movies

Remember, remember the 5th of November! (side bar: For those that don't know, 4th of July fireworks are not something that occurs the other side of the pond. Instead we have the 5th of November when large bonfires are erected and big displays of fireworks are sent whizzing into the winter nights sky. This is a celebration of the fact that Guy Fawkes and his plot to blow up the House of Parliament was foiled). Anyway, back to the film. V for Vendetta is a colorful and stunnning adaptation of the popular comic book with twists, turns and shades of Guy Fawkes mixed with 1984 (John Hurt is in this film too!) The plot follows Evey a working-class woman employed at the state run television station in a totalitarian Britain. Upon getting in a spot of bother, Evey is rescued by the verbally flamboyant 'V' who always hides his true appearance behind a mask (shades of Phantom anyone?) played by Hugo Weaving (aka Agent Smith from the Matrix). Incidentally this film was also a Wachowski Brothers production. The sets are visually compelling and the story holds you for the full 2+ hours wanting more. It was of personal interest that so many British television actors were given roles in this film, all of which were convincing. The explosions, fight seens and chemistry that emerges between the two leading characters is engaging. This is quite probably the best movie I have seen this year and one for the DVD collection when released.

Mark and I just got back from seeing this AWESOME movie! OK as anyone who knows me will tell you, I have an (ahem!) mild obsession with Milla Jovovich... so of course, when a new movie with her comes out, it's a given that I'll go and see it - I was soooo not disappointed!!!

Ultraviolet kicked ASS. Period. High body count? Check. Futuristic, quasi-post-Apocalyptic setting? Check. Badass technology? Check. Milla in skin-tight clothes? With cool color-changing hair AND clothes? Check and check! Here's the basic storyline: It's the near future, and scientists have discovered a mutation in the human genome. More precisely, this mutation takes viral form and can be spread through any bodily fluid and/or airborne contact. So, predictably, the general population panics, and turns over all control to the Ministry of Health, who promptly quarantine the "infected" in (for lack of a better word) concentration camps. Nice, huh? Anyway, Violet gets infected, as does her husband and their unborn child. Husband is killed, Violet is put in one of those camps, and the pregnancy is forcibly terminated. She escapes, and starts a revolution, vowing to exterminate humanity, since humanity seems bent on exterminating her kind. The resulting carnage is GLORIOUS!

All I can say is ... WOW!!! I was soooo waiting for the sequel and was praying that I wouldn't be disappointed... and I WAS NOT!!!
The movie picks up *right* where the first one left off... I mean, immediately picks up. Bodies are still lying all over the place. This was a fast-paced ride, let me tell you! Action scenes were completely badass, and the storyline.. well, let's just say it answered quite a few questions. Kate Beckinsale seems to be a lot more comfortable in her role as Selene, and it shows... fluid grace. Period. Scott Speedman (as Michael Corwin) reprises his role as the half-Vampire/half-Lycan hybrid, and it was so much fun watching him come into his newfound powers. As for the character of Marcus... you would think that it would be a very clear cut, black and white kind of role, but noooo.... personally I really liked him!! There were a number of surprises in this one... it didn't turn out quite the way I expected, and I don't mind one bit!
Definitely going to go see this in the theater again, at least one more time... and the minute it's on DVD... oh yeah... that's going in the collection! Two thumbs waaaay up!!! :)