Monday, April 02, 2001
"Bless the Child", and Bless Us for Watching It
In the evening we watched "Bless the Child", starring Kim Basinger and Jimmy Smits, which I picked up cheap as a used DVD on the way home from my birthday peregrinations with Bill. The only reason I bought it was because Erika had worked on the film last year, and had heard from the Sound Recordist she worked with that "it sounded great" -- though that was the only great thing about it in his opinion. He was right; this dog of a film was pretty much universally panned, and I think the studio deliberately buried it when it was originally released, getting next to zero promotional coverage.
I think the only enjoyable way to watch this film is with Erika, though she said that as bad as the film was, it was worse to work on it.
Its interesting to see, as the script read well, but it seems completely botched in its execution. Kim Basinger seemed to have the same, dead-pan expression throughout the film; even after being drugged and almost killed, or after her child is kidnapped, she seemed pretty calm and collected about the whole thing, as if this sort of thing happens every day, ho hum. Showing some emotion would ruffle her hair most likely. Was surprised at how amateurishly the film seemed to be shot, as the cinematographer had some odd concepts about framing a scene. And I guess the director ought to be blamed for the absence of any developing tension in the movie, and for the way it flowed from one scene to another without any sense of pace or anticipation. The only real bright light in the film was Jimmy Smits, who was the only actor who managed to convey any sense of gravity in his role. The sound in the film did seem remarkably good, and while nobody tends to notice this sort of thing normally, the sound seemed "real"; Erika was genuinely pleased by how much location sound was used in the film.
Watching the film with Erika was the best way to see the film, as she remembered goings-on during particular scenes. Such as laughing over the fact that the Reverand's Assistant seems to be getting typecast -- he played a cop who got gruesomely killed in "Bride of Chucky", and the same thing happens to him here, though he at least manages to live through two scenes in this movie. Or finding out that the subway scenes were shot in a never-used station platform located underneath the regular platforms at Union Station. I also got a bit jealous as she described getting a little thrill at pinning a radio mike to the chest of the well-built janitor who appears in one scene. ;-)
Though she remarked at the end that "I don't feel I ever have to watch that again", Erika was still quite pleased to see her name -- spelled correctly for once -- scroll up during the end credits.
In the evening we watched "Bless the Child", starring Kim Basinger and Jimmy Smits, which I picked up cheap as a used DVD on the way home from my birthday peregrinations with Bill. The only reason I bought it was because Erika had worked on the film last year, and had heard from the Sound Recordist she worked with that "it sounded great" -- though that was the only great thing about it in his opinion. He was right; this dog of a film was pretty much universally panned, and I think the studio deliberately buried it when it was originally released, getting next to zero promotional coverage.
I think the only enjoyable way to watch this film is with Erika, though she said that as bad as the film was, it was worse to work on it.
Its interesting to see, as the script read well, but it seems completely botched in its execution. Kim Basinger seemed to have the same, dead-pan expression throughout the film; even after being drugged and almost killed, or after her child is kidnapped, she seemed pretty calm and collected about the whole thing, as if this sort of thing happens every day, ho hum. Showing some emotion would ruffle her hair most likely. Was surprised at how amateurishly the film seemed to be shot, as the cinematographer had some odd concepts about framing a scene. And I guess the director ought to be blamed for the absence of any developing tension in the movie, and for the way it flowed from one scene to another without any sense of pace or anticipation. The only real bright light in the film was Jimmy Smits, who was the only actor who managed to convey any sense of gravity in his role. The sound in the film did seem remarkably good, and while nobody tends to notice this sort of thing normally, the sound seemed "real"; Erika was genuinely pleased by how much location sound was used in the film.
Watching the film with Erika was the best way to see the film, as she remembered goings-on during particular scenes. Such as laughing over the fact that the Reverand's Assistant seems to be getting typecast -- he played a cop who got gruesomely killed in "Bride of Chucky", and the same thing happens to him here, though he at least manages to live through two scenes in this movie. Or finding out that the subway scenes were shot in a never-used station platform located underneath the regular platforms at Union Station. I also got a bit jealous as she described getting a little thrill at pinning a radio mike to the chest of the well-built janitor who appears in one scene. ;-)
Though she remarked at the end that "I don't feel I ever have to watch that again", Erika was still quite pleased to see her name -- spelled correctly for once -- scroll up during the end credits.Labels: Bless the Child, Bride of Chucky, Owen Langevin
Sunday, April 01, 2001
First Day of Being 35
Birthdays are such a great excuse to go out and have some fun. Erika volunteered to stay with Vanessa all day today, giving me the opportunity to go "play" with Bill. So I met Bill at his place, where we chatted for a bit, and played a few games of Quarto -- which I had picked up for him for his 35th birthday a couple of weeks ago. Then he gave me his presents to me: DVD copies of Thunderbirds (Vol.1), and Space: 1999 (also Vol.1). This is a man who knows me all too well -- and who probably also knows I wouldn't normally have picked up such a thing for myself. What can I say? I gave the big lug a hug -- and then we commenced our "sluggy" day together. It started with a trip to Playdium, which is a short walk from Bill's place. Ended up having the most fun playing some vintage games located there, and having an air-hockey grudge match (Bill won the tournament, though only just). Wanted to try Mech Warrior 4, but the whole game set was down, presumably (and notably) because half of the Microsoft joysticks were broken on the game units. After that, we went to Hooters, which is just down the street from Playdium. My first time there, suggested primarily out of curiosity, and well in keeping with the "sluggy" theme. Basically, it's young, cute-to-vavavoom!-looking women in outfits at least one size too tight for them. Everyone sits at rough wooden tables, napkins come from a roll of paper towels, and some miscellaneous sports channel showed stock car racing from a half-dozen TVs. All deliberately tacky. Food came in generous portions, and seriously watered-down beer (had a Hooter burger with the works, plus a side order of curly fries and poutine; a heart-attack special). In between furtive glances at the waitresses Bill and I chatted, and had copious amounts of artery-clogging food. Eating there was fun in an adolescent sort of way, though I felt guilty for being in a place which is ultimately degrading to women, and conflicted for enjoying it, leavened by its hokeyness. Headed to the Chapters store just up the street (all of the places Bill and I went to are located on a single block), where we both browsed, found a copy of my CSS book still around in the computer section, looked for a book I couldn't find, and ultimately just got a copy of the latest KMT, an Egyptology magazine I like. We then headed out for Bay Video on a DVD hunt, ultimately frustrated by lack of parking spaces due to numerous film crew trucks and trailers taking up available free spots. Settled for a well-stocked Jumbo video instead, where I was tempted by the Criterion release of Life of Brian, but $63.99 is just too much for a single DVD. Ended up getting a cheap, used copy of Bless the Child instead (more of that later). Headed home, and found Erika and Vanessa both sound asleep, having a mid-afternoon nap. Soon after Erika woke up, I went upstairs to stir a groggy Vanessa, who gave me a tired hug and kiss, and then woke up at the idea of decorating the dining room for my birthday. With a "come on, Daddy", she dragged me downstairs, and we started making decorations while Erika made dinner. The meal was great, and the cake was both chocolate and insanely high in calories. Yum! While the time "gallivanting" with Bill was fun, I only really felt whole and happy when I was with my family. I guess I really am 35, after all. ;-)
Birthdays are such a great excuse to go out and have some fun. Erika volunteered to stay with Vanessa all day today, giving me the opportunity to go "play" with Bill. So I met Bill at his place, where we chatted for a bit, and played a few games of Quarto -- which I had picked up for him for his 35th birthday a couple of weeks ago. Then he gave me his presents to me: DVD copies of Thunderbirds (Vol.1), and Space: 1999 (also Vol.1). This is a man who knows me all too well -- and who probably also knows I wouldn't normally have picked up such a thing for myself. What can I say? I gave the big lug a hug -- and then we commenced our "sluggy" day together. It started with a trip to Playdium, which is a short walk from Bill's place. Ended up having the most fun playing some vintage games located there, and having an air-hockey grudge match (Bill won the tournament, though only just). Wanted to try Mech Warrior 4, but the whole game set was down, presumably (and notably) because half of the Microsoft joysticks were broken on the game units. After that, we went to Hooters, which is just down the street from Playdium. My first time there, suggested primarily out of curiosity, and well in keeping with the "sluggy" theme. Basically, it's young, cute-to-vavavoom!-looking women in outfits at least one size too tight for them. Everyone sits at rough wooden tables, napkins come from a roll of paper towels, and some miscellaneous sports channel showed stock car racing from a half-dozen TVs. All deliberately tacky. Food came in generous portions, and seriously watered-down beer (had a Hooter burger with the works, plus a side order of curly fries and poutine; a heart-attack special). In between furtive glances at the waitresses Bill and I chatted, and had copious amounts of artery-clogging food. Eating there was fun in an adolescent sort of way, though I felt guilty for being in a place which is ultimately degrading to women, and conflicted for enjoying it, leavened by its hokeyness. Headed to the Chapters store just up the street (all of the places Bill and I went to are located on a single block), where we both browsed, found a copy of my CSS book still around in the computer section, looked for a book I couldn't find, and ultimately just got a copy of the latest KMT, an Egyptology magazine I like. We then headed out for Bay Video on a DVD hunt, ultimately frustrated by lack of parking spaces due to numerous film crew trucks and trailers taking up available free spots. Settled for a well-stocked Jumbo video instead, where I was tempted by the Criterion release of Life of Brian, but $63.99 is just too much for a single DVD. Ended up getting a cheap, used copy of Bless the Child instead (more of that later). Headed home, and found Erika and Vanessa both sound asleep, having a mid-afternoon nap. Soon after Erika woke up, I went upstairs to stir a groggy Vanessa, who gave me a tired hug and kiss, and then woke up at the idea of decorating the dining room for my birthday. With a "come on, Daddy", she dragged me downstairs, and we started making decorations while Erika made dinner. The meal was great, and the cake was both chocolate and insanely high in calories. Yum! While the time "gallivanting" with Bill was fun, I only really felt whole and happy when I was with my family. I guess I really am 35, after all. ;-)
Labels: birthday, Bless the Child, Chapters, DVDs, Hooters, KMT, Playdium, Space: 1999, Thunderbirds
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