Movies, thanks, etc.
Here's what I really wanted to be good: August Rush. Here's how good it was: not very. It was great to get the afternoon off and head to the movies with my little brother and eat Milk Duds (sort of good, sort of gross, as usual) and drink a frozen coke, but the movie was not so great. Keri Russell was luminous and radiant and gorgeous and wonderful as usual, and everyone else was good. Except for Robin Williams, who was awful. AWFUL. His performance: awful. His character: awful. The whole storyline involving him: awful.
With a bag of white chocolate peppermint Hershey's Kisses in hand, clearly there is only one thing to do tonight. And that is watch Hairspray. So I'm starting it, right, and the world's longest trailer is showing for The Golden Compass. I swear it's been on for like fifteen minutes now. And don't get me wrong -- it looks fabulous. And WOW, is Daniel Craig a perfect Lord Asrael or what? But it is also showing the entire movie. Perhaps they accidentally put an advance screener in the DVD case instead of Hairspray? I'm not sure. But I'm getting pretty fired up. I have very poor retention of books I haven't read a million times, even if I loved them, so I can't comment on whether this movie is faithful to the book that I loved with my whole heart. But holy mackerel, it sure looks awesome. (P.S. My mom's been getting lots of e-mails from religious groups saying that this movie is horrible and anti-God. She asked me if the book is anti-God, and I just said, "Um .... I don't really remember. Mostly it's just about a girl and a polar bear.")
I'm not sure how to explain the His Dark Materials trilogy to her when I don't completely understand it myself. Especially book three. And I'm sort of sad that there is religious objection to the movie, though I guess it doesn't surprise me. BUT, I can't imagine an anti-God movie being made that's being marketed to children at Christmas? Really? I just highly doubt that. I doubt that the film is remotely anti-God. I guess I'll just have to see it and see. It's mighty beautiful to look at according to this hour-long trailer I'm watching, that's for sure.
And now a Weepies song is playing in a JC Penney's commercial! ("All that I Want.") What the heck? Did they say, "Advertising agency music people: come and listen to our songs and put them in Christmas ads!" It is very mystifying.
B. is studying tonight. I am thankful that three Thanksgivings ago we had not met except over e-mail and that three turkeys later we are still together.
I am thankful for my brothers, both of whom I saw today, and for my sister, who'll be home soon, and for my parents, who are the two nicest people on earth. I'm thankful for my friends, near and far. I'm thankful for my animals and for my job and even school, which has driven me somewhat out of my gourd this semester. I'm thankful for the amazing little girls in my life whom I love like they are my own blood nieces. I am thankful for wonderful books (like The Incredibly True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie in case I haven't mentioned it which I know that I have because it is WONDERFUL) and wonderful movies and Mindy Kaling's blog.
I am lucky.
With a bag of white chocolate peppermint Hershey's Kisses in hand, clearly there is only one thing to do tonight. And that is watch Hairspray. So I'm starting it, right, and the world's longest trailer is showing for The Golden Compass. I swear it's been on for like fifteen minutes now. And don't get me wrong -- it looks fabulous. And WOW, is Daniel Craig a perfect Lord Asrael or what? But it is also showing the entire movie. Perhaps they accidentally put an advance screener in the DVD case instead of Hairspray? I'm not sure. But I'm getting pretty fired up. I have very poor retention of books I haven't read a million times, even if I loved them, so I can't comment on whether this movie is faithful to the book that I loved with my whole heart. But holy mackerel, it sure looks awesome. (P.S. My mom's been getting lots of e-mails from religious groups saying that this movie is horrible and anti-God. She asked me if the book is anti-God, and I just said, "Um .... I don't really remember. Mostly it's just about a girl and a polar bear.")
I'm not sure how to explain the His Dark Materials trilogy to her when I don't completely understand it myself. Especially book three. And I'm sort of sad that there is religious objection to the movie, though I guess it doesn't surprise me. BUT, I can't imagine an anti-God movie being made that's being marketed to children at Christmas? Really? I just highly doubt that. I doubt that the film is remotely anti-God. I guess I'll just have to see it and see. It's mighty beautiful to look at according to this hour-long trailer I'm watching, that's for sure.
And now a Weepies song is playing in a JC Penney's commercial! ("All that I Want.") What the heck? Did they say, "Advertising agency music people: come and listen to our songs and put them in Christmas ads!" It is very mystifying.
B. is studying tonight. I am thankful that three Thanksgivings ago we had not met except over e-mail and that three turkeys later we are still together.
I am thankful for my brothers, both of whom I saw today, and for my sister, who'll be home soon, and for my parents, who are the two nicest people on earth. I'm thankful for my friends, near and far. I'm thankful for my animals and for my job and even school, which has driven me somewhat out of my gourd this semester. I'm thankful for the amazing little girls in my life whom I love like they are my own blood nieces. I am thankful for wonderful books (like The Incredibly True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie in case I haven't mentioned it which I know that I have because it is WONDERFUL) and wonderful movies and Mindy Kaling's blog.
I am lucky.
posted by eliza @ 6:57 PM
7 Comments:
Robin Williams is just horrible lately. I feel like I can't even remember why I used to like him.
Happy Thanksgiving!
oh those white chocolate peppermint kisses are like crack! I'm very glad they're only out at this time of year, else I'd weight 900 pounds. I have no willpower with them, and never get sick of them.
Must check out the shops this weekend!
Oh no! I want to LOVE August Rush. *sigh* I think we're going to see it tomorrow... That or Enchanted.
His Dark Materials. There is a Rough Guide to the trilogy that has explained a LOT of the books to me. Symbolism that was, apparently, beyond me.
Is it anti-God? No. Not at all.
Is it anti organized religion that likes to manipulate the word of God for their own good? Yes.
Dr. Rowan Wilson, the Archbishop of Canterbury, is a HUGE supporter of the series.
From wikipedia (not a great source, I know, but I've read other things regarding Dr. Wilson):
Pullman has, however, found support from other Christians, most notably Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, who argues that Pullman's attacks are focused on the constraints and dangers of dogmatism and the use of religion to oppress, not on Christianity itself.
Ok, sorry. I'm also in love with the trailer and hope they don't KILL these movies.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Hi - I loved the His Dark Materials trilogy too, and because my kids go to a Catholic school, I've been getting a lot of e-mails warning that The Golden Compass is anti-God and we should boycott it. From what I understand, the filmmakers did take out all references to God in the movie, for exactly the reason you stated (can't market an anti-God movie to kids at Christmastime). The reason the movie is still being protested, though, is that people are afraid that the movie will be a gateway to the books. And as much as I loved them, in my mind they are definitely pro-atheism. (spoiler alert) Remember the end of the third, when God is revealed to be an ineffectual, senile, almost dead, angel? Plus, Phillip Pullman has given interviews where he talks about his atheism, and his disdain for religion's idea of living for an afterlife, not this life. So that's what I think the controversy is. But I'm still going and taking my 6 year old, because I'm confident that when she's old enough to read the books, she will be able to handle the idea that some people are atheists. After all, how strong can your faith be, if merely being exposed to someone else's opinion is enough to shake it?
Dude, those books based on Paradise Lost! They're Milton! Milton was a Puritan! Good grief.
Pullman himself is, I think, very strongly opposed to the hierarchy of the church. But MILTON.
Um, August Rush stars Robin Williams, of course it's no good! That's a no-brainer.
Ugh. I agree with you on the August Rush non-love. I could not resist the glory that is Keri Russell (not to mention the hypnotic facial features of Jonathan Rhys-Myers), but, man. The movie would have been 300% percent better if there were no Robin Wiliiams. It dragged on forEVER and was the most cliche-ridden thing I've seen in awhile. Not even the adorable Freddie Highmore could save it. I think I'll go see Enchanted again, just to get the disappointment out of my brain.
In happier news, the ONCE-on-DVD countdown begins! December 18th, and it is mine, all mine. This has been the longest wait-for-the-DVD period EVER. In dorky anticipation (and to get my Glen Hansard-with-crazylong-hair fix), I watched The Commitments the other day. Have you seen it? It's about a group of friends in Dublin who form a rock band. I love it so.
Hope your Thanksgiving was great!
Post a Comment
<< Home