Category: Culture

So I’ve just been turned on to this movie, Be Kind Rewind. Here, watch the trailer:

Now if that didn’t sell you on this movie, watch this trailer for it:

That’s nothing short of brilliant. I’m going to see this movie.

Summer by Mogwai
[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/mogwai2004-08-14.flac16/mogwai2004-08-14t003_64kb.mp3]

What a trip. I had been meaning to see this movie for a long time, and I was finally able to tonight. From the start the movie puts you into a dream world, which may or may not reflect your own. Slowly, the dreamy feel of the movie overtakes you, and you’re changed. All this time since has been just as dream-like, and I don’t expect that to change until I actually wake up tomorrow.

The Fountain has everything going for it: absolutely stunning visuals, with incredible actors, backed by a sublime soundtrack. I had heard some murmurs about this film after it was released, but nothing that compelled me to see it. I wish I had. This film would have been incredible in a theater, considering how wonderful it was on a tv in a basement.

The absolute first thing this film reminded me of was Pan’s Labyrinth, and I think the enchanting effect of the movie is to blame for this. I got a similar feeling from that movie…I hope they don’t share certain other qualities. I loved Pan’s Labyrinth, but when I saw it a second time, it was only a movie, and nothing more. I hope the same is not true of The Fountain – I should like to see it again.

I’m not going to try and analyze the film here, that is a subject for discussion, and this blog is a one-way media. I’m not sure what I should do now. Normally, had this night gone differently, I would be sitting here, working on code. But right now, that feels like a waste. Going to sleep also feels like a waste, although maybe only because I’m trying to adjust my sleep schedule so I can wake up early on Sunday to go snowboarding.

I don’t often say this, but I wish it was warmer out. Tonight I’d like to just stare at the sky and listen to music. Space out, think or not think, and see where that would bring me. But it is cold, and sitting outside isn’t bearable.

I’d like to draw special attention to this song, because it is a bus song. And its great.

Well Oiled Machine by Hot Buttered Rum
[audio:http://www.archive.org/download/HBRSB2005-02-05.flac16/HBRSB2005-02-05d01t08_64kb.mp3]

So I’m home for winter break, and saw I am Legend. It is “ok, alright.” It could have been much better. I think Will Smith proves himself as an actor, since for much of the movie, he is the only person we see. And the story is great, I would love to read the book. But the presentation and movie overall fall flat. I’d be curious to see deleted scenes when the DVD comes out. I would hope that since there was only one actor, they filmed as much as they could, and then whittled it down afterwards.
Which is why I blame the producers for this movie being subpar. I think they shot a lot of footage, and then chopped it down to an hour and a half. I think at two hours, the story could have been told better, and it would have been a great movie.
I’m willing to bet test audiences thought that version (or a longer version) was too long, and tedious. And its true that a longer movie wouldn’t appeal as broad as it does in its current form, but I think it would have been worth it. As it is, I am Legend is nothing remarkable, but I’m looking forward to the DVD.

A long while ago on TCM or some similar classic movie channel I saw The General with Buster Keaton. It is an absolutely incredible movie, and I just found out it is in the public domain. So enjoy.

uh, so it looks like its gone. hope you caught it before that happened.

Make sure to buy this when it comes out, or else you’ll feel bad.