A Fabulous Time to Be in the Dark
© A.J. Malouin 2009
What with Islamic New Year, Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, and the almost-arrival of Christmas, Kwanzaa, the Blue Moon of New Year’s Eve afternoon, and then the Gregorian New Year…
Wellllll, we’ve been a little remiss with daily entries on the blog.
We have seen a lot of good material, though, and you should, also.
“The Hurt Locker” continues to play here in The Great Lakes Basin, and probably in your part of the world also. It’s a stunning commentary on the war in Iraq, but, even greater, on the kinds of things war does to soldiers in general.
“The Messenger” plays off that same theme, and is noteworthy also, even though it waddles off course, and does not have the surgical clarity of “The Hurt Locker.” You can find our review of “The Messenger” under the Side Bar Page ‘Archive for November, 2009.”
Strangely, we have not posted our enthusiasm for “The Hurt Locker” here yet, except here
Three of us went to see “Me and Orson Welles” recently, and all three of us recommend it relatively highly. We hope to post our review of it on December the 26th,,.but we make no guarantees.
Meanwhile, “Al’s Movies @ Gayle’s Chocolates” discussed the film “Solntse” [“The Sun”] at last week’s gathering. “Solntse” is difficult for Americans to view, if they don’t live in film centers like L.A., NYC, or Michigan. Our group liked it a lot, and we hope you get a chance to view it, one way or another. It concerns the life of Japan’s Emperor Hirohito on the day that the Americans entered Tokyo, and the Emperor was escorted to meet with General Douglas MacArthur.
I (The Film Snob) have seen “Skin” this week, through a Crack In The Universe, and found it to be surprisingly moving and recommenable. I’ve rated it a “4” and will post a review of it (maybe!) as all the celebrations which keep me away from the typecomputer release their loverly tentacles upon my (and your!) time.
I have also recently screened “Medicine for Melancholy” and “Amelie” in the privacy of my own cocoon. Both of these are marvelous films; I have rated them “6” and “5,” respectively. I know you want to know more about them before investing your Netflix in them, but I will have my people return a semblance of your money if you doughnut enjoy them. (I would not be the person to steer you wrong!)
Our correspondents, further, have reported good things in their viewings of movies and films which include “Pirate Radio” and “Brothers” and “The Blind Side.”
They have urged us to run away from such things as “Twilight Saga: New Moon” and “The Men Who Stare at Goats.”
(If you want to have us publish Your reviews of movies & films, BTW, send us an e-mail saying so, which includes your review. Post that material to 50films@malouin.us)
Your can also post your publishable list of “50 Films (You) Would Watch Again” to that address. Please alphabetize your list and spell- and fact-check for accuracy, as most of My People are still returning from Copenhagen and could not get (“afford”) First Class airfare nor even (honestly?) airfare at all.
Remember, we’re all together in the dark on these things…and we’ll see you in the movies!!!!