Well I am home for a short visit, and decided to see some movies. I was both surprised and disappointed, and that’s okay.
The first film I saw was the remake of Carrie featuring Chloe Moretz and Julianne Moore. The script and film are an almost shot for shot remake of the original. It’s too bad it is simply awful. The best acting in the film comes from Judy Greer and Gabriella Wilde whose thoughtful performances are the only bright spots I could see. My largest concern was the absolutely terrible visual effects. The effects in the original 1976 film were scarier and more realistic. The prom scene was absolute comedy.
Sunday the Son and I took in Ender’s Game, the big budget holiday film featuring Asa Butterfield as the titular character and Harrison Ford as the monstrous Colonel Graff.
An important aside: While the author’s opinions are personally abhorrent to me, I do consider the book to be one of the greatest works of American literature in the twentieth century. I also consider it possibly the best SF novel ever written in English.
The film was rushed. It’s a huge story, and while I would have made different choices it wasn’t bad. There are huge issues with audience empathy. None of the characters, with the possible exception of Petra played by Hailee Steinfeld, elicited empathy. Her acting ability was amply demonstrated in True Grit to be sure. The special effects were fairly well handled. The story missed a few key points. It was adequate, no more and no less.
I also saw Gravity in 2D with the lovely +Tatyanna whilst I visited Los Angeles. I think the film would have tripped my vertigo and acrophobia in 3D. If anyone has seen the IMAX film Space Station about the ISS, that film almost made me hurl. The film is wonderful. Pretty much all Sandra Bullock, with a touch of George Clooney for leavening.
Go see a movie.
