movies

[ellen_datlow]

Over the weekend I watched the South Korean movie Oldboy (finally--after three damaged DVDs from Netflix). Pretty harrowing and very effective. A man his kidnapped and kept prisoner for 15 years, with no idea as to who imprisoned him or why. When he gets out he's led through a cat and mouse game by his torturer.

Next up, Glengarry Glen Ross with a terrific ensemble cast: Jack Lemon, Alec Baldwin, Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, and Jonathan Pryce. The lives of cutthroat real estate guys in Chicago selling investments in Arizona and Florida land and not caring who they destroy to get on top. I saw the 2005 revival on Broadway with Liev Schreiber, who won a Tony. Not a great play or movie but it's made by its cast every time.

The Seventh Victim produced by Val Lewton and directed by Mark Robson. Someone recommended it and it was pretty lame. Young woman leaves school when her only living relative (who is supporting her)--her older sister-disappears. Satanic cult, blah blah blah. Very choppy the last fifteen minutes. There was a short about Lewton afterwards (maybe that's why the whole thing was recommended) but I just didn't care.

First two hours of the first season of Deadwood. Initially, the cursing put me off (surprising since I my self curse quite a bit in everyday life) but I found it off-putting at first. Got used to it though and enjoyed the episodes.

Comments

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I certainly enjoyed the first two episodes (even though too many of the men look similar to each other).

[nick-kaufmann.livejournal.com]

You'll be able to tell them apart soon enough. Each character takes on an iconic aura.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Except for those who are killed :-)

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

"Deadwood" is amazing. I loved that series, but developed a foul mouth after watching it (like I never cursed before...right).

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Some foul words I overuse. Others never.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

The origins of invective are interesting. Barbara Walker has written in depth about certain expressions originating in ancient titles denoting respect for the "feminine", but which eventually deteriorated into insults as civilizations became more and more patriarchal. The goddess Frigga comes to mind, as do several others, which I won't mention.

"Deadwood" is nevertheless a terrific series, in spite of the language. Timothy Oliphant's character is particularly edgy, and Robin Weigert is wonderful as Calamity Jane, not to mention how terrific Ian McShane is at portraying Al Swearengen.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

Is Oliphant the former Montana marshall? I've never seen him before. Weigert is very good (never seen her either)...oh Ian McShane is pretty amazing.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

Yes, Oliphant was the marshall. And Ian McShane gets even more amazing as the series progresses. Deadwood's history is fascinating. I googled the town and learned more about these people at a Deadwood website, where you can view actual photos.

[ellen-datlow.livejournal.com]

I didn't realized that it was actually based on reality...(but I don't want to know in advance who dies there)!

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

All the characters in Deadwood were real people, based on fact. Yeah, don't research anything until the end of the series. There's some real history in this little town...

[nick-kaufmann.livejournal.com]

The same thing happened to me when I started watching The Sopranos. I started cursing more.

[sarcobatus.livejournal.com]

While my husband and I were watching the Deadwood series last year we were under a five month siege from meth manufacturers and gang members in our neighborhood, which culminated in a gang shootout in our front yard. We found ourselves using certain expressions more frequently during this episode in our lives, thanks to Al Swearengen.

The Throat is quite good, btw.