WeatherGirl’s Station

Variable. I found the beginning rather disjointed and not very engaging. Once the bomb goes off though, then the tension mounts and there’s more emotional engagement. That despite knowing how the plot was going to resolve itself. All the performances seemed workmanlike and as a whole told the story well.

Current temperature: here 52F/11C, there 8C/46F

I like to wear shoes because, well, going bare foot in the modern world doesn’t really work, however I always have a terrible time finding anything to buy as:

1) I like to be comfortable and women’s shoes these days are more like implements of torture
2) I have wide feet and a very high instep
3) I have feet shaped feet and the designers of women’s shoes don’t appear to be interested in creating shoes that fit human shaped feet.

So, Sunday, I ordered myself a pair of Apache Moccasins from Steger Moosehide Mukluks, a company based in Ely, Minnesota that is inspired by traditional First Nations designs for their products. I wasn’t certain that they would be the solution to my problems but they sure looked and sounded cool on the web site. Well they showed up today and I am one happy camper. They are really cool and I love how they tie around the ankles. I’m not sure they are tight enough and I may end up having to wear double socks as the hide stretches with wear. We’ll have to see. If things go well I’d like to buy a pair of Ojibwa or Navajo books for the winter.

Current temperature: here 52F/11C, there 8C/46F

Tosh. For about three quarters of this movie there’s a half decent story in there. The horror elements were quite scary, the domestic scenes engendered sympathy, and the mystery was quite intriguing. Unfortunately for the audience it all falls apart in the endgame and the explanation does not live up to all that has gone before.

As to the special effects they were an unhappy mixture of visually ambitious, hokey, and poorly executed. It’s like they didn’t have enough funds/time to put the finishing polish on.

Current temperature: here 39F/4C, there 11C/52C

Heartrending. Beautifully filmed. For those who know their history, and pay attention, there are signs along the way as to what is really going on. There is a persistent sense of deceit as you watch, that the beautiful facade hides a blacked heart. Definitely a three hankie experience and the final image silently speaks volumes. Only those who are soulless will fail to be moved.

Current temperature: here 46F/8C, there 15C/59F

This warms the cockles of one’s heart.

Also what’s with referring to her as ‘gentleman’? Secretary Clinton seems more appropriately respectful.

Yawn. This has got to be one of the most boring films I have ever seen. I was so disappointed. The previews had looked great. There were interesting actors in the cast. Etc., etc., etc.

The main problem was the complete lack of emotional engagement engendered. At most there were three points in the film when I had a strong emotional reaction to what I was seeing. Those where the rape scene, a main character’s death and a minor character’s death. The rest was handled with so little skill that I could watch the death of millions and not really care one jot.

The fact that Zack Snyder, (who has directed how many films?) is described as visionary in the advertising makes me want to cry. Kubrick was visionary. Snyder is just a hack. This movie does nothing visually, it’s incredibly static and leaden, which surprises me given the source material. Basically the film reads as a series of MTV videos. Perhaps Snyder was hoping for gravitas and emotion to come from the song lyrics? And don’t get me started on the quality of the acting which was pretty dire with two exceptions.

As for the sex and violence. Well, the violence was both unrealistic and gratuitous at the same time. On multiple occasions I had to close my eyes because it was so shocking. The sex was … bizarre. Probably inspired by watching too many porno movies. I get what Alan Moore was attempting to say about the world but what about the people who made this movie? Do any of them actually think about what they are saying about the state of human experience when this is how they portray sex and violence?

Current temperature: here 38F/3C, there 6C/43F