Movies
Go see “What Would Jesus Buy?”!
BEFORE you buy a ton of presents for your family and go into debt to do it. The movie was great. Rev Billy was very… interesting… and you gotta applaud anybody with the guts to go to the Mall of America and try to tell people to stop buying junk.
I am not Christian so I admit the title put me off a bit. But while it is using a parody of a Fire and Brimstone preacher I think the message to stop putting yourself into debt to buy Christmas gifts is one we can all learn from.
My favorite part was when he took the Stop Shopping Gospel Choir door to door singing modified Christmas Carols. Those poor unsuspecting people answering the door! I don’t usually like that kind of ambush stuff but the carols were hysterical and the bouncing Reverend Billy Head keeping time with the words is not to be missed!
I will try to do a more in depth review later.
—Maureen on the Go (MoGo)
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Visually Stunning Imagery of the Universe:
The Fountain is one of the most visually stunning movies I have ever seen. I went to see it twice in theaters because seeing that much beauty on a large screen is something I couldn’t pass up.
A couple of things I have to point out about this movie.
1) It is not for the blow ‘em up crowd. If DieHard is your favorite movie, this will probably drive you nuts. This is a contemplative movie that is EXTREMELY non-linear and you will spend quite a bit of the movie confused and trying to figure out if you missed something. You didn’t. You will need to have patience and know that all the dots will eventually be connected. The movie loops through time and space and parts are repeated. The first time you see a scene you may not know what is going on, but they will show it again and it will all make sense the second time since you will now have back story. This is a movie that is best understood after multiple viewings.
I don’t often feel the need to purchase movies at this point (thanks to Netflix) but was compelled to get this one. I am someone who is visual. The Fountain is packed with visual metaphors and organic imagery. I watched all the behind the scenes stuff and was delighted to find out how they got some of those amazing images was by having a guy create chemical reactions in a petri dish and then film them in ultra closeup. Nature, of course, is the best artist.
2) The movie spans a thousand years in three parts (1500, 2000 and 2500). Each part is woven into the others with characters shifting between times. For those of you who are a little unsure if this is your cup of tea I have a link here to the film’s website. I had been waiting for the movie since I like both the main actors, Hugh Jackman (X-Men, The Prestige) and Rachel Weiz (she was awesome in the Mummy Movies as my favorite librarian and in Constantine) but it was the website and the imagery on it that made sure I went to see it.
3) Haunting Music. I am not as rule someone who is moved by movie music unless we are taking the first star wars movie but I also loved the music in the movie enough to want to buy the soundtrack. It is haunting and magical and essential to the film.
This is best viewed with a friend who likes cerebral stuff and will be willing to sit with you for a couple hours afterwards and talk about the themes that the movie explores: death, rebirth, immortality, love, what the tattoos mean, the meaning of life (and I don’t mean the monty python version). I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
—Maureen on the Go (MoGo)
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Movies I love:
Death at a Funeral
This was a great movie I just saw directed by Frank Oz. I like Frank in general and I am still a huge muppet fan but I like his work as a director best. The wikipedia link above has a list of the movies he has made. The list will surprise you.Death at a Funeral is not for people who hate uncomfortable situations but the whole movie is so inappropriate it was very funny. Half the fun was squirming as all these really outrageous things happen and you feel for the poor sods on the screen.
And kudos to Alan Tudyk for being brave enough to do half the movie attired as he was. I discovered him when I became a Firefly fan. I originally went to see the movie because I knew he was in it. I dragged a semi-reluctant friend and we both spent the rest of the time laughing so hard I was glad I hadn’t had anything to drink!
Definitely check it out.
—Maureen on the Go (MoGo)
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Pirates of Penzance
with Kevin Kline, Rex Smith (of Solid Gold fame but he can sing!) and Angela LansburyThey now have a sign up list at Amazon for this on DVD. If enough people sign up then they make the DVD. So please sign up!
I think this is one of Gilbert & Sullivan’s best. I tried renting this from Netflix but ended getting the Broadway production instead. It was okay but not as much fun as the movie.
The link below is from the Pirate chorus and had a lot to do with why I liked the idea of pirates as a kid. I just showed this to my child and there was much singing and stomping around the house after! And what is not to like about Kevin Kline in thigh high captain boots and tight pants, dancing and singing?
—Maureen on the Go (MoGo)
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