About Films

A Prarie Home Companion
I was a fan of the radio show because the writing was so incredibly detailed and specific and somehow Garrison Keillor's voice was able to translate that into a uniquely dry and whitty brand of humor. I wasn't however a great fan of the real meat of the show which were the variety acts (with the exception of Guy Noir). I found Robert Altman's film, while low on plot, to be very enjoyable and unique. The performances are great and the music is really good if you like that kind of folkish-americana. While the all star cast does a great job performing as musicians, the real star is of course Garrison, and even more specifically, his voice. But I also enjoyed the photography very much. The camera work will appear very simple at first but it's actually quite amazing the way it effortlessly floats in and around the performers and it seems to always know right where to be. This is particularly amazing considering that the patented Altman style of having actors talking over each other is here in full glory. The overall style works very well with the show's format.

The Proposition

This movie was kind of boring.

X Men 3 The Last Stand?

Expectations are a funny thing. And more often then not they rule my movie watching experiences. For instance when I see a movie at the dollar theatre I usually enjoy myself. I go into the movie thinking "I only paid a buck for this because this movie looks awful." and then the movie usually exceeds my expectations and I leave thinking, "That wasn't half bad."

Prime example of this was - "I Robot." - Wasn't really interested in the movie and went to see it at the dollar theatre with my brother and I have to say I thought it was pretty sweet.

On the other hand there are times that I'm very excited about a movie and so I'm willing to fork over the big bucks and see it at the Cineplex... Carmike... whatever they call it. Often times these are movies that I've heard are great and my hopes are pretty high and consequently these movies although good movies often fall below my expectations and I leave the theatre disappointed - example - "V For Vendetta."

I had low expectations for X Men 3. I didn't like the first one and didn't love the second one. But I went to see "The Last Stand" (even paid the full price) with a friend and had a great time. Sure there was corny stuff and holes and all that stuff but for whatever reason, be it Kelsey Grammer's blue Beast or maybe the fact that aton of main characters died, I really liked it. - Maybe it was because of my low expectations maybe I just liked it.

Ricky Gervais meets Larry David

Hey guys,

Here is an hour long discussion between Ricky Gervais and Larry David. Really, really good stuff. http://tsoya.blogspot.com/2006/05/ricky-gervais-meets-larry-david.html

The Red Shoes, JFK

The Red Shoes: I'm sure we all agree that Top Secret is the best ballet movie ever. This might be the second best. I wasn't that excited to see this but since it is one of Martin Scorcese and Brian DePalma's favorite movies, I thought I'd give it a go.
It was great.
My only complaint is that since the twenty minute ballet sequence was so good, that other perfectly good movies had to copy it. Singing in the Rain and An American in Paris are wonderful movies except for the ballet scenes.

JFK: It started off powerfully, but at 3 and a half hours and so many conspiracies (really? the war lobby killed Martin Luther King Jr.?) I started to feel like I was trapped in a room with Timothy McVeigh.

A giant thank you to Jordan

Jordan and I work together and tonight he informed me that he had a gift for me, it was a $1.00 double feature DVD he got at Reams because he knew how much I love horror films and the jacket had some decent photos on it

Basically now I have a new favorite movie of all time, replacing Snatch. Dr. Tarrs Torture Dungeon, this movie rocks! It's actually good, performances that are decent freaky ish going on through out the entire thing. It's real grainy which fits the mood perfectly, the only down side to it is that they occasionally use some uber-cheesy sound effects other wise it would be a ten.

I am yet to watch the second feature which is titled Dr. Butcher M.D., I am not nearly as excited about it but the back had some quality gore so who knows. The bottom line is that for a buck Jordan made me very very happy