May 13, 2010
Finally managed to watch 'The Hurt Locker'. And I say finally because I had to watch it in two 'sessions'. Taking a break of two days between the first hour and the second. Can't explain why. Maybe it was just too much.
Too much of what? Sheer film, I suppose. There's something haunting and intense about Bigelow's minimalism - as opposed to you-know-who's pretentiousness and grandeur and megalomania. With Bigelow it's all about details. The bullet shell. The wind blowing the dirt. The hungry, dirty, three-legged cats. The Iraqi boys speaking rap slang.
And then there's the mix of shaky camera images, documentary-style, and the 'classic film' shots... I also liked the way Ms.Bigelow teased us, bringing in Guy Pearce and Ralph Fiennes only to kill them 5 minutes after... ;) XD
There's probably a lot more to be said about this film, but I can't do it. Can't write about films I really like. Can't find my words. That's why I'll never be a film critic ( thank gods !)
Haven't watched the other nominees for 'best movie' , except for 'Avatar' and 'Inglorious Basterds', but I dare say that for once I happen to agree with the Academy. And it scares me ;) XD
Later edit : ... and I seem to disagree with most IMDb posters. okay.that's a relief. it means I'm still within my normal parameters ;)
And for those who said this film won the awards it did because it sort of glorifies war - opposed to what Cameron's extravaganza did ; WATCH both films, then think again.
Most of Bigelow's films are about a certain part of the human psyche. About the need for the adrenaline fix. The way I see it, that's what 'The Hurt Locker' is about, not war per se.
Posted by LucaM. Posted In : movie reviews
May 9, 2010
Watched All About Steve today. It starts as silly fun, then becomes... what's the adjective derived from 'cringe'? But it redeems itself around 1: 20 ( that's 1h 20 minutes, folks) .
And Sandy didn't deserve that Razzie, not even one moment. She's a GREAT comedy actress. Loved her for that acceptance speech and for bringing DVDs for the audience/jury. She was right. They probably didn't watch the movie.
It's one of those 'flicks' where perseverance is rewarded. Eventually ;)
Posted by LucaM. Posted In : movie reviews
April 24, 2010
Can’t write. Not really. Can’t take decent photos, let alone good ones. Can’t sing. Can’t paint. Can’t do anything out of the ordinary.
But I can read, see, feel, grasp that ‘something else’ in someone else’s work.
I’m the perfect audience. The perfect reader. The perfect movie goer.
Or am I ?
Don’t know. Anything . Anymore. Never did.
Gotta stop daydreaming.
…. But what if it’s the only thing I’m truly good at ?
Posted by LucaM. Posted In : log entries
April 21, 2010
Just watched Legion (2010)
It starts like Terminator. It ends like Terminator, Sarah Connor’s bandanna included. And maybe even the guns in the back of the car. Several scenes cry out Matrix reference, but hey, it’s almost a must. Besides, Matrix fan here, so I guess this could be a biased perception.
The first half of the movie looks like an imitation of ‘Constantine’. Francis Lawrence and his director of photography ( one Philippe Rousellot) should be proud. I guess.
Heck, even Connie’s lighter makes a cameo appearance in this film !
Then it’s all a messed-up mix of various references. Matrix, The Seventh Sign (1988) Jet Li movies, you name it. Okay, I know it’s a post-post-modern world out there. But there's a fine line between ( close) references or homage and heavy borrowing. And when I hear lines like “ Why do you continue to fight? When you know all hope is lost?” and the hero’s answer is ‘Fuck you”, my mind stops – and then in a split second pulls out of the archive the ‘Oh! In two hundred years we've gone from "I regret but I have one life to give for my country" to "Fuck you!"?
… I’m glad Neo didn't live to hear this. :(
And the above reaction/analysis could mean several things. One is that I should stop watching movies in Keanu Reeves movies terms. ( Although it’s hard to see how this could be done, as, to quote Seer, I’ve got Connie engraved on my brain cells. Edit.note : this gives me a really great idea for my next eyeglasses… but I digress :D ) . The other, far more disturbing , is that I’ve fallen into the (amateur) film critic’s mind set. Which is something I promised myself – ever since listening to the film critics’ commentary to the Matrix movies ( shrewd, the Wachowskis are ) - to never let happen. Begone, Satan !
Stop. Replay. The movie, I mean.
… and I still see all the above. But I like the idea of Michael being the rebellious one. To quote Seer ( again), “Gabriel is the decision maker, Michael the warrior.[…] decision makers learn not to second guess themselves - warriors just carry out the judgments […] which means that the warrior can take a moment to think it over - and second guess..”
I wish the moviemaker would have played with this idea more. Instead, we’re given action scenes over action scenes and just a “You gave him what he asked. I gave him what he needed” line. And Michael’s little chat with Jeep in the still of the night. But I wanted more talk and less fighting. More food for thought and less action scenes.
In the same time, a comment on IMDb says : “Jet Li movies have a lot more "kung fu". In fact, so does The Matrix, and that also has gun-fu.” (KentaroK) I had to smile.
Oh well, one can’t please everyone…
Add to all the above the annoying, ‘in-your-ears’ too obvious score.
The film had potential. Too bad the angels got to it first.
Posted by LucaM. Posted In : movie reviews
April 15, 2010
Wonder what the fact that I like better this cover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byhQH-ngRqwthan the original
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkWPbarTgs0&feature=relatedsays about me.
guess it's about the sound. mostly.
Although it's one of the two Anthrax songs I can listen to. The other being 'Safe Home'. And NOT because of the video, folks. ;)
oh, and to save you a few clicks, the lyrics of 'Exit' are
here .
Posted by LucaM. Posted In : log entries
April 5, 2010
Re-watched Meet Joe Black last night. It was on TV.
" I promise you... you will always have what you found in the coffee shop."
THAT is true love, people.
And she will always know who gave her this gift.
Posted by LucaM. Posted In : log entries
April 1, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl0oQSl-MZYMy latest musical obsession.
Make of it what you will.
Posted by LucaM. Posted In : log entries
March 20, 2010
Spring is in the air and I caught myself listening to quite a long playlist of k.d.lang songs.
AND paying attention to the lyrics.
*insert dizzy emoticon*
if this isn't a 'wtf' moment, I don't know what is.... :\
Posted by LucaM. Posted In : log entries
March 17, 2010
Rode the tram today to the unemployment office ( and back). For the first time in five years. What struck me was the quiet desperation, the bleakness in the people's eyes. And the general impression of poverty. Harsh times, for all of us.
The bureaucratic carousel. The jaded, tired, disorganized clerks. Sent for a stamp there, for a signature here, for an approval to the other floor, then back, then forth, then again... The system is dying on us and no-one seems to care.
I think I'm being taught a lesson in humility. And I think I needed it. :\
Posted by LucaM. Posted In : log entries
March 6, 2010
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
( T.S.Eliot)
... Matrix Revolutions, anyone ? XD
Posted by LucaM. Posted In : log entries
