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run kate run To celebrate the finalization of her divorce, Jen decided that she wanted to spend the day watching some movies at the theater. She had asked me to be her partner in crime for the day and I agreed. Our plan was to see The Pianist, Old School, Daredevil and The Life of David Gale in that order, which to me seemed like a good mix of drama and mindless entertainment. Even though for me the World War II film is a tired genre or at least one where everyone knows the ending, Polanski still managed to make a good film. Yes, I realize that there are still hundreds of untold stories from that time, but it's hard to rise above the formula. Then when the only people subtitled in the film are the Germans, I have to roll my eyes. Now I know that that is a device to make them seem more foreign and or inhuman to the viewer, but it always feels forced to me. I had very low expectations for Old School, but after the sober world of The Pianist Jen and I needed something completely on the other end of the emotional spectrum. Old School met that need quite nicely. Obviously the people behind the movie were hoping for a watered down version of Animal House or something along those lines, but it didn't come close and I doubt that anyone will remember it next year. Will Ferrell had some moments, but the rest was forgettable. Oh, besides Will there was a cameo by Andy Dick that will stay with me for a long time. Maybe I should give Marvel some credit for trying to create a buzz around a second tier character that hasn't been interesting since the Frank Miller era. No, I take that last comment back. Ann Nocenti and John Romita Jr. breathed some life into the book as well, but that was years ago. Something else exciting may have happened since they abandoned the book, but I haven't sample any of the current Brian Michael Bendis run and the Kevin Smith effort happened when I was away from the business so I can't comment on either those spins on the man without fear. For some reason Jen and I had the entire theater for Daredevil to ourselves and we took full advantage of it. By this I mean that the two of us were able to shout at the screen in true MST3K fashion. Tom Servo would have been jealous. Here are some samples of what we thought needed to be said: Me: Look it's Batman! Oh, wait that's a different movie.
Then of course there was the one line that I am sure will come as no surprise to people that know me: Did they even read the book? I kept saying it over and over again. More later about my honey Kate Winslet after I go drinking with Jen. I'll also mention the one or two things that I liked about the Daredevil movie. The part that they got right was when Bullseye shoved her sai through her chest. That really happened in the book unlike the rest of the movie. |