The latest comic book brought to life has occurred in the film Ghost Rider. Every comic book collector my age and younger should feel vindicated now. It seems that every great series has, or is planned, to be brought to life. The only reasons seem to be that Hollywood can’t think up a new idea, and the fact that the rich storylines found in comics is easy to transfer to film. Even the execs that love to ‘revision’ storylines can’t help but try to delve into the history these comics have developed and the fan base they have cultivated.
I am a fan of the early Ghost Rider story, and the far later Johnny Blaze story line. From what I’ve seen from commercials there is a bit of each in the movie. This may explain why it has done so well. It’s not just a kiddie story, and Xatharos is no happy protagonist. I doubt that many fanatical Christians will be watching the film because of this, but in my mind that is there loss. The special effects look phenomenal, Xatharos looks real. I love the bike as well. I like the inclusion of a Nightmare (demonic flaming horse of mythos). I need to go see this film, but anyone who has and knows the storyline – please tell me what you thought of the movie.
Speaking of movies I want to see and enjoyed, have you seen Thank You For Smoking? I love this film. I don’t get to the movie theater as often as I would like and I recently saw this film on DVD. It’s a great film. Very much in the style of Wag the Dog. It’s not a film of good guys or bad guys. There is no black and white absolutes to the characters in the film. Everyone is a shade of gray, and it’s realistic. Mr. Aaron Eckhart does a fabulous job as the lead Nick Naylor.
The question of this film is not if smoking is bad. It’s not a liberal, left-wing anti-smoking rant. It’s not a pro-smoking or conservative choose-for-yourself film either. It’s simply a story of a man, living in the world as it is and doing the job he is best at. Considering the less than beneficial motivations of everyone in the film, it’s surprising the number of top list actors that are involved in this low-budget film. I particularly loved Mr. Rob Lowe’s performance as a Hollywood uber-mogul, getting anything done for the right price and severely absorbed with Japanese culture and a God complex. [Of particular fun was the line where he mentions that he only sleeps on Sunday]
It’s an intellectual film, so yes expect words over action. It’s not Grand Canyon though. Watch out if you have a smart child though. The argument [and not a negotiation] that Nick’s son gives his mother is both sharp and, if it were in my family, well deserving of a slap.
Of course if you are a anti-smoking fanatic, you may not enjoy the film as much as I did. If you can follow the logic and fast paced A is similar to B therefore C slippery slope then you will love this.
If you are interested in action I think the next film, 300 Spartans will be of interest. The bad part may be that the film will have little historical accuracy. Like many films today it will focus on imagery and not on the story. That may be sad as the story is legendary. I’ve spoken on it previously so I won’t go into more detail.
This is what I think, what do you think?
No comments:
Post a Comment