lama has become a great spiritual leader, the film ends at the start of his exile from Tibet at about 18 years old, so we do not even get to see that aspect of the man. The movie was a bit of a disappointment.
I think he did make a strategic error first of all in making this movie with ethnic actors, but all speaking English. Somehow, it just sucks the authenticity right out of the film. Audiences are more and more accepting of subtitles it the movie is well made. OK, maybe that is why he goes with English, because this movie moves with fits and starts, starting with the young boy, a toddler really, and moving, seemingly at random, as the Dalai Lama ages.
And the film can never really decide if it wants to get into the political situation of Tibet, or just focus on the Dalai Lama, so it kind of just straddles both, hoping to throw in enough of both to be satisfactory...but it isn't.
This film is well intentioned. I love the subject matter. I love the Scorsese had the guts to try something different. But really, for me, it did not work that well. It did not engage me much emotionally or intellectually due to the problems mentioned above. And though the Dalai Lama has become a great spiritual leader, the film ends at the start of his exile from Tibet at about 18 years old, so we do not even get to see that aspect of the man. The movie was a bit of a disappointment.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Movie-TheAviator
So I never moved this movie up in my Netflix queue. I had heard it was good, sometimes really good...people told me---"It's about Howard Hughes, and Katherine Hepburn and how he goes kinda bonkers but redeems himself and..." to which I replied...."Yawn!"
OK...so I was wrong! I should have moved this movie WAY up in my queue. It was fantastic! Yes...it was about all that was described above, starring Leo Decaprio as Howard Hughes, the billionaire who lost as many fortunes as he made, and with Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn, his lost love. It really is an epic film about an epic man, directed by an epic director, Martin Scorsese.
The Aviator (2004) traces Hughes' genius and neurosis and shows his rise and the beginning of his fall into mental illness and self imposed exile and exhibits a quiet brilliance. The acting is understated but pretty extraordinary, especially by DiCaprio and Blanchett, with great support by John C. Reilly, Alan Alda, Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsdale and others.
This film cannot be described in a way that does not sound as boring as I heard it. "Yawn!" But watching it is a different story. How the hell does that happen? How do you take the medium of words and transform it into images that create something unique and wonderful? I guess that is why we honor people like Scorsese, for his brilliance at doing that.
So if the description of this movie has always put you off a bit...just watch it...it is amazing.
OK...so I was wrong! I should have moved this movie WAY up in my queue. It was fantastic! Yes...it was about all that was described above, starring Leo Decaprio as Howard Hughes, the billionaire who lost as many fortunes as he made, and with Cate Blanchett as Katherine Hepburn, his lost love. It really is an epic film about an epic man, directed by an epic director, Martin Scorsese.
The Aviator (2004) traces Hughes' genius and neurosis and shows his rise and the beginning of his fall into mental illness and self imposed exile and exhibits a quiet brilliance. The acting is understated but pretty extraordinary, especially by DiCaprio and Blanchett, with great support by John C. Reilly, Alan Alda, Alec Baldwin, Kate Beckinsdale and others.
This film cannot be described in a way that does not sound as boring as I heard it. "Yawn!" But watching it is a different story. How the hell does that happen? How do you take the medium of words and transform it into images that create something unique and wonderful? I guess that is why we honor people like Scorsese, for his brilliance at doing that.
So if the description of this movie has always put you off a bit...just watch it...it is amazing.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Book-Bob Chandler's Tales From the San Diego Padres
This book is a fun little history full of anecdotes about the San Diego Padres, as told by a man who has most of it with his own eyes, Bob Chandler.
Often amusing to a Padres fan, or a baseball fan, Bob Chandler's Tales From the San Diego Padres is a quick read, and sometimes made me laugh out loud. Chandler was a broadcaster for team for many years and would do the post game show. One night he featured a Spanish speaking player who was not very good, but that night he had a good game, so Bob was glad to have a chance to interview him---his one concern was about the player's English. When Bob asked him about the double and home run he had hit, he described the pitch he hit the double on, then said, "and on the homer, I hit the pitch right on the cock." Live TV was the best wasn't it? That had me chuckling.
Look, this was not great literature, but it was a fun diversion for the Padres fan. Entertaining, light with fun stories, told with some charm and verve. Nice way to ring in the new year.
Often amusing to a Padres fan, or a baseball fan, Bob Chandler's Tales From the San Diego Padres is a quick read, and sometimes made me laugh out loud. Chandler was a broadcaster for team for many years and would do the post game show. One night he featured a Spanish speaking player who was not very good, but that night he had a good game, so Bob was glad to have a chance to interview him---his one concern was about the player's English. When Bob asked him about the double and home run he had hit, he described the pitch he hit the double on, then said, "and on the homer, I hit the pitch right on the cock." Live TV was the best wasn't it? That had me chuckling.
Look, this was not great literature, but it was a fun diversion for the Padres fan. Entertaining, light with fun stories, told with some charm and verve. Nice way to ring in the new year.
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Holidays
Wow, the holidays have come and gone so quickly. The time between Thanksgiving and Christmas was soooo short this year and with some very intense weeks of work, it was just very fast.
Thanksgiving was nice, because while initially planning for about 5 people, it turned into 12 all together, with some very nice additions of old friends like Janine and Yvette and Bill. My beautiful nieces and older brother, and new friend Mariola.
Christmas and New Years were mellow, but with our dear friends Sharon and Alex in town that week, we had some very late nights drinking wine, and even got a good poker night in, with Alex winning the poker trophy. Luckily he decided NOT to take it back to Chicago, so it is in our care. Very funny night playing poker with memorable scenes and quotes...yes Alex, you do need to hold a babies head and support the neck! "Its a small world after all!" "Switch Hats!" Just a good time. Paul was able to make it and did his best imitation of a condom.
So look at the new pictures posted and see the holiday fun! As Emily said, "You can't say happy holidays without a big black dildo!"
Happy New Year!
Thanksgiving was nice, because while initially planning for about 5 people, it turned into 12 all together, with some very nice additions of old friends like Janine and Yvette and Bill. My beautiful nieces and older brother, and new friend Mariola.
Christmas and New Years were mellow, but with our dear friends Sharon and Alex in town that week, we had some very late nights drinking wine, and even got a good poker night in, with Alex winning the poker trophy. Luckily he decided NOT to take it back to Chicago, so it is in our care. Very funny night playing poker with memorable scenes and quotes...yes Alex, you do need to hold a babies head and support the neck! "Its a small world after all!" "Switch Hats!" Just a good time. Paul was able to make it and did his best imitation of a condom.
So look at the new pictures posted and see the holiday fun! As Emily said, "You can't say happy holidays without a big black dildo!"
Happy New Year!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Movie-In My Country
OK...two movies...both about post apartheid South Africa and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was to heal the past...both release in 2004. If I was to have these two films set before me, and I was told without watching them to pick which one I thought would be the best, I would have picked In My Country. It has Samuel L Jackson as a Washington Post reporter covering the commission, and Juliet Binoche covering it also as a native Afrikaans for PBS. Red Dust stars Hilary Swank.
Boy, that would have been such a wrong pick!
Earlier I reviewed Red Dust and gave it a great review. It was amazingly good. In My Country...was really not. It went as wrong as it could in about as many areas as it could. One thing I liked about Red Dust is that it did not do the typical love story, it refrained from that Hollywood crapola. In My country did not refrain, and it hurt the movie badly. It took away from the essential story, and was a huge distraction, as the two characters are all lovey dovey as horrible stories of atrocities are being told. Both the characters are married, but no one seems to care that infidelity is happening. And it truly does not seem believable even.
But that is not even half the problem. Neither character seems believable. The whole set up seems pretty badly put together, and the film never grabs hold of me emotionally, even those this is an emotional subject.
Even the anguish seems acted. When you feel like you are watching acting, it means something is missing in the film.
So...if you want to see a film about post-apartheid South Africa and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission....really, see Red Dust. It may not sound like the better movie, just by looking at it, but it by far the superior film. Skip this one. It is eminently skipable.
Boy, that would have been such a wrong pick!
Earlier I reviewed Red Dust and gave it a great review. It was amazingly good. In My Country...was really not. It went as wrong as it could in about as many areas as it could. One thing I liked about Red Dust is that it did not do the typical love story, it refrained from that Hollywood crapola. In My country did not refrain, and it hurt the movie badly. It took away from the essential story, and was a huge distraction, as the two characters are all lovey dovey as horrible stories of atrocities are being told. Both the characters are married, but no one seems to care that infidelity is happening. And it truly does not seem believable even.
But that is not even half the problem. Neither character seems believable. The whole set up seems pretty badly put together, and the film never grabs hold of me emotionally, even those this is an emotional subject.
Even the anguish seems acted. When you feel like you are watching acting, it means something is missing in the film.
So...if you want to see a film about post-apartheid South Africa and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission....really, see Red Dust. It may not sound like the better movie, just by looking at it, but it by far the superior film. Skip this one. It is eminently skipable.
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