1-18-08
Wednesday, July 11, 2007 ~ 33 comments so far
I think I’m safe, for now. Wherever I go it isn’t long before they find me.
It seems The Mezin are connected to every aspect of humanity, from culture and religion to our most advanced technology
I have to be more careful contacting all of you. When I began I thought I could safely speak about his writings and perhaps save us all…
but now it seems I will have to find a more subtle way to share his visions.
If this is the first message you have received from me do not give up hope! There are others that have gone before you, the way has been found, you only need to search and you will find the answers you seek. We will all have a role to play. We are getting stronger, our voices will be heard!
I have more of Haas’s writings, once I find a secure way to transmit them I will leave you clues to find them.
The more I read the more I realize Haas was right………
United 93
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 ~ 5 comments so far
Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic
Having cancelled our UGC/Cineworld monthly passes towards the end of last year, we’ve kind of fallen away from watching movies at all. However we are now getting to the point that the movies coming on TV (via Sky Movies) are ones that we missed at the cinema, starting with this one.
It’s the story of the final flight that was hijacked on September 11, 2001, the flight that didn’t hit the intended target. The passengers decided to fight back, and the plane crashed in a field. No-one survived.
Putting aside certain issues – at what point do movies like this cross the boundary from ‘faction’ into documentary – it’s a hugely engrossing and moving film. Shot in a very documentary like fashion, we see all sides of the story in real-time. The incredulity that quickly turns to a stunned fear on the part of the ‘officials’ involved at the FAA, and in the military, the spreading fear and anger that permeates the aircraft itself, and the determination and nervousness of the terrorists themselves.
Of course the movie is entirely made up of guesswork, most of which comes from the transcripts of calls made by people on the flight to their loved ones back home. However, by keeping the flight and it’s passengers central to the movie, you are never given any let up in the tension, and this leads to a hugely affecting movie. Despite knowing how it ends, I did begin to feel myself drawn in, to begin to hope that the passengers would be able to wrest control of the plane itself. The final moments are shattering.
This movie caused a lot of commotion when it was released, but I suggest it’s a movie that should have been made when it was, and one that should be watched.
Dead Man’s Chest
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 ~ Comments Off
Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic
It’s hard to be critical of a movie like this, a movie which is hugely tongue-in-cheek and which is the middle of a trilogy. As it happens this isn’t a bad movie, but I think it suffers from having to both live up to the mark set by the first movie whilst balancing the storyline to allow for the third movie to happen.
But, as I say, it’s hard to be critical. If anything it’s slightly too long, some scenes could’ve been cut as they didn’t really add much, and feels just a little too contrived at times… but then along comes Johnny Depp, or Bill Nighy (or Stellan SkarsgÃ¥rd who I recognised immediately somehow…) or even.. wait for it.. Keira Knightley! Yes, I thought she was quite good in her slightly expanded role, not to mention bloody sexy at certain points.
It’s worthwhile remembering that this is a Disney movie, so you are as well to sit back, enjoy the ride and not look too closely at the papier mâché mountain.
X-Men 3
Monday, June 5, 2006 ~ Comments Off
Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic
I’m a big fan of Bryan Singer. He may not be the best director ever but there is a certain style and realism he brings to his movies that I like. He’s very adept and camera sleight of hand and seems to have the right ‘image’ in his head.
Just a pity that, after the first two X-Men movies, he didn’t do this one.
I think the main problem with X-Men 3 was that it was just too formulaic. Too calculating, and ultimately too damn insulting.
Without giving any plot away, there is a shot right after the death of one of the characters. It’s a poignant moment but it’s just so very clumsily handled. We get some gentle classical music, as the camera slows pans back out of the, now, empty room.
The annoying thing is that this SHOULD have been the best of the 3 movies. It was all nicely setup in X-Men 2, the closing scene of the phoenix swooping under the lake setting the scene. Unfortunately it was all a bit flat and there was a distinct lack of surprise or suspense. Even in the action scenes you knew what was going to happen, there were no surprises, it was all to familiar.
So, now matter how good the special effects were (and they were good), and no matter how climatic the storyline was (and it was VERY climatic) it never really gripped you, sucked you and pulled you along. Instead you are left thinking, “Well, *I* could’ve directed that…”.
Shame.
M:I III
Saturday, May 13, 2006 ~ Comments Off
Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic
I’m part of an agency… called the IMF.
What’s that stand for?
Impossible Mission Force.
[chuckles] Yeah right.
So let’s get this straight. Tom Cruise, big budget action movie, and the guy behind Lost and Alias directing it? Can’t lose right? Right. And it doesn’t.
Yes Philip Seymour Hoffman acts Tom off the screen, yes the stunts and gadgets are over the top, yes there is a lot of violence and guns and explosions. And yes it works.
I’ve never really understood why the critics pan Tom Cruise for his poor acting in a movie like this. The entire point is that you aren’t watching HIM, you are watching the action. You are wanting to be entertained, to laugh, to be thrilled, to be excited. If I wanted to see some great acting… well I wouldn’t pick Mission: Impossible, would I.
Movies are about entertainment and that comes in many forms. It just so happens that this movie delivers in spades, the action scenes zip along, there are a couple of nice twists, and it’s hugely entertaining. JJ Abrams has injected a nice sense of humour to things, and there is even a distinct storyline in evidence. Suspension of disbelief is required, naturally, but as a summer blockbuster movie this hits the mark.
Mind you, ANY movie that features Simon Pegg can’t be bad, right?!
Inside Man
Monday, April 10, 2006 ~ Comments Off
Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic
Spike Lee goes big budget, a bank heist that isn’t, Denzel on form, Jodie Foster playing it straight and sassy, and Clive Owen talks quietly throughout.
The trailers make this look like a thriller, and it is to an extent, the plot slowly reveals itself with some nice twists that keep you guessing although, like the best movies, the hints are all there whilst you watch.
A smart bank heist movie then, except it isn’t. Spike Lee makes sure that the pacing isn’t too fast, and throws in some nice moments —the moment when a Hindu is grabbed by the police and they exclaim “Fuck, it’s an Arab!” gives us a nice microcosm of current US sentiment— but you never feel like you are watching a ‘smart’ movie as it pulls you along without patronising, feeding you info or bemusing you to the point of distraction.
However this isn’t as good a movie as it could’ve been. It’s no Usual Suspects despite the possibilities offered by the script, but that’s about the only criticism. Well directed, and with all the main characters handling their roles without complication, the movie could have been a little faster but all in all it’s very watchable. Probably best served as an introduction to Spike Lee movies —although I’d suggest 25th Hour as a far superior starting point— it’s worth a watch.
And you’ll note how I managed to avoid mentioning how downright sexy Ms. Foster looks..
Narnia
Friday, January 6, 2006 ~ Comments Off
Movie info from IMDB
Movie reviews from Metacritic
Bugger all on the TV last night so we headed to the cinema to catch The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Before I go any further I’ll point out that I’m pretty sure I read the books when I was younger but can’t recall much about them, snippets here and there is about the limit of my knowledge and even then I’m not sure how much of that is by cultural osmosis rather than directing read of the text.
All in it wasn’t a bad movie, but it wasn’t a great one either lacking any real kind of depth and falling short of other recent remakes (Kong, LOTR etc etc). Acting wise the kids in the movie to a good enough job but stumble over into “precocious” mode a little too often for my liking although that may be the fault of the dialog which has an upper-class Englishness about it that seems more dated than it should. It’s all a bit of a wheeze though so it’s easy enough to put these limitations to one side.
Graphical this was always going to be a tricky movie to pull off, with such a wide mixture of animal, beast and creature, not to mention the fantastical setting, but on the whole it’s not too bad. Some moments are let down by some crude CGI – if they can make thousands of animals charging one another during a battle look realistic, why can’t they get a simple shot with the heroes in front of a backdrop to look natural? – but overall it’s stunning. Aslan in particular.
Anyway, I seem to be apologising for this movie and I guess that sums my opinion nicely. It’s an OK film that you feel could have tried a little harder, been a little better, so … you know.. sorry and all that.
Lovers of the books may enjoy it more but I’d file this as a “wait until it appears on TV” kinda movie.
UPDATE: Two things I forgot to mention. 1. Tilda Swinton is WONDERFUL, it’s worth watching just for her. 2. Louise loved the movie.