Random comments on random films

Shrek 2

Shrek 2 is one of the most unnecessary films to come out, but it is also funny enough to excuse that. The "meet the parents" (or "meet the in-laws") idea is played to its absolute superlative here as an ogre marries into a royal family. "Puss in Boots" as a Spaniard is another one of those random nationality tamperings -- like "Robin Hood" as a womanizing Frenchman in the first Shrek installment -- used as an excuse to bring in some ethnic humor. But what can you say? It works, right?

What has me completely mystified is the speed at which the final events occur. After it took Shrek, Fiona and Donkey a long, long coach ride from Shrek's swamp to "Far, Far Away", Shrek's friends (Pinnochio and co.) seem to manage the whole trip in what couldn't possibly have taken more than an hour or two. How? No coach, no wings, nothing.

And how did thay manage to create that gigantic gingerbread man on such short notice?

posted by Marco @ 4:09 AM 0 comments

Castaway

Sure Tom Hanks' weight gain and weight loss was impressive. Sure he did a phenomenal acting job, carrying the dialogue, character, action and plot pretty much on his shoulders (and his alone) for an hour or so. But not just the acting, but the directing, script, soundtrack, and everything else works well. It is an all-round effective movie (as one friend put it: "if you think you'll never choke back tears at the sight of a volleyball adrift on the ocean, go watch this film").

But for me, the most poignant moment of the film is that look back that he gives the island as he finally rows away beyond the breakers and to freedom. Anyone held in the confines of a prison for many years, cursing and yelling and swearing to get away, will find that exact sort of nostalgia and dependence almost pulling him back the moment he breaks free and finds himself adrift in a boundless ocean.

posted by Marco @ 3:25 AM 0 comments