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jebbypalHad a good day out with B. Our brunch place is once again open. Afterward we went to DE hoping to catch a movie, but we just missed the opening times. As a result we had to hang around till 4:30 (we got there around 1:45). B took me to Target so I could get a bunch of stuff and then we hit Barnes and Noble and Best Buy. I was weak and bought a book as well as two cds. :P Spent way too much money today and I really should probably check my accounts to make sure I have enough. ah well.
We did finally get to see the movie, Lord of War. Non spoilery impressions--okay movie. Way too much voice over but it's more documentary style than action film. It's almost worth the price of admission to see the opening sequence though. Awsome filmography.
The movie was well done but the voice over annoyed me --- it made the movie boring to me, but I can see why they did it. It would be way too easy to romanticize Cage's character and that was not the point of the movie.
Rather, it was a well done documentary on the recent 20 years of gun running and why it happens. Chilling portrayals of Liberia's former president Baptiste (I believe he's still in exile) and just about every bloodbath in Africa.
I could squee and squee about the opening sequence where the camera seems to be literally glued to the bullet. I don't know if it's CGI or what, but I loved it. The best part of the movie to me.
B had issues w/ how Cage's character reacted to certain events and the reactions were off for a real person. But if you watch the movie, you rapidly see that the writer and director chose to have each character play a stereotype: Cage -- money driven gun runner who insists his hands are clean of blood. He's just moving the merchandise and refuses to be held accountable for what happens. His brother -- Initially in it for his brother, but unlike Cage, isn't able to turn a blind eye to what is happening and as a result he destroys himself with drugs rather than turn on his brother. Cage's wife -- basically most US citizens. She 'understands' that Cage isn't on the up and up, but she's willing to turn a blind eye to it as long as it doesn't intrude on her personal life. Ethan Hawke, the ATF agent, -- the LAW. Uncorruptible. Hates everything that Cage stands for and as a result, pursues him blindly. Also the idealist. Then the old man gun runner that works for CIA etc -- his motto, "never take sides". Supposedly serving the greater good through his work.
It's a nice morality play in a way and I like the way they handled it. I just wish it had been more interesting and a tad less predictable. I also continually question why I had to study every genocide of the 20th century in college. It's really painful to see it repeated time and again. Then to see our President insist on butchering the genocide acts the UN tries to pass just so we aren't obligated to get involved in wars that actually matter and will never turn a profit.
All in all, don't go see it if you need an up movie. But it's informative.
We did finally get to see the movie, Lord of War. Non spoilery impressions--okay movie. Way too much voice over but it's more documentary style than action film. It's almost worth the price of admission to see the opening sequence though. Awsome filmography.
The movie was well done but the voice over annoyed me --- it made the movie boring to me, but I can see why they did it. It would be way too easy to romanticize Cage's character and that was not the point of the movie.
Rather, it was a well done documentary on the recent 20 years of gun running and why it happens. Chilling portrayals of Liberia's former president Baptiste (I believe he's still in exile) and just about every bloodbath in Africa.
I could squee and squee about the opening sequence where the camera seems to be literally glued to the bullet. I don't know if it's CGI or what, but I loved it. The best part of the movie to me.
B had issues w/ how Cage's character reacted to certain events and the reactions were off for a real person. But if you watch the movie, you rapidly see that the writer and director chose to have each character play a stereotype: Cage -- money driven gun runner who insists his hands are clean of blood. He's just moving the merchandise and refuses to be held accountable for what happens. His brother -- Initially in it for his brother, but unlike Cage, isn't able to turn a blind eye to what is happening and as a result he destroys himself with drugs rather than turn on his brother. Cage's wife -- basically most US citizens. She 'understands' that Cage isn't on the up and up, but she's willing to turn a blind eye to it as long as it doesn't intrude on her personal life. Ethan Hawke, the ATF agent, -- the LAW. Uncorruptible. Hates everything that Cage stands for and as a result, pursues him blindly. Also the idealist. Then the old man gun runner that works for CIA etc -- his motto, "never take sides". Supposedly serving the greater good through his work.
It's a nice morality play in a way and I like the way they handled it. I just wish it had been more interesting and a tad less predictable. I also continually question why I had to study every genocide of the 20th century in college. It's really painful to see it repeated time and again. Then to see our President insist on butchering the genocide acts the UN tries to pass just so we aren't obligated to get involved in wars that actually matter and will never turn a profit.
All in all, don't go see it if you need an up movie. But it's informative.
