Very artsy movie. Not horror-film esque really … there were horrible parts, but no jumpy scenes, and none of this ‘opening a door and getting attacked by something’ that I hate so much. Quick diversion from this movie: I can’t stand when I know the horror formula, but it still scares me. Sure, there’s going to be something in the next room, sure the slow walking and rising soundtrack strings indicate something bad approaching, but it still scares the heck out of me - I hate that. Anyway: this movie was not like that.
As some of the reviews noted, the movie is a fusion of a love story, sci-fi time travel, and thriller. The movie put itself together rather slowly, and the link to the war, to me, is still very tenuous. So, the core of the movie is a good intriguing plot, but some of the extra dongles hung around that plot distract from the focus. The movie is very reminiscient of The Butterfly Effect, and maintains the same death-grip on your thoughts. Once you fall into the pattern of the movie, the main characters’ ability to move about in time and bring bits of information from the future into his current time (with profound effect on those around him), you have to know how it ends. I think more could have been done to explain what was going on, why the doctors wanted to do what they did (more details would have made it more ‘believable’), but I can understand why that information might be considered extraneous to the plot development.
I especially liked the ending: for all the crazy and horrible things that happened throughout the movie, seeing what happened at the end made the movie worth watching.
Rolling Stones in St. Paul - These guys are still rockin’ after all this time? Amazing. I did not have the financial means to attend this concert, but I am quite impressed with the review:
“The Stones played with the energy and drive of a band about to say farewell — even though the band members have never confirmed this is their last tour. Indeed, the band’s new album ‘A Bigger Bang’ is the best Stones disc in decades, and they’ve hinted that it’s just the start of a creative revival in the studio.”
Yesterday, I has the privilege of witnessing the fastest cell-phone-turn-off in the history of panicked faux-paus committing individuals. Indeed, only 3 or 4 notes (notes!) of the beginning of an annoying ring sung out until the individual responsible (a business major in the third row) instinctively flinched, silencing the sound. It was almost so short that the pause in the class was everyone checking their sub-conscious, wondering if it was just a random synapse firing that had caused them to think of what they did.
The situation was similar to the beginning of Fight Club, where the screen flashes for a quick moment (literally one frame), foreshadowing the protagonist’s insanity. Thankfully, in this case, I think we are all quite sane; and I do have a lot of respect for whoever managed to turn off their cell that quickly. If it happens again, though, and nobody else notices, I am going to be a little worried re: my own sanity.
A gorgeous sunset, I am a sucker for these, let me tell you. That is the Minneapolis skyline at the bottom (not enough of it to merit a tag on this photo, though).
I tend to find the best things about movies and talk about those, so do be aware that unless a movie is completely terrible, my review will probably not be that harsh. This is part of the reason that I do not aspire to be a movie reviewer for a living. That said, Under the Tuscan Sun would review well even by someone who was looking for flaws.
Whatever problems were there stemmed from a weak script, a classic sign of a movie adapted from a book. However, the leading lady had amazing acting skills (there is more than one time in the movie where she reacts to something offscreen, and you can see a clear and natural run of emotions across her face … almost Tom Hanks-like), and when you combine her with some good supporting characters (like her gay friend), and the Tuscan countryside, the combination is winning. That is, you believe the message the movie has about life: live it, love it, push through your pain. The movie, to me, was heartfelt without being kitchy.
True, with all the uncertainty about life that being mid-way through college brings, I am searching for things that address the confusion of life and decision in it, but I think this movie would speak to even those who were older and had lived more life.
Outdoor and indoors, both exposed well. I found you can fire a flash indoors and fill the dark parts in, while your bright part looks fine as well (it’s beyond the reach of the flash). Interesting.
Solar Powered Water Purification - Berekely has already successfully field-tested this invention. I would love to try the water that came out of it (then again, risking dysentry in the name of science is pretty crazy).
