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Monday, October 24, 2005

Good Night, and Good Luck

Plot Summary from IMDB -

"Broadcast journalist Edward Murrow looks to bring down Senator Joseph McCarthy."

This film should be required viewing for every US History class. Though the events of this film happened over 50 years ago they still resonate today. The words spoken by Murrow, "We cannot defend freedom abroad while deserting it at home", could be just as easily uttered today with the same meaning. As could, "We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty." This film is proof that history does repeat itself. You owe it to yourself to see this movie.

Official Site: Good Night, and Good Luck

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Another One Bites the Dust

So I can cross another movie off the list. I went to see North Country this evening. Expect some remarks soon and I'm still working on posting something about Good Night, and Good Luck. Tomorrow am planning to see Capote will keep you posted.

Tired now must sleep!

A History of Violence

Plot Summary from IMDB -

"Based on the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke, A History of Violence is the tale of Tom Stall. Tom is a loving family man and well-respected citizen of a small Indiana town. But when two savage criminals show up at his diner, Tom is forced to take action and thwart the robbery attempt. Suddenly heralded as a hero who took the courage to stand up to crime, people look up to Tom as a man of high moral regard. But all that media attention has the likes of mobsters showing up at his doorstep, charging that Tom is someone else they've been looking for. Is it a case of mistaken identity or does Tom have a history that no one knows about? Either way, someone's about to find out if there's a history of violence."

I liked the set up for this film but was ultimately disappointed in the outcome...no spoilers here you'll have to see it for yourself. It is a very engrossing film and the imagry is spectacular. Draw your own conclusions. I will say it is not for faint of heart, there is quite a bit of blood.

Official Site: A History of Violence

Thursday, October 20, 2005

The Constant Gardener

The Plot Summary from IMDB -

"Based on the best-selling John le Carré novel and from the Academy Award-nominated director of "City of God." In a remote area of Northern Kenya, activist Tessa Quayle (Rachel Weisz) is found brutally murdered. Tessa's companion, a doctor, appears to have fled the scene, and the evidence points to a crime of passion. Members of the British High Commission in Nairobi assume that Tessa's widower, their mild-mannered and unambitious colleague Justin Quayle (Ralph Fiennes), will leave the matter to them. They could not be more wrong. Haunted by remorse and jarred by rumors of his late wife's infidelities, Quayle surprises everyone by embarking on a personal odyssey that will take him across three continents. Using his privileged access to diplomatic secrets, he will risk his own life, stopping at nothing to uncover and expose the truth - a conspiracy more far-reaching and deadly than Quayle could ever have imagined."

What struck me most about this film is that by nature it is a political thriller, even nouveau film noir, but it does not hit you over the head with the car chase, shadowy figure, shoot 'em up conventions atypical of the genre. This is a smart film that relies on strength of story, not flashy tricks, to convey it's message.

If you are looking for a smart, powerful and thought provoking experience go see this film.

Official site: The Constant Gardener

Monday, October 17, 2005

Gay "Football" Season

This is the time of year when Hollywood releases their best efforts in hopes of getting Oscar nominations early next year. This year I've compiled a list of movies and am determined to see them all. You may view my list by clicking here. The list is still evolving and I'm sure that it will change. Also once I see a movie I remove it from the list. I'm sure there are many that are not on my list and some that shouldn't be there. If anyone has any suggestions let me know.

So far I have seen the following films -

The Constant Gardener
A History of Violence
Good Night, and Good Luck

I hope to offer a review or at least my opinion on the films as I see them. Obviously I'm a little behind on the three above but will hope to have something knocked out in the next couple of days.

Go Team!!

Tuesday, October 11, 2005

Patches...We Don't Need No Stinking Patches!

So I ripped the last nicotine patch from my arm at 11:36pm Friday October 7, 2005. That's right done with the patches. Saturday the 8th...a little dicey but now not so bad.

It's been a long time....almost a month since my last post. To tell the truth I've been busy with school and work. Plus I think that last couple weeks on the patch were starting to get to me. Was feeling depressed, blah blah blah. Anyway things are better now. Work still sucks, but doesn't it always? Uh...the answer is yes! Glad to be back in school. Classes this quarter so far are interesting. American Film as Literature and Media and Messages. Even better is my schedule. That is one good thing about work...I'm allowed to juggle my schedule around school.

I got about 150 more pages to read for class. I'll try to be more frequent with my posting.

OH...here's recent picture of the Gizmo. I call it "The Giz in Repose"