Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Yep...
Bad news guys - I'm sick in bed all weekend...
Yeah, I think I'll spend most of the weekend in bed...
Monday, October 11, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Disney
“You’ve just posted a whole mess of movie blog entries at the beginning of the year – then dropped the ball when something else caught your fancy – what are you going to do, cblaze?”
“I’m going to Disney World!!!”
It’s true – I’m off to Disney World in the following weeks – but you know what guys? I can’t say that I was ever a fan of Disney movies... It’s weird. I thought this would be an easy post – but when I started going through Disney films in my head I suddenly realized - I was never really a Disney fan as a kid. It’s not like I didn’t see a whole mess of them – as my siblings couldn’t get enough of them – we still have a huge VHS library. Even these days – the best Disney films are from the Pixar studio – which we all know has really has nothing to do with Disney.
I grew up a Jim Henson fan – his studio was bought by Disney and mishandled – sold – then repurchased. I liked Star Wars, Pee-Wee Herman, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Three Stooges – but not Disney. I didn’t really care for the Looney Toons growing up, either now that I think about it – but watched it mostly because that’s what was on.
I didn’t cry when Bambi’s mom was shot. I didn’t feel a sudden happiness when Dumbo learned to fly and was loved by everyone. I wasn’t really fascinated by Alice’s trip through Wonderland. I wasn’t held breathless as the Prince fought the dragon to save Sleeping Beauty. I wasn’t clapping when Captain Hook was gotten by the ticking croc. Fantasia was an awesome sleep aid. I didn’t want to tap my foot along to Mary Poppins and her annoying fucking songs that got ingrained in my head...
Sure, I appreciated them for quality entertainment – nothing Disney put out seemed like pure shit – but could’ve been watching infomercials and been just as happy. I realize that Disney focused a lot of their stories around Princesses – and growing up a boy it was hard to identify with pretty pretty princesses finding true love... That is until the Little Mermaid came along at that interesting stage in my developmental years – and I watched strangely perplexed at her half-nakedness.
Did I grow up more cynical – not being a Disney kid? Why was I offered a job at Disney (that I ended up regretting turning down) – if I didn’t grow up a Disney kid? Was there something about me that is inherently Disney anyway? Is Disney ingrained in our culture to be everything that’s both right and wrong about it?
You know what cartoon movie I was held captivated by? The Secret of Nimh – I couldn’t understand that film – it disturbed me but intrigued me. It was an interesting complex story – that was presented to kids – but was obviously too complex for kids.
Oh – and the original Hobbit cartoon – I thought that was infinitely cool. That was by far my most favorite cartoon film growing up. I loved the art work of it all – and the folksy kind of feel to it. It offered real thrills and a darkness that I was drawn to.
Neither of these fit into the Disney feel of films – but it kind of goes to show that I wasn’t turned off by cartoon movies.
But as my trip approaches – and I think about the fun that will be had with my family and on the rides – I can’t help but wonder a bit...
Did I miss something not growing up a Disney kid?
“I’m going to Disney World!!!”
It’s true – I’m off to Disney World in the following weeks – but you know what guys? I can’t say that I was ever a fan of Disney movies... It’s weird. I thought this would be an easy post – but when I started going through Disney films in my head I suddenly realized - I was never really a Disney fan as a kid. It’s not like I didn’t see a whole mess of them – as my siblings couldn’t get enough of them – we still have a huge VHS library. Even these days – the best Disney films are from the Pixar studio – which we all know has really has nothing to do with Disney.I grew up a Jim Henson fan – his studio was bought by Disney and mishandled – sold – then repurchased. I liked Star Wars, Pee-Wee Herman, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Three Stooges – but not Disney. I didn’t really care for the Looney Toons growing up, either now that I think about it – but watched it mostly because that’s what was on.
I didn’t cry when Bambi’s mom was shot. I didn’t feel a sudden happiness when Dumbo learned to fly and was loved by everyone. I wasn’t really fascinated by Alice’s trip through Wonderland. I wasn’t held breathless as the Prince fought the dragon to save Sleeping Beauty. I wasn’t clapping when Captain Hook was gotten by the ticking croc. Fantasia was an awesome sleep aid. I didn’t want to tap my foot along to Mary Poppins and her annoying fucking songs that got ingrained in my head...Sure, I appreciated them for quality entertainment – nothing Disney put out seemed like pure shit – but could’ve been watching infomercials and been just as happy. I realize that Disney focused a lot of their stories around Princesses – and growing up a boy it was hard to identify with pretty pretty princesses finding true love... That is until the Little Mermaid came along at that interesting stage in my developmental years – and I watched strangely perplexed at her half-nakedness.
Did I grow up more cynical – not being a Disney kid? Why was I offered a job at Disney (that I ended up regretting turning down) – if I didn’t grow up a Disney kid? Was there something about me that is inherently Disney anyway? Is Disney ingrained in our culture to be everything that’s both right and wrong about it?
You know what cartoon movie I was held captivated by? The Secret of Nimh – I couldn’t understand that film – it disturbed me but intrigued me. It was an interesting complex story – that was presented to kids – but was obviously too complex for kids.
Oh – and the original Hobbit cartoon – I thought that was infinitely cool. That was by far my most favorite cartoon film growing up. I loved the art work of it all – and the folksy kind of feel to it. It offered real thrills and a darkness that I was drawn to.
Neither of these fit into the Disney feel of films – but it kind of goes to show that I wasn’t turned off by cartoon movies.
But as my trip approaches – and I think about the fun that will be had with my family and on the rides – I can’t help but wonder a bit...
Did I miss something not growing up a Disney kid?
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Chloe [2009]
Catherine Stewart (Julianne Moore) thinks her husband (Liam Neeson) is cheating on her – so she hires an escort (Amanda Seyfried) to flirt with him and see if he’d take the bait.
I’m not exactly sure what drew me to this movie – but I rented it and watched it – and it turned out to be pretty good. I like that it’s a simple concept – if I were to explain any more of the film in my description – it loses some of the simple logical twists (as well as probably the most illogical twist at the end). The story kept my attention as it unfolded quite nicely – instead of ramrodding you through each element. I thought the acting was quite well done – I think Julianne Moore showed a great amount of depth in her various stages of frustration in her relationship to the distant Liam Neeson. I thought Amanda Seyfried was good – but it’s a role that doesn’t require too much more than a good look and a willingness to be naked – and though it’s the title role – I didn’t feel like it was an amazing role – but that could easily be because Julianne Moore nailed her role so much better. The pacing and direction took a soft hand – and though I felt it could’ve been more of a seductive film – it worked.
I’m going to give Chloe a - 4 out of 5
I’m not exactly sure what drew me to this movie – but I rented it and watched it – and it turned out to be pretty good. I like that it’s a simple concept – if I were to explain any more of the film in my description – it loses some of the simple logical twists (as well as probably the most illogical twist at the end). The story kept my attention as it unfolded quite nicely – instead of ramrodding you through each element. I thought the acting was quite well done – I think Julianne Moore showed a great amount of depth in her various stages of frustration in her relationship to the distant Liam Neeson. I thought Amanda Seyfried was good – but it’s a role that doesn’t require too much more than a good look and a willingness to be naked – and though it’s the title role – I didn’t feel like it was an amazing role – but that could easily be because Julianne Moore nailed her role so much better. The pacing and direction took a soft hand – and though I felt it could’ve been more of a seductive film – it worked.
I’m going to give Chloe a - 4 out of 5
Directed by Atom Egoyan
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