Ahira's Hangar

I just watched V as well duchy! Loved it! You're right Portman got a little flat in places. *****
Before, you are wise; after, you are wise. In between you are otherwise.
Fravashi saying (from the formularies of Osho the Fool) <i></i>

Hey, I like Waterworld. But then I'm a sucker for post-apocalyptic epics.

--A ____________________________________

A sense of the sardonic preserves a man from believing in his own pretensions. -The Sayings Of Maud'Dib<i></i>

Recently saw A Scanner Darkly, and I loved it! A beautiful, funny and tragic story. Very nice ensemble work from Wynona Ryder, Keanu Reeves, Woody Harrelson and Robert Downey Jr. Even if you don't like these actors, the special animation process used for this film is fun to watch. It's interesting how turning the actors into animated characters exaggerates and amplifies each actor's individual mannerisms.

The film is directed by Richard Linklater, who has made some of my favorite films over the past decade. His is a very level-headed style of movie storytelling. Sharp, intelligent dialogue has always been a core component of his films, and that continues in A Scanner Darkly.

The film is based on Philip K. Dick's novel of the same name, which I have not read. (I'll do that after my current re-read of Dune, heh). So I can't speak for the novel, but the movie is basically about a narcotics agent (Keanu Reeves) who becomes addicted to the very drug that his unit is ostensibly battling. Weirdness ensues. The story is set sometime in the "near future" - a standard Dickian device, it would appear.

Given that Linklater's films tend to about people questioning the meaning of life and their place in the world, it's a natural fit for him to adapt a Philip K. Dick story, since Dick's characters often confront questions of identity and what it means to be human.

I highly recommend this movie. The DVD can't come soon enough! <i></i>

I've wanted to see this movie, but was being a cheapstake waiting for the DVD. Maybe I'll buy the DVD moons! *****
Before, you are wise; after, you are wise. In between you are otherwise.
Fravashi saying (from the formularies of Osho the Fool) <i></i>

It's been so long since I read the book that I don't remember it at all.

--A ____________________________________

A sense of the sardonic preserves a man from believing in his own pretensions. -The Sayings Of Maud'Dib<i></i>

A Scanner Darkly sounds good. I will have to watch it one of these days. ******************************************************

Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell
<i></i>

Quick reviews: Thumbs up-The Sentinel with Michael Douglas, Kiefer Sutherland and Kim Bassinger. You expect it to copy In the Line of Fire and then you say Murder at 1600 but it starts looking like Conspiracy Theory and goes off nicely on it's own way, David Rashe plays the President [spoiler]so it's easy to see why someone wants him dead

Thumbs down-Don't Come Knocking Sam Shepard doesn't look seedy enough to have lived his supposed lifestyle--you can almost guess the next line or scene. Director's supposed to be acclaimed but it seems very selfindulgent with too many inside jokes. Bunch of cameos but George Kennedy derails that train before it starts. You need a 'Terminator' type Tim Roth to track down a washed up actor??? WHAT!!?? All the other high profile actors don't even appear until you're ready to chitcan the flick. A film that can make even Eva Marie Saint look bad is, well, pretty sad...

couldn't get into it-Hoodwinked-heard good reviews from friends (what have my friends been huffing [and puffing ]?) two crappy songs in a row-later! *****
Before, you are wise; after, you are wise. In between you are otherwise.
Fravashi saying (from the formularies of Osho the Fool) <i>Edited by: danlo60 at: 9/11/06 9:18 am
</i>

Hoodwinked, is cool, it is not Shrek, or Finding Nemo, and it's way better than Shark's Tale.

Avatar, Waterworld well I expected a real Barfarama, since for years I've heard how bad it is, but it exceeded that expectation. And I do like Kostner, and Jeanine Tripplehorn, well known presently for costarring in HBO's Big Love, is pretty good in it. BTW, the little girl was played by Tina Majarino, who's also guest starred on Big Love and on CW's Veronica Mars.

Duchess and Danlo, considering V for Vendetta. In the original graphic novel, the Porman character is politically naive and innocent when she first meets V; therefore, V needs to politically educate her to the situation, and I've been told that in the movie the character is not that way. taraswizard
Allan Rosewarne N9SQT/WDX6HQV
Chicago area
W/T forever, always
Buffy fans Chicago
my livej<i>Edited by: taraswizard at: 9/12/06 4:51 am
</i>

I don't particularly like Costner, but I've always liked that movie. Must be my "destroy the world" tendancies coming out.

Never thought it deserved the negative reaction it got.

--A ____________________________________

A sense of the sardonic preserves a man from believing in his own pretensions. -The Sayings Of Maud'Dib<i></i>

You know, I have always enjoyed Kevin Costner, but have never seen Waterworld. For that matter, I have never seen The Bodyguard, either. Maybe I should check both of them out one of these days. ******************************************************

Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell
<i></i>

A couple I have seen lately:

Troy ~ only very loosely based on Homer's Iliad - decent action scenes, Brad Pitt was better than I had expected as Achilles

Gettysburg ~ historically accurate and well made film about the epic battle in the American Civil War, filmed at the national battle field. Jeff Daniels does a great job as Col. Chamberlain - very long, though, at over four hours - don't start watching it until after you have emptied your baldder! ******************************************************

Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell
<i></i>

Gods and Generals ~ ewll made historicall accurate movie about the American Civil War which never found an audience. It is rather long, and has plenty of very contemplative scenes, and also many battle scenes. I think that the many contemplative scenes might have turned off the people looking for action battlefield sequences and the action scenes might have turned off those looking for the more thoughtful scenes.

Sketches of Frank Gehry ~ very interesting documentary about one of the world's greatest living architects. He was told by one of his professors in architecture school he did not have what it takes, and now look at him! He has designed very modern buildings that are like sculptures more than they are like traditional buildings - he uses interesting materials so the walls often function as ever changing Impressionist paintings with the light and nearby water. ******************************************************

Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell
<i></i>

The Lake House. This movie is a speculative fiction, it involves time travel, and a dog that seems to span the space-time divide between the two characters. taraswizard
Allan Rosewarne N9SQT/WDX6HQV
Chicago area
W/T forever, always
Buffy fans Chicago
my livej<i></i>

Did you like that movie, Taras? Some of my friends say it is good, but I have not had any time to watch it yet.

Unconditional Love ~ very odd movie set in England and Chicago. Stars Kathy Bates as a woman with a life long love for a huge celebrity singer, and whose husband (a truly unlikable jerk played by Dan Akroyd) has just left her. When the singer she worships is murdered near the Billy Goat Tavern in underground Chicago by a serial killer, Grace travels to England for his funeral, where she meets the singer's long time boyfriend (played by Rupert Everrett). No one knew the singer was gay, as he lived a double life...

After bonding and various complications, Grace and Dirk decide to come to Chicago to track down the serial killer (and that is when the movie, which was quirky and charming and sometimes very funny up until that point gets very weird.) ******************************************************

Our lives are the songs that sing the universe into existence.~David Zindell
<i></i>

Yes it's kind of a copy of An Officer and a Gentleman...but I felt Annapolis had a gritty, "Rockyish", feel. Entertaining...worth 4 bucks! <i></i>