Thursday 19 November 2009

Me on movies again

TSC and I have been spending the cold evenings (what is up with this freak cold front?) watching DVDs in bed while I make jewellery stock for my Christmas open house event. This means that we occasionally find beads or crimps in the bed (not fun), but at least I've been able to enjoy some onscreen entertainment and stay warm while I work ;-)



On Tuesday night we finally got around to watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. I'd been putting off seeing the film because it looked long and boring. It certainly didn't disappoint on those scores. Long and boring indeed. Yes, the make-up was impressive, but good grief - how many times did they have to explain that this dude was ageing backwards? We got it the first time! Also the ongoing spats between Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett and the frequent returns to reality in the hospital room, for no apparent reason. Blegh. I'd give it six out of 10. Maybe. What would you say?


On Monday, we saw Fireproof. It's a Christian movie, and normally I find them quite over the top and not very well made, but this one was surprising in some ways. It had hilarious moments that had us in stitches, and then it had real tear-jerker scenes too. It's about a married couple on the brink of divorce who are just living past each other. He's a fireman who values honour and respect in the workplace, but treats his wife without either at home. She's a PR officer for a hospital and is most concerned with helping her mom, who recently suffered a stroke, and her crush on one of the doctors she works with. The beginning of the film is pathetic and annoying, but for me it seemed to get better as it went on. Maybe it's because marriage is a subject close to my heart, or maybe it's because I am a Christian and don't find the very strong conversion message offensive, as some might. Whatever the case, I quite liked this film, but would be interested to hear what non-Christians think of it.


At sometime or another, we also saw Shark Tale again. I am a sucker for animated movies, and although this one is not on the same level of awesomeness as Kungfu Panda or Shrek, I still enjoyed it. Although I must say that Renee Zellweger remains as irritating as an animated fish as she is as a human actress, while I generally prefer Jack Black as an animation.
I think what I enjoyed most about this film was the attention to detail. In the underwater fish city where most of the action takes place, you'll notice billboards for Coral Cola, Old Wavy and GUP (instead of GAP). As with most DreamWorks animations, my favourite bit of renting the DVD is to watch the special features and learn how the thing got put together. It's always amazing for me to see how the filmmakers had to find ways to do things that we take for granted as we watch the movie - like creating a way of making the Rasta jellyfish twins seem transparent, or how to make the fish seem iridescent like they would IRL, or how soap suds would behave underwater.
I think one of my dreams is to spend some time in a DreamWorks studio to see a film like this taking shape.

Sadly, there seems to be nothing on circuit worth seeing at the local cinema at the moment (Except Julie and Julia - I'm quite keen to see that). And TSC and I have seen practically everything at the video store (apart from all the series - he doesn't like watching series, unfortunately for me). Seeing the weather is still miz and I have lots more jewellery to make before 5 Dec, any movie suggestions for us?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I also have put off watching the Curious case of Benjamin Button for the same reasons, and I will keep putting it off especially after what you wrote :)

Since you obliged with the pics of your garden perhaps you can post some pics of your jewellery pieces :)

Anonymous said...

I actually really enjoyed Curious Case. It's a beautiful film which presents the idea of our own morality in a very sly and interesting way. I didn't find it boring at all, but to each his/her own. You do have to have an amount of patience when watching it cuz it is very long.

Tara said...

Sounds like I made the right call not watching old Button - long, boring and with a story that is so not my cup of tea.

Tamara said...

Anon 1: I shall certainly oblige. Thanks for giving me an excuse ;-)

Anon 2: Yep. Each to her own. See, I have a tendency to not like mnovies everyone else likes / thinks are brillaint, so I am expecting to be disagreed with!

Tara: At least we watched it on DVD. So I could get up and stretch every hour. Hehehe...

phillygirl said...

I watched Changeling & Benjamin Button within about a week of each other (cause they came out roughly around the same time I think), and I far preferred Changeling. Dunno if it's your sort of movie or if you've seen it, but I liked it.

Janine / Being Brazen said...

I think Sharktale is so much fun.

I liked some parts of the Curios Case of Benjamin button alot, but some of it was drawn out a bit too much.

Flying Lessons said...

I also didn't really enjoy Benjamin Button...very long. And I thought fireproof was okay...some parts are just SO corny, I can't help but laugh.

Don't Believe a Word I Write said...

You have been generous - Benjamin Button gets a 3 out of 10 at most, I think. Codswallop!!

Helen said...

yes, please post pictures of your jewellery, I'm so keen to see what you make!

As for movies... i've seen just about everything and nothing leaps to mind right now. I'll think about it though and get back to you!

po said...

I totally agree with your summary of Benjamin Button. Yawn. But I was amazed by the appearance of Kate Blanchett, they made her look so freaking young and beautiful, and the woman is surely 40 something.

I saw the Men who stare at goats. It is purely silly and frivolous with no depth whatsoever. I kind of liked that.

Tamara said...

Phillygirl: Ja, I saw The Changeling when it was on circuit and I enjoyed that one far more!

Brazen: Yup - a feelgood, silly movie. We need them sometimes.

Flying Lessons: True that. There were moments where I was peeking at TSC to see if he thought they were as corny as I did. But he's far more tolerant (and oblivious) that way.

DBAWIW: Hehehe... I was trying to be nice ;-)

Helen: Will take some pics this weekend to post on Mon.

Po: I have not even heard of The Men Who Stare at Goats. With a title like that, I wouldn't expect too much depth ;-)

tattytiara said...

I've never seen the movie and just from the cover I can tell who played which role. I didn't know they modeled the animated characters physically after the people who played them so closely these days.

Tamara said...

tattytiara: Totally. Angelina Jolie's lips always look like a fish's though, so I guess that made it easier for her character ;-)

Anonymous said...

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a great idea and movie but it drags on for soooooo looooong.. like its name really

Tamara said...

Luzieland: hehehe... true that ;-)