Hellboy 2: The Golden Army

You know I said I’d catch you after the movie … ?

I wasn’t wrong …

I’ve literally just seen out Kevin D, Movie Night Adrian, Squeaky and Big Josh, after we all managed — here at my place — to catch Hellboy 2: The Golden Army.

And, my word, it was entertaining …

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5/12/2010

Hellboy 2: The Golden Army follows on from the original, with a small teaser section that sees John Hurt — briefly reprising his rôle as Professor Broom — telling a very young Hellboy — played by Montse Ribé in this scene, and Ron Perlman in the rest of the film — about the truce between elves and humans and it’s possibly for elven rebel, Prince Nuada* to break that truce by accessing the Hellboy 2 McGuffin: the Golden Army.

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Now, I’ll happily admit that the Hellboy series isn’t exactly high art, full of depth, meaning and reflections on humanity’s place in an alien and dark universe.

No.

It’s a blockbuster, popcorn movie!

So don’t expecting anything drastic on the intellectual front!

Sit back.

Relax.

And enjoy the fun.

As I think I mentioned to Adrian and Kevin, last night … ?

It’s high octane panto …

* Played by Luke Goss. Which is actually something of a minor niggle. Actually, not even that: more of a trainspottery, spot-the-influence thing. I’ve got to admit, I spent a happy couple of minutes explaining to Adrian, Josh and Squeaky where I thought Hellboy 2’s producers — as well as the designers of Jeremy Iron’s make-up, in the 2002 version of The Time Machine — got their ideas for the look of Prince Nuada. I’m not going to accuse anyone of outright plagiarism. But I definitely think both were heavily influenced by Michæl Moorcock’s Elric.

Merlin & Robin: Episode 6 and a DVD

You know, I’ve GOT to admit, last night was rather …

Busy …

Yeah, busy seems to be the exact phrase … !

After all, fitting in Movie Night — complete with me, Movie Night Adrian, Squeaky, Big Josh and Kevin D but minus Tootles Sarah — with an episode of Merlin … ?

Hmmm …

Remind me to organise my calendar a bit better … !!

But, either way, it meant — after Movie Night — I think I managed to get to bed long enough after 1 in the morning to make posting this afternoon a sensible idea.

Well …

Sensibleish …

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First things first, though, shall we … ?

Yes, that makes sense, doesn’t it.

First off, though, I’ve got to admit, I’m enjoying the fact that Film4 are doing an entire weekend devoted to the first ten Star Trek movies. I know I’ve an old friend — Sue, over on Facebook — who’s complaining about the amount of cuts made to accommodate the adverts.

Personally, though … ?

I’m not complaining too much.

Not actually owning copies, I’m happy to see they’re on.

And happy to explain, yesterday, to Squeaky, the back-story to Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan: generally considered the best of the films, to date, although I’d make a case for Star Trek 6: The Undiscovered Country — you can’t wrong with that many Klingons — or Star Trek: First Contact. You can’t be going wrong with that many Borg, either!

Ahem … !!

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Ooh, but I’ve been meaning to get that out of me system since, oh …

About 7 o’clock, yesterday, just after Wrath of Khan* …

Let’s get cracking on, shall we … ?

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Yes, lets …

And move on to Merlin …

Now, I’ve got to admit, I’m glad I didn’t post up about episode 6 of Merlin — The Changeling — last night. After all, I was a touch rushed.

Last night’s episode centre’s on the arranged marriage of Prince Arthur and and Princess Elena, the daughter of one of King Uther’s neighbours.

The twist, of course, is that Princess Elena has issues …

As you’ve probably guessed from the title …

»»•««

Now, I’ve got to admit, The Changeling was another one of the lighter episodes in Series Three. And one that struck me as a possible rerun of series two two-parter, Beauty and the Beast. Although granted, it has enough differences to make it a very different take on the idea of a hijacked wedding. Including the fact that the chief villains in this episode … ?

Were the Merlin take … on the Sidhe: plotting patiently to make sure they had a queen …

»»•««

Now, I’ll admit, I’m not the biggest fan of the lighter episodes of Series 3Merlin. However, this episode, as ever, did throw a darker bone for those of us looking for it. One that saw Katy McGrath’s Morgana realising a thing or two about exactly how Angel Coulby as Guinevere feels about Arthur: one that — to my mind, at least — gets Morgana to thinking …

The other … ?

Is on that sees both Guinevere and Arthur having something of a big discussion …

Both of which I felt added to the on-going story-arc.

Personally, though … ?

I’m waiting for next week’s episode …

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The other thing I managed to catch, last night … ?

Or at least, me and the rest of the movie night gang … ?

Was the DVD director’s cut of Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe’s version of Robin Hood: something I know that I, my ex, Allison, managed to see with Squeaky, back in May.

Now, I’ve got to admit, I was comfortable seeing it the first time around.

Second time around, though, and with the 16 extra minutes the director’s cut included?

I’ve got to admit, I had a case of the serious fidget’s, although I Movie Night Adrian, Kevin D and Squeaky thorough enjoyed it.

What I will say … ?

Is that Robin Hood is probably worth seeing if you’ve not caught before, even with Russell Crowe’s still wandering accent. It did manage to generate quite some discussion about what a Robin Hood movie should be about.

Meself … ?

I just wish I’d managed to talk everyone into catching something else … !!

* The obvious gag to get out of the way, here … ? What do you call the ghost of one of the stars of The Godfather … ? The Wraith Of Caan … Sorry, sorry

No Country For Old Men: Blood, guts, and a touch of dissatisfaction.

Hmmmm …

Can I make a confession, here … ?

I’ve just seen a Coen Brothers movie.

The first one I’d seen.

And — cinematic geniuses though they may be — I’m not too sure that I can say I’m entirely happy about it …

Seriously …

Now, as you’ve probably worked out that — as it’s Tuesday — tonight was Movie Night: and us regulars — myself, Movie Night Adrian and Kevin D — were joined by both my niece, Squeaky, and Kevin’s wife Sarah.

And the Coen Brother’s film in question … ?

Was the 2007 No Country For Old Men, based on the 2005 Cormac McCarthy book of the same name.

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: A *Mouthful* of Entertaining Hokum

Yes, I know.

It’s very late on a Wednesday night …

Which usually means I’m not telling you about a movie me and some friends have seen.

But, after last nights excitement … ?

To be frank, me and Movie Night Adrian decided to do it tonight.

Watch a MOVIE before you start getting any funny ideas … !

‹‹‹~›››

Hang on, two seconds …

‹‹‹~›››

There we go, I’ve just put Radio Four on: at least that means I can listen to the midnight News bulletin, the Book Of the Week, and the shipping forecast.

Which can be amazingly soothing, this time of night …

Where was I … ?

Movie Night … !

THAT’S where I was … !

Like I’ve said, me, Movie Night Adrian and whoever else can get over usually get together of a Tuesday to catch a film.

But last bight was a touch busy.

Actually, as a rider to that, I’m going to thank Councillor Chilvers, at this point, for giving the relevant post a mention on her site: I think it’s managed to push my hit counter through the roof!!

(No, the HIT COUNTER … ! At the bottom of the page … ? Oy, VEH!)

Let’s get moving on, shall we … ?

As I was saying, Adrian and me — after having a busy night, last night — got together at my place to catch a movie.

The one, tonight … ?

Was the 2008, Steven Spielberg directed, Harrison Ford film, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull.

Which — much like The DaVinci Code we saw, a year and a half ago — is entertaining hokum.

But unlike The DaVinci Code, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Crystal Skull is supposed to be like that.

After all, the opening scenes sees Indy — played, as always, by Harrison Ford — captured by a squad of Soviet soldiers led by Dr Irina Spalko — Cate Blanchett — being forced to dig up a mysterious crate from a warehouse in Area 51.

And, as Dr Spalko explains, its contents — or part of them — could prove pivotal for the USSR.

‹‹‹~›››

Now, I think I’ve already told you this is hokum.

It is that.

And I’ve already said it’s entertaining.

Very much so, in fact.

After all, this is co-written by George Lucas, directed by the mæstro that is Steven Spielberg. And, of course, stars Harrison Ford in the lead rôle.

One that was practically written for him!

Which I think makes it a touch more fun.

And reminds us exactly what sort of debt the Lara Croft movies, the National Treasure franchise and every other wannabee that followed in the wake of Raiders of the Lost Ark owe to a certain archæologist.

Legion: Blood Guts, and entertaining speculation about Satan

You know, I’ve got to admit, I’ve got iTunes 10 open.

And — after seeing the video for Wall of Voodoo’s Mexican Radio on YouTube, the other — I’ve got hold of a copy Dark Continent, by the same band.

Can I be honest, here … ?

I love it … !

Definitely one to look up. If you can find it … !

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But that’s not what I was going to tell you about.

It’s Saturday, isn’t it?

Or just gone, at any rate: it’s just gone bedtime, so I’ll quickly sum up, before saving this and finishing it in the morning.

But Movie Night Adrian, Squeaky, Big Josh and I have all managed to see the 2010, Scott Stewart direct film, Legion.

And I think I’m definitely going to finish this, after posting tomorrow’s Teaser!

I’ll have a clearer head!

‹‹‹~›››

5th September, 2010.

You know, right now, I’m very tempted to tell you all sorts of things.

I really am.

At any rate, I don know that the BBC News channel’s getting very monotonous!

At least I can can relax a bit, now: I’ve just turned over to Radio 4, who are doing a documentary on the rather scandalous Miss World finals of 1970.

Scandalous!

Let’s move on shall we … ?

Yes, lets …

I’ve you’ve probably worked out — by now — Movie Night Adrian, Squeaky, Big Josh and I all managed to get over to my place, last night, to see the 2010 film, Legion.

Which is a bit of a weird beast.

Or possibly not …

Legion sees Paul Bettany as Michæl, an Archangel thrown out of Heaven for disobeying orders: orders that see Michael refusing to start off the process of Armageddon, and starting a search for a child who he believes will become the saviour of humanity.

As a result of that … ?

He ends up at an out-of-the-way diner. One run by Bob Hanson (Dennis Quaid), his son, Jeep (Lucas Black) and one that employs Charlie: a heavily pregnant waitress played by Adrianne Palicki.

‹‹‹~›››

Now I’ve got to admit, having looked around on the web, I find Legion got quite a lot of mixed reactions.

I think I can understand that.

Because, although it’s a film I personally enjoyed, I’m also very aware that Legion seems to go from all-guns-blazing action adventure to moody goth-horror-melodrama and back again. Complete with black clad angels and seemingly diabolic, angel possessed humans.

Oh, and deranged little old ladies.

Don’t ask!

I think there’s something else to possibly talk about, as well, actually.

From what I can gather, there’s quite a bit online — from various shades of evangelical christian — who throw accusations of heresy and blasphemy at Legion.

Personally … ?

I can’t see how.

I felt that Legion was — if not preachy — then certainly wearing its sources on its sleeve.

But on top of that … ?

One could also possibly argue that it leant towards the mildly satanic.

But not necessarily in the way you might think.

One thing I’ve been aware of — for some years — is that, in ancient Jewish tradition, Satan was never actually seen as a modern-day devil. From what I’ve been able to find out, Satan — or ha-satan, which translates as ‘the accuser’, if you prefer the original term — was never seen as evil, per se: he was seen as an angel, working for God, who had the responsibility of acting almost as a public prosecutor. One that pointed out the flaws and evils, both in humanity in general, and in individuals.

Which is something I think may give someone with a more modern view of these things some problem.

‹‹‹~›››

Overall, though … ?

Overall …

Hmmm …

I’m thinking Legion is — as I’ve already stated — is definitely an entertaining film, although I know Adrian was fairly luke-warm about it.

But I will ask you this, though.

I’d ask you to go and see Legion.

Go see it.

And then let me know what you think.

The Road: Talk About Bad Marketing

1st June, 2010.

Once in a blue moon, there comes a film that marketing departments love.

They’re the kind of films that sell themselves, in other words.

Many films strike me as being easy to market.

Well …

Maybe not easy to market, but certainly easy enough to put through the marketing mill: insert actors, posters, marketing — and the movie — in one end, and sell tickets at the other.

They will possibly an Oscar or two, if you’ve get it right: which only adds to the marketing buzz.

But Movie Night Adrian and I watched possibly the one film, tonight, that its producers marketing department must have had nightmares about.

Well …

Possibly not nightmares, but certainly went in the wrong direction with.

I know.

I’ve actually looked for the relevant trailer on YouTube.

And — if you believe what you saw — you’d expect that The Road — with Viggo Mortenson and Kodi Smit-McPhee — was a thrilling action adventure, with bombs, sex, cannibals and Charlize Theron, on every spare surface.

Well …

Charlize Theron’s in it: but the trailer doesn’t tell you everything.

Let me re-phrase that: the shop-window trailer is definitely a bit of misapplied hype.

The Road see’s Viggo Mortenson and Kodi Smit-McPhee as an unnamed father and son, trying desperately to reach the coast, after an unspecified apocalypse.

And having to cope with what has to be the most realistic post-apocalypse I think I’ve seen in some time …

~≈†≈~

Do you remember the last time I mentioned Kevin D, and his wife, Sarah … ?

They were down, a couple of weeks ago, and managed to bring a copy of The Prestige along with them: certainly a film that’s worth watching, I think.

We actually managed to have an interesting natter about Avatar: my point was that Cameron and co could have spent a touch more time thinking through one or two details about the Na’vi home-world’s ecology a little better.

To quote Terry Pratchett — the only writer to include a sewer system as part of a fantasy world’s background — “Sometimes, you have to do these things from the bottom up.”

You have to think these things through, logically, in other words

~≈†≈~

Which is sort of my point, about this film.

Going by what we saw on-screen tonight, The Road isn’t a big budget, effects laden blockbuster.

Well … not one that’s full of obvious special effects.

The Road is not Star Wars: it’s a low budget drama that actually tries to look long and hard at the effects of a major disaster*.

By looking at how a father and son try to cope with living in a world that’s dramatically changed from how it was.

~≈†≈~

Very much so, actually.

This is not a post-apocalyptic action film in the style of Mad Max.

Not at all.

The Road is a film that sees two people who’ve survived a huge tragedy and find hope in small miracles: finding an expected supply of food, meeting someone non-threatening, finding a thief who isn’t as bad as they’d thought.

But also magnifies the obstacles they face: ravaging gangs of people not afraid to be cannibals, a climate that’s against them.

~≈†≈~

I’m going to be honest, here.

I’m going to get myself off to bed, in a few minutes.

But I’ll leave you with an opinion, before I do.

The Road isn’t going to be a film that grabs everyone.

But I think that if you liked Moon or Valhalla Rising … ?

Then The Road could well have a lot of appeal.

Just ignore the trailers for it, though. They really aren’t a good advert.

* One which isn’t specified, as I think I mentioned, but looks to me as if it’s either a nuclear winter, or some form of environmental disaster thats produced a similar result.

Moon: Open the Pod Bay Doors, GERTY …

You know, I’ve got to admit, any minute now, me and Allison are going to put the clocks forward, and hit the sack!

But it’s been a fascinating evening …

Do you remember — at last Saturday’s movie night — I told you part of what I thought told me made for a good movie?

It boils down to the amount of half-time chat that goes on, while I’m doing the half time tea.

Interesting stuff to listen in to, I know that … !

Tonight’s film — Moon, directed by Duncan Jones, and starring Sam Rockwell — certainly generated enough half time natter that was interesting to listen too.

And — on top of that — Kevin D, Movie Night Adrian, Kevin Z, Allison and I, had a seriously good time bouncing idea’s, thoughts, and generalised stuff, around afterwards …

Stuff that …

Well …

You would have had to be here to listen!

The plot?

Well, the plot’s relatively easy to summarise, although I don’t know how well I’ll do this …

Moon is set in a near future, where humanity has solved its energy crisis — in part — by mining Helium-3 from the Moon.

And has Sam Bell — the central character, played by Sam Rockwell — coming to the end of a three year stint, supervising the various mining operations.

At least, that’s what he thinks …

Part of the isolation he feels?

Is down to the fact his only company is the base Artificial Intelligence, GERTY.

And that contact with Earth is permanently — apparently — down, due to faults in the various communications satellites that relay messages from Earth to the Moon and back …

Via Jupiter …

What he doesn’t expect — with a fortnight left on his contract — is the the mild hallucinations he’s starting to have or the crash he has in a Moon buggy on an trip to one of the unmanned mining vehicles.

Or waking up in the station’s infirmary, relatively uninjured, with little in the memory of how he got there …

Or any understanding of why GERTY is insistent he doesn’t leave the base.

That gets clearer when he sneaks out.

And finds his own comatose body at the crash site …

•••••

Now, I’m gonna be honest, this ranks a lot higher than what little I’ve seen of The Island.

Even though that covers many of the same sort of ideas.

Are clones people or property, for example?

What happens when one is — as we all wondered, tonight, after the finale of Moon — the Inconvenient Individual?

And should we — do we — have any right to grow a sentient living human being, and keep them as an effective slave?

Who knows.

I do know that Moon is both an ideas rich, nicely directed and written, and well acted film.

And one that — with all its 2001: A Space Odyssey design influences — one that’s well worth watching.