The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
The first in-theater movie I saw this year was "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." Now I rarely like any Terry Gilliam film I see the first time. Even my favorite, Munchaussen wore on me a little the first time I saw it. But that was a long time ago and I've matured a bit and understand Gilliam a little better now.
Imaginarium is a pretty straightforward story (for Gilliam) involving Doctor Parnassus and his daughter, Valentina , who is about to turn 16. The rub is the Doctor is immortal (sounds like I'm reviewing a Doctor Who episode) but his immortality came from a deal with the Devil and when Valentina turns 16 he gets to claim her. Tony (played by Heath Ledger) shows up and may be the Doctor's last hope to save his daughter. There are several interesting sub plots involving Tony's past, the Doctor's past, how Tony's arrival affects the group's dynamic and what the Devil really wants.
I'm a sucker for deals with the devil and the Devil in this one is a very interesting character. He seemed most interested in keeping the game with the Doctor going eternally, like he was looking for that longtime companion. It's early on but I'm somewhat lost at Tony's motivation. Apart from greed and possibly attaining his own version immortality.
The Spy Next Door
I love Jackie Chan. Still, there are movies of his that I have not seen in the theater (Tuxedo) and some I've still never seen (The Medalion, The Myth, Gorgeous) and I expected "The Spy Next Door" to be at least among the former. Still as I was leaving Parnassus, it was just starting up, so I saw it. And you know what, I liked it.
It's not a good movie. It's intended for kids without anything for adults. If you're a fan of Disney Channel movies (the ones made just for Disney Channel) or Nickelodeon films you may enjoy this. Characters and characterizations are one-dimensional and even Jackie's action isn't that spectacular (he is getting old) but it's still fun.
The story involves Jackie, agent Bob Ho on loan from Chinese Intelligence to the CIA, retiring to be with his next door neighbor, Gillian played by former uber-goddess, Super Model Amber Valetta. The thing is she is a divorcee and her 3 kids hate Jackie. Her father has an accident and she has to leave town to be with him so Jackie volunteers to watch them and try to win them over. Unfortunately the target of his last case escapes and ends up targeting Jackie putting him and the kids in danger. Hilarity ensues. The whole thing is very by the numbers and targets the kid audience.
So what did I like? I'm not sure. Perhaps coming out of Parnassus my mind was just looking for something that I wouldn't have to think about. Something simple. Still, I enjoyed it.
The first in-theater movie I saw this year was "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." Now I rarely like any Terry Gilliam film I see the first time. Even my favorite, Munchaussen wore on me a little the first time I saw it. But that was a long time ago and I've matured a bit and understand Gilliam a little better now.
Imaginarium is a pretty straightforward story (for Gilliam) involving Doctor Parnassus and his daughter, Valentina , who is about to turn 16. The rub is the Doctor is immortal (sounds like I'm reviewing a Doctor Who episode) but his immortality came from a deal with the Devil and when Valentina turns 16 he gets to claim her. Tony (played by Heath Ledger) shows up and may be the Doctor's last hope to save his daughter. There are several interesting sub plots involving Tony's past, the Doctor's past, how Tony's arrival affects the group's dynamic and what the Devil really wants.
I'm a sucker for deals with the devil and the Devil in this one is a very interesting character. He seemed most interested in keeping the game with the Doctor going eternally, like he was looking for that longtime companion. It's early on but I'm somewhat lost at Tony's motivation. Apart from greed and possibly attaining his own version immortality.
The Spy Next Door
I love Jackie Chan. Still, there are movies of his that I have not seen in the theater (Tuxedo) and some I've still never seen (The Medalion, The Myth, Gorgeous) and I expected "The Spy Next Door" to be at least among the former. Still as I was leaving Parnassus, it was just starting up, so I saw it. And you know what, I liked it.
It's not a good movie. It's intended for kids without anything for adults. If you're a fan of Disney Channel movies (the ones made just for Disney Channel) or Nickelodeon films you may enjoy this. Characters and characterizations are one-dimensional and even Jackie's action isn't that spectacular (he is getting old) but it's still fun.
The story involves Jackie, agent Bob Ho on loan from Chinese Intelligence to the CIA, retiring to be with his next door neighbor, Gillian played by former uber-goddess, Super Model Amber Valetta. The thing is she is a divorcee and her 3 kids hate Jackie. Her father has an accident and she has to leave town to be with him so Jackie volunteers to watch them and try to win them over. Unfortunately the target of his last case escapes and ends up targeting Jackie putting him and the kids in danger. Hilarity ensues. The whole thing is very by the numbers and targets the kid audience.
So what did I like? I'm not sure. Perhaps coming out of Parnassus my mind was just looking for something that I wouldn't have to think about. Something simple. Still, I enjoyed it.
mere:
Thanks so much for your sweet comment on my Just Fucked set! 