Film Freak

Oh yes I am. If it was filmed, I'll probably watch it (boy, how about that bait for abuse about porno). Because I'm such a film freak, I figured I'd give everyone a brief sysnopsis of films that either must be watched and absorbed or must be feared like a unruly god. This past week, thanks to our drenching camping outage, I've been battling a cold and other health issues, so movies have been my solace.

Note: I also watch a bunch of music videos since I have a TV in my office. Now, the reason for the TV (originally) was so we could watch developments following 9/11 and the inevitable war in Iraq. Ever since then, I keep the TV on either videos or movies. Rarely is there a movie on during the day that I haven't seen so it really isn't like I'm not doing work stuff - OK, I'm not doing work stuff, but regardless, as I said in my first blog, that's my intention. Needless to say, I have VH1 on right now and there is a video on that is atrocious (not to mention the song sucks, too). I'll have to consider a music video roll, but let's get back to my favourite medium, MOOOOOVIES.

Best New Movie: Mystic River - Fantastic character study and story line. Kinda pulls on your heart string (if you have a heart) and really makes you think about concepts of "deserving" and the different dimensions of "fear".

Note: Since I just recently gave up smoking (six months on Wednesday), I didn't make it much to the theater much so some of these movies might not be "new". I do, however, have about 200 HBO, STARZ, Skin-a-max, what have you, movie stations (not to mention INDEMAND and PPV) and in reality I almost prefer to sit on my couch, drinking the obligatory beer, with a cat on my lap when I watch movies.

Best chickie movie (yes, I watch them): Under the Tuscan Sun - MAN, I LOVED this story. Concept: Lady finds out stinking pig husband is cheating on her, but is willing to give her BIG BUCKS to pay her off. She accepts and uses the money to buy and renovate a villa in Tuscany and starts an awesome new life. Sounds cheezy to those with testosterone, but I have since been looking for villas in Tuscany. I mean if I can renovate a 90-year old house in the 'hood, I would consider Tuscany an upgrade. Yes, I know I don't speak Italian, but I don't speak ebonics either. The odd thing about the movie is that the woman didn't think her life was so great. Funny how the "grass is always greener" jumps up to bite you in the butt on occasion.

Best "old" movie: And the Band Played On - Realistically, this should be required watching (or reading because it was a book first). This is an adaptation from Randy Shilts book about the facts leading up to the AIDS crisis. Matthew Modine is a doctor who goes to Africa in the late 1970s and sees some of the first AIDS cases. He later gets a job with the CDC and the rest of the movie is the story about how AIDS has become our generation's black plague. You would not believe the number of big-name celebrities that signed up to do this piece. One of the central themes is the way the government, at that time (and maybe even still), viewed homosexuals and the disease. A good friend of mine who passed away from AIDS in 1994 suggested I watch or read the story and ever since, it has been absolutely dead-on. Bring a tissue.

Best "loopie" movie: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: I say "loopie", because I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had smoked a big, fat blunt before I saw it. Great special effects, but the story line was so crooked it was serpentined. I guess the appeal to anyone is that the central focus is on the literary characters, Allan Quartermain, Dorian Grey, Mina Harker, Captain Nemo, Dr. Jekyll, The Invisible Man, and Tom Sawyer. They all get together to fight a mysterious figure who is trying to start a world war. Too bad Sean Connery (who I worship) was cast - it must have been one of those contractual obligations. It really does nothing for his career. Like I said, very cool special effects - especially Mr. Hyde and the Invisible Man. Quirky fact: The British producers threw the Tom Sawyer character in at the last minute because they didn't think Americans would watch it if there wasn't a Yank in the film. They should have worried that sober people, regardless of nationality, wouldn't watch it 'cause it's... well, "loopie".

I think that's a good start for my first "Film Freak" episode. I guess everyone knows now how I gained so much weight that you could park a car under the shadow of my ass.

Besides, "Silence of the Lambs" is starting and I think Mr. Hopkins is the shit. Ciao.