Movies
The Mummy Returns
Description:
Action, Adventure. Rick and Evie O'Connell with their 8 year old son, brother
Jack and ally Oded Fehr in tow, once again cross paths with the Mummy Imhotep
and face up to a new enemy the Scorpion King in 1930's Egypt and England.
This a great build out on
the previous movie. Often you go to see and a sequel and end up wondering
why it exists. This movie built and expanded on the previous movie in a
pleasing way. Concepts touched upon briefly were expanded and a few new
threads were exposed for possible exploration in future movies.
The movie itself is a fun
romp in the sand. Great Atmosphere. Lots of action. Adventure. Great special
effects. Brendan Fraiser and Ardeth Bey aren't hard on the eyes either.
Rick and Evie are the rarest
of adventure movie couples, married and in love. They have this great Thin
Man-esque kind of banter going down. Very 30s and in a modern world increasingly
focused on young singletons obsessing on sex, refreshingly sweet.
Their son, Alex, is well
a kid. He acts like a kid not a cloying Hollywood clone child.
If you are looking to relax
into a fun adventure movie, then give the Mummy Returns a try.
Pearl Harbor
Description:
Love, death, and patriotism before, during, and after the attack on Pearl
Harbor. Two pilots grow up in the mid-west, join the Army Air Corps, and
fall for the same woman.
Despite my military brat
upbringing, I knew only slightly more than most people before I saw the
movie. I know that the Coast Guard responded to the attack just like the
rest of the military forces stationed on Oahu that day. I've been to the
Arizona Memorial and my dad is currently stationed in Honolulu. (He and
my mom went to the premier aboard the USS Stennis in Pearl Harbor itself.
After seeing the movie, I think that would have freaked me out, but they
had a great time.)
All that aside, I really
enjoyed the movie. The director uses a light touch to show us the emotions
of the people who were there that fateful day. This light touch makes the
movie effective without being gut wrenching or overly sappy. The battle
scenes are horrible, but broken up with shots of people hurrying to help
or fighting back so that you see the attack from all points of view. Other
people stand up to do their duty (flying dangerous missions, making tough
choices, waiting for news, etc.) without long torturous speeches about
America, land of the free, home of the brave, Mom, and apple pie.
The love story is nicely
played out by the three main characters. Although, the woman should thank
her lucky stars that she is so blessed at a time when other people are
losing everything. Everyone is good looking and you feel that they do the
same things you would have done in their places.
I don't think there's anything
about the plot I need to tell you that you don't get from the previews.
For what I can tell, poking about on some history sites and the encyclopaedia,
it's fairly accurate. But more importantly, it's an accurate picture of
how people felt at the time. Just go see it, give thanks for the men and
women who died for us, pray you never have to do the same, and feel good
about America and Americans for a change.
Shrek
Description:
Animated tale of a misanthropic Ogre Shrek seeks to clear out Faery Tale
characters deported to his swamp by the nasty (and short) Lord Farquaad
by going on a quest to deliver an imprisoned and ensorcelled princess to
the Lord.
Okay, so it makes more sense
if you go see the movie.
This movie is hilarious.
Largely because generations of Disney movies exist to be mocked by Shrek.
Well, actually it mocks everything: myths, legends, faery tales, modern
dancing, Princess Bride, Charlie's Angels the Movie, Robin Hood, and well
more references than you can shake a stick at.
Everyone does a great job
with the voices. Mike Meyers doing a Scottish twist on Shrek's, Eddie Murphy
as a talking Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona, John Lithgow as the
midget Lord Farqaad to name a few are equally incredible.
The modern songs are catchy
and well chosen. The visuals are bright and beautiful and really really
twisted.
This is a cartoon that adults
as well as children. Although, really, not a movie for little kids. Exploding
Blue Bird of Happiness. Enough said.
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