NOW SHOWING

These two seem to be about the only two that I haven't done a pre-review on. So this will be a small one.

THE DARK KNIGHT
One small paragraph will not suffice. I shall post a bigger blog. I've been a little hesitant to do so, but by now, most people have seen it. I want to see it again. Perhaps at the el cheapo $5 cinema in local Croydon...yes....then I will blog about it.

THE X FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE
I want to believe that this would be worth the presumable $9.50 i would spend on a cheap Tuesday to go and see this. I didn't really watch the X Files when it came out. I've seen an episode or two since, and its looks at least intriguing. Didn't see the first X Files movie, so I don't know if I'm in a position to judge (like that would stop me). Nevertheless, I'm hoping to see this some cheap Tuesday.

Thank you jesus

Every now and then I am reminded of some funny and shameless things that I have seen. This is from a little show called "America's Next Top Model" Enough said.

Just for fun

I know it's about a year old, but I think its sheer brilliance! Just take note of the original question, and keep it in mind when the answer is being given...

WEEDS

It seems there is an abundance of dysfunction within television series and serials these days. Since the days of Married with Children, The Simpsons and Malcolm in the Middle television has been filled with problematic households. Following in the recent tradition of Desperate Housewives, Weeds is a suburban tale of sex, death, the p.t.a., adultery, and pot.

Mary Louise Parker stars as Nancy Botwin, a recently widowed suburban pot dealer, making ends meet in a morally questionable profession. The show's story initially follows the grief that the Botwin family is dealing with, but as this progresses, so does Nancy's dealings along with the help of city councilman Doug Wilson (Kevin Nealon), brother-in-law Andy (Justin Kirk) and suppliers Conrad (Romany Malco) and Heylia (Tonye Patano).

At the heart of Weeds are its relationships within the central characters. Nancy's neighbour and closet thing to a female friend is Celia Hodes, played to perfection by Elizabeth Perkins. Celia deals with her own battles that include infidelity, illness, her eldest daughter's sexuality, and her youngest daughter's weight problems. It is within the character of Celia that we truly begin to question who is more morally sound: Celia or the pot dealing mum Nancy.

Weeds is an addictive and satirical take on the modern day American dream, and what it takes to sustain it. The brilliance of the title of 'Weeds' not only relates to the central conceit of the pot dealing Nancy, but to what is under the surface of all suburbia, the weeds that grow underneath the rose garden, and within time start to appear. Part of the brilliance of Weeds is that as a viewer, even an international viewer (aka us in Oz) can relate to the problems that the characters face, despite the usually suburban decadence of Agrestic (in true American-Desperate Housewives affluent style. It's shows like Roseanne, Malcolm in the Middle and Married with Children were the families do not live in mansions, but modest homes, which is a conceit that seems innovative and rare.)

Weeds deals with not only Nancy's financial problems, but also with the problems she suffers as being a single parent. Her two children Silas and Shane are changing as a result of not only adolescence, but also of knowledge of their own mother's secret dealings.

It is shows like Weeds that makes up appreciate how normal and healthy our lives usually are, but in this case especially, you can use Weeds as a template for your own suburb and wonder what is beneath the surface of your own neighbourhood. Like the age old question that is explicitly addressed in Desperate Housewives: "How much do we really know about our neighbours?"

This review is mainly based on the plot lines of season one. While season two is quite similar to season one in regards to style and plot, the show progresses to an interesting place and is currently screening it's fourth season in the US.

Currently playing....

MEET DAVE (released 17/6)
I feel ashamed to admit that I actually laugh in some Eddie Murphy films. He doesn't seem to be the popular pop culture figure. But I laughed in Nutty Professors. But I didn't see Norbit and didn't love the Doctor Dolittle films. Boring! However, I shamefully admit that I laughed in the trailer for this film. So, maybe my kind of sense of humour would be easily amused by this film. I am tempted to find out.

MAMMA MIA (released 10/7)
I freely admit to being in the group of young primary school children that became excited with the release of ABBA GOLD (circa 1999). That and we were all fans of Muriel's Wedding. Yes, 10 year olds have loved that film. However, for Mamma Mia, I am more skeptical. The idea and the potential is good. But to me, it seems likely that it won't meet up. But you never know. Despite hearing the soundtrack and loving Meryl Streep to death, I can't see another version of ABBA Gold coming. The look of the film is very white and bad clothes everywhere. Not that I really care that much, but aesthetics are important to the eye. Well, I'll give it a fair chance and an open mind and let you know what I think.

LOVE GURU (released 10/7)
I think every person who loved the Austin Powers trilogy has accepted that anything Mike Myers does afterwards will most likely not hit the mark of the high caliber that the Powers films so happen to exude. However, it could work. Maybe. Maybe I'll find out. Maybe not.

HANCOCK (released 3/7)
Now, I turned the opportunity to see this the other night. I admit it probably would have been entertaining enough. But I have had my Will Smith quota filled for the decade. He is just annoying to me. So over what a hero this guy is. Even when he plays characters down on their luck he ends up getting nominated for an Oscar. Can this guy do no wrong? He has the happy married life as well. What else could go wrong? Nothing. He has the perfect life. And that pisses me off. And I'm tired of his films. However, Men in Black was the peak and the exception for me. That was pure gold. Men in Black 2, not so much. But that first one. Wowza. But despite the good looks of Charlize Theron and the comedy of Jason Bateman being an addition to what is know as the "Will Smith style action film", I still refuse to pay to see this movie.

INCREDIBLE HULK (released 12/6)
Didn't see the first one. People said it was shit. People also say all kinds of crazy BS. However, the general buzz is that this Hulk is much better than its predecessor, which seems to be constantly brought up again and again. So while I didn't see the first one, I will probably not see the new one either. No particular reason. Just not a big fan of the genre that so dominates this time of year. Another reason...Ed Norton (aka new hulk) refused to do any publicity for the film as of creative differences (aka he didn't like the piece of shit). Food for thought...

SPEED RACER (released 12/6)
I keep thinking Cars. Which is probably bad, because isn't it supposed to be real people. I don't even know who is in this. I know Christina Ricci (most famous from The Addams Family movies a decade ago) is in it. And perhaps that guy from Disturbia, Shia LaBeouf. Which I think is the actual spelling. Weird name. I dunno. Maybe....

YOU DON'T MESS WITH THE ZOHAN (released 19/6)
Now, I made a whole blog rant on Adam Sandler movies. So this film belongs to the ambivalent era, where I'm not really sure if I want to see the film or not. I think I'll throw this film into the bag of maybe I'll hire it, but will probably see it on cable for free.

This week's hero....

...is my beloved Judy Davis. Now, don't make me explain my love for her. It's a strange and wonderful thing, this love for the pasty coloured actress, but nevertheless...

This acclaimed Australian actress recently won a libel suit against the Sydney Daily Telegraph, owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. It was reported back in 2006 that Davis objected to some plan for lights at a football oval. The minute details aren't too important. What matters is that the newspaper then went on to defame the actress by implying that she was selfish and a hater of children (or at least heartless towards the children.)

So what did Judy do? She sued. And won. I know it may seem like nothing, and she is definately not the first person to sue a newspaper and win, however, it is a nice reminder to know that if you are done wrong by what is supposed to be a fair and accurate institution then you can get some compensation, and have your name reverted back to its original state (well, let's hope so.) While Davis may be a king pin in the acting arena, it is still fantastic to see the little guy stand up to the big conglomerate and win. Here's to the underdog!

Movie updates 11/07

For some unknown reason I have been to the movies a fair bit lately. So here are some thoughts:

THE HAPPENING
This movie has stayed in my mind for many weeks after I first saw it. The idea of karma being that strong is just amusing. The humans ruin the earth, and so the earth gets back by making everyone kill themselves after being caught in the wind. Amusing, and perhaps I missed the point of the movie, but nevertheless, that thought entertains me through the night. One word of caution though. If you are suicidal, then this may not be the film for you. It pretty much shows many many ways that people can kill themselves. Hmmm...

GET SMART
Now, this is an example of a reinvention similar to Starsky and Hutch, where it works, but you know that the original is so great, that you have to question the filmmakers for even dipping into the cookie jar. Now, Steve Carrell and yes, even Anne Hathaway did not bug the shit out of me like how I thought they were going to. So thats a plus. But it was the predictable light action film that I thought it would be. Bit of a fluff piece. But there's nothing wrong with fluff pieces. So if you want some light entertainment, Get Smart won't disappoint. If you're looking for something with a little more substance, then I suggest that you "get smart". (hahaha...that was purely lame and sheerly witty!)

SHUTTER
Well, can't say this adds anything new to the genre of Japanese horror films being Hollywood-ifed. The whole Grudge, Ring thing has been done, and thensome. But at least you know what to expect. Shutter worked, but wasn't the scariest or smartest film I've ever seen. I could pretty much see it as a paraody as I was watching it. That's what the Scary Movie franchise has done. Thanks boys!

CHRONICLES OF NARNIA
Perhaps you had to have loved the first one, which I didn't. But it seems the general consensus among people I know is: If you loved the first, you won't be disappointed. All you other people may have a different reaction. I didn't mind either one, but it's a typical kids action film without that much dialog, which is probably a blessing, knowing child actors these days. Apart from that its a pretty, Disney action kids film. Go forth and prosper Narnians!

KUNG FU PANDA
This is the kind of animated feature I've needed to see for a while. More adult humour. There seems to be an abundance of animal related animated feature films, and frankly, I can't take anymore. But Kung Fu Panda was a relief. Jack Black added a lot of character. However, I know some people aren't Jack Black people, so maybe it takes something away for those people. But I am not one of them. I am not exactly a Kung Fu fan either. But it all worked!

SEX AND THE CITY
I suppose you have to enjoy the show. But I enjoyed it. And I risk putting that sentence out there. But I know there are closeted fans. And not the gay kinda closeted. It's something hard to admit. But I did enjoy it, as I did the show. However, in retrospect, it could have been funnier and had more sex too. It was also so weird seeing it on the big screen. Really big. Mr Big was big!

Facebook Status Updates

I know I'm probably most guilty of this, but nevertheless, I have to rant.

What's with all of the completely boring facebook status updates?

Now some actually have potency. Or even a philosophical meaning. But somehow, "(BLANK) is off to wash his car" takes the frickin cake and is a sample of what fills the space of Facebook updates. Why do I really need to know that you're off to wash your car? Or more importantly, why is it a necessity to write that you are bored and doing nothing?

Now, once again, I will reaffirm that I'm sure I've committed this cardinal sin of Facebook Status Updates. So for an experiment I will analyse the last status updates of a rather sexy, funny, talented and completely anonymous over the last month...

• "Jamie cannot resist disney sales"
• "Jamie didn't go on eastlink today and feels naked"
• "Jamie updated his blog! it's back! learningthelingo.blogspot.com
• "Jamie went on eastlink again!"
• "Jamie spent a fair amount of time on the eastlink today"
• "Jamie just saw angus and julia! so freaking good!!!"
• "Jamie misses the sun and the sky"
• "Jamie: melancholy is today's special"
• "Jamie is sad to be sad"
• "Jamie wants some action"
• "Jamie actually finds it amusing that he hates study and yet rarely does any"
• "Jamie hates study and can't wait to be free"
• "Jamie wants to feel better"
• "Jamie is mourning the death of his red P plate"

So what can we gather from this? Well we have learned that...

• Jamie loves to update his Facebook status, no matter how important or frivolous the event
  
• Jamie likes exclamation marks!
• Jamie is not afraid to admit his depressed state, no matter how boring it is
• Jamie seems to love Eastlink
• And Jamie is not afraid of selfless promotion of his blog.

And so what insight does this gain into Jamie's persona?

Nada. Well, maybe a bit more. However, I will conclude with my new notion that it seems that the self indulgent nature of Facebook allows the blogger or what have you to be completely indulged in their own wonder that any simple thing that they write for their update is seen as not only completely fascinating, but absolutely necessary to tell the whole world!

Trailers...recut

I have found some more. They haven't exactly been mixed with another movie, just recut. Here are some of the finest ones I've found. P.S. These are not the original trailers. They have been edited by some geek on the internet (whom I bow down to) to seem like a completely different movie.

1) Mary Poppins



2) The Sound of Music



3) The Shining



4) Sleepless in Seattle



MORE TO COME

Mix Matches

These delightful youtube clips enlighten me. The premise? Mix up one movie with another random film, usually from another genre, and viola. There are some good ones here.

1) Toy Story 2 mixed with Requiem for a Dream
I found this one years ago, and it's still hilarious.



2) Finding Nemo mixed with Crash
Just seen it for the first time. Fantastic.



3) Supposed Titanic sequel (Two the Surface) mixed from a lot of movies.
So good. The tagline is the best. Jack is Back.