What are you watching? (TV/Movies)

[Kinokokao]

Watched "Four Christmases" because I.. I don't know, I just wanted to see it.

In case you haven't heard of it, Brad (Vince Vaughn) and Kate (Reese Witherspoon) play a couple who routinely skip off to a tropical vacation rather than visit their chaotic families (divorced parents and kooky siblings) on Christmas. This year, though, a fog keeps all flights grounded on Christmas, and the hapless couple get caught on live TV at the airport terminal in floppy hats and hawaiian shirts.

First off, the movie was what it was and did it decently. We had fun watching it, at least.

What struck me as hilarious, however, was that Brad and Katie had arguably one of the best relationships I've seen Hollywood portray.

Spoiler example:

[spoiler]

When it came time for the cliché temporary break-up due to their sudden divergence of gameplan (Katie's ticking maternal clock goes off, Brad still wants their DINK lifestyle) Kate admits, with a serious sadness, that "I'm the one who wants to change the rules, and that isn't fair. Goodbye."

They don't scream at each other, they don't call names; they just discuss the problem and, realizing there is a fundamental schism between their life goals, walk away without tears or melodrama. Of course, this being Hollywood, Brad realizes maybe he does want children, or at least wants to have the conversation about maybe having children.

They're rational, they talk to each other, they support each other; they're a pretty good couple, really.
[/spoiler]

More spoilers for why I liked the characters:

[spoiler]

Then when they do have the final "Maybe we want kids" discussion, they start throwing out the positives "Think of all the free labor; they can do the dishes, the yard -- I'm nor saying put a lawn mower in their hands at like, age 7, but..." which was just hilariously mercenary to me.

[/spoiler]

Not really spoilers I guess:

[spoiler]

We laughed ourselves silly at the awkward situational humor -- like when Kate bangs a baby's head into a cabinet door -- or when she exclaims "I think it liked me, there for a second"

[/spoiler]

Anyway, it was a dumb-cute movie. Too bad that they had to shove in a feel-good message at the end, but it was handled decently -- it was what it was.

As someone who looks forward to her dual-income, no kid household, I related to the characters and the situation.

[noodles]

I really really like such mature couples

[negzee]

Just came back from Sherlock Holmes. Loved it. Will be getting the soundtrack.

[Kinokokao]

I'm so jealous

[noodles]

Saw Avatar. Was great.

Taken from a textwall I sent to offline Negzee.

was averted
was there, but not too much for me
movie wasn't too preachy
and a lot of the aliens were real assholes
it was amazing though .-.
it was like...
FernGully + Braveheart + Final Fantasy = Avatar
and it worked
there was mysticism but it circled around something explained by science
as in, the creatures are all biologically linked
it was really cool
only thing about the biology that bugged me though,
is that
we see all of these huge amazing vertebrate animals, and they all have six legs
but the natives, which are vaguely feline primates, have four limbs like us
Another primate-like species was shown and it had six limbs
if the natives had followed the same evolutionary line that all other vertebrate creatures had, it would make sense for them to have six limbs.
but I guess that would be TOO ALIEN FOR US TO HANDLE
because they were basically just humans with tails and carbon-fiber bones
and a brain tentacle that could connect their minds with other organisms on contact.
But the creatures weren't all friends, there was a realistic ecosystem with creatures filling certain niches and as a result looking similar to real animals
that always made sense to me
every fantasy/scifi universe I came up with had that
animals have to make sense
from a ecological perspective
I wish "ecology club" was real science instead of a room full of tree-huggers


Yes, it was good. Story was good, atmosphere was good, characters and actors were good (though protagonist had a fake american accent)

When the Avatar sleeps, he wakes up in his human form in a laboratory, and the sudden transition from SPECTACULAR FANTASY to MILITARY SCIFI can be pretty grating. However, it ultimately keeps you from forgetting what is happening, covers bases, and keeps things cohesive.

[negzee]

[noodles]

[Maxine MagicFox]

[Rain]

Was it that one episode where the guy stuck his hand in a horse's ass? That was pretty disturbing, I have to admit. I can't even remember what he was trying to do there >___> I think he was trying to impregnate that horse.

[Maxine MagicFox]

Horses and cows, and probably others - yeah, they are impegnated that way, I guess.

[noodles]

countless people make a living by doing that every day

[Sampson]

And some people do it without earning money because they like to.

[noodles]

Should mention that I saw Avatar in 3D a while back.

I thought the 3D helped draw me in later, but at first I was constantly noticing it. Like "Oh, that drop of water is so much closer to us, that is the 3D---" and then I am aware of the 3D glasses I am wearing over my normal glasses and that they make everything needlessly darker. I say needlessly because countless 3D glasses I have worn (OVER MY NORMAL GLASSES ARGH) have been shadeless. Totally transparent. Not on Pandora!

Ultimately though I think 3D is great and should be a mainstay in...such movies

SO

TODAY

I SAW PONYO


It was just...so sincere, with every word and movement. One of Miyazaki's best, even without a riveting plot. I recommend this for everyone.

I wish I saw it when I was 6. It would have become so dear to my heart. I'd want toys and shirts and everything, and seeing it at my current age would bring tears to my eyes (not that the movie didn't already supply those)

[Kimiko]

[Maxine MagicFox]