Wednesday, March 18, 2009

How To Stunt Finger Nail Growth

beautiful movie of the year - Gran Torino

Ray Stantz

They all said, we do too. Sergio Leone, decades ago, said that Eastwood had two expressions: with and without hat. Very true, at the time. Meanwhile, the then young (not even so then, Hollywood's standards - especially those of today) Clint has become an icon in its own right, her presence fills ("pit", he says) certainly have to add the screen, its no longer one - or two - but expressive acting minimal, basic communication level (animal, in that it is next to the most instinctual, irrational, and true of every human being) in a / private world, made up of glances sideways gestures and sharp cut, mutilated words. What is most surprising is how the actor, the star, has become a filmmaker sublime. A film-maker, maker of cinematographic works, with the composure, elegance, mastery of the classics. Yet able to touch, handle, deal with fundamental issues head-on and very modern. His last directorial tests are consistent and incontrovertible evidence. This time, the new maximum levels of touch and is a joy to witness to it.

Telling "the story" seems almost a snub to the author and readers. What are warned: if they lose this film will not only harm themselves. But the plot, after all, minor thing. History of violence, a lot. Past and present, shows off stage or in a dry (but not free). History of people, human beings - different yet similar tremendously. What part of the American melting pot and you (and us) transports all of us in this dizzying effectively and inevitably moving. Story of one man, at the end of his life. Filled with anger and especially of pain, mistrust and prejudice - all clear, slammed in your face. But also "a good man," addressed him as a girl, a neighbor of China (an ethnic Hmong, to be exact), one of the people who - by sheer accident of the case - is to establish a relationship with him . A report that nobody wanted, which mainly seemed impossible for the will of the parties. And even though born and raised, so real and alive. It serves to show a little 'sick man at a time, tired and angry (angry, indeed, the world whole) yet full of life, power and lessons to offer. And with him to show the world that surrounds him, so strangely and suddenly people nearby though seemingly doomed forever to be apart.

A young man comes by chance, and in the worst way, in the life of a man impossible to approach. Who becomes the mentor, father figure (and thanks, a thousand times thanks to those who say it openly, in dialogue, instead of becoming complacent and pathetic felt deeply ridiculous innuendo and subtle). It helps the path of growth, of becoming an adult ("You must learn how to speak a true man"), and fight to protect it from destructive and senseless violence that contaminates life - in the form of a street gang that wants to recruit him for the struggle between "races" in the streets of the neighborhood. The impossible happens, and in a simple and practical. The boy wants to redeem (for what we ultimately just, the attempted theft - also imposed by the gang as an initiation test - Clint the valuable cars, the Ford Gran Torino of the title) and takes the opportunity to do much much more: becoming an adult, beyond their limits, to grow and live. The old man discovers he has much yet, so much to give to others and to be able to rejoice. And finally, you can also redeem himself by endless violence and forever burning in his soul, even if remote in time (the war in Korea). In between, permanently damage the relationship with their children and the second chance represented by a "gook" without a father. The horrible, bloody stupidity of the struggles of the district which is based on racism, ignorance, lack of values. A priest who does (acute observation of Egon) counterpoint to the old thoughts and feelings, almost like a greek chorus, appearing only and only when appropriate. The pride and fortitude of those who have struggled for life for this but did not want to stop doing that - and those who fight for the chance he never had, but if you have the opportunity to try to earn a better life, does not hold back.

Eastwood office at its 110% character classic, it's the gunslinger with no name spaghetti western or Dirty Harry Callahan - and does so with strength and self-irony, cynicism with only the surface but with great and profound humanity. Dominates the scene, but almost in the abstract is to be so stylized. He has the courage, style and control to address new issues without falling into banality. Talk to (and sometimes) hate and violence, but fills the screen with streams of hope. Osa staging sacrifice and redemption without risking ridicule. Give a warning, a lesson, a message of love that we can be if we give in to our dark side - especially when we feel morally justified to do so (and this is hardly surprising, and here ends in size a fresco already powerful).

Here, if the film were all so it would not help this blog. There we would be blessed a couple of hours a day to see art that blends the life and encourages us and inspires in a movie theater. Unfortunately it is not. The reviews, and the distinctions are. And how. Therefore, we recommend: do not miss this film. Even if it were the last of Clint (and pray that this is not!) Shows that a will can sometimes be beautiful, precious, bright like a lifetime.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

How To Build A Dune Buggy Blueprints



The excuse is always the same: "is identical to the comic." As if fidelity to the original (assuming that they actually exist) was in itself a virtue, and to discharge a film based on a graphic novel, cult or not it is, from criticism. Because, let's be clear: I do not like the cartoons (except for Mickey, as a child) and do not know the series. I am going to the movies, and I expect to see work that is not addressed only to insiders.
Wrong, of course. And I have false hopes. Even the director, Zack Snyder, who in "300" I was not disappointed, although the operation was apparently similar to this one. But I tell you now: "Watchmen" deserves my ire, for a variety of reasons.

First, it is too long. 2 hours and 43 minutes of images are good for a blockbuster, but certainly not for a game-based toys. Then, it is unbalanced. Concerned to illustrate the biographies of some of the protagonists (a handful of American superheroes Nixon was in full, extended to 1985 and thrown open to a nuclear war with the Soviet Union) often loses sight of the plot. Moreover, it is vulgar in the psychology of the characters, cut with a hatchet, and exposure to violence, savage and free.

not enough, there is also a barbaric use of the music: a compilation of scattered masterpieces as the worst food for the public. Steps for "The Times They Are a-changin '" in the opening credits (which is alienating, for a newcomer to the event), or the insert of "All Along The Watchtower", but to reduce "Hallelujah", for more in the version of Cohen, a soft-porn background speaks volumes about the inadequacy of the whole culture.

is not - maybe! - Of moralism: the only one who wonders is Rorschach really evil, anti-hero who goes around in a trench coat, hat and spotted shroud, which turns out to be stripped of a conservative suit of iron, the Irish hardly reassuring grin, but what consistency. And not surprisingly, in the end, you disintegrate, more out of desperation that sacrificial spirit. The other idols, however, are a depressing sequence of trivia: all superman blue without irises (Dr. Manhattan) result of the usual, terrible accident at a research center that has become tired of human destiny demigod retiring to Mars, complete with a philosophical solipsism unbearable. Then, on the same line, the Comedian, a sort of drift living the American dream, who rapes and kills him with a smile pinned to his chest (a memorable scene where the pregnant woman shot him, then blaming Manhattan's not stopping it), in addition to generating the new Silk Spectre heroin. Coveted by the first Superman, then by Nite Owl, a Batman with the character of the poor accountant.

The story does not need to: the watchmen, guardians of the American and masked then the world (we need another imperialist background, thanks), are deprived, because they are inconvenient, by a decree of Nixon and reduced anonymity. One of them (Ozymandias), however, hatching plans for world domination, and begins to secretly get rid of former colleagues before the actual start of its new, original, idea: to unleash the Apocalypse in New York, and the blame in Manhattan above so as to create a harmony between the hostile powers in the world against him. The project, at least initially successful, with the consent of the scapegoat, who leaves the earth forever, and killing of Rorschach, who prefers his own death to the revelation of truth. It will be a diary posthumously, finished in a newspaper office, to perform them.

marginal notes that some episodes, though perhaps imported from the comic, I find it ridiculous inexorably, type:

- Dr. Manhattan that atomize the Vietcong quietly turning jockstrap (in private life, however, directed us propina version "nature ". In other words: extermination, but discrete);
- The Comedian and cold from the perspective Zapruder Kennedy;
- Kissinger to Nixon who trusts earthy (among other things, on the same mask Point Break) Shortly after the attack of Ozymandias, "were not the Russians."

conclusion. If you go to see him, do not expect the alternate universe to Gotham City, nor the political fiction saga of V for Vendetta. Watchmen is all these things and nothing. But with a distinct preference for anything.

INFORMATION

Watchmen

In a sentence:
"they told me you were on Mars"
Sconsigliatissimo: anyone think that the heroes in costumes are not necessarily synonymous with Carnival.
Rating: KKKK

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Female Giving Males Brazilian Wax

Watchmen Valkyrie - Hi, Hitler

I did not review it. I mean really. You a film that, despite the theme, goes rather unnoticed. Directed without flash, didactic story, acting craft. In short, the classic detective. Shot in costume because of the scenario: Hitler's Germany in disarray, the year 1944.
though. There is always a however. Because if you put the camera behind Bryan Singer (and writer Christopher McQuarrie, his companion of the "Usual Suspects"). If you put in front of Tom Cruise. And if you dressed up with a bandage, a crippled arm and a hair style Groucho Marx. If you do this, you expect something, for better or for worse. Of course, preferably in evil.
spoken, I guess it already know, a true story. A conspiracy that seeks to kill Adolf Hitler concocted by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg in the Wehrmacht (Cruise, of course), in full decline of Nazi dominance. The war is being lost, and before they bombed a base camp (putting on eye and hand), our meditation to overturn the Fuhrer. Gather, not without difficulty, various followers, more or less involved with the regime, to rewrite the 'Valkyrie' which gives the title to the film: it is a plan to convene the military reserve of the Reich in the event of Allied invasion. The colonel decided to draw up changing the premise: no longer an external attack, but a coup. With the death of Hitler annexed, and subsequent removal of the SS. Ambitious idea, which will be signed (not trouble to read from cover to cover what goes on your desk) by the Chancellor himself. History tells us that, for a mistake, the plot will not have the desired effect. The attack (a bomb exploded by Stauffenberg and the "den of wolves," the bunker of Hitler, during a meeting of high-profile) does not kill the Fuhrer. However, suffice to induce the author, returning to Berlin, to spread the false news of death to seize power. The catch can only beginning, as long as Hitler does not notify the hierarchy that is still alive, and that the army must punish the traitors.
Now, it is harder to shoot a thriller, already knowing the ending, was guessed. That the story is loose and bad in the second half, after the attack failed, it was predictable. But notwithstanding this, no one has pointed out to Singer that something terrible had happened with the casting, honestly, no, you could imagine. Why walk when choosing to play the lead in Tom Cruise (who is American, but well known), but that all co-stars in the role of German generals, are British, it is absolutely unacceptable. In series: Tom Wilkinson (English), Bill Nighy (English), Terence Stamp (English). More Kenneth Branagh (Northern Ireland). Even Hitler (ie actor David Bamber) is English. He soon suspects that the script is Churchill (I suspect soon foiled, given the results of the plot).
The rest? Not better. And not because they are not detailed the personal reasons of the leader of the conspirators (as some critics would have liked, that perhaps he thought of facing a documentary). But why Cruise, who personifies, is clearly not at ease. Reduced to obedience by the black patch, mask repression and anger for his part, wearing the glass eye just before the Fuhrer. But he can not resist the ridiculous, at least in two scenes: one in which the secretary looks after the drafting of the first Line of Operation ("Adolf Hitler is dead"), a true monument embarrassment, another unforgettable experience, in which screaming at full screen, lifting the stump, "Heil Hitler." Hi, saw the cast, it would be more appropriate.
not be the best Chancellor, however. Less geometric than hoped, it is hesitant and stoned, wandering around the scene with the look of the hound that does not identify what you smell. And coming, as appropriate, indoctrinated or blatantly made fun of. In addition to bombing, as we already knew. Moreover, it seems the least: the army of the Queen has now taken possession of Berlin, while the Fuhrer in his buen retiro, pleasantly sipping a cup of tea.
INFORMATION
Valkyrie
In a sentence: "Every second we lose a second is lost"
Sconsigliatissimo:
anyone think that a film the Nazis should have, at least, a fair player.
Rating:
KKK

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Is It Ok To Wear A Black Hat With Brown Boots

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D

3 sizes - 2 reviews! Why, even in times of crisis, we do not miss anything - and then, who the fuck are believed to be those of New Line?

Warning: I have a powerful impulse to argue with Egon. Not only to report my opinion but to oppose her, contrasting points of view, overlay the review, in fact trigger the brawl critics. So, because I'm nice. And because the film, let's face it right away (via your teeth - those of the T-Rex, that "hurt" as Fraser tells us the inexpressible - the pain away!), Is filthy and full unsalvageable. And I dragged him there, the friend Spengler, looking for excitement 3D. Then I meditate on vengeance and terrible revenge. But I will try to be objective and, above all, to focus the regurgitation to the squalid circus crap, and not connected to the reviewer. Imo, therefore, the center of mud.

Question: How do we talk of nothing? Wittgenstein would follow and finally, rapid and affossanti, that's what you can not talk is a must keep quiet. But we want to be generous (false, the case of logorrhea), and proceed to quibble, however. In this case we have 93 minutes (according to Internet Movie Database: do not think I let him control the display of a watch or mobile phone, desolate two-dimensional, while the 3D experience) of absolute emptiness, dotted with a script that does not exist ridiculous, crude special effects to themselves, and a few irritating things human, brutal violence against the work of a great writer.

sum up: a bunch of stinking producers, writers and directors have read (reluctantly) a reduction of a children's book by Jules Verne. Hit by lighting premature have decided to make a blockbuster - but it is not a trivial thing, heck, let's do so in 3D! That technology has made great strides, and where the talent is now extinct, we can compensate with computer graphics. HoplĂ  imbarchiamoci in the booth and involve the most likeable (and Panzano) Brendanfraser-to-the-mummy, served with unknown actors and lazy beyond measure. We have him, the infallible Brendan, in the role of a professor geology. Bizarre, in the life and research, and in the throes of a psychotic obsession with her brother disappeared 12 years before pursuing some insane passion for science fiction in a cave in Iceland. On the verge of total collapse in the workplace and in private life now in shambles, he is saved by the arrival of grandson: thirteen nano hyper, but his uncle Scazzi ingrifato from all forms of female life, is now the Fraser sbolognato to ex-wife's brother late craving to go to look for a house in Canada. The undeveloped (the kid, not the adult), although heroically selfless work of his uncle (work, oh well ...), he is more awake to see that on a monitor stand out 4 and not 3 lights intermittent. This, of lottery numbers marked with a cross from his brother-father on a stale copy of Journey to the Center of the Earth, induce "or professor" to be paid through collection of coins that occupies the kitchen table, air travel to Iceland , dragging the infant. Once there know the pussy in office (elementary grammar of action movies, come on!), Mountain guide by trade, also a relative of an orphan (the old father) because Verne and geology (the combination that makes the most dead of smallpox , apparently). The convincing, not the rhetoric and the love of good science, but ripped a nutshell, to guide them to the mouth of a volcano in search of the origin of Lucina. From here onwards, svacca really. The first trio ends up trapped in a cave shut, then mines along riding a cart in the footsteps of Indy finally gets wise to walk on a layer of Moscow (rock thin, for those of you who had a doctorate in geology) in order stock up on diamonds. The landslide Moscow, fall to our infinite time along a tunnel that leads, guess what?, At the center of the planet. Where they land safely (ok. ..) and discover a wonderful world. This is equivalent to the viewer, for a good hour of torture in digital. Nothing is real and everything, however, is powerfully ridiculous. The sparrows are fluorescent and benevolent, tusks and aggressive fish, brother dead and buried by the sea, the heat - for the protagonists - unbearable. Luckily, suffer, by God! Again: Brendan eradication, grabbing the testicles, a giant carnivorous plant size, sailed the ocean is infested by a species of giant kite (which then drags the dwarf, in a hilarious scene especially the scream of pain from a Fraser clearly in digestive phase), instead of devouring the tyrannosaurus deburr the thirteen prefer him by surprise. And then died from what is cracked, crumbling ignominiously on a thin layer of Moscow - you see, not to study, you idiot?

At the end of the journey the trio, despite repeated attempts to sabotage his professor and a common survival Salvation comes in the form of convenience geyser elevator located at the end of a river. Sailing, for your unfailing satisfaction, enormous jaws of a dinosaur conveniently adapted to Icelandic dall'avvenente gondola (which, meanwhile, has slightly revised their positions on mental health of the deceased parent). Blast from Vesuvius, which we find to be cultivated by a local vineyard - that speaks a bit 'of Sicily, for good measure. So, is silenced (and subsided in his despair over the devastation of the vineyard) the offer of an ambush by thirteen diamonds. In conclusion

Fraser failed to pass the workplace and in private life successful scientist and hero action (though overweight) is more European with blonde chick and satisfaction for having rehabilitated the memory of his brother insane. The grandson, however, has stolen a bird luminescence and if you lost in the city with the result likely to irreparably destroy our ecosystem. Not content with this, we salute and promising to meet again soon with the gift of a book on Atlantis. I fear a sequel. There is no choice, I will rip an eye - no binocular vision should, if nothing else, escape the curse treddì.

INFORMATION

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D


In a sentence: "yes, oh well, spit in my face, damn it!" - Continued from Fraser spitting towards the camera. In 3D.

Sconsigliatissimo: Verne was my favorite writer, as a child. I need not say more.

Rating: KKK (one for each dimension, and they are generous)