Just to get into the swing of things, here are a few random thoughts about some of the movies I've viewed in the last week -- and all I can say is that I hope things will look up:
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007): One of the last entries on my former journal reinforced my feelings about Adam Sandler and his puzzling popularity. OK, the man does take chances and can raise the occasional smile, but this farrago of two hetero chaps pretending to be married for insurance benefits was doomed from the start. Like his latest "Zohan", this ends in a plea for tolerance which is all very worthy, but funny (not).
Black Snake Moan (2006): While it has been an interesting exercise watching Christina Ricci grow up (and change shape!), her recent role choices leave much to be desired -- although I suspect she is not the easiest actress in the world to cast. Here she plays a nymphomaniac of sorts whom bible-thumper Samuel L. Jackson chains to his radiator in order to reform. Hmmm.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age (2007): Not having been overly enthused by Cate Blanchett's first outing as Queen Elizabeth, I was hardly looking forward to more of the same in this second chapter. Admittedly the production is sumptuous and lovingly put together, but it was also ponderous and heavy going.
Close to Home (2005): I held out some hope for this Israeli film of two mismatched young female recruits in the army serving out their conscription, but was left wondering whether the movie had any real purpose, other than to drive home the authoritarian nature of army life and the hounding (or so it seemed) of Arab Israelis trying to go about their daily business.
Mr. Woodcock (2007): While I will admit that Billy Bob Thornton has some talent as both an actor and a writer, I find his onscreen persona more and more irritating. Here he plays a bullying physical education teacher who is about to wed the mother (Susan Sarandon) of a grownup victim of his venom, Sean William Scott, playing a now successful self-help author who is unable to help himself in the circumstances. Embarrassing and unpleasant all round.
I know, things can only get better...
5 comments:
Welcome to your new home - when's the blog-warming party?
The more you go on about Adam Sandler the more compelled I am to go near his films.
James is Tommy and Tommy is James (but don't tell anyone!)
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry: one of
Sandler's poorer efforts. His attempt to widen
his appeal by being more serious (not here) has
somehow weakened his humourousness.
Black Snake Moan: A chance for Christina Ricci to
show off all her smaller body but what on earth
was Samuel L Hackson doing in this poor attempt
at white trash soft porn.
Elizabeth: The Golden Age; a messy historical rewrite with few redeeming features. Cate Blanchett leave me cold so her acting ability remains a mystery.
Close to Home: early thoughts made me think of
movies set in occupied World War Two countries
such as France and the Netherlands but I have since decided a closer parallel is 'The Battle of
Algiers'. These thoughts relate to the setting of
the film and the treatment of the Arab populace
rather than the plot, such as it is.
Mr Woodcock: filmland - a sadistic repressed
paedophile with an inflated ego and, it seems, a
sexual drive and equipment to match seduces
Susan Sarandon who should be ashamed of being
in the film; reality - he would have been in gaol
long before Sean William Scott reached puberty.
Overall, I would be hard pressed to select any of
the above for a repeat viewing - maybe Christina
Ricci havign sex with Billy Bob Thornton under
the approving eye of Queen Elizabeth and Sir
Walter Raleigh in a blazing palace which Chuck and Larry cannot reach because their papers are
not kosher?
I was an AOL member for nine years, Pat. Disconnecting from the matrix may be painful at first, but the world wide web has so much more to offer. Like allowing your readers to leave comments. What a concept!
I have not bothered to see any of the movies you wrote about and I can now go on ignoring them. Thanks!
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