Movie: The Watchmen

Who Watches the Watchmen.

I DO!

At long last the critically acclaimed Limited Series turned Graphic Novel by Alan Moore is made into a blockbuster, stylized, motion picture triumph. I have waited for a movie like this and it delivered. True to story with only minor changes that are understandable for the change of time and medium. I don't think it will be the cutting edge change that I had originally hoped but it does nicely.

Synopsis

1985 alternate reality where caped crusaders do exist and are outlawed. We won the Vietnam war and Nixon is in his 5th term in office during the height of the USSR nuclear war crisis. Suddenly the government funded last mask standing, without a warrent out for his arrest, is murdered in his home in the middle of the night. Who is killing Masked Avengers? Rorschach is determined to find out. With the help of his retired comerades a tale mystery, mayhem, murder is uncovered and a plot for world destruction is unleashed.

Adaptation

I was impressed with how much they kept of the original story. I knew they really couldn't delve into the comic book with in the comic book story of Tales of the Black Freighter. The developed a separate direct to DVD motion comic or something. Its on itunes and such too. I think they pulled as many important characters as they could with the time and budget constraints. They also had to shorten the story for time constraints so a few scenes weren't filmed. Some of the narrative text was adapted into montages or background noise or set dressing. Which I thought was a good way of using it. I know they changed the end a little but personally I think it works for this medium. Film and multi volume comics are different. So somethings sometimes has to be changed to communicate the feelings or complete an expression. They did well in my book.


Visual

Wow... I must say WOW! it feels so much like the comics. The color palette, the cinematography, the set dressing, the camera placement... it is so well done. Such painstaking time went into adding all the visual layers to this story. (I can't wait to see the Blu ray behind the scenes on this). The movie is stunning. The only draw back for some I have heard is some of the costume designs on the hero versions of the characters like Spectra II and Owlman. I had no issue with the change but others did. It is different from the comics but similar in design if not execution. When placing a super hero costume on a real body sometimes you have to change it to make it look good instead of dorky. So I approve of the change.


Acting.

Normally I would do an actor by actor break down in this part of the review but everyone did so well It would be kind of strange having 8 paragraphs of nothing but praise. So I will say this. This ensemble was well put together, well directed and successful in their effort. Some didn't like Billy Crudup as Dr. Manhattan. He was a little too emotional for them. I thought he kept all his emotion buried where he didn't realize he had bottled them. I enjoyed his interpretation. I must mention the wonders of Jackie Earle Haley because his turn at Rorshack is so awesome. He really pulled this film together. He was really the most impressive here. He was Rorshack down to his freckles.


Soundtrack

I had one complaint. The soundtrack is inconsistent. Some songs just didn't belong in this film and jarred my emotional experiences taking me out of the spell of the story. For the most part I love the songs they picked for the soundtrack and the score is pretty good on the whole its just that 2 or 3 scenes could have been better served with different music.


Concerns

Okay I have 2 complaints. The climactic sex scene was a little long. Its stopped the pace of the movie with a visible lag. 2 minutes shorter and I think we would have no lag. Some complaints I have heard was for Dr. Manhattans lack of clothing. Well he ran around naked in the books... them movie is rated R so why not remain true to the story and leave him nude. Americans are a bit to sensitive of the nude body. I had no issue with it.


Bottom line

THE best comic book movie this year. (sorry wolvie) I can't say it is the best action movie as Star Trek is my pic for that this year. But its is second in line. I think any comic book fan of a mature age (over 17) should take a look at it. It is violent and titillating but thought provoking which is why I like it. It pushes your view of reality to expand your consciousness. Not everyone is going to like it. And that is okay. PANDY APPROVED.

Movie: Underworld: Rise of the Lycans

AT LONG LAST!!! The story of Lucian is put on film!!! I am so happy!

In all of the world of Underworld, Lucian is really my only reason for watching. His story is so touching. At last it has been told beautifully, powerfully and romantically. We now have his origin and it is a site to behold. Michael Sheen and Bill Nighy make this film. You simply cannot take your eyes off them.

Michael Sheen plays my favorite character, Lucian. The first of a new breed of Lycan born into slavery to protect the Vampires by day and toil for them by night. Michael really impressed me in the first film. They kind of left it hanging in the first film weather or not he died (I hope Lucian isn't dead... I really really hope). Michael's portrayal of a man who was born into bondage yet hoped for freedom is so touching. The Romance of Sonja and Lucian works so well because of his portral. His believeablitiy. He shines so bright in this film.

At any rate the vampires are not too convincing. I love Bill Nighy as an actor and they give him a few choice lines here but I don't think they really gave much to the vampires except for Rhona Mitra who plays Sonja. She did well, by the way. The Lycans got to be lycans, changing hunting fighting. But the vampires you forget they are vampires. They were entirly too human. There was no real otherworldy energies expressed or any blooddrinking in the whole bloody film... what is up with that. They are vampires. Someone should be biting something. (I personally would have liked to see Bill with a mistress drinking from her breast. )

Bottom line the film looks great and has a great love story and some pretty cool battle scenes otherwise kinda disappointing. Not as disappointing as Underworld 2 but there you have it. The only reason why I am approving it is because Michael Sheen is freeking awesome. Pandy Approved ~sort of~

Movie: The Duchess

BBC Films has done it for me again. Not only are they home to some of my favorite Jane Austin Classics but they have delved into real life historical drama. I love BBC Films. They never disappoint me.

The Duchess is an awesome, romantic, dramatic, melancholy, entertaining and sweeping movie. I was glued to the screen. So much happened in such a short time. Not a bit of it was slow. The story was so true and compelling. I wanted to know and understand the Duchess of Devonshire more. This movie really did its job.

Acting
Keira Knightly plays our heroine Gorgiana Duchess of Devonshire. I have to say she is getting better as an actor. I didn't really like her for the longest time. She did fine in The Pirates of the Caribbean Series but I found her lacking in roles like Elizabeth Bennet (Pride & Prejudice) and Guinevere (King Arthur). This is the first movie I truly enjoyed her performance. I am glad that she has added depth to her character. In a particular scene where she hands her baby to a nurse her feelings are so evident in a gentle heartfelt way. Not over-the-top. Not Fake. But pure and palpable. I was so impressed. I think I have to go see Atonement now.

Ralph Fiennes plays her Duke with all the pomp and circumstance of the era. I was probably most impressed with his portrayal of a 18th century duke. So many don't quite understand the men from that time, especially the Gentlemen (land owners who don't work). They don't understand that there is more than just their quirky ways but that there is actually more. Yes he is shrewd and harsh, laking the ability to express or understand emotion but there is a reason for that. This doesn't mean there isn't any emotion in him or that he is purely motivated by his own selfish whims. And Ralph captured this beautifully.

I was surprised to find Hayley Atwell playing Lady Elizabeth Foster. I liked her performance in Mansfield Park 2008 but was disappointed in her direction. She embodied Bess. I was blown away by her portrayal of this abused woman thrust into this strange living situation with 2 people she adored. She expressed that strength, guilt, sensuality, and pain so well. Bess is a complicated character to portray and she pulled it off convincingly.

I will watch anything Dominic Cooper is in. He plays Charles Grey, the Duchess' lover. He is simply a beautiful man. His innocence and devotion work so well for Charles the lover. His passion and charisma work for Charles the Politician. I think he is perfect in this part. He made me want to know more about Charles. Awesome performance.

The Look

The costuming is fabulously done. The dresses of course were some of the most spectacular seen in a movie set in this time. They were historically accurate in their construction (which is highly important to me) The ladies were sewn in to them. I loved that they sowed that on film. Heck they showed all the proper undergarments as well. The men's costumes were equally as impressive. The Wigs were works of art, especially for the duchess herself (as she was the fashion plate of the time) Good Job Costume, hair and make-up department.

The locations where stunning. All shot in England in real life historical buildings and cites. They really filmed in Bathe. I was happy to see that familiar row of homes from other BBC films. The manner they chose for the Duke is immaculate. It was rightfully impressive. Set dressings were also well placed. The table services for breakfast or dinner at the dukes were traditional for time and look splendid. I was happy to see such detail added to this film. I was happy to see they didn't try to modernise any of this story. (as they did with P&P) Well Done set design, Cinematography and carpentry.

Bottom Line

The movie looks beautiful and is played beautifully. So Go See It. Pandy Approved.

Anime: Antique Bakery

 

And so, Today I decided to watch Antique Bakery. a shounen-ai anime subbed byBB. I have been interested in reading the Manga for a while but sense I have today off and the anime has yet to be picked up by an American licensor Fansubs hurrah!

Antique Bakery is the story of 4 Men running a western style Patisserie in Japan. Tachibana is the eccentric big boob loving owner. Chikage is Tachibana's bubbling childhood friend and bodygaurd(explaination to follow). Ono is the demon cursed gay head patissier (who can make almost any man fall in live with him , gay or straight) and Kanda is the assistant baker in training who was a former lightweight boxing superstar. With such an interesting cast of main character's who can resist?

I love this series from the first 3 minutes. I guess you can say the opening theme sequence won me over. It is super cute with a model (doll house) of the bakery and little cut outs of the main characters with the song "Life goes on ~side k~" by CHEMISTRY. LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT.

But speaking seriously, the animation is beautifully done. they make the cakes and dishes look beautiful. the bakgrounds are 3d enviornments. Thankfully they are consistant with the look because the 2d animated figures don't lok out of place which normally happens when the backgrounds are rendered in this way.

The voice acting is on point. Leading the cast is the voice of Ono, Shinichiro Miki whom i know from such animes as Ceres, Vampire Princess Miyu and Weib Kreuz. He really stood out to me. there is a delicacy to his voice that comes across perfectly in those tender moments. Miki-san is seconded by Eiji Hanawa , the voice of Chikage. Hanawa-san is pretty new to the game. The only other 2 nime's I have heard him in were Deathnote and Naruto and he was a supporting character in each. I was impressed with Him though. I hope to hear more from him in the future. Keiji Fujiwara is wonderful as Tachibana. He has been in so many anime's i don't even know where to start. And last but not least Mamoru Miyano playing Kanda. Best known for playing Light in Death Note this uo and coming actor is perfect for this role. He's so bloody Cute!!!! he will certainly leave his mark in the anime world.

Overall the show is fabulous. It makes me want to read the manga. I also found out there is a live action version that I must find and download. at any rate PANDY APPROVED. go out and see it!

＜ノイタミナ＞西洋骨董洋菓子店〜アンティーク〜 - フジテレビ

Movie: The Dark Knight

On a full moon night the patrons of AMC theatre Cobb Parkway assembled to partake of Christopher Nolan's latest addition to Batman lore. I bring you. THE DARK KNIGHT,A frantic, unexpected and even darker tale than its predecessor Batman Begins.

I was riveted to my seat and completely enthralled by the intelligent writing of this complex story. Christopher explored parts of the human condition and kept us entertained. He made good use of technology both in and on this film. He gave us more. A lot more.

Acting
Christian Bale never ceases to amaze me. There are moments of sweet tenderness and cocky bravado all rolled up with this intense action subject. I love what he brings to Bruce and Batman. The interplay with Alfred, the romance with Rachel, the challenge of Joker, and the rivalry (with respect) of Harvey Dent were all handled with the utmost care and creativity. I am looking forward to seeing him reprise this role again. I hope he stays Batman as long as possible. He has been a wonderful asset in transforming this franchise once again.

Heath Ledger... what can I say that hasn't been said already. His performance was inspired, haunting, riveting, and unforgettable. I loved his turn at the Batman's arch nemesis: the Joker. Completely reinventing this iconic character by adding intelligent insanity, grounding depth and manacle creativity to the role. I wish I could see him further explore this character. The only person that comes to mind that could ever try to fill his shoes and not be shunned by it would be Johnny Depp. ( who always wanted to see a the Joker) It brings a triumphant close to a life gone too soon.

Aaron Eckhart was an amazing Harvey Dent. He played this role to its best. Subtly in acting is always recognised especially in these blockbuster "comic book" or "super hero" movies. But Aaron made use of it in the best possible way. The journey this character goes on to the creation of Two Face is eloquent, tasteful, gentle in its laying of groundwork. Then when the plot called for it BAM the Villain we all wanted to see but hoped wasn't there arrives in full force with believability and emotional gravity that suck us in to the climatic battle of wills. Masterfully done Aaron. You had me at your first coin toss.

Maggie Gyllenhaal has made me forget poor Katie Holmes. (not that I hated Katie's performance) Its just that Maggies was so much more. The role felt expanded and Maggie filled it full of such life and believability that I was blown away. The agony of choosing between a beloved childhood first love and the current love of her life was so evident and elegantly played. She brought a tender strength that was soo convincing and so enchanting that Katie sadly had no chance... sorry.

Now for the most important supporting roles that this movie could not do with out. Michael Caine, The best darn Alfred even put on film has stolen the show once again. He out shined Christian in their scenes. He brings this wonderful aura with him when he plays these roles. It is just genius. Morgan Freeman as Lucious. Without him this movies believability plummets to almost nothing. Morgan plus Michael create this grounding backbone in the cast that allows this story to truly soar. Lucious is a genious device to bring that realism in creatively and brilliantly. Morgan is one of the most fabulous actors on the planet and he shines in this relatively small role. He still makes an impression. He so elegantly supports the cast. He is perfection. And lastly Gary Oldman as Gordon. This man becomes his roles and breaths life into them unlike any other actor of this age. Gordon is played with so much realism that I could see him in Law and Order easy. In his triumph and his failure his emotions ring true. I look forward to seeing him develop this character further.

Story - I am not going into it but it is Brilliant!

Visuals - Everything we hoped for and more!

Bottom Line - PANDY APPROVED.

Go see it tonight even if you saw it already. Titanic can't stay at the top forever. For the Geek in all of us Put us back on the top!

TV movie: Mansfield Park (1983)

Currently my favorite adaptation of one of Jane Austen's literary masterpieces.

Beautiful locations, gorgious period costumes, proper english manners, and fabulous performances litter this production with perfection. It is actually one of the first Jane Austen productions I ever saw. I do concede that there are a few strange issues but it is such a heart warming, satisfying rendition that it seems wrong to complain about it.

This is a 6 hour miniseries first aired in 1983 on BBC. The first bit a praise I must bestow on this is for the length. I love the fact they took their time to really tell the story. Character development was carefully exacted. The beauty of Jane Austen novels is in the relationships between the characters. They had the time to really explore each character properly.

It's production value on the other hand is drastically low in comparison with some of the current miniseries. They sacrificed set dressing for story telling and I can't disagree with it.

When all is said and done I really enjoyed this series. Some may find it slow and old but give it a chance. If you take the time to understand the characters this series is really satisfying Pandy Approved.

Movies: Mansfield Park (1999)

One of Jane Austen's Literary Masterpieces poorly adapted to the silver screen.

Well of course that is my own personal observation but suffice it to day it is still true. Many Jane Austen enthusiasts agree that when a director/writer doesn't like the main character of a story nor the main plot of the story and thus changes it by adding modern sensibilities, emphasizing plotlines and social commentaries on the time it is set in that have nothing to do with the story itself and grafting a dash of the original work's author's personal traits (from letters I might add) the director/writer should look for a different project and leave the original work alone. It would have been nice... but it isn't.

Shall we begin with the story itself? Number one, Mansfield Park is the story of Fanny Price and how she affected the people around her in the grand house of Mansfield Park. It is not a social commentary on slavery. It is not a sex comedy.

In the book Fanny is a shy but steadfast girl who was treated poorly by her aunts and neglected by all but one cousin, she didn't complain or fuss about it. She lived with it and did her best to become indispensable to the family who kindly took her in. In the movie she is not shy; she is a bit brash and opinionated. In the movie you do not see what pains she took to care for her aunt, Lady Bertram. In one scene she administers Lady Bertram's medicine but nothing else. In the movie Mrs. Norris makes her feel lesser but you do not see how she used her as a gopher and abused her verbally all the time. I think this diminishes the strength of Fanny, for her to be able to work in this and still do it with a smile. In the movie Fanny is more like Jane Austin herself, a wonderful writer who can flirt and speaks with wit and charm. This in not how Jane intended Fanny to be. She is a shy girl who loves knowledge & nature and is generally willing to help where ever she is needed.

In the book Sir Bertram was a steadfast religious man who wanted to be kind to Fanny. He was a cautious man and cared for his family deeply. When his son, Tom, had fallen in with a bad crowd and was racking up horrible debts Sir Bertram took him to his plantation in the East Indies in the hopes of saving him and his pocketbook. When he gave Fanny a ball it wasn't to marry her off but to treat her as his daughter with a proper coming out. So she and her brother William could dance together. You see his children went to balls and dinners but Fanny always stayed behind to tend to Lady Bertram. It was supposed to be a kind gesture. In the movie Sir Bertram is a lecherous, bigoted, rapist who regrets taking Fanny in and tries to marry her off in this ball. He becomes a truly detestable creature.

In the book Mary and Henry Crawford are as much the same in the Movie save one element. Henry in the Movie seems more enamored of Fanny than in the book. Fanny and her cousins were mealy conquests to Henry but because Fanny resisted he pursued harder after her. In the movie he really did seem like he was in love with her and Fanny actually reciprocated in one scene. (Much to my dismay) In the book, however, Fanny never succumbs to his ministrations which, in my opinion, make her a stronger character.

The perfomers weren't bad at all. I think the more steller performances were by Embeth Davidtz and Alessandro Nivola who played Mary and Henry Crawford (the two parts with the least amount of deviance) They were truely memorable. If the rest of the story were in line with them this movie would have swept the academy. But as it wasn't much is the loss.

The costumes and cinematography were right on point. The gowns and suits were perfectly period. The choreography of the Ball dance was adequate. The only thing out of period was the absence of proper curtsy and bows when entering and leaving company. Oh but one critique on the location...Kirby Hall is bereft of wall hangings in the sitting room and hall... How can an English Knighted Baron have naked walls??? Is he really poor and we are just tricked in to believing he has money... Heck they never really show how large his estate and township really is. (I could go on but I am not)

Bottom line: purely from a writting standpoint it sucks as an adaptation. If they called this some other movie and changed the names then left Jane Austen out of it the movie may have been okay but for me - Resubmit. Fix the characters back to what they were intended to be, remove the crap you added, and remember to hire a 1780's to 1820's English manners coach.