The Golden Compass: I was tricked out of watching the latest, definite, special, “I swear this is the last one” remastered Blade Runner in the theatres for this super-expensive turd. My favorite Rotten Tomatoes quote:
The worst crime of a film like this is that not only is it retarded, it expects its audience to be retarded as well.
The thing that baffles me the most about this movie is Nashira’s hearty endorsement. I can see the movie’s packed with good intentions, but this first chapter, the movie we’re talking about? It’s shit. It might get better, but that’s like saying the next kick in the balls might not hurt as much.
World War Z: Every year, I make this unofficial tally of all the books I have read, and nominate one for the prestigious “Alvarete’s Book of the Year” award, which guarantees said book (if applicable) will be your Birthday/Anniversary/Whatever present for the next year. Some years, it’s a book everybody can enjoy (like last year’s Kafka on the Shore, a masterpiece that sneaked into my all-time favorite list), but this year it’s quite the opposite. World War Z is a series of personal accounts taken after the world survives a zombie invasion (I guess I won’t be giving it as a wedding gift any time soon). The sad thing about this book is that people will stay away from it because it’s about zombies, when it’s really about people. I’ll have to buy a cheap pocket edition to loan around and try to drum up some interest. It’s definitely worth it.
Beowulf: Not the best movie of the year, but far from the shitfest it could’ve been. This movie is surprisingly solid, considering it was conceived more as a technology showcase than a true film. It’s not without its shortcomings, but it does something incredibly rare: it actually improves on the source material. There’s at least one plot twist that’s so well woven into the story that, if you’ve read the book, you’ll wonder how it wasn’t always like that. Also holds the dubious title of being the bloodiest PG-13 movie I have ever seen.
The Muppets: I’ve been a closet Muppet fan for lots of years, and the proud owner of a bunch of Muppet memorabilia, like some of the (now crazy expensive) busts from Sideshow WETA and several *cough*12?*cough* stamp sets. I recently watched, I think, for the first time since I’m in Spain, most of the TV show and all the old-school movies, and I can honestly say that today’s kids wouldn’t be so stupid if they were shown quality kid entertainment like Kermit and gang instead of whatever crap Disney is shoving down their throats these days. The Rainbow Connection has more emotion packed into a three-minute song than Disney’s heirs have produced in the 40-years since old Walt passed away. I guess I could be biased, as it still makes me cry, but still: The Muppets still rock.
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