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My Favorite Actors: Rutger Hauer


09 Sep

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Ladyhawke, need I say more? Ladyhawke may be the only “A” movie Rutger Hauer ever starred in (unless you count his role in Blade Runner as starring), and even if it were the only movie he ever made, I would love him.  But I have also seen a number of his “B” movies, and they are all works of cheesy sci-fi greatness. In today’s world, he would star in every Syfy channel original movie ever made. Even his turn in the original Buffy movie was perfect over the top acting.

Watch Flesh + Blood, Blood of Heroes, Crossworlds. Trust me.

My Favorite Music & Lyrics: Jesus Christ, Superstar


31 Aug

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This could be filed under movies, plays, soundtracks, operas, live performances, etc, but it all comes down to music and lyrics. Regardless of what you believe, the story of Jesus’ betrayal by Judas is a powerful one. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Weber take that power seriously and match it an amazing score.

Could We Start Again, Please is one of my all time favorite songs, filled with longing and resignation, while Simon’s Zealots- “You get the power, you get the glory” but with no mention of the kingdom- really highlights the difference between the religious and the political aspects.

My Favorite Movies: The Princess Bride


23 Aug

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Re-watching the Princess Bride with my cousin, who had only seen it once before, reminded me once again why this movie is so wonderful. I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love this movie (and if you don’t, this is one time, please don’t tell me). A lot of it has to do with how perfectly cast and acted this movie was. These are not award winning performances, but everyone is just so present.

It is also my favorite way to remember both Andre the Giant and Mandy Patinkin.

“Fezzik, are there rocks ahead?
If there are, we all be dead.”

Movies: Happy Feet


02 Aug

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We watched Happy Feet the other night. I love movie’s with music; I enjoy animated films, and penguins are the cute animal du jour. But the movie left me overwhelmingly under whelmed.

First off, it might as well have been called Fern Gully Antarctica, right down a crazy character voiced by Robin Williams. Secondly, if you’re going to be that heavy handed in your message, could you maybe stick to one message?

Its not that I disagree with the pro-environment, anti-religion, honor thy children (to an extent), and we’re all okay messages, it was that it was all too much.

Upgrading the Disney collection


25 Jul

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Today I babysat an 18 month old for 4-5 hours while her parents both played in a ShadowRun game in our basement. This routine will repeat every other Sunday for the foreseeable future.

I’m good with it. It actually takes very little time for the dogs to settle down around the baby. The problem is my DVD selection. I am not the parent of an 18 month old. I have very little patience with TV aimed at her. But she likes animation and siging. Obviously this means it is time to start converting my Disney collection from VHS to DVD.

Good Actors, Bad Movies


17 Jul

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Does anyone else hate it when you see that one of your favorite actors is going to be in a movie you do not want to see? Or if that actor is starring with another actor you really dislike?

Mark Wahlbergh is returning to action comedy. This makes me incredibly excited because I loved the Big Hit. I’ve been waiting for him to return to the genre. But, he’s paired with Will Ferrell. Ferrell’s not funny; he’s annoying.

Also, Paul Rudd and Bruce Greenwood will be in Dinner for Schmucks, but really, Dinner for Schmucks?

What’s a girl to do?

The Last Airbender (movie)


05 Jul

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I liked The Last Airbender. Yes, there were problems, but there are going to be problems when fitting eight hours of material into under two hours. I would have been happier if they had made the movie fifteen minutes longer, or even cut a few minutes out from the final battle, in order to give a little more time to the friendship that develops between Ang, Katara, and Sokka, but it still worked.

The narration detracted from the movie, especially since they were showing us the same things that were being said.

However, Sokka and Uncle Ihro were absolute highlights.

My Favorite Books – Stardust by Neil Gaiman


10 Jun

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Posted in Authors & Books, Movies, Neil Gaiman, Stardust | 2 Comments »

Let me start by saying that I loved the movie Stardust. It is a new favorite and ranks close to Princess Bride for a romantic fantasy. DeNiro as Captain Shakespeare was inspired. That said, the book is even better.

I understand the concessions that were made to make the book into a movie, but the depth and complications of the book make the story even more poignant. I love that Dunstan crossed the wall, came home and married his human sweetheart. It creates a nice dichotomy with Tristan’s decision to stay on the other side of the wall with Yvaine.

AVATAR


02 May

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Posted in Movies, Rifftracks | 4 Comments »

So glad we did not pay to see Avatar in the theater. I know the movie is pretty and that there were supposedly ground breaking special effects, but really how did this movie get nominated for best picture? The plot came from a random modern pulp generator and the script… I’m not certain I have (good) words for the script. But then, the script did not seem to have (good) words either.

And now I am extra annoyed that James Cameron would not let them use Avatar in the title of “The Last Airbender” movie – which I want to see.

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