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Wednesday, December 31, 2003

Thoughts: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

I really, really, really wanted to like this movie. I guess we just don't always get what we want. Watching it again tonight I was hoping that maybe since my expectations were lowered I would like it more. Nope. I was just bored.

I could rant for a while about this movie. I was considering doing that earlier. But now I'm just kind of tired and don't really feel like spending a lot of time on it. I guess, basically my major complaints are that the plot was silly, the development of everything was silly, the special effects were silly, pretty much everything was silly. I really hated what they did with Hyde, those effects were just ridiculous.

I feel bad for this movie. It could have been so cool. And it tried so hard. It's a darn shame. Really it is.

Tuesday, December 30, 2003

Thoughts: Suicide Club


Um... Huh?

I've watched a lot of movies, especially foreign horror, that make very little sense. This one was one of the, um, weirder maybe? I'm not really sure. I know part of it was shitty subtitles (a friend of mine who watched with me knows enough Japanese to be able to point that out). It was really hard to understand though, so if you're not keen on the Japanese horror films with subtitles to begin with, you might wanna stay away from this one.

It was definitely very, very bloody. Crazy Japanese school girls who are made of kool-aide... It was also really disturbing. I mean, it was lots of teenagers killing themselves. I guess I should have figured that it would be after reading the description on the box. Some of the scenes were creepy but others were just silly, like the guy in the hospital randomly running around in the dark when he could have just turned on the lights. The beginning was really good I though, in the really disturbing but well done sort of way.

So really, what I learned from this movie (as one of my friends so eloquently put it): cell phones, computers, and pop stars are all evil. Especially 12-year-old pop stars. Gotta watch out for them, they're tricky.

Ok, they started League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in the other room. Long rant possibly coming soon.

Thoughts: Finding Nemo


Hehehe... what a cute movie. I love cartoons. The animation in this one was pretty nice. I know a few people were complaining about halos around the characters but I personally didn't notice. I like the computer animation.

The movie was really enjoyable. I've been meaning to see it since it came out but just never got around to it. I'm glad I got to see it now. It was really clever too. I mean, some of it was obvious like mount wannahokaloogie or whatever their volcanoe thing was called. But it was fun and silly. And I loved the Hitchcock references. Oh and even more fantastic, did those seagulls look familiar to anyone else? Can we say Wallace and Gromit? Watch the Wrong Trousers and you'll see what I'm talking about. Aaaaand how about the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea reference? There's also moments/references from The Shining, Shrek, Scarface, and Monty Python (another one of my favorite references "Swim Away! Swim Away!"). I'm sure there are probably even more I didn't notice. Hehe, I'm all excited now.

Yeah, Finding Nemo definitely lived up to the hype. Sooo much fun! Woo! Hehe.

edit: I forgot to mention the Jaws references!!! Dude! only one of my favorite movies ever! I can't believe I forgot to mention the references to it. i fail. heh.

Saturday, December 27, 2003

Thoughts: The Italian Job (2003)


I was told that it was a fun movie that I just HAD to watch. And so we rented it and I watched. And it was fun. So that's good. Yup.

Yeah, it was a fun movie. I enjoy actiony films with cool car chases. I could have done with a little more sexy, but that's probably just me being in a weird mood. It really is fun, it was done well, there was enough of a plot, the acting was decent, and the music was cool.

Oh, and the dvd, best easter egg ever. At least if you like seth green, which I really, really do.

Thoughts: Flesh For The Beast


Oh lord, there was gut vomiting. What a movie. It's an indie horror flick that blockbuster for some reason has. I rented it a couple of nights ago and tonight two friends and I watched it.

These indies are really something else. They're definitely a break from Hollywood, but they still have formulas and predictability. But that's ok, I wasn't expecting a masterpiece here. And it did have some really good moments. There are some shots that I really liked and the gore was wonderful. I especially enjoyed the buckets of blood that were present. Of course, I would.

And the gut vomiting. That itself is something special. Although it is most certainly not an indication of a good movie, as anyone who's seen Club Vampire can tell you. But gut vomiting is fun.

If you're interested in indie horror, check this one out. If you've never seen any indie horror, brace yourself, it really is something different. Oh, and there's lots of nudity. I thought I was watching Showtime at parts. Yeah, so if you like blood and nudity, enjoy! If you don't, you've been warned.

Friday, December 26, 2003

Thoughts: Cube


I actually watched this last night but my internet was down so I couldn't post about it. And I just forgot to earlier.

I liked it. It wasn't the best movie I've ever seen but it was pretty cool. The idea of it was interesting and well executed. I actually felt the claustrophobia of bein trapped in the cube while I was watching. The acting wasn't amazing but it was good, as was the character development. There wasn't much blood and gore but what was there was really cool.

I wouldn't call this movie scary, but it was definitely disturbing. And those were some crazy ass traps. Cool movie.

Wednesday, December 24, 2003

Thoughts: I Capture the Castle

I saw the trailer for this a while ago and thought it looked interesting so when I saw it in blockbuster I decided to rent it. It was ok. It's a love story, coming of age thing. Which is cool. It was just a bit too complicated I think. Or maybe it's just that my head hurts.

The scenery was nice. And I liked the actors. Yeah, I really think the plot was just a bit much. Everybody was in love with somebody but it wasn't the right somebody. Or they thought they were in love with somebody else. Or they were just being silly. I dunno. If I watch it when I feel better I may like it more, but I think I may leave it alone for now.

It's ok, it definitely has its funny parts, but you don't have to leave right this second to go find it, it's nothing vital.

Tuesday, December 23, 2003

Thoughts: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers


It's great being home and having cable. They've been showing The Two Towers constantly since they premiered it on Saturday on Starz. I haven't seen it since the theaters so I'm glad it's been on. I really like the whole trilogy. The second one has much more action than the first, it's exciting and the battles are all so well done. Watching this one I also figured out why Liv Tyler was cast as Arwen. She and Viggo Mortensen have great chemistry, they work really well together.

I'm looking forward to getting the dvd. The Fellowships extended dvd is really nice, with all the features and everything. I'm sure the Two Twoers one is just as good.

Monday, December 22, 2003

Thoughts: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl


I really wasn't all that excited about seeing this movie when it first came out. I mean, it was a Disney movie produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. Not very promising. Happily, I was pleasantly surprised.

I think it's such a cool movie. It's pretty and stylish. And the effects with the pirates are really very cool. Plus, I probably don't need to say it but I will anyway, Johnny Depp is amazing. I really think he made the movie. It would have been an enjoyable movie otherwise, but now it's just fantastic.

I'm so in love with Johnny Depp. Definitely one of my favorite actors, if not my very favorite. He always has an amazing amount of energy. And he becomes characters, it's never just watching him say some different lines and make a few different expressions, he is the role. And god he's sexy.

Sexiest man alive indeed. I'm glad the rest of the world caught on to what I've known for years, heh. Go Pirates.

Sunday, December 21, 2003

Thoughts: Dirty Dancing


Chick flick? Yes. Cheesy? Yes. Do I care? Not at all.

I have seriously always loved this movie. I remember way back in the day when my mom and dad used to watch it, my mom thought I was too young so she wouldn't let me see it. I would sneak out to the living room and watch from where they didn't notice.

I know a lot of people don't really care for this movie, guys especially, but there's just something about it. At the risk of sounding cheesy myself, I think it's just magical. And hot. MmmmmmmHmmmm. Very, very hot. Now this is a sexy movie. And with that dancing, how could it not be? Man I wish I could move like that.

There's just so much more to it than most of the chicky, coming-of-age flicks we get now. I feel like this movie just got it, understood it, and really brought it to life, rather than just mimicking it. If that makes any sense at all. Maybe it's just the age I'm at or something. Or that I grew up with it. Or that I'm female. Whatever. I love this movie.

About This Thing

This blog is about film and life in the wonderful world of LA. I'm a filmmaker just getting started; I'm navigating my way through the industry, trying to find work, and sometimes even managing to make a living.

I've worked across the country on projects big and small. Everything from an indie in PA shot during the dead of winter to one of the bigger reality shows involving Models and the things they do.

I also just love doing things*. I'm a writer, aspiring director, wannabe photographer and cook. I waste too much time on the internet and sometimes all I want to do is hang out with my dog.

Stick around and chances are you'll catch me writing about it all.

*I use the word "thing" a lot. An inappropriate amount. I can't help it. There are just so many different things to talk about. And I just kind of like it.