Last night I watched the movie "The Rose" with Bette Midler. I had not planned to watch it but was too tired to read.
We have over 100 channels and there never seems to be anything on.
I saw The Rose in the theater in 1979. I went with my friends. We played together in a Top 40 cover band at that time and this seemed like a good movie for a bunch of wanna-be musicians to take in.
The movie is about a young rocker who just wants her life back but her agent/manager/producer wants her to keep working to make him money.
She does drugs and at the end, dies. Or at least the movie implies she does. I prefer to think she went into a coma and eventually woke up and went on to live a quiet life.
I suppose it is a thinly-veiled Janis Joplin movie.
Bette Midler does a great job in this movie. The song "The Rose" brings tears to my eyes nearly every time I hear it.
I remember when I saw the movie in the theater, us girls in the band were bawling when we left.
I did not cry last night when I watched it but it sure made me feel kind of sad.
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Movies. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wall-E
I received the movie Wall-E for Christmas.
We watched it Saturday night.
The movie is, on the surface, a story about a robotic trash compactor that falls in love with another robot when it visits from space. He follows her back to her ship. After some adventures, romance ensues.
However, this movie is full of messages.
There is the "humans are polluting the earth and making it unfit for habitation" message.
And the "humans do nothing but stuff their faces and sit on their fat asses" message."
Also the "corporations are taking over the world and they aren't doing a very good job of taking care of much of anything" message.
And "the smallest person (or robot, in this case) can make a difference" message.
The movie's premise is that B&L Corporation has taken over everything. The world becomes so polluted thanks to the consumer culture that there is nothing left to do but build space ships and leave robot trash compactors to take care of the planet. The idea was to be gone for five years, at which point the place would be cleaned up and inhabitable again.
That didn't happen, and mankind roams around in space for 700 years hoping the planet will repair itself, I guess. The ship's captain sends out probes to earth every now and again hoping for signs of plant life, even though everyone has forgotten what a plant is.
Wall-E is one of the last working robot trash compactors, if not the last one. Eve comes from space; she's a probe looking for a plant.
Wall-E has developed into more than a robot. He likes to watch Hello Dolly and collect stuff, including parts with which to repair himself. I suppose 700 years could do that to a trash compactor.
This movie received good reviews and made Pixar a lot of money.
I couldn't get past all of the "messages" to enjoy the film. I generally like apocalyptic movies - some of my favorites are Waterworld, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, The Postman, etc., and some of my favorite books (1984; Alas, Babylon) deal with the topic.
But humanity was portrayed in such a ghastly manner that I really didn't care if they came back to earth or not. Nor did I care much about Wall-E. I know I was supposed to but I didn't, mostly, I think, because the messages about the world and humanity so overshadowed the little robot that I could hardly see him for the larger back story.
I don't disagree with any of the main messages of the film, but I was dismayed that those messages took center stage. I felt like I was being beaten over the head with them.
Maybe I need to watch it again because I must have missed something crucial to the film since it received such good reviews. Perhaps I shall blame it on my cold.
*In the commentary section on Wikepedia, linked to above, there are notes about others who took issue with the film, many for different reasons than what I've cited.*
We watched it Saturday night.
The movie is, on the surface, a story about a robotic trash compactor that falls in love with another robot when it visits from space. He follows her back to her ship. After some adventures, romance ensues.
However, this movie is full of messages.
There is the "humans are polluting the earth and making it unfit for habitation" message.
And the "humans do nothing but stuff their faces and sit on their fat asses" message."
Also the "corporations are taking over the world and they aren't doing a very good job of taking care of much of anything" message.
And "the smallest person (or robot, in this case) can make a difference" message.
The movie's premise is that B&L Corporation has taken over everything. The world becomes so polluted thanks to the consumer culture that there is nothing left to do but build space ships and leave robot trash compactors to take care of the planet. The idea was to be gone for five years, at which point the place would be cleaned up and inhabitable again.
That didn't happen, and mankind roams around in space for 700 years hoping the planet will repair itself, I guess. The ship's captain sends out probes to earth every now and again hoping for signs of plant life, even though everyone has forgotten what a plant is.
Wall-E is one of the last working robot trash compactors, if not the last one. Eve comes from space; she's a probe looking for a plant.
Wall-E has developed into more than a robot. He likes to watch Hello Dolly and collect stuff, including parts with which to repair himself. I suppose 700 years could do that to a trash compactor.
This movie received good reviews and made Pixar a lot of money.
I couldn't get past all of the "messages" to enjoy the film. I generally like apocalyptic movies - some of my favorites are Waterworld, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, The Postman, etc., and some of my favorite books (1984; Alas, Babylon) deal with the topic.
But humanity was portrayed in such a ghastly manner that I really didn't care if they came back to earth or not. Nor did I care much about Wall-E. I know I was supposed to but I didn't, mostly, I think, because the messages about the world and humanity so overshadowed the little robot that I could hardly see him for the larger back story.
I don't disagree with any of the main messages of the film, but I was dismayed that those messages took center stage. I felt like I was being beaten over the head with them.
Maybe I need to watch it again because I must have missed something crucial to the film since it received such good reviews. Perhaps I shall blame it on my cold.
*In the commentary section on Wikepedia, linked to above, there are notes about others who took issue with the film, many for different reasons than what I've cited.*
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
The other night we watched Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.
Very good movie!
Lots of action, a little romance, plenty of mystery. Vintage Indiana Jones stuff, cleverly updated to the McCarthy times.
Recommended to all Indiana Jones fans.
4 stars
Very good movie!
Lots of action, a little romance, plenty of mystery. Vintage Indiana Jones stuff, cleverly updated to the McCarthy times.
Recommended to all Indiana Jones fans.
4 stars
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
A Really Stupid (and bad) Movie
Last night we watched You Don't Mess with the Zohan, which stars Adam Sandler.
This was, hands down, one of the worst movies I have watched in a long time. If we hadn't ordered it on pay-per-view I'd have stopped watching after the first 10 minutes. As it was I picked up a book while my husband watched it.
Even James, who has a much higher tolerance for bad movies, said after 40 minutes that we just wasted $4 ordering that movie.
He likes Adam Sandler, generally, and has seen most if not all of his movies. I have always found them too stupid to endure for the most part. I can't think of a single one that I would watch a second time.
This movie was so sexist that I wanted to puke. The lead character treated women as if they were nothing but his personal sex toys. The debasement began in the first minute of the movie and continued throughout. If you have any respect for women, or if you find the objectification of women objectionable, then this movie is not for you.
The basic plot is Zohan is some super Israeli fighter who wants to be a hairdresser. He fakes his death and goes to New York. He meets a Palestinian hair dresser who gives him a chance and he turns the salon into a famous place (because of course the poor female hair dresser couldn't do it herself).
I think there was some message about people getting along there at the end and being peaceful but it was pretty much lost in the midst of all of the stupidity portrayed in the rest of the movie.
ZERO stars
This was, hands down, one of the worst movies I have watched in a long time. If we hadn't ordered it on pay-per-view I'd have stopped watching after the first 10 minutes. As it was I picked up a book while my husband watched it.
Even James, who has a much higher tolerance for bad movies, said after 40 minutes that we just wasted $4 ordering that movie.
He likes Adam Sandler, generally, and has seen most if not all of his movies. I have always found them too stupid to endure for the most part. I can't think of a single one that I would watch a second time.
This movie was so sexist that I wanted to puke. The lead character treated women as if they were nothing but his personal sex toys. The debasement began in the first minute of the movie and continued throughout. If you have any respect for women, or if you find the objectification of women objectionable, then this movie is not for you.
The basic plot is Zohan is some super Israeli fighter who wants to be a hairdresser. He fakes his death and goes to New York. He meets a Palestinian hair dresser who gives him a chance and he turns the salon into a famous place (because of course the poor female hair dresser couldn't do it herself).
I think there was some message about people getting along there at the end and being peaceful but it was pretty much lost in the midst of all of the stupidity portrayed in the rest of the movie.
ZERO stars
Friday, August 08, 2008
Swing Vote
Last weekend we saw the movie Swing Vote with Kevin Costner.
The movie basically is about a down-and-out divorced father who works in a egg factory (and gets fired during the movie). Through some twisted logic, he becomes the key vote during the presidential elections.
The presidential candidates then via for his vote.
That's the plot, but the movie is quite a commentary on our society. It is billed as a comedy but I cried throughout much of the show.
The movie highlighted the people that don't seem to matter in this country, at least not to the media and not to the government. Costner's character was one of those folks who have given up and lost hope of ever doing anything with his life. Why should he bother voting, much less trying to understand the issues, when so little of it pertains to his life?
He doesn't care about abortion or stem cell research or the War in Iraq, except that its taken some his drinking buddies away from town. He does care about high prices, gassing up his truck, feeding his daughter and making sure she gets to school.
The presidential candidates swoop into town to convince this uneducated bumpkin to vote for their side. It doesn't really matter what they stand for or if they are right or left in their politics; if Costner's character said he liked purple and the polka that is all that mattered.
Finally Costner's daughter forced him to understand the importance of his decision. He read letters that folks just like himself sent to him, hoping he would make a difference. He asked for a debate between the two candidates. One of the letters asked why, in a nation so rich, is there so little for those who have the least?
It is a good question and the movie did not answer it. That's because the answers are multiple and singular. I can name it in one word: greed.
The concept of the Greater Good has vanished. People do not care about one another. If I know you I might care about you but otherwise, I have no need or desire to see that you are safe and fed. That is how people think, with their eyes and hearts completely closed.
Politicians listen only to whiny self-inflated egoists who sit in their McMansions boo-hooing because they might have to pay another $100 a year in taxes. Those crybabies never think that their money might feed another person, or fix a road so that their best friend's cousin doesn't get killed in the bad curve, or pay for health care for an elderly mother who just had a stroke. All they think about is their tightly closed pocketbook.
The politicians (or the McMansion crowd) don't hear the cries of the waitress trying to raise her daughter on $18,000 a year. Or the sounds of a family of four trying to get back on $24,000 a year. They don't realize that there is no blame - not everyone can come out on top. Despite the rhetoric, we can't all be president or run corporations or make a million dollars. There just isn't enough time or space.
The politicians just hear Halliburton's cries for more cash and Exxon's demands for lower pollution controls. Big business rules. Hail the corporations!
This movie pointed out what is wrong and sad about this country and about the pitiful and sick election process that we undergo every four years.
It made some members of the audience uncomfortable and it made me cry. I wish everyone would watch this flick and understand, if only for a moment, the absolute unfairness of our capitalistic system and just how undemocratic our so-called democracy really is.
The movie basically is about a down-and-out divorced father who works in a egg factory (and gets fired during the movie). Through some twisted logic, he becomes the key vote during the presidential elections.
The presidential candidates then via for his vote.
That's the plot, but the movie is quite a commentary on our society. It is billed as a comedy but I cried throughout much of the show.
The movie highlighted the people that don't seem to matter in this country, at least not to the media and not to the government. Costner's character was one of those folks who have given up and lost hope of ever doing anything with his life. Why should he bother voting, much less trying to understand the issues, when so little of it pertains to his life?
He doesn't care about abortion or stem cell research or the War in Iraq, except that its taken some his drinking buddies away from town. He does care about high prices, gassing up his truck, feeding his daughter and making sure she gets to school.
The presidential candidates swoop into town to convince this uneducated bumpkin to vote for their side. It doesn't really matter what they stand for or if they are right or left in their politics; if Costner's character said he liked purple and the polka that is all that mattered.
Finally Costner's daughter forced him to understand the importance of his decision. He read letters that folks just like himself sent to him, hoping he would make a difference. He asked for a debate between the two candidates. One of the letters asked why, in a nation so rich, is there so little for those who have the least?
It is a good question and the movie did not answer it. That's because the answers are multiple and singular. I can name it in one word: greed.
The concept of the Greater Good has vanished. People do not care about one another. If I know you I might care about you but otherwise, I have no need or desire to see that you are safe and fed. That is how people think, with their eyes and hearts completely closed.
Politicians listen only to whiny self-inflated egoists who sit in their McMansions boo-hooing because they might have to pay another $100 a year in taxes. Those crybabies never think that their money might feed another person, or fix a road so that their best friend's cousin doesn't get killed in the bad curve, or pay for health care for an elderly mother who just had a stroke. All they think about is their tightly closed pocketbook.
The politicians (or the McMansion crowd) don't hear the cries of the waitress trying to raise her daughter on $18,000 a year. Or the sounds of a family of four trying to get back on $24,000 a year. They don't realize that there is no blame - not everyone can come out on top. Despite the rhetoric, we can't all be president or run corporations or make a million dollars. There just isn't enough time or space.
The politicians just hear Halliburton's cries for more cash and Exxon's demands for lower pollution controls. Big business rules. Hail the corporations!
This movie pointed out what is wrong and sad about this country and about the pitiful and sick election process that we undergo every four years.
It made some members of the audience uncomfortable and it made me cry. I wish everyone would watch this flick and understand, if only for a moment, the absolute unfairness of our capitalistic system and just how undemocratic our so-called democracy really is.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Miscellaneous Media
My husband likes to laugh. He loves Comedy Central and he enjoys watching comedians and funny movies. When we first started dating, he was constantly quoting lines from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I had to watch the movie to see what he was talking about.
These days, he is fascinated with Jeff Dunham. Jeff is a ventriloquist and comic. You can view some of his skits on his website here.
I just wanted to point the ventriloquist out in case someone hasn't seen him. Some of his work is a little irreverent. I like his character Peanut the best. You can find more of his stuff on youtube.com if you care to look.
Moving on.
I have seen two movies in the past two months. While not a record, it is close. We don't get to the theater often. We both have a thing about paying $7.75 for a small soft drink and a bottle of water. We can stay at home and drink out of the tap for free.
Anyway, I saw The Golden Compass in December. I was disappointed in the movie because it could have been so much more. It had the potential to have the scope and depth of Lord of the Rings, but it did not. I think it failed the book. Philip Pullman's vision was not realized. I found the lead character unappealing and I never felt I knew her or her motivations. Others have said otherwise, of course.
Sunday we saw National Treasure: Book of Secrets. I enjoyed this film, probably because I took no expectations into the theater with me. I enjoyed the first movie, too. I love history and I love mystery so these movies work well for me.
For Christmas, I received all but one of the remaining seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer which I was missing. Buffy was a show I enjoyed but until this year I did not see the seasons beyond Season 4. I thought overall the series ended better than Xena: Warrior Princess, which is the only other set of DVDs for which I have the entire show.
After the New Year I ordered the last missing Buffy season, and while I was at it, I ordered the first season of Cagney and Lacey.
If you're seeing a pattern as to the kinds of TV I watch, well, then you know why I don't watch TV much anymore. You rarely see well-produced and written shows these days about strong women who overcome the odds and move forward with their lives. Apparently those women have turned into ... well, I watch so little TV these days I don't even have anything to compare them to.
The only show I make any effort to watch now is Ghost Whisperer and while Melinda is an interesting character she is not in the same league as Buffy, that's for sure. I attempted the new Bionic Woman and it didn't do it for me - she was just a puppet, not a thinking woman.
Other shows that I used to watch include La Femme Nikita, Murphy Brown, and Designing Women. I even liked Charlie's Angels, the (real) Bionic Woman, and Wonder Woman when I was (much) younger.
I am always up to checking out a show, so you if know of something that might fit the "strong woman" bill, let me know. I rather miss knowing that on X night of the week, there will be good TV.
In the meantime, I have this big pile of books... and I will continue to read.
These days, he is fascinated with Jeff Dunham. Jeff is a ventriloquist and comic. You can view some of his skits on his website here.
I just wanted to point the ventriloquist out in case someone hasn't seen him. Some of his work is a little irreverent. I like his character Peanut the best. You can find more of his stuff on youtube.com if you care to look.
Moving on.
I have seen two movies in the past two months. While not a record, it is close. We don't get to the theater often. We both have a thing about paying $7.75 for a small soft drink and a bottle of water. We can stay at home and drink out of the tap for free.
Anyway, I saw The Golden Compass in December. I was disappointed in the movie because it could have been so much more. It had the potential to have the scope and depth of Lord of the Rings, but it did not. I think it failed the book. Philip Pullman's vision was not realized. I found the lead character unappealing and I never felt I knew her or her motivations. Others have said otherwise, of course.
Sunday we saw National Treasure: Book of Secrets. I enjoyed this film, probably because I took no expectations into the theater with me. I enjoyed the first movie, too. I love history and I love mystery so these movies work well for me.
For Christmas, I received all but one of the remaining seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer which I was missing. Buffy was a show I enjoyed but until this year I did not see the seasons beyond Season 4. I thought overall the series ended better than Xena: Warrior Princess, which is the only other set of DVDs for which I have the entire show.
After the New Year I ordered the last missing Buffy season, and while I was at it, I ordered the first season of Cagney and Lacey.
If you're seeing a pattern as to the kinds of TV I watch, well, then you know why I don't watch TV much anymore. You rarely see well-produced and written shows these days about strong women who overcome the odds and move forward with their lives. Apparently those women have turned into ... well, I watch so little TV these days I don't even have anything to compare them to.
The only show I make any effort to watch now is Ghost Whisperer and while Melinda is an interesting character she is not in the same league as Buffy, that's for sure. I attempted the new Bionic Woman and it didn't do it for me - she was just a puppet, not a thinking woman.
Other shows that I used to watch include La Femme Nikita, Murphy Brown, and Designing Women. I even liked Charlie's Angels, the (real) Bionic Woman, and Wonder Woman when I was (much) younger.
I am always up to checking out a show, so you if know of something that might fit the "strong woman" bill, let me know. I rather miss knowing that on X night of the week, there will be good TV.
In the meantime, I have this big pile of books... and I will continue to read.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Movie: Shenandoah
Shenandoah
1965
With Jimmy Stewart
We caught this old movie Friday night. Neither of us had ever seen it. I happened to have managed to be in charge of the remote for a time (this is unusual) and I stopped on it.
It's set not far from where I live, just up the valley. While I don't think it was filmed on location - that landscape certainly looked more Californian than Virginian to me - it was interesting to watch.
Charlie Anderson is a farmer who doesn't want to take sides in the Civil War. Then his youngest son is taken prisoner by a Yankee brigade. The movie really brought home how devastating war is on everyone, even those who want no part of it.
3.75 stars
1965
With Jimmy Stewart
We caught this old movie Friday night. Neither of us had ever seen it. I happened to have managed to be in charge of the remote for a time (this is unusual) and I stopped on it.
It's set not far from where I live, just up the valley. While I don't think it was filmed on location - that landscape certainly looked more Californian than Virginian to me - it was interesting to watch.
Charlie Anderson is a farmer who doesn't want to take sides in the Civil War. Then his youngest son is taken prisoner by a Yankee brigade. The movie really brought home how devastating war is on everyone, even those who want no part of it.
3.75 stars
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Movie: Little Miss Sunshine
Little Miss Sunshine is a movie about a very dysfunctional family who wants to take their daughter 900 miles away to a beauty contest.
There really is a Little Miss Sunshine contest. I know this because my niece has won the one around here. Several times.
Anyway, this movie won two Oscars in 2006. Which is way better than winning a beauty contest, I bet.
The movie was billed as a comedy but I did not find it funny. I considered it a drama. It was rather engaging and I enjoyed watching Steve Carrell (sp?) in something other than a stupid movie such as 40-year old Virgin. He is a pretty good actor when he isn't sticking something up his nose or whatever.
3 stars
There really is a Little Miss Sunshine contest. I know this because my niece has won the one around here. Several times.
Anyway, this movie won two Oscars in 2006. Which is way better than winning a beauty contest, I bet.
The movie was billed as a comedy but I did not find it funny. I considered it a drama. It was rather engaging and I enjoyed watching Steve Carrell (sp?) in something other than a stupid movie such as 40-year old Virgin. He is a pretty good actor when he isn't sticking something up his nose or whatever.
3 stars
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Movie: Chuck and Larry
Last night we saw Chuck and Larry at the the theater. Since my husband is a fireman, it apparently was must-see. We went with a bunch of fire-fighting friends.
I think Husband found it amusing but I laughed only twice during the entire two hours.
The movie was stereoptypical, mean, and based on an unbelievable premise. Potty humor never has really appealed to me.
2 stars
I think Husband found it amusing but I laughed only twice during the entire two hours.
The movie was stereoptypical, mean, and based on an unbelievable premise. Potty humor never has really appealed to me.
2 stars
Monday, July 23, 2007
Movies: Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix
We took in the fifth Harry Potter movie on July 19.
Seeing as it was based on the book of the same name, I wasn't expecting much action. That book did not have as much going for it as I would have liked. It was, I think, a kind of a fill-in book, a way to age Harry or something.
Anyway, the movie was so-so. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was definitely a better fim.
The children have grown and are young adults. Unfortunately for the fellow who plays Harry, it was very obvious. The young man definitely needed a shave . . .
2.5 stars
Seeing as it was based on the book of the same name, I wasn't expecting much action. That book did not have as much going for it as I would have liked. It was, I think, a kind of a fill-in book, a way to age Harry or something.
Anyway, the movie was so-so. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire was definitely a better fim.
The children have grown and are young adults. Unfortunately for the fellow who plays Harry, it was very obvious. The young man definitely needed a shave . . .
2.5 stars
Monday, June 11, 2007
Movies: Shrek the Third
Shrek the Third
Now playing in a theater near you
We love Shrek around our house. We have sat and watched the first two Shreks numerous times.
I am sorry to say I doubt we watch the third one over and over, unless it turns out to be one of those movies that gets better on second viewing.
This Shrek was a little darker with few laughs. My husband can generally find a laugh in something long before me, but even he was disappointed in this film.
"They made one too many Shreks," he commented as the closing titles came on the screen.
The magic was missing in this film. Instead of feeling fresh and original, this seemed trite and tired. For me, from the beginning there was a plot hole big enough to drive a tractor trailer through and I had difficulty getting past that. The king was dying; the queen still lived. His daughter lived. And Shrek was named king, didn't want to be and set off in search of Arthur ... why?
Merlin made an appearance as a hippie, and could have been a wonderful character but wasn't. I felt like there were many missed opportunities in this movie and I'm rather sorry about it.
I was perfectly willing to enjoy it, and it wasn't bad but it certainly didn't blow me away.
2.5 stars
Now playing in a theater near you
We love Shrek around our house. We have sat and watched the first two Shreks numerous times.
I am sorry to say I doubt we watch the third one over and over, unless it turns out to be one of those movies that gets better on second viewing.
This Shrek was a little darker with few laughs. My husband can generally find a laugh in something long before me, but even he was disappointed in this film.
"They made one too many Shreks," he commented as the closing titles came on the screen.
The magic was missing in this film. Instead of feeling fresh and original, this seemed trite and tired. For me, from the beginning there was a plot hole big enough to drive a tractor trailer through and I had difficulty getting past that. The king was dying; the queen still lived. His daughter lived. And Shrek was named king, didn't want to be and set off in search of Arthur ... why?
Merlin made an appearance as a hippie, and could have been a wonderful character but wasn't. I felt like there were many missed opportunities in this movie and I'm rather sorry about it.
I was perfectly willing to enjoy it, and it wasn't bad but it certainly didn't blow me away.
2.5 stars
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Thursday Thirteen
1. Overheard in Books-A-Million: "I ordered Harry Potter but I never got my card to present. I have to have that book when it comes in so I can read it! Can you check on my order?" The words were spoken by a wizened white-haired man.
2. The next Harry Potter movie comes out in July.
3. The seventh - and last - Harry Potter book comes out in July also.
4. I have the weekend of July 21 marked off on my calendar so I can spend that Saturday reading the book.
5. I didn't start reading J. K. Rowling's books until the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, came out. Then I went back and read the others.
6. Now I am an avowed Harry Potter fan, but I tend to forget the details of the books.
7. The movies so far have been very well done.
8. Harry Potter has grown up a lot in the books and I appreciate the character development.
9. Rowling has a great play on words and her character names have been well-thought-out.
10. My closest friend has never read Harry Potter. Neither has my husband, although he goes to the theater to watch the movies with me.
11. Once when I was discussing Harry Potter with someone in a restaurant, a woman turned around and informed me I was going to hell because Harry Potter is stuff of the devil.
12. Her son or grandson, who looked to be about 13, told the woman it was only fantasy.
13. Kids can tell the difference between fantasy and reality. It seems to be adults who don't know the difference.
2. The next Harry Potter movie comes out in July.
3. The seventh - and last - Harry Potter book comes out in July also.
4. I have the weekend of July 21 marked off on my calendar so I can spend that Saturday reading the book.
5. I didn't start reading J. K. Rowling's books until the fourth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, came out. Then I went back and read the others.
6. Now I am an avowed Harry Potter fan, but I tend to forget the details of the books.
7. The movies so far have been very well done.
8. Harry Potter has grown up a lot in the books and I appreciate the character development.
9. Rowling has a great play on words and her character names have been well-thought-out.
10. My closest friend has never read Harry Potter. Neither has my husband, although he goes to the theater to watch the movies with me.
11. Once when I was discussing Harry Potter with someone in a restaurant, a woman turned around and informed me I was going to hell because Harry Potter is stuff of the devil.
12. Her son or grandson, who looked to be about 13, told the woman it was only fantasy.
13. Kids can tell the difference between fantasy and reality. It seems to be adults who don't know the difference.
Friday, May 04, 2007
Movie: Man of the Year
This 2006 release stars Robin Williams. It is directed by Barry Levinson.
We watched it last weekend as a pay-per-view on DirectTV.
We generally enjoy Robin Williams; my husband is an ardent fan. However, in recent years that ardor has cooled as Williams' seems to have become practically manic in his delivery.
Williams portrays Tom Dobbs, a talk show host (think Bill Maher or Jon Stewart) who runs for office and wins.
Meanwhile, there is a problem with the new electronic voting machines sanctioned by Congress. Pretty girl realizes there is a problem, gets in way of big corporation, gets smeared, attempts to tell Dobbs that he really didn't win, falls for him, etc. etc.
The movie had about three laughs and was very heavy handed in its messages. While I agree with the messages, I am not sure they make for good entertainment. Yes, the electoral college system we use is weird, to say the least - a man winning the presidency by winning 13 states? Sure, it can be done with our system.
That was one of the messages.
The other is the complete distrust of electronic voting, and I really agree with that message. I think the machines can be rigged and altered and are totally unsecure. But it's hard to make an entire movie around it, especially a movie that didn't know whether it was a comedy or an action flick.
Maybe if they'd chosen total action flick?
Anyway, I was glad we didn't waste the money at the theater to see this.
1.5 stars
We watched it last weekend as a pay-per-view on DirectTV.
We generally enjoy Robin Williams; my husband is an ardent fan. However, in recent years that ardor has cooled as Williams' seems to have become practically manic in his delivery.
Williams portrays Tom Dobbs, a talk show host (think Bill Maher or Jon Stewart) who runs for office and wins.
Meanwhile, there is a problem with the new electronic voting machines sanctioned by Congress. Pretty girl realizes there is a problem, gets in way of big corporation, gets smeared, attempts to tell Dobbs that he really didn't win, falls for him, etc. etc.
The movie had about three laughs and was very heavy handed in its messages. While I agree with the messages, I am not sure they make for good entertainment. Yes, the electoral college system we use is weird, to say the least - a man winning the presidency by winning 13 states? Sure, it can be done with our system.
That was one of the messages.
The other is the complete distrust of electronic voting, and I really agree with that message. I think the machines can be rigged and altered and are totally unsecure. But it's hard to make an entire movie around it, especially a movie that didn't know whether it was a comedy or an action flick.
Maybe if they'd chosen total action flick?
Anyway, I was glad we didn't waste the money at the theater to see this.
1.5 stars
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