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.

Posted by: Attila Girl at 08:51 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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