Hurray for Harry! Sort of....

I'm of two minds about the Potter films. I never had any interest in the books, but I've mostly enjoyed the movies, but not as much as I'd like. After the first one, I thought, 'Cool! So Harry is just starting to learn magic and will grow into a kick-ass wizard in the next couple of films!"

Then the second film came out, and it was still set in the school, and Harry didn't really do any magic, but he did wield a sword. And I thought, 'Okay, so he'll start whippin' out spells next time and start exploring the wizarding world."

And then the third one came out, and it was STILL set in the school. And the whole plot CLIMAXES with Harry casting ONE spell while Hermione runs around accomplishing all kinds of secret shit. And I was like, "Okay, really? This is the great Harry Potter that everyone talks about like he's the MESSIAH?"

Now we're SEVEN movies in, and it's STILL Sweet Valley High with wands that shoot phaser blasts. About all the magic Harry can accomplish is knocking people down. And he still doesn't know SHIT compared to JK Rowling—I mean "Hermione".

But I've long since settled into enjoying the films as a bit of murky fluff.

Sherman's March?

Assuming so.... Maiden Most Friendly

Time for a hint: sea story

Time passes...
Um, okay... hint 2: Clark Gable or Marlon Brando

Now...
The Company She Keeps. I'm a sucker for Lizabeth Scott (and Jane Greer's no slouch), and this was juicier and better acted than a 50s melo deserved to be. Funny trivia: Greer averts suspicion at a train station by holding a baby while the mother retrieves her older child. The mother is Mrs. Lloyd Bridges and the boy and baby are Beau and Jeff.

Everything is Illuminated. Interesting quirky character piece with Elijah Wood that somehow lacks punch despite some pretty heavy happenings. Wood is an American who travels to Russia to find out what happened to the people who saved his Jewish grandfather's life. Anybody else see this?

This is definitely Citizen Kane. You're talking about Citizen Kane.

/Kids in the Hall

It's really cleverly done, but from a pure spectator's standpoint kind of dull, in that, since the cameraman is following the character, nearly everything takes place from the same angle, and so we become acutely aware that we are following him, rather than just being there, witnessing the events, altho I know doing them is difficult, and therefore I do understand why film makers are impressed with each other for them, but they've never done anything for me—especially apparent long takes with hidden cuts, Hitchcock's Rope being an extreme example.

It reminds me of the Victorian fad for writing long sentences. ^^^

Action, Butt, and Dual Fuming Muzzles

At Teague's request.... a thing

Got it! The 1996 Hulk Hogan extravaganza Santa with Muscles!

Assuming so... Seaside Comforter Lottery

Bad Santa?

Welcome, Maggot!

Most of Teague's crew, you already know. This is Apoc, Switch, and Cypher. The ones you don't know, Tank, and his big brother, Dozer...The little one behind you is Mouse.

Don't bother hitting on Switch. We call her that for a reason.

I'd like to say that I'm simultaneously disturbed and relieved that I'm not the local expert on nunsploitation movies here.

*cough* Images in a Convent *cough*