Re: Random movie talky stuff.
So, mentioned it in the announcement thread but forgot to talk about the fact that I went to go see The Wolverine.
Trailers first, as I remember them.
47 Ronin - This one ticked the CB off. Keanu Reeves is playing the main character and to quote CB "The 47 Ronin is the greatest story of revenge ever told and did not involve fucking dragons!" We're probably still going to go see it anyway.
Secret Life of Walter Mitty - My version of the 47 Ronin here. Mostly because it stars Ben Stiller. But it's a remake of a movie based off of a short story that's basically about an everyman who concocts these elaborate fantasies to make his humdrum life and ordinary-ness less so. The original starred Danny Kaye (one of my favorite actors), had a musical number or two, and was a spy drama about a book editor who gets caught up with a blonde bombshell. Neither of them seem exceptionally true to the source material (though the new one seems to be drawing slightly from the old, Stiller works for LIFE magazine) but I honestly don't know how I feel about it.
Paranoia - The only reason I remember this one is because it's the one I forgot *laughs* Down and out kid gets tired to steal insider secrets from rival company. Original company fucks him over. Decides to use electronic genius to take them both out. Meh.
Elysium - Matt Damon's scifi epic of the down-and-outs vs. the filthy rich. Personally, I want to see it to see Jodi Foster acting like a stone cold bitch. But I'll probably wait until I can see it at home. Looks a little frantic at times and I like rewind.
Percy Jackson, Sea of Monsters - Old friends, new friends, old villains, new villains, holy fucking epic looking monsters and special effects, charybdis, and freaking NATHAN FILLION as Hermes.
That's about all that I remember. I think I might be missing one, but it's one of those "shows the impact it had" if I can't remember. If I remember later, I'll replace this with that.
On to Wolvie.
An enjoyable movie from a comic standpoint. Set post-X3. Delves a bit more into Wolverine's past as he heads to Japan at the request of a dying man whose life he once saved. While there, he meets the kickass Yukio, falls for Mariko, takes on a bunch of baddies who, I find myself going "how is he still alive" during some of the sequences, and deals with both ninjas and cyborg samurai. Also, Famke Janssen in a nightie. Several times.
Honestly, I enjoyed the movie. I wouldn't call it epic, by any standard, but it was a lot more enjoyable than X3. CB went with me and, as a good litmus test, enjoyed it as well, despite only having bare minimum knowledge of Wolvie/Xmen lore. There were more than a couple moments that had me shaking my head in disbelief but others that had me laughing, as well as cheering. Another thing I liked about the movie is that he was paired up with two strong female characters who did more than shriek and run when they were threatened. Hell, Mariko actually tried to beat up her kidnappers until one of them sticks a gun in her face. And Yukio just freaking kicks all kinds of ass. CB's biggest complaint was the use of the ninjas but was at least impressed with their tactics.
It twists a little of the lore around but for the most part, holds to a good portion of it, which I liked. I also had a fangirl moment during the end credits, when they did the bonus scene (nothing at the end.). All I can say is that I'm really jazzed for the next one, too.
See it again? Maybe. Own it? Yes. Recommend it? Matinee is likely a good choice and go in for it being a popcorn movie. It's fun to watch Hugh Jackman just cut loose and kick ass. The mid-credit scene (and there's only the one) had me doing a fangirl squee once it was done, especially since I know from Comic-con news what it's setting up. Which, of course, had the CB laughing. "You done?" "Uh-huh." "You sure?" "Yup." "Okay." And then had me explaining to them *why* the squee. One of these days, they'll get to sit down with my comic collection.
But, that's about it. Really enjoyed it. Didn't fully fall in love with the thing, but again, fun romp. Worth the the money, at the very least. Go see if you are a fan, but check the purist at the door.
