I went to this film thinking I would be one of a very small group interested in it in my community. To my surprise, I had trouble finding a seat. The theatre was full! I was impressed by both the male actor leads. They conveyed so much without words. I was amazed when the very responsive audience laughed at humorous parts of the movie when just slight changes in expression by Geoffrey Rush or Colin Firth conveyed this. They didn't overact at all. It was subtle, but everyone in the audience 'got it.' I was also blown away by how luminously beautiful Helen Bonham Carter was in the movie. How old is she? Didn't she play an ape in the last movie I saw her in? She's gotten younger while I've gotten older! I'll look forward to the Oscars this year to see how many this movie takes. Should be a lot!
Reviews
4 Reviews
Archaeological Accuracy ~ Not Bad! Shia LeBoeuf ~ ditto!
13 June 2008
I had heard scholarly types were up in arms about inaccuracies in this film. I don't expect an action movie to be the equivalent of a college course. It's entertainment! If it educates you a little, too, so much the better.
I was lucky enough to visit Peru last year and there were definitely some familiar aspects to the movie. The Nazca Lines are near the town of Ici, however. That's where you fly out to see the lines from the air. The little airport there is about as small and dusty as that shown in the film, too.
One of the languages that Indy spouted was Quechua, which is the native Indian language in Peru. It was correctly labeled, although I have no idea if the words spoken were actually that language.
In the museums there are many examples of the long-headed skulls that were shown in the movie. Children did have their heads shaped from an early age, in certain tribes hundreds of years ago. Skulls are on display in the museums and they are quite startling. Hoping it's not against the rules, here's a link to a picture http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2386369520050392826FtmyGU
Ancient native peoples did use mummification, but they weren't in little 'pods,' as the movie showed the Conquisidors. They were actually in big fabric sacks. There are thousands of such mummies in Peru and they can be seen in museums everywhere. Too bad they didn't use an accurate mock-up of the sacks. Here's a picture of a typical Paracas Indian mummy, out of the sack. http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2133734180050392826vrdhoF
The scenes of the ancient Incas attacking Indy and friends were not very interesting to me. However, the way Indy's old friend, Oxley, was dressed looked like a Quechua medicine man to me.http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2822916560050392826pCPmai
Finally, I just wanted to comment on young Shia LaBoeuf as Indy's unexpected son. I thought he added a lot to the movie, as did the return of Indy's true love, Marion. I tried to find some information on Shia, like what is the ethnicity of his first name. His French last name reminds me of the old Wendy's commercial, "Where's the beef?" LOL! In this case, he looks like beefcake in the making, to me. He looks like a young Russell Crowe, which is certainly not a bad thing.
I enjoyed the movie, but prefer more character development than action movies like this typically have.
I was lucky enough to visit Peru last year and there were definitely some familiar aspects to the movie. The Nazca Lines are near the town of Ici, however. That's where you fly out to see the lines from the air. The little airport there is about as small and dusty as that shown in the film, too.
One of the languages that Indy spouted was Quechua, which is the native Indian language in Peru. It was correctly labeled, although I have no idea if the words spoken were actually that language.
In the museums there are many examples of the long-headed skulls that were shown in the movie. Children did have their heads shaped from an early age, in certain tribes hundreds of years ago. Skulls are on display in the museums and they are quite startling. Hoping it's not against the rules, here's a link to a picture http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2386369520050392826FtmyGU
Ancient native peoples did use mummification, but they weren't in little 'pods,' as the movie showed the Conquisidors. They were actually in big fabric sacks. There are thousands of such mummies in Peru and they can be seen in museums everywhere. Too bad they didn't use an accurate mock-up of the sacks. Here's a picture of a typical Paracas Indian mummy, out of the sack. http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2133734180050392826vrdhoF
The scenes of the ancient Incas attacking Indy and friends were not very interesting to me. However, the way Indy's old friend, Oxley, was dressed looked like a Quechua medicine man to me.http://travel.webshots.com/photo/2822916560050392826pCPmai
Finally, I just wanted to comment on young Shia LaBoeuf as Indy's unexpected son. I thought he added a lot to the movie, as did the return of Indy's true love, Marion. I tried to find some information on Shia, like what is the ethnicity of his first name. His French last name reminds me of the old Wendy's commercial, "Where's the beef?" LOL! In this case, he looks like beefcake in the making, to me. He looks like a young Russell Crowe, which is certainly not a bad thing.
I enjoyed the movie, but prefer more character development than action movies like this typically have.
The Christmas Tree
(1996 TV Movie)
Sentimental? Well, YEAH!
13 November 2005
Some movies just stick with you. You continue thinking of them, being reminded of them, for years to come.
'The Christmas Tree,' directed by Sally Field, starring Julie Harris, is one of those movies.
Why it has not been re-shown on TV since its 1996 debut, I do not understand. Why is it not available for sale or rent anywhere, I do not know.
Tree is about a young girl who is an orphan, living in a convent. Her special friend is a tree, to whom she takes all her joys and sorrows. During the course of the movie, her early history is revealed, as well as a glorious future for Tree.
Some might call it sentimental, but isn't that a lot of what Christmas is about? I haven't looked at a tree quite the same way since.
'The Christmas Tree,' directed by Sally Field, starring Julie Harris, is one of those movies.
Why it has not been re-shown on TV since its 1996 debut, I do not understand. Why is it not available for sale or rent anywhere, I do not know.
Tree is about a young girl who is an orphan, living in a convent. Her special friend is a tree, to whom she takes all her joys and sorrows. During the course of the movie, her early history is revealed, as well as a glorious future for Tree.
Some might call it sentimental, but isn't that a lot of what Christmas is about? I haven't looked at a tree quite the same way since.
Mystic River
(2003)
Revenge Doesn't Work.
6 November 2003
I just returned from this movie and must say, I really didn't like it. It's dark, slow-moving, and graphic. There are blood and guts all over the screen. But they're not physical, they're psychological. The characters absolutely wring their souls out in this movie and the tension was actually unpleasant.
'Mystic River' reminds me of one of my favorite movies, 'Sleepers.' That also was a movie about revenge. And what I learned from it, or got out of it, is that revenge just does not work. It's never enough. It's sometimes against the wrong person. And no one wins, feels better, or gets anything out of it.
Clint Eastwood is great director, the actors were superb, and there will probably be a number of Oscar nominations for this movie. But, please, I like a little sugar with my bitter gall. This movie needed some lightening up.
'Mystic River' reminds me of one of my favorite movies, 'Sleepers.' That also was a movie about revenge. And what I learned from it, or got out of it, is that revenge just does not work. It's never enough. It's sometimes against the wrong person. And no one wins, feels better, or gets anything out of it.
Clint Eastwood is great director, the actors were superb, and there will probably be a number of Oscar nominations for this movie. But, please, I like a little sugar with my bitter gall. This movie needed some lightening up.
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