watched at home (or somewhere else)

For 2009 - If Only Hollywood Would Consider These Changes

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:44:00 +0000

Keep all scenes dry: no more rain, please. I would like to see a film, especially if it is romantic, without people standing around in the rain. I don't care why - they add nothing to a scene. All it shows is a lack of imagination.

Often, I'll watch these programs thinking: they're going to catch a cold! And eww, smelly wet hair!

No more kissing: it is disgusting to hear people smooch and lip smack. Let the viewers use their imagination. I don't want to see the filthy germ exchange.

I would ban kissing in films if I had the power.

The minority sidekick to the white woman: it needs to stop. It's so lame. We all don't have an inner Oprah to tap to offer words of wisdom. Enough with the "sassy" minority woman who's gonna to take on the world to make things easy and accommodating for the "clueless" white chick (or man).

It happened with Kate Hudson in Raising Helen, I wanted to choke the director and scriptwriter(s).

Whatever happened to black or minority sitcoms? I grew up watching shows with a black cast on television with my family. Now, all that's really available are re-runs on some cable networks. I think Lincoln Heights is the exception, but I still find the violence on the program excessive and disturbing.

I don't need to see these programs, Kyle XY is my favorite, but a little variety would be nice. Not everyone wants to watch a program about vapid, bleach blond twits from Beverly Hills.

Is there a blond (any white) woman quota in Hollywood? One day I may do an actual head count. Off the top of my head, I can't think of one program on television, or movie, that doesn't have a white woman in it. She's included whether her character is integral to the plot or not. It's weird, sometimes they are brought on just because .... Some do nothing to advance the story line.

For example, Heroes can't let go of Ali Larter. Although, I do like her. There are many, many story lines with other characters that would have made the show coherent. So many have been left unresolved. But nooooooo, they keep her, regardless of whether it muddles the stupidity factor of the show by a factor of ten.

Must there be a gun in nearly every film or TV show? Yes, some of us Americans are gun-totting nuts, but a good story doesn't need one either. How about just implying that people have one, and not show it?

Not everyone who watches media entertainment is a 14 year old teenager who requires violence to stay interested in a program.

Please scale back the CGI effects. I can tell when it's used, and it still doesn't look convincing or interesting. People can't outrun a flood, rushing or rising waters. People can't survive a twenty-story waterfall in a ship, a car, or alone.

I won't even go into the impossible stunts that the human body cannot perform. You know, those scenes where people can survive a head-on car accident, without seat belts, at 30+ mph.

Please, please, please make the actors audible. I know you enjoy loud music, and make most films for an international audience. However, I'd still like to pretend that dialogue is important to a movie. It'd be fun to know what's going on.

The incoherent mumbling and overly loud, overly dramatic music needs to stop.

Make it illegal for George Lucas to release another Star Wars film. It's for the good of us all. He's made enough money. Star Wars is deeply entrenched into our modern culture. He can be proud, and not frightened by any thought that it will be forgotten.

George, you can go away now. Thanks.

I would include Star Trek, but I'm biased, so I'm ready for more of that sameness.

Make accessible 24/7 every Hollywood film ever made.

Every film made over the last 30 years old should be in the public domain. Congress and the Supreme Court needs to stop with this extra 100 year extension of copyrights every time it expires.

It's not right.

Is Will Smith Depressed?

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:34:00 +0000

I have not seen his latest, Seven Pounds, but the topic appears morbid and much too somber. The ads aren't upbeat. Will Smith looks miserable. Not a good sign.

I know he probably wants to stretch his acting skills, or talent. I notice actors who start with comedic and non-serious roles almost always want to take that next step, and get all artsy fartsy, boring us to death with how oh-so-serious and somber he can pretend to be. Jim Carrey anyone?

I get it. Not.

I enjoyed, tolerated, and suffered through Hancock (Sometimes I cannot stand Charlize Theron, I find her as puke-worthy nauseating as Nicole Kidman.) and I Am Legend. I thought the special effects were disappointing. Why not use real people to make it realistic? I wasn't the least bit scared by that film.

Without a doubt, The Pursuit of Happyness was an instant classic. Watching Will Smith show his inner hustle made it real. You sense that he enjoys being a workhorse. I also think that was the last time Will Smith had a real black woman, or half-African, co-starring with him.

I ain't mad at him though. I do note films he produces starring black men and women. I laugh at how people complain that he's not doing enough for black people. He does a lot. They're just not paying attention.

Am I complaining? Nope, not at all. I enjoyed seeing his performance in Six Degrees of Separation. I even time looped the scene where he's caught butt nekked in bed with a guy. I am always inspired by a naked Will Smith. He never fails to disappoint in that area.

I remember those early scenes in I, Robot (my favorite of all his films, since it was the robot I enjoyed so much) with Mr. Smith taking a shower. Made the whole film worthwhile. Yessiree.

I'm not gonna head shrink the guy, and I can't, but if this is his mid-life crisis, I would recommend some family friendly comedies. Hitch, overall is my second favorite of his films. It has no guns, relatively little violence, which are only of the comedic sort. I can't even recall any profanity.

I laughed long and hard when Will clocked Eva Mendes (I like her) into the water. He also took her to Ellis Island expecting her to be impressed. Turns out that butcher was a literal, not vocational, description of her ancestor. Hilarious.

I think those kind of films would help. And who doesn't like to laugh?

Jason Statham Strips in Transporter 3

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:38:00 +0000

Yeah, baby take that shirt off!

Frank Martin (Jason Statham) brings his sexy back! I've watched almost every film this hunky Neanderthal Brit has appeared in. Love dis dude.

Our hero, at first, refused to take the transport job offered by this bad ass American villain (a funny twist, since it's always the Brit that's the bad guy) played by Johnson (Robert Knepper). The funniest line in the movie is when Johnson says he's a "pacifist."

The Transporter, Frank Martin takes the job, because he has no choice. He was knocked out and strapped to a bomb. His walk-about range is limited by the bomb synched to the car he drives.

The other star of this movie is the Audi. This awesome car makes its appearance again, as it does in all these films. I think these films are excellent two hour commercials for this automobile. It makes me want one! I am one woman who loves to drive.

Frank, at first doesn't understand why he has a young woman, freckly red headed Valentina (Natalya Rudakova) as a passenger. She turns out to be the daughter of the President of Ukraine.

The total plot: the bad American Johnson is using the Valentina as leverage to force the President of Ukraine to accept toxic waste. As with all action flicks there is 24 hour deadline for the President to sign the deal and Frank Martin to save the day.

I still liked the first Transporter the best, but this one has absolutely beautiful scenes of Europe, which makes me want to visit those particular spots.

Even though I think my home theater is awesome, nothing beats the big screen, at least not yet.

Transformers

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:16:00 +0000

Back in the day, I'd watch this cartoon religiously. Don't ask me all the details! I don't remember everything as well as some people. However, when Optimus Prime was killed, (he came back as a ghost) I was seriously hurt by that. I cried! I love that voice. I was mad too, because his group of robots always seemed weak and kinda wack to me.

How can you have an awesome, can-do-almost-anything group of robots, and was always getting your butts kicked and outsmarted by the Decepticons?

The film was enjoyable simply because I find Shia LaBeouf so damn cute. I don't mean sexually, I mean, smooch his cheeks, and hug him, cute. Like I do with my half-grown, over 6 feet tall nephews.

I watched the DVD, 'cause no one was going to catch me watching this thing in the theatres. It's a teen boy flick. Films like this are made for them. I know it certainly wasn't made for black women such as myself. The only time black women were shown: as the silent wife of Bernie Mack, which he felt he needed to curse at, and the hectoring nosy busybody of Anthony Anderson's grandmother.

I won't get into how being rude and disrespectful to black women in a blockbuster film is supposed to be entertainment. It is not.

Do people need to start being taken out for this message to reach the critters that run the Media Industrial Complex?

The plot: many years ago the grandfather of Sam Witwicky (Why this name? I don't get the joke) found a frozen Megatron (leader of the evil Decepticons), and an all powerful cube. Therefore, everyone must chase Shia LaBeouf (Sam Witwicky) and Megan Fox (not a blonde and rather pretty!) around for 2 hours.

Hilarity! sometimes ensued. I like to see things blown up: har, har, har.

It took me a while to recognize Tyrese. Man, he's gotten big. I mean that in a good way. I don't get the fanfare (fanlust, rather) over Josh Duhamel. There he was, a sort of G.I. Joe character. Tyrese was the black G.I. Joe.

Black male characters say the same things as the white guys, but are required to do it with slang and more flavor. Rinse and repeat.

This is part one, of how many films I don't know, or care to. I expect perhaps two more, since Hollywood wants to milk out the big bucks. However, they never do a good job with multiple film story arcs, since most franchises run out of steam by the second flick.

I'll watch the ensuing films - maybe, but I don't expect much. I never did watch any more Harry Potter films after the first one.

The Last King of Scotland

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:25:00 +0000

Forrest Whitaker is awesome. Period.

This film is supposed to be about Idi Amin, seen through the eyes of a nascent Scottish doctor. Granted, James McAvoy plays a cute, naive, and well intentioned Dr. Nicholas Garrigan. He doesn't realize how deep the doo-doo he's in, until it is nearly too late.

In my humble opinion, Forrest Whitaker owns this movie from the moment he appears on screen. He's compelling, scary, unpredictable, canny, and paranoid. One wonders what he's going to do next.

This Idi Amin has a menacing quality mixed with latent charm. Why? The guy is huge. He makes Dr. Garrigan (McAvoy) a child, in every sense of the word.

For me, there is no other reason to watch this film than to see Forrest Whitaker's performance.

Dr. Garrigan likes women, especially native African women. Without giving away the plot, his little head gets him into trouble. Big trouble.

Kerry Washington, as always, was lovely in this film. She plays Amin's third wife, Kay.

By the way, this film is not a true story.

Educational tip (at least for me): Amin was a Muslim with many wives. I had heard about him, the number of people killed under his rule, and other horror stories. In 2003, after living in exile and comfort in Saudi Arabia, he passed away. Got that? Unlike the thousands of people he had slaughtered, this dictator died of old age.

Useless fan fact: As an ex-New Yorker, I've seen my share of the famous.

I saw Forrest Whitaker, many many years ago in Manhattan. There he was strolling down 9th Avenue, a big guy with no entourage. What I can recall, and liked the most about him, is that he did not wear a, 'You know who I am?' smirk on his face. Instead, he makes eye contact, and that's it. Nice.

The Dark Knight

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:57:00 +0000

I expected to see more of Health Ledger as The Joker. I wasn't disappointed by his performance. He wasn't the sole focal point I expected. This movie was a heady-duty ensemble piece. I would say that if they didn't have all these characters the film could have been tighter. The Joker was enough.

The surprise is that the film didn't feel long. With some movies I feel like I should have brought a pillow. Then again, I walk in just as the credits roll or the film starts.

May I say how hot Christian Bale is?

It's a shame too, because there is absolutely no chemistry between Christian Bale and Maggie Gyllenhaal. Zip, zilch, nada. Hey dudes, try a Latina, or black woman next time - at least to make it interesting! Kerry Washington would be a fantastic pick.

Christoperh Nolan, the director, and whoever the producers are, need to study up on the James Bond films. Bond has massive sex appeal - along with being deadly - that's why the franchise has lasted so long. Not saying this film wont break records, I like logical continuity and development of a character.

This movie is excellent. It is, however, not a film for anyone under 13 or 14 years old. There's hardly any blood, but the suggested violence had me flinching, and I'm a veteran of nihilistic gory films.

Aaron Eckhart (another hotness) as Harvey Dent was another "hero" in contrast to Batman. He is day light (knight) - in personality and temperament - to Batman's dark night (knight).

Get it? Wickedly and deliciously, the roles reverse.

Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne shows very little character in this film, unlike the first. To me, he's become one dimensional. I blame it on the movie having too many characters: they weren't necessary. Heath Ledger as The Joker did not steal this film: Aaron Eckhart as Harvey Dent did.

The contrasts: blond, cleft-chined Harvey Dent was the open, willing, non-masked, non-caped crusader for justice. He was focused on fighting the good fight and he wasn't afraid of dying.

The clever scheme: The Joker was able to make the case, to a fickle public, that The Batman, caped crusader, masked, unknown and protected was the real menace to society and coward.

The conundrum: The Joker cleverly corners Batman. How does one fight a madman who thrives on chaos and violence? The irony of this film - that violence is all Batman has to offer, exposes an elemental flaw.

This Batman is too much brute strength, violence, high tech tools, and not enough brain.

Christopher Nolan forgets that part of Batman's winning appeal and arsenal of weapons is his intelligence. He can give us riveting contrasts to Batman, but he neglects Bruce Wayne's brilliance.

I would appreciate if the next director and writer could remember that Batman isn't just a violent buff vigilante, he's a clever one too.

As always, I'm impressed by British and Australian actors who speak American dialect(s) so flawlessly and easily.

Hollywood is Dead, Long Live Hollywood: The Happening and Get Smart

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:24:00 +0000

These two movies prove that there's something really wrong with the people who "greenlight" films in the Hollywood system. I don't doubt these movies will make a decent and acceptable return on the money the studios put into them.

A Little History

Currently, the films that are emerging from Hollywood remind me of the last two periods in which they were dying: 1950's and 1970's. The 1950's was the first period of slow death due to the advent of television. It also gave us all those "classic" B-films like Attack of the 50 Foot Woman.

The 1970's was a true near death: the original studio system, run by true media moguls, had been completely swallowed up by corporate bean counters. The films produced were nihilistic, pessimistic and violent.

They offered up nearly a decade of "black exploitation" because of the success of Van Peebles' Sweet Sweetback’s Baad Asssss Song. Following that period Speilberg and Lucas created the blockbuster system, which saved Hollywood. Thereafter, scores of black folks in films and black themed movies disappeared.

Can This System Last? Where's the Full Access?

I see the movie business as archaic and near death as television and music. However, a powerful inertia keeps them all going. These entertainment vehicles exist, because people attend to them out of habit, and it still has the lowest barrier to entry for modest priced entertainment.

My biggest beef with these distribution systems (music, television and movies) is that they won't allow viewers and listeners unlimited access. I shouldn't have to hunt for music or a movie. I should be able to find it the same way we Google for information.

Movie Reviews

M. Night Shyamalan likes to keep folks guessing to the very end.

Unfortunately, The Happening didn't happen. It has terrific visuals in the beginning: construction workers falling like robotic dolls off of a building.

Unlike his past films, Shyamalan doesn't offer any coherent clues as to the reason behind the mass suicides. There are red herrings. Marky Mark (Mark Wahlberg) wears a mood ring, and you wait for it to be a plot point. It yields no clues what-so-ever.

What initially starts off as a good semi-sci-fi-mystery devolves into a tame, lame, and rather boring nature-goes-bad film. I would like for Shyamalan to watch a few Hitchcock films, especially The Birds. He needs to remember these key points: Am I trying to scare them? Make them laugh? Or put them to sleep?

Get Smart had one good thing about it: Dwayne Johnson. It was a shame he wasn't shown more.

This flick is a remake of sorts. Like the horrid Bewitched, it is based on a television series. I could only ask myself: Why? It wasn't smart, or funny. I loved the reruns as a child. I like Steve Carell, but this film is decades late.

Cold War Era films lost their relevance many years ago. The standard plot line in any film coming out of Hollywood today is: the enemy is us. So that being the case, there are no surprises left.

Hancock

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:38:00 +0000

I suppose Will Smith is trying to work out of being the "nice, good guy" all the time in every movie. Can't say I blame him. I haven't seen I Am Legend yet, so I won't say if his intensity of roles starts there or not.

I really liked this movie. I wasn't sure if I would, because of the reviews. I take movies in one or two ways: serious or not. Most of the time, not. I've read the reviews, and I'm thinking: Did we see the same movie?

He does start off as a bad tempered, angry, amnesiac superhero. I think some people conflate the piss poor behavior with him being black. It's not mentioned, because it is rather obvious. People have taken that wrong, as if to say if he's going to be a superhero he shouldn't have any issues.

Well, if that was the case: what would be the point of the movie?

If superheros didn't have emotional or relationship issues there wouldn't be a movie to see. I read one guy's blog where he says he doesn't know of a superhero who doesn't get to have sex with the girl or keep her in the end.

I sooo dislike these sweeping generalities, because if any of them saw the Hulk movies, Superman, Batman, or any other superhero overcoming his emotional problems - it is all there. They often don't get the girl, sex, or even a damn dry kiss. Some men should admit, especially the black guys, that they just want to see Will Smith have sex with a white girl.

Charlize Theron and Will Smith have terrific chemistry on screen. I'm sure they may make another film together. It could happen. I would be pleased to see them kiss on screen, if the story is plausible. I dislike any movie with gratuitous sex, violence or stupidity, no matter the color of the actors.

But these guys should be honest, which would make their blogs and movie reviews worth reading. To just see a black guy sex a white girl - that's already free, and a click away on the Internet.

Will Smith did alright with this film: he was a sad, angry and lonely superhero without a sense of purpose. He found "family" in the end, who gave him a sense of purpose, although not with the solution or format some people may have desired.

For all we know, there may be a sequel. I see room for it.

George Carlin, RIP 1937-2008

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:42:00 +0000

Incredibly funny, very acerbic, but man, did I like his sense of humor.

Iron Man Vs RoboCop

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:31:00 +0000

Do I really need to explain the premise of Iron Man? Marvel decided to take back their comic book movie franchise(s) from the studios, and make these films in their own image.

How would I rate that effort? Gentle, familiar - certainly with no surprises.

Summary: Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) of Stark Industries gets kidnapped in Afghanistan while visiting with US troops to demonstrate and oversee how his company's weapons are being used. Well, let's just say that after that ordeal he has a change of heart.

I liked this film: it was funny. Robert Downey, Jr. has these huge, intense, stroke of midnight eyes. He gives a good performance. It's what he does, the most he can do, along with the snarky remarks that makes this film fun.

I certainly loved the Audi he drove.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard (is it me, or does his voice grate in this flick?), and Jeff Bridges (love me some JB) round out the cast of familiar faces.

I have to treat myself to all the Jeff Bridges flicks I can find - starting with Starman. Hmmm.

Hey, Jon Favreau (of Swingers; directed Elf with Will Ferrell) finally lost weight. He plays bodyguard / driver. Fitting role: he's already a big mofo. Glad to see him drop those killer pounds.

I watched this film thinking: Reminds me of a sedate, calm version of RoboCop.

When that masterpiece of science-fiction sadomasochistic sarcastic extremism - thank you Paul Verhoeven! - came out, I watched it a total of four times.

I was in total lust with Peter Weller's lips.

I've never watched any movie that often since.

Iron Man is a sweeter, kinder version of RoboCop, or Batman if you prefer.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:47:00 +0000

I love stupid movies. I was hysterical when I saw There's Something About Mary in the theaters. I was afraid I was going to pass out I laughed so hard. Don't get me started on Dumb and Dumber.

Some days I need to sit back and laugh. I don't want to be an intellectual when I go to see a comedy. There are enough things to be analytical and miserable about.

You Don't Mess With the Zohan is definitely not for everybody. It's low brow humor. Very low brow. It aims for the crotch - literally. If one has the sense of humor of a giggly 12 year old this movie will do. My sense of humor is that of a 10 year, so this facile film was a treat.

Plot: superman-like Mossad agent Zohan (Adam Sandler) fakes his death after a fight with The Phantom (John Turturro).

I don't know where they filmed that beach scene, but the water crystal clear fabulous. That place was beautiful.

A few familiar faces appear onscreen: Kevin James (he's so chunky-fat cute), John McEnroe, and Mariah Carey.

Half of the time, the fake accents were incomprehensible. When the movie hits DVD, I'm going to put Close Caption on. I put CC on every film. I can't hear anyone now-a-days, most actors mutter or the music is too loud.

As the for this movie, you can wait for the DVD.

CSI: Gedda and Gary Dourdan, So Long Warrick Brown

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Mon, 19 May 2008 14:41:00 +0000

Was it the budget cuts? Was it the writer's strike? Is the show becoming too expensive to produce? I watched CSI, since the show started, not only for the ridiculous crime scenes and scenarios, but for the interaction of its characters. They were quirky people with interesting, yet troubled pasts, narratives, and characteristics than the other CSI franchise shows.

I've always watched watched Gary Dourdan's Warrick Brown with a sense of foreboding. I remember the Mod Squad reruns as a kid, when they killed off Linc Hayes (Clarence Williams III). I cried when it happened! How could they do that?

Even when Sara and Nick were in danger, I never expected them to die. I'll let you figure out why. The storyline was that the crew would do their best to find them, which is exactly what happened.

You can always tell when it is the final episode for a character. The plot is ridiculous: the story isn't plausible no matter what. Then there are those deep heartfelt hugs, handshakes, and strange looks that pass between the actors.

I never thought that Gary Dourdan's character would last up to and including the show's end. Steam runs out of a program by the third or fourth year. CSI gave up the ghost around year five or six.

It's just that I can't get the image of that bullet hole in Warrick Brown's neck out of my mind.

He was my favorite character, because he was a bit "off the rails" and foine as hell. Physically, he's the biggest guy there, and if people started nonsense, he'd step in to protect the others. I liked him, because he acted real: a normal guy doing his job, with lots of emotional and personal baggage.

I also liked the interaction he had with Grissom (William Petersen). I could never put my finger on it, but it wasn't that typical Hollywood phony and stupid dynamic of black guy being a doofus or supernegro sidekick to the white guy (see Psych, and every damn black-white buddy flick).

I think Grissom's character was able get the best out of Warrick, because he demanded it. Warrick respected him for that. I saw Grissom as a quasi-surrogate father figure to Warrick.

Since Gary Dourdan isn't returning, neither am I.

Naked Lunch

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:54:00 +0000

A film by David Cronenberg, from a novel by William S. Burroughs. I watched this film because I always expect work produced by Cronenberg to be weird.

Plot summary: an exterminator's wife has been using his bug powder as a drug. He's at the police station when they ask that he speak to someone. Turns out to be this big disgusting bug, which asks him to kill his wife. Why? Supposedly, she's an agent and not really human. Later, he "accidentally" shoots her in the head. After that episode, the film follows a circular path covering the same issue(s) over and over again.

Can't say I was disappointed. This is a perfect film art school movie. I can imagine a professor prodding students to find the hidden themes, symbolism, metaphors, subtext, context and the like in this film.

Since I loathe cockroaches and all manner of bugs, I found this film to be disgusting and creepy.

The only thing I enjoyed was Peter Weller's well shaped lips.

But was it a good film? Honestly, I dunno. I was wondering if there was some kind of anti-communist, anti-homosexual, or pro-homosexual, pro-communist subtext. It had a very 1950s feel to it. And the repressed 1950s gave us the over-expressive 1960s and 1970s.

I think only someone during those eras could "get" what was going on in this film. 'Cause I didn't.

21

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 21:02:00 +0000

Saw this film last night. I had to get out of the house, and this seemed to be the only interesting thing available.

The title of this movie, 21, has two meanings. Our protagonist, Ben Campbell portrayed by Jim Sturgess (Gosh, he is so cute), turns 21 and gets the education of his life at the game of 21 (and life). This movie is brought to you by Bret Ratner, director of Rush Hour and final of the recent X-Men franchise, X-Men: The Last Stand.

Synopsis of movie: a brilliant math-whiz at MIT is lured into a card counting scheme by his professor (Kevin Spacey), and another student (Kate Bosworth). Based on a true story by Ben Mezrich, author of Bringing Down the House.

The real genius is actually an Asian guy. Jeff Ma is the original blackjack card counter. I guess Hollywood figured we would only come out to see the movie if it's about an attractive, really smart, white guy.

Alrighty, then. It's a fun film, expect the usual Hollywood spin, a bit of a happy ending with a bit of reality tossed in. It is not Good Will Hunting and certainly isn't trying to be.

The film is a great advertisement for Las Vegas. I ain't mad at 'em. It makes me want to go, whenever I see anything about that city. Being a high roller is a great fringe benefit, but one can be broke and still enjoy the place.

The only thing that irked me about the movie was the idea that the girl Ben was interested in was "pretty." It's an emaciated Kate Bosworth! She looks like she's been under the knife a few times. I could tell that she was sporting blue contact lens. But hey, an actress has to do what she has to do.

As always Kevin Spacey and Laurence Fishburne turn in stellar performances. I bet a director never has to work too hard with these guys. Just aim the camera and let 'em rip.

Did I mention that Jim Sturgess is cute?

Final Destination 3

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:22:00 +0000

I watched this movie with a vague memory of the original two.

Midway through the film one of the lead actors spells out the plot: a teenager has a very detailed vision of an impending disaster. Said teen freaks out. Everyone that follows this teenager out or off gets to live. Except that, they don't. They all die one by one as they would have during the disaster.

The fun of the first two was watching them try to beat fate or death. If I remember correctly these films came out during a good run on teen horror films by Hollywood. Scream probably touched off the return of this mini-trend.

I enjoy good slasher, ghost, phantom menace / phenomenon, monster, and other type of horror flick.

This film was produced by the people that produced X-Files: Glen Morgan and James Wong.

As for the quality of this movie: there are very few surprises. It's mildly entertaining. It starts off rather well: I found the roller coaster scenarios plausible. People have fallen off of rides. Aside from that it's s'okay. One doesn't have to pay much attention to follow what's going on.

The Media and Stereotypes of Black Women

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:06:00 +0000

No Educational Material in Films

I watch television shows and movies solely for entertainment, not education or a sense of "Oh, so that's what they're like." I don't view films by Jackie Chan, Jet Li or Akira Kurosawa (this guy is awesome) to be educational. Interesting, yes, but nothing I'd use as historical fact.

Fanciful Suburban Drama-Comedies

I've enjoyed Parenthood, Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride 2 with Steve Martin. (Loved him in The Jerk.) Even if they are all thematically the same movie, I've never held the impression that any of them are real. (So, that's how all whites in all white suburbia live!)

One standout for me - the kitchen(s). Oh boy, talk about real estate porn! In these films, the homes are always chock full of awesome kitchen accessories. I couldn't stand my kitchen full of stuff, but I do admire these clutter nests.

What Seems True

What is true in these films is the affluent, take it all for granted, privileged nature of the characters. Those self-involved narcissists exist; I've encountered them. There's no hesitation that checks these characters. They are not inhibited by the reality that something evil and external is going to block their paths, dreams, or desires due to race and sex.

It is a great escape to watch movies and television dramas where whites in all white environment worry about mundane stuff.

Oh, if only life could be that uncomplicated for black women in America.

I liked Bringing Down the House, with Queen Latifah and Steve Martin. Queen Latifah was executive producer. I'm sure something in the script spoke to her. I winced throughout the film.

Yet what may be entertainment to me, is taken as gospel among some other groups.

Let me say this in plain English: I've met people who feel they can only relate to me based on media images of black women. I'd be really really rich if I received money for every time I heard, saw, or read what other groups in America, or the world for that matter, believed about black women. Most, if not all, of their ridiculous notions come from the Media: general entertainment (video games, books, etc), Hollywood and the advertising industry.

How it Relates to Me, A Black Woman

When I tell people I can't dance, they respond with shock. I elaborate: I can't remember dances like the Electric Slide or Bus Stop. Or any dance steps for that matter.

When I travel I get questions, which probe: What do I do for a living? We're all drug dealers and entertainers, don't cha know?

How can I afford to travel? I mugged an old white woman to get on this trip.

I've been complimented, with a note of surprise, as to how well I speak. I've even been told at different times that I "sound like a white girl."

People cross the street, clutch their purse (and babies too!), avoid my presence, and do all other wonderful sorts of things, because I am a black woman.

People who befriend me actually assume that at some point in time, I'll turn into a sassy, bossy and hotheaded sistah, and give someone a peace of my mind. Talk about a let down when I do not get mad or huffy.

What's worse are people who assume that I'm going to be their all-knowing wisdom dispensing black female wise-ass protector. Not gonna happen.

And my all time favorite: "I don't know any black women except for the [fill in the blank] show. I really liked that program." And what does that have to do with me?

Thanks For The Stereotypes!

Where else are these stupid impressions coming from, but the Media? (insert ominous music here)

Hey, I'd prefer it if the Media ignored my existence than continue to perpetrate false images masquerading as reality. Then, I can go back to watching my all white entertainment, and everyone else can too.

The Brood

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:41:00 +0000

The Brood starts with Dr. Raglan (Oliver Reed) helping one of his patients in front of an audience. At first I thought they were doing the re-enactment of a play, but it turns out that the patient needs this role playing to get healed.

The Brood is about a woman, Nola, whose marriage has ended. She's insane, by the way. Her husband, Frank (Art Kindle), share custody with their kindergarten age daughter, Candice. The child is left with Nola, over the weekend, at the clinic she's getting psychiatric treatment at.

The plot begins to move forward when Frank finds bruises, scratches and bite marks on Candice's back. He demands to know what is going on at the clinic. He threatens to take full custody of Candice. From then on, we get glimpses of what Nola's problems are with everyone in her life. Especially her mother and father.

She is an angry woman. Very angry.

Dr. Raglan is no ordinary therapist. His work with this particular patient, Nola, gives 'birth' to a whole host of murderous problems.

It's such a quiet soft-core horror movie. There are no special effects, no screaming and no hysterics that's usual in this genre. It has some interesting shock value moments: glimpses of weird flesh sacks and skin deformities.

This is a David Cronenberg movie, and rated R. However, I think today's R rated films makes this one a very tame PG. There was a bit of blood, but nothing compared to today's gore-festivals.

Online TV: fancast.com and New Amsterdam

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:58:00 +0000

Fancast.com is awesome. I think it merged with Hulu.com. I am not certain, but I do see some ghosting on broadcasts that say Hulu. Pardon my ignorance, this channel seems like AOL's website, but it does have shows I haven't seen there.

Shows that I am happy to watch: Monk, Pysch, Bones (David Boreanaz, yeah!).

I've been watching New Amsterdam, and I love that show already. However, based on my research the writer's strike or Fox has killed it already. Shows like these never last. It was an intelligent crime drama based on a Heroes / Highlander type theme.

The story is about John Amsterdam, a 300+ year old Dutch soldier. He's an immortal who knows almost everything. He's a walking fact book. In my eyes he's a stud too (63 kids and over 600 wives and girlfriends - funny).

The actor who plays John Amsterdam is Nikolaj Coster Waldau.

This guy is hot.

The best episode of this show so far is Golden Boy.

I don't know how long this show will be available online. The networks are so cruel with good programming these days. It's sick.

ABC Network: Eli Stone

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:14:00 +0000

I've been watching this program via ABC's web cast. I noticed that they have Loretta Devine from Grey's Anatomy. I like that lady. She has the loveliest voice in the business, they should use her for voice overs more often.

Whoops! I was researching the names of blond actresses and I confused Nicollette Sheridan with Natasha Henstridge. Henstridge is on this show. Sheridan is on Desperate Housewives. So many of Hollywood's big, bleached blond women, with their hard faces, blue eyes, and pointy noses look alike.

Can't the producers, casting agents and networks give these guys a different looking girlfriend or wife? Having been to San Francisco a number of times, half of the city looks Asian. Aren't half the white guys in California married to one?

Yet, on this show, there is one cast as a sorta all-knowing dude. James Saito (Dr. Chen) puts on a stereotypical Asian guru-type doctor accent/role for his clients, but not for Eli Stone. Got that? I can't stand any role with the wise all knowing minority. I only wonder why there aren't more Asians shown at the law office? Or shown on the streets for that matter? Oh well. Whatever.

The show is about a hot shot San Francisco lawyer, Eli Stone (played by Johnny Lee Miller), who starts having visions: the first one being George Michael singing Faith in his living room. George Michael still looks good. Not as skinny as he used to be, but the voice is decent.

It's an interesting show. The lead character is likable. It's not predictable and is a rather entertaining dramedy. I don't know how long it will last, but it is nice to see something unusual coming from the networks. I remember Victor Garber from Disney's multicultural Cinderella a few years back. He has a decent signing voice.

Don't sleep on Loretta Devine's singing either, she's awesome.

Rules for Anime or Far-East, Asian Cinema

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:33:00 +0000

I love to watch Anime and Far East, Asian films. These serial programs and long films are always enjoyable, but there are some aspects that never surprise me.

The female lead will die.
The male lead will die.
His love interest will die.
Her love interest will die.
Everyone on earth will die, or has died.
The end of the world is coming, and all life on the planet will end violently.
The US government is responsible.
The Japanese government, via a Japanese mega-corporation is responsible.
No sex, unless it's bad guys and bad girls.
The protagonist is often a teenager or pre-teen.

Hunk-a-Like

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 14:33:00 +0000

I was watching Grey's Anatomy - Seasons 1 and 2. I watch the DVDs back to back. All throughout the show, I thought Denny Duquette was being played by Javier Bardem. I was impressed by this character's sexy drawling accent, because in No Country for Old Men, he couldn't drop his Spanish accent.

Then I find out, after a Google search, that Denny Duquette is actually played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. An honest mistake.

Look at the pictures of these gorgeous guys, the likeliness is uncanny. I don't quibble about the nose, because when some people smile the shape changes.

These guys could play brothers.

Javier Bardem	Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Netflix: Instant Gratification Viewing

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 20:19:00 +0000

This is the worst feature in the world. (smile) I am always on the Internet. This option is horrible. (giggle)

Netflix's instant viewing only feeds my Internet addiction.

With this service there are no delays, no hiccups. Pictures are clear, crisp, and brilliant. The only complaint I have is lack of a closed caption option that's provided on DVDs. A number of movies have irritatingly loud music and mumbled dialogue. It only runs on Internet Explorer. Depending on your version of Windows, it could be a real pain in the ass to try watching.

I watch these movies on a digital projector. Get one! It hooks easily into the back of the computer. Make sure it's compatible with VGA to HDMI cable. If you don't understand, get a child to hook you up!

Alas, the only thing that keeps me from being a complete junkie is that Netflix doesn't offer all the latest (and greatest) films available like iTunes. However, it still has lots of anime, foreign, and obscure flicks.

Phew, thank goodness for small mercies.

Grey's Anatomy Season 1

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 17:24:00 +0000

I finally got around to seeing this show. I hesitate getting into a television show early. The networks put out 13 episodes. You get hooked. Next thing you know, poof, it's gone.

I don't like Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey. She's the star, with an irritating voice as narrator, and is the least interesting or attractive character. Alas, most, if not all of the men on this show are bedazzled (in love/lust) with her. The men ignore Katherine Heigl's character Dr. Isobel 'Izzie' Stevens.

Right there, the required suspension of disbelief is too high.

Damn. I've forgotten how tall, deliciously dark, and truly handsome Isaiah Washington is. He plays Dr. Preston Burke, brilliant heart surgeon, and head of this department.

My favorite character right off the start is Dr. Cristina Yang as portrayed by Sandra Oh. She's one of the few real characters on the show. This woman is a fantastic actress. She's pretty, spunky, and has lovely hair.

I don't know what to make of Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey. She's not exactly in the same mix (like the show Friends circle of sex-escapades) as Burke, Yang, and the others. I really like it when she tells Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey aka Dr. McDreamy): "You don't scare me."

Yet, I'm dismayed and annoyed by the chunky, asexual, sassy black female portrayals on television, or in the movies. This image hasn't changed since Gone With the Wind.

However, it is a fun and funny show. I've laughed at some scenes that were quite entertaining. Justine Chambers's Dr. Alex Karev is a mischievous ne'er-do-well (bad boy). T. R. Knight as Dr. George O'Malley plays the naive foil. I think he gets hammered a bit too much as the butt of the joke. Hopefully, that changes.

I can't wait to watch the rest of this series.

There Will Be Blood

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 00:18:00 +0000

Although long, this film is an instant classic. Frankly, if Daniel Day-Lewis doesn't win Oscar for Best Actor these folks in Hollywood are truly crazy. This guy blends into a character in ways other actors wish they could.

Frankly, the whole cast rocks. However, I'm biased, I love westerns. I love these gritty, earthy, grimy, teeth grinding, rough hewed men, and the crude rawness of the early frontier days of America.

This film is about Daniel Plainview (Day-Lewis). He is a man who becomes rich digging for oil: he excels in getting it out of the ground, honestly or not. The movie starts, in 1898, with him deep down in a hole prospecting, digging, and working hard for his money. There's no dialog for almost a good ten minutes into this story. Plainview is so determined, that even with a broken leg, he drags himself into town to have his discoveries (coal? silver?) weighed.

Are people stubborn like that today? I wonder.

He adopts as his son, HW (Dillon Freasier), a boy orphaned in a drilling accident. I love little boys, and this kid is adorable. He expresses more thought and emotion with those big green eyes in a baleful stare, than most actors can in a long winded monologue. He's got that old soul in a child's body part nailed.

It's hard to tell who the hero, or protagonist is in this story. Plainview (Day-Lewis) doesn't give insight into who he thinks he is until midway through the film. He has to explain his reasoning, because it is not apparent whether he's a bad guy. He's much more complex character. Who Plainview is, what he wants, and what drives him, didn't feel fleshed out to me.

Maybe I missed something.

He has many conflicts with Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), a young man who sees himself as an up and coming pastor, or shepherd in search of a flock. Sunday is over-matched against Plainview.

There's no real contest.

It's a very male driven film. Men are everywhere. Yay! It's traditional mano-a-mano. Women are rarely seen and little heard. They are background and scenery.

There Will Be Blood was directed, written and produced by Paul Thomas Anderson. The movie is based on the book, Oil by Upton Sinclair.

Health Ledger RIP

goldenah@yahoo.com (GoldenAh) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 14:48:00 +0000

Heath Ledger, who died at 28, was born in Australia in 1979.

I am not a fan (fanatic) of actors. However, I do admire a few of them.

I categorize actors differently from stars.

An actor is one who takes his craft seriously and submerges himself / herself into their role.
Stars play the same character - with a very wide degree of latitude - in every film. It's acceptable for a star to do this, because they (supposedly) bring in the audience.
Of course there are those that straddle both categories: Johnny Depp and Denzel Washington.

I adore the movie 10 Things I Hate About You. This teenage comedy is witty, fun, and sorta smart-ass without being vulgar. Yes, I am a prude. The key to making this film fun was Heath Ledger's tongue-in-cheek performance. There was something rather Cary Grant-ish about it. His long curly hair didn't hurt either.

The only other film of his that I recall seeing at the movie theater was A Knight's Tale. Rock music was played liberally. The movie was an interesting, anachronistic mix of modern colloquialisms and ancient feudal England. Jousting was the province of English upper class aristocracy and Heath Ledger's character wanted in. It was an enjoyable movie, nothing heavy or serious.

This film was the first big star vehicle for this guy to grab onto. Hollywood wanted to showcase him in something. After this film, which was a modest hit, Ledger did a few other commercial works. These movies arrived without much ado, and went away quietly like The Order.

Perhaps Ledger decided to refocus as an actor rather than a star. The difference resulted in Lords of Dogtown, Monster's Ball and Brokeback Mountain.

Excessive media coverage can make it difficult to be sympathetic to actors. I know how tough Hollywood and the Entertainment Industry can be on people, because I know former actors.

Oh heck! Even when I was in college - as a lark - I lined up for a few films. The open casting call is no joke! After those experiences, I can easily say that I couldn't even begin to manage that kind of daily grind and rejection. However, in keeping perspective there are many careers, which are dangerous, life-threatening, emotionally, and physically demanding.

Today, depression can be one of the toughest illnesses people battle. Hence, Heath Ledger joins the list of young actors who've died too soon.