A desperate bid to rediscover creativity
I had occasion on my writing getaway in Northern Ontario to watch Wonder Boys again. I’ve probably seen it about five or six times. Each time I find I identify with Michael Douglas’ character, Grady Tripp. No, I haven’t been involved with a coverup involving a dead dog, or Marylin Monroe’s stolen jacket. It’s to do… Continue reading Wonder Boys and me
I saw Godzilla on the weekend, and it was pretty much what I would expect from a giant-monster movie. And it was worth seeing in the theatre, but maybe more of a Tuesday night movie (in Canada, Tuesdays are cheaper nights). The effects are good. The monsters are big. Godzilla looks like he should. There… Continue reading Godzilla about what you’d expect
I can't afford to lose anymore intelligence, but I started watching 2012 despite knowing it was bad disaster porn. I'm having trouble articulating why I did this. Maybe to see just how dumb it was, or to see the special effects. I don't remember, but I feel dumber after watching only part of the movie.… Continue reading 2012: A late review based on a partial viewing
Just came back from watching Gravity in IMAX 3D, which is an intense experience. The movie starts quickly, with just enough establishment of character and setting, then kicks into gear and rarely lets up. It's a simple survival story with a simple human against nature conflict in the most hostile environment known. At the end… Continue reading Gravity: a quick review
Saw Star Trek: Into Darkness, and It was very big and loud and explosive and dramatic. Those are the good points. But I'd still rate it closer to the bottom out of 11 movies. Definitely Above Final Frontier, Generations, and Insurrection. Above Nemesis too, but below the rest. So that's 7th best out 11, based… Continue reading Trek into Abrams
The new trailer for Star Trek is out. I've watched it a bunch of times. More than I want to admit. It's exciting and flashy. It's not the Trek I grew up with. The new movie caters to a new audience. And why not bring in a new audience? Catering strictly to the old school guarantees that… Continue reading Boldly going anew
I saw Watchmen twice this past weekend and liked the movie better than the book. Here's why: the ending tied into the characters more coherently: Having the explosions in multiple cities look like the work of Dr. Manhattan used the concept of him as a god-like character rather than the book's alien squid, which came… Continue reading Alan Moore’s going to hate me
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King opened on December 17. Of course I was there with my friend Dave for an opening day matinee. This has been a bit of a tradition for the past three years. Unfortunately this is the end. The movie itself, despite being a real bladder buster, is fantastic.… Continue reading All Hail the King
Dispatches from Obscurity 