I know that the "worst" is in parenthesis. It will become clear as you read this.
Phat Girlz. It's about a heavy young woman named Jazmin, her friend Stacey, and her cousin Mia. Jazmin is an aspiring fashion designer struggling with her self image due to her weight. She wins an all expenses paid trip to Palm Springs where Stacey and her meet the men of their dreams(Tunde and Akimbo). Stacey enjoys the fling for what it is, but Jazmin blows it by accusing Tunde of wanting someone thinner. After arriving home and getting through a deep depression, Jazmin pursues her dreams of fashion design and makes it big. After everything is going well in her life, she has the self confidence to go and be with Tunde.
Simple plot. Not necessarily high art. HOWEVER, this movie does not deserve to be anywhere on this list. These are supposed to be the 100 WORST movies. This is NOT that bad. In fact, I was entertained and even touched a little by this movie. Perhaps its because I do identify with Jazmin. But I really think it's because this movie was actually NOT bad. Why is it on this list? Because it is a user voted list. Evidently, enough users voted for it. I have a hard time believing it was for anything other than the fact that it starred two heavy women in romantic leads. This makes me sad.
I really don't want to go into it TOO much, because I will be on my soap box for a LONG time over this. Like how America is LAME to place so much importance on being thin instead of being healthy (I know, they CAN go hand in hand... But not always). How I am sick of being treated as lesser because I carry a few extra pounds (admittedly, mostly by young men, not those my own age and almost never by the women in my life). And I am REALLY upset that when I see a movie that is funny, and entertaining that has people built like me, it ends up here. LAME! SHAME on you voters, SHAME!
Ok. This movie is not the best movie I have seen. I really could have done without some of the crude humor, for instance. But the message is right. What brings Jazmin out of her funk and puts her on the right path is not something Tunde said or did, but something her grandmother told her when she was small. Only then does she pull herself up and get her life in order. I really like that Jazmin did all this, and THEN goes to Tunde. Not because she desperately needs a man, but because she realizes how sincere he was and needs to make it right. It's a chick flick, and if you like those, it is totally worth a look-see.
One good thing did come out of Phat Girlz being on IMDB's 100 Worst Movies. I never would have seen it otherwise. So maybe I should thank the voters??? Nah! SHAME on you!!! (I needed to say it one more time!)
GGC
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
It was the Best of (movie) times... Yankee Doodle Dandy
(Again, I am playing with the format these entries will take. I will focus less on the summary and more on my feelings, and see how that works)
Yankee Doodle Dandy is a musical movie about the life of George M Cohan, considered to be the father of the American musical comedy. The movie opens on George backstage after a performance of I'd Rather Be Right in which he played FDR. A telegram arrives for him and as it is from the president, himself, asking for a meeting, George is nervous. At the meeting, FDR gets George talking about his life. We are shown the entire span of his life to date, from his birth in flash back as he talks with the president. In the end, he apologizes for rambling on and asks what the president wanted with an "old song and dance man" like him. The president awards him the Congressional Gold Metal for keeping moral up during World War I with his rousing music (especially the song Over There). The movie ends with George joining a parade of soldier singing Over There as an anonymous citizen supporting the troops.
I am a bit nostalgic when it comes to this movie. I remember sitting in my grandparents basement watching this on their console TV every year it aired on network TV (I believe right around now because of Memorial Day or July 4 for obvious reasons). I didn't remember many scenes from back then, but this viewing really put me in a happy place. And it's timed just right as Monday is Memorial Day.
This movie has a brilliant musical format, as every musical number is performed on a stage, portraying the performance of a musical that George M Cohan Either wrote or in which he performed (and in most cases, both). I know the main beef many people have with musicals is the random bursting into song the characters do. This format eliminates this problem. Even someone who hates the musical format can enjoy this. It's also very cool to see James Cagney playing a song and dance man.
Speaking of Cagney, it is surreal to see him dancing. He's pretty darn good. I was taken aback because (since I have become an adult) I am more familiar with his work in movies such as Angels With Dirty Faces and Taxi! It is really fascinating to see him dancing in the big production number of Yankee Doodle Dandy. And the stunt that he performs dancing down the stairs in the White house in the finale of the movie just makes me wonder how he didn't break his neck. He also has a fast talking conman charm, best exemplified in the scene where he teams up with his life long partner, Sam Harris. Earlier, Sam meets and is (also) turned down funding from a wealthy investor. George runs into him in a bar where Sam is trying to hook another investor. Poor Sam has no idea what is happening when George completely blindsides him, HOPING that he will play along. George asks Sam if he is talking about their new project (implied nudge and wink). Sam quickly catches up and starts to play along. George continues to tell Sam that he changed the song Yankee Doodle Dandy, to which Harris replies "You shouldn't have done that, it was perfect as it was!" (keeping in mind, of course that Sam only SAW George once, never met him officially). This intrigues the investor who wants to hear the song, and, of course, wants to throw money at the musical after hearing this one song. After a hasty introduction, Sam and George become lifelong partners. I don't know if this story is true, but Cagney really sells it. In fact I am still in stitches watching. Cagney's comedic timing is dead on, his dancing is pretty amazing, and his George M Cohan is cocky, yet likable. I gotta say, Cagney was a much more versatile actor than I ever knew. His performance in this movie won him an Oscar for Best Actor. So, it's defiantly worth a watch for him alone.
George M Cohan's life story is pretty amazing. He is credited with songs numbering over 500. Many of them still standards today (Give My Regards to Broadway, You're a Grand Old Flag, Only 45 Minutes From Broadway, Mary's a Grand Old Name). And he also wrote or collaborated on more than 50 productions on Broadway (starring in many of them). So, his life is the story of a self-made man, climbing from the lowly start with a family vaudeville act (The Four Cohans) to James Cagney winning an Oscar for the portrayal of him in this movie. He really achieved the American Dream. I will stop the history lesson here... I guess I just really like this story!
I really don't have anything bad to say about Yankee Doodle Dandy. Perhaps it's the nostalgia lenses, perhaps it's just a good movie. The story, the performances, the look of it, it's all really entertaining. Maybe it's a tad long, but it held my attention as a kid and still does now. Not many movies can claim that.
Enjoy your holiday weekend everyone!
GGC
Yankee Doodle Dandy is a musical movie about the life of George M Cohan, considered to be the father of the American musical comedy. The movie opens on George backstage after a performance of I'd Rather Be Right in which he played FDR. A telegram arrives for him and as it is from the president, himself, asking for a meeting, George is nervous. At the meeting, FDR gets George talking about his life. We are shown the entire span of his life to date, from his birth in flash back as he talks with the president. In the end, he apologizes for rambling on and asks what the president wanted with an "old song and dance man" like him. The president awards him the Congressional Gold Metal for keeping moral up during World War I with his rousing music (especially the song Over There). The movie ends with George joining a parade of soldier singing Over There as an anonymous citizen supporting the troops.
I am a bit nostalgic when it comes to this movie. I remember sitting in my grandparents basement watching this on their console TV every year it aired on network TV (I believe right around now because of Memorial Day or July 4 for obvious reasons). I didn't remember many scenes from back then, but this viewing really put me in a happy place. And it's timed just right as Monday is Memorial Day.
This movie has a brilliant musical format, as every musical number is performed on a stage, portraying the performance of a musical that George M Cohan Either wrote or in which he performed (and in most cases, both). I know the main beef many people have with musicals is the random bursting into song the characters do. This format eliminates this problem. Even someone who hates the musical format can enjoy this. It's also very cool to see James Cagney playing a song and dance man.
Speaking of Cagney, it is surreal to see him dancing. He's pretty darn good. I was taken aback because (since I have become an adult) I am more familiar with his work in movies such as Angels With Dirty Faces and Taxi! It is really fascinating to see him dancing in the big production number of Yankee Doodle Dandy. And the stunt that he performs dancing down the stairs in the White house in the finale of the movie just makes me wonder how he didn't break his neck. He also has a fast talking conman charm, best exemplified in the scene where he teams up with his life long partner, Sam Harris. Earlier, Sam meets and is (also) turned down funding from a wealthy investor. George runs into him in a bar where Sam is trying to hook another investor. Poor Sam has no idea what is happening when George completely blindsides him, HOPING that he will play along. George asks Sam if he is talking about their new project (implied nudge and wink). Sam quickly catches up and starts to play along. George continues to tell Sam that he changed the song Yankee Doodle Dandy, to which Harris replies "You shouldn't have done that, it was perfect as it was!" (keeping in mind, of course that Sam only SAW George once, never met him officially). This intrigues the investor who wants to hear the song, and, of course, wants to throw money at the musical after hearing this one song. After a hasty introduction, Sam and George become lifelong partners. I don't know if this story is true, but Cagney really sells it. In fact I am still in stitches watching. Cagney's comedic timing is dead on, his dancing is pretty amazing, and his George M Cohan is cocky, yet likable. I gotta say, Cagney was a much more versatile actor than I ever knew. His performance in this movie won him an Oscar for Best Actor. So, it's defiantly worth a watch for him alone.
George M Cohan's life story is pretty amazing. He is credited with songs numbering over 500. Many of them still standards today (Give My Regards to Broadway, You're a Grand Old Flag, Only 45 Minutes From Broadway, Mary's a Grand Old Name). And he also wrote or collaborated on more than 50 productions on Broadway (starring in many of them). So, his life is the story of a self-made man, climbing from the lowly start with a family vaudeville act (The Four Cohans) to James Cagney winning an Oscar for the portrayal of him in this movie. He really achieved the American Dream. I will stop the history lesson here... I guess I just really like this story!
I really don't have anything bad to say about Yankee Doodle Dandy. Perhaps it's the nostalgia lenses, perhaps it's just a good movie. The story, the performances, the look of it, it's all really entertaining. Maybe it's a tad long, but it held my attention as a kid and still does now. Not many movies can claim that.
Enjoy your holiday weekend everyone!
GGC
Monday, May 21, 2012
An apology and some explaination...
I have been thinking about how I approach these blogs about my "movie project" as I have been refering to it. I have been having fun, and I have been learning how to write a blog, baby step by baby step. However, my apology to you is this. I know that this is a self centered doing. I understand that I am writing about how I feel about these things with the implied result of someone giving a shit about what I have to say. But please do understand that I am mainly doing this as an exercise in discipline as well as exercising my brain a little. So, I am sorry for this self centered project of mine. Also, yes, I know that my summaries contain spoilers. I apologize about that too... But I don't think that will change.
Now the explanation. I just realized that the imdb list for BAD movies changes on occasion. Meet the Spartans is no longer #100. Lol! Anyway, I will just be watching the movie that is in the slot for the week I am in (unless I can't find it *shakes fist* Addiction!!! I will hunt you DOWN!). I am also doing this so I have something to think about other than the day to day. I love movies. This seemed logical and balanced. AND eventually I will come to a movie that is so bad it is good. Eventually!
Enjoy. Read up, or don't. Watch some of the movies, or don't. I'm doin it either way! :)
GGC
Now the explanation. I just realized that the imdb list for BAD movies changes on occasion. Meet the Spartans is no longer #100. Lol! Anyway, I will just be watching the movie that is in the slot for the week I am in (unless I can't find it *shakes fist* Addiction!!! I will hunt you DOWN!). I am also doing this so I have something to think about other than the day to day. I love movies. This seemed logical and balanced. AND eventually I will come to a movie that is so bad it is good. Eventually!
Enjoy. Read up, or don't. Watch some of the movies, or don't. I'm doin it either way! :)
GGC
It was the worst of (movie) times... Another 9 1/2 Weeks
Ok. So.... Everyone that I have talked to about this movie has said some variation of "There's a sequel to 9 1/2 Weeks?" Yes. Yes there is. And I watched it. I wish that I could leave it at that. But, I committed to writing about these movies, so, I will suck it up. This entry is gonna be a little different, as I will just editorialize about the movie as I try to summarize, otherwise it will kind of long and messy. Well... It still may be, but indulge me.
This (obviously) is the sequel to 9 1/2 Weeks starring Micky Rourke and Kim Bassinger. Rourke reprises his role as John, a stock trader. Bassinger is not in this movie. I do feel like I should say something about the first one, as this is a sequel. 9 1/2 Weeks is the story of Elizabeth, a painter and recent divorcee struggling with her feelings after the break up. She begins an affair with John, who is a stranger to her. Things get strange as her dependence on him increases, yet she knows nothing about him. He has strange appetites sexually, some bordering on abuse. Elizabeth struggles with the fact that he won't really share himself with her, and finally decides to leave. John does try to tell her about himself at this point, but too late, she walks out. Leaving him saying he loves her, and to please come back by the time he counts to 50. But... She's gone.
Another 9 1/2 Weeks starts after a period of time has elapsed. The movie opens with John in a hotel room with a prostitute. His attention is dragged outside where a horse has fallen, and is apparently really hurt. His encounter with the woman is cut short by his fascination with the drama unfolding below. The prostitute leaves. Confused? Yeah. Thought so. I will say that this is the main reason that this movie fails so badly. I think the writers and director were trying to be deep. However... It's not deep when it makes no sense. If you loose your viewer after only ten minutes (not kidding, that quick) your movie becomes nothing more than a waste of time. Not deep.
Alright. So, John wants to find Elizabeth so the wrongs done by the relationship can be made right... I think. And hunts down an auction of her paintings in Paris, so goes. He buys all of the works by Elizabeth, and in the process meets Lea (a friend of Elizabeth's) and Lea's assistant, Claire. He asks Lea about Elizabeth, but Lea refuses to answer right away. When she finally does tell him, she says that Elizabeth married a nnice man and is in Tangiers. After a few strange scenes at Lea's office (she is a fashion designer), the heat gets turned up between them. Abruptly. No lead up. The first "sexy" scene is at a tourist attraction with a dungeon. The Bastille, maybe? Lea kisses him, and he starts to undress her. However, voices carry through the hall as a group of people are coming. Lea starts saying, then yelling "No, no, stop." Just in time for an American family to "catch" him. (Yeah, the entire family, 2 young-ish kids and Mom and Dad. Thanks for that, movie.) After the family is (i guess?) satisfied that she is alright (I say I guess because they also seem skeptical, but leave anyway) Dad says one of the funniest lines I have heard in a movie in a long time. "You're American! You should know better!" Just let it sink in. Funny, ain't it?
Now is the point of the movie that we are supposed to start forming attachments to these people. I didn't. Mainly because this part is so much more fragmented than the first part. I know. I really am still confused. Claire and John hang out and become friends. At least I think they become friends, he gives her advice while sailing toy boats. There is a discotheque scene in there where John saves Claire from being assaulted by her boyfriend... At least I think it's her boyfriend. I guess it may have just been some guy in the club... There's some introduction to Lea's business partner, Vittorio. He is upset about Lea's blooming relationship with John. I have to be honest here, I feel like the movie set him up to be gay, and them changed it's mind at the last minute. I GUESS what they went with was that he is actually in love with Lea and his upset about John comes from jealousy. Lea and John get closer, and actually form a relationship (the movie didn't SHOW me this, it TOLD me this. A very frustrating thing about this screenplay.)
So this fragmented series of scenes leads up to a fashion show for Lea's line. John attends and after, accompanies Lea to a party. Ummm... This party is at a sex club, strip club, something. Lea and John go to be "by themselves," bringing Claire with them. Lea uses Claire to seduce John, but before it really gets started, John seems to suddenly remember that he is here to find Elizabeth and bolts up and asks what happened to her. Lea maintains that she is in Tangiers. Also reminding him that Elizabeth left him and he should just let it go. John doesn't believe Lea, and Vittorio is suddenly in the room in a really jarring WTF moment. Vittorio FINALLY tells John the truth. Elizabeth is dead.
Evidently, she started using drugs in Paris and died of an overdose (?? I think??). John confronts Lea after an "emotional" scene of him visiting Elizabeth's grave. Lea explains that she didn't "have the heart" to tell him. As he doesn't want to be alone, they spend the weekend together. Lea tells him that she read Elizabeth's journal about their relationship, and expresses that she always wondered what he was like. She continues to try to recreate scenes from the first movie with him, but he is unreceptive, at one point yelling that she "just doesn't get it!"
They return from their weekend. John finds Claire in his room. I guess she broke in. She tells John she didn't know about Elizabeth. Her mini plot with John ends when he hugs her after she tells him her boyfriend hit her. Vittorio talks to anyone who is in his presence that Lea's relationship with John is unacceptable. John sends a hotel key to Lea with a note to meet him.
In the hotel room, John sets up an elaborate scene to show Lea that she really doesn't want what Elizabeth and him had, and then they spend one last night together. This scene is more confusing and upsetting than any that have come before, because it gets rape-y, John is really a bastard to her, and YET Lea STILL makes love to him. *sigh* Anyway... In the morning, John leaves. Lea is left asking HIM to come back by the time she counts to 50.... Ahhhhhhhh full circle and stuff!
Ok. This movie is confusing. REALLY confusing. Plots start, and very hastily end. I think the writer forgot about them, and then decided to try to tie them up before he was done... Like these blog entries. This movie was a direct to video release, and no wonder. Admittedly, I have not seen the first one. Because of that, I did research it so I could at least know where this was starting from. In reading about the first movie, in talking to those who had seen it, I think that maybe this continuation is insulting to what the first one was supposed to be saying. Even though Elizabeth got sucked in to this unhealthy relationship with John, she had the strength to walk away at the end. That looses power when you find out that she fell into drugs and died after. Seriously! Some stories are meant to stand alone. I hate that a drive to milk more money from a movie allows Hollywood to ruin strong statements made. We have seen Disney do it over and over again. I guess Another 9 1/2 Weeks just proves that kids movies aren't the only victims.
Even with all that said, this movie REALLY fails because it was written and filmed in such a way that it comes off as pretentious. But vapidly so, There is nothing there to back ANY of the emotion for anyone in this movie. I mostly feel sorry for that horse at the beginning. Not because he died, but because THAT actor was convincing, I felt for him. I believe that it is time for him to get a new agent.
GGC
This (obviously) is the sequel to 9 1/2 Weeks starring Micky Rourke and Kim Bassinger. Rourke reprises his role as John, a stock trader. Bassinger is not in this movie. I do feel like I should say something about the first one, as this is a sequel. 9 1/2 Weeks is the story of Elizabeth, a painter and recent divorcee struggling with her feelings after the break up. She begins an affair with John, who is a stranger to her. Things get strange as her dependence on him increases, yet she knows nothing about him. He has strange appetites sexually, some bordering on abuse. Elizabeth struggles with the fact that he won't really share himself with her, and finally decides to leave. John does try to tell her about himself at this point, but too late, she walks out. Leaving him saying he loves her, and to please come back by the time he counts to 50. But... She's gone.
Another 9 1/2 Weeks starts after a period of time has elapsed. The movie opens with John in a hotel room with a prostitute. His attention is dragged outside where a horse has fallen, and is apparently really hurt. His encounter with the woman is cut short by his fascination with the drama unfolding below. The prostitute leaves. Confused? Yeah. Thought so. I will say that this is the main reason that this movie fails so badly. I think the writers and director were trying to be deep. However... It's not deep when it makes no sense. If you loose your viewer after only ten minutes (not kidding, that quick) your movie becomes nothing more than a waste of time. Not deep.
Alright. So, John wants to find Elizabeth so the wrongs done by the relationship can be made right... I think. And hunts down an auction of her paintings in Paris, so goes. He buys all of the works by Elizabeth, and in the process meets Lea (a friend of Elizabeth's) and Lea's assistant, Claire. He asks Lea about Elizabeth, but Lea refuses to answer right away. When she finally does tell him, she says that Elizabeth married a nnice man and is in Tangiers. After a few strange scenes at Lea's office (she is a fashion designer), the heat gets turned up between them. Abruptly. No lead up. The first "sexy" scene is at a tourist attraction with a dungeon. The Bastille, maybe? Lea kisses him, and he starts to undress her. However, voices carry through the hall as a group of people are coming. Lea starts saying, then yelling "No, no, stop." Just in time for an American family to "catch" him. (Yeah, the entire family, 2 young-ish kids and Mom and Dad. Thanks for that, movie.) After the family is (i guess?) satisfied that she is alright (I say I guess because they also seem skeptical, but leave anyway) Dad says one of the funniest lines I have heard in a movie in a long time. "You're American! You should know better!" Just let it sink in. Funny, ain't it?
Now is the point of the movie that we are supposed to start forming attachments to these people. I didn't. Mainly because this part is so much more fragmented than the first part. I know. I really am still confused. Claire and John hang out and become friends. At least I think they become friends, he gives her advice while sailing toy boats. There is a discotheque scene in there where John saves Claire from being assaulted by her boyfriend... At least I think it's her boyfriend. I guess it may have just been some guy in the club... There's some introduction to Lea's business partner, Vittorio. He is upset about Lea's blooming relationship with John. I have to be honest here, I feel like the movie set him up to be gay, and them changed it's mind at the last minute. I GUESS what they went with was that he is actually in love with Lea and his upset about John comes from jealousy. Lea and John get closer, and actually form a relationship (the movie didn't SHOW me this, it TOLD me this. A very frustrating thing about this screenplay.)
So this fragmented series of scenes leads up to a fashion show for Lea's line. John attends and after, accompanies Lea to a party. Ummm... This party is at a sex club, strip club, something. Lea and John go to be "by themselves," bringing Claire with them. Lea uses Claire to seduce John, but before it really gets started, John seems to suddenly remember that he is here to find Elizabeth and bolts up and asks what happened to her. Lea maintains that she is in Tangiers. Also reminding him that Elizabeth left him and he should just let it go. John doesn't believe Lea, and Vittorio is suddenly in the room in a really jarring WTF moment. Vittorio FINALLY tells John the truth. Elizabeth is dead.
Evidently, she started using drugs in Paris and died of an overdose (?? I think??). John confronts Lea after an "emotional" scene of him visiting Elizabeth's grave. Lea explains that she didn't "have the heart" to tell him. As he doesn't want to be alone, they spend the weekend together. Lea tells him that she read Elizabeth's journal about their relationship, and expresses that she always wondered what he was like. She continues to try to recreate scenes from the first movie with him, but he is unreceptive, at one point yelling that she "just doesn't get it!"
They return from their weekend. John finds Claire in his room. I guess she broke in. She tells John she didn't know about Elizabeth. Her mini plot with John ends when he hugs her after she tells him her boyfriend hit her. Vittorio talks to anyone who is in his presence that Lea's relationship with John is unacceptable. John sends a hotel key to Lea with a note to meet him.
In the hotel room, John sets up an elaborate scene to show Lea that she really doesn't want what Elizabeth and him had, and then they spend one last night together. This scene is more confusing and upsetting than any that have come before, because it gets rape-y, John is really a bastard to her, and YET Lea STILL makes love to him. *sigh* Anyway... In the morning, John leaves. Lea is left asking HIM to come back by the time she counts to 50.... Ahhhhhhhh full circle and stuff!
Ok. This movie is confusing. REALLY confusing. Plots start, and very hastily end. I think the writer forgot about them, and then decided to try to tie them up before he was done... Like these blog entries. This movie was a direct to video release, and no wonder. Admittedly, I have not seen the first one. Because of that, I did research it so I could at least know where this was starting from. In reading about the first movie, in talking to those who had seen it, I think that maybe this continuation is insulting to what the first one was supposed to be saying. Even though Elizabeth got sucked in to this unhealthy relationship with John, she had the strength to walk away at the end. That looses power when you find out that she fell into drugs and died after. Seriously! Some stories are meant to stand alone. I hate that a drive to milk more money from a movie allows Hollywood to ruin strong statements made. We have seen Disney do it over and over again. I guess Another 9 1/2 Weeks just proves that kids movies aren't the only victims.
Even with all that said, this movie REALLY fails because it was written and filmed in such a way that it comes off as pretentious. But vapidly so, There is nothing there to back ANY of the emotion for anyone in this movie. I mostly feel sorry for that horse at the beginning. Not because he died, but because THAT actor was convincing, I felt for him. I believe that it is time for him to get a new agent.
GGC
Saturday, May 19, 2012
It was the best of (movie) times... Toy Story
Toy story was Pixar's first feature length films and the first feature length film done entirely in CGI. It's inovation paved the way for films such as Finding Nemo, Tangled, Shrek, and Beowolf. The writing was ingenious and funny for both kids and adults and captured what Disney films had lacked in the years since the fairy tale movies... A good story.
The movie opens with a child named Andy playing with his favorite toy, Woody. Woody is a wild west sheriff toy with a pull string voice box. (One of the things he says is "There's a snake in my boot!" Always good for a laugh.) Andy gets called away, and drops Woody on the bed. This is where we see the real world of this movie. When people are away, the toys "wake up." Well... It's more like they pretend to be inatimate when people are around. Whatever. Anyway... The audience is introduced to many interesting characters, but the main ones are Mr Potatohead (self-explanatory), Slinky (a Slinky dog), Rex (a toy Tyrannosaurus Rex), Hamm (a piggy bank) and Bo Peep (I think from a nightlight... Maybe... I don't think they ever really explain why a little boy has a toy Bo Peep, not that there is anything wrong with that). There are a few more, like the soldiers in a Bucket o Soldiers, the Speak and Spell, a wind up set of walking binoculars, and RC, the remote controled car. They are an organized society with Woody at the top because he is Andy's favorite toy.
It's the day of Andy's birthday party ( a surprise bcause Any's mom moved it ahead to accomidate their moving the week of her son's birthday) and the toys are nervous about possibly being replaced. In response to the nervousness, Woody sends the toy soldiers (the kind that don't move, you know, with their feet planted on a piece of plastic terrain the width of their feet) with the receiver from a baby monitor downstairs to report what the presents are. This is set up like a military operation, complete with casualties. The monitor gets set up and the present opening begins. After much nail biting, there are no toys and there is a collective sigh of relief. But WAIT! Mom has a surprise gift. Rex gets over excited and the speaker falls, cutting off the transmission. After some frantic replacement of the batteries, the toys all must resume their position because the sergeant is reporting that Andy is coming. Andy and his friends breeze through and leave Andy's surprise present on the bed, pushing Woody over the side of the bed. The kids run out for cake and the toys all rush to see who is on Andy's bed. They find Buzz Lightyear, a space man action figure, complete with wings.
Woody is (of course) jealous and instantly dislikes Buzz. It doesn't help that Buzz is unaware that he is a toy. The rest of the toys like Buzz and feed into his delusion. They help Buzz repair his ship, ask him what a Space Ranger does, and generally accept him, flaws and all. Well... then Woody consumed with jealousy sets up an elaberate trap to push Buzz under then bed so Andy will choose him for an excursion to a pizza place. Buzz, instead ends up falling out the window and the toys all think that Woody is a murderer. Down at the mini van, Buzz is able to grab on and confront Woody at a filling station. They end up getting left behind, Woody panics until he sees a delivery boy for the pizza place and the two toys ride with him to "Pizza Planet."
When there, we see Andy's neighbor Sid. Sid is a Doctor Frankenstein of toys. A real psychopath. Sid ends up getting Buzz and Woody from a claw machine filled with squeeky alien toys. (I will put a link to this scene later... it's one of my favorites.) Why are they in a claw machine? It is shaped like a space ship, and Buzz needs to get back home, of course! Anyway... Woody and Buzz end up at Sid's house. They meet all the toys "reconstructed" by Sid (a mechanical spider with a dolls head, a set of Barbi doll legs with a fishing pole for a torso/head, and a muscular action figure torso with a duck's head and bouncey bottom are my favorites). Woody tries to get home, but the toys still think that he killed Buzz (proven by Woody having Buzz's disembodied arm), so they are on their own to get home. Buzz sees a commercial for, well, him on tv and has an identity crisis. He just gives up and Sid ties him to a rocket, intending on launching him into space. He "comes to" a little too late, and Woody and Sid's toys have to come to the rescue. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgdI0qsbg2A&feature=related.
(Yes, I know this is a long summary... Again. This is a learning process, people! )
It's moving day, and Woody and Buzz have to catch up with their family in an exciting climax in which Woody and Buzz race down the street using the power of the ignighted rocket (still tied to Buzz's back) and the wheels of RC. Buzz gets to fly (or "fall with style") with Woody in tow. They (of course) catch up and the movie ends with the toys crowding around the baby monitor again on Christmas morning. Woody gets a kiss from Bo Peep, and Buzz and Woody are REALLY nervous as Andy gets a dog. And Randy Newman sings, cue the credits.
OK. *catch breath*
I LOVE this movie. I always have. I love the story. I love the colors, the animation, the pacing. It's all great. I still laugh at scenes. Especially Buzz's introduction to Andy's room, it's the BEST "so there" moment EVER! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCGzemN7Dc8). And the sqeeky alien claw machine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-Esh4W3dfI).
If I was to have any complaint about Toy Story, it would be Randy Newman. I really am not a big fan of his style of music. At all. Well... That is a lie. I really liked the music in The Princess and the Frog. But over all, not a fan. I think that You've Got a Friend in Me sounds like I Love To See You Smile sounds like If I Didn't Have You etc. etc. etc. and so forth. You don't believe me? Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFq_TLy9fvk&feature=related, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt7i-Wpi8sk, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfFepOnARFA. Tell me I'm wrong! It doesn't ruin the movie. It's pretty much my only gripe with Toy Story. And he's my biggest gripe with most Pixar movies. And then there's this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9FH4HIQjvw&feature=related. I know... But the fact is, most songs of his I hear are just about what he sees. Lol!
I think that I am done, for now. I hope to hone this process a little better as I go. Practice makes perfect, right? I have 98 more weeks of this! Another 9 1/2 Weeks is next. (for everyone keeping track, I know that a movie called Addiction was 99 on the bad movies list, but I am having trouble finding it, so I skipped it for now. I will get back to it.). ANYWAY...
Cue Randy Newman, roll credits.
GGC
The movie opens with a child named Andy playing with his favorite toy, Woody. Woody is a wild west sheriff toy with a pull string voice box. (One of the things he says is "There's a snake in my boot!" Always good for a laugh.) Andy gets called away, and drops Woody on the bed. This is where we see the real world of this movie. When people are away, the toys "wake up." Well... It's more like they pretend to be inatimate when people are around. Whatever. Anyway... The audience is introduced to many interesting characters, but the main ones are Mr Potatohead (self-explanatory), Slinky (a Slinky dog), Rex (a toy Tyrannosaurus Rex), Hamm (a piggy bank) and Bo Peep (I think from a nightlight... Maybe... I don't think they ever really explain why a little boy has a toy Bo Peep, not that there is anything wrong with that). There are a few more, like the soldiers in a Bucket o Soldiers, the Speak and Spell, a wind up set of walking binoculars, and RC, the remote controled car. They are an organized society with Woody at the top because he is Andy's favorite toy.
It's the day of Andy's birthday party ( a surprise bcause Any's mom moved it ahead to accomidate their moving the week of her son's birthday) and the toys are nervous about possibly being replaced. In response to the nervousness, Woody sends the toy soldiers (the kind that don't move, you know, with their feet planted on a piece of plastic terrain the width of their feet) with the receiver from a baby monitor downstairs to report what the presents are. This is set up like a military operation, complete with casualties. The monitor gets set up and the present opening begins. After much nail biting, there are no toys and there is a collective sigh of relief. But WAIT! Mom has a surprise gift. Rex gets over excited and the speaker falls, cutting off the transmission. After some frantic replacement of the batteries, the toys all must resume their position because the sergeant is reporting that Andy is coming. Andy and his friends breeze through and leave Andy's surprise present on the bed, pushing Woody over the side of the bed. The kids run out for cake and the toys all rush to see who is on Andy's bed. They find Buzz Lightyear, a space man action figure, complete with wings.
Woody is (of course) jealous and instantly dislikes Buzz. It doesn't help that Buzz is unaware that he is a toy. The rest of the toys like Buzz and feed into his delusion. They help Buzz repair his ship, ask him what a Space Ranger does, and generally accept him, flaws and all. Well... then Woody consumed with jealousy sets up an elaberate trap to push Buzz under then bed so Andy will choose him for an excursion to a pizza place. Buzz, instead ends up falling out the window and the toys all think that Woody is a murderer. Down at the mini van, Buzz is able to grab on and confront Woody at a filling station. They end up getting left behind, Woody panics until he sees a delivery boy for the pizza place and the two toys ride with him to "Pizza Planet."
When there, we see Andy's neighbor Sid. Sid is a Doctor Frankenstein of toys. A real psychopath. Sid ends up getting Buzz and Woody from a claw machine filled with squeeky alien toys. (I will put a link to this scene later... it's one of my favorites.) Why are they in a claw machine? It is shaped like a space ship, and Buzz needs to get back home, of course! Anyway... Woody and Buzz end up at Sid's house. They meet all the toys "reconstructed" by Sid (a mechanical spider with a dolls head, a set of Barbi doll legs with a fishing pole for a torso/head, and a muscular action figure torso with a duck's head and bouncey bottom are my favorites). Woody tries to get home, but the toys still think that he killed Buzz (proven by Woody having Buzz's disembodied arm), so they are on their own to get home. Buzz sees a commercial for, well, him on tv and has an identity crisis. He just gives up and Sid ties him to a rocket, intending on launching him into space. He "comes to" a little too late, and Woody and Sid's toys have to come to the rescue. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgdI0qsbg2A&feature=related.
(Yes, I know this is a long summary... Again. This is a learning process, people! )
It's moving day, and Woody and Buzz have to catch up with their family in an exciting climax in which Woody and Buzz race down the street using the power of the ignighted rocket (still tied to Buzz's back) and the wheels of RC. Buzz gets to fly (or "fall with style") with Woody in tow. They (of course) catch up and the movie ends with the toys crowding around the baby monitor again on Christmas morning. Woody gets a kiss from Bo Peep, and Buzz and Woody are REALLY nervous as Andy gets a dog. And Randy Newman sings, cue the credits.
OK. *catch breath*
I LOVE this movie. I always have. I love the story. I love the colors, the animation, the pacing. It's all great. I still laugh at scenes. Especially Buzz's introduction to Andy's room, it's the BEST "so there" moment EVER! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCGzemN7Dc8). And the sqeeky alien claw machine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-Esh4W3dfI).
If I was to have any complaint about Toy Story, it would be Randy Newman. I really am not a big fan of his style of music. At all. Well... That is a lie. I really liked the music in The Princess and the Frog. But over all, not a fan. I think that You've Got a Friend in Me sounds like I Love To See You Smile sounds like If I Didn't Have You etc. etc. etc. and so forth. You don't believe me? Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFq_TLy9fvk&feature=related, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt7i-Wpi8sk, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfFepOnARFA. Tell me I'm wrong! It doesn't ruin the movie. It's pretty much my only gripe with Toy Story. And he's my biggest gripe with most Pixar movies. And then there's this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9FH4HIQjvw&feature=related. I know... But the fact is, most songs of his I hear are just about what he sees. Lol!
I think that I am done, for now. I hope to hone this process a little better as I go. Practice makes perfect, right? I have 98 more weeks of this! Another 9 1/2 Weeks is next. (for everyone keeping track, I know that a movie called Addiction was 99 on the bad movies list, but I am having trouble finding it, so I skipped it for now. I will get back to it.). ANYWAY...
Cue Randy Newman, roll credits.
GGC
Sunday, May 13, 2012
It was the worst of (movie) times... Meet the Spartans
Oh. My. God. What did I get myself into? Ok. Meet the Spartans.
So... For the plot, just watch 300. I am serious. In Sparta a boy named Leonidas is born, grows up, is put through all the rights of passage, becomes king. A dignitary from the neighboring Persians arrives and tells them his God-king wants the Spartans to bend the knee and Leonidas says no. (Well... In all fairness yells "This is Sparta" and kicks him into a pit. But "no would have worked as well.) The Spartan council says they will not send an army, and so Leonidas leaves his wife, son, and home behind to lead a small group of 300 soldiers to hold off the Persian army. They meet a hunchback who, because Leonidas wouldn't let him figh with them, betrays them to the Persian king. The 300 soldiers fight, and 299 of them die. One was injured and sent back to Sparta to bring a bigger fighting force to beat the Persians. Leonidas' wife does some political stuff, which is pretty awesome in 300... But is completely unfunny in Meet the Spartans, so I won't go into details with it. The End.
*sigh* Do you remember the first time you saw Airplane! ? Well... This movie fails in every way that Airplane! succeeds. I did not even crack a smile at any of the jokes which consisted of a lot of bodily functions, a prolonged homosexual joke, and random pop culture that will in NO way date this humor (yess that last one was sarcasm, they had a Sanjiah look alike. Do you remember Sanjiah? Yeah, me neither). Kevin Sorbo is in it, and all I kept thinking was "NOOO! HERCULES! NOOOO!!!!" This wasn't even a "This is so bad, it's fun" thing. This was a "Did middle schoolers write this? No? Adults did? Really??? How sad" kind of thing. I can write all kinds of stuff here about how it sucked. But I already did a long entry earlier today. So I will just leave you with this thought. Someone had to pay money to make this. Someone had to be away from their family to film this. People actually paid to see this. What a tragedy.
NEXT WEEK:
It was the best of (movie) times- Toy Story
It was the worst of (movie) times- Another 9 1/2 Weeks
GGC
It was the best of (movie) times.... Ben-Hur
Today I watched the epic, Ben-Hur, number 100 on the AFI list for best movies of all time. I have been debating on how to approach these things... and have decided to do a quick summary of the plot followed by my reaction. So... Here goes.
The movie begins with the census of Caesar Augustus, in Bethleham. We follow Joeseph and Mary through the Nativity. We see the wise men arriving at the stable and giving their gifts. Then we jump ahead to twenty-six years later. A young Roman named Messala is ariving in Judea. After a quick meeting with another Roman, he is visited by his childhood friend, Judah Ben-Hur. Judah is a jewish prince who grew up with the young Roman. At first they are happy to see each other again. But that soon turns sour, as Messala has big political dreams and hopes to use Judah as a "snitch" to root out rebels in the area. Judah tells him to shove it and they part ways. Esther is now introduced. Her father and Esther are slaves to the Ben-Hur family and Esther is getting married. Judah grants her permission and her freedom as a wedding present. In the next scene, they find themselves alone and it plays out that they are in love. Judah takes Esther's slave ring and places it on his own finger. He swears not to remove it until he meets the woman he is to marry. They share a kiss and the story moves on.
The new governor of Judea arrives and a parade happens. Judah and his sister watch from the roof of the Ben-Hur estate. By pure bad luck, a tile from the roof falls and spooks the governor's horse, which in turn injures the governor. Judah and his mother and sister are arrested and hauled off. Messala, even though he believed the truth in Judah's claim of the incident being an accident, condemns Judah to the galleys and the women to the dungeons. Judah swears revenge and is hauled off. The Romans have it in for Judah on his long walk to the galleys and at a water stop in Nazareth don't allow Judah to have water. A mystery man gives him water in the face of the aggression of the Roman guards. (of COURSE it's Jesus... I say mystery man because they don't show his face) This stranger's kindness gives Judah the strength to keep living.
Judah survives for three years in the galleys when he meets a Roman named Quintus Arrius. Arrius arrives on Judah's ship in order to lead the fleet in a battle against enemies raiding the Roman fleet. Before the battle, Arrius finds out that Judah has survived three years and is impressed. Arrius owns gladiators and offers to take Judah and put him in his line-up. Judah doesn't answer positively, but then he has to return to his oar, as the battle is upon them. Arrius tells the overseer to unchain Judah before the battle. During the battle, the ship sinks, Judah saves as many people as possible, including Arrius. They end up on a raft together. As Judah saved his life, Arrius takes Judah in. He finds that Judah has a talent with horses and has him drive his team in the Circus.
Arrius is so taken with Judah that he adopts him as his son. But on the evening of than announcement, Judah tells him that he must return to Judea. So, Judah leaves Rome to go home. On the way, Judah meets a Sheikh and Balthazar (yes, the wise man from the Nativity). The Sheikh is a gambler who is having problems finding the right driver for his horses. He tries to tempt Judah by telling him that his revenge could happen in the ring, because Messala races there as well. Judah turns him down after a conversation with Balthazar. Balthazar tells him that he hopes his journey is "not difficult" and to leave revenge fantasies behind. Judah can't, and so he goes home.
When he arrives, he finds that Esther and her father are living in the rundown estate, and she did not in fact marry the merchant her father arranged for her. He is driven to find his mother and sister, who no one has heard from or about. After announcing to Messala that he was back and the adopted son of a Roman citizen, Messala tries to find out what happened to the women. In their long captivity, they have become lepers and are released. They pay a visit to the estate to see if Judah made it back and make Esther promise not to tell Judah what has really become of them.
So... Esther tells Judah that his family is dead. Judah then changes his mind and races the Sheikh's horses in a race against Messala. Messala is fatally wounded, and sends for Judah. When Judah arrives, Messala tells Judah where his mother and sister actually are. He goes to try to see them, but Esther persuades him to allow them to believe that he is in the dark.
Pontious Pilot is now the governor of Judea and sends for Judah and tells him that his father, Arrius, has arranged for Judah to become a Roman citizen. Judah, filled with bitterness, decides to turn this offer down. On the walk back home, Esther and Judah once again meet Balthazar on his way to listen to a rabbi speak. Esther goes with Balthazar but Judah decides that a rabbi talking about forgiveness is not what he needs right now and continues home. When he arrives, we find out that Esther went to hear the Sermon on the Mount and tries to deliver it's message to Judah, who is just too filled with bitterness to listen.
A few weeks later, Esther delivers food to Judah's mother and sister, but the sister is absent. Judah has followed Esther and discovers that his sister is dying and rushes in to see her. Esther insists that if only they could hear this rabbi, everything would be alright, so the four of them walk to Jerusalem. Just in time for Jesus to be walking with his cross through the streets. Judah tells Esther to get his family home while he goes to see. Balthazar is there and explains to Judah that Jesus knew this was why he was here, to die for the world's sins. The storm then moves in.
The women seek shelter during the storm. Both Judah's mother and sister cry out in pain. But as the storm subsides, they discover that they are both cured of their disease. Judah arrives home and tells Esther that he heard Jesus say "Forgive them, they know not what they do." and with that, "His voice took the sword from my hand." Esther hugs him and as they move into the estate, Judah sees his cured family and all is well.
The movie closes on a beautiful shot of three empty crosses on a hill as a shepherd leads his flock to graze.
*deep breath* This was a long one! (three and a half hours, in fact) So, I apologize for the length of the summary. BUT on to what I think.
This movie was BIG. Everything about it was BIG. The cast had to be the size of a small city. I counted thirteen credited parts, and over sixty uncredited parts PLUS the extras (yes, I think that they are different here...). The chariot course was the largest set built to date. And does it get much bigger than Charleton Heston in a religious epic? I was almost overwhelmed by the huge imagery. The big sweeping story. Everything. But, in following Judah through his life, it made it a little more accessible.
I know that many don't like Heston. I admit, I am really used to him as Moses. HOWEVER, Judah is a flawed guy trying to do right by his family and by his people. This makes him more... human, more approachable. I really liked his performance here. He had a great half-smile that flashed across his face. You can see how much he cared for his family and friends. And you even understand his behavior. There are no WTF moments in his motivations. In fact, there aren't really any in anyone else's motivations either (aside from WHY Messala decides that Judah should know his family is sick. Why does he do that?)
This is not to say that there weren't a couple of things that raised my eyebrow. (this movie was released in 1959, so there has to be some eyebrow raising) The first one is when Jesus gives Judah water. The Roman soldier says something but then stops and just looks... lost. I am sure that the idea was that he was awed by Jesus's divinity, but all I kept thinking was that he needed directions. The other scene that sticks out was the scene in the Shiekh's tent. Judah and the Sheikh are talking about wives, the Sheikh tells him he should buy one soon, and then asks Judah to meet them. And the curtain raises... on his horses. I really think that I probably missed a line or transition somewhere, but I really thought that this movie had taken a really dark turn for a second. A really dark turn. I am sure that there are more, but this entry is really long as it is...
If you like epic stories and BIG, Ben-Hur is great. Even if you don't really like the religious movies of that time, it's still a great story. BIG BIG BIG. I can't say it enough. However, should it be on AFI's list? Yeah. Yeah, I really think so. It's well written, well put together, well acted, well costumed (I could go on forever about the costumes!). A beautiful movie all the way around.
This one I am going to cut off a little shorter on the opinion than I would like... I just feel like this is running really long. But worry not! The next one will be heavy on the opinion, I am sure. Feel free to share your opinions on any of these movies with me. I would love to discuss!
*sigh* And now I get to watch Meet the Spartans. Fan-freakin-tastic.
GGC
The movie begins with the census of Caesar Augustus, in Bethleham. We follow Joeseph and Mary through the Nativity. We see the wise men arriving at the stable and giving their gifts. Then we jump ahead to twenty-six years later. A young Roman named Messala is ariving in Judea. After a quick meeting with another Roman, he is visited by his childhood friend, Judah Ben-Hur. Judah is a jewish prince who grew up with the young Roman. At first they are happy to see each other again. But that soon turns sour, as Messala has big political dreams and hopes to use Judah as a "snitch" to root out rebels in the area. Judah tells him to shove it and they part ways. Esther is now introduced. Her father and Esther are slaves to the Ben-Hur family and Esther is getting married. Judah grants her permission and her freedom as a wedding present. In the next scene, they find themselves alone and it plays out that they are in love. Judah takes Esther's slave ring and places it on his own finger. He swears not to remove it until he meets the woman he is to marry. They share a kiss and the story moves on.
The new governor of Judea arrives and a parade happens. Judah and his sister watch from the roof of the Ben-Hur estate. By pure bad luck, a tile from the roof falls and spooks the governor's horse, which in turn injures the governor. Judah and his mother and sister are arrested and hauled off. Messala, even though he believed the truth in Judah's claim of the incident being an accident, condemns Judah to the galleys and the women to the dungeons. Judah swears revenge and is hauled off. The Romans have it in for Judah on his long walk to the galleys and at a water stop in Nazareth don't allow Judah to have water. A mystery man gives him water in the face of the aggression of the Roman guards. (of COURSE it's Jesus... I say mystery man because they don't show his face) This stranger's kindness gives Judah the strength to keep living.
Judah survives for three years in the galleys when he meets a Roman named Quintus Arrius. Arrius arrives on Judah's ship in order to lead the fleet in a battle against enemies raiding the Roman fleet. Before the battle, Arrius finds out that Judah has survived three years and is impressed. Arrius owns gladiators and offers to take Judah and put him in his line-up. Judah doesn't answer positively, but then he has to return to his oar, as the battle is upon them. Arrius tells the overseer to unchain Judah before the battle. During the battle, the ship sinks, Judah saves as many people as possible, including Arrius. They end up on a raft together. As Judah saved his life, Arrius takes Judah in. He finds that Judah has a talent with horses and has him drive his team in the Circus.
Arrius is so taken with Judah that he adopts him as his son. But on the evening of than announcement, Judah tells him that he must return to Judea. So, Judah leaves Rome to go home. On the way, Judah meets a Sheikh and Balthazar (yes, the wise man from the Nativity). The Sheikh is a gambler who is having problems finding the right driver for his horses. He tries to tempt Judah by telling him that his revenge could happen in the ring, because Messala races there as well. Judah turns him down after a conversation with Balthazar. Balthazar tells him that he hopes his journey is "not difficult" and to leave revenge fantasies behind. Judah can't, and so he goes home.
When he arrives, he finds that Esther and her father are living in the rundown estate, and she did not in fact marry the merchant her father arranged for her. He is driven to find his mother and sister, who no one has heard from or about. After announcing to Messala that he was back and the adopted son of a Roman citizen, Messala tries to find out what happened to the women. In their long captivity, they have become lepers and are released. They pay a visit to the estate to see if Judah made it back and make Esther promise not to tell Judah what has really become of them.
So... Esther tells Judah that his family is dead. Judah then changes his mind and races the Sheikh's horses in a race against Messala. Messala is fatally wounded, and sends for Judah. When Judah arrives, Messala tells Judah where his mother and sister actually are. He goes to try to see them, but Esther persuades him to allow them to believe that he is in the dark.
Pontious Pilot is now the governor of Judea and sends for Judah and tells him that his father, Arrius, has arranged for Judah to become a Roman citizen. Judah, filled with bitterness, decides to turn this offer down. On the walk back home, Esther and Judah once again meet Balthazar on his way to listen to a rabbi speak. Esther goes with Balthazar but Judah decides that a rabbi talking about forgiveness is not what he needs right now and continues home. When he arrives, we find out that Esther went to hear the Sermon on the Mount and tries to deliver it's message to Judah, who is just too filled with bitterness to listen.
A few weeks later, Esther delivers food to Judah's mother and sister, but the sister is absent. Judah has followed Esther and discovers that his sister is dying and rushes in to see her. Esther insists that if only they could hear this rabbi, everything would be alright, so the four of them walk to Jerusalem. Just in time for Jesus to be walking with his cross through the streets. Judah tells Esther to get his family home while he goes to see. Balthazar is there and explains to Judah that Jesus knew this was why he was here, to die for the world's sins. The storm then moves in.
The women seek shelter during the storm. Both Judah's mother and sister cry out in pain. But as the storm subsides, they discover that they are both cured of their disease. Judah arrives home and tells Esther that he heard Jesus say "Forgive them, they know not what they do." and with that, "His voice took the sword from my hand." Esther hugs him and as they move into the estate, Judah sees his cured family and all is well.
The movie closes on a beautiful shot of three empty crosses on a hill as a shepherd leads his flock to graze.
*deep breath* This was a long one! (three and a half hours, in fact) So, I apologize for the length of the summary. BUT on to what I think.
This movie was BIG. Everything about it was BIG. The cast had to be the size of a small city. I counted thirteen credited parts, and over sixty uncredited parts PLUS the extras (yes, I think that they are different here...). The chariot course was the largest set built to date. And does it get much bigger than Charleton Heston in a religious epic? I was almost overwhelmed by the huge imagery. The big sweeping story. Everything. But, in following Judah through his life, it made it a little more accessible.
I know that many don't like Heston. I admit, I am really used to him as Moses. HOWEVER, Judah is a flawed guy trying to do right by his family and by his people. This makes him more... human, more approachable. I really liked his performance here. He had a great half-smile that flashed across his face. You can see how much he cared for his family and friends. And you even understand his behavior. There are no WTF moments in his motivations. In fact, there aren't really any in anyone else's motivations either (aside from WHY Messala decides that Judah should know his family is sick. Why does he do that?)
This is not to say that there weren't a couple of things that raised my eyebrow. (this movie was released in 1959, so there has to be some eyebrow raising) The first one is when Jesus gives Judah water. The Roman soldier says something but then stops and just looks... lost. I am sure that the idea was that he was awed by Jesus's divinity, but all I kept thinking was that he needed directions. The other scene that sticks out was the scene in the Shiekh's tent. Judah and the Sheikh are talking about wives, the Sheikh tells him he should buy one soon, and then asks Judah to meet them. And the curtain raises... on his horses. I really think that I probably missed a line or transition somewhere, but I really thought that this movie had taken a really dark turn for a second. A really dark turn. I am sure that there are more, but this entry is really long as it is...
If you like epic stories and BIG, Ben-Hur is great. Even if you don't really like the religious movies of that time, it's still a great story. BIG BIG BIG. I can't say it enough. However, should it be on AFI's list? Yeah. Yeah, I really think so. It's well written, well put together, well acted, well costumed (I could go on forever about the costumes!). A beautiful movie all the way around.
This one I am going to cut off a little shorter on the opinion than I would like... I just feel like this is running really long. But worry not! The next one will be heavy on the opinion, I am sure. Feel free to share your opinions on any of these movies with me. I would love to discuss!
*sigh* And now I get to watch Meet the Spartans. Fan-freakin-tastic.
GGC
Saturday, May 12, 2012
New exciting project
I am not going to rename this blog. I am still Geeky Gamer Chick. I have not been blogging regularly, obviously. I think that is because I didn't know what to say. So this has just sat here dormant for a long time (again... obviously). So, I will be using this space to tell whoever is interested about my journey into movies. Good and bad. In fact... The best and the worst. I will be watching all of the films on The American Film Institute's list of best films as well as all of the films on a list of worst films as I found on IMDB. The lists can be found here http://www.afi.com/100years/movies10.aspx and here http://www.imdb.com/chart/bottom. This week, I will be watching both films in the 100th spot on their respective list, Ben-Hur from the best films, and Meet the Spartans from the worst films. I am not claiming to be an expert. I am claiming to love movies. And if you are reading this, feel free to take this journey with me and share YOUR thoughts with me. I think it makes sense to "count them down" so... Here's to a fun time. I hope...
I also need a name for this adventure. If you have any ideas... feel free to share them with me. I will be shamelessly using your clever idea as the title for this group of blog entries. I will give you credit. (maybe)
GGC
I also need a name for this adventure. If you have any ideas... feel free to share them with me. I will be shamelessly using your clever idea as the title for this group of blog entries. I will give you credit. (maybe)
GGC
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