Monday, March 24, 2008

A review of sorts...

This past weekend while 'incapacitated' i had the opportunity to watch a couple movies i've been wanting to see...

Never having been a Leonardo DiCaprio fan, I've liked him in ONE movie (Gangs of New York) where he was completely put in his place in an acting sense by Daniel Day Lewis and even the cameo of Liam Neeson. With that in mind, i dispassionately undertook "Blood Diamond". After having viewed the trailers at a previous movie,i was intrigued by the storyline. i missed the theatre version and finally caught it on HBO during the free preview weekend. Never fear, i am still not a fan of Leonardo DiAveragio playing a soldier of fortune type. IMO he was showed up again, this time by Djimon Hounsou (whom i loved in Gladiator) who plays a refugee father seeking a lost son. The movie was somewhat entertaining, it held me from a fatherly standpoint, but that being a subplot made the main a bit anticlimatic, and the subplot became the story for me. Perhaps that was the goal...no?

The next was Eric Bana in Munich. Much better because it was based on the actual events surrounding the massacre of the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympics and the aftermath. Of course, there was plenty of Hollywood fictionalization, but still and yet, gave me enough curiosity to seek out more of the true actual events portrayed. After careful consideration, i'll not be adding this one to the library, though i did give it a second look.

The other day i saw an ad in the Post Office of all places for HBO's "John Adams". It was a full 8' standup, it performed the intended...it captured my attention. Which, of course, due to the subject matter, is not difficult. If its Colonial, i'm interested. Its just one of those times in history that i gravitate towards. As stated earlier, we had a free preview weekend of HBO and i caught the initial installment "Join or Die". I was locked in from the very beginning. In fact, its so intense that i'm considering getting HBO for the remainder of the miniseries. Tonight, while re-watching episode 1, i realized that Tom Hanks is one of the two producers, and i thought, "Well...no wonder its so good." Band of Brothers is one of my absolute favorite video accounts of WWII. Paul Giamatti makes an unbelieveable John Q. Adams, he brings a passion to the character i would have never thought he could do. I am urging you, if you don't have access to HBO that's fine, but by all means, when this comes out on disc, get your patriotic little hands on this, it will remind you of what "Life, Libery, and the Pursuit of Happiness" is all about.

Of the three, there is really only one recommendation, and i'm pretty sure i've made that one clear.

6 comments:

Course of Perfection said...

So, I should see "Blood Diamond"? JK, although I have enjoyed the performances of Djimon Hounsou in the past too (did you see "Amistad"?). I bought a 3-disc special edition of "Gladiator" for $5!! It's one of my faves. Colt watched it for the first time last weekend. Sweet.

I was also excited by the previews of "John Adams". I'm just your basic history geek. Tell me about the past, anything, & I'll listen attentively. I'm glad to hear your giving it the thumbs-up. I'll be looking forward to the disc-set. I would also be interested in your wife's opinion on "John Adams", if you wouldn't mind passing it along in this instance. (Sorry, just for the confirmed, feminine vote.)

Course of Perfection said...

Please forgive me for the misuse of "your". I was aghast when I noticed it. :)

Junk Diva said...

Not a Leonardo fan myself, I was not impressed with "Blood Diamonds" either. Thanks for the review on the others. I will check out "John Quincy".

Perfection: I am becoming a history buff in my old age. I wish I had started earlier.

Junk Diva said...

I Mean " John Adams" also aghast. LOL

Anonymous said...

We are hooked on the John Adams series. Episode 4 is on this Sunday and I can't wait! I too am a history buff, the Colonial times being an especial favorite. The John Adams series is being done so well, so faithful to what really happened. And yes, Giammatti is perfection, as is Laura Linney as Abigail.

And when it comes out on DVD, I'll have to get it.

Doc said...

Piper,

Saw one episode of John Adams on HBO during my spring training trip. Had the same reaction as you. More likely than subscribing though is eventually renting the discs. I'm having a hard time getting into The Wire, despite repeated recommendations from people I trust, but JA hooked me from the first minute.