hulk...the incredible type

I watched the reboot of the Hulk franchise a couple weeks ago, but didn't want to report it until I watch the bonus features (of which I really liked what Marvel did with the Iron Man 2nd disc.) First off, it comes as no stretch to realise that I dig Edward Norton, actor, writer, director, producer, auteur. When he signed on for the movie, whoa, my eyes rolled, especially when he was JUST an actor. There were tons of media reports about clashes - of which I read the first few and didn't bother (one had to do with a writing credit.) How can you possibly hire an actor who normally does just about everything and expect that he's going to keep his mouth shut...especially when it's Edward Norton.

All in all, I really liked what they did with the film. CG was amazing, every film seems to be creating new soft/hard ware to really expand the field. Louis Leterrier was right in there, his camera antics were established in Transporter and Hulk definitely solidified that title. I was really skeptical about Tim "Honeybunny" Roth pulling off any type of action figure, but he was mean. His kids can be proud when he drops them off at school, for sure. Liv Tyler eyes couldn't become more expressive, she's really cornered the market, hasn't she?

After watching the deleted scenes - whoa, this could have been a totally different movie. If that's why there was a fall out, I can totally see it. Marvel streamlined the Betty plot by cutting out all the boyfriend scenes, some of which really show the heart, the emotion, the conflict inside Banner. I really like the final edit, however, I'd love to see an alternate edit done. The Norton clips made it seem like there was no rumble...

silk

Silk was on my radar but somehow fell off...until it showed up on Signature tonight. I was pretty pleased with my 100plus minutes. Michael Pitt has grown up so much, he really was able to convey the sadness that we, as humans, can only learn by heartache. There was a stellar supporting cast: Keira Knightley, beautiful in plain provincial period clothing, like only she can; Alfred Molina, whom I love in pretty much every thing he does. The establishing landscape shots, whether in France or a snowy Japan were gorgeous in every sense of the word.

end of volume three

"There is good and there is evil, right and wrong, heroes and villains. And if we're blessed with wisdom, then there are glimpses between the cracks of each where light streams through. We wait in silence for these times when sense can be made, when meaningless existence comes into focus and our purpose presents itself. And if we have the strength to be honest, then what we find there, staring back at us, is our own reflection, bearing witness to the duality of life: that each one of us is capable of both the dark and the light, the good and evil of either, of both. And destiny, while marching ever in our direction, can be re-routed by the choices we make, by the love we hold onto and the promises we keep."

klimt

I thought I knew enough about Klimt to actually get this biopic...yeah, it's an interesting character study, but it very much about time period and art as a byproduct. The turn of the century Vienna, at least in the eyes of Klimt, was certainly sexually charged, decadent, libertine. The women are gorgeous (especially Saffron Burrows). Loved the costumes and set design. It was totally biopic and not biographic. Can't say I learned anything about Klimt that I didn't really know, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Art for art's sake.

BTW, John Malkovich is just John Malkovich. I don't buy into his talent, he's okay. I hate his voice.

I'M Definately Bored

Yeah, I know all this six degrees of separation shit I do here is mind boggling. Granted, I've got an insane memory, especially when it comes to films, actors, directors, musicians, producers, etc, but this girl's best friend is the internet...and especially little gems like imdb.com. Helps keep me on my toes. Any time I think I remember an actor from another film - voila! the answer is at my fingertips. It also makes me look really smart, not that I need any help in that department.

I was at my friend Erin's the other week, talking to her brother about 300 (whoa, just keep stringing these thoughts along). He hadn't seen the film but knew about the intense workouts the cast went through. I explained to him that it was like having a hard on for two hours, of course, I'm referring to all the testosterone pumping through my veins, via the screen! :) Needless to say, I think the glaze came over his face as I started talking about the color saturation and how Zach Snyder brought Frank Miller's graphic novel to life and the casting of...he just was lost. I have that effect on people, it's really a gift.

train - spotting scottish stars

I don't think I've really watched Trainspotting in it's entirety since I graduated college, which means a long time. It's one of those films which you turn on 2/3 of the way through and still want to watch the end. I caught it at the beginning tonight and was so happy to have watched it through. MAN! The Scottish brigade was out in full force; so many great actors are in this. Gerard Butler wasn't, but I just saw a Men's Vogue piece where the journalist handed him the "It's shite being Scottish" rant. Hand in hand the things I see and read, no small coincidences in this world.

Ewan McGregor, it doesn't take a genius to know he can eat crackers in my bed any old day. He can sing, dance and wield a lightsaber. How can a girl not gush? Stay is one of my favorite films, he can literally rock a period piece (as a dashing poet or Iggy Pop wannabe), pull off a great 60s and turn of the century London look - the whole Long Way Round brings him full cycle for me, ha!

Kelly MacDonald! I totally forgot about her turn as the little teenage slut! She can do a west Texas accent better than the real thing. She's so adorable!
Spud - that dude has been in some great films! Woody Allen, Julien Donkey Boy, Snatch...total past blog - he was the crazy comb guy in the Lost Room.

I really like Danny Boyle, cannot wait to see Slumgod Millionaire.

p.s. another chic flix

If I didn't already admit to watching everything, I mean damn near every mainstream and as many art films as possible, I wouldn't wretch at the concept of P.S. I Love You. The book has been sitting on my to read shelf for a couple years, cute little pink of a pulp. It was on last night, so why not. What surprised me was that I didn't even know Harry Connick, Jr was is it - he never got proper billing, it was all about Hilary Swank. I still don't get why people love her - I really don't see her as an Oscar caliber actress. She's skinny with horse teeth and boobs. Maybe that's very superficial of me, but that's what I see, not some amazing artist.

Casting - see the forward where I gush about the men. But the women? Who could possibly see Lisa Kudrow a best friend of a women who is just turning 30? Love Lisa, she's funny as shit, but she's too old for the part. Gina Gershon? I was just waiting for her to turn diver on her gal pals.

I must confess, in all the girliness of the movie, I thought it was very heartfelt. There were way too many cute moments, great first kisses. I wish me a man who thought enough about me to plan out how I'd get through the next year after he died. I know no one reads this, it's really a log for me to list what I'm watching, reading, listening, ie. my consumption, so I can admit this. When the girls are stuck in the boat, Gina lets it slip she's preggers and Lisa says she's getting married - the look on "Holly's" face, the sadness in her eyes, I know that, I feel that. It's the feeling of being left behind, that you no longer belong, you can't keep up with the Joneses, what the fuck have I done to deserve where I am in my life...I've been there for some time. I don't really have many single or childless girlfriends anymore. I'm stuck in this odd place, not yet a spinster, certainly not an old maid, but I feel the air turning to pea soup around me. Haven't spoken to her since the twins were born. Sometimes I feel like the one who really wants to get pregnant can't feel as if it's fair to talk about it with me. She's planning a wedding and my offers to help are brushed aside as maybe I just don't get it. My life took a left turn before Albuquerque and I'm not on level playing field. I find it hard to relate - I find that they are finding it harder to relate to me. Not knowing what to say. Not wanting to hurt my feelings. I know that look - and although I don't think Ms. Swank is all that, she pulled off that look like she owned it...it takes one to know one.

Now after that pity party, I really must talk about the men. I realised that I truly do have a thing for facial hair. Gerald Butler is hot, well, with facial hair. I wasn't all into him in this film, clean shaven. He just looked like he was missing something. Maybe because I will now always see him as Frank Miller's Leonidas. Then again, I have really dug him in other films. Then there's the Scottish thing (which I'll hit on in my next entry.) I'm not sure when it happened, but Jeffrey Dean Morgan (whoa, another Zach Snyder alum - can't wait for Watchmen). My tastes really have changed. Everytime I see him, I just want to engulf that smile, suck him up like a sponge. What's up with him playing dead guys?? Oh yeah, I've always loved Harry. Always. I think I was 17 when I first saw him on stage. One person who I truly missed meeting when I was in NOLA.

aimee/rudolph/harvey's schlong

Lots to pack in today. XPN aired Aimee Mann's X-mas extravaganza as recorded at the Mann in Phila. All in all, I thought it was horrible. Terribly corny, especially with the addition of Nelly McCay. She totally sang a "don't cut down and kill another tree, you don't need to kill an animal to have a good holiday dinner" rant. It was retched. I think Aimee Mann is a brilliant song writer, but I have to say that I would definitely not see her live. Her voice is so fragile; it border lined on staying in key, I don't think she knows where her diaphragm is (well, the truly biological one.)

As I was decorating - mind you, I decided not to pull out and put up a big tree this year. My sis in law thinks it's so grinchy of me, but I'm not going to have any company, just me. No need to do more than my little tree. Although, that little tree took me two hours and I didn't put lights on it this year. I put on Rudolph and Frosty for a little holiday spirit, then just before going to bed, The Piano was on Stars. I couldn't not watch it - the script is so beautiful, Holly Hunter shines, using every ounce of her body to speak for her as she is mute.

Granted, I love the movie, but going from Rankin Bass (Rudolph contains some of my favorite songs of all time) to seeing Harvey's manhood? WOW, that was not a great transition to bedtime.

miser bros.

I'm a huge Rankin Bass fan, once you could buy the Xmas shows, I owned them. Have the DVD collection. Granted, not everyone can be Rudolph. The Donkey? Come on. I think that was the creative low. Some may poo-poo it, but I love A Year Without A Santa Claus, if anything, for the Heat/Snow Miser songs. Yes, the gooshy songs get me teared up, but the trombone and bass? Man, that gets my kitchen cookie dance on (yes, I have one of those. look out.) Snowy's jangle is my sweet tooth.

Maybe I need to try the Heat Meiser updo for xmas eve mass?

Some like it hot, but I like it really hot.

I'm too much.

tunage

Elvis Costello - Momofuko
Aimee Mann - Smilers
Snow Patrol - Thousand Shining Suns? Sounds all the same. blah.
MGMT, Bad Religion, Ray LaMontagne, Afghan Whigs, YRockonXPN

neverwhere

Again, the brain I'd most like to fuck - Neil Gaiman. I picked up Neverwhere and couldn't put it down, although sleep made it pretty tough to finish, you know, the eyes closed thing.

Not his best, but it was his first official novel. I loved the characters - wish that I was Tube friendly, but trying to read and digest the map weren't super easy. Maybe I'll make a trip to London and bring my book along, eh?

There are a few more NG books on my shelf, but I'm trying to get through the 900 pages of 2666, which is undeniably fascinating. It's just one hell of a book, super dense, small font. I'm about this close to the half way point.

As I'm going through my habit to link items, I've noticed that it's been made into a movie! Oh goody!

up up up

Vegas took the piss out of me, so I haven't been able to catch up on my consumption...soon, I will finish the monstrosity of a post on Australia, which I saw too long ago and haven't finished. Although, I've seen about every interview Hugh's done about it.

australia

There are just some films you must see on the big screen, an epic like Baz's Australia certainly fits that bill. Truth be told, I dug it, but I really feel like I've got to see it again to get the entirety of the 2hr40odd min. Not that I didn't "get it", I might have to watch it five or six times to catch what I feel are the nuances of a Baz film. I'm really tempted to take another 3 hours out of my life to head to the cinema...plus, seeing a soaped up Hugh Jackman on a huge screen really does clear your head.



My feeling is that Baz took on too much. Australia is part Gone With The Wind, African Queen; part romance, part high comedy, part...well part everything. The thread throughout is that of the Stolen Generation. He could have made three separate films with the material he's tackling, all of which would have been fabulous. The acting was great - Hugh, well, other than how amazing he looked on screen, the only thing he could have done to make his performance any better would be to sing. Nicole was certainly far from her The Hours glory, but she just radiates on screen. The kid, WHOA, the kid stops everyone in their tracks. Brandon Walters never acted before, never had been in a small town before - it's told that Baz had to go on a walkabout with his family before they would agree to Brandon's participation. He has this glimmer in his eyes, glimmer of curiosity, devilishness, spirit and of love. Seeing as he is Australian, he won't be squashed by the Hollywood system and might just have a go at being a real actor, not just a kid actor.



There were the typical Baz gags: the trip to FarAway Downs is classic. In an overstuffed worn out truck, the big glasses, overstated hat, the lighting...the kangaroos. But you didn't feel Baz throughout the entire piece, I can't really explain why. The Drover is the archetypal Aussie - closed off, stone faced, wearing it all like a badge of honor. Lady Fancypants is over the top control freak, from her clothes to her tackle anything attitude. They play off one another well, knowing damn well in any good film, opposites will and do attract. Although, they didn't attract enough. Lots of kissing, but with two gorgeous people with amazing bodies, we really did deserve a good sex scene, or the makings of something other than the Drover speeding up the path everytime he comes home from a run. I'm a fan of the hot, dirty, scruffy Hugh, which we see alot of (man can he ride a horse.) We also get to see a total Casablanca white dinner jacket, clean shaven moment at the ball. They do make a hot couple.



Will I spend the money to see it again? I haven't seen a movie twice in the theatre since...I really have to think about this one. Buy the DVD? For sure. Baz has been quoted that he filmed three endings, didn't have the final cut until right before it's premiere, that day. Rumor has it, there were SIX filmed. 161 day shoot, I'm sure that the bonus DVD will be completely worth it.

CA + sex

By now, Californication has lost the "they didn't just do that", at least when it comes to fucked up sex moments. I certainly have my favorite moment, who couldn't love the opening scene on the pilot where Hank is getting a hummer from a nun? I truly, honestly, from the bottom of my heart, believe the week was the best episode from the series. It's still got some of the "no way" moments, all believable in my world. What they finally did was tap into the core of this show - Hank and Karen's love story.

We've seen what a wreck he makes of his life when they're not together, and while it's very interesting and full of cardio, he's a shell of a man. When they are together on screen, while not a couple, we get a glimpse of two people who's timing has shifted, they argue like any other couple, granted, not everyone makes the mistake of going down on a stranger, but we see the constant struggle that defines a real relationship.

This story line of this episode parallels the beginning of their relationship, which gives us the perfect opportunity to see into their past. Shocker, they sound the same at the beginning, even Hank. In the present, he pines for Karen, drowns his sorrow in pussy and too much booze, but not a minute goes by that you don't know that he's incomplete. Yes, he does talk about it, but his heart is never fully exposed - until you see the past and their start.

The letter he wrote to Karen, which I kept trying to pause on and read (I gave up hoping that they'd finally reveal it or I'd do an extensive search online for some obsessed fan who did a screen capture), bares Hank's true heart. As his letter was read as a voice over with a montage of pre-Becca moments, I found myself hearing the words my heart has spoken many a time. This letter captures the essence of Californication - relationships are difficult, they are hard, nothing happens with great timing, but we can work through it. Having a gut instinct and making the leap of faith and trusting it will work. The feeling of finding a home.

sandler not playing to his audience

When I asked my brother and sis-in-law what they'd like to watch over Thanksgiving, they both said any new Adam Sandler movies. You Don't Mess With The Zohan was the newest. Honestly, I hadn't read any reviews and only knew the premise. Chris and Dana are huge Sandler fans, know so many movies back and forth. They were completely alienated from Zohan, didn't get it at all, no clue. I snickered throughout the entire movie, but I understand world politics, culture, etc. This had to be a personal project for Sandler and co. because I believe it didn't play to his normal audience. C&D hated it, only because they didn't understand the jokes, the premise, really nothing about it. They don't watch the news, maybe glance through the Sunday paper, but when I mentioned that this movie more or less spoke about the fight over land, peace in the Middle East, blank stares were all I got.

It was a typical Sandler movie, with potty humor and dick gags, so you don't expect cinematic greatness. However, the stunts were great, funny, very fitting. After watching the bonus features, it was great to know that a microcosm of peace was attained. The Palestinians/Arabs and Israeli/Jews really were able to get along and see past the hatred and fighting. They learned to see one another as human beings.

If it is possible for you to get past the Sandler-ness of this film, it's really making a great social statement.

driving

I was super happy that I was able to keep an All Things Considered signal all the way to my brother's the night before Thanksgiving. This is generally a good time to listen to the old iPod, but I always give in to good news.

Real music on the way home...

Damien Rice, O. This is a magnificent album, haunting, beautiful, just gorgeous. I can't see one flaw to the entire piece.

Donna Summers. I needed a little pick me up and energy. Bad Girls and Hot Stuff are a great example of catching lightning in a bottle. My mom and dad were total disco nuts - they were young and completely in the scene. We lived down the road from the drive-in; I believe mom said we sat and watched Saturday Night Fever thirteen times off the road, with no music, so that she could learn the moves to teach my dad at home. Disco is such a big part of good memories as a kid - I know there aren't many of us out there.

Bob Dylan, Nashville Skyline. I just love this album. Nothing more.