Movies, we haz watched some...

[cairistiona]

We went to see Spectre yesterday afternoon and I came away with mixed feelings, as usual, when it comes to Bond films. I can't really stand the guy and his womanizing (it's not good when you roll your eyes at the start of all the smexy scenes; part of it might just be that, admittedly, I don't find Daniel Craig the least bit attractive except for his blue eyes), but on the other hand, those sorts of action/spy thrillers are in every other way right in my wheelhouse. The action scenes in this one were all very exciting and inventive, if as unbelievable as usual, but the plot itself had some giant holes that Dink and I both felt left Bond looking like an idiot. Bond has a lot of weaknesses, but idiocy should not be one of them. The new Q is still adorable, however, and I'm warming up to the new M. Still, after greatly enjoying Skyfall, I had higher hopes for this one. It may very well be time to move to a new Bond era with a new actor. *coughIdrisElbacough*

Dink and I also found it eerily similar at times to CA:TWS, both in iconography and somewhat less so with the plot. It could just be that CA:TWS was actually derivative of Bond (which it is, in many ways, since it hearkens back to those sorts of spy thrillers), but because CA:TWS was a better movie with a much tighter, emotionally-laden plot than Spectre, it felt the other way around. If anyone else sees both films, I'd be interested in your take.

There was a nice long Star Wars trailer before it, but this one seemed to skip the passages of the iconic music and long shots of the Millennium Falcon and other iconic ships that so moved me with the first trailer. That, coupled with it simply rearranging what's already been seen in earlier trailers with only a few new little bits, gave it a little less impact for me. Still, I'm getting quite excited about it, both because STAR WARS!!!! and also because apparently the Captain America: Civil War trailer will be attached to it, if rumor holds true. I may die from excitement that night/afternoon/morning/whenever. Of course, that doesn't mean I'll actually see the CA:CW trailer when I go see SW, because I remember going some other film that the first Hobbit trailer was supposed to be attached to, and our theater, for whatever unforgivable reason, didn't play it. Hopefully that won't happen this time. Like all Cap fans, I'm dying to see even a glimpse of CA:CW, even if it's just more official set photos. Marvel seems more tight-lipped than ever about this movie.... we're left having to examine the merchandise for clues, which is never a good way to go about it! But that also happened with Age of Ultron, so I guess it's just the way Marvel likes to play it, publicity wise. I have to admit it works when it comes to working up a frenzy.

Next movie I want to see: The Heart of the Sea, the Chris Hemsworth movie about the true story that inspired Moby Dick. I doubt much 'truth' will remain in this dramatized version, but it's Ron Howard making it, and Chris Hemsworth in it, so how bad could it be? (This from someone who enjoyed the much maligned Blackhat just because, yes, Chris Hemsworth....). After that, Mockingjay Part Two. And somehow, I want to see Shelter, which is an indie drama/love story starring Jennifer Connolly and Anthony Mackie, directed and written by Paul Bettany. I think Mackie is in every movie that came out this year (he was probably part of the crowd in Spectre), aand this indie film looks very promising. It's not showing here at our local indie theater, alas, so I'll have to wait for the DVD unless it goes on to a wider release. Same with Kilo Two Bravo, a film about a British army unit that gets stranded in the middle of a minefield in Afghanistan and has to be rescued. Just the trailer alone had my palms sweating. And of course, the biggie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. I can't even fathom how huge that one will be. I just hope it's far, far better than the prequel set.

So many potentially good movies, and I know there's several more that I've forgotten. I may not get any sleep for the next month or two....

Comments

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

I actually don't enjoy Bond movies at all, mostly because I don't really like the spy action movies. I think I never really feel like enough is at stake for the character because he's not an ordinary guy. Now if it's spy action and funny, that's another thing. I love a good comedy in that genre!

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

I'm kind of the opposite... I tend not to like a spy movie that's a comedy because I keep waiting for it to feel more substantial and realistic! Ah, to each their own!

[shirebound]

Wow, good for Paul Bettany! I didn't know he was writing and directing films. I'm still sad he didn't get an Oscar nod for "Master and Commander".

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Ah, I didn't realize until you said it that Bettany played Dr. Maturin!! It's been several years since I watched M&C so I guess I just didn't make the connection ever. He definitely deserved an Oscar nod for that role. M&C is such a good movie.

[mikononyte.livejournal.com]

Ahhh the new bond.

I doubt we'll see a repeat of this actor; he's already stated he HATES this new film and the character.

Idris??? *thinks hard* can't see it, but he could probably surprise the hell out of us.

Now, Paul Bettany can act, but as I've seen never seems to get great roles (pity). However, writing and directing... hmmmmm. Makes me wish I could afford Sat. tv again for all those movie channels. LOL

I recently watched Avengers... and it was fun! not sure about Antman yet; would rather see so many other things first.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

I've really enjoyed Paul Bettany in the Marvel movies. Aside from Master & Commander, though, I haven't seen any other role he's been in (that I can remember off the top of my head, at least).

Ant-man was a nice surprise... I wasn't expecting much but it had a sweet story and a LOT of humor.

[mikononyte.livejournal.com]

I've seen Bettany is some really strange stuff:
Legend
Priest
Legion
The Da Vinci Code
A Knight's Tale
Sharpe's Waterloo (with Sean Bean!)

What's funny is Tom Wisdom, who is taking the role of Micheal in SciFi's "Dominion" series could ringer for Bettany's role in Legion (from whence the series came). haha

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Ahhh... he was Prince William of Orange! Gosh, turns out I've seen him in all kinds of roles but never really made the connection. Very cool.

[suzll.livejournal.com]

Skimming past your Spectre review bc I won't have a chance to see it til next weekend, but...IDRIS ELBA!! PLEEEEASE!!!

You know my feelings about Star Wars, haha...I tried real hard to tamp down my expecations but it's just not happening, lol. But I'm scheduling a trip to New York around the time it comes out, so I'll get to see it with Bungo, so no matter what happens I will have someone to flail with about it in person :P.

And In the Heart of the Sea! Super excited for that too :D. I don't know if I can bring myself to watch Part 2 of Mockingjay, because the end of that book was so hard to read/bad (imho, at least), but we'll see.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

I think Idris would be a great Bond... the only thing I wonder about, though, is how well he can do the comic bits. That's something with Craig I don't care that much for--SO GRIM. Although, I will say, in non-spoilery fashion, that Spectre has a LOT more humor in it. Several laugh out loud moments. Not as funny as Sean Connery's, but still, better than the rest of the Craig ones, which had very little humor at all.

Ooh, yay, glad you'll be in NYC with Bungo! I have a feeling I'll need to warn Alan that when the Captain America trailer comes on, I might have to grab his hand and squeeze it in a death grip. He wants to see SW in 3D Imax and just this once, I might give it a try and hope not to come out with a headache or worse. LOL

I'm watching The Hunger Games more out of obligation to stick it through to the end than anything else... not really looking forward to the last movie, either, because I hated the last book, but I feel I have to. Maybe they'll fix some of the problems, who knows.

[mrowe.livejournal.com]

I still have to see even Skyfall, but I'll catch up eventually I'm sure...

Note made of the others you mention for the 'to see' list, though I'll wait for Mockingjay pt.II to come out on DVD (as with the others)

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

I liked Skyfall... it had a good plot, I thought.

I usually have to wait for DVD to see most movies except big blockbusters, but our local theater chain dropped their ticket prices by half, plus it's always only been $3 to see a film at the 'end of the run' bargain theater, so we've been going more. Hopefully I can see most of these on their opening weekends or soon after (or at least, the ones that will actually play here).

[bluegerl.livejournal.com]

I don't think I shall go to see Spectre... I do NOT like D.C. - he's so big-bummed short-legged and all that clever hurling-himself-about-stuff. And the films seem to rely on ACTION!! rather than actING!

There's no humour in Bonds any more anyway. At least with Connery there were such VILLIANOUS villians, and totally improbable action and little bits of humour that made you hoot out loud. These Bonds are so gloomy and unpleasant. I've just seen (again) that Bruce Willis sci-fi comedy where he's a taxi-driver and finds this strange girl in his cab. THAT is fun, FUN and very well acted as well! (WITH lots of action!) Gimme Brucey for the laughs.

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Yes, James Bond films have never been known for hugely stellar acting but Craig is more wooden than most, doesn't he. My favorite Bond actually wasn't Sean Connery (he's second) but Pierce Brosnan. That big actor's strike, or maybe it was screenwriters, back in those days ended his run prematurely, alas. But I will say that this even with Craig, Spectre *did* actually have a surprising amount of humor in it, several parts that made everyone in the theater laugh aloud. But even with that, I'm with you in that Daniel Craig's Bond isn't my cuppa. I wouldn't have seen this one at all except hubby wanted to, and he's so sweet I couldn't say no. :D