Movie

At the urging of my friend @shawnnar, I finally caught Star Trek (note: iTunes link goes to the ORIGINAL Star Trek Motion Picture Soundtrack, not the reboot). While not everyone loves Star Trek, the characters still have resonence.

I am more of a Star Trek: the Next Generation fan, but the themes of diplomacy, humanity, and diversity that are ingrained in the series has always been fascinating.

This new movie isn't focused on those characteristics.

J.J. Abram's reboot of the Star Trek saga is full of action, special effects, and... characters. There must have been quite a sense of pressure to live up to the popculture collective's expectations. And while the movie isn't about the Prime Directive, it is so freaking entertaining that I had an urge to go for seconds right after.The last time I really felt this urge was when the first Matrix was released.

While watching the movie, you forget about plot holes. I was engrossed by the movie, by the plot, and especially by the dynamic between Spock and Kirk.

The audience is NEVER bored during this movie. J.J. Abrams knows how to set the pace between action and story, seducing the audience into this world that is so very familiar to fans and yet so different.

This is about a week late. Sorry!

Last week, I went to LA to visit my friends and take in Hellboy II: The Golden Army. I happen to be one of those people who really LOVED the first movie. I have the Director's Cut DVD and a lovely Hellboy messenger bag that I lug proudly about.

And I love Guillermo del Toro's visionary work. He can make me laugh and scream and cry all in the same movie. The creatures his imagination comes up with. I shudder to think the nightmares he had as a child. Though... he probably had fun with the nightmares.

Hellboy II brings together his comic-book geekiness, the power of his artistic vision, and a fun romp of a story. Hellboy (Ron Perlman) is still charming and grumpy at the same time he is trying to find acceptance in a world that fears the Other. He is happily in a relationship with Liz (Selma Blair), though can't comprehend what gets her mad. Luckily, though she has the power to fire it up with her temper, he's fireproof, so it all works out. I thought the first movie used her instability very well, but I loved the fact that she was more confident.

Doug Jones as Abe Sapien is comfortable in his skin. I think he's more confident, especially since this movie uses his real voice and he's not dubbed over by David Hyde Pierce. Abe is vulnerable and very sweet as he finds himself in love with an elven princess.

I actually refrained from reading the Neil Gaiman's novella because I wanted to be happy with the movie. In my experience, books are usually much better than the movie and the trailer looked so fun that I didn't want to spoil it with - Why did they leave THAT out? ect.

And I'm very happy I did go in without expectations. The movie is charming and fun. I quite enjoyed it, though some plot twists I did see coming a mile away -- but then it *IS* a fairytale, so some devices are just like that.

The acting was fun, though Robert De Niro seems to stand out the most. I think it might be his American accent. Most of the other actors tried their hand at British'ing. Or, it could be the hilarious situations his character just endears himself to.

All the actors seem to have great fun with this movie. Michelle Pfeiffer truly kicks up the wickedness. I haven't had a chance to watch her in Hairspray yet, but if she has as much fun with that role as she did with this, then it will be a joyful bit of wickedness indeed.

I highly recommend you watch this movie. It's PG-13. Has a bit of action and some gruesome deaths plus a bit of naughtiness that is hinted at. It is really a fun afternoon romp for fans of fantasy, fairy tales, and magic.