Things 7 through 10

I thought I would do a few movie reviews this time, as I haven't read much in book format the past few weeks, but have watched a few movies.

First, the good review: The Fall, a 2006 movie by Tarsem Singh. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460791/

I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie, but it seemed an interesting premise: A 1920s stuntman is in hospital and meets a young girl, for whom he starts telling an epic story. The movie was visually stunning, and made me think of the Arabian nights tales, or Gulliver's travels. The girl of course brings her own touches to the story, so that it morphs around the teller and the listener into something that brings them together. There is a darker undercurrent that becomes apparent early in the movie, but I won't tell what it is so as not to ruin the surprise, but suffice it to say that there are quite a few tear-jerker scenes here. Some of the scenes could be seen as unsettling, since the main character is telling a story to a very young child with quite a bit of violence in it, but as it is a main part of the plot I don't think it would detract from the movie, but rather adds realism to it. It's a must see in my opinion.

Now, the ambivalent review: Nightwatching, a 2007 movie by Kees Kasander.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0446750/?ref_=nv_sr_1

I'll admit it, I only got this movie out because the main role is played by Martin Freeman, the actor who plays John Watson in BBC's Sherlock. I was expecting something historical, somewhat romantic, and with some intrigue from what I saw on the back of the cover. What I got was something else. The movie is set up quite like a play, with the actors advancing on stationary sets and the camera mostly moving in and out from the characters when a closer shot is required. The language the actors use is contemporary, and by that I mean more street language than Shakespeare, though I expect the effect is meant to resemble a contemporary version of what Shakespeare would have written on this subject. The main plot of this movie revolves around Rembrandt's painting of members of the militia, where he discovers various plots and schemes and decides to incorporate them into the painting in retaliation, as a form of vengeance for the victim of the main plot.
Now while that all sounds like the makings of a great movie, there was a major element of the film that detracted from my enjoyment. I found that virtually all the characters had a crude enjoyment in gossiping about sordid deeds of their neighbours and contemporaries, which we would today call horrible crimes which we would report to the authorities. The fact that in those days there were no authorities to speak of does not detract from the fact that the characters, Rembrandt included, are absolutely phlegmatic and unemotional about the plight of the victims. I don't feel that this element of the artist's time should have taken such a large part in the movie's plot, but the directors and producers felt different. So most of the movie is spent in sordid gossip, political blackmailing and backstabbing, foul language, and sexual escapades. While there were some moving moments in the movie, the overall effect for me was more depressing than anything else. Overall excellent acting, but very dark subject matter. Perhaps someone of a more cerebral taste will enjoy this movie more than I did.

So far week three is the easiest/most familiar of the bunch. I already had a vision account, had made lists in the past as well. The comment function was very easy and intuitive and the hardest part about following someone was simply to narrow it down to just one. I find this is a part of social media I can really get behind. Bring on week 4!