Damn! It's Been a Long Time!!
Friday, November 17, 2006, 08:21 PM
We'll, since it's been a while, I'll make a quick apology and move along. Whew, that being done, what'cha been up to? We've been getting out as much as we can to the movies and other social events. Dan went to Vegas for SEMA wjicj means that he met tons of great and important folks while viewing the hot bods and rods.
Next year I'm goin' Dammit!
Holy Bat****! Has it really been that long since I've said hi? Marie Antoionette is still the suck but I have found a few close runners lately -
BABEL - typical Brad Pitt flexing his emotional muscles He did well as did Cate Blanchette as the victim of a stray series of events. That was the only part of the film that was worth watching. If they'd kept to that plotline, it would have been a 20 minute movie, but a solid 20 minutes. The nympho Japanese chick was cute but pointless and part of the lessons being learned from the film is, never allow someone to watch your kids overnight. Unless, they're related to youand positive that they have a way to get back into the country.
BABEL - SIGH
HAPPY FEET - GREAT! and then some!
Terriffic music, voices, animation, you can't really ask for much more. It's the old Disney musical animations but upgraded to a mass appeal. I was afraid that there would be a ton of cheesy Elton or Michael songs created just for the movie. Nope, the creators went deep into the licensing pockets for toe tappin tunes and they really had the crowd moving in their seats all night. Two more things to consider. The first thing I mentioned about this film was NOT the animation. Don't get me wrong, it is more than first rate BUT, the story, characters and setting were powerful, in and of themselves, to warrant sigher attention,
Again - HAPPY FEET - More than GREAT!!
3rd film of the ratings week was The Fountain -
Another film that took forever to make (6 years), wasted a ton of money ($18 million was literally wasted as it walked out the door with Cate Blanchette on a play or no play buy-out when the film was first scrubbed), Brad Pitt on board for the long haul until it got too long and his career was idling on The Fountain and Darren Aronofsky (director) was left barely drinking from The Fountain that no one wanted to play with.
Where is all this going? AB-so-lutely nowhere! Oh yeah, the film got made and opens soon but why? It's rare that two films make me want my free money back but this year is a two-fer so far! I've already beaten Antoionette about the head and shoulders (too bad I couldn't hang her too) but The Fountain made me wish I was at the dentist.
Hugh Jackman didn't inspire me to join him in his quest for finding the solution for his eternal love, he kinda made me feel bad that he was in it. He seemed to wander aimlessly throughout the film broken up by his stops to be with the gorgeous Rachael Weisz. An admirable goal for sure, but my only memories of Jackman are very sad faces popping up on the screen and he's off again.
The Fountain - WHY?
It may seem vague in the way I review things but more often than not, we see films before they are released to the general public so not only would I catch a ton of crap from the folks who don't agree with my reviews (Marie Antoionette, still makes me laugh) but then I would have the spoiler police would be hobblin through.
I'm off for a wkk but there will be films and fun a plenty when I return.
In the meantime, The Revolutionary and I are scheming in a big way, so be careful - hee hee.
Joey Cruz original artwork is being finalized and will be ready for sale before the XMas Holidays. Keep checkin here and at RavenLoches.Com.
Back to the airwaves and more very, very soon!
To amuse yourself while I'm off, be sure to check out The One Man Revolution's show and his incredible coverage of the SEMA Show in VEGAS. Bad Ass Rides!
Play nice, share the crayons!
Later!
J