(no subject)

[rubykatewriting]

A few things today:

1. Went to see The Prestige this morning. Dude. I cannot remember the last time I paid less than five bucks to see a movie. Plus since it started at 11:05, I found myself living like a king in one of the larger theaters with maybe fifteen other people.

As for the film itself, I found it to be a similar experience to Memento. Visually satisfying, a great if confusing story as well as a shifting (sometimes jarringly so) narrative, and an ending that leaves me cold.

2. They showed some good trailers prior to the movie:

a) Alphadog. I definitely want to see it again, catch what they've changed since the cut I saw back in February was rather rough.

b) Bobby. This looks amazing, and it seems to be getting some positive word from showings at festivals. It was sort of surreal sitting there, thinking about what could have been. What the U.S. and the world would be like if Robert Kennedy hadn't died that day and taken the White House.

c) Déjà Vu. I don't care what anyone says, I loved Man on Fire, so I'm eagerly anticipating this newest effort from Tony Scott and Denzel Washington. Interesting concept and some of my fave character actors are in it.

d) Apocalypto. Yeah, that one. The trailer really didn't do anything for me aside from creeping me the fuck out with that little girl whispering all menacing-like at the beginning. One thing for sure, Mel doesn't hesitate to make films for himself. Unfortunately, that may not go over so well if this doesn't bring much or any profit. Especially following his behavior this summer and subsequent interview.

3. Stopped by Target on the way home to pick up some more Prilosec and discovered they now have Baked Cheetos in the Flamin' Hot flavor. This made me ridiculously happy and I quickly grabbed a bag.

4. While I was at Target, I spotted the cutest little boy. He had to be somewhere between one and two, as he still wore a diaper and had those soft, chunky thighs I absolutely adore on babies/toddlers. The best part, however, was the fact that all he wore was a blue t-shirt, his diaper and a pair of high-top black Chuck's. Adorable, people.

5. Apple.com has put up the trailer for The History Boys! I cannot WAIT to see this movie! CANNOT WAIT!

Comments

[random-serious.livejournal.com]

The Prestige was like that? damn. (I always thought Memento was less good than its reputation.) I had so hoped that Jackman would have a good movie in his hands. Ditto for Bale.

[rubykatewriting.livejournal.com]

You know, maybe cold is the wrong word. The ending really illustrated how far Borden and Angier took their rivalry, and just how little it all meant in the end.

No one won, and the guy who seemed to be the most human, the most sympathetic, turned out to be the most compromised, the most brutal.

I found myself at the stop sign, going over and over it in my head, and it just sort of got stuck. It is NOT an uplifting film by any means, but it was good.

I just won't ever watch it again.

[halfway2home.livejournal.com]

I'm really curious to see "Alphadog." It's got such a great cast of young actors.

[rubykatewriting.livejournal.com]

It was REALLY good, but I like Cassavetes. I like what he brings out in his actors. He gives his films this unpracticed air, and this one was no different. I mean, shit, I'll be the first to admit that I not only sat through The Notebook three times at the theater BUT bought the DVD the day it came out. That had a lot to do with him (and you know, a smidge of the hotness that is Gosling and McAdams).

[halfway2home.livejournal.com]

I've lost count of how many times I've seen "The Notebook." ;)

[rubykatewriting.livejournal.com]

Ditto. So ditto.

[webbers.livejournal.com]

The History Boys trailer! The History Boys trailer!

[rubykatewriting.livejournal.com]

Dude! You were the first one I thought when I went over to apple.com this morning to check.

So.

What'd you think?

(I read that you really enjoyed the play. I would love to hear your thoughts on it in a little more detail if you're willing to share.)

[webbers.livejournal.com]

To begin on a completely shallow note, I loved how the trailer kept The National Theatre's design concept (simple text in bright colors). They're currently using it for all their shows and it immediately screams National Theatre.

The first time I watched the trailer, I was struck by the overall "it's a comedy!" feeling, but when I rewatched it just now, I didn't really see that at all. Which is good as, yes, it is a comedy, but it's also so much more than that.

I first read Hector's "the best moments in reading" speech quoted in a newspaper article and just that alone made me want to see the play. And reading the play itself is a bit like that, especially the Hector-as-inspiring-teacher part of it, because I think we all want that teacher -- the wacky, ridiculous teacher who makes you want to learn even if you don't care what you're learning about. The way Alan Bennett juxtaposes one teacher doesn't teach to the exams but simply to make the boys better rounded people with their other teacher showing them how to just write attention-grabbing exams was so interesting. As were the question of what happens after the exams. I don't want to spoil the story for you, so I won't say much else. But it was funny and clever and insightful and painful and real.

Also, I loved that they actually filmed in Oxford. It made me want to go back again.

[rubykatewriting.livejournal.com]

I first read Hector's "the best moments in reading" speech quoted in a newspaper article and just that alone made me want to see the play.
Oy. That part got me because aside from the adventures or the characters or whatever else that draws me to a book in the first place, that is why I always have a thrill of anticipation when I start a new novel. I even found myself ruminating on it yesterday whilst stewing in a sudden traffic jam.

The way Alan Bennett juxtaposes one teacher doesn't teach to the exams but simply to make the boys better rounded people with their other teacher showing them how to just write attention-grabbing exams was so interesting.
Yes, this I want to see most of all because I find the latter to be the worse kind of teacher. They're like those people who memorize for the test but don't ever actually learn the material. What is the fucking point of passing a test or getting into a great school if you've learned nothing from the experience, or hell anything leading up to it?

It's coming out on November 22nd, which means it probably won't be playing around here until early December. I think I may be in your same boat, as I somehow doubt they'll be showing it down at my local AMC. I may have to go downtown to see it, which isn't all bad. They have a Marble Slab at Edwards. Ice cream and The History Boys - no wrong there.

[webbers.livejournal.com]

What is the fucking point of passing a test or getting into a great school if you've learned nothing from the experience, or hell anything leading up to it?
Amen! I find "teaching to the test" the worst kind of education. It is simply numbers. Bah!

Yeah, I'm not sure when/if it'll actually arrive here -- and there's nowhere within at least 2 hours that is likely to get it otherwise. I need to move.

[briary-flower.livejournal.com]

I sat through Reign of Fire twice. So yeah, I will be filling a seat with my butt for anything Christian Bale wants to throw at me. I am so over Hugh Jackman. Minus adamantium claws, I have no use for him. What is wrong with his head, anyway? It is bizarrely tiny.

It snowed yesterday.

[rubykatewriting.livejournal.com]

Shit. I sat through American Psycho. Yeah, that was the gauntlet being thrown.

Seriously, though, he is so pretty and he uses about as close to his natural accent as I think we're ever going to hear on screen. Plus he's all angry and MISUNDERSTOOD and did I mention pretty?

After Van Helsing and then X-Men 3, Mr. Jackman is in a time out. Seeing The Prestige has shortened his punishment by about thismuch. I may forgive him sometime in the next millenia, but we still have The Fountain so there's no telling.

It snowed yesterday.
Lucky bastard! It's downright fucking BALMY down here. Not cool, weather gods. NOT. COOL.