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.