Classic Movie Monday: Gallipoli

Welcome to Classic Movie Monday. Every Monday, I watch a film at least 25 years old that I have never seen before. I will then write my comments on the film, telling you what I thought of it. This is an attempt to beef up my classic film knowledge as well as highlight some forgotten gems of Hollywood's heyday. So without further ado...

Gallipoli
Released: August 13, 1981
Directed by: Peter Weir
Starring: Mel Gibson & Mark Lee

Plot in a Nutshell:
Two naive young Australian men decide to leave Australia and go to fight in the Great War. After being sent to Gallipoli in Turkey, they face the grim reality of battle.

What I thought:
Gallipoli is war film not centered on battles, tactics, victories, or defeats. It is at its center, about the loss of innocence. It seems a lot of war films try to explore this change of boy to man through warfare, Gallipoli pulls it off very well.


Told in several distinct acts, the film builds from one to the next very easily. It begins very intimately, focusing on a runner named Archy (Lee), training for cross country glory. He ends up meeting with Frank (Gibson) and they both join the Australian Army. Once they get into the War theater, they sit around and participate in training exercises, until at last they are sent to the trenches on the shores of Gallipoli. It is here that a tragedy in combat occurs, changing their lives.

The thing that is done so well is the buildup of these two fellas. How they are both eager to a degree, and wanting to go off and have an adventure. It is the same in a lot of films about the young getting old. Naive as they are, they make the transition into men very quickly when confronted with war.

This is a great story of coming of age for both the characters in the film, but also for the young nation of Australia. It had only been a mere decade and a half since they had become a country, before they were asked to send troops to a war n the other side of the globe. You get the sense that the Australians were very different than that of their British brethren.

I enjoyed this film. I kind of wish the score weren't dated 80s electric music. It does kind of pull me out of the film for the few scenes it is in. The film looks great. The scenes in the outback are incredibly harsh and well shot. The action towards the end is very light. Several sequences you only hear the explosions and charging. And while I enjoyed the flick, I have to say that it doesn't stray too far from being a simple loss-of-innocence story. That said, it is still a good one to watch. And you get to see Mel in his young, young days when he still spoke like an Australian.

Bottom Line:
A good coming-of-age tale, like almost every other that you've seen, told with interesting characters and featuring a little known point in history in WWI.

B

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Frog Salad Anyone?

That's why I don't trust salads I can't read.

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"Pull forward please." What? Why?

Here's the deal, go to a fast food drive through. Order some grub. Pull up to the window. Pay your money, get your drink. Attendant asks you to pull forward, "We'll bring your stuff out."

This happens because they don't want to hold up the people behind you, and they don't want their counters to say somebody was at the window for 5 minutes while your french fries are cooking. I am sometimes happy about this, cause I get some nice hot fries. But lately it has come to my attention that this whole pull forward business is a bit ridiculous.

First off the drive thru is designed and built to be all about speed. If your fries aren't ready then that's a problem with the kitchen. They need to have some fries ready to go. Everything needs to be ready to go, so that all you do is throw it into a bag and wallah. This is the reason they have a counter inside, so that they are accountable for how many cars can get through the line during lunch.

Secondly if there is something slow in the kitchen, odds are the person behind me is going to have to wait too. So what are we solving here by moving somebody forward? So they can get another order in the system so that it can clog up even more?! That sounds ridiculous.

And lastly you're slowing things down even further when your attendants have to run ten orders out to the cars piled up in the lot. They are taking time to do run around, as opposed to simply waiting and handing things out that nice, little, bullet-proof window. Again, drive thru is designed to use that little window.

The point of the counter is to demonstrate to management how efficient their drive thru's are. By making you pull forward they are cheating their timers. They are cheating their jobs, making it look like they had a run of people go though 30 secs a piece when in actuality you had five very irritated people waiting in the parking lot for their food. That is not representing the effieciency of the drive thru at all. It is cheating. Pure out and out cheating, and the customer never knows it is happening.

This whole thing started a few weeks ago in San Diego. We went to Wendy's, three orders of spicy chicken sandwiches. We paid, got our drinks and were asked to pull forward. Pulled thru the drive, and because of the design of the drive thru, no car that was behind me could get out unless I pulled out of the drive thru. So I pulled out and was going to park, only this Wendy's sat in the middle of a huge shopping center. There wasn't a single parking spot, and about 15 cars trying to find one. So I pulled around and parked behind the handicapped spot, cause I figured they would be quick.

The guy who was behind me in the line of cars, came out of the thru shortly after I did, and he had been asked the same thing. So he circled around and parked behind me. At this point I am beginning to think this whole idea of pulling forward is a bit flawed. And the three of us were getting very irate. Then the handicapped people came out of the Wendy's and wanted to leave, so I had to move back, causing the guy behind me to move back as well, causing a traffic jam in the parking lot.

Finally, after what seemed like ten minutes, and after the handicapped party had left, our food came out. But I had to signal the attendant as to where I was parked (God forbid they should keep track of me and my order, again, what a drive thru is designed for). She came over and I told her what we ordered and she handed us the sack of Wendy's goodness.

The funny thing is, not a single car came out of the drive thru after the guy behind me did. So what on Earth is the point of this whole thing? Nobody got out of there any earlier than I did, because everybody was waiting for the same thing. So this whole idea of pulling forward to keep the line moving is a bit retarded in my opinion.

And then to top off this whole story, we were again getting food at a Wendy's this past weekend. And you know what, they asked me to pull forward. Here's the hysterical part, there was nobody behind me. And as I pulled forward and waited for them to bring out my food, nobody EVER came in line behind me. WHAT IS THE POINT OF THIS?!?!?! ARRRGHHH!!!

Maybe it's just Wendy's. Jack in the box does this also, but at least they have parking spots reserved for drive thru. I think next time somebody asks me to pull forward, I will just say "No thanks, I can wait here." I will let their counters get screwed up, because it will accurately show that they are lacking at service.

And if you want it to get any scarier, apparently this an arrestable offense in Florida. An elderly lady refused to pull forward and the cops arrested her. Read it here.

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I am concerned.

What I am seeing more and more is a type of attack on people that sickens me. It is something that I find incredibly frustrating and I think it is something that people need to recognize.

There are a few hot button issues for me that are floating around now. Two big ones are gay marriage and global warming. I have written about them both many times before on this site. I don't think I need to state why I feel the way I do. But the thing I am concerned about is the escalation of attacks against people who are opposed to these issues. 20 years ago if you said you were against gays getting married, you would have a debate on your hands. Sides would be discussed. It may get heated, but in the end, opinions were respected.

Today in our environment of blogs, twitters, and general expansion of public whining on the Internet, it has ceased to be an opinion and become bigoted. There are people who will call me names for what I believe. Miss California is currently being chastised across the Internet for her belief on marriage. People are basically holding her to this image of an ignorant racist.

Why can't people respect other people's opinions. I respect what other people have to say about hot button issues. I will listen to their views and I will still hold my opinion. Why can't we receive the same treatment. Oh that's right, it's unconstitutional and I am ashamed. Well, I disagree.

But my point is not what has been said or what people are currently saying. My point is why is it that because I have a different opinion I have become this monster that is going to end the world. Because I have faith in our planet to heal itself, to correct it's problems, and because I find that the human race is a pretty insignificant dot on the size of our planet, I am suddenly thrust aside by my own government. My own president is saying now is not the time for debate, it is the time for action. Well hooray to him, but there is always room for debate. There is always room to decide what we are going to do before we simply plunge head first into that rock that sits just below the surface of the water.

My concern is that today we are jumping to conclusions, we are mowing over people's beliefs because a few loud celebrities and bloggers do not respect other people's opinions. Not only do they not respect others, they don't even acknowledge them.

If I ever hear somebody tell me to shut up because I have a difference of opinion, stand by.

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Classic Movie Monday: Moby Dick

Welcome to Classic Movie Monday. Every Monday, I watch a film at least 25 years old that I have never seen before. I will then write my comments on the film, telling you what I thought of it. This is an attempt to beef up my classic film knowledge as well as highlight some forgotten gems of Hollywood's heyday. So without further ado...

Moby Dick
Released: June 27, 1956
Directed by: John Huston
Starring: Gregory Peck

Plot in a Nutshell:
A Captain of a whaling ship stops at nothing in pursuit of the mythic white whale that took his leg.

What I thought:
There is one word to describe this film, stuffy. This is not so much an adaptation as it is a telling of the book. I know that sounds nearly identicle but let me explain. An adaptation will stretch and bend to fit a story to the medium it is trying to fill. An adaptation of a book will never contain everything. It has to be adapted to the screen. This film doen't feel as though it were changed to fit the medium of film, rather it is a strict telling of the tale of the obsessed captain and his crew in their relentless search for the whale Moby Dick.

Gregory Peck commands this role. With every word, every breath, you feel this captain's driven insanity, and that is largely due to his performance. It is simply magnificent when he is bellowing and thrusting his spear into the whale that haunts him. Tremendous.

The effects are not great, but that is to be expected (this is a 50 year old film after all). I don't dock it for trying. Utilizing models and scale replicas, the film manages to create a realistic illusion of terror at sea without becoming too hokey.

I really enjoyed this flick. I am discovering that I have a real affinity for classic sailing naval movies. I find it fascinating to look at the hundred of ropes in the rigging and realize that to somebody, that made sense. This film captures the look of a vessel at sea very well.

The thing I did not enjoy, or rather the thing I found distracting was the whole point I made about a telling of the tale. There are whole passages in the film that feel as though they were lifted straight out of the novel. It isn't a bad thing until the dialogue gets in the way of the story's comprehension. It is heavy. And it only gets heavier as the film wears on. But in the end I found it to be a small matter, and in some ways it helps elevate the piece out of being merely another monster movie.

Bottom Line:
With a fascinating central character, portrayed flawlessly by Peck, this classic story gets a just retelling in this fantastic if not heavy film.

A-

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Scariest Hike Ever

This is by far one of the scariest, I-can't-belive-this-guy-is-doing-this video I have ever seen.


Continue on for more info.

The trail is found in Spain. And it was part of a dam access trail. Rather than reading me ramble on about it, go here and read about it. It really is quite interesting.

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Classic Movie Monday: The Big Chill

Welcome to Classic Movie Monday. Every Monday, I watch a film at least 25 years old that I have never seen before. I will then write my comments on the film, telling you what I thought of it. This is an attempt to beef up my classic film knowledge as well as highlight some forgotten gems of Hollywood's heyday. So without further ado...

The Big Chill
Released: September 28, 1983
Directed by: Lawrence Kasdan
Starring: Kevin Kline, Glenn Close, Tom Berenger, Jeff Goldblum, & William Hurt

Plot in a Nutshell:
A group of college chums who have drifted apart over the years, come together again to attend a funeral of one of their friends.

What I thought:
What happens after a group of not-so-close-anymore friends are thrust back into the same house for a weekend? Drugs, hookups, and many conversations about the good ole days when we were young. The catalyst for these characters reuniting is a friend's suicide, which is never explained, nor does it need to be. The point of this movie is not about grieving or death, but rather what happens when the young grow old and find the world a bit harsher than they thought it would be.

The first thing that struck me about this film was the characters and how well they have been crafted. In a matter of scenes you know who everyone is. By simply showing them unpack a bag, you get an impression of each person. It is this minimalist character development that I found fascinating, and it ultimately drew me further into the story.

However, there isn't much of that story to be had. Much like what happens when you try to catch up with an old friend; you get just enough to know what has happened, but rarely do you get every detail since you last parted. That is what this movie feels like. The people in it make you feel that sense of connection, a sense of home, and the good times shared with friends. But it doesn't do much beyond that.

It meanders across every character, dipping in and out of their pasts and where they'd like to be going. Everything is intersting, but aside from tlking, their is no real action on their part. It is a bit frustrating when you get invested in characters and discover nothing is going to come of them, at least not in the 100 minutes you will be with them. But there are far more things to like than dislike in this flick.

One of the best things about the film is the music. Gathering together some great hits of the 60s, it incorporates incredibly well with the action onscreen as well as set a fantastic mood. "Joy to the World," "Heard it through the Grapevine," "My Girl," "Good Lovin'," and the list goes on and on. I have had the soundtrack on my iPod for years. My parents used to play it in the car and at home when i was a kid. I've listened to these songs over and over again. They fit into the film like a warm glove on a cold day.

I'm not disappointed, and I'm not elated. I find myself mildly satisfied. I enjoyed the film. It is a great example of how to do character right. But I don't think it is very strong in any aspect of explanation or purpose. But where else could it go? Sometimes an explanation is not needed. Simply to be, and to be with friends is enough. At its heart, it is a film about these relationships and how they impact each other.

Bottom Line:
A character-movie that serves them well. Getting bits and pieces of their torn stories, you are drawn into their lives, even if there isn't much of a plot.

B

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Classic Movie Monday: West Side Story

Welcome to Classic Movie Monday. Every Monday, I watch a film at least 25 years old that I have never seen before. I will then write my comments on the film, telling you what I thought of it. This is an attempt to beef up my classic film knowledge as well as highlight some forgotten gems of Hollywood's heyday. So without further ado...

West Side Story
Released: October 18, 1961
Directed by: Robert Wise & Jerome Robbins
Starring: Natalie Wood & Richard Beymer

Plot in a Nutshell:
The classic tale of Romeo and Juliet is retold in Broadway musical form with a New York slum setting.

What I thought:
I have decided that musicals based on Shakespeare aren't my thing. I tried to enjoy this flick, but I can't. Maybe it's my modern sensibilities of what makes a good musical, or it could simply be that I don't think hoodlums dancing and singing make for a good story. In either case I wasn't very thrilled with West Side Story.

I think the problem is that this is a carbon copy of the Broadway musical that preceded it. With few exceptions, the film feels like it was filmed as the play was performed on stage. The sets resemble a stage in nearly every scene. Very little was done to make it seem bigger or grander.

As you are aware, this is Romeo and Juliet with different clothes. The story doesn't deviate very much at all, The big exception here is the musical numbers and the setting. Like I said before, this seems like the musical was merely filmed and put on a movie screen. But that aside, I still don't find the numbers compelling, nor the acting credible. Frankly, It feels antiquated and tired.

Everything is done larger than life, slightly on the opposite side of normality. The characters are cutout stereotypes that jump and twirl around, propelling a tired, copied story. I didn't find it enjoyable at all. Sorry, I know it's a classic and has even won Oscars, but I just can't like it.

On the bright side of this, there are a couple of tunes that I found enjoyable. And if I am to take anything from this flick it would have to be that. But it also is a big problem for me. I simply can't buy the idea of a bunch of street thugs singing and dancing. They lose all credibility as anything dangerous or menacing the moment they start snapping their fingers in unison. The moment they start jumping and twirling in unison was the moment I lost interest. I have no problem with a good musical number, but to see these supposed "bad boys" zipping around as though they were floating on the clouds, it became something to laugh at

Oh, And Maria doesn't even die with her Tony as Juliet did to her Romeo. It becomes another reason why I don't like this adaptation of a classic story. Lame.

Bottom Line:
A story cut out of Shakespeare, starring cut-out characters, in front of Broadway cut out sets, at least some of the tunes were catchy. Meh.

C-

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Creepy Baby-wearing Outfit

Well if you didn't think yesterday's post was funny, I'm sorry. It is true that I am going to be a father... someday. But not today or tomorrow, and probably not within the next few years. And if I never have a kid, I'll at least have a dog or something, and I'll be a dog daddy or something. Point is, someday, yes. Today, no.

Now for something genuinely funny, and not April fool's ha-ha-gotcha-funny, or even spider art funny. If you don't laugh at this, or at the very least a mild chuckle, then I feel real pity for you...

I'm sorry, but that has got to be the silliest baby wearing cloth contraption I have ever seen. Yeah it may keep the little tyke warm, but at what cost? AT WHAT COST!?!?

Now if that's not funny enough, a website has posted a bunch of photoshopped variations on the above baby carrier. Continued after the break...

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Some exciting/terrifying news....

I'm going to be a Father!!!

I'm a little nervous about the prospects of fatherhood, yet I am looking forward to it with each passing hour. I think I've had a great example, and I can't wait to welcome the baby into my life.
I couldn't be happier!! WOOHOO!!!

And I couldn't be more scared.




By the way...

April Fool's!

If this gets just one person, I will be happy. Muhaha.

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