Journal: The Sun

I have a love/hate relationship with the sun, I really do. I still can't freegin make up my mind about it. I love to sunbathe, I really do. I know it's risking cancer. I believe it's part of my own poor body image. I joking like to say that 'tan fat is better than white fat,' as if this some how justifies risking skin cancer, but I believe it's more potent then that. I've noticed over the years a huge jump in body modifications. Piercings and tattoos galore. And forgive me for this gross generalization, but I can't help thinking that the world at large hates their bodies and that's why we see so many tatts out there. It's not a question of if a body is too fat or too thin. It's people hate their physical forms of themselves and tatts, piercing and tans are ways of controlling the uncontrolable. Outside of genetics, we are all suffering.

And I like to tan, I really do. Maybe this is the reason? Yes I have tattoos and piercings as well. And yes, I've seen them on the beautiful people too, totally blowing my theory out of the water. But doesn't even the most beautiful male, blessed with a six pack abs wish that they were an 8-pack?

It's a vicious cycle.

But that is not the purpose of this writing. I'm supposed to be writing about the sun.

My partner and I haven't been feeling well at all this week. The weather has been crappy for some time now--and he blamed the weather last night.

I think he might be right.

For as much as I sunbathe, I hide from the great outdoors. I'm not outdoorsy, never really have been. I do like camping in tents. See what I mean about love/hate? But it goes to show you the profound impact this nearest star has on our lives. If it's gone, you notice. I do love the beach, but hate the heat. I love to travel to Florida and the like, but can only handle it so much.

I'm torn in my love for the sun. Kinda like eating healthy, right? You have to like it and respect it, but it never really tastes as good as an eclair.

There's no denying the sun gives us life.

But I live for the night life. I'm a night person. Recently, as I try to diagnose some sleeping problems--my therapist recommended my staying up later then usual so I sleep more through the night.

Not a problem. I can stay up all night.

So the sun plays with us some more. For me? It defines my personality. Like a vampire, I guess.

A vampire with decent color.

Movie Review: Star Wars, Episode Whatever, Revenge of the Sith

I really wanted to like this movie, I really did. I felt my heart leap when I was standing on line on the cold Memorial Day morning--it felt so much like lining up for Disneyland before the sun rose. I found myself talking fast and watching the teen behind the counter at the ticket booth's every move. 'Did she fill her drawer?' and 'Is she opening the window?' Zipped in and out of my head. Such attention is unbefitting someone who meditates daily. I was ready for some light sabre action!

I tell you this, fair reader, so you know that you won't post hate notes here on my blog.

But I gotta say something.

As fear racks my body, I have to say I didn't really like this movie.

Yes, I'm hesistant to give a full "I HATED THIS CRAP" for there are redeeming qualities. But I don't want to waste your time. There are those people who it wouldn't matter what the critics said, they are going to like this movie. This movie was made for them. Of course, they already knew what happened in this movie, probably been chatting it up since the invention of the blogosphere, but it doesn't matter.

But I'm hurt by what Lucas has done on the big screen. When he launched himself from college, he created movies like a true autuer. He made American Graffiti. He relished his independence. His heart for creativity was right up there on the screen--he didn't care if he made money on it or not. A true indie, as they were starting up, he made the movies he wanted to see, audiences be damned.

That was then.

But Lucas changed, like Mr. Hyde. The movies' sequels became more and more popular. He earned enough to buy a small nation. Forays didn't come easily to him. One, the Indiana Jones titles, did very well (and IMHO, were better throwbacks to old Hollywood), but he had Spielberg on his side. When he took the titles over himself--like the television series--it tanked.

Spielberg, a classmate of Lucas, grew up and matured in his filmmaking. He became more and more auteur. Sure, he too had the blockbusters, but you can see, especially after Schlinder's List, he created exceptional pieces not created for the masses. Look at Catch Me If You Can and the Terminal.

But what happened to Lucas? You can see it in this movie. Nothing. Why go back to the first three titles? To explore more fully the story line? For closure? I doubt it. It's becasue the fans were banging at his door and maybe he had some kids to put through college.

There was no heart in this movie. It's all technical.

The movie fails on several counts. The writing is not unlike politics, where there's interesting stuff going on, but nothing's actually being spoken. Each actor speaks in a monotone except for Anakin Skywalker--he's yelling in monotone. Humor is absent. The storyline was established in 1977 and hasn't changed. I learned that Tom Stoppard was called in to help with the writing. I don't think he was let in enough. I think I'd heard every single line prior in another Star Wars movie. Could become a drinking game, when the DVD comes out. Stoppard's presense can be felt having an effect on the plot. A small opening gambit is delightful and a strong opener. But as soon as the normal storyline takes effect, nothing more happens. Damn! I guess being an author myself, this hits me on a level few can relate to.

But again, it doesn't matter what I say, the fans will love it, regardless.

The writing, however has a profound impact on the title, unfortunately. It goes on and on, but never really goes any place new or exciting. For exampel, Padme (stuck the entire movie looking pretty and staring off into space...another fault of Lucas...he has yet to write stronger women other then to make them Senators or Princesses) goes to her love, Anakin, and they talk about the baby. And then she yells, "you've changed."

Huh?

My thought? No. He hasn't. He's been a prick for the last two movies. You just noticed? Was it your being preggers? The storyline didn't have him changed outside of his clothing! Oh wait, those were the same too!

And this is just a detail. The rest of the movie was like that.

I almost want to see it again, just to make sure I didn't like it. It just doesn't seem right.

There are some very good things happening too. I mentioned it earlier. LIke the visuals. My gosh. If ever there was a defintion of state-of-the-art, this is it. Frankly, maybe the reason I didn't get into the picture was because I was drawn beyond their faces to the images floating around them. I wanted to see the flying cars, the Wookie ships, not the talking heads. So maybe I missed some. Maybe if it were written better, it would have held my interest on the human level.

Another strong point is something the average critic wouldn't have noticed but is something I love. There are some cool ass martial arts going on here. Grant you, they are poorly filmed (remember the special effects? They took presidence over watching some serious fights); they zoom in and out so we can't see clearly what is going on. But what we do see, yo baby! I've seen a buttload of Hong Kong movies. It's obvious he grabbed someone from there to create these numbers. That I did like.

And I like the CG characters. Why couldn't Anakin become Grevious, instead of Darth? He was, by far, more interesting. And Yoda? He was magnetic, for he had some major decisions to come across. But I don't think this was the point of Lucas, was it? For me to admire the villians and green dude?

If I were to give this pile of ins-n-outs a grade, it would be a C. You have the good and the bad. If Lucas was a new filmmaker, it might be higher. But he should have known better. And now you do to.

Journal: Wrapping Paper

*) Important safety tip. I journal everyday in a standard, spiral bound notebook. I've been doing it for years, even when I travel. But I think this summer, I'll try something different. I think I'm going to keep a majority of it here, online. I have a little book of ideas to journal about. I'm going to use it as a warmup to writing other items, some I'll publish here (like critiques) and some I'll keep to myself. You've been warned.

I have to admit, I can't wrap gifts. I can't. I've got two degrees, enough credits for a probable third and yet...I can't wrap gifts. And it's not for lack of trying. I've been taught by the best of them. Mrs. Material, aka MotherUnitPrime, buys gifts beyond the need to. She'll give gifts to people I didn't even know I was related too. Heck, I think she once boasted that she gave out 42 gifts one holiday. Of course, I only got one out of the deal--I'm only her second born. And like Prince Harry, I would have to create a ruckus if I wanted more.

But I digress.

I can't wrap gifts. You know those freegin girlie gift bags? The world felt my pain and invented those buggers for me. If I wrap it, it's duct tape city, baby. My partner? He can wrap a gift so well, you don't want to open it. YOu want to set it aside and invite people over to stare at it. YOu take photos. You call relatives and find a use for the camera on the cell phone. You forget why you were giving gifts.

In other words, the pressure is on. So I give better gifts. It lessens the pain. And I have my partner wrap the stuff.

It's not the only thing that causes undue stress in my life, but it's a quirk that I have to mention here on SquirrelVision. I also can't pack the bags at the end of the conveyer belt at the super market.

Seriously.

I would tip the kid if I got paid more, no matter how bad his acne is. But when I arrive at the lane on Thursday nights, I breathe a sigh of relief that I have my hubbie with me. He used to do it when he was younger. But in those days of singledom? I either had to walk through the mall to have the cheerleaders at their little booth wrap, like 20 items for Christmas; and if I shopped at Cub Foods, I would invent diseases of the fingers and palms (I got it caught in the car door) to have them bag for me.

Only once did I bag with aplomb. When "Ace" the star basketball player from high school was my cashier at a Cub Foods in Denver. I had such a crush on him. He had a free ride to any college of his choice and if he took off his shirt, any guy or girl. But seeing him as a cashier helped my bruised ego. I smirked, and watched him turn back to the next schmo in line. And I started packing my paper bag, letting my mind wander that I might have risen above my torrid high school years.

So there you have it folks. My torture, my pain, right out there where all can see.

I can't wrap or pack. Go figure.

Top Ten DISNEY movies

10. FREAKY FRIDAY (both titles) I can't understand my animosity towards comedies. We went to see "Meet the Fockers" yesterday and yes, I did laugh, but it was outshined by the amount of squirming I did at watching Barbra Streisand as a sex therapist. Same goes for many of the comedies I watch. Their humor is borne out of a protagonist that is put in absurd, difficult situations and we laugh due to our own misplacements.
Which brings me to this picture. But the message of understanding is so emphasized, I didn't cringe. I mean, the end of the movie is positive--but it comes about in a direct route, not some weird circumference designed to make you weep or have a positive American ending.

9. SPIRITED AWAY--And talk about your American ending. This is, like, the anti-Disney movie. The characters are far from cute, but the heart, the emotion underneath carries the tale in a new direction. It was new to me and I wanted to see more 'manga,' afterwards. It captured a culture that Americans have never known (and would gleefully love to supress) about life in the Shiinto realms. I was totally engaged.

8. SWORD AND THE STONE-I had an opportunity to meet Bill Peet, when his college buddy, Mrs. Prokop, my second grade teacher, invited him to speak. Little did I know the power of such a moment, until, when forced to take "Kiddie Lit" in my own college courses, I was required to visit his texts. They were amazing pieces of art and the written word, right up there with Silverstein and The Pokie Puppy. It was only a matter of time before Disney grabbed him by the throat. But before you could say, "the book was better," the artwork was maintained as Walt merged the items into a seamless whole. I remember treating myself to watching it on Sundays when I had to clean the entire video store. It’s memories will be tied to second grade and vacuuming.

7. MONSTERS, INC.-- I knew that I wanted to have something from the wunderkinder Pixar on here, and I am still tempted to say "the Incredibles." I read a review of this movie and it said it best when it mentioned, 'how about a kid's movie that is so mature, you send your kids to get popcorn so you don't miss anything?' That described the beautful creations of Pixar. Incredibles was mature and still action packed--it was totally unexpected up until the end. But I just could not see myself reflected in it's eyes. I'm the scary movie lovin' dark comedy spewing kinda person. I'm seen in Monsters, Inc.

6. THE RESCUERS--My mom remembers me telling her how this was my favorite movie upon leaving the movie theatre. You have to give Disney credit. How many adults, way back when, were willing to see movies with their kids? I still am shocked when I saw Jurassic Park 2 with a row of school age youngsters watching it utterly alone…and not being scared. Yep, those halcyon days of family are surely gone. But not because of Disney, mind you. But that is another article. Here? My mother and I saw the movie together. I was mesmerized. She was as well. And that bonding was important. When we saw the book, I remember her asking if I wanted to read it. When Part two came out, we thought back. It was a very personable experience I’ll always remember.

5. PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN-I know, I know. I don’t ever rate this at my best ride when I go to Florida or California, but I do actually ride it, no? My favorite is the Haunted Mansion, but the movie for that pretty much sucked. With this movie, the loopholes are large enough for a galleon to sail through, but the details are so succinct, you could see the screenwriter riding the boats at Disneyland again and again just find how much to tie together. And it has. It was a summer movie through and through, with a performance by Johnny Depp that was worth the nomination it earned.

4. WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT?--Okay, here ya go. The legend. This is the only film that makes it to both of my top ten all time lists this year. I loved this movie from the start, when it debuted at the top of my list. I saw it the day it came out, bought tickets early, knowing the buzz was right up my alley. For me, it was perfect. It was a forties gumshoe (I love mysteries), film noir (ditto), had animation (hello? Why are we here?). I was so there. I still get taken away when I watch it.

3. HUNCHBACK of NOTRE DAME-This movie, like Mulan, hit me at a point in my life that it hard for me to review. Not hard, as in "I was having a swinging good time and don’t remember," but in the other direction…I remembered too much. I had just gone through leaving my assholic partner for several years and wasn’t sure where I wanted to go, I just knew I couldn’t stay where I was. I was single, more or less, for the first time in my life. I was single before I met my ex, but I was scared, fat and afraid, so I jumped on the first gravy train heading my way--him. But after him? When I realized I could do more, BE more, I left. I remembered how hard it was to get him to see a movie or get out away from his precious cannabis. And how he was begging me to come back and be with him. Yet he couldn’t see this movie unless he had four of his friends with him. So I went alone. In it, a hideous man learns he can be out in the world, alone, just as I was doing. It struck chord at the right time. The music was surely theatrical; the image was pitch perfect. And talking gargoyles? Oh how creepy, and very Joe. I was on the right course. I had found sanctuary in Disney.

2. TARZAN--I had always joked about the day some guy takes me to a Disney park and wants to be there with me is the guy I would surely marry. Well, one day that happened. Someone read my most subtlest of hints (Christmas gifts of Disney books, posters of maps on the walls, stuffed animals as surprises) and took me there without my prompting. And I married him. So it seemed only natural that the first Disney movie we saw together would become our theme song and set the tone for the relationship from there on out. A romance movie, Tarzan was also considered by many critics to be the best Disney movie ever made. It used all of the pieces of the repitoire at Disney’s disposal and didn’t go into gaga mode or cutest marketing for kids. What ended up was a family action movie that kept the soul of the book while going in its own creative direction.

1. MULAN--My husband is going to kill me for this, but I can’t help it. I like to think that we had Tarzan together, but in order to get to that place, that space in my life where I could accept someone else, well, there had to be this movie. A movie about being yourself and helping yourself. A movie with a dragon in it. It was quintessential modern Diz, with a musical action (you don’t see any successful live action pulling that stunt, do you?) overload, feminism abounding and gay subtext. This is what I go to see Disney for.

DVD review: The Cooler

You ever just have one of those days?
I mean, really, you wonder what was written in the stars or perhaps your past life decided to recall your charmic debt all at once? Like 18 different bad things happen at the same time? I like to think it’s because I’m Irish that I put so much stock into things like fate and luck, but the fact of the matter is--crap happens--period. There’s very little much you can do about it.
My last trip to Las Vegas was to see what all the hubbub was about. I had heard and seen all the new contraptions there were being built during the boom of later Clinton years. I was very impressed. This was not the world I had seen when I had first turned 21 and disposable cash was becoming a possible option for me. Instead of the ruff and tumble, gangster world from the previous visit, I saw Disney-lite, with a tangible, underlining of sin thrown in, in case the family wasn’t looking.
It’s from these two standpoints that the movie The Cooler was created. The old Las Vegas, the one I saw at 21 is slowly dying off in this film. That world still has some of it’s creators, hanging around on the fringes as opposed to being the center of Las Vegas world, as they once were. They still believe in things as luck and chance and still have to take matters into their own hands. It’s the discussion of the moment for many in America--I’ve seen articles in Time and Newsweek related to the place over this sort of thing. The place is growing and it’s face is changing seemingly daily. And with September 11th changing the face of travel--no one goes anywhere via plane anymore--Las Vegas is changing again.
This movie was a nice change of pace, that’s for sure. I believe in luck, as I said before, so on that level, I could relate. The concept of a ‘cooler’ is someone who is such a sad-sack, they suck the life out of any poker, craps or slot machine. Whomever is winning, stops. And what a perfect person to play that character then William H. Macy. I mean, I don’t want to say he’s depressing to look at, but he isn’t exactly someone who cracks a joke and you believe. His own face has so many lines, you would think he worked on the Kerry campaign. Couple it with Macy’s ability to be the perfect character actor (non lead) and his ability to be a decent judge of indie scripts and-well--you have this movie.
It’s a good movie. Not a great movie, it doesn’t have that scope. There’s no spectacle; no outlandish situations. A wonderfully small piece, it works and several levels. You have Alec Baldwin, nominated for a Supporting Actor Oscar in this role, playing a tangible casino owner. Frankly, Mr. Baldwin is the most talented of the Baldwins, and his ability outweights many actors in Hollywood. Why isn’t he working more, people? His story, however presented in short manner, is really what the theme of the movie is--the Old Guard against the New Las Vegas--and he has enough ability to carry it and convey it.
It’s all very well written. Calm in parts and yes, violent in others. This isn’t Scorese’s Casino, in that the art of the film overshadows the tale. It’s well written enough that when characters’ fates begin to play out, you feel for them and want them to come out on top.
I do believe in luck, and I was lucky to find this tasty little film. I do recommend it. You’ll feel better after you’ve had one of those days, knowing you aren’t alone.

Movie Review: Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow

I have this best friend, see, and he's a writer to. Damn good one at that. I trust his prose and poetry more than my own. He's got a wry wit and his opinion I trust. A few years ago, we decided to do something stupidly fun. We both wrote down our top ten movies.That's like asking a parent to pick which child should live.We elected to go the other route-picking movies that we personally felt connected to, regardless of the quality. That way, we didn't have the usual textbook answers of Citizen Kane and Streetcar Name Desire ad nauseum. The list became more a inkblot, showing the person who did the viewing.I'm not going to go write that list down right now.For there's been a change.I think I have a new movie to add to my list.Sky Captain is our current decade's Indy movie. But without the purely for profit sequels. This is a what going to the big screen is all about. It is a tale that can only exist on a big screen. I mean, giant robots meancing New York City? No HDTV is going to get you with that. You need to see their size, their heat beam eyes as the height they were meant to shown at.In a movie theatre.In this movie, lovingly shot in experimental sephia tones, you have the usual intrepid reporter, seen a thousand times prior, doing the annoying usual storyline. She's investigating missing scientists--another standard--and then has to be rescued by the dashing hero, the mercernary Sky Captain. Seems there's Evil Afoot, trying to Take Over the World.Yes, we've heard it all before. Heck, we felt this way with Raiders et al.But I didn't mind this time. For some reason, it all made sense. It was as if the ultimate B movie was put up there on the screen. Worlds apart are only a short flight/drive away, clothing stays oddly unwrinkled after harrowing experiences.Yeap, only in the movies.I think the reason I don't mind is that it had all the usual greats tied up into a neat bundle. This was a freshman script, so I suppose my expectations couldn't have been that high. But the film collides with a bit of Tim Burton. In others, if it didn't look this good, you would have lost a large segment of the movie. The costumes are smooth; the photography is this side of having scratches movies. There are no sharp edges. All you needed was the occasionaly accidental string hanging from an airplane and you think you would have been in the 30's. I kept waiting for placard to announce "Tune in next week!"So much praise, I'll have to add it to my list. The drawback? The lead, I'm afraid to say. Luckily, hottie Jude Law is not required to do much. But he's too passive for an action hero. He's got the style and excellence of a Royal--and tends to come off as reflective because of it. Him in an action role? He's not angry enough; his decisions seems to be flown in from somewhere else because of it.But this gripe is small. I mean, it's JUDE LAW, for crissakes. He's like an Abercrombie ad envisioned in real time.The other problem? Why release this now, in the limbo prior to Christmas season and Oscar? Did they really not know how the public would react to such a stylish actioner? That's unfortunate, I really think this could have been a summer blockbuster. We had an excellent cinema summer. It could have been part. Still, it's a nice way to know that sometimes good movies come out in the fall.
A very, very well constructed piece of work. I feel back for the newbie creator. If you start at the top of the heap, where will you go next?
And as for my friend? I’m probably going to have see this movie again with him. I think he might have to revise a list or two himself.

Movie Review: Prick Up Your Ears

Oh gee, everyone, look another dead gay man movie. I am beginning to think that the only way gay men die is via violent reaction.

Oh wait, this is from the eighties. I suppose that has something to do with it. You would have thought better...I mean, look at the pedigree--Stephen Frears from Dangerous Laisons, Gary Oldman actually being nice and good-looking (I usually recall him from Dracula, back in 92, a personal fave) and our current Spiderman 2 villian, Doctor Octopus himself, Alfred Molina. You would think they could have ended the movie without violence.

Still, I had heard about the title from some friends and decided to take a look at it.

I have to say, as I watched this movie, even tho the gay guy bites it, I kept thinking--it's not out of spite. It's not because the society at large wants him to die--something modern Hollywood still attests to. In the end of this movie, it's because the act of murder was a natural outpouring of the conflict of the tale. You see, this was a true story of the very bizarre relationship between famed playwright Joe Morton and his frequent collaborator. I dare not say lover, even tho they were. Their relationship was as unique as this drama. They were together, yes, but it was different from monogomous, but apart from swingers. Their relationship was borderline a muse and his artist, but even that would put boundaries on something that defied description.

I began to become impressed with the title as the movie, like so many English flicks, played too long. The uniqueness of their relationship drew me in and kept me wondering what was exactly happening. I already knew one was going to die in the end..but who and why eluded me. Especially that why part.

I applaud the audacity of the movie-it is far from humourous and also distanced by the time period (the 80's) that is was released in. But still, I felt it was expertly constructed and the actor's didn't shy away from their flings and loves. Straight actors tend to come off as being straight playing gay. Here, it was not a factor.

Surely, above average and the reason I have netflix. To see movies with enough polish that they should not be forgotten.

Movie Review: Yossi and Jagger

I have come down on American remakes of overseas titles. They rarely get the images correct, choosing the fast route and quickest money moments to make the picture. Here? I find myself hoping some American takes up a remake for the first time of my life.

This is the love story to two men in the military. Plain and simple. They love and no one knows, for it would be frowned upon.

But there's the thing. THAT'S IT. I have no idea how they met or how they came together. There was no outward antigay sentiment, so where was the threat of being out?

Don't get me wrong, I did like this movie, but my partner hated it, and I could fully see why. There was no build up of their relationship, so when hardship befalls one of them, it's hard to guage the impact. It needed to be explored more in such a short movie.

Hence, could someone remake this? Make it a bit fuller? You might have something, then.

Movie Review: City of God

I heard about this title at the Oscars and watching a few second snippet there, I was hooked. If a picture is that visually tantalizing, I want to see the rest--besides, it's not everyday that a movie is merely nominated for direction. Something must have happened on that screen.

Since coming to Netflix so many months ago, I have been privledged to see movies from around the world. Many good, many bad, but it has opened my eyes to how different filmmakers and cultures view things. It's been fantastic.

Here is an example. This movie is South American, Brazilian. The storyline is pure American, in that it is non-linear, like Citizen Kane and Pulp Fiction. It bounces around, through flashbacks and reviews. It tells the tale about a young photographer growing up in a ghetto is Rio-the title's City of God. And through his history we meet various gang lords who rise and fall about as much as a Dallas family gathering.

It should be titled "Politics of the Gun," because guns proliferate here and there is much violence. But not that happy, action movie, bad guys die kinda way--as in someone has a gun, when is he going to use it--kinda way. It's riveting that something I've seen before being used creatively.

Yes, this movie is highly creative. I found myself at a loss at how it was going to come out, half expecting the protagonist to die several times (I learned from Sunset Blvd, many moons ago, protagonists can die and still narrate their story) and wondered where the story would take me next. The acting is a bit stilted, not creating much for compassion for any of the characters, but otherwise, this is a piece of filmmaking that should have found a much larger audience. It didn't play at any art house I knew of. It's a good movie.

Movie Review: To Kill A Mockingbird

I feel I can't write a review for this movie. I know I've seen it multiple times, and, as the cliche goes, it means something different each time. I feel not unlike a journalist trying to explain colors to a blind person. I have the skills, but not the point of reference.

The format of this story has been copied so many times. A young girl (a borderline proto-homo, I noticed this time) lives in the rural south during the depression. Her brother and her are given much of an education by the mere fact of exploration by their single father. They learn about racism and it's horrid impact and about the meaning of caring.

As for the movie, well, it is very, very good. What I have noticed when I watch classics like Gone with the Wind, Streetcar Named Desire and the like, is that time flies when you are watching them. Today's movies, made to keep the MTV generation filling their pockets, are edited to different camera angles every three seconds or so. Here, the camera picks a target and holds it until the words are spoken, the image is taken in. It knows we're smart and doesn't toy with song-and-dance.

The movie rolls along, probably moved faster by previous experience watching it during school and I also see Gregory Peck in the role that defined the rest of his career. I looked back at my review of Streetcar a few weeks ago and realized what these actors had that many today do not.

Confidence. Without the infrindgement of the press, these actors could do what they set out to do. Peck is relaxed on the screen, comfortable in this own skin. He isn't appearing to ACT. Tom in Collateral? He's practically screaming, "look at me, I'm doing something different then my last movie! Thank you, Academy!"

But Peck doesn't have that. And he becomes the moral compass, like a father should, both with his own kids and us in the audience. A very good movie from an excellent book. One of those books you really should read.

Movie Review: Hero

Ahh, to return to the world of vices. You should know by now my love for Asian movies-especially the ones with lots of fighting. Yes, I'm admitting bias. Of course, this vice really only nails me out of money--and even then, if I didn't see it, I wouldn't have a myocardic infarction.

Don't you just love that word? In-FARC-tion? It's so,I don't know, given to middle school giggles.

I say that, because, well, there were several giggles during this magnum opus, Hero, Jet Li's new flick. I even saw it on it's opening night, which says volumes. If I'm willing to forego my Friday night nap, well, there's something to be had, I tell you. I knew I wanted to see this movie when I read about it two years ago.

Yes, Miramax was sitting on this movie for two years. I'm sure they had no idea what to do with it--the audience was proof of that. It was filled with young men, filled with testosterone, from the nearby bases. They had no idea. Not one of them had read a word about it.

All they saw were the words, 'Jet Li' and thought this was the place to come.

This movie was not what they expected--hence the middle school giggles. And why Miramax wondered how to market it.

The story concerns a young man (Li) who comes to show the Emperor his loyality by bringing the swords of the 3 assissins who were bent on keeping him from power. Such was the threat that no one has ever come in 100 steps of the emperor--but this young man is invited to do so as he elaborates the tale.

The setup is much like many martial arts movies, with flashback after flashback. Only this time, the same story is elaborated, with different emphasis each time. It's wonderfully complex and visually adept. It's a true movie, a world that only exists on the screen.

And the fighting? Excellent, but that's where the giggles surmounted. You see, many people aren't used to the Hong Kong martial arts forms put onto the movies outside of Jackie Chan and Li. Here, the fights take on a form of higher art-giving the feeling of a ballet or dance ensemble. It asks for the audience to be sophistacted when they normally wouldn't be. There's one escapade, shot beautifully, in a forest during fall. One woman doesn't wish to kill the mistress of her ex, so she uses the falling leaves as cover.

It's an elaborate dance that is breathtakign on the big screen.

It's a giggle fest of screaming women and wind for small minds.

Hence, the giggles from the hundreds of young males.

And people worry about the future.

I, for one, liked the movie. I hate having to compare it to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,( or Rashomon, if you've heard of it) but it's the only film out there audiences might have experienced with the same ascetics. It's slightly less then that movie, going more for the intricaties of politics--always a mood killer. It's why you never see a baby boom in an election year.

So yes, I liked it, but I don't think anyone else will. Which is too bad, because it's a really good entry into Asian cinema as it stands right now.