"Membership in the family of God is neither inconsequential or something to be casually ignored. The church is God's agenda for the world. Jesus said, "I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." The church is indestructable and will exist for eternity. It will outlive this universe, and so will your role in it."
- Rick Warren
Friday, July 21, 2006
I walked into Lady in the Water tonight expecting to be disappointed. It's getting terrible reviews, and the theater was less than half full.
I'm afraid, however, that I have good news: I loved it.
My expectation is to be in the minority on this one. But I positively loved this movie. I found it fresh, original, intriguing, funny, scary, and deep. And, like many of M. Night Shyamalan's films, it was redemptive.
Paul Giamatti, who plays apartment maintenance man Cleveland Heep, absolutely makes this movie. He turns in a powerful performance that I believe is Oscar-worthy. He is in nearly every scene and the strength of his performance is what makes this film work. In one scene the vulnerability, sorrow and innate goodness of Giamatti's character comes through with such transparency and skill that it's breathtaking.
The writing and dialogue is quirky, with a slow pacing which somehow works. And guiding it all is the story and directing of Shyamalan. The understated cinematography , muted colors, use of focus and perspective, and humor in the midst of the "jumps" are aspects of his filmmaking that really resonate with me.
This is not to say that the film is perfect. Shyamalan continues his tradition of casting himself in a role in the film, and I thought the role he played as a focal point for Bryce Dallas Howard's Narf was heavy-handed. And, in what might have also been a heavy-handed play, Shyamalan cast Bob Balaban in the role of an unsmiling, humorless writer and film critic who, I believe, gave voice - sometimes directly to the audience - to Shyamalan's exasperation with his critics. There is one exceedingly weird scene, narrated by Balaban in monologue, that is surprising, disturbing, funny and strange all at the same time.
Regarding Bryce Dallas Howard. She was wonderful, albeit subtle. The remainder of the cast fit their roles well. There is much humor in the denizens of the apartment complex, and yet they all seem so familiar.
I enjoyed Lady in the Water. A lot. So this makes Shyamalan five for five with me. My fear is that this film is headed for another bomb at the box office, and I think that could spell doom for Shyamalan's style. To me he has proven that thoughtful and entertaining films can be made that aspire to noble and redemptive themes and eschew gratuitous sex and violence. His movies are truly different, which makes much of the criticism he's received lately carry, for me, an ironic flavor. You can almost hear the producers saying "can't you throw a car chase in here?" Meh.
I hope the movie does well. But whether it does or not, here's one moviegoer who thoroughly enjoyed it, as did my wife and our friends Brian (in Spring) and Shelley. I left the theater feeling uplifted and blessed.
I hope that you like it too. I highly recommend it and I give it Four out of Five Gatorades.
Trackbacks:
Trackback URL: http://thinklings.org/bloo.trackback.php/3204.
Comments on "Lady In The Water":
2. David Marcoe
- 07/21/2006 7:01 pm CDT
This is not to say that the film is perfect. Shyamalan continues his tradition of casting himself in a role in the film, and I thought the role he played as a focal point for Bryce Dallas Howard’s Narf was heavy-handed. And, in what might have also been a heavy-handed play, Shyamalan cast Bob Balaban in the role of an unsmiling, humorless writer and film critic who, I believe, gave voice - sometimes directly to the audience - to Shyamalan’s exasperation with his critics.
Divine Comedy, anyone?
3. De
- 07/21/2006 7:10 pm CDT
John,
I'm confused about how I ruined the ending? I gave nothing away in my review. . . I'm missing something.
Sorry you didn't like it. But I'm glad it wasn't The Sixth Sense. Because The Sixth Sense was The Sixth Sense. :-)
I'm not sure what you mean by a sequel. To me, the story had an ending that doesn't need to be added to (Unlike the confusing and plodding Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Man's Chest which we also just saw and which, frustratingly, ends right in the middle).
I dig Shyamalan, but I'm fearful that most will agree with you and I won't get to see any more Shyamalan films (because he'll either have no more box office mojo or will be forced to change to more conventional filmmaking.
6. just ducky
- 07/22/2006 1:37 am CDT
Thanks for the review, De. I can't wait to see it, but schedule won't permit it any time soon. :(
The thing I love about Shyamalan is that his films get you thinking. I'm really not into films for mere entertainment value. I love to watch a good flick with my kids and then sit down and disect it, looking for metaphors and lessons. I thought Village and Signs> were perfect for that. Though I was troubled by the final message of Sixth Sense it was still masterfully executed and that gave us fodder for discussion...about the dangers of being subtly pulled into a well-told story emotionally and letting your guard down to error.
Shyamalan rocks in my book. Have you seen any of his early stuff? I haven't, but have read good things about Wide Awake and would like to get my hands on a copy.
7. blestwithsons
- 07/22/2006 3:48 am CDT
Narf? The character's name was Narf?! All I can hear in my head is Pinky and the Brain.
9. Quaid
- 07/22/2006 6:03 am CDT
"All I can hear in my head is Pinky and the Brain."
EXACTLY. And, unfortunately for M. Night Sham-a-lot, this film was mostly pinky and not much brain.
I have a love-hate-hate-hate-hate relationship with the Nighter. (I loved 6th Sense, and hated everything after) I went into this movie with very low expectations and was still underwhelmed.
This movie, from what I understand, was written based on a bedtime story told to Night's children before sleep each evening. As a bedtime story, the tale was terrific. As a movie, it stunk. (on ice, De)
I have never, in my life, seen a movie's plot so unwittingly advanced. Whenever it was time for something to move forward, some character would jump in and say, "Oh, and one more thing . . ." or "I forgot to mention . . ."
Yes, yes. Paul Giamatti gives his normal "I'm Oscar-worthy, but not quite" performance which is quite incredible. He is the one thing that makes this move bearable. Bryce, on the other hand, was not used to her full acting capacity. No one could possibly claim that her role in this film could even come close to what she did in Night's last clunker, The Village. But her lackluster performance is due less to her ability as an actress and more to the lack of character development by the writer/director.
The mythology is random and out of place, seeking to only propel the story forward. The foreshadowing is so forced, it as if you're being told "HEY YOU IN THE AUDIENCE! WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT NOW IS GOING TO COME BACK LATER IN THE FILM - SO PAY ATTENTION, OKAY?" by almost every character who ends up on screen.
While the fan-winning theme of redemption is present, it is over-simplified and shallow, at best.
Usually, Night's films wow me with their directing prowess, but fall short when it comes to the writing. In LITW, Night failed on both fronts. Not only is the script horribly contrived and over-wrought, the directing in this film was disgusting.
Awkward shots, out-of-nowhere slow motion/time manipulation and self-aggrandizing "look at where I can go with the camera" cuts made up for one bad film.
In my humble opinion, therefore, this film is unworthy of Gatorade. It deserves one out of five Propels. (and yellow propel, at that)
10. blestwithsons
- 07/22/2006 6:14 am CDT
Yes but Quaid, what did you really think?
Who needs a movie?! We've got all the drama, comedy, and impending conflict we need right here in this comment thread! Woohoo! I'm agonna go make some popcorn and stay tuned.
When does Jared weigh in? That's what I'm wondering... Do I hear the black helicopters...?
11. Quaid
- 07/22/2006 6:30 am CDT
"When does Jared weigh in?"
That's something I am also anticipating. I saw this film yesterday afternoon and was going to post on it then, but I knew that one of the Thinklings was going to post on it, so I thought to wait until the comments section of their post.
(I also decided to wait because I didn't know if my cinematic vitriol would be appropriate for the front page of The Thinklings)
12. De
- 07/22/2006 6:34 am CDT
I'm not looking forward to Jared's review, because I think he will hate it only slightly less than Quaid (because Jared has a love-love-love-hate relationship with Shyamalan, considering that the only movie he didn't like was The Village)
Last night after the movie Brian, Shelley, Jill and I were talking about it and laughing because, when I said I was going to write a good review of it, the consensus was "the Thinklings are going to eat you alive" ;-)
I don't care. I loved it.
13. De
- 07/22/2006 6:41 am CDT
And, Quaid, if I hated four out of five movies by a director, I don't think I'd go to any more. Have you ever considered that maybe Night is not for you?
Everyone wants Sixth Sense again. It was terrific, but I like the fact that Night's movies have variety (a common directing style and dependence, until this latest effort, on "twists" notwithstanding).
I agree that the plot movement was quirky (the only way I can describe it). Normally that drives me crazy, but I think because I accepted this movie as a bedtime story, that's how I took it.
I think people go into Night's movies expecting something else, and get disappointed. It's like what I told Jill after I had seen Signs - "It's not about aliens". Which made her mad when she finally did see it and found out that the aliens were, indeed, real. But the point of signs was faith, not aliens. People who went expecting Independence Day hated it.
Night's movies are often not what they seem.
The only thing about LITW that I really wish was different was that I think if he had hired a real actor to play the writer, rather than himself, those scenes would have seemed a lot less self-conscious.
14. Quaid
- 07/22/2006 12:09 pm CDT
"I don’t think I’d go to any more. Have you ever considered that maybe Night is not for you?"
I'm fairly certain that he's not for me. I honestly don't believe he's for anyone else, either, but I'm obviously not in the majority on that one.
I got caught in the group of friends going to see the movie yesterday. If it had been just me, or me and my "sig. other" then we would not have dared to walk into the theater.
Even though I knew I was likely to be revolted by the film, I still gave it a fair chance. (I even bought the large coke and popcorn that I usually only afford to special, movie-going experiences).
15. De
- 07/22/2006 1:06 pm CDT
Did everyone else hate it too?
"I honestly don’t believe he’s for anyone else, either, but I’m obviously not in the majority on that one."
I feel the same way about Star Wars eps 1 through 3, which I consider a tragedy and three of the worst movies ever made, but hardly anyone agrees with me on that.
It's subjective. That's why it's called art. :-)
16. blestwithsons
- 07/22/2006 1:35 pm CDT
I'm pretty well with ya on Star Wars 1-3, De. I don't know if they're in the worst movies ever made list...but I sure don't like 'em! Actually, I never even saw 2 and 3. Couldn't muster up the enthusiasm. What I heard from others was enough to confirm my distaste...
18. Quaid
- 07/22/2006 1:52 pm CDT
"Did everyone else hate it too?"
No - there were some people in our group who liked it. I can expound more on this in person :)
Stroke didn't dislike the movie as much as I did, but he still didn't like it.
"I’m beating my head in the background Randy"
Why?
20. Andrew
- 07/22/2006 2:43 pm CDT
This is Andrew(I've been having trouble with the name thing...I apologize if it says De on top. It really is me)
I'm beating my head because I love Shyamalan. I won't argue with you on Lady in the Water...I thought it was the weakest of his films (though I still liked it). I can't imagine why you didn't like Signs or Unbreakable (I don't know why you didn't like The Village either but after hearing so many people expound on how horrible and shallow it was I have just decided to stop trying to convince people that it was a good movie). But again its a matter of taste. I know that you are knowlegable and have good taste so I don't hold it against you (well...I don't hold it against you that much).
I am a bit puzzled as to why you would go see it on opening day if you knew you would hate it. I saw several Adam Sandler movies and hated them all so I don't waste my time (or money) with them anymore. (I should probably give Punch, Drunk Love a chance though...I probably will). Many people love Sandler (as many people love Shyamalan). I decided after sitting through Billy Madison, Little Nicky, The Waterboy and Happy Gilmore that I didn't get Adam. I haven't seen Big Daddy, 50 First Dates, or Spanglsih and don't plan on it. I don't need to keep giving his movies a chance. I don't need to keep biting into a Mango to know that I hate it. Its just a matter of my taste. Don't go see his next movie
Everybody says that they wish he would make another Sixth Sense. I love that movie but I for one am glad that he hasn't. I hope he never does.
21. Raindream
- 07/22/2006 3:22 pm CDT
hmm, I haven't read much of this to avoid spoilers, but what I've read of the post and the 22% rating on RottenTomates makes me want to run out and see this one.
22. Quaid
- 07/23/2006 3:13 am CDT
OK,
So I'm hanging out in the Stu. Min. office getting ready for an event later this week. I haven't eaten lunch and I'm talking with everyone.
Girl walks into our office and says, "Are we still going to see the movie?"
"Yeah," says Boy 1.
"I thought so," responds Boy 2.
"What movie?" asks Randy, who appeared to be the only one in the office unaware of what was going on.
In unison, everyone replies, "Lady in Water."
"What about all of the stuff we have to do?" Randy asks.
Boy 2 says, "We think we can finish up the work after the movie is over."
Randy faces a predicament. He can sit in his office for two and a half hours while everyone goes to the movie and comes back, or he can just take a break, see the flick and work with everybody afterwards.
He opts to see the film, even though he has serious doubts about its entertainment potential. Additionally, he gives said film an open mind and a strong chance to impress him positively.
This is the story of how I came to see LITW. Not as complex as Night's tale, but certainly more realistic, believable and, if I must say, it flowed much better.
23. Quaid
- 07/23/2006 3:47 am CDT
"I saw several Adam Sandler movies and hated them all so I don’t waste my time (or money) with them anymore."
I'm kind of with you on this. I don't like those old Adam Sandler movies at all. I think I might have been the only student in my high school who hated Billy Madison.
Still - he's made some decent movies. I liked Spanglish (even though it wasn't the biggest hit) and, although Punch Drunk Love was quite strange, it still was a good flick.
You can kind of tell what kind of movie he's in before you go see it. Longest Yard and Click? No. Punch Drunk Love? Maybe.
24. De
- 07/23/2006 3:51 am CDT
One of the only movies I've ever just got up and walked out of was an Adam Sandler movie - Fifty First Dates. Man that was bad
I wrote a negative review of it on Thinklings but remember a lot of people really liked it and took me to task. I cannot fathom why they liked it. So in that way I can understand how you feel about Night (although I'm not expecting a lot of people to agree with my review of LITW. But I loved it :-)
25. De
- 07/23/2006 3:55 am CDT
"Not as complex as Night’s tale, but certainly more realistic, believable and, if I must say, it flowed much better."
I think a lot of it is expectations. I don't think Night's movies are meant to be "realistic". People who didn't like Signs, for instance, got hung up on why aliens who can't stand water would come to a planet that is 75% water. They were missing the point, and that's why some people don't get Night.
I, personally, get hung up on the lack of realism in most "realistic" movies (fist fights where the hero is still handsome afterwards, unrealistic police activities (just shooting the bad guys and leaving them lie, for instance), unrealistic romantic situations, etc.
Night's movies - and prepare yourself to disagree - have more realistic characters than most movies. You never see a character like Heep in movies today (remember the "I'm old fashioned" line?) - yet you meet them all the time in real life. Same with many of the apartment dwellers.
It's the characters that draw me in.
Last night Andrew and I watched Unbreakable. Amazing!
26. Andrew
- 07/23/2006 10:09 am CDT
Quaid,
Point well taken. I may have done the same (probably not...but maybe) in your position.
My point about Adam Sandler is that I no longer feel the need to give his movies a fair chance because he has shown me on several occasions that he is incapable of drawing a chuckle from me (save the old Opera man skits on SNL). Night hasn't come through for you. Just let him go man.
I think that I was definitley more inclined to like the movie because of my history with Night (as you were probably more inclined to hate it). This movie was very flawed in my eyes. As with all of his movies I loved the acting, direction and characters. I wasn't captivated by this one like the others.
Part of me wants to go on and on about why I love Shyamalan so much (and I really could go on for a while) but he isn't the one in question here, his movie is.
27. De
- 07/23/2006 10:47 am CDT
I think the two most disputed Night movies are The Village and LITW. Both won me over for the following reasons:
a) The Village: Bryce Dallas Howard (and, of course, Joaquin Phoenix)
b) LITW: Paul Giamatti
Amazing characters. Good characters - brave and noble, selfless, insightful, etc. Both had a great weakness or past hurt, but achieved greatness in spite of it.
I just can't see that and not walk out uninspired. Both of those movies left me wanting to be a better person afterwards.
Art is subjective.
28. F.R.E.D.
- 07/23/2006 2:19 pm CDT
Well, I loved Signs, Sixth Sense, and Unbreakable (in that order) and I liked The Village. I went into the theater this afternoon hoping for none of the above. I did get my wish, but that was about it.
Giamatti was phenomenal, but I didn't like the storyline; it was even kind of goofy in places (the cereal boxes come to mind). I'd give it a D+.
At least it was better than Superman.
29. The Boars Head Tavern » Blog Archi
- 07/24/2006 1:59 am CDT
[...] Any “Lady in the Water” reviews out there? Clay liked it. The guys at Thinklings disagree with one another. [...]
30. nhe
- 07/24/2006 3:12 am CDT
De you said "many of his films are redemptive" - which one(s) aren't?......I can't think of one.
Thank you for the positive review, I will definitely go with a little less trepidation now. I have never been anything less than utterly enthralled with all of M. Night's films - Unbreakable being the one by which the others are measured - I'm sure I'll like it merely because I like his writing and his characters.
31. SCPanther
- 07/24/2006 4:24 am CDT
I'm a Night fan. I've loved all his previous movies, and I make a point of going with no expectations other than to enjoy them.
I did, in fact, enjoy it, for many of the reasons De has cited. That sort of kind, wounded character is a sort that I would love to see Giamatti play more of. Also, the sense of wonder engendered as other-worldly events unfold in a way that seems more possible in the real world is a trademark of Night's films.
That said, I did feel he missed in a few ways here. The unimaginative way the story was advanced, as mentioned above, very much had the feel of a yarn being spun by a parent on the fly. Perhaps that was by design, but it did interfere a bit with the suspension of reality for me.
Heep's source of information was way too convenient. In any other movie of this type, you would expect someone to have to go dig through some old books or something. At the most, Heep's in-house resource should have been a starting point for further research, rather than a spoon-fed, perfectly recalled, vividly detailed playbook for the unfolding mythology.
It was almost to the point of, "Hey, Story, one of our tenants taught me Narf language so we can converse in your native tongue! Who'd of thunk it?"
The "weird scene" with the critic that De refers to, while amusing, was unnecessary. That just came off as a flimmaker venting which, in my opinion, is kind of like complaining about referees after a game. Sure, we all know refs blow calls, and most of us think critics are pretentious and full of crap, but we don't really want to hear the coach or the director whining about it.
I really want to say more... but it's tough to do without being a spoiler (or sounding like a... CRITIC!), so I'll refrain.
I didn't mind Night in the movie, by the way. Another actor probably could have played the part better, but it's not like he sucks as an actor, and he has a certain innocence on screen that works for the part.
32. jen
- 07/24/2006 4:40 am CDT
I'm not reading this thread until I get to see the movie.
Bill, I'm glad to hear you liked it. Since we both liked The Village, I'm sure I'll probably like Lady, too.
33. De
- 07/24/2006 5:48 am CDT
SCPanther,
Well said. I think I agree with all your points. Glad you liked it.
35. De
- 07/24/2006 5:40 pm CDT
Well, keep in mind that I may not be the most reliable reference for film excellence.
I hope you like it :-)
36. Brian in Spring
- 07/26/2006 3:23 pm CDT
As De indicated, My wife and I loved the film. Unlike normal folks, I was introduced to M.N.S. by De with the not-about-aliens Signs. Which by the way I was surprised about 3/4ths of the way through actually DOES have aliens in it (grrrr... De....you *&%*%&&! prevaricator! ;-). Anyhoo, that means I never saw Sixth Sense or Unbreakable, which seem to be his better movies. Right now, I'd say I liked the Village, Signs, LITW in that order, but was thoroughly entertained by all of them.
The more I think about it, the more I like LITW. Some of the reasons I loved it are [NOTE: I will do my best not to present spoilers, but BE CAREFUL!]:
1) MNS doesn't beat the audience over the head and shoulders with stuff. He allows for the audience to fill in the gaps using their own imagination. Refreshing! I will present all the Star Wars movies that contain the word "Episode" in their title as exhibits to the opposite extreme. >:0(
2) His character development is gentle for lack of a better word. He allows you to grow to know them more deeply and intimately. I felt like this developed a sort of repoire between the entertainer and entertained that is rare for me.
3) I loved the way he inserted the fantastical with the mundane.
4) His sense of comedic relief was impeccable.
5) He makes me think. The Village was an incredible ride for me, because I was still in amazement the second time through the show. While not as "twisty", I still find jewels of delight throughout LITW. I want to watch it again!
6) He takes calculated risks. I liked the interview with him I found on rottentomatoes.com. He discussed how risky he thought this movie was, and the manner in which he directed it.
7) His movies are all different. I have no idea what to expect. LITW is different from TV which is different from Signs. Delicious!
8) His lack of using the stock prop of gratuitous sax and violins. The scenes that could have been played for at least their ogling potential were very tastefully done and not demeaning or degrading.
9) He casts some absolutely teriffic actors and pulls out of them absolutely riveting performances. And he brings them to playing their part, no more, no less. E.g. Howard presented one of the best displays of acting I've seen in her role in The Village, and yet here, she played the more subtle role of Story and allowed Paul G to work his craft. So cool.
10) The CGI was just what it needed to be. As with Signs, it was a little salt to an otherwise tasty stew. As opposed to those Star Bores flicks which take CGI and shove it down the viewer's throats. (sorry, Star Wars 1977 was my all-time favorite movie until GL took the franchise in directions that should not have been trod. I'm a bitter old man.)
I'm really dying to see Sixth Sense and Unbreakable. I need to find somebody with the DVD and borry them for a weekend.
I give it a 8/10 mostly for freshness. I guess that equates to 4 gatorades, but I dunno. :-)
Disclaimer: I am a cretin. I've probably not seen 90% of the so-called greatest movies of all time (never seen the Godfather--any of them) and probably disagree with most of the critics more often than not. I like movies that I like. I enjoy what I enjoy. Sometimes I can enjoy stuff that is really horrible because it may strike a chord with me. Right now, my all-time favorite movie(s) are the Lord of the Rings movies. My biggest beef with them is that the extended versions are all still about 10 hours too short... I gotta be me. :-)
37. blestwithsons
- 07/26/2006 6:10 pm CDT
Okay...this is really sad. I read your comment about "sax and violins" and thought for a minute you were talking about the soundtrack... Ay de mi! Clever, that phrase, really clever!
38. blestwithsons
- 07/26/2006 6:11 pm CDT
Oh, and the biggest beef about the LOTR is the heinous and scandalous changes to Faramir's behavior. But I'm sure this was all thoroughly hashed when the movies came out...Man! I wish I'd been blogging then!
39. De
- 07/26/2006 6:15 pm CDT
Blest,
You must be Brian in Spring's twin sister, separated at birth. Because that's his biggest beef too and he rants about it all the time.
It didn't bother me so much on the first viewing, but, yes, now it ranks right up there as film-heresy. I recently re-read LOTR and was struck by how much more noble and praiseworthy nearly every human character is in the books - Faramir, Theoden (hated the way PJ portrayed him), Aragorn. All were taken down several notches in their portrayal of weakness in the film.
40. De
- 07/26/2006 6:19 pm CDT
By the way, Brian in Spring - well said! I agree with all your points (and we shall stand together against the torrent of negative M. Night Shyalaman criticism).
He rocks.
41. De
- 07/26/2006 6:25 pm CDT
"Disclaimer: I am a cretin."
I almost missed this most excellent display of Brian In Spring self-deprecation. Impeccable in its timing, well-delivered, full-bodied self-denunciation with just a touch of woody grain to add color to the fragrent dismissal of all that had flowed from his pen prior.
Marvelous.
42. blestwithsons
- 07/26/2006 6:34 pm CDT
De, you are sooo right. Moment by moment, everyone is diminished. Even just on little things - like in the book Gandalf figures out to say Mellon at the door - but in the movie - it's Frodo. And don't even get me started about what PJ did to Aragorn. We're re-watching the movies right now and my husband is getting so tired of my constant griping about how Aragorn was not some torn and doubting nancy-boy who couldn't decide whether to be king or not....
(let it go, Blest, let it go... now where's that support group number?
43. De
- 07/27/2006 1:39 am CDT
Your support group? 1-800-T-H-I-N-K-L-Ings :-)
I think the most irritating scene is Aragorn, wresting control of the Palantir of Orthanc away from Sauron, only to be thrown into a complete teenage muddle by a picture of his elvish girlfriend on her sickbed. . .
Man, that scene in the book was so much better. He took control and long-distantly kicked some Dark Lord behonkus.
44. SCPanther
- 07/27/2006 8:05 am CDT
Yeah, Aragorn being a chick was a downer. It's kind of like the new Starbuck (Battlestar Galactica on SciFi) being a chick, only she's tougher than P.J.'s Aragorn.
I'm supposed to be king! But, gosh, I just don't know if I can do it! What if my weak, Isildurian blood fails me? What if Eowyn leaves me to travel to the West? Legolas! Hold me!
45. blestwithsons
- 07/27/2006 11:44 am CDT
What if Eowyn leaves me to travel to the West?
Excuse me while I pimp-slap my brother.
49. Brian in Spring
- 07/27/2006 7:44 pm CDT
First off, let me set De straight: Blest rocks. I'm not worthy to be the Blest's family lawn boy much less her brother. SCPanther has that privilege! :-) BIG, HUGEMONGOUS thanks to you and yours, Blest! For sacrificing so that I can sit in my comfy chair and make dumb comments about movies in peace.
As for my biggest beef comments, I was trying for positive comments there. Yes, the Faramir heresy is egregious. Having the witch king break Gandalf's staff at the gates of Minas Anor is almost as bad. Gandalf woulda, um, pimp-slapped Mr DeAngmar so fast it woulda made his ride dizzy. (btw, I'm not real sure I have a real good idea what pimp-slap means, I'm just caught up in the emotion of the moment! :-) And where in the world was Glorfindel? The rangers? Sons of Elrond? Imrahil? Why were elves at Helms Deep? grrr...
However, the movie was so terrific, that even after subtracting the dumb deviations from canon, it is still my favorite movie by far.
If PJ woulda just scripted everything exactly the way it was in the Book, it would have been divine. All 24 glorious hours of it!
Oh yeah, back on topic... I really liked Lady in the Water.
50. Brian in Spring
- 07/27/2006 7:51 pm CDT
SCP, given the horrible misappropriation of characters in the movie--especially, having Arwen play the role of Glorfindel, I think it a forgiveable, if somewhat unfortunate, oversight.
Now, had Aragorn acted half the man that Eowyn portrayed... ;-)
jk! When he wasn't swooning over Ar-o-wyn, falling off a cliff with a Warg, or smooching with his horse, he actually did some pretty good orc-whacking!
Bah! It's people like you who are ruining the good ending! OK, so I loved the movie. Especially the scene with the guy from 13b, the movie critic... that was especially good.
But somehow, I can't see Shyamalan redeeming himself in my eyes for this one... I was telling the friends I went to see this with, "If the next movie he makes is not a sequal to bring finality to the story, I will never watch a Shyamalan film again..." If my feelings are representative, that will be the case for most people. I soooo wanted it to be another sixth sense, but Shyamalan didn't have his mojo for this flick... :-(