Yesterday, I went out and got two DVDs, thus furthering the economic recovery. Chew on that, Waffle-Powered Howard. In the order of purchase, they were:

Galaxy Quest
The Others

The GQ DVD is defective; bloody thing skips oddly when it makes the layer transition (I think) and therefore I can't watch part of it. Nevertheless, once you get through the painful first few minutes (mostly at the convention) it's a great movie. Whatever Sigourney Weaver's politics (I don't know; I don't care) she's good in this film,

The Others is arguably one of the most creepy films I've watched in a while. I don't generally spook (as opposed to jump when the music stings or a xenomorph in its second stage (i.e. facehugger) pops out after Ripley and Newt, which still happens even though I know darn near every second of Aliens) but The Others kept me moving about a bit uneasily. I don't have words for it at this point, but my "self" (as opposed to a purely physical sense) was roiling about after seeing the end of this film. It ain't often that I reach over and flip the light on immediately at the end, so I'm quite impressed by this effort. There's just something about it that draws you in; I'm not quite sure what creates this effect. It may be the sparse nature of the film, with only about five characters in it. There isn't a whole lot going on and it's a restrained picture that leaves one's brain to run amuck. Early episodes of Space: 1999 wowed me with their sparse look, so that may be the attractive thread. Or perhaps something else; I'm not entirely certain that I'm not just fond of directorial restraint and displays of artistic skill.

Words can not describe just how beautiful Nicole Kidman is in this picture. I am convinced that somehow, she's evidence that God loves us and wants us to be happy. Are we in 2003 America supposed to believe that Jennifer Lopez in a green sheet is somehow beautiful, and that a properly-arranged woman from the 1940s (done up like Mrs. Grace Stewart) isn't? If you believe this, you can stand in line with lots of other slavering pigs to root about with J.Ho; I'll gladly take a retro-Kidman.

Having raved about her beauty, I'll simply note that I think she probably deserved at least an Oscar nomination; good grief, the woman acts well in this. I'd never seen a movie with her in it before (curious, but just one of those quirks of moviegoing) so I was a tad cautious about getting the film, but hey, it worked out. Miss Kidman carried the film quite well, and I was taken with the character. Where's my Grace Stewart, dagnabbit? A solid Christian girl who can give orders, use a shotgun, has a backbone of steel, and who ain't afraid of the dead, all while looking absolutely lovely. What's that? I'm not guaranteed that? Pout.

It was interesting seeing Christopher Eccleston (no relation to that once-comely FNC reporteress, Jennifer "Miss Shock & Awe" Eccelston) playing something other than the ruthlessly intense Duke of Norfolk in Elizabeth. The little brother in the movie did well, but darned if he didn't look like a pudgy Dennis Kucininch. Any minute you'd almost expect him to break out say something about a Ministry of Peace to settle the situation.

Two solid purchases marred only by a manufacturing defect. No complaints about either film. I'm now scrounging around to get the funds for the soundtrack to The Others, 'cause that seemed to have been an important component to the film.

Posted by: Country Pundit at 11:53 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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