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August 24, 2005

The Dukes of Hazzard


Luke Duke - Johnny Knoxville
Bo Duke - Seann William Scott
Daisy Duke - Jessica Simpson
Uncle Jesse - Willy Nelson
Boss Hogg - Burt Reynolds


Well, it may not be the most intellectual of movies, but it's still fun. I walked into this movie expecting to hate it. Yes, I know I shouldn't do that, but Dukes of Hazzard was a large part of my growing up, and a lot of the show depicted life in my own neck of the woods.


So, the first thing I did was nit-pick. Daisy would never do that, Bo would never do this, blah blah blah, the General Lee isn't supposed to have doors that open, and where the hell is the flag on the top?

But then, after you get past the nit-picking point, and accept the fact that the movie is going to be different (a little or a lot) from the TV show you knew and loved as a child, you can let yourself go and just enjoy the flight of fancy.

I mean, literally, nothing makes sense. Well, it does, when you immerse yourself in the county of Hazzard. Who do you go to when you suspect the law is up to no good? If you're the Duke Boys, you don't go to no one. You just terrorize, break up, beat down, peel out, punch out, steal, drag, kick, shovel and tow just about anything you can to get to the truth.

Ah, if only life were that simple. And lucky.

The Duke boys certainly do have their luck cut out for them, and to their credit (and to the credit of the writers), they're always lucky. It gets a bit annoying in some places where you think, 'Oh, that couldn't happen. Please.'

But mostly, if you can just let go of logic, you'll like this film.

Some pitchfork points:


  • Technically speaking, the chase scenes were a bit hard to follow. There was a lot of on the ground action, which leads to shakey camera work, lots of dust coverage, and leaves you with an almost sick feeling, and a wondering where the hell the General Lee went.

  • Bo Duke is dumb as a post in this movie. I don't recall him being so stupid before, and I was a little disappointed. He also had a love affair with the General Lee that was taken a bit too far.
    'I'll make love to it (the General Lee)'
    'you mean in it.'
    'No...I mean to it.'

    Considering that the General Lee is a car, and also supposedly a 'male'; yeah. ew.

  • Jessica Simpson as Daisy Duke. Need I say more?

Starting with a 5 halo rating and subtracting the pitchfork points, I would give this movie a rating of:

Just try to enjoy.

Posted by calima at 11:10 AM

August 17, 2005

Verakai!

The lights dim as little bright green lights dance and buzz through the air. Low music entrances the various creatures that inhabit Verakai out of their forest. As the bright green insects vanish, one stays behind to introduce you to the Cirque du Soleil.


5 Halos Baby!

Now I'm coming into this as a fan. Yes, I am a little biased. I admit that. However, there are few things that can still bring out my child-like glee and excitement like the Cirque can.

I won't go into too much detail because I don't wish to spoil it for those who have not seen it and want to. It includes a little bit of gypsy, a little Icarus, a bit of a love story, and a lot of amazing feats by the human body.

The costumes were gorgeous. They always have been one of my favourite parts. They manage to use the costumes to embellish the individual characters and give them a lasting personality. Each player does such a fabulous job of using their body language to help you believe they are a lizard or insect or funny little old man. And how some of these costumes stay on is a bit mind boggling. LOL

They always have a set of clowns. A set that are "in the story" and have minimal contact with the audience and a set that manages to drag some poor unsuspecting fellow or lady onto the stage so we can have a laugh at their expense. (Be warned! It all depends on where you sit. I'll leave it at that. Hee!)

Besides the costumes, what are my favorite bits about this show? The juggler. The hot and hunky, shirtless twins. The fellows who seem to not be afraid of soaring through the air like a bird. (That may be more envy on my part.) Every person in that show that has more stamina than I do. (Again, more envy there.) The clowns who are not the scary type. Etc., etc., etc.

I highly recommend going to see this show if it comes to your town. It's an awesome escape from reality into the realm of story telling. Take the time and take some friends. This gets 5 Halos from me.


Posted by dustbuffalo at 06:20 PM | Comments (0)

August 14, 2005

Play: A Work In Progress

In one hour, four actors will show you 3,000 years of theatre history as they see it. A charmer, a thespian, an awkward guy and a gay make it up as they go along.

I went to see this play at the end of its run at the Fringe. I casually assumed that I would like it, simply becuase I know people involved in it.

However, I was so pleasantly suprised at how funny it was. I thought it would be funny, you know...but it was hilarious!

That acting in it was brilliant. Facial reactions were timed perfectly with the dialogue. The dialogue timed perfectly with audience reactions/laughter, and the comedic timing was spot on.

Some lines felt a bit rushed, but not wholly misunderstood, some technical cues were a bit slow, but all in all, I forgot about everything else and was entirely sucked into the world of theatre.

I give this play top marks becuase I felt like I was a part of the play, becuase I laughed loudly and often and becuase I never once looked at my watch. In fact, I was disappointed when the hour was finally up.

I'd tell you to go see it, but it's finished it's run. However, I might start a demonstration in order to get a revival.

Posted by calima at 02:07 PM

August 02, 2005

March of the Penguins


Rated G

This documentary, narrated by Morgan Freeman for the US version, follows the tribes of Emperor penguins in Antarctica, as they leave their ocean homes to walk to their breeding grounds. It shows the harsh conditions the penguins must try to survive in order to have and keep alive their one baby.

First of all, I just have to say. Baby penguins? Are the CUTEST. THINGS. EVER!

Cinematography is excellent. There were times during the movie I was thinking, "How the hell did they get that shot?" (the end credits provide some of the answers). Everything is very black and white (naturally) so when other colors manage to show up, they pop.

Music and narration were excellent as well. Morgan Freeman has a really nice deep timbre that strikes the right balance.

It was nice to see it on the big screen, but you could wait until the movie comes out on DVD.

If you ever saw Winged Migration, you'll probably enjoy this movie as well.

Posted by xinh at 10:44 PM | Comments (0)