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Best Actor 1981
Dudley Moore in Arthur
Warren Beatty in Reds
Henry Fonda in On Golden Pond
Paul Newman in Absence of Malice
Burt Lancaster in Atlantic City
Who do you pick and predict?
christopher hitchens: debating tony blair on faith
on the washington post's on faith:
'i am sometimes asked whether i ever get tired of debating the faithful. there are two reasons why i never do. the first is that this argument is at the root of all other arguments: constituting the essential underlay of differences about philosophy, cosmology, history, textual criticism and even medicine. the second is that i never know what my antagonist is going to say, or affirm, or claim to believe.
in any case, there was scant chance of being bored while contesting these matters with tony blair. but he did exemplify, to an unusually high degree, the tendency of modern believers to eclecticism and to the public presentation of what often turns out to be a virtually private or personal definition of religion. (i find this doubly odd in the case of a man who went to a lot of trouble to convert to one of history's more disciplined and rule-bound churches, at a time when its latest pope is striving to reinvigorate a highly traditionalist interpretation, but let that pass for now.)'
continue reading...
tony blair's corresponding piece is here. here's a snippet:
'christopher hitchens is someone of huge integrity and whatever the disagreement between us over religion, he is someone who puts the case against religion with vigor. and of course, his argument requires an answer. no rational person can look at the world today - and especially the history of the last decade - and deny religion can be a source of division and conflict.'
again, read on...
'i am sometimes asked whether i ever get tired of debating the faithful. there are two reasons why i never do. the first is that this argument is at the root of all other arguments: constituting the essential underlay of differences about philosophy, cosmology, history, textual criticism and even medicine. the second is that i never know what my antagonist is going to say, or affirm, or claim to believe.
in any case, there was scant chance of being bored while contesting these matters with tony blair. but he did exemplify, to an unusually high degree, the tendency of modern believers to eclecticism and to the public presentation of what often turns out to be a virtually private or personal definition of religion. (i find this doubly odd in the case of a man who went to a lot of trouble to convert to one of history's more disciplined and rule-bound churches, at a time when its latest pope is striving to reinvigorate a highly traditionalist interpretation, but let that pass for now.)'
continue reading...
tony blair's corresponding piece is here. here's a snippet:
'christopher hitchens is someone of huge integrity and whatever the disagreement between us over religion, he is someone who puts the case against religion with vigor. and of course, his argument requires an answer. no rational person can look at the world today - and especially the history of the last decade - and deny religion can be a source of division and conflict.'
again, read on...
TSA Missed Connections
I am quite certain this LINK will vanish so I have provided a screen shot.
click to enlarge (that's what she said)
NASA + ET life = "Astrobiology"?
There must be a reason why NASA will be conducting a study which will, no doubt, be quite pricey!
Amplify’d from www.nasa.gov
NASA Sets News Conference on Astrobiology Discovery;
Science Journal Has Embargoed Details Until 2 p.m. EST On Dec. 2
The news conference will be held at the NASA Headquarters auditorium at 300 E St. SW, in Washington. It will be broadcast live on NASA Television and streamed on the agency's website at http://www.nasa.gov.
See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/gwuv
christopher hitchens vs tony blair
munk debates, in 7 parts.
the full transcript is here.
you can also watch this in at munk debates -- the price is $2.99.
the full transcript is here.
you can also watch this in at munk debates -- the price is $2.99.
Best Actor 1998: Results
harvard scientists reverse the ageing process in mice
on the guardian:
'scientists claim to be a step closer to reversing the ageing process after rejuvenating worn out organs in elderly mice. the experimental treatment developed by researchers at the dana-farber cancer institute, harvard medical school, turned weak and feeble old mice into healthy animals by regenerating their aged bodies.
the surprise recovery of the animals has raised hopes among scientists that it may be possible to achieve a similar feat in humans – or at least to slow down the ageing process.'
more...
'scientists claim to be a step closer to reversing the ageing process after rejuvenating worn out organs in elderly mice. the experimental treatment developed by researchers at the dana-farber cancer institute, harvard medical school, turned weak and feeble old mice into healthy animals by regenerating their aged bodies.
the surprise recovery of the animals has raised hopes among scientists that it may be possible to achieve a similar feat in humans – or at least to slow down the ageing process.'
more...
ten questions science should answer
to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the founding of the royal society, the guardian is featuring 10 vital questions -- posed by 10 scientists -- that we must answer, if we are to survive and flourish.
here's brian cox's:
can we make a scientific way of thinking all pervasive?
this would be the greatest achievement for science over the coming centuries. i say this because i do not believe that we currently run our world according to evidence-based principles. if we did, we would be investing in an energy manhattan project to quickly develop and deploy clean energy technologies. we would be investing far larger amounts of our GDP in the eradication of diseases such as malaria, and we would be learning to live and work in space – not as an interesting and extravagant sideline, but as an essential part of our long-term survival strategy.
one only has to look at the so-called controversies in areas such as climate science or the vaccination of our children to see that the rationalist project is far from triumphant at the turn of the 21st century – indeed, it is possible to argue that it is under threat. i believe that we will only be able to build a safer, fairer, more prosperous and more peaceful world when a majority of the population understand the methods of science and accept the guidance offered by an evidence-based investigation of the challenges ahead. scientific education must therefore be the foundation upon which our future rests.
9 more here.
via boingboing
here's brian cox's:
can we make a scientific way of thinking all pervasive?
this would be the greatest achievement for science over the coming centuries. i say this because i do not believe that we currently run our world according to evidence-based principles. if we did, we would be investing in an energy manhattan project to quickly develop and deploy clean energy technologies. we would be investing far larger amounts of our GDP in the eradication of diseases such as malaria, and we would be learning to live and work in space – not as an interesting and extravagant sideline, but as an essential part of our long-term survival strategy.
one only has to look at the so-called controversies in areas such as climate science or the vaccination of our children to see that the rationalist project is far from triumphant at the turn of the 21st century – indeed, it is possible to argue that it is under threat. i believe that we will only be able to build a safer, fairer, more prosperous and more peaceful world when a majority of the population understand the methods of science and accept the guidance offered by an evidence-based investigation of the challenges ahead. scientific education must therefore be the foundation upon which our future rests.
9 more here.
via boingboing
Best Actor 1998: Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan
Tom Hanks received his fourth Oscar nomination for portraying Capt. John Miller in Saving Private Ryan.
Saving Private Ryan certainly is well made in some aspects, most certainly, but I feel the writing fails to be really all that great. Although when it originally came out it was praised for a lack of cliche, and although John Wayne is not the leader, the crew is just as cliched in a lot of ways than the ones in some of his movies that I have seen. There is the straight laced religious sniper, the crusty right hand man, the cynical guy, the wet behind the ears guy, the cannon fodder, or basically the one dimensional guy besides a token scene or one aspect of the character.
Tom Hanks is the leader of the small group of men searching for Private Ryan to bring him home. Hanks works as the normal man in an extreme situation who can be followed throughout the film. He maintains presence in the film despite the fact that it is a big war movie, and an ensemble piece in some ways. He does work as the common man well, and can be fairly well identified with. I never fully believed Tom Hanks as a World War II solider, but that is hardly his fault, and his performance is good enough to get around this. He keeps realism in the film, and despite Miller being a standard character in a few ways Hanks still allows room for development.
Much of his performance are reactions though, whether it is to the battles he is in, to what he sees, reaction to his men, or something else. Hanks' reactions are always authentic, and always properly reinforce the feelings of the scenes he is in. Hanks is able to find the right tone for the scenes, and even can handle the scenes of a little humor well without spoil the tone of the film by ever seeming to actory in his performance. Despite many of his scenes being mostly functional such as giving orders or being in the action, or reactionary Hanks still finds moments in which he shows Miller's development and complexity. He never really says everything about Miller but he suggests incredibly well, especially when speaking of the man he has possibly saved or his quiet reactions to the deaths of his men.
The other main aspect of Miller that Hanks does a good job handling is his leadership. He is not a loud or imposing leader who calls out his orders, rather a more quiet man who is quiet in his control and motivation of his troops through his own respect he sort of earns. Hanks seems believable as a leader, and as a quiet leader like this. A leader who resolves his issues quietly. I would say though when he is doing a few scenes of the large command he is less believable. Especially at the end when he organizes the plan, I just did not at all fully believe his performance there or a few other scenes where he perhaps could have used just a little strong command. Still though a very good performance, still sticks out in a film of this type, and fulfills his role for the most part and adds more when he can.
Tom Hanks is the leader of the small group of men searching for Private Ryan to bring him home. Hanks works as the normal man in an extreme situation who can be followed throughout the film. He maintains presence in the film despite the fact that it is a big war movie, and an ensemble piece in some ways. He does work as the common man well, and can be fairly well identified with. I never fully believed Tom Hanks as a World War II solider, but that is hardly his fault, and his performance is good enough to get around this. He keeps realism in the film, and despite Miller being a standard character in a few ways Hanks still allows room for development.
Much of his performance are reactions though, whether it is to the battles he is in, to what he sees, reaction to his men, or something else. Hanks' reactions are always authentic, and always properly reinforce the feelings of the scenes he is in. Hanks is able to find the right tone for the scenes, and even can handle the scenes of a little humor well without spoil the tone of the film by ever seeming to actory in his performance. Despite many of his scenes being mostly functional such as giving orders or being in the action, or reactionary Hanks still finds moments in which he shows Miller's development and complexity. He never really says everything about Miller but he suggests incredibly well, especially when speaking of the man he has possibly saved or his quiet reactions to the deaths of his men.
The other main aspect of Miller that Hanks does a good job handling is his leadership. He is not a loud or imposing leader who calls out his orders, rather a more quiet man who is quiet in his control and motivation of his troops through his own respect he sort of earns. Hanks seems believable as a leader, and as a quiet leader like this. A leader who resolves his issues quietly. I would say though when he is doing a few scenes of the large command he is less believable. Especially at the end when he organizes the plan, I just did not at all fully believe his performance there or a few other scenes where he perhaps could have used just a little strong command. Still though a very good performance, still sticks out in a film of this type, and fulfills his role for the most part and adds more when he can.
Watch Bush interviewed on Facebook video
Amplify’d from techcrunch.com
Looks like President Obama isn’t the only one resorting to Facebook as a way to reach the American people. In a first for a U.S. President past or present, former President George W. Bush will hold a discussion and Q&A live from Facebook headquarters in Palo Alto. The event will start in about 20 minutes at 2 pm PST.
Read more at techcrunch.com
See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/grzl
Belleruche perform at School Night, tonight!
Belleruche is performing tonight... I am looking forward to this! Hop on the list and see the show for FREE.
http://www.itsaschoolnight.com
http://www.itsaschoolnight.com
Best Actor 1998: Roberto Benigni in Life is Beautiful
Roberto Benigni won an Oscar from his only acting nomination for portraying Guido Orefice in Life is Beautiful.
It is hard to know what quite to make out of this film, comedy simply does not seem to be the right tone for a holocaust movie especially one that takes itself somewhat seriously. I'd say it would have to be like a pitch black comedy of sorts like Seven Beauties to work.
Who was the first actor to win in this category for a foreign language performance, was it Giancarlo Giannini's brilliant performance in Seven Beauties, or perhaps one of Marcello Mastroianni's performances, no not one of those who could have been incredibly deserving no the first was for Benigni.
There is not that much to his performance really. All he really does is smile, and clown around throughout the film, with the occasional sad face. He really just keeps smiling throughout doing his clown act, and that is it no matter what the situation is. I understand that this is what Guido's character is suppose to be, but even if that seems right for the character it does not make his performance here an impressive one.
Now after the fact that he does the same thing over and over again, does this thing that he does over and over again work? Well not for me really. I never found him to be all that funny or charming. I will grant him that he tries very hard to get a laugh, and to seem really really charming but I never really found him to be. He did not grow on me in the least, and his performance does not make his own film work either, despite being essential for it to. He never made the story convincing for me even in a fantastical sort of way, his performance simply failed to work.
Who was the first actor to win in this category for a foreign language performance, was it Giancarlo Giannini's brilliant performance in Seven Beauties, or perhaps one of Marcello Mastroianni's performances, no not one of those who could have been incredibly deserving no the first was for Benigni.
There is not that much to his performance really. All he really does is smile, and clown around throughout the film, with the occasional sad face. He really just keeps smiling throughout doing his clown act, and that is it no matter what the situation is. I understand that this is what Guido's character is suppose to be, but even if that seems right for the character it does not make his performance here an impressive one.
Now after the fact that he does the same thing over and over again, does this thing that he does over and over again work? Well not for me really. I never found him to be all that funny or charming. I will grant him that he tries very hard to get a laugh, and to seem really really charming but I never really found him to be. He did not grow on me in the least, and his performance does not make his own film work either, despite being essential for it to. He never made the story convincing for me even in a fantastical sort of way, his performance simply failed to work.
a gift from theresa
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theresa lasichak -- aka t does wool -- is a talented photographer friend of mine on flickr. i've previously posted a gallery of her wonderful work on my blog.
some people have more than their fair share of talent, and theresa's overflows everywhichway. she creates inspiring imagery but is also 'a handworker of fibers, maker of things, wife, mother, consoler, and fixer of just about everything'. to that, i'll add a great friend.
theresa maintains a blog where you can browse through her cozy, beautifully knits, skillfully and lovingly photographed by herself.
i was thrilled when, a few weeks ago, theresa announced that she was knitting a pair of fingerless gloves for me! i adore fingerless gloves, especially since i need to wear something in the cold, but also want to be able to control my camera. i always have a pair in the winter, but they're usually plain, store-bought items.
you can imagine how happy i was when i finally received them in the mail... i've been wearing them at the slightest hint of cold, even though the winter's been exceedingly mild in athens so far.
thank you, thank you, theresa!
to do justice to this lovely pair, i needed a model with pretty hands -- of course, that would be my muse.
outtakes:
speaking of my model, mourlegovits is doing great with photography and processing herself -- check out her latest creation on flickr:
©2010 helen sotiriadis
Best Actor 1998: Edward Norton in American History X
Edward Norton received his second Oscar nomination for portraying Neo Nazi Derek Vinyard in American History X.
American History X is a interesting and very effective film about racism, it is not quite perfect but it certainly is a strong effort.
The film is not in chronological order but I think it is possibly best to look at Edward Norton's in this way. His earliest moment then is as a teenager, before really be effected by anything, and very open to different people's ideas. His thought on his current teacher is heard by his father who than questions them, and eventually makes racist statements that affect Derek. Norton is appropriately naive and simple in this early scene and it is amazing how he really seems just a normal kid in this scene especially in contrast to the later moments of the film. His other moment as his younger self is a really outstanding moment of Norton's performance, in which he shows his sadness and anger at the death of his father. His emotions are completely honest here, making the transformation of the character realistic, and also making the character's racism something that is never a stereotypical.
Derek instantly becomes an integral member of a local groups of Neo-Nazi white supremacists. Norton terrific in a very chilling way in these scenes. He is oddly charismatic while he makes his racist remarks. Norton shows the right oddly misplaced passion in these scenes, that makes these scenes especially disconcerting. Norton shows that Derek is not a dumb guy really, and that even a smart person can simply be lead this way. Norton makes Derek's hatred very realistic and that is pivotal for the film. He never seems to be acting the racism but rather that it is simply part of Derek's world view.
Two scenes in particular are especially made very effective due to Norton. The first when he gets in to an argument with his family over his views, and fights with everyone. The strongest moment though is when he shows some regret to his mother and sister of the violent way he reacted. Norton correctly shows here that although Derek is a racist, he still yet is a human. The other scene though is his scene where he kill two black men who break into his car. Norton is chilling here showing Derek's hate in its purest form. His smile at the very end of the scene is especially darkly effecting. Norton shows the true hate in Derek's heart here in a stunning moment.
Derek is sent to prison after his murders, and meets up with other supremacists inside the prison. Norton performance here is essential to the film, and an extreme challenge. He at first still acts like he has before, but becomes disillusioned with his cohorts due to their lack of beliefs. He is then beaten and raped by them for leaving their group, and for befriending a black inmate. Norton transformation is simply outstanding as he acts his cocky self at the beginning of his prison, but starts to see his hate as pointless as incorrect. Derek's transformation is slow in his friendship with the black prisoner Lamont and Norton very carefully shows this change incredibly well, as he simply becomes a better person. He makes this part very truthful, and completely realistic, his transformation is made even more complete by his brutal rape though. Norton is exceptional as Derek has changed from the assailant to the victim, Derek shows a truly saddened man from his earlier actions, and hurt man from what has happened to him.
After getting out prison Derek has become just about completely reformed, now wishing to help his struggling family and set straight his Neo Nazi younger brother (Edward Furlong). Norton loses none of his strength as Derek is now a man who regrets his actions, and tries his best to rectify them. His portrait of Derek is honest and absolutely convincing as he confronts his brother and his former friends over their racism. He handles all of these scenes with the utmost power and poignancy. It is fascinating how Norton can make the transition from a chilling hate filled character to a honest good man. Such a transition is extreme but Norton absolutely pulls it off in this great performance, that even peaks in the final moments of the film as Derek faces one more final tragedy, Norton is truly heartbreaking at the final end. A performance rarely can be both completely chilling and heartbreaking, threatening then thoughtful, hateful yet also poignant, but Norton's is which makes this an outstanding show of acting.
The film is not in chronological order but I think it is possibly best to look at Edward Norton's in this way. His earliest moment then is as a teenager, before really be effected by anything, and very open to different people's ideas. His thought on his current teacher is heard by his father who than questions them, and eventually makes racist statements that affect Derek. Norton is appropriately naive and simple in this early scene and it is amazing how he really seems just a normal kid in this scene especially in contrast to the later moments of the film. His other moment as his younger self is a really outstanding moment of Norton's performance, in which he shows his sadness and anger at the death of his father. His emotions are completely honest here, making the transformation of the character realistic, and also making the character's racism something that is never a stereotypical.
Derek instantly becomes an integral member of a local groups of Neo-Nazi white supremacists. Norton terrific in a very chilling way in these scenes. He is oddly charismatic while he makes his racist remarks. Norton shows the right oddly misplaced passion in these scenes, that makes these scenes especially disconcerting. Norton shows that Derek is not a dumb guy really, and that even a smart person can simply be lead this way. Norton makes Derek's hatred very realistic and that is pivotal for the film. He never seems to be acting the racism but rather that it is simply part of Derek's world view.
Two scenes in particular are especially made very effective due to Norton. The first when he gets in to an argument with his family over his views, and fights with everyone. The strongest moment though is when he shows some regret to his mother and sister of the violent way he reacted. Norton correctly shows here that although Derek is a racist, he still yet is a human. The other scene though is his scene where he kill two black men who break into his car. Norton is chilling here showing Derek's hate in its purest form. His smile at the very end of the scene is especially darkly effecting. Norton shows the true hate in Derek's heart here in a stunning moment.
Derek is sent to prison after his murders, and meets up with other supremacists inside the prison. Norton performance here is essential to the film, and an extreme challenge. He at first still acts like he has before, but becomes disillusioned with his cohorts due to their lack of beliefs. He is then beaten and raped by them for leaving their group, and for befriending a black inmate. Norton transformation is simply outstanding as he acts his cocky self at the beginning of his prison, but starts to see his hate as pointless as incorrect. Derek's transformation is slow in his friendship with the black prisoner Lamont and Norton very carefully shows this change incredibly well, as he simply becomes a better person. He makes this part very truthful, and completely realistic, his transformation is made even more complete by his brutal rape though. Norton is exceptional as Derek has changed from the assailant to the victim, Derek shows a truly saddened man from his earlier actions, and hurt man from what has happened to him.
After getting out prison Derek has become just about completely reformed, now wishing to help his struggling family and set straight his Neo Nazi younger brother (Edward Furlong). Norton loses none of his strength as Derek is now a man who regrets his actions, and tries his best to rectify them. His portrait of Derek is honest and absolutely convincing as he confronts his brother and his former friends over their racism. He handles all of these scenes with the utmost power and poignancy. It is fascinating how Norton can make the transition from a chilling hate filled character to a honest good man. Such a transition is extreme but Norton absolutely pulls it off in this great performance, that even peaks in the final moments of the film as Derek faces one more final tragedy, Norton is truly heartbreaking at the final end. A performance rarely can be both completely chilling and heartbreaking, threatening then thoughtful, hateful yet also poignant, but Norton's is which makes this an outstanding show of acting.
sweet november
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i shot these just a couple of weeks ago -- they're still there in the garden. and this is just what i needed to cheer myself up today.
btw, i whipped up a humble flickr group the other day... so feel free to browse some awesome macro photography at macronaut.
©2010 helen sotiriadis
Best Actor 1998: Nick Nolte in Affliction
Nick Nolte received his second Oscar nomination for portraying small town cop Wade Whitehouse in Affliction.
Affliction is a rather unusual film in a few ways such as having a plot that is a purposeful fake out, but it also is standard in many ways such as several fairly simple characters. Overall it simply did not work for me.
I'll again admit I have never found Nolte to be all that interesting of an actor. I particularly do not find his abilities as a leading man like in the Prince of Tides, luckily though Wade Whitehouse is not at all a leading man character. Wade is a town cop who is poorly respected by just about everyone, and is disliked almost in the same way. Nolte does do a good job a be appropriately pathetic as Wade. His inability to fulfill the smallest tasks of his job as a cop and as a father, is made proper do to Nolte lack of command, and lack of self-confidence. Everything about Wade lacks confidence, and I will say that Nolte does a good job of that, even though I will not say that seems like the biggest challenge.
Wade is a troubled man with a troubled past, and present. His past involving his abuse from his father (James Coburn), and the present involving the sudden death of his mother, a sever toothache, and a theory of his that a local hunting accident was not accident. Nolte gives fine performance showing the frustrations of Wade, along with his possible paranoia due to his abuse as a child. His slow degeneration throughout the film is fairly well handled by Nolte, as he grows more and more frustrated and paranoid.I also like how Nolte shows how Wade grows a little more strength despite the strength being misplaced in a incorrect idea.
I think Nolte does reach the end of the character's rope fairly well, and does give a completely respectable performance. I will say still that I do think the performance could perhaps have been better. Although I think he is realistic and fairly effective, there still seemed to be something stopping him from really hitting the right note with his performance. I cannot point to what exactly, but his performance never truly effected me. Still I will admit being for some reason extra hard on Nolte, since if he did achieve even more with this performance it would have been a truly great one. Nonetheless though it is a good one.
I'll again admit I have never found Nolte to be all that interesting of an actor. I particularly do not find his abilities as a leading man like in the Prince of Tides, luckily though Wade Whitehouse is not at all a leading man character. Wade is a town cop who is poorly respected by just about everyone, and is disliked almost in the same way. Nolte does do a good job a be appropriately pathetic as Wade. His inability to fulfill the smallest tasks of his job as a cop and as a father, is made proper do to Nolte lack of command, and lack of self-confidence. Everything about Wade lacks confidence, and I will say that Nolte does a good job of that, even though I will not say that seems like the biggest challenge.
Wade is a troubled man with a troubled past, and present. His past involving his abuse from his father (James Coburn), and the present involving the sudden death of his mother, a sever toothache, and a theory of his that a local hunting accident was not accident. Nolte gives fine performance showing the frustrations of Wade, along with his possible paranoia due to his abuse as a child. His slow degeneration throughout the film is fairly well handled by Nolte, as he grows more and more frustrated and paranoid.I also like how Nolte shows how Wade grows a little more strength despite the strength being misplaced in a incorrect idea.
I think Nolte does reach the end of the character's rope fairly well, and does give a completely respectable performance. I will say still that I do think the performance could perhaps have been better. Although I think he is realistic and fairly effective, there still seemed to be something stopping him from really hitting the right note with his performance. I cannot point to what exactly, but his performance never truly effected me. Still I will admit being for some reason extra hard on Nolte, since if he did achieve even more with this performance it would have been a truly great one. Nonetheless though it is a good one.
Army of Darkness
(1992) ***
Ash (Bruce Campbell) gets sucked into a time portal and dropped into the 13th/14th century. Although he's recognized as the one of the prophecy who will help against the evil deadites, King Arthur treats him as an enemy and gets thrown in a pit where his bad ass self starts kicking some evil butt.
Eventually our hero must be a hero and goes on a quest to acquire the Necronomicon and fights an army of dead in order to be returned to his own time. He battles himself, himself, himself, himself and many more himselfs.
He also battles many many skeletons, skeleton arms moved by cast members, stop-motion skeletons, and people in skeleton costume. Lots of skeletons, lots of battles. Lots of comedy.
I'm afraid of the response I'm gonna get for this, but man was I disappointed! I'd heard good things. I loved Evil Dead II. I instantly became a big Bruce Campbell fan, and god love him, he gives just as much in this movie as he did in Evil Dead II, but somehow it just didn't hit me right. Even while writing this summary, I can conceptualize all the good things in this movie, but I just didn't enjoy them while watching the movie. The one liners were mostly annoying, and the slapstick, while perfectly executed, went on just a little too long. Oh well. Maybe it will grow on me in the future? I mean, I did really like the "This is my boom stick" scene. Hell, I don't even understand why I wasn't in fits of laughter during Bruce Campbell vs himself and many mini-Bruces. Please don't hate me for my bored and disappointed feelings on this one. I promise, Evil Dead I is still on my to watch list.
Sleepy Hollow
(1999) ****
Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) is a late 1700's New York constable who believes in science!
spoiler alert: decapitated heads are found later in the movie
The numbers of disappearances, deaths and decapitations rise and Crane determines the murders are not random. He follows his logic into a web of mysterious intrigue, romance, witchcraft, and evil that challenges his choice rationale and scientific approach.
The opening of this film was just beautiful. Absolutely beautiful to watch. I fell in love with it. I loved the smokey fogginess, the title lettering, the blood red dripping wax, and the handwriting style of the last will and testament. I loved the horse and carriage ride through the dark scary woods, the frightening pumpkin scarecrow, the execution of the first beheading, etc. Unfortunately that got my hopes way up for rest of the film, which didn't live up to my expectations, and how could it? The movie is pretty throughout, but there was just something about the beginning.... That said, I almost always enjoy the Burton/Elfman/Depp combos.
There's something about the aesthetic that I just dig. The cinematography, set design, special effects, lighting, and both the subtle and not so subtle qualities that say "I'm Tim Burton" tend to be pretty and pretty makes me happy. The cast ain't to shabby neither: Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Christoher Walken, Michael Gambon, Jeffery Jones Miranda Richardson, Christopher Lee, Ian McDiarmid, Michael Gough.
Best Actor 1998: Ian McKellen in Gods and Monsters
Ian McKellen received his first Oscar nomination for portraying homosexual movie director James Whale in Gods and Monsters.
Gods and Monsters is certainly an interesting movie. I am not sure though if it really succeeds in terms of the development of its themes and ideas, but it is most certainly interesting.
Ian Mckellen portrays James Whale throughout the film seemingly without challenge. He shows an instant ease with the role instantly. He instantly is comfortable in the role from the first moment he is on the screen. This relaxation in this role is essential for its effectiveness. Whale is a homosexual who still in fact tries to attempt being active, even if his attempts are many times covert, in a slight way to get some sort of thrill for himself. This is some ways an important aspect of this character, which McKellen never exploits in his performance, but rather makes it the natural way Whale is and wants to be. This lusting from Whale is not overdone to be overly creepy, nor is it underdone to seem some overly romantic idea, instead McKellen find the right realistic tone which works fantastically.
Another aspect of Whale is his enormous past, both his painful memories of his wartime, and childhood experiences, but also that of his more glorious days as a successful film artist. McKellen again excels in his scenes showing Whale's love for his art and his artistry. He finds the perfect note to convey this though, since Whale does not simply love his whole artistry. He shows a distinct hatred for the treatment of some of his work, and how his film making ended. Also a distaste for only being remembered for his monster pictures. He though still shows a true admiration for what he has done, and shows a sense of an accomplishment of his work. McKellen balances these feelings well, also Whale as he speaks of these films states everything as the real director of the film, which McKellen did perfectly.
His most dramatic moments are when Whale thinks about his past. McKellen really excels here because the past is shown to us, therefore he could have simply spoke of it and done nothing else but McKellen shows Whale own feelings on the matters mostly without words. He conveys both the happiness in his past with the pain of his losses exceedingly well. McKellen tells of these stories always with the right passive passion in a way that rings true to the character. McKellen brigns out all his past, his current lusts, and pains the most in his final moments. The final scene where he tries to bring his gardener Clay Boone (Brendan Frasier) to kill him by sexually advancing on him. McKellen is terrific in this penultimate scene, mixing the right intensity in his attempts to enrage the man to killing, along with showing his past once more, and his current pain he wants to end. It is a odd scenes in many ways but McKellen stays realistic and effective in this scene just as he is throughout the film.
Ian Mckellen portrays James Whale throughout the film seemingly without challenge. He shows an instant ease with the role instantly. He instantly is comfortable in the role from the first moment he is on the screen. This relaxation in this role is essential for its effectiveness. Whale is a homosexual who still in fact tries to attempt being active, even if his attempts are many times covert, in a slight way to get some sort of thrill for himself. This is some ways an important aspect of this character, which McKellen never exploits in his performance, but rather makes it the natural way Whale is and wants to be. This lusting from Whale is not overdone to be overly creepy, nor is it underdone to seem some overly romantic idea, instead McKellen find the right realistic tone which works fantastically.
Another aspect of Whale is his enormous past, both his painful memories of his wartime, and childhood experiences, but also that of his more glorious days as a successful film artist. McKellen again excels in his scenes showing Whale's love for his art and his artistry. He finds the perfect note to convey this though, since Whale does not simply love his whole artistry. He shows a distinct hatred for the treatment of some of his work, and how his film making ended. Also a distaste for only being remembered for his monster pictures. He though still shows a true admiration for what he has done, and shows a sense of an accomplishment of his work. McKellen balances these feelings well, also Whale as he speaks of these films states everything as the real director of the film, which McKellen did perfectly.
His most dramatic moments are when Whale thinks about his past. McKellen really excels here because the past is shown to us, therefore he could have simply spoke of it and done nothing else but McKellen shows Whale own feelings on the matters mostly without words. He conveys both the happiness in his past with the pain of his losses exceedingly well. McKellen tells of these stories always with the right passive passion in a way that rings true to the character. McKellen brigns out all his past, his current lusts, and pains the most in his final moments. The final scene where he tries to bring his gardener Clay Boone (Brendan Frasier) to kill him by sexually advancing on him. McKellen is terrific in this penultimate scene, mixing the right intensity in his attempts to enrage the man to killing, along with showing his past once more, and his current pain he wants to end. It is a odd scenes in many ways but McKellen stays realistic and effective in this scene just as he is throughout the film.
Black Sheep
(2006) ***1/2Two young brothers are raised on a sheep farm in New Zealand. When their father dies in a sheep-related accident, however, Harry flees the farm and all it represents. Angus stays on, and decides that mother nature is insufficient for sheep breeding purposes. When Harry returns, battling his sheep phobia, he walks into a situation involving bumbling environmental activists and cold-hearted genetic engineers. The collision of these factions leads to the creation of a herd of vicious, carnivorous sheep.
The minute I read 50p's review of this movie I knew I had to see it. I love horror-comedy, and sheep are usually so fuzzy and benign and peaceful. I thought the movie worked well both as horror and as comedy: the effects were great, the plot perhaps a little predictable, the humor consistent. Another good pick if you're looking to mix it up next 'thon.
bonne nuit, louvre
like it? click it!
embiggen
this is the best hour at the louvre -- the intricate stone is golden, the pyramid, aglow, and the sky is the deepest blue. i'm quite sure that, if i lived in paris, i'd be hanging out here a lot.
i scampered around shooting everywhichway -- of course, quite a few turned out crappy. if i were younger and more agile, surely i would've run out to take some overviews from further away. maybe i'll be lucky enough to visit again.
more paris
©2010 helen sotiriadis
The Wiz - Trailer
One of my favourite films! I just watched this again on Thanksgiving! It was great when I saw it in the theatre as a child and now as a 38 year man :)
(if the video will not play, click to view on youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZC_sdHwBAQ
(if the video will not play, click to view on youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZC_sdHwBAQ
Happy Turkey Day!
Here is a more than 10 year old Thanksgiving greeting we made at Newgrounds.com featuring Robert May & Elizabeth Hahn for the FDA series. Watch the short video here:http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/24
a breathable atmosphere on rhea
click pic to source
according to science, rhea has an 'oxygen–carbon dioxide atmosphere. the atmosphere appears to be sustained by chemical decomposition of the surface water ice under irradiation from saturn’s magnetospheric plasma.'
and io9 says,
'while the presence oxygen is relatively easy to understand, the carbon dioxide is actually even more intriguing. the gas is likely created by reactions between organic molecules and oxidants down on the moon's surface. that seems rather shockingly earth-like, or at least like the earth of a few billion years ago. this is just further proof that the building blocks and basic prerequisites of life exist all throughout the solar system, even if it was apparently only on earth where conditions were good enough for it to actually lead very far.'
so... is there life on rhea?
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
This doesn't really have anything to do with Thanksgiving, except that the moms of these two kids were downstairs making pies. Here's what Zack is reading (The first line I didn't catch; the movie starts on the second page):
A little boy planted a carrot seed (missed)
His mother said, "I'm afraid it won't come up."
His father said, "I'm afraid it won't come up."
And his big brother said, "It won't come up."
Every day the little boy pulled up the weeds around the seed and sprinkled the ground with water.
But nothing came up.
And nothing came up.
Everyone kept saying it wouldn't come up.
But he still pulled up the weeds around it every day and sprinkled the ground with water.
And then, one day,
a carrot came up
just as the little boy had known it would.
Post Turkey-Tofurkey DeCompression party @ Kung Pao Kitty - FREE
Get your Post Turkey-Tofurkey DeCompression swingin' with ya groove thang Thursday.
I will be coming back for one night to spin music, sing songs, sharing the night with friends old & new!
Drinks Specials, Special Performances, some Karaoke-age, dub-steppage, electro-swingage, trip-hopping, dark-rockin-rollin' and more!
Would you like to tell a joke? Sing a song?
Members of Red Light District may even perform a lil ditty! Why not work off the abundance of food in the evening....
Kung Pao Kitty
6445 Hollywood (Hollywood & Wilcox)
Hollywood, CA
Best Actor 1998
Ian McKellen in Gods and Monsters
Tom Hanks in Saving Private Ryan
Roberto Benigni in Life is Beautiful
Edward Norton in American History X
Nick Nolte in Affliction
Who do you predict, and pick?
stand by me
like it? click it!
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hesitant companions at first, each is now part of a greater whole.
more paris
©2010 helen sotiriadis
Wild Zero
(2000) ***1/2
In case you were wondering, the dude behind the flaming microphone on my avatar is Guitar Wolf, lead singer of a Japanese garage rock band of the same name. (His band mates are Bass Wolf & Drum Wolf.) Like me, Guitar Wolf believes in the almighty power of rock and roll. He flings guitar pics like Chinese stars and he shouts inspirational phrases such as “rock and roll jet party to the morning!” In other words, don’t waste your time trying to be as cool as this guy ‘cuz it ain’t gonna happen.
Unfortunately the band isn’t the focus of Wild Zero. The hero of this cult classic (how long do you have to wait before labeling a movie as such?) is Ace, Guitar Wolf’s #1 fan. Ace is somewhat of a wuss but Guitar Wolf takes note of his love of rock & roll by making him a blood brother and giving him a whistle. If Ace finds himself in danger all he has to do is blow the whistle and Guitar Wolf will appear out of nowhere with, ready to wield his samurai sword (hidden in the neck of his guitar, of course).
The action consists of solid cartoon violence and there are enough explosions and splatter to satisfy the whole family. The zombies themselves are cut from the Romero cloth: blood thirsty and slow moving. If it takes more than that to hold your attention I should also mention the motorcycles equipped with booze holders, the transgendered love interest, naked women blowing away zombies in the shower and the promotional drinking game. (The instructions on the back of the box advise you to drink every time someone combs their hair or whenever a zombie’s head pops.)
As far as wacky Japanese movies go, this is my personal favorite. I watched it with 5 other people who hadn’t seen it and it went over very well. I will admit that it wasn’t quite as good for me the second time around but I'll be damned if composing this review doesn't make me want to watch it again. The middle drags and at one point I forgot I was even watching a zombie movie but it’s mostly hilarious and worth seeing, if for no other reason than to bask in the warm glow of Guitar Wolf’s coolness.
But don't take my word for it. Watch the trailer!
In case you were wondering, the dude behind the flaming microphone on my avatar is Guitar Wolf, lead singer of a Japanese garage rock band of the same name. (His band mates are Bass Wolf & Drum Wolf.) Like me, Guitar Wolf believes in the almighty power of rock and roll. He flings guitar pics like Chinese stars and he shouts inspirational phrases such as “rock and roll jet party to the morning!” In other words, don’t waste your time trying to be as cool as this guy ‘cuz it ain’t gonna happen.
Unfortunately the band isn’t the focus of Wild Zero. The hero of this cult classic (how long do you have to wait before labeling a movie as such?) is Ace, Guitar Wolf’s #1 fan. Ace is somewhat of a wuss but Guitar Wolf takes note of his love of rock & roll by making him a blood brother and giving him a whistle. If Ace finds himself in danger all he has to do is blow the whistle and Guitar Wolf will appear out of nowhere with, ready to wield his samurai sword (hidden in the neck of his guitar, of course).
The action consists of solid cartoon violence and there are enough explosions and splatter to satisfy the whole family. The zombies themselves are cut from the Romero cloth: blood thirsty and slow moving. If it takes more than that to hold your attention I should also mention the motorcycles equipped with booze holders, the transgendered love interest, naked women blowing away zombies in the shower and the promotional drinking game. (The instructions on the back of the box advise you to drink every time someone combs their hair or whenever a zombie’s head pops.)
As far as wacky Japanese movies go, this is my personal favorite. I watched it with 5 other people who hadn’t seen it and it went over very well. I will admit that it wasn’t quite as good for me the second time around but I'll be damned if composing this review doesn't make me want to watch it again. The middle drags and at one point I forgot I was even watching a zombie movie but it’s mostly hilarious and worth seeing, if for no other reason than to bask in the warm glow of Guitar Wolf’s coolness.
But don't take my word for it. Watch the trailer!
Best Actor 1937: Results
Cary Grant in The Awful Truth
Stan Laurel in Way Out West
Oliver Hardy in Way Out West
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