12/04/2006: "Movies and Miscellaneous"

music: OK GO, Muse...
mood: 7th Heaven

Films:

The World According to Sesame Street: This Documentary was very interesting. It follows the development team of adapting Sesame Street Programming in countries like Bangladesh, South Africa, and working with Serbians and Albanians in the same room to bring Sesame Street to Kosovo. It was educational, and moving to see the integration of cultures to create appropriate puppets and segments for each community. The introduction of a Puppet in South Africa with HIV, whose memory of her mother is contained in a box with some things of hers is certainly an interesting cultural difference. The idea that nearly every child in South Africa will face a death from AIDS in their family or close circle of friends multiple times is thoroughly depressing, but this film was actually someone uplifting. Certainly makes you think about how fortunate you are, and the TV can SOMETIMES be good for something other than escape and decompression.

Cypher: One of the most underrated actors I think, Jeremy Northam plays opposite Lucy Liu and the prove interesting to watch in a film that reminds me a bit of a low tech Gattaca vs. Pirates of Silicon Valley. I won’t give any of the plot away (it also reminds me of another movie which I can’t tell or it will spoil it for you as well), but it should be noted, I did not guess the ending ahead of time. I should have. But I didn’t. 4 RRD’s for fooling me even on an off night.

Casino Royale: Best movie I have seen in ages. GREAT! I could write a dissertation on why this movie kicks ass. I have enjoyed Bond films to be sure, there are scenes and stunt and catchphrases burned in my brain, but this is not just a phoned in franchise installment. This was GREAT! Besides the hot cars, amazing stunts, dresses to die for, one liners and typical Bond fare, there is a great story here, a nice plot, which makes sense not only for this new Bond (Craig TOTALLY harkens back to the rugged, not so polished, and more egotistical Bond of Sean Connery) and for the future of where her goes and why he is like he is. For those of you that recall, my glowing review of the acting in the French film “The Dreamers”, you will be amused to know, Eva plays Vesper, the main Bond girl and does a stunning job. Nothing is thrown away here. 5 RRD’s for excellent writing, acting, direction and all around production value. If you don’t want to be a spy when you walk out of the theatre there may be something very wrong with you.

Transporter 2: Buy into it early and you will grin all the way through. Gotta love Jason Statham and his tough guy exterior. Fun action. Typical modern Luc Besson. Some good laughs (French stereotypes) and explosions. Tell me, who doesn’t need more explosions in their life. 3 ½ RRD’s

After the Sunset: This little sleeper has Woody Harrelson as an FBI agent who has been foiled by diamond thieves Pierce Brosnan and Selma Hayek. He comes back to bait them into one last heist for his personal redemption. It takes place mostly in the Bahamas at my dream hotel, the Atlantis and it’s lovely eye candy in terms of the scenery. This is surprisingly romantic, action packed, funny movie, that is not so very complex, but entertaining to watch unfold. I truly enjoyed this movie. Great Friday night flick with you honey, or thinking about them if they happen to be worlds away at the moment. 4 ½ RRDS.

Weatherman: Perhaps they should have thought more about WHETHER to make this movie or not. Now admittedly I only like Nicholas Cage in his comedy era, his Honeymoon in Vegas yelling phase, not the miserable self loathing character he seems to be fixated on for the last way too long. And I’ve nothing against a non happy movie, but except for Michael Caine who always makes me smile no matter what, I could really have used those 2 hours back. 2 ½ RRD’s

In other news:

Guitly Pleasure: Um...so how many of you would disown me if I said that I kinda sort like the new Justin Timberlake song "Sexy Back"? hmmm, right. I see. Just checking. Thanks.

BEST SHOW EVER: Beauty and the Geek. Oh my gosh. If you have not seen this, check it out. The reality show to END all reality shows. I love it. 7 dumb "beauties" and 7 SUPER nerdy geeks paired up, living in a house and having to do challenges. the guys have to decorate a room, the girls have to hook up a computer from the box, download a song, burn a cd and play it. then the two winning teams choose two other teams to go to the quiz elimination round. These girls are ridiculous, and the guys are hilarious. Rubic Cube champs, Speed Chess Champ, Dungeon Master. And of course the edit the pud out of it so it's even more hilarious. SO great.

OFFICIAL ROYALTY: This JUST in. I have succeeded finally in getteing the official title of PRINCESS on the next round of business cards for Artsopolis. Oh HELL yes!

Chuckles: I saw the Marquee of the Palo Alto Square, Movie Theatre. NOW PLAYING: FAST FOOD NATION. I laughed. The theatre is right next to a McDonalds.

Love the Landlord: Legacy Partners who own the building I work in, and has donean AMAZING job renovating the entire building from top to bottom (lobby plants, furniture, new lighting, carpet, marble floor, digital directory, signs, varnish, landscaping etc. delivered FREE hot chocolate to all the building patrons last week. We had no heat in the building as they were updating the heat and AC for just a day or two, and this was their thank you. WOW. I'm so liking them. For once, building managers that are awesome instead of full of suck.

More later on...23 days...