Archive for July, 2009

public enemies

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

Public EnemiesI haven’t mentioned a movie in awhile. I don’t particularly know why that is but it could have something to do with how many I’ve been watching and how few are worth mentioning. ::co—Angels & Demonsugh::

That changed Wednesday when Fish and I hit Block E for Public Enemies. The cast is epic and the direction is… well… beautiful? More on that later.

John Dillinger (Johnny Depp), robbing banks at will, catches the ire of the newly formed FBI and Agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) in Depression-era Chicago. We follow Dillinger’s decline as his gang drops around him.

So anyway… the acting is solid throughout but you knew that because you read the cast listing. Michael Mann’s direction, IMHO, is stellar. He paints a picture with color, light and angles that had me.

Then there’s the story. So. Slow. You know those movies that are three hours long and don’t feel like more than half that? This is not one of those movies. The 140 minutes feel like 130. Or maybe 125.

All said, it’s a pretty decent show. It’s worth seeing but it can wait ’til discounts hit or it makes it to Netflix. Gangster movies are always a good show and this one is comparable to Casino because it’s unnecessarily long but still quality.

Photo courtesy WorstPreviews.com

this wildman is off the grid

Wednesday, July 1st, 2009

For the holiday, I’ll be heading back out to Wildman with the boys. Just when I’m about sick of trying (and failing) to find a job, it’ll be nice to be off the grid for a minute or two.

Whatever you’re up to, remember to celebrate our two-hundred-some years of sovereignty. Remember all those times we fought bravely to destroy the sovereignty of others and how few of us have the freedom to enjoy our own. (w00t, as they say.)

I’ll be completely in the rough. I’ll only have a multi-room house, my iPod Touch, a television, cases of beer and a half dozen cars to remind me of civilization. It will be terrible.

Catch ya’ll after the break when you’re all refreshed. Or overworked, depending on your profession.

Photo courtesy Four Seasons Cottages and not at all accurate