5 posts tagged “movie”
Full stop, my favorite scene is the one where he doesn't fight the high school bullies at a party.
I saw Blazing Saddles (1974) for the first time as a youngster -- no clue how old I was, but I'm pretty sure I saw it on HBO or maybe videotape at Shelby's house.
I was hesitant to see it again, because I didn't think it was all that good the first time. But it came up in my Netflix queue, so I watched it again the other night. I realize now that I was entirely too young to get it the first time around. I was quite a naive and protected child, and I grew up in a mixed community, without much overt racism (or at least, I was not aware of any -- could come back to my basic nature). I think I honestly didn't know what the n-word meant, and just didn't understand why everyone was making a big deal over a black guy coming to town to be the sheriff. Also, fart jokes never amused me, and still don't, but I digress.
Having seen it now with more mature, less naive, eyes, I can honestly say that movie is funny! And the ending, with the action spilling over onto other sets, made me think immediately of the end of Python's Holy Grail (which was released in '75 -- I hadn't realized it was a contemporary almost of Blazing Saddles).
Before Christmas, the repair team came in and finished the roof, repaired the ceilings. The ceilings still have to be finished (plastered, painted, moldings replaced, etc) but it is NICE to look up and not see sky or rafters or tarp. They haven't done a thing with the floor yet, but that should happen tomorrow or the next day.
Christmas day we went to the movies and ran into Ms. Carolyn who works at the theater. She's our Mardi Gras buddy, when we have a chance to go to New Orleans for the parades (we don't always make it). Our movie was The Spirit, which the FAZ told us about. It was like a 40s detective noir movie, but with 21st century tech. It was kind of campy, but played ramrod straight, no tongues in cheeks anywhere. I didn't love it, but I was entertained throughout and enjoyed myself during the viewing.
Friday we went to Woodville, TX to our live-action gaming group's campsite. It was hot and sticky Friday evening, raining Saturday morning, and after the rain moved out, the temps dropped. And apparently it was clear enough sometime Sat or Sun for my nose to get sunburnt. But it was good fun, and a major plotline came to a conclusion, so I was glad to be there as part of it.
I hate to admit it, but I think this is the first Spike Lee joint I've ever seen. I haven't been actively avoiding his work or anything, just never got around to adding any. His direction in this film is mostly quite interesting to watch -- some of the camera angles when Shorty is riding his bike, it's probably not innovative, but stays right with the kid, drawing the viewer right along with him. The flashback sequences, again, not innovative, but blur the line between memory and the investigator's narrative. Some of the transitions were rather abrupt (all of a sudden, the investigators are in a church, with no explanation of what led them there) -- maybe I've had too much Law & Order.
Clerks II
Watched this before bed. Pretty funny, some of it just completely over the top. I didn't ever really believe Dante's relationship with one woman, especially when his interaction with the other woman was so much more natural and believable. That friend of his ... can't think of his name ... he just rubbed me the wrong way. Good for a rental, don't feel any need to buy it or watch it again.
LSU v. Ohio State (women basketball)
Today's activity, we got there just as they were tipping off. LSU wins; third team gets some playing time (big cushion score); and still home in time for Star*Drive.
