Movies
Description: Re-imagination (well, it's not really a remake) of a
Horror classic, the dead walk the earth devouring the living. A few survivors in
a Wisconsin town find refuge in an indoor mall.
The first apocalyptic ten minutes are some of the most horrifyingly
choreographed scenes of a world gone mad that I've ever seen.
However, this is a surprisingly contemplative movie and made me think of the
classic On the Beach as much as it did the original Dawn of the Dead.
The real drama in the story isn't so much, look zombies, but how people deal
with well, the end of the world. Unlike the original, there is a larger group of
people and there is a greater sense of claustrophobia due to how the zombies are
placed in the storyline.
There's an interesting moment when one of the characters says, "Look what
you've done to Metropolis." It takes a moment to realize that it's a store and
yet, Metropolis is empty and shuffling with dead.
The zombies were scary and vicious, very much on the model of 28 Days
Later, rather than the original movie's slow shufflers.
The movie did a good job of engaging viewer involvement in characters who,
well, let's face it, were pretty much cannon fodder. Sarah Polley, as Ana, does
a good job serving as the heart of the story. Ving Rhames is, well, Ving Rhames,
solid and taking names. Jake Weber, as Michael, gives an excellent performance
as the sort of person who makes civilization and civilized behavior work. Of
course, there also a fair number of throw away characters, but when a movie
manages to get you attached to a character who spends the majority of the film
giving lines by white board, it's doing its job. A horror movie is only as
horrifying as you invest in the characters.
Oh, and don't leave before the credits role. There are more scenes.
Description: A spoiled teenager, Sarah, wishes that the Goblin King
would take her brother so she wouldn't have to baby sit him. Ooops.
Ah, classic Jim Henson muppeteering and David Bowie as the tight pants
wearing Goblin King. It really doesn't get much better.
A young Jennifer Connelly, but already having her trademark glow, races
through the Labyrinth of the Goblin King to try to reach her brother before he
becomes a goblin.
This is a classic coming of age story. Over and over, Sarah says, "It's not
fair." until finally she realizes, no, it's not. That actions have consequences
and friends and family are more important than things.
A movie with muppets for the kids and David Bowie for mom.
Description: 1941&1942 movie short cartoons of the man of steel.
These cartoons may be over sixty years old, but they look beautiful. The
animation is luscious and filled with art deco style.
Lois Lane, well, she's Lois. Full of His Girl Friday intensity and sassyness.
These cartoons also feature the origin of the "Faster than a speeding
bullet..." lines, as well as a Superman who just as often leaps as he flies.
Good clean fun.
Description: Krypton go boom, look up in the sky.
This movie defined Superman in pop culture imagination for a generation. For
me, Christopher Reeve will always be the epitome of a super man.
It has it's cheesy moments. Clark Kent as bumbler. Lois Lane's little
extemporary poem as they are flying, but when he flies, it is the superman movie
of my childhood.
A fun movie.
Description: Krypton still going boom, please continue to look up in the sky.
Now, if you were to ask for my favorite pop culture version of Superman, it
would be this one. With the Dini team of Batman fame, turning their eyes to the
man of steel, they turn out one of the more human versions.
The art style is very reminiscent of the Feisher, but with a modern sense of
the character. This Superman features a Clark Kent, who get to be intelligent as
an investigative reporter.
The voice talent is incredibly well chosen. Dana Delany, providing the voice
of Lois Lane, is sultry and sarcastic. Tim Daley, in the Superman role, provides
just the right balance of determination and boy scout. Clancy Brown, as Lex
Luthor, is just as nasty as he should be.
|
