A Dark Ale

I was given the idea recently to review a bad movie. The problem is, I hate watching bad movies…at least intentionally watching bad movies. So, with the help of some friends, a compromise was suggested: I would watch a terrible movie and comment on it as I watch. Should be interesting to see my instant reactions to a truly awful movie. The first movie I will try this new format on is Eragon. I kind of wanted to see when it was in theaters, because I loved the book. However, I was told that it was terrible and I didn’t end up seeing it. How bad was it? Well aparantly they kill off most of the main characters, making more movies impossible (it is a 4-part book series). It’s almost as if the producers knew the movie was shit and wrote it so that no sequel could be made. But I’ll try to withhold judgment until I watch, so lets give this new format a whirl.

Eragon (2006), Rated PG, 104 minutes.

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There are a couple of movies that I would call “one-time watchers”. These are movies that are so intense, depressing, sad, or moving that they can only be watched once. One movie that I would consider a one-time watcher is The Passion of the Christ. I’m not a very religious person, but I was still extremely moved by the imagery in this movie. The sheer amount of torture and pain that this man was forced to undergo almost brought me (and the entire theater) to tears.

The only other movie I would consider a one-time watcher is Schindler’s List. This movie I would consider even more intense than The Passion of the Christ. I say this because it took place during an event in world history that I am well versed in. World War II has always fascinated me from a historical standpoint, but I have mainly kept my investigations to the military side of things, the Holocaust I have left relatively untouched. That is, until I saw this movie for the first time about 6 years ago, and it was awe inspiring. Every aspect of the movie was perfect, from the directing, to the acting, to the imagery, to the incredibly important story. This is in my top 5 list of best movies of all time, please bear with me while I explain why.

Schindler’s List (1993), Rated R, 195 minutes.

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The title is one of my favorite/infuriating quotes from our current President, and I think it adequately describes the current race for that lofty office as well. We (the people) are constantly bombarded by advertising, new stories, entertainment stories, and everything in between about the candidates, their policies, and how they would act as President. I got to tell you though, I am fucking sick of it. Continue Reading »

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This isn’t about a movie but I just have to ask: What was Microsoft thinking?!

Truely awe-inspiring Microsoft, and this is supposed to be the company that has taken over the world.

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Last week I was probably the most bored I have been in a long while, with the only respite coming in the form of the Olympics. The USA is currently kicking ass in everything (except Gymnastics). Some other movies that I saw this week:

The NBA at 50

A documentary about the first 50 years of the NBA’s existence. It has interviews from everyone with any relation to the game since it’s founding, including the NBA’s first Superstar (George Mikan), it’s greatest (Michael Jordan), and everyone in between. The first “historical” documentary I ever saw, and still one of my favorites. If you are interested in bastketball at all, or if you just like a good documentary about an interesting subject, you should definitely check this out.

Overall: 5 out of 5

The Fugitive

A fantastic crime thriller staring two great actors who compliment each other so well. Tommy Lee Jones, in his Oscar-winning performance, playes U.S. Marshall Samuel Gerard who is hot on the trail of prison escapee Dr. Richard Kimble (Harrison “Star Wars Sucks” Ford), a man falsely accused of brutally murdering his wife. Their acting is really what makes this movie; Ford is so determined to clear his name that you get very nervous whenever the law closes in (which is a lot), and Jones is perfect in this role as the hard-ass cop who always gets his man, but my favorite part has to be the ending. If you haven’t seen the movie I won’t spoil it for you, but if you have seen the flick then you know what I’m talking about. The movie takes a complete left hand turn and gives you an ending that you didn’t really see coming, but is totally plausable. You don’t find out the reason for the framing of Dr. Kimble until about 1/2 to 2/3 of the way throught the movie. This might have been the first movie to wait that long to give the audience a clue to what is actually going on. This is done a lot in movies these days, but in 1993 it was a pretty new thing. Be sure to pay attention to catch the reason for the framing, the first time I saw it I was in shock, and couldn’t wait to see the conclusion. A great movie you should definitely make time to see.

Overall: 5 out of 5

Olympics

Only 5 more days remaining, and it has been a blast so far. Michael Phelps won 8 gold medals and became the most decorated Olympian ever; in Track and FIeld, Usain Bolt (Jamaica) won gold in the 100m and 200m (both in world record time); China continues it’s domination of Men’s Gymnastics winning the Team Overall, Individual Overall, and several apparatus events; and Nastia Lukin and Sean Johnson both win gold in Women’s Gymnastics.

Upcoming events to watch for: The Decathalon (10 events to decide the Olympic Iron Man and my personal favorite event of the Olympics), The Triathalon (Swimming, Cycling, and Running), and the finalies of Men’s Basketball, Men’s Baseball, and Women’s Softball (the last time Baseball/Softball will be at the Olympics). Check it out!

Overall: 5 out of 5

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