The best defense is a good offense

California here we come

2008-05-15T19:08:47Z

From Huffington Post and Fox News and the HRC.

The bullet points:

Domestic partnerships aren't enough.
Same sex couples have the right to marry.
Second state to allow same sex marriage.
Opposition is trying to put a ban on the November ballot.
The Governator won't support an amendment which overturns the California Supreme Court's decision.

There are some very happy gays out on the left coast right now.

Keith Olbermann, in two parts

2008-05-15T16:40:23Z

Return of the MACK

2008-05-15T15:45:39Z

Clark's Chloe has signed on for Season 8 of Smallville, thereby ensuring more Watchtower goodness for another 22 episodes. Allison Mack joins Tom Welling, Erica Durance, Aaron Ashmore and ~~dogface~~ Laura Vandervoort as returning main cast members. Kristen Kreuk, Michael Rosenbaum and John Glover all exit this year, with Lex and Lana making appearances in Season 8.

And now the courts decide

2008-05-15T13:44:50Z

I could be a bitch and tear into the president for his World War II comments yesterday or the bullshit interview where he claims to have given up golf in "solidarity" with the families of American soldiers who died in his misbegotten war.

I could talk about John Edwards endorsing Obama. The science advisor to the Pope "allowing" a belief in aliens. Or the comments of Joe Lieberman on the "appeal" of bombing Iran. Or even the Special Comment by Keith Olbermann attacking Bush.

But I won't.

I will just point out a huge decision in the gay marriage fight is coming down today, 10 am or so, PST, in California. Which makes roughly 1 pm EST a good time to be around the net. The California Supreme Court decision to be posted here.

To My Mother on Mother's Day

2008-05-12T03:26:03Z

Mom,

I wanted to take a minute to say thank you.

Thank you for instilling in me the difference between right and wrong. I will freely admit to making missteps through my life when it comes to these two, basic ideas. But without you there to continue pounding them into my head, I wouldn't be the man I am today. Moral rights and wrongs, legal rights and wrongs, it doesn't matter. My own moral compass, built and based on yours, has guided me through rough waters when I was faced with two paths. I'd like to think I've made the better choice more often than not. But it all comes back to you.

Thank you for teaching me people have inherent worth, no matter how much we may disagree with their actions, positions or beliefs. It was very rare the ugliness of prejudice reared its head and, when it did, you had taught me better than to follow in those footsteps. Everybody-regardless of creed, color, nationality, religion or orientation-deserved at least basic human respect. I'd also like to think I embody this trait and reflect on you in a positive light.

In the end, though, what is right or wrong? It depends on our specific value system, doesn't it? If you are pro-environment, it is wrong not to recycle. If you are a Republican, McCain is right. You can't accept our beliefs are different and, consequently, we have mutually decided we can not have a relationship. At least not on the level I would like. The level of adults and not parent/child.

Thank you for teaching me to stand up for myself, no matter what the people around me were saying. This is probably the hardest thing for you to acknowledge because it has created a rift between us which doesn't appear to be healing any time soon. Confidence is perhaps the culmination of my moral compass and inherent self worth. It is also what has gotten me past more trials than I care to think about. Having the courage of my convictions, putting myself out there and doing what needs to be done...none would be possible without this simple lesson.

Courage is a funny thing. Depending on which side you fall, it can either be good or bad. I had the courage to come out to you. I had the courage to want to invite you into my life. I had the courage to continue reaching out to you. I had the courage to stand up and say I am a gay man and these are my beliefs. This is my value system. And if you don't like it, go jump off the goddamned cliff because I don't want to hear it. In my eyes, that is courage. In yours, I'm most likely evil. Living in sin. An ungrateful son. Whatever.

Thank you for making me the most stubborn person on the planet. I learned this one from you extremely well, seeing you ignore family who loves you for years on end. I have first hand experience, remember, of you shutting everyone else out for no good reason. It is part of what keeps us apart: you're too stubborn to reach out to me and I am done banging my head against your wall. So we don't speak. A pity for you, more than me, I think. If you could see the family I have-yes, they're not blood family, but they are MY family-and the things I have accomplished without a single thing from you.

It is your stubborn streak in me that got me through struggling for all of 2007. Every single time I got bitch slapped to the ground, I got right back up again because staying down isn't the way I was taught to be. Dust yourself off, get back on the horse and tame him. End of story. Even in the dark days when I did give up for an hour or two, it only strengthened my resolve to keep going.

In the end, Mom, you taught me to be self-sufficient and strong, confident, resolute and a list of other positive traits. I accept you are forever angry with your family. I have accepted that for years. We have borne the brunt of your anger and frustration, your own stubbornness. And now it's coming back to you. I haven't only lost a mother, but you have lost a son. My sister has lost a cohesive family. We, as a group, have lost the chance to be with each other when we no longer require diapers or supervision. We lost the chance to be adults, friends.

So if I have one wish for you today, I wish for you to be happy. Whatever form that may be, wherever that may take you. Seek happiness. Be happy. Reach out and grab it, hold on for all its worth and never let go. If, by some divine intervention, having us in your life would make you happy, I promise not to reject the open hand. But until you see an "us" and not just a "me," there can be no relationship.

Be happy.

Jason

Michigan: "worst of the worst of the worst" for gays

2008-05-08T13:51:48Z

(Complete Free Press article here.)

Well then, it shouldn't shock anyone that the 2004 amendment which made same sex marriage illegal in Michigan has now been used to ensure gay public employees can't get health coverage for their partners. I'm not going to rail about the nuts and bolts of the amendment itself; we all know it was a ploy in several states in 2004 by Karl Rove and the radical right wing of the Republican Party to make sure conservatives got to the polls to support George W. Bush (gee, look how the last four years have been...).

This is the law Michigan voters approved. Institutionalized discrimination banning Michigan taxpayers from getting married or sharing in the benefits other couples are allowed. So be it. The question, though, is what happens from here. Personally, I'm all in favor of attorney Jessie Olson says: "The only alternative may be just leaving."

It speaks to a broader, most intense problem with Michigan. With the national economy teetering on recession and the Michigan economy in a woeful state for the last couple of years, can the state afford people to be leaving while also making sure being here isn't friendly and open to all people? I don't think so.

The state-and others-have effectively said we will take your tax money, we will use you for our own purposes while treating you like a second class citizen. You keep giving to us and get nothing in return. That's the shorthand.

Maybe Wedding Wars had it right: to show the community how much they rely on the gays, maybe it's time to stop doing what we do. Cause a work stoppage. Make people take notice.

Things Heard at Lunch Re: Golf Outing

2008-05-07T18:54:28Z

"Just eat your nuts." (Well, it was in relation to lunch, but close enough.)

"You guys need to stroke together."

"It's coming." "I've heard that before."

Oy. We're getting the same color shirts, same types of pants...we're going to be the Mickey Mouse Club, without the fun.

Or Justin Timberlake.

I'm just saying.

Frelling Mother Bleeder

2008-05-07T15:41:17Z

What's the one thing I have never done in my entire life? (Sex with a woman isn't the answer, you smartasses.)

The one sport I have no interest in watching, playing or learning?

Of course! It has to be the world's most BORING "sport."

Golf.

And guess what? We're going to the First Annual Fuck-Me-In-The-Ass-With-A-Pogo-Stick golf something or other on May 22.

Oh fucking joy. *smacks head*

(Guess what Jason's doing this weekend, apparently?)

Bye Bye Lex

2008-05-02T13:37:01Z

Lex is exiting stage left as a regular on Smallville. While it was terribly unexpected, the fact there is finally confirmation is a let down. The show's bread and butter has been the interaction between Clark and Lex; their unexpected friendship; and then their dramatic falling out. Lex-as-Zod, overlooking a burning Metropolis with Lana at his side was a definitive image for the series.

One by one, each of the original regulars has left the show. Eric Johnson (Whitney) was shipped off to war and killed. Pete Ross, Clark's former best friend, moved away, only to come back as a "meteor freak" for a guest appearance. Jonathan Kent is dead. Martha Kent is, supposedly, being a state congresswomen. Even Lionel Luthor was killed off a couple weeks ago.

And now both Rosenbaum and, supposedly, Kristen Kreuk (Lana) are leaving. Allison Mack is still in talks to return to the show. Which leaves the following as season eight's (yes, season eight) main cast: Tom Welling (Clark), Laura Vendervoort (Kara), Aaron Ashmore (Jimmy) and Erica Durance (Lois). Oh yeah, they're casting a new female villain. Cue eye rolling here.

The biggest news? The addition of a new super enemy...

Yes, my friends, that is Doomsday. The only creature to EVER EVER EVER kill Superman. Not Clark Kent, but SUPERMAN. Which leads to a host of continuity issues, not the least of which is Clark has NOT become Superman yet. And, this being Smallville, or Superman Lite, the graphic violence and attack from the graphic novel isn't going to be seen on screen. Add to that the iconic image from the comic is Lois in the middle of a broken Metropolis cradling Superman's busted, bloody, torn body after Doomsday finally dies. That simply can't happen here because of where Smallville currently happens to stand in the mythology.

Repost from an e-mail I sent earlier...

2008-05-01T19:19:58Z

It has come to my attention some people-coughcoughTomcoughcough-have issues with going to The Movie Rambler to figure out what they should (and, conversely, should not) watch. In an attempt to make this as simple as possible for everyone (me included, since it was impossible for me to remember what I had sent out via e-mail and what I had not), I've created a feed for everything which goes into said blog.

This is where the work comes in for you guys. You need to click here. On the right hand side of the screen, you smart tech saavy people-coughcoughJustinGregcoughcough-can go ahead and get yourselves the RSS feed. Everyone else can get a daily update via e-mail if you click here (or the delivered by e-mail link on the right hand side of the page). Throw in your preferred e-mail address and the validation code (just to make sure you're not a computer trying to spam). Once you get an e-mail, verify and you'll be updated every day.

I currently have the time set to send e-mail's between 3:00 am and 5:00 am, EST.

This does mean I am going to stop cross posting reviews from The Movie Rambler to the other blog effective immediately.

I think that's it for now.

I'm probably asking for trouble, but what the hell...

2008-05-01T17:14:11Z

Use the seven questions below. Copy and paste them with the blanks filled in with something you want to know/ask. I'll answer honestly as I can. Meme: then post this in your own LJ and see what kind of things people want to ask you.

1. What do you think of __________?

2. When did you last __________?

3. __________ or __________ and why?

4. What did you __________?

5. What's your favorite __________?

6. How would you __________?

7. Who would you most like to __________??

On Vox: The Big Gay Sketch Show: The Complete Unrated First Season

2008-04-29T22:19:59Z

Released: April 29, 2008
*****
The series does start with a bang, however, with a riff on "The Facts of Life" showcasing a romance between Jo and Blair. With Michael Serrato portraying Mrs. Garrett (he himself is a bigger, gentlemen who nails Edna rather well) and a wonderfully spot on Erica Ash as Tootie, this simple sketch provides the promise for the series.
*****
The Big Gay Sketch Show: The Complete Unrated First Season DVD Review

Originally posted on themovierambler.vox.com

On Vox: 3 Needles (2005)

2008-04-29T13:41:20Z

Act I

Released: June 2, 2006 (Seattle International Film Festival)
Director: Thom Fitzgerald
*****
A movie told in three acts, 3 Needles looks at the AIDS epidemic from the perspective of people trying to make a difference, yet failing. Act I takes place in China, where a woman (Lucy Liu) runs blood from villages to the cities, unknowingly passing contaminated blood to healthy people. The second story takes place in Montreal, following a young porn actor (Shawn Ashmore) and his quest to fool an AIDS test in order to keep working. And, at the end, three nuns in Africa try to help families ravaged by the disease, yet are horrified at how far they are willing to suspend their principles to do so.

Writing and directing this epic, spanning five different languages and three continents, is Thom Fitzgerald. He handles each story with care and conviction, never letting the action on screen become too violent, grotesque or graphic. That is perhaps the film's largest drawback: it sanitizes AIDS and what it does to people. When a pregnant Jin Ping (Liu) is raped by Chinese soldiers, the camera only shows the men exiting her van in extreme long shots. As people die of AIDS throughout the film, their symptoms and pain are glossed over with a very minimal amount of acknowledgment. Perhaps that is the idea behind the film, to be as unintrusive as possible in an attempt to get in front of as many people as possible.

One other minor quibble with the production comes in the length of each story. Running at 127 minutes, there is ample time for each act to receive an equal running time. Yet the arguably least compelling group of characters-the nuns-get more time than either of the other two stories. There is no need for us to see the nuns arriving at their monastery. Instead jump right into the middle of the existing story, following the death of a woman from AIDS and her family. Devote some more time to fleshing out the truth in Act II (keep reading).

Yet for all its faults, 3 Needles is an heartfelt production, armed with top notch actors (Ashmore, Liu, Stockard Channing, Olympia Dukakis, Sandra Oh, Chloe Sevigny and a cast of unnamed hundreds as background extras and in supporting parts) and exquisite location shooting. Fitzgerald refrains from preaching, opting instead to simply tell the stories he wants to tell in the way he wants to tell them. Is there ambiguity at the end? Of course, most notably in the second vignette. How does Olive (Stockard Channing), porn actor Denys' mother, actually get the virus? There are two possible routes, though in the end the how doesn't really matter, only the fact she tests as positive. What is her rationale when she cashes in the life insurance policy? To be a selfish and jealous woman? Or she is helping Denys in some way we never get to know about? These questions aren't critical to the main story and, thus, were most likely left out. Just loose strings to be tied up.

The finished product is epic, though retaining a sense of the people who make up each story. It's not nearly enough to understand the wide implications of actions (or inactions); to see how each act impacts the immediate vicinity and the world reminds us we aren't alone. Whatever the good intentions are, even one reused needle can potentially infect hundreds of people with contaminated blood, for example.

Originally posted on themovierambler.vox.com

On Vox: Baby Mama (2008)

2008-04-27T19:23:13Z

Released: April 25, 2008
Director: Michael McCullers
*****
It´s kind of sad, honestly, how much I was looking forward to "Baby Mama." Oh, I knew it would be a low-brow comedy, but with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and a cast of enjoyable actors, it couldn´t be any worse than the Judd Apatow productions from last summer. Besides, I personally find Fey to be a top notch comedian capable to rescuing just about any material from the gutter. Maybe my expectations were just too high. It´s not that "Baby Mama" isn´t funny-it is. It´s not that the story isn´t grounded in reality-it is. The narrative takes one turn too many, opting to introduce a character for no reason other than to give Fey´s Kate Holbrook a romantic interest. (Yeah, I know he has one other purpose, but that would be a spoiler.)
*****

Baby Mama Review

Originally posted on themovierambler.vox.com

On Vox: Pistoleros (2007)

2008-04-27T19:20:52Z

Released: April 29, 2008 (USA, DVD)
Director: Shaky Gonzalez
*****
While I won´t dispute the superficial positive aspects of "Pistoleros," there isn´t a whole lot underneath for serious discussion. So lets start with the reasons to seek the film out. First and foremost, there´s the cast. From the brooding Daniell Edwards (Sonny, as one of Frank´s kids) to Zlatko Buric´s Ivan (a gleefully violent, greasy haired outlaw), they need not open their mouths to convey their fictional personality. The physical look of each person-even the two filmmakers in the wraparound segments of the film-is important because the it must go hand in hand with the words coming out of their mouths. It is crucial looks and dialogue match up in order to maintain the illusion of reality. And when the Danish language track is added in, there is never any doubt as to who these people are.
*****

Pistoleros DVD Review

Originally posted on themovierambler.vox.com

Abstinence Only Sex Ed...Not Working?!!??

2008-04-24T14:35:03Z

Yahoo Article

Well, gee, shocking, isn't it? Teen pregnancy up. STD's up. First sexual contact age unchanged. What part of "not working" does the administration not understand? New HIV infections have gone up every year Bush has been in the White House with the exception of 2004. Scientists and people with direct knowledge of the subject are saying it does not work. But what does the administration think? Keep throwing money at the problem and it will go away.

Guys, what part of "abstinence only" do you not understand doesn't work? If you tell a kid NOT to have sex, what is the first thing they're going to run out and do? Have sex. What's the first thing that happens when you tell a child not to go into the cookie jar? They're into it. Why is this so hard to understand? Abstinence is one tool to use, but let's get with the program. Birth control is another. Fool proof? No. But it's better than nothing, isn't it? Condoms. By god, why are they the boogie man now? States are rejecting abstinence only education money because THEY know it's a foolhardy proposition. Is the administration drinking the religious right Kool Aid by the bucket it can't see the forest for the trees anymore? (Not that they ever did, mind you.)

Wait until marriage for sex, the religious fundies say. That may have worked back when the public lived in fear of some superbeing called god, but it's no longer the case. What happens if someone doesn't want to get married? What about those of us who can't get married? Sex is being used as a "reward" for hitching up in a religiously acceptable way. Hey kids, follow the mythical superpower who doesn't give a shit about war or poverty or hunger or disease! "He" says to not have sex until you get married! Cool deal, huh? (Disregard the parts outlawing divorce, allowing men to have as many wives as they want and the bits about lying or cheating.)

Give me a break. Just like the failed Iraq policy, Bush and company just don't know when to take a different approach. Just another way he's failed America.

On Vox: Death of a President (2006)

2008-04-24T13:07:02Z

The assassination

Released: October 27, 2006
Director: Gabriel Range
*****
Known more for its controversial subject than any detailed part of the plot, Death of a President focuses on a fictional assassination of President George W. Bush in Chicago following a speech in 2007. At least, that's what the movie bills itself as. Instead, it is an attempt-a decent one at that-to bring the events of September 11 down to a more manageable level. Instead of buildings being hit by airplanes, the president is shot. Poor intelligence about terrorism is replaced by racial profiling and a rush to judgment. All the while, in a documentary-style approach, the event is "examined" through interviews with key personnel...though no one we really want to hear from.

Director and co-writer Range seems a bit schizophrenic in executing the film. The titular act doesn't happen until a half hour into the 90 minute production and, even then, never achieves the emotional punch it should. President Bush dies in surgery, not on the rope line when he's greeting people. Not in his motorcade. In the hospital. For us to feel the impact, there has to be something more, a better constructed narrative. Because of all the eggs in the narrative basket, it never focuses on one and rides it to the end. Is this the story of a nation grieving for a fallen president? Or the story of people wrongly accused of a crime? Racial profiling? Rush to judgment? Consequences of not listening to advisers? What is the movie truly about?

Some credit has to be given to Range for constructing the film from reenactments and archival footage of the participants. Since no government entity was involved in the production, hours of news footage had to be sifted through to find appropriate moments. For instance, new President Cheney's eulogy is lifted from Ronald Regan's funeral, only with the name changed. While we do see the moment on screen, we also know to watch his lips. When they don't match up to the actual words, there is a problem. (Every other instance of doctored archived footage is manipulated off screen.)

Critics have said Death of a President goes too far in the hatred people feel toward the current president. To pretend he is dead and show a supposed aftermath is in poor taste. Does the movie cross the line? It may skirt it, but not cross. Why? There is a larger point Range is trying to make, I think, which gets lost in the shuffle. This is supposed to be a "worst case scenario" prediction, possibly even a warning to the world. Preachy and heavy handed? At times, yes. Well constructed from a visual perspective? Sure. A good film? It's marginal.

Originally posted on themovierambler.vox.com

On Vox: Bernard & Doris (2007)

2008-04-23T00:18:58Z

Released: October 17, 2007 (Hamptons International Film Festival)
Director: Bob Balaban
*****
Director and producer Bob Balaban brazenly admits in the commentary track "Bernard & Doris" is a invention. The rationale, according to him, is no one can actually know what happened between the titular characters through their time together so, using the available information, a story was constructed linking them. Actually, the script was completed before Balaban got involved with the production. But, as long as we´re fudging the truth, why stop with the film? Some liberties are always taken with so-called true stories; that much is a given. But when at least half the finished product is fictional? Moreover, it doesn´t provide any historical document of their lives together, only a patchwork of the real and fictitious.
*****
Bernard & Doris DVD Review

Originally posted on themovierambler.vox.com

jj79 @ 2008-04-20T18:03:00

2008-04-20T22:04:45Z

Arms, legs, head...all red right now.

Head starting to hurt.

Face red, except where the sunglasses were.

It's a ritual of the summer for me. Burn, baby, burn.

jj79 @ 2008-04-17T20:02:00

2008-04-18T00:08:17Z

Ganked from thespos...

1. Where is your mobile phone?
Bag

2. Your significant other?
Phone

4. Your mother?
Shrug

5. Your father?
Shrug

6. Your favorite thing?
KDL46V3000

7. Your dream last night?
None

8. Your favorite drink?
Water

9. Your dream/goal?
Succes

10. The room you're in?
Hotel

11. Your ex?
Female

12. Your fear?
Inadequacy

13. Where do you want to be in 6 years?
Warm

14. Where were you last night
Home

15. What you're not?
Rich

16. Muffins?
Homemade

17. One of your wish list items?
Marriage

18. Where you grew up?
Tex-Mary-Jers-Michiland

19. The last thing you did?
Touch :D

20. What are you wearing?
Skivvies

21. Your TV?
Survivor

22. Your pets?
None

23. Your computer?
Working

24. Your life?
Content

25. Your mood?
Tired

26. Missing someone?
Nope

27. Your car?
Off

28. Something you're not wearing?
Jock

29. Favorite Store?
All

30. Your summer?
Busy

31. Like someone?
Yuppers

32. Your favorite color?
Blue

33. When is the last time you laughed?
Today

34. Last time you cried?
Monday

On Vox: Man of the Year (2006)

2008-04-17T02:59:28Z

The largely wasted Laura Linney with Robin Williams

Released: October 13, 2006
Director: Barry Levinson

*****
When a political humorist gets elected president of the United States, the vote at first takes people by surprise. But as Tom Dobbs (Robin Williams) begins to show he may be up to the job, a revelation about the computerized voting machines is brought to his attention, forcing him to make a decision not only in his best interest, but also in the best interest of the country.

Ya know, there's a halfway decent movie sitting somewhere in Man of the Year. The very concept of a candidate from neither of the two major parties being elected to the White House has a certain charm to it. Had the film written and director by Barry Levinson remained focused on Dobbs' campaign and culminated in his eventual win, it would have been far more enjoyable. The problem is the campaign and election are given relatively short thrift in the first half of the picture to make way for a convoluted plot from a computer company hellbent on keeping a former programmer quiet regarding potential voting errors. Compounding the left turn in plot are the accompanying scenes of intrigue and corporate shenanigans, neither of which belong in this film.

Man of the Year wants to be a political satire. And it succeeds, during a great deal of its running time. From an impromptu monologue during a debate to his first unscheduled speech in front of Congress, Tom Dobbs seems to understand his place in history and on the world stage. Even if he entered the election on a lark, who cares? He is as sharp witted as anyone within the reality we're presented. Moreso, when you look at the sitting president and his Republican challenger, neither of whom come off as anything but snake oil salesmen. It's Dobbs with the charisma and personality to connect with the people. However, we never get to see how he accomplishes that feat in anything but rock star-like montages.

Instead, Laura Linney's Eleanor Green is chased through very public shopping malls in broad daylight and nearly run over by pickup trucks, all because she harbors a secret which can bring down her former employer. And the stupidly obvious way Dobbs wins the election? Green would have us believe it has to do with the double letters in the candidates names (Dobbs, Mills and Kellogg); apparently, KeLLoGG trumps MiLLs because of the two sets of doubles, yet DoBBs beats Kellogg based on the alphabet. Whatever. Maybe in a movie based where a comedian can become president, this thinking works. But anywhere else? Nah. And as part of a satire, designed to be funny in at least one way? Not even close. It's the ending-the complete left turn in the tone-where Man of the Year completely falls apart. Not even guest appearances by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in the climax can help. And that's saying something.

Originally posted on themovierambler.vox.com

jj79 @ 2008-04-16T12:30:00

2008-04-16T16:36:07Z

I normally do this around the 19th, but since we're going to be gone, we're going with early rather than late...

April 29
In the Blood (TLA)
Pistoleros (TLA)
The Big Gay Sketch Show: The Complete Unrated First Season (Paramount)
The Big Gay Sketch Show: The Complete Unrated Second Season (Paramount)
Bernard & Doris (HBO)

May 20
National Treasure
National Treasure: Book of Secrets
V for Vendetta
Constantine

May 27
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Volume 2
Storm (TLA)
Back Soon (TLA)

June 10
National Geographic: Sea Monsters
Soap: The Complete Series
John Adams (HBO)

June 17
The Sword in the Stone
Men in Black

July 1
Ganges
Batman: The Movie
Gangs of New York
Mad Men Season 1

July 8
Batman Begins (Gift Set)
Batman: Gotham Knights

July 22
The Perfect Storm

July 29
Robin Hood Season 1
The Discovery Channel: The Human Body

August 12
The Wire Season 5 (HBO)

October 7
Sleeping Beauty

November 4
The Shawshank Redemption

Review Title
Blu Ray
Standard DVD

On Vox: 20 Million Miles to Earth (1957)

2008-04-15T12:08:26Z

Ymir

Released: June 1957
Director: Nathan Juran
*****
Let's be honest: no one is lining up for the story or human characters in 20 Million Miles to Earth. The attraction remains the stop motion creature work by Ray Harryhausen. Perhaps a bit underwhelming in today's era of CGI, the work done by Harryhausen and other artists of his ilk is on full display here, with a generally lifelike and graceful moving (for 1957, of course) creature from Venus tangling with an elephant. Just about the only problem with the special effects happens to be the shifting size of both animals in the action finale.

In case anyone is really interested: man's first exploration of Venus crashes into the sea off the coast of Sicily with only one survivor. A container washes up on shore, which a young boy named Pepe, promptly opens up, bringing the contents to a traveling zoologists, Dr. Leonardo. From there, the gelatinous blob hatches, unleashing Ymir onto the world.

In a nutshell, that's all there is to Earth. A straight forward enough story with wooden characters and actors, both playing a distant second fiddle to the creature effects. None of the actors are particularly memorable, either in the story or in their careers. And yet, the film doesn't buckle under them. They're simply placeholders until we can get to the siege of Rome. It is a glorious battle by 1950s standards. Showcasing many more creature effects than it has any real right to, Harryhausen reaffirms his place in history as a pioneer of special effects. And, most likely, of patience, considering the painstaking detail which went into creating every aspect of a show, from something as simple as a tail moving to engaging in a street battle with an elephant.

Whereas the popular notion of creatures born out of nuclear experiments was popular at the time, 20 Million Miles to Earth uses another standby, the then-new space program, to bring Ymir to Earth. The script is horribly lacking in specifics regarding technology or scientific fact, however. Mentions of Ymir eating sulfur and being stopped by electrical impulses notwithstanding, the script gets us from the beginning of the story proper to the first time a full Ymir is seen with all deliberate speed. There's no pretense of reality; just a good monster movie without the current wave of humanizing the creature, of understanding it and helping it get back home. Ymir smash indeed.

Originally posted on themovierambler.vox.com

On Vox: Classical Baby (I'm Grown Up Now): The Poetry Show

2008-04-13T19:09:19Z

Released: April 15, 2008
*****
With each segment running no more than two minutes, there is never a chance for the kids or adults to get bored. For the children, a wonderful mix of animation styles, from seemingly "cut out" characters, a la "South Park" to a rougher style simulating the look of a Norman Rockwell painting. Most of the pieces are bright, appealing to the rapidly shifting attention span of the target audience. Where they might have trouble following along is the actual dialogue. While each poem is easy to understand and deals with simple concepts, the very nature of poetry may be too obtuse for children under five years old.
*****
Classical Baby (I'm Grown Up Now): The Poetry Show DVD Review

Originally posted on themovierambler.vox.com

On Vox: Street Kings (2008)

2008-04-13T16:21:10Z

Released: April 11, 2008
Director: David Ayer
*****
"Street Kings" asks the audience to define corruption. Is a cop who goes outside the system to bring criminals to justice corrupt? How about a police department full of officers who watch each other´s backs in an off-the-books investigation when one of their own is killed? Is a commander protecting his subordinates when they get out line corruption? These are the questions the film poses to the audience and asks us to navigate as the characters work their way through a web of deceit and, yes, corruption.
*****

Street Kings Review

Originally posted on themovierambler.vox.com