STAR TREK

Star Trek is, in a word, GREAT! Okay, end of review. Just kidding! About the end of review part.
I am sure there are some Star Trek purists out there who are just looking for something to poo poo on about this movie. I really couldn't find anything.
I have to admit, it took me a bit to get used to it all...new Kirk, Spock, etc. But you will find yourself more than pleasantly surprised with how the movie unfolds. I was looking for more of the morality play that the usual Star Trek episode would bring - Gene Roddenberry's trademark. But there was enough story and action to cover anything I was expecting the movie to be.
I really can't say much about the movie with out giving away the whole thing. The beginning seems strained and searching for where the movie is heading but that is like that for a reason and you just gotta hang in there to find out.
We meet Kirk and Spock as children and then as young men both searching for where they belong. The rest of the crew is introduced and we are happy when the entire "family" is together. The actors do a good job with some of the biggest and hardest shoes to fill. And you will find out why Zachary Quinto had the hardest job and had to look the most like his character of Spock. Everyone knows that Leonard Nimoy is in this movie but I was surprised by how much he was in the movie and how his pivotal role is. That is all I will say about that!
I look forward to perhaps a director's cut because I have a feeling there was quite a bit cut out. I find it hard to believe that Winona Ryder would appear only in age make up as Spock's mother. We will have to wait and see.
The action is terrific and effects are right on. And there is more than a nod to the original Star Trek series to give tribute and well, accept the torch that has been passed to them. Leonard Nimoy appearing in this movie is indeed an endorsement and a torch passing.
When the cast of Star Trek: Next Generation made their first movie there was a tie in with the original series. Kirk and Picard even met, have an exchange and even fight the bad guy together. Not the best Star Trek movie but it was the end of the original series being the headliners. Leonard Nimoy had a large part in a two part Next Generation episode and even James "Scotty" Doohan appeared in an different episode (DeForest "Bones" Kelley also appeared in the Next Generation pilot but that was forgettable).
I am a die hard Trekkie and I accept that fact that in order for the Star Trek franchise to survive into another generation it must be taken over by another generation.
I look forward to the next movie!
MMMMM (out of 5 M's)

Wolverine

X-Men Origins: Wolverine: The title of this movie implies there will be other "Origins" movies but to tell you the truth, I am not really interested in any of the other mutants origins. We learn that most develop their mutant powers as adolescents. But in the first X-Men movie we meet Logan/Wolverine and he is intriguing because he does not know his own past and he is a man with mutant powers that has also been tampered with. We don't know by whom. There is some information given in the second X-Men movie but not enough to satisfy Logan or the audience.
Wolverine is supposed to answer those questions - who is Wolverine and how and why did he get experimented on?
The movie opens with us meeting young Logan and his older brother and after an unfortunate claw incident go on the run together. We see them going on the run together through time and through every major conflict up through Vietnam. This is when it is discovered that the brothers both have healing abilities and appear to be immortal. Oh, Logan's claws are not metal, they are long spiny bones - actually kind of gross looking. Logan's brother, Victor, has vampire like teeth and his already long fingernails grow into claws. After working in black ops for the government with other mutants, Logan has had enough and wants a "normal" life. Little does he know that the same nefarious government agency that used him for black ops also has other designs on mutants. Logan agrees to an experiment that will give him limitless killing powers. He wants to this to kill Victor because Victor has been doing some bad things (can't give it all away!). After Logan has his skeleton fused with metal he decides he doesn't want to be in the service of the government and just wants to hunt Victor. He finds some unpleasant things out along the way and has his eyes opened to what is happening to other mutants. I don't want to give it all away because I want you to see this movie. By the way, Victor is Sabertooth (for those of you in the know).
There are some unnecessary killing of some civilians and some unfortunate killing of some mutants we get to know and that are played by decent actors. That is what I would say are any faults to this movie.
I don't know anything about who all the mutants were in the movie and anything about the origins of X-Men characters from the comic books. I just know about the X-Men trilogy and what is introduced by those characters. Keep that in mind when I say that I really enjoyed this movie. And no, it wasn't just because Hugh Jackman has some naked butt scenes (it doesn't hurt).
What I was looking for in this movie was a worthy prequel to a perfectly established franchise. Remember the disappointment we all had with The Phantom Menace? I really didn't want to see that again with this movie. AND I didn't!
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine and Liev Schreiber as Sabertooth definitely make this movie. Talented or at least name actors were not always in sci-fi or fantasy movies but with the dawn of 1987's Batman, the Spiderman trilogy, Men in Black, X-Men trilogy, The Hulk and Iron Man, these ARE the kinds of movies that, what I call, real actors are going for. Jackman and Schrieber are excellent actors and they certainly chew up the scenery with their acting in what is seemingly an effects driven movie.
Great fun and worth the price of admission!
MMMM (out of 5 M's)

The Wrestler

The Wrestler is not what I expected or what other people had said about it. I think it is one of those movies that is really something different to everyone. I know that is vague but I think this movie will hit you differently depending on your experiences in life. One could say that about any movie but this movie has some elements that work on emotions that are raw - much like the wrestler himself.
Mickey Rourke does do an amazing and impressive job of playing an aging professional wrestler who still works the wrestling circuit. He used to be as big as Hulk Hogan but not works in the semi-pro, small arena or high gym shows. I would disagree with someone who would say his character, Randy "The Ram" Robinson, was "washed up." I don't think the movie portrays that. He doesn't wrestle because he needs the money. A washed up wrestler would be a character like in the 1962 classic Requiem for a Heavyweight who has to become something ridiculous to make the money. The Ram doesn't see himself as ridiculous. The young wrestlers he meets respect him because he is an old pro they grew up with and can learn from. They all clap for him when he comes into the dressing room.
After going through a bypass operation, The Ram must hang it up or risk his own life in the ring. He wonders what he is going to do and at the suggestion of a stripper he frequents (Marisa Tomei in a total throw away and useless part), he decides to try and reconcile with his estranged daughter. He tries but screws it up. He also tries having a regular job and a possible relationship with the stripper but he can't.
He can only do one thing and that is wrestle. I don't find much about the movie depressing. Here is the The Ram and he loves to wrestle. If you have never heard the sound of applause for your performance then you won't get why he has to keep doing it. Applause is the most intoxicating and addictive drug there is. In the ring he is not some old dude that used to be famous - he still is famous and still The Ram that gets the cheers. The Ram looks for love in all the wrong places - except in the ring. There he finds the purist love of all and people who love him for who he really is - the wrestler.
MMM (out of 5 M's)

Double Features

I have put together in this post some fun combinations of movies. You could watch one on Friday night and one on Saturday or have the traditional double feature. I find my combinations compliment each other nicely. I have some comedy with drama and even animation paired with live action and even some remakes. You have probably already seen some of the older films but consider a re-viewing with my match. Of course, these choices depend on the genre of movie you like. I will leave it up to you in which order you watch them. Happy viewing!

Cars (2006) and Talladega Nights (2006)

Galaxy Quest (1999) and Trekkies (1997)

Cutting Edge (1992) and Blades of Glory (2007)

Emma (1996) and Clueless (1995)

Twilight (2008) and Lost Boys (1987)

Any Given Sunday (1999) and The Replacements (2000)

The Princess Bride (1987) and Enchanted (2007)

Soapdish (1991) and Little Miss Sunshine (2006)

Nim's Island (2008) and The Last Mimzy (2007)

Bridget Jones Diary (2001) and About A Boy (2002)

Sunshine (2007) and Babylon 5: The Lost Tales (2007)

Ironman (2008) and Superman Returns (2006)

Spiderman (2002) and Batman (1989)

Open Range (2003) and Tombstone (1993)

Manhunter (1986) and Red Dragon (2002)

There are some genres I am not familiar with like horror/gore and the recent crop of comedy parody movies (like Scary Movie). If you have some suggestions to add to this list - let me know!

Vampire Rentals

Let the Right One In: This Norwegian import is being heralded as the "best vampire movie ever!" and I have to agree it is one of the most creative uses of the vampire legend I have ever seen.
It falls into the "best" category because it is not your classic vampire tale. The fact the vampire in question is a little girl brings the creep factor way up.
The story focuses on a very blond boy named Oskar and a strange dark haired girl named Eli that moves into his apartment complex. The fact that the windows are boarded over and he only sees her at night makes it evident that she is the vampire of the movie. Oskar is an often bullied boy who dreams and even practices how he would enact his revenge but doesn't appear to act on it. When he befriends Eli it seems to boost his confidence. It doesn't matter that she is barefoot out in the snow or that she smells bad - a girl is interested in him. Eli stays in the apartment while her apparent caregiver goes on the hunt for her to bring back blood. This is wise because a vampire in town would cause unwanted attention. However her care giver's growing carelessness with is blood letting has already drawn suspicion. I cannot go into much detail other than that because it would give away too much of the movie.
Just a note on the title: Anyone that knows vampire lore knows what the title means - when you invite a vampire in, you are willingly inviting in the danger.
To your average American audience this movie would no doubt seem to be filmed in a cheesy manner and the dubbing is atrocious. I normally like to watch any foreign film in it's original version. I watched it in the English dub and the original Norwegian. If you can handle subtitles go with the Norwegian. This isn't stellar acting but any acting is removed by the English dubbing. I also suggest watching it twice. And it will bring it together for you even more.
The quiet and stark nature of the movie will make you feel uncomfortable and suitably spooked.
MMMM (out of 5 M's)

Twilight: Chick flick alert! Yes, this is one for the ladies. My husband did like it but admitted he can see why the guys I work with were not that impressed.
Twilight is based on a wildly popular (among tween and teen girls) series of books about a vampire high school hunk named Edward Cullen. I have not read the books so I don't know if any of the other characters are even in the books.
The movie is about a teenage girl, Bella, that moves in with her dad, the local sheriff, after her mom goes on the road with her new husband, a minor league baseball player. She moves from sunny Phoenix to middle of nowhere Forks, Washington. This only adds to some of her misery. She doesn't have it that bad - she is eagerly welcomed to her new high school and has the attention of all the popular boys. Her sights get set on a seriously dark and brooding young man named Edward Cullen. He is the foster child of a local doctor, who has several adopted kids that are coupled off with each other. The other kids in the school think that is weird and it definitely could have been a story line full of twisted perverted avenues which isn't part of this story but would have made it interesting. He looks longingly at her and she is just determined to find out why he is so weird around her. After several instances she figures out that he is indeed a vampire and so are the rest of the Cullens.
The movie had so many interesting ways to go. For example there is an Indian reservation nearby and there is a legend about the Indians, who are descended from wolves, and the strange clan (possibly the Cullens) that make a truce. The clan is not to hunt for anything on their land and they will keep their strange hunting practices a secret from the "pale faces." To see the Native Americans and Cullens interact would have also made and interesting story line as well. Instead a group of bad vampires are introduced (they look like members of the Black Eyed Peas) and from there the movie just becomes a save the human girlfriend story.
The movie is surprisingly well acted and does not rely on over stereotyping the teenagers, Native Americans or the other adults in the movie. Kristen Stewart, who plays Bella, brings a wonderful maturity to a role that could have been a throw away in a teenage movie. At 19 she has a good resume of movies and will soon be starring as rocker Joan Jett. I say keep an eye on this one!
I really liked this movie and watched it twice. The reason I call this a chick flick is because it is about romance and not sex. Lots of longing looks, almost kissing, etc. Sigh!
Oh, and the soundtrack is one of the best I have heard in a while.
MMM1/2M (out of 5 M's)

Other vampire favorites!

Lost Boys (1987): Hands down the best teenage vampire movie ever! If you have never seen it...you are way out of the loop. Totally 80's, funny and vamp camp!

Blade (1998): Hard to beat Wesley Snipes as the original "day walker," a vampire hybrid that hunts vampires just for fun. Lots of teeth and blood.

Underworld (2003) and Underworld: Evolution (2004): Fun and brainless gore that will keep you entertained. Vampires vs. Werewolves...how can that not be fun? Oh, I guess you wanted acting.

Shadow of the Vampire (2000): Turn creep meter way up! Mixed reviews but I liked it. Fun for film buffs who know the first vampire movie, Nosferatu.

Dracula (1979): Frank Langella was, in my opinion, the first actor to make a vampire sexy! It might look a tad dated to an audience today but still one of my favs. And any vampire movie that makes you pull the night time covers up over your neck for months, is a great vampire movie!

Dracula (1931): This is the one that started it all folks. The movie that put the cape, accent, Renfield and anything else we dream up at Halloween to mean a "vampire." Bela Lugosi's portrayal of Count Dracula brings it all home. No other movie on this list should be seen without seeing this one first. AND Martin Landau's tribute (and Oscar winning) performance as Bela Lugosi in Ed Wood will bring even more of an appreciation to the master of fright.

Nosferatu (1922): Grainy, black & white, silent but scary, this movie has the most frightening physical appearance of the old blood sucker. This movie is the inspiration for all vampire movies and lore. Watch it with all the lights out and clutch your popcorn.

Sweet dreams!

Am I Worth It?

This blog entry was first posted in February 2008. We must never forget.

"Dear Lord, lest I continue my complacent way, help me to remember that somewhere, somehow out there a man died for me today. As long as there be war, I then must ask and answer, 'Am I worth dying for?'" - A wartime prayer by Eleanor Roosevelt

When this Global War on Terrorism started the front page of every paper in America would have news of a soldier dying. Now, try and find it. Go ahead. Leaf through your paper and see if you can find their names. If it was someone that lived or graduated high school in your newspaper's readership area, then yes, you will find it on the front page. "Local Soldier Dies."
I live near a major Navy base that employs young men that do the most dangerous job in the Navy. The are Navy SEALS. Even among those of us that are also in the Navy - they stand out. They carry themselves differently, look differently and are respected differently. They are respected greatly. Because of this, the front page news is that someone that served on my base was killed. They are from this base which makes them from here. In the past month we lost three SEALS. Two of them were Chiefs. All under 30 years old. I might have known them. Seen them at the bowling alley with their family, the commissary (grocery store) or in line at the personnel department getting an ID card. It didn't hit really hard until last week.
Last Friday, a dreary drizzly day, I saw a sign that said "SEAL Memorial." I thought it was a memorial service at the Chapel. It was more than that - it was a funeral. I drove by the base Chapel on my way to work out at the gym and I saw something I will never forget. Even now I tear up at the thought.
There in front of the Chapel was a hearse and behind the hearse were eight Navy Chiefs lined up on either side of the gurney for the casket. They stood there in the steady rain, waiting. They were wearing their dress blues which looks like a black double breasted suit with a white shirt and black tie. They wore their white dress hats with black brims. In the rain. On the sleeves of their jackets were their rating badges (rank insignia patch) and they were gold. To wear gold means they have over 12 years of good conduct. On their sleeves were the gold hash marks indicating years of service. Most of them had over 4 hash marks (16 years of service). They stood in the rain doing what SEALS do. The job that no one else wants to do. The hard job.
Navy SEALS don't see the signs that say, "Bring Our Troops Home!" and think the signs refer to them. For the SEAL it's about the mission. Everyone in the Navy has a mission. But not like the SEALS. They train, eat, drink, live and die the mission. They are totally focused and doing a job. They volunteered to be SEALS and went through the hardest training the military has to offer. Most don't make through the training. Those that do - wanted it more.
Last week three Navy SEALS were remembered for their final mission. And there will be more.
We need to remember them and remain worthy.

Watchmen

The question that keeps cropping up in the movie Watchmen is "Who watches the Watchmen?" To the average viewer it might be, "Who watches the Watchmen movie?" I can see why that question might come up.
Watchmen is based solely on the 12 issue comic book series (put in one volume as a graphic novel). This isn't like Spiderman, Superman, Hulk or Iron Man that you can enjoy without ever having read the comic - those heroes are part of a collective cultural consciousness. Watchmen is not like one of those hero series of which we know so much. Watchmen was a comic epic of a complicated, violent, sexual, apocalyptic nature - something that, up to the point it was published, was never seen in comics before. Watchmen is what started such a series being called a "graphic novel." Movies like Constantine, From Hell, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, and V for Vendetta were also of this graphic novel vein. The last three mentioned were from the creator of the Watchmen.
Unlike Spidey, it seemed impossible to comic readers that such an ambitious project of Watchmen being brought to screen could even be done. It's not just the complicated, intertwined and, dare I say, convoluted story, it was also the effects. You see there is this bright blue atomic dude named Dr. Manhattan that elaborately moves around through time and space.
Back to the movie.
Watchmen takes place in 1985 in an alternate reality. Nixon is on his third term as President and we won the Vietnam war, just to name a few odd things that are out of place in this time line. We learn through the opening credits and flashbacks that there were two groups of costume heroes (not with super powers, per se, but vigilantes) that have existed. One group, known as the Minutemen, were around in the 1940s. The second group of costume vigilantes was in the 1970s and was known as the Watchmen. One character is in both groups, the Comedian. The death of the Comedian is what drives the story. We find out that the Minutemen, through personal circumstances and cultural changes, was disbanded on their own but the Watchmen was disbanded by the government. One Watchmen, Rorschach, has never given up his mask. He figures that someone is killing off costume vigilantes and decides to warn them all. Through this we find out what they are all doing after the masks came off. There is also this odd character of Dr. Manhattan, or John, that keeps cropping up. He is pivotal to the story. He once was human but through an experiment gone wrong he is transformed into something else. Something that defies time, space and reality. There is the threat of nuclear war looming in the news during this story as well. Nixon and the USSR are poised for war and the Watchmen are left wondering what they can still do to save the world.
This movie is completely based on the comic. The story board for this movie was the comic, as was the script. It would have been too much to film the entire graphic novel. But if you are a fan, there is enough of the story to keep you delighted.
I am not sure about those that have not.
As I said earlier, you can go see Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings without reading the books.
Normally, I can say that kind of thing with certainty about most movies based on books that I have seen (read the book or not). But in the case of Watchmen, I can't. It is movie mommy policy that any movie made from a book must stand on it's own.
My husband saw Watchmen and liked it. There was enough violence, sex, fight scenes, gore and special effects to keep him interested.
I feel I can only recommend this movie to people that have either read the comic/graphic novel, really dig any kind of superhero movie, pulp fiction story telling or off the norm stuff like V for Vendetta. Or just want to fly their movie freak flag.
By the way, the soundtrack kicks total butt!
MMM (3 Ms out of 5 Ms) based on the normal movie mommy criteria.
MMMM1/2M (4.5 Ms out of 5 Ms) for a movie based on a comic/graphic novel that I have read.