Monday Night

Tonight's movie...

Rise of the Planet of the Apes - 2011

Well, I don't care what the Critics (and most of the reviews I read) said.

I liked it.

Plausible and/or believable... No.

Entertaining and/or enjoyable... Yes.

James Franco, John Lithgow, and "Caesar" were quite good.

Freida Pinto was unconvincing as a love interest. Brian Cox was decidedly underused.

It wasn't a great movie, but the CGI was well done for the most part
and I certainly found the all the Primates engaging.
Sort of wished the signing was sub-titled, however it would have been hokie.

Nice little time-waster.. 7 out of 10.

Last movie today ?

Wings of Desire. [1987]

I Love this movie.

The Actors; Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander.

Peter Falk... playing Peter Falk.

The Director; Wim Wenders

Absolutely great performances from these actors.

Joyous and heartbreaking at the same time.

Love the Direction and style of the film.

I'm not a spiritual or religious man - but I'd have to hope Angels are like this.

There is a sweet scene when Bruno (as an Angel) watches
a meditative Solveig (the trapeze artist), who in turn is watching
a young Elephant seeming to practice it's act off by itself.
...Simply brilliant.

This movie contains the literal meaning of Love,
without dragging Sex into mix.

Probably a little too 'Artsy-fartsy' for most people.

A strong 9 out of 10... I don't know if I'll ever give a 10/10.

Try to see this film.

OK

"Downfall" 2004

Bought the DVD; I've got an old, Chinatown, Pirate copy of it as well.
Back when it was released in Europe as 'Der Untergang' - The Underground.
Released in Canada with the French name as 'La Chute'.... whatever.

In German (no English audio track), that doesn't bother me.
Sounds better and I can kinda follow it anyhow.

I love Bruno Ganz.
An excellent actor, almost never mentioned in Hollywood I guess.
Not pretty enough, funny accent, talented.

Back to the movie.
Brilliant. Sets, costumes, dialogue... above all, the performances.
LOTS of close-in dialogue. Very tense and dramatic.
The actors catch the tension, apprehension, terror of the situation beautifully.

Interesting to see Traudl Junge (Hitler's final secretary) at the
beginning and end of the movie. Fascinating bit at the end with
the ultimate fates of major characters.

Great film.. 9 out of 10

Happy New Year

Happy Hogmanay !?!

Isn't there a better word than 'happy'?
'Joyous' doesn't sound right.
'Yah-Harrg' sounds better... WHAT ?! That's not a word? Should be.

Watched '2:22'... A 2008 'buddies in crime' flick.

One of those movies that you watch, and months later ..
(when you pop it in the player)
you watch 5 or 10 minutes going "Did I see this one?"
Hmmm... looks familiar... Oh Yeah, I've seen it.

Forgettable, wooden, awkward performances.
It was filmed in Toronto. Well, exterior shots were... that was kinda cool.
Never created any sympathy, empathy, anything, for the participants.

Val Kilmer is being sued by his career for breach of contract and defamation of character.
Kidding. But it should. Really.
The guy can act, what the hell is the deal with the Dreck he keeps putting out?

Gabriel Burne... Four words.. What were you thinking?

I'd give it about 5 out of 10 thumbs.

Yeah... I guess everybody has to pay the rent... Move on.

Tryin' out software..

Picked up a iPad a week ago..

WOW ! Where have you been all my life?!

That sounds lame .. even to me. Technology is great, and fun.
Technology is not the be-all and end-all of existence.
Well, not in the way I'd like it to be.

I do love my iPad, and the ability to bore people on a much greater scale than ever before. I love my computer and the ability to download movies, television, books, audiobooks.... you might see where I'm going with this.

Technology is filling my days with activity without my accomplishing anything.

I've started this blog as a backwards way of at least thinking independently, rather than disconnecting and letting somebody else entertain me. Maybe by writing this down and getting potential feedback will stimulate the brainslugs back into activity.

I've set up this blogger account and purchased "blogsy", neat little piece of software with the sole purpose of helping you create your own blog. Now I'll at least have to think with a slightly higher percentage of my mind to continue "ticking away the moments that make up a dull day".

A Newish? Voice

I've read enough blogs, posts, and threads.
I've read more books than you could shake a stick at.
( that's a weird metaphor, but I'll live with it )
Well.. I thought,

I might as well add my stupid voice to the cacophony.