The hiatus was brief, I know. (Actually the almost three weeks of my unofficial vacation was shorter than the time in between some of my posts!) But it was long enough to realize what is and isn't important to me. What is and isn't worth worrying about when there's nothing you can do about it. To quote a line from a song (from a movie I will be writing about soon): "I exist on the best terms I can."
Writing about movies (or anything well, and of any consequence) can be difficult when at the end of the day it really is just a hobby--when you have other things to deal with. (I'm gonna quote again) At the end of Annie Hall, Alvy remembers an old joke:
This guy goes to a psychiatrist and says, "Doc, uh, my brother's crazy--he thinks he's a chicken." And the doctor says, "Well, why don't you turn him in?" The guy says, "I would, but I need the eggs."Blogging for the sake of something other than blogging can be a draining task. As passionate as I am about the things I write about and my desire to share that with others, it's overwhelming, frustrating, and time-consuming... but I guess I still need the eggs.
7 comments:
First, the new set up is nice. Second, blogging, writing, watching movies, you should always do it because you want to, because it is a hobby, because you like it, because it makes you feel good. You are an awesome writer seriously. I have more to say about this.
Welcome back! I totally dig the new look and feel of the site and am glad you're writing again.
Second, I saw the new Indiana Jones movie tonight... Have you seen it? Do tell before I speak further... And thirdly, thanks for the birthday greetings!
Thanks for the welcome back guys! Yes I have seen the new Indy movie. What did you think? I eagerly await your response.
Here be spoilers... you've been warned!
Ok, so... Indy as family man? Aliens? Ants? There were a lot of things I found questionable in this film. (Harrison Ford's performance was not one of them.) I can understand the aliens, given the Spielberg/Lucas proclivity towards them, that the film was set in the 50s. But does this alter its genre? Is it now less of an action adventure serial and something of a hyphenate?
And sure, Indy had to grow up (ha) and it's nice that he won't do it alone. But really, those MONKEYS? And the ants? I can't tell if aspects of the previous films were as hokey or over the top or jarring - I haven't seen them in years. I know their intent was to shoot as much as possible without CGI but I think they should have sacrificed a few scenes (MONKEYS) so that this film sits with the rest a bit better.
And... daring that they took an established character from the previous films (Mac) and changed his loyalties (or was Mac always a bit ambiguous, I can't remember). I missed Marcus, he was really lovable. Yay for John Williams music!
So... thoughts? What did you think of Cate Blanchett?
Ok, just read this on the IMDb trivia page: While the previous Indy films were a tribute to the 1930s Republic Pictures serials, the filmmakers decided to change the approach/setting of this film; according to George Lucas, the film was "more of a 1950s B-movie."
Ok, fine, fair enough.
It took me some time during the movie, but after awhile I decided to just enjoy the ride. About midway through the flick, I began to regard the it as a sort of Grindhouse movie, which in a way the series always was in the first place.
My biggest issue with the film was the use (or shall I say misuse) of the CGI. I think the Star Wars prequels suffer from the same problems. I really don't think Lucas and co. have perceptively figured out a way to integrate special effects into live-action filmmaking.
What's sad about it is that Spielberg is superb at this kind of filmmaking. Just looking at previous Indy movies will show you that. Remember that brilliant car chase scene in Raiders or the roller coaster cart in Temple of Doom or the tank chase scene in Last Crusade? To me the best action scene was the opening credits. It was vintage Spielberg: great camera work, perfectly edited (by the always great Michael Kahn), terrific use of music. And it was nothing more than some kids and military personnel drag racing through the desert. (I also think the motorcycle chase through campus was great too, for the same reasons.)
As you know, Cate Blanchett is my favorite actress on the planet, but I was a little disappointed here. It's not her fault, it's just that her character didn't really click for me. They could've done so much more with her. She could've been a love interest-turned-villain (mild spoiler alert) like Alison Doody's character in Last Crusade (instead of making Mac the double agent). Or like a lot of Bond girls in the 007 movies (which was partially the inspiration for Spielberg and Lucas to create the whole Indy series when Steve-O wasn't able to direct his own Bond movie).
What also annoyed me was how they flashed Karen Allen's name in the credits. Coming into the movie, I had no idea she would be in it, and thus it completely ruined the surprise of her appearance later in the movie and the subsequent revelation regarding Shia LaBeouf's character, Mutt.
How great would it have been to see a love triangle between Blanchett, Allen, and Ford. Instead of an homage to 50s B-movies, it could've been one to 40s screwball!
V,
Expanding on some of the things we've talked about, the prolific David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson (no relation, right?) have analyzed in depth the skill of Spielberg's craft.
http://www.davidbordwell.net/blog/?p=2379
It's a long read, but worth the trouble, especially when Bordwell starts going back to Spielberg's other films.
Look at the date, too! I was posted on someone's birthday!
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