Dearest darling reader, a change of pace for things today as I am fuelled by praise rather than annoyance today. The reason for these high spirits is that I've recently renewed my love affair with Woody Harrelson. My first hot wood injection came in the form of 'Zombie Land'. America's answer to 'Shaun of the Dead'? Not quite but still a gem in its own right. Embodying the joviality of the 80's zombie movies and spicing it up with present day wit and intelligence this movie grips you from start to finish. I'd love to rave about my favourite scene but I don't want to spoil the film for you, so all I will say is wait til they get to LA! A must for any zombie fan or fellow gore gunky.
The film that reaffirmed my love was Peter Stebbings' Defendor, a superhero movie but not at all what you would expect. Woody delivers a poignantly moving performance as Arthur Poppington a mild mannered simpleton seeking justice for his mother's death. Accompanied by a young crack addicted prostitute the pair embark on a journey of self discovery and friendship. Truly beautiful to behold yet doesn't skimp on the laughs. It is a perfect combination of comic book action and classic drama. If anyone was inclined to write Woody Harrelson off as a mere comedy actor I suggest they view this film as it blows all preconceptions of Mr Harrelson out of the water. What can I say, the man's got talent. Watch, enjoy and spread the word.
I recently had the pleasure of seeing 'Kick Ass'. A film so rare in it's talent that it puts others of it's genre to shame. Exciting and witty from start to finish with moments that had the audience roaring out loud with laughter. So what could make this 5 star movie be the focus of complaints and controversy? A most pathetic subject taints this films outrageous success. The subject of 11 year old starlet Chloe Grace Moretz and the amazing fight scenes she engages in.
Some nay sayers complain that it was inappropriate for her to act out those scenes. I think the key word in that sentence is "act". She is acting, it's not real. Her age shouldn't be a factor when discussing this film unless it is to praise how talented some one of her age is. Child actors have played far worse roles in the past. One need only think of Linda Blair in the 'Exorcist' or Jody Foster in 'Taxi driver'. Now here you can understand why there's controversy but compared to these a few swear words and an impressive display of swordsmanship seems pretty trivial. Despite the disturbing content of those films they are still only films. Children have participated in far worse acts throughout history, Joan of Arc was only 15 when she fought in a war for God's sake, quite literally. Pre teens Romeo and Juliet coupled sex with violence yet this is something we deem appropriate to teach to our children in schools despite it's potential to inspire underage sex and teen suicide.
People who say they were truly taken aback and shocked need to man up and grow a pair. If they want to know what shocked is I suggest they take a gander at the British film, 'The Children'! Have we really become so soft in this day an age that we can't enjoy a spot of action adventure violence? It's cartoon super hero violence where the bad guys die. It's not meant to be taken seriously and anyone who does obviously has an IQ lower than a common bovine.
I feel Jane Goldman put it best in a recent Empire interview when asked about these allegations,
“I've already had a few questions using the phrase 'underage violence'. Well, I wasn't aware that there was an age where it is okay to cut a man's leg off!...Is there an age for that? Is it okay if you're 18?!”
We need to put things into perspective, this is a film and a damn good one at that. I believe many people are just jumping on the band wagon and having a knee jerk reaction to the violence and saying that it's inappropriate for children. Gee do you think that's why the commissioning standards board rated it 15?! It's not for children! So how is condemning it for being inappropriate for them even an argument? It's rated 15 for a reason people.
So if you're an adult I recommend you see this film and make up your own mind. Making a movie studios wouldn't touch, based on a comic book that wasn't even published was a risky move on Matthew Vaughn's part but boy did it pay off. Delving into the realism that is so seldom seen in comic book movies and pairing it with genuine warmth and charisma make viewing this film a memorable and enjoyable experience for all. So what are you waiting for!
You know that cranky, politically incorrect old lady that loves to rant and reminisce about the way things used to be and the way things should be. Well that's me. Here's the kick though, I'm only twenty six! If I'm like this now what the hell am I going to be like by the time I'm sixty six? Well if I keep writing I guess we'll find out. But for now this is the first instalment of what I hope to be a long line of film based blogs and rants. Primarily for your entertainment but also so I can vent before I die of a stress induced heart attack or more likely at the hands of my friends who are tired of hearing me speak. So my fellow cinephiles and whingebags sit back and enjoy. Hopefully you'll smile, agree, you may even laugh and at the very least you'll find something new to moan about.
Ok what's pissing me off this week. Is it just me or does every film being released lately seem to be in 3D? Don't get me wrong for the first few I was loving it, there was even a
hint of 80s nostalgia. In “My Bloody Valentine 3D” I was there ducking along with you when the pick axe was thrown and squirming in my seat as that gun barrel scoured across the audience. But now every time I hear the phrase “3D” tagged on to the end of a movie title I groan, “really are we still doing the 3D thing?” Yes the glasses look cooler than they did the first time around but surely the novelty's worn off by now.
Once Hollywood gets its claws into something it really doesn't let go does it? Resistance is futile when it comes to this 3D craze as it looks like pretty soon that's the only was you'll be able to see a film. The film industry's jumped on board that train and they're going to ride it until there's no track left. What's next 3D music videos, sitcoms, news, porn! Because I don't want to see that! Well........ no think about it, that's a money shot no one wants to see.
People talk and complain about the use of gratuitous sex and violence in films but what about gratuitous use of 3D. How long before people start revisiting the old films and re-releasing 3D versions? We'll have 'Star Wars' IV digitally remastered and in 3D. I bet some of you are thinking to yourselves, “yeah I'd like to see that”, well now imagine 'Some Like It Hot 3D' or 'The Shawshank Redemption 3D'. That future's not looking so bright now is it?
I'm not so conceited as to think that my grumblings will make a difference but boy is it good to get that off my chest. Hopefully in doing so I have entertained another kindred spirit who misses the much simpler two dimensional days. For now though we may as well sit back, let the industry hump us into submission and let Pixar shove another unnecessarily 3D movie down our already filled throats.
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Comment by Laura Purcell
on The Three Dimensional Invasion
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