| Happy Halloween + Cinema Rec |
[Oct. 31st, 2009|06:04 pm] |
Went with friends to see the movie version of the very popular semi-historical novel "Die Päpstin" yesterday night. It basically takes the rumours about "Pope Joan", which have been around since the 13th century, at face value, tweaks events here and there and gives them some extra action. The result is surprisingly gripping. Fairly close to the book (if not so much the historical sources), we see Johanna's life from childhood on and follow her on the stony way to papacy. The actress makes a believable cross-dresser, and the other performances are good as well. The are a few eye-rolling moments best described as Mary-Suish (which was only to be expected), and some historical (the horses don't even surprise me anymore, but... huge stone castle east of the Rhine? In the ninth century? Really?), as well as logical (not a single field anywhere? what do people eat? why can't people wash their faces but their armour shines?) inaccuracies. Overall, the depiction of the era is realistically nasty, and the half-decayed glory of Rome well-evoked. (Yes, their Vikings were appropriately horn-less as well -- to the point where some of my friends didn't get that they were supposed to be Vikings.) The film also manages to condemn religious fanaticism and the failings of the church as an institution, without being disrespectful to religion itself. I know, cinema is really fucking expensive these days, but this movie is definitely worth it! Especially if, like me, you have a thing for the earlier middle ages, and the general lack of interest in the period (by historians and movie makers alike) makes you sad. I went in with low expectations, so it was definitely a great surprise!
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To everyone who celebrates it: Happy Halloween! I'm so-so about the holiday, but it's a good excuse to get all nostalgic with the black nail polish and too much eyeliner and some satanistic-looking old band shirt or other: J, A and I are going to party! Just like in the old days* when everyone was still living close by. And a good thing too: I'm in the mood for fast car rides and some really cheesy heavy metal to sing along with tonight!
* (i.e, until two years ago) |
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| Over two months worth of book reviews |
[May. 17th, 2009|07:19 pm] |
In the long internetless time, where I nonetheless needed distractions from work, I read a lot of stuff and actually managed writing reviews for once! [Insert cheers here.] ( Here, have those about books )
Oh, but wait, there were movies, too:
( Movie reviews ) |
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| Review: Der Baader-Meinhof Komplex |
[Oct. 4th, 2008|07:50 am] |
This is probably more relevant to the Germans on my f-list, seeing as it's a German movie about German history, but perhaps there will be a dubbed version some day. (And why wouldn't I be surprised if they cut out all the nude scenes but none of the violence for America?)
Topic of the movie is the RAF (Red Army Faction), a German terrorist group that caused roughly a decade of public upheaval back in the 70s.
It starts in the late 60s, and follows the formation of the hard core of the group around Andreas Baader, Gudrun Ensslin and Ulrike Meinhof, then covers their training, various attacks, captures, court trials and final imprisonment, as well as the "second generation" of terrorists under Brigitte Monhaupt.
Main focus is the political climate of the time, but the characterization sticks out positively as well. The main protagonists are neither glorified, nor shown as villains, but truly sympathetic, and to watch their fight for the ideals of a better world escalate into violence more and more is painful to watch, as it should be. Because, actually, these people are right. Only their means are so very very wrong.
I went to watch the movie with my friends last night and I can heartily recommend it. It's not pleasant to watch, though, so be warned. The violence is ugly and realistic (a noticable contrast to most American movies), the atmosphere tense. There is no black and white, no morals to be drawn from it (just lessons, in a way). And one of the most important things it shows well is that behind all those big famous events are just normal people. The fact that there's a lot of meta commentary on terrorism in it that applies today as much as it did over 30 years ago.
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In other news, I caught the flu, need to visit people, have to go back to uni... which means you probably won't see much of me in the next few days, so don't be surprised if I'm not commenting on anything you write. |
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| X-Files II |
[Aug. 8th, 2008|02:05 pm] |
Yes, I should totally be doing something else right now. So what?
( very spoilery review for the new X-Files movie )
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On a somewhat happier note: there was a trailer for a new Krabat movie, which will be out in October! I've probably mentioned it before, but again for the non-Germans: Krabat is a quite popular young adult book* by German author Otfried Preußler, historical fantasy, with black magic as its main topic and a beautifully dark mood. I used to adore it when I first read it/got it read to me at six or seven, even though it scared me at the time. I've always thought it would make a lovely movie, but all they ever managed is a crappy, dumbed-down animated version. But the new trailer looked fabulous! *bounces*
*Used to be a children's book, but I don't think you would declare a book in which so many people die a children's book today anymore. |
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| Indiana Jones IV |
[Jul. 23rd, 2008|12:54 pm] |
I finally went to see Indiana Jones IV with A last night. Damn, that movie is brilliant! Not in a "high art" sort of way, of course, but in a "I didn't have that much fun in ages" way.
( Spoilery squee ahead! )
All in all: watch it, love it, write fanfic, people!!! |
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| Movie love!!! |
[May. 18th, 2008|10:38 pm] |
Major squee for Being Human! Dingsi helped me procrastinate by sending me the links to this pilot for a British series-yet-to-come, about -- wait for it! -- a vampire, a werewolf and a ghost room-sharing. Which is as fun as it sounds, but also has lovely serious moments, as well as loveable characters. It also has the added benefits of being so slashable that the subtext is shamelessly made into text and having the hottest vampire since Anne Rice stopped writing good books. (Though in a mostly different way.) If you ever wondered what my type of guy looks (and behaves and moves and talks) like, he's the perfect example. *drools heavily*
The only thing that I really disliked -- especially in the light of the recent discussions in fandom -- was that the only important black character is also the movie's bad guy. Just no.
Other than that, it's seriously squee-inducing.
Well, I'll leave it to Dingsi, who promised that he'll have a "pimp post" up in a few days, to explain more (and with screencaps). I'll just link then.
Seriously, people, go find the whole thing on youtube!
Unrelated to that, cinema seems determined to bring my childhood back this summer: Indiana Jones IV, X-Files II and, most importantly, the new Star Trek prequel.
The first is bound to be fun in a pop-cornish way, but I'm not sure about the latter two.
X-Files stopped being such tremendous fun after Mulder and Scully became a couple and had a relationship and tons of angst instead of... well, the way things were before: funny and creepy by turns, but never sappy. Not all series benefit from introducing "personal" plotlines for the protagonists, especially not something as episodic as the X-Files.
And Star Trek... Well, I've practically been a fan since I was a toddler, because my granny used to watch the series while ironing. (Her fondness for William Shatner may well be a reason that I spent years walking around with ironed socks on my feet.) On the one hand I'm happy people still care enough about TOS to make a movie about it, fourty years after the end of the series and over ten years after the last movie, but on the other hand, I doubt my ability to accept new actors for my beloved characters instead of the ones I was imprinted on from an early age. It just won't be the same. In addition, while I don't doubt that a plot focussing on Kirk and Spock during their time as cadets will be slash fodder par exellence, it blatantly contradicts canon. (Series AND book canon even.) Also, a huge part of the ship's appeal is the initial difficulties they have getting used to each other. Moreover, I'm going to miss the rest of the crew. (They can hardly get the entire bridge crew (and Scotty) together in the same configuration as ten years later by some huge event of cosmic chance, now can they?)
Friends, I'm conflicted about this. In case you couldn't tell. |
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cheerful
contemplative
cranky
tired
busy