(no real spoilers)

[butterflydreaming]

The days, when I think "It's still raining", are good days to make a nest in the living room out of floor pillows and blankets and watch movies. I rarely know anything about the movies available (the exceptions, now, are the SIFF films) because I haven't seen most of the previews; I don't have television, listen to the radio far to little since I'm not driving, and don't go to the movies as often anymore. (I don't really know why; it's been a self-perpetuating cycle.) So I will admit that I rented The Island because it had Ewan in it, and since Moulin Rouge I have this thing about wanting to see his eyes do that sparkling, lighted thing. It's pretty rare in the Prequels. The only scene I can think of is the one in Episode 2 where he's talking to Dex.

I didn't expect much out of the movie but some running and maybe an explosion or two. I had zero idea of what it was about; I didn't even read the cover text on the case. When the titles came up, I saw that Steve Busceme was in it, too. That was promising. I've always liked him.

Ewan was great, Steve was great, and the movie was unexpectedly pretty good. If I hadn't read Spares (or even the short story from which that novel sprang) and if Hollywood Romance didn't annoy me as much as it does, I would even say that the movie rocked. The evil guy was that Taster's Choice commercial guy, I think. The product placement didn't even try to be subtle, but like the Golden Arches in The Fifth Element, they worked. There were some fun chase scenes with fast-moving vehicles. The CG was well used, well blended enough that I wasn't sure if some of the stunts were done with actual catastrophic damage or if they were generated, and the prop choices were creative. While I was watching the movie, I thought of how Twelve Monkeys and Bladerunner would make a good theme viewing with it.

It was strangely entertaining to follow up with Saving Face, instead. I didn't get to see this during SIFF.

Can I just say... Hot. Asian. Chicks! There are some attractive men in this, but by far this is a film dominated with female beauty and sex appeal. Joan Chen is possibly more beautiful than she was during "Twin Peaks". I don't know the names of the other ladies without checking, but the girl who plays Vivian is stunning. I was facinated by her facial expressions. Thinking about it afterward, I think it's because she smiles like Drew Barrymore, very cutely.

Storywise, there are things that I like and things that I quibble over. I wish the girls hadn't been so intensely butch and femme. I know that there are couples like that, but it felt stereotypical. I dislike the implication that in gay couples, one is the "guy" and the other is the "woman". I also thought that there was a little too much acceptance in the way things work out.

There is a lot of sweetness to Saving Face, and a good plot surprize in it. For a related look at Chinese culture, I still favor The Wedding Banquet, yet nevertheless, I would recommend Saving Face more widely, mostly because of the primary plotline regarding JC's character. And the girl-on-girl bedroom scenes, which were both sweet and sexy.

It's a weekend for movies. In addition to the Kung Fu line-up, we picked up one at random about Egyptian gods in an urban AU setting. I expect it to be extremely bad, hopefully an Underworld kind of bad.

Comments

[joyful-storm.livejournal.com]

!!!

!?!

MEEP?

Yes, you do.

[butterflydrming.livejournal.com]

It's one called Immortal. I saw the cover picture and pretty much *had to* rent it (there's a building that looks like it's growing tentacles).