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Aug. 9th, 2005 08:35 pm
Movies....
Because I prefer to stay at home than go out in public these days....
Menace II Society- not too bad, although it kept giving me flashbacks of sort to the days back in middle school, when gang culture was at its peak... the middle school I went to, was somewhat in the center of the hispanic neighborhood, the black neighborhood, and the rich white neighborhood, which made for some interesting times... The movie in itself, while not something Id rush out to buy, but it was something worth sitting through.... if anything for the pop-culture value of being able to say that you've seen it...
Of course, being just a cracker-headed white ass, I really wasnt able to relate that much to the film, but it did make its point, about just how hard it was living in DA LBC, having to put up with all sorts of bullshit, not from just your crazy-assed neighbors, but also from cops... Lol, this one scene, when this nerdy white guy, who is scared shitless, knocks on this brutha's house, wanting him to steal a car... at first, I could have sworn that was Crispin Glover... but of course it wasnt, but the actor was doing his best impression of him....
Caligula- This is either a brilliant character study disguised as a bad porn film, or a bad porn film disguised as a brilliant character study... Great acting by Malcom McDowell and Peter O'Toole, and the best scenes give you an understanding of just how messed up Rome was in the early days of its empire economicaly, socialy, and politicaly... but, well, being directed by the publisher of Penthouse, there's just too much goddamned unneccessary hardcore pornography spliced into it that just end up becoming a distraction... And its not even that erotic... but end the end, you do begin to wonder if Caligula was really insane, or if he was just too aware of all the bullshit that came with being a Roman Emperor, or if he just had an extreme understanding and hatred of the Roman people.... the trick is though, is being able to actualy watch the entire film without being turned off by all the origies and sexual torture scenes... Yes, Caligula did have a promiscuous and sadistic lifestyle, and yes, early Romans were no prudes, but still its far too distracting from the main points of the film.... And there were so many great lines in the film too... (my favorite, after McDowell has a person hauled away for treason for antidoting himself- because taking an antidote is akin to accusing the ceasar of murder- he turns to the crowd, and says "You of all people should know, there IS no antidote for Ceasar!", and of course, the classic "Let them hate me, as long as they FEAR me")
Wall Street Ah yes, the 80s personified... While it does get a little cornball, and yes, the plot is really nothing new (young, naive up-and-comer gets seduced by power, reaches dizzying highs by selling his soul, then hits rock bottom and in the process regains his soul)... its still well done, scripted and acted. The only thing missing was Patrick Nagel paintings in the office... The only downside is, being that economics is not quite my strong point, the film was hard to follow at times- especialy during all the trading lingo speak... that, and I thought the film ended somewhat abruptly (then again, I probably should be thankful it ended when it did- knowing Oliver Stone, he probably would have stretched it out another 5 hours)
Talk Radio- Great film about the many truths of american society... it somewhat reminded me of my job- taking phone calls and trying to care about people's problems, while the whole time not giving a damn and being in it only for the money- except that Im not famous, I dont get paid enough, and I cant talk back.... but yes, a great story about a person america hates, and a person who hates america... but still, deep down inside, there is still some sympathy, some hope in there... too bad the talk show host never does get the chance to redeem himself.... and he comes so close too....
Heaven and Earth- a great story, that actualy touched an emotional nerve with me, about how in the midsts of polar opposites, how one can find a common, middle ground with love and understanding.... Tommy Lee Jones' acting is just great, about how he goes from loving gentlemen, to bitter asshole, to a scared and guilt ridden person... and the music was so wonderful... And, it was good to see Stone actualy showing the good and the bad of both sides of the vietnam war... how both the kong and the americans had their moments of triumph and villainy, how ultimatly, there really were no absolute heroes or villains in the conflict... all there were, were people just trying to find their way... ultimately, a great war film with love, foregiveness, and survival as its themes... On a lighter note, if you pay attention, you'll see Jeffry Jones as a minister of the local catholic church in the scene after Tommy's character picks the kids up for mass, which is somewhat ironic, considering Jeffry's little scandal a few years back...
Now, who else wants to watch a movie with me?!?!?!? Im thinking of seeing that Penguin movie while its still in theatres... just call/post and lemme know,...
Menace II Society- not too bad, although it kept giving me flashbacks of sort to the days back in middle school, when gang culture was at its peak... the middle school I went to, was somewhat in the center of the hispanic neighborhood, the black neighborhood, and the rich white neighborhood, which made for some interesting times... The movie in itself, while not something Id rush out to buy, but it was something worth sitting through.... if anything for the pop-culture value of being able to say that you've seen it...
Of course, being just a cracker-headed white ass, I really wasnt able to relate that much to the film, but it did make its point, about just how hard it was living in DA LBC, having to put up with all sorts of bullshit, not from just your crazy-assed neighbors, but also from cops... Lol, this one scene, when this nerdy white guy, who is scared shitless, knocks on this brutha's house, wanting him to steal a car... at first, I could have sworn that was Crispin Glover... but of course it wasnt, but the actor was doing his best impression of him....
Caligula- This is either a brilliant character study disguised as a bad porn film, or a bad porn film disguised as a brilliant character study... Great acting by Malcom McDowell and Peter O'Toole, and the best scenes give you an understanding of just how messed up Rome was in the early days of its empire economicaly, socialy, and politicaly... but, well, being directed by the publisher of Penthouse, there's just too much goddamned unneccessary hardcore pornography spliced into it that just end up becoming a distraction... And its not even that erotic... but end the end, you do begin to wonder if Caligula was really insane, or if he was just too aware of all the bullshit that came with being a Roman Emperor, or if he just had an extreme understanding and hatred of the Roman people.... the trick is though, is being able to actualy watch the entire film without being turned off by all the origies and sexual torture scenes... Yes, Caligula did have a promiscuous and sadistic lifestyle, and yes, early Romans were no prudes, but still its far too distracting from the main points of the film.... And there were so many great lines in the film too... (my favorite, after McDowell has a person hauled away for treason for antidoting himself- because taking an antidote is akin to accusing the ceasar of murder- he turns to the crowd, and says "You of all people should know, there IS no antidote for Ceasar!", and of course, the classic "Let them hate me, as long as they FEAR me")
Wall Street Ah yes, the 80s personified... While it does get a little cornball, and yes, the plot is really nothing new (young, naive up-and-comer gets seduced by power, reaches dizzying highs by selling his soul, then hits rock bottom and in the process regains his soul)... its still well done, scripted and acted. The only thing missing was Patrick Nagel paintings in the office... The only downside is, being that economics is not quite my strong point, the film was hard to follow at times- especialy during all the trading lingo speak... that, and I thought the film ended somewhat abruptly (then again, I probably should be thankful it ended when it did- knowing Oliver Stone, he probably would have stretched it out another 5 hours)
Talk Radio- Great film about the many truths of american society... it somewhat reminded me of my job- taking phone calls and trying to care about people's problems, while the whole time not giving a damn and being in it only for the money- except that Im not famous, I dont get paid enough, and I cant talk back.... but yes, a great story about a person america hates, and a person who hates america... but still, deep down inside, there is still some sympathy, some hope in there... too bad the talk show host never does get the chance to redeem himself.... and he comes so close too....
Heaven and Earth- a great story, that actualy touched an emotional nerve with me, about how in the midsts of polar opposites, how one can find a common, middle ground with love and understanding.... Tommy Lee Jones' acting is just great, about how he goes from loving gentlemen, to bitter asshole, to a scared and guilt ridden person... and the music was so wonderful... And, it was good to see Stone actualy showing the good and the bad of both sides of the vietnam war... how both the kong and the americans had their moments of triumph and villainy, how ultimatly, there really were no absolute heroes or villains in the conflict... all there were, were people just trying to find their way... ultimately, a great war film with love, foregiveness, and survival as its themes... On a lighter note, if you pay attention, you'll see Jeffry Jones as a minister of the local catholic church in the scene after Tommy's character picks the kids up for mass, which is somewhat ironic, considering Jeffry's little scandal a few years back...
Now, who else wants to watch a movie with me?!?!?!? Im thinking of seeing that Penguin movie while its still in theatres... just call/post and lemme know,...