Finds
Somehow a copy of The Accused fell into my lap. Anyone I know want to claim it? It was in an old suitcase I opened while doing spring cleaning...
"Accomplishments"
DVDs: The road to the 2010 Oscars ends with District 9 (I've seen everything I'm likely to), and while I really enjoyed it, I'm surprised it found its way into the Academy's Top 10. The commentary track and many featurettes (and deleted scenes) help deepen the experience, taking it from what looks like an imperfect Apartheid metaphor and satirical SF action thriller, and allowing us to understand a lot more about the South African context. Thematically, it's more about the overall South African experience than it is about Apartheid. I love the mockumentary style on this, and the Prawns are wonderful creations, made all the better by the CGI never focusing on them unduly. Bring on District 10!
A couple weeks ago, we were supposed to watch Game of Death on Kung Fu Friday, but since we were all away, we didn't. So I watched in in the middle of the week just so I wouldn't have to reschedule it. What a terrible, terrible piece of film. Game of Death AKA How Many Ways Can We Hide the Fact That We Don't Have Bruce Lee? exists only to set up the only 10 minutes Bruce Lee filmed just before his death. The ludicrous plot involves an evil talent agency who try to kill him when he won't sign, and footage from Bruce's real funeral. Shameful. Also shameful: Sammo Hung loses a fight to Bob Wall. COME ON! There are even a couple of Academy award winners in there, one of which looks drunk for most of the film. All this for Bruce vs. Kareem Abdul Jabar? Seems so. The DVD has more lost footage, showing how the fights were originally constructed, with two guys going up the levels with Bruce, and a lot more humor.
On the actual Kung Fu Friday, we watched PTU: Police Tactical Unit, an indy cop drama from Johnnie To and starring Simon Yam. Stylistically more European than Asian, it takes place during a single night (though filmed across three years, in between other projects) and is essentially about the elastic morals of the police force (which isn't technically corruption). Some around the living room found the music intrusive, and it did seem to jar, but the sound design remains interesting. Even in the quiet, we hear the rush of traffic, the buzzing of street lamps - the film does capture the true atmosphere of city at night very well. The DVD includes the usual Dragon Dynasty offerings - expert commentary and interviews.
New Unauthorized Doctor Who CCG cards: Giving a good push on End of Time-related cards, with 28 new cards from David Tennant's last story.
Hyperion to a Satyr entries this week include:
Act I Scene 4 - Olivier '48
Somehow a copy of The Accused fell into my lap. Anyone I know want to claim it? It was in an old suitcase I opened while doing spring cleaning...
"Accomplishments"
DVDs: The road to the 2010 Oscars ends with District 9 (I've seen everything I'm likely to), and while I really enjoyed it, I'm surprised it found its way into the Academy's Top 10. The commentary track and many featurettes (and deleted scenes) help deepen the experience, taking it from what looks like an imperfect Apartheid metaphor and satirical SF action thriller, and allowing us to understand a lot more about the South African context. Thematically, it's more about the overall South African experience than it is about Apartheid. I love the mockumentary style on this, and the Prawns are wonderful creations, made all the better by the CGI never focusing on them unduly. Bring on District 10!
A couple weeks ago, we were supposed to watch Game of Death on Kung Fu Friday, but since we were all away, we didn't. So I watched in in the middle of the week just so I wouldn't have to reschedule it. What a terrible, terrible piece of film. Game of Death AKA How Many Ways Can We Hide the Fact That We Don't Have Bruce Lee? exists only to set up the only 10 minutes Bruce Lee filmed just before his death. The ludicrous plot involves an evil talent agency who try to kill him when he won't sign, and footage from Bruce's real funeral. Shameful. Also shameful: Sammo Hung loses a fight to Bob Wall. COME ON! There are even a couple of Academy award winners in there, one of which looks drunk for most of the film. All this for Bruce vs. Kareem Abdul Jabar? Seems so. The DVD has more lost footage, showing how the fights were originally constructed, with two guys going up the levels with Bruce, and a lot more humor.
On the actual Kung Fu Friday, we watched PTU: Police Tactical Unit, an indy cop drama from Johnnie To and starring Simon Yam. Stylistically more European than Asian, it takes place during a single night (though filmed across three years, in between other projects) and is essentially about the elastic morals of the police force (which isn't technically corruption). Some around the living room found the music intrusive, and it did seem to jar, but the sound design remains interesting. Even in the quiet, we hear the rush of traffic, the buzzing of street lamps - the film does capture the true atmosphere of city at night very well. The DVD includes the usual Dragon Dynasty offerings - expert commentary and interviews.New Unauthorized Doctor Who CCG cards: Giving a good push on End of Time-related cards, with 28 new cards from David Tennant's last story.
Hyperion to a Satyr entries this week include:
Act I Scene 4 - Olivier '48
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