John P. McCann on the new generation of George Takei fans: it's so weird to me that he has followers out there who have never seen Star Trek.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 06:50 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Man, that movie was great. I found it vaguely reminiscent of The Lord of the Rings, especially in the battle sequences—though a bit bloodier, of course.

I can see why war supporters are feeling a bit smug about the fact that this movie got made, and why antiwar activists are upset. There is this feeling out there on the right of "how the heck did this production slip through?"—a sentiment spelled out in the official Libertas review of the film.

Fundamentally, though, the movie doesn't pretend to be anything other than a graphic novel with Serious Ideals. Like Lord of the Rings, it's mythology, though it's also a fictionalization of something that once happened. There's something particularly hilarious about those who want to attack it for being "inaccurate history"—one might as well spell out that Arthurian legands aren't accurate depictions of Medieval times.

It's perfectly delicious that the movie got made, and very satisfying that it's making money hand-over-fist. Yum. And, no: I didn't see Xerxes as being terribly gay—at least, no more than the Pharoah was in The Ten Commandments. He seemed strictly metro to me, but your mileage may vary: the important thing is that the Persians came off as terribly unattractive, and this may have annoyed the current Iranian government, who deserve to be annoyed.

Women who find the violence hard to take will find that there are alternative diversions in the film. Everyone's baser nature is appealed to. No one is left out. You'll see what I mean when you get to the theater.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 05:47 AM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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1 Now that you discovered Frank Miller, time to get yourself a copy of the"Sin City" DVD--especially the version with the attached graphic novel. You might want to look on Amazon's site, especially the new and used vendors section. I've never had any problem with those. I usually get a new copy at a steal. And that's what cheap screws live for.

Posted by: Darrell at March 23, 2007 09:04 AM (jcUK2)

2 Who was it who wrote the graphic novel upon which A History of Violence was based? THAT was a bitchin' movie.

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 23, 2007 09:25 PM (0CbUL)

3 John Wagner and Vince Locke. Wagner was behind "Judge Dredd" and "The Bogie Man." Locke worked as an illustrator, having done the covers and other artwork for the death-metal band Cannibal Corpse. The film is a major departure from the graphic novel, by the way. Maria Bello would have shot Ed Harris if they stayed true to the g-n. No rough sex on the stairs either. No subplot with the son turning to violence. The hero's family fully supports him in the g-n, going with what they know of the man during their mutual lifetime together. Have you seen "Sin City" and not liked it? This is the third time you have just ignored the reference. It has a lot going for it if you give it a chance. Strong men and strong women. And both flawed beyond question. What more can you ask for? Robert Rodriguez has turned film making into a cottage industry that can change the industry. Check out those "extras" on all his movies. He'll even give you a cooking lesson and recipe ideas.

Posted by: Darrell at March 24, 2007 09:57 AM (bmopZ)

4 Sorry, D. I just don't have anything to say until i see Sin City. I rented it once, but the husband hasn't heard good things about it, so it was rejected for family movie night. That doesn't mean I can't see it on my own, or appeal the decision Your recommendation is MEANINGFUL! Besides, I love what I've seen of the look in that film. And Frodo's in it!

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 24, 2007 11:57 AM (0CbUL)

5 The look of the film is spectacular. When you consider that it is mostly done at Robert Rodriguez's little home studio, okay ranch, you'll want to go out and buy the necessary equipment. Rent his "Mexico Trilogy" (El Mariachi / Desperado / Once Upon A Time In Mexico) and he will show you everthing you need to know in the extras. I don't know A-the-Hub, but I can almost guarantee he'll like it. I don't know who told him differently, but if he liked "300," I know he will like "Sin City" too. Bet those same folks found fault with "300" also? Politics can do that.

Posted by: Darrell at March 24, 2007 07:36 PM (5fyrc)

6 A the H and I shot a small movie in our own home/backyard once. It was fun. Unfortunately, we did it in 1999, so the movie only exists on VHS. A the H is a fan of the Mexico trilogy, and of Rodriguez, but I think he has reservation about Sin City, based partially on the fact that a Catholic bishop is one of the villians--according to what he's heard. But I'll watch it.

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 24, 2007 07:51 PM (0CbUL)

7 Yes, and the bishop is played by Rutger Hauer. His being a bad guy doesn't have anything to do with being a bishop, just the younger son of a powerful family. Older son became a senator, so the younger son went into the clergy. They are traditionalists.

Posted by: Leo at March 25, 2007 12:31 AM (HjJvJ)

8 I'll watch it.

Posted by: Attila Girl at March 25, 2007 02:09 AM (0CbUL)

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And I can see why people are bent out of shape about it.

As for me, I think there are only three things that movie really needed more of: blood, body piercings, and muscular male flesh.

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. . . is that she seemed awfully didactic in her fiction. Or perhaps I'm mistaken?

Brad and Angelina as Objectivists? Color me surprised, though I've always respected Pitt for several reasons. One of them: some years ago, when asked his opinion on China, he demurred, explaining that people shouldn't really be too impressed by whatever political philosophy he managed to muster up: "I'm a grown man who wears makeup."

H/t: Heathcliff of the spreadsheets.

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. . . then it must be okay.

On the other hand, he's a good deal older than people think, and has at this point a few responsibilities beyond those of the average actor—which have to cut into the time he has available for doing crunches.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 06:28 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 ...somewhere, there's the same comparison for Ted Kennedy. At the young end, Arnold could have made two Teds. At the older end, Ted could make three Arnolds.

Posted by: leelu at January 10, 2007 01:54 PM (KFuCy)

2

Posted by: Attila Girl at January 10, 2007 02:28 PM (0CbUL)

3 Arnold is just getting ready to donate some excess body fat for stem cell production. A public servant to the end.

Posted by: Darrell at January 10, 2007 08:38 PM (KReVz)

4 I wonder whether part of that effect we see in photo #2 comes from his bodybuilding background: when the muscles were built up to that degree, the skin stretched out quite a lot. Now, with closer to normal mass for a man of his age, his skin looks weird.

Posted by: Attila Girl at January 11, 2007 06:31 AM (0CbUL)

5 By time people finish laughing, Arnold will be in shape again. After the leg heals, of course. All that bodybuilding does have long-term benefits. They'll hate him even more.

Posted by: Darrell at January 11, 2007 08:43 PM (AyROc)

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. . . is running a tribute to the old Batman TV series on The Underground Garage this week.

I figure until The Sopranos comes back I'll just listen to Silvio on Sunday nights.

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There's more to James Bond than haircolor and height.

Attila the Hub and I finally got around to seeing Casino Royale tonight, and it was wonderful: they are transforming the character of Bond back into a human being rather than a cartoon superhero.

"Craig's got an odd build," A the H points out.

"He's got an unfashionable build," I respond. "He's stockier than the previous Bonds have been, and he's got a tremendously muscular midsection."

"And a longer torso. He's not fat, though."

"No," I reply. "No fat at all. I checked."

It's not just the stunning body, though: Craig's acting is tremendous. As is the fact that he was asked to do it. I happen to be a fan of Timothy Dalton's and Pierce Brosnan's, but it's been a while since the Broccoli franchise has make that sort of demand on the Bond of the day. It was refreshing, and a treat.

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do I have to fight for my right to party?

I mean, I could simply party, and cut out the middleman. Saves time.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 10:27 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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I'm going to try to get to bed at some non-vampire time tonight, so I'll wish you all well on the slim chance that I'm successful. (But happy happy on the East Coast!)

I'll be spending the next few hours with Attila the Hub, watching part of the Marx Brothers Marathon on Turner Classics.

Smart guys. But can anyone tell me why the Marx Brothers named two of their movies after Queen albums?

Posted by: Attila Girl at 09:01 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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. . . was not 100% successful as an astronaut.

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AC/DC, or KISS?

Which, and why?

Posted by: Attila Girl at 12:46 AM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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Jon Stewart with Dennis Miller. I honestly think I could watch this all day long, and I definitely agree with Cranky Neocon that Stewart and Miller ought to replace Hannity and Colmes.

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was a good deal less impressed by that KISS song than I was. I mean, substantially less impressed.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 07:48 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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—aw, never mind.

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Benjamin Wilbanks is an American Indie filmmaker in Austin, Texas who gave up a lucrative career as an editor at CBS to accompany his uncle to Iraq. The trip was part of a missionary project to help set up a printing press for a Kurdish Christian group, but included a week-long stopover in Jordan, wherein Mr. Wilbanks and his uncle got to know some of the work being done there by Christians among the Iraqi refugees.

The result? A Journey to Iraq. It's an intimate and beautiful portrait of Iraqis who want freedom, seen through the lens of Christian outreach.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 09:37 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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distributor of the amazing In the Face of Eviland Michael & Me, is releasing an amazing film on immigration, Border War. This is the movie I've been waiting for to help clarify my thinking on the issue. It's a decent, humane documentary that is free on that unattractive xenophobia one so often catches a whiff of around the edges of the debate.

A wide variety of viewpoints are presented, and with no voiceover, the viewer can simply make up his/her own mind on the subject. Very thought-provoking.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 12:09 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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In light of Rusty Shackleford's Townhall article about Jon Stewart's political influence, it was nice to see a right-tilting faux news show: entitled This Just In, it features newscasters and talking heads performing quasi-sketches. In one segment, for example, anchors and guests alike are mystified by just what exactly foiled conspirators in a aborted terrorist plot might have in common with one another. Very high-concept; very funny. Nicely done.
More, please.

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. . . begins tonight. This is the event of the year for those who want a wider variety of viewpoints reflected in the entertainment industry, and all the heavyweights will be there: Ron Silver, David Zucker, David Horowitz, Michael Medved, and the always-inspiring Govindini Murty and Jason Apuzzo, who started the Festival several years ago, and are the force behind Libertas as well.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 10:31 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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What makes Harry Potter so special?

Posted by: Attila Girl at 09:09 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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This looks like a pretty interesting examination of the dysfunctional relationship between the world's poor and the environmental extremists who appear to want them as human exhibits in a sort of global zoo.

"Poverty," the film proclaims, "is not charming."

Fuckin' A.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 12:35 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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