The Hurt Locker

Hello. I'm sitting here listening to The Scene Aesthetic playing a cover of Taylor Swift's "Love Story." For those of you who don't know that one by name, it's the one that goes "you were Romeo and you were throwing pebbles," during the chorus. The question i'm asking myself though, is which of the two is more ridiculous; The Scene Aesthetic, the Taylor Swift cover, or the fact that even though I often am forced to defend my heterosexuality, I've chosen to listen to the most bubble-gum acoustic pop band ever covering a female pop artist. I'll just have to ponder that one for a while.


Old School, The Hangover director Todd Phillips

Anyway, with that on the table i'd like to discuss a couple of films. The first; Todd Phillips' The Hangover (2009), followed by Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq war drama, The Hurt Locker (2009). For weeks I had been hearing about the former of the two, and all I had heard were rave reviews. Granted, with raunchy comedies like this one, a rave review can only go so far, as this type of comedy is not universal in the way that family friendly comedies like Tommy Boy (1995), or Dumb and Dumber (1994) are. Nonetheless, I had planned to go and see Transformers 2 (2009) at a special 3:15am show on it's opening night (the midnight was sold out), but when the lady friend I was with and I agreed we'd rather enjoy the comforts of a bed and covers than a movie theater, we decided to forgoe the film and see it the next day. However, the opening day shows were all sold out, so we decided to see Todd Phillip's newest attempt to top his original hit Old School (2003). Quite honestly, it was more forgettable than miraculous. While I expected the actors to fill the spots of Will Ferrel, Vince Vaughn and Luke Wilson, they failed o bring the same crisp magic to the film that the comic veterans brought so impactfully to Old School (2003). Most of the gags felt cheap and predictable, and where certain moments of all Phillip's films all have that sort of trying too hard edge to them, this one just didn't explode off the screen in its strong moments like I expected it would. I will admit that my high expectations may be partially responsible for some of my disappointment, but that aside, I think i'm a decently objective critic. I'd give The Hangover (2009) a B-, or a 71%.



As for The Hurt Locker (2009), I won't say too much now, as I'd like to properly review it when I've actually seen the film. The most exciting element for me here is that fact that it is directed by Kathryn Bigelow. For those that aren't familiar with Bigelow, she was once married to legendary dircetor James Cameron, and in 1991, she directed my all time favorite film, Point Break (1991). This new picture looks to be her most serious effort to date, and has recieved nothing but solid praise. The story is of a member of a United States bomb squad who has seemingly lost his fear or sensitivity to the danger of his job. Stationed in the heart of the Iraq war, he develops an uncommon relationship with his team. Beyond that, I don't really know what to expect. Nonetheless, I am very excited for it. I'll et you guys know what I think.
-Ben

If anybody is still listening

Hello. It's exactly 11:01am on Tuesday, the 23rd of June. I'm sitting here drinking a grande black coffee at Fuel, a little cafe' on 19th in capital hill. Although there are 3 fuel coffee's in Seattle proper, this was the original location. Interestingly enough though, the chain was started by a veteran barista and lesbian, so nearly the entire staff and female patronage is comprised of "tough guy broads." It's a very strange place to sit and do much of anything that requires focus, because the portal into this other world of trendily homosexual coffee is terribly distracting.
Anyhow, introductions aside, I should probably explain my abrupt and prolonged absence from blogspot if I intend to inspire any kind of attention to this site. It's been just over 2 months since my last post, and in that time i've had some pretty incredible epiphany's regarding the value of time, and the importance of prioritizing. Regretfully, these life lessons have reduced my filmic intake by almost 60%. This isn't a statistic I intend to keep constant forever, but until I learn how to fit everything else into the equation that is my day to day, i'll have to settle for what I can afford. To mark the first day of this second stage in my blogging career, I will make one promise (to myself if no one else); I will post at least 5 times a week, always with a film in mind to discuss or relate to a current event. Hopefully, I will be able to get in 3 or more movies a week, and in time, perhaps I'll be able to structure themed weeks again (always open to suggestion, cough, cough). For now though, if anybody is reading this post, I still want to improve as a writer, and for that reason, I will keep this pseudo-journal active. Thanks for checking in.

-Ben

I'm Still Alive, Just Very Behind

Good evening. Apparently I haven't figured out the trick to watching five films and writing about them on time yet, because I start more posts by apologizing than even promoting films. I'm going to continue writing this week about cop films, as I am sincerely interested in all of the films from last week, but I promise to stay on top of my posts for next week. I'm undecided as yet if I want to stay with my weekly themed lists, or if I want to just write about whatever film I end up watching, new to me, or previously viewed. As for notable films, I watched Observe and Report (2009 last weekend and I have to say, it was far more interesting than I was expecting. Without writing an extensive review in this post, as i'm sitting next to my pal as we watch Casino (1995), I will just say that it really isn't the film being advertised in the trailers, and tv spots. Complete with demented, disturbing humor, and a wonderfully effective soundtrack to offset the classic Apatow/Rogen/Ferrell new-age humor, this film almost succeeds without fail. Unfortunately, the dark atmosphere is compromised by out of place moments of cheap Stiller style comedy. Still though, I give the film high praise for being fresh and unique in today's market, and definitely recommend it. It's best described as Taxi Driver (1976) meets Waiting (2004).
B or 76%.
-Ben

Drinking hot chocolate and the first momets of Serpico

Last night I began watching Serpico (1973) at about 1230am, determined to watch at least a solid portion of the film to keep up with my own crushing pace. Predictably, I found myself in bed by 1am, justifying my laziness with pride for having even started the film in the first place. Other than being immediately aware of the directorial brilliance of Sidney Lumet for what feels like the hundredth time, I'll save my final appraisal of the film for later. Also, this weeks list has changed to this one;
1. Colors (1988)
2. Serpico (1973)
3. Bullit (1968)
4. The Naked City (1948)
5. Act of Violence (1948)
Optional: Beyond the Law (1992)

I've just finished drinking an excellent hot chocolate at Stumptown coffee on Pine, where i'm waiting to hear from my flaky co-worker "Big Terry Jones, or Tare Bear." We're meeting to shoot some pool, as i've made it a lifetime goal of mine to excel at all of the non athletic gentleman's leisure activities. First i'll conquer pool, then i'll move on the golf, bowling, ping-pong, skiing. Even archery and horseback riding are possibilities. Normally i'd have ordered a short drip coffee with an inch of room for cream, but as i've already had one cup of coffee today, and will be having another when I meet my older brother in a few hours, I thought I'd opt for sugar, rather than caffeine. The point of my writing this is to pose a question, and the question is this;
Why must we feel stimulated beyond the basic intellectual appeal of interacting with one another? Why do we meet to ingest coffee, or lunch, or dinner? Why do we see a movie together, or play pool? Obviously I enjoy eating or drinking, or being entertained as much as anyone else, but if the intention in making plans with someone is to see them, then why can't we just meet in one of our respective residencies and look each other in the eye while posing questions to one another? It isn't so much a complaint as much as it's an observation. It seems that we're all so wrapped up in ourselves that we must seek out convenient distraction disguised as social facility to avoid fully experiencing one another's "infinite nature (to quote Naomi Watts)." Also, if you haven't seen this video of James Franco being hilarious, it's worth checking out.
-Ben

My new List, and an unnecessary post

Hello all. I've just returned from Scarecrow Video, arms full of cop films, excitement brimming from my eyes. Due to the store's two-for one Wednesday special, I rented six films, rather than five. The new list of movies is far more exciting and tasteful, including two 1948 noir films, as well as a non-related double-feature called Mystery Street (1950). With any luck, I'll be able to watch at least one of the films tonight, and review it before going to sleep. Stay posted. For tonight; Serpico (1973)

-Ben
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The Final Theme for Week 3!

Alright, i'll agree with you that i'm lazy, but at least i'm bothering to post even if it's late at night and I have nothing to say. This morning I tiredly watched the first 45 minutes of The Two Jakes (1990), before I finally turned it off and went to work to further aid humankind. I posted a request for a subject this week, and although I greatly appreciate all of the wonderful suggestions I got, none of them moved me toward a relevant theme. I have two options that seem fairly realistic, but I won't be starting the viewing this week until tomorrow night, so I will ask once again for guidance from my tremendous supporters. Let your voice be known, and the first one to get three votes will be the choice this week. Also, if you're the first response I get, you may choose one of the films on the list. My final two options are as follows; Cop movies in honor of Jody Hill's sophomore film, Observe and Report (2009), or religious/easter movies in honor of Sunday's big Jesus-fest. The two lists look roughly like this:

EASTER:
1. Religulous (2008)
2. The Last Temptation of Christ (1989)
3. The Passion of the Christ (2004)
4. Hank and Mike (2008)
5. Undetermined


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COPS:
1. Colors (1988)
2. Serpico (1973)
3. Bullit (1968)
4. The Border (1982)
5. Beyond the Law (1992)

Remember that I have to have not seen the movies that I watch, unless of course the person choosing one of the films insists I review something I've already seen. This exception will be allowed as long as the person swears it's a great film. Please give me a hand. I'll post the final list tomorrow.
-Ben

About 29 minutes late

Okay. I was supposed to watch 5 movies this week, and I watched two. Two! For gods sake, I can't even keep up with my own nonsense. I don't know yet what week three will entail, but I will try my best to watch at least four of five. That's okay though. My good buddy Max and I went over to the Taphouse in downtown Seattle tonight and played pool, and although I got my ass kicked for 3 hours, finally ending with a record of 4 and 9, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The highpoint of the evening would have to be getting to play billiards complementary, as a wonderful yet charming oversight from our beautiful bartender. This post will formally be introduced to the world more than a full hour after it should have, but that was ultimately necessary, as we had to visit dick's drive in before getting back to my place to watch Street Kings (2008). Nothing gives me more pleasure than to watch Keanu Reeve's utter racial slurs as a morally conspicuous Los Angeles cop.



"You dress white, buy black, and drive Jew," says
Reeve's in one of the first scene's.

This is so absurd coming from the man who not only played Johnny Utah, but Neo, that I have to give this film credit for being unintentionally humorous. Bravo! I will be visiting the video store tomorrow to pick up this weeks material, and I don't know what to get. I am officially begging my audience for a subject. It must be in some way relevant, but I don't care how vague it is. Any ideas will be greatly appreciated. I will wait 24 hours to visit the video store. Let me know at det.bateman@gmail.com.
-Ben