Oh, the movies!
iaian7 » blog John Einselen, 3.01.08One of the best (though certainly not the best) parts of visiting with friends in Ohio is the constant and continual film watching. It’s really great just to hang out and discuss some of the latest movies, their strengths, and weaknesses.
Of the films we watched and discussed, Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street was the most divisive. While some could appreciate the macabre, I was left mourning for the shock I wanted to feel over such a horrific piece of cinema. The story itself is good and tragic, the music acceptable, and the humour, at times, slightly funny. But why was there so much killing? And so artlessly done? Not that art makes violence acceptable, but at least it can make it purposeful; instead of leaving death entirely gratuitous, unsurprising, dull, and ultimately pointless.
Thankfully The Kite Runner was superb. Dark, at times, but culturally, politically, and emotionally worth it. Covering a span of some years, it follows recent Afghani history through the lives of two boys, one of whom moves to America, the other who does not. I highly recommend it, along with Osama, if you have any interest in foreign films, cultural politics, or gripping dramas.
On the other side of the spectrum, there’s Juno. Not, perhaps, everyone’s cup of tea, but a hilarious comedy wrapped around the heartache of growing up, teenage pregnancy, and parenthood. The witty lines just keep coming… amid great performances by newcomers and old hats alike.
We also went to see Aliens Versus Predator: Requiem, mainly so we could laugh through the entire film. And laugh we did… along with most of the theater. For a film that’s supposed to be serious, there are some preposterously (and unintentionally) funny lines. Unfortunately, Resident Evil: Extenction was so bad, we couldn’t even laugh. Much glaring ensued between those forced to come, and those that mistakenly insisted it’d be fun.
Other highly recommended films from the past weekend would be Death at a Funeral and Fido. Neither one can really be justified in a single paragraph, so it must suffice to say that they’re both completely odd.
mediaboxAdvanced
I can understand your distaste for Sweeney Todd. On defense of the movie, however, I will say it stayed very true to the broadway musical storyline (we studied the musical in college theater), and actually was a great adaptation of a depressing musical. I think those who knew the musical going in would have a better appreciation for it. I warned my girls before they saw it, “it’s not a happy story at all.’ They made the blood very ‘fake’ to somewhat mimic the play. Yes, the broadway play was very bloody, and ultimately everyone dies.