I Just Saw…

Brazil. (R; 1985; Jonathan Pryce, Rober DeNiro) I feel I need to put a disclaimer on this review, mainly because the movie studio that produced it is determined on confusing the heck out of you with all their different versions.

For the record, the version I saw is the Criterion Collection: Love Conquers All, or, more commonly known as the version the director, Terry Gilliam, hates, complete with alternate opening, deleted scenes and “happy” ending.

Don’t freak out that I disclosed it’s a “happy” ending. It doesn’t reveal or help explain anything. In fact, I could vividly describe how it ended and you still would have no idea or understanding.

So, on to the movie. Brazil’s Orwellian measures are not lost on me. I get the big brother tie. I get the escalation of bureacracy to the point of complete ineptness. I get the fact that society has not evolved to further handcuff its citizens. I get all that. What I don’t get though, is the point.

As I’ve mentioned in these reviews, some movies need to be seen in the era they were produced to fully appreciate them. And that’s alright with me. But I don’t think the fact that this was done during the 80s, during the post-Cold War, during escalating tensions of the government’s growing powers excuses the fact that it’s a mess of a film. Save yourself the time and the trouble and just rent Escape from New York.

Death of a Dictator(?)

If you believe that Saddam was hanged earlier this week, and haven’t had a chance to check the footage, here’s the infamous cell phone video showing Saddam hanging around:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=863ce7d4a3

 Speaking of believing the news, this story has gotten very little coverage, but needs to be read:

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/02/25212.aspx

It would figure that a UFO would hit O’Hare. They cancel flights all the time; why not cancel a few due to UFO sighting?

And yes, I know it’s been a while since a ‘News’ report, so enjoy this and give me a break. It was Christmas. I was busy. Drinking wassel.

I Just Saw…

Blood Diamond (2006; R; Djimon Hounsou, Leonardo DiCaprio). Yes, I actually got to get out and see a movie in the theater. And no I don’t have some closet obsession with Leo seeing as how my last two theater movies have been his (The Departed). However, that being said, he is on the verge of becoming the latest entry into my ‘see-no-matter-what’ actor list (joining Russell Crowe, Toby Maguire, Matt Damon and Shirley Maclaine). Along with Djimon Hounsou, another possible add to this list, and Jennifer Connelly, this movie features superb acting along with fantastic cinematography.

But what I’d like to take a few minutes to discuss is the excellent directing of this film. Given the complex storyline, not to mention realworld political backstory, it would be easy to lose control of the movie, ignore a few details and be happy with an ‘ok’ ending. However, Edward Zwick does not cheat us. He dilligently, even at some points laboriously minds the storyline and pace of the movie to not rush a scene. He commands the movie in a way that makes you feel that you are being taken for a ride, the track strategically built to turn your stomach at key moments only to quickly take you back up the hill so you don’t waste time dwelling on the previous dip. And, in a refreshing change, you almost feel as if the actors feel the same way, often giving way to the cue of their director to avoid even the tiniest bit of overacting or poor-timing.

All in all, a near flawless film that I hope is considered for Oscar.

While You Have God on the Line…

Pat Robertson claims that God told him there will be a terrorist attack in 2007. He’s quickly taking his place next to Rush Limbaugh and Bill O’Reilly on the “nobody is listening to you anymore” list.

I wonder if God told him who would win the Super Bowl? Because I’m having a devil of a time picking a winner, there’s so much parity this year. But, alas, I am a guy and we must do two things in life: make sports picks and make ‘top 10′ lists. So, here is my prediction — it will be a bird bowl, Eagles v. Ravens. The Ravens will win 34-21.

At Least it wasn’t in a Wolf Attack

For some reason, there are always those SNL skits that stick out in your mind. Whether you saw it during a formidable time, with your friends, on a first date – or a combination of these – there are those that are always with you (I’m going to revisit this when I have more time; I think listing those would be interesting, mainly because I’m sure you would all have your own favorites.) 

One of those for me is the skit nearly ten years ago where Dana Carvey portrayed Tom Brokaw preparing some canned material in case something happened while he was on vacation. One of the possible stories he had to “can” was the death of Gerald Ford. So, for obvious reasons, the footage of this skit is flying all over YouTube.

 Thought you might want to see it:

They’re the 2006 Champs. Or is 2007?

I heard anyone could submit an article to The Burger, so I took them up on the offer. Mainly because I just had to get this off my chest.

I made a New Year’s resolution to be more patient with my boyfriend’s total dedication to sports. So, to show how serious I was, I watched some of last night’s Fiesta bowl. Now, for someone who hung in there for a few hours and then went to bed in favor of some Sex in the City reruns, this game was boring. Spare me your argument, I know that it ended up being great. I got to hear about it all morning.

Anyway, it’s bad enough that football is a confusing sport with all kinds of timeouts and penalties that don’t make any sense; however, it doesn’t help that the winner of said bowl game is the 2006 bowl champ, for a game played in 2007. What’s up with that? Why do they have to wait until 2007 to play it? Can’t they just play it in December? Even mid-December? Late December? No. They have to play it in 2007. So, to confirm, I just watched the 2006 Fiesta Bowl in 2007 but will have to wait until 2008 to find out who will be the 2007 champ? I miss the good ol’ days when the only resolution a girl had to worry about was losing those evasive seven pounds.