tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79582525262746558482024-03-14T03:27:11.541-07:00Free Books. New DVD at annetoronto1Review <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4863716-an-odd1">Book</a>/<a href="http://annetoronto1.blogspot.ca/2013/05/dvd.html">DVD</a>, Free <a href="http://aneyespy.blogspot.com/2011/12/free-books.html">Book</a>/<a href="http://www.aneyespy.blogspot.com/2012/01/free-tv.html">TV show</a>, More <a href="http://www.aneyespy.blogspot.com/2012/03/etc.html">Big Review, GoodReads, Wiki</a>, <a href="http://aneyespy.blogspot.ca/2013/05/images.html"><b>Images</b></a>AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-84536635242694365072013-05-28T22:37:00.002-07:002013-10-28T15:48:45.697-07:00DVDs<a href="http://annetoronto1.blogspot.ca/2013/05/dvd.html">Newest </a>list.AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-74271909515915263452013-05-16T04:57:00.002-07:002013-06-08T13:52:54.746-07:00Images 9 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/636364931"><i>Hampton Court</i></a> 1915 by Walter Jerrold, illustrator E.W. Haslehust, at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27524">Gutenberg</a> <br />
- Lion Gate, Pond Garden <br />
8 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/632745562"><i>Loathsome Dragon</i></a> by David Wiesner and Kim Kahng 1987 <br />
back cover -ship ; pg 7,14,28 warlock, Queen, King, Margaret, Childe Wynde, Toad <br />
7 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/626345391"><i>Beautiful Creatures</i></a> animé by <a href="http://cassandrajeanart.blogspot.ca/">Cassandra Jean</a>;<br />
6 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/313206916"><i>Hugo Pepper</i></a> by <a href="http://www.stewartandriddell.co.uk/">Chris Riddell</a> (text Paul Stewart) #3 <a href="http://www.stewartandriddell.co.uk/farflung/index.htm"><i>Far-flung Adventures</i></a>;<br />
5 Paintings by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/407109558">Emily Carr</a>: Cathedral, Seascape, War Canoes; <br />
4 Photos of painter <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/407109558">Emily Carr</a>; <br />
3 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/627786451"><i>Burglar's Fate</i></a> <i>and the Detectives</i> by Allan Pinkerton 1884 at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/17762">Gutenberg.org</a><br />
- Holdup at Geneva Bank, "Hands up, Newton Edwards!", <br />
- Dig up bag of gold, Everman placed hand; <br />
2 Loor, Mallor in <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/392463186"><i>Merchant of Death</i></a> artist Carla McNeill, <br />
Richard Scarry's <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/385670720"><i>Operation</i></a> in <a href="http://www.busytownmysteries.com/">Busytown</a>; <br />
1 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/551891119"><i>Iron Man: Extremis</i></a> by <a href="http://www.adigranov.net/artwork_cover.php">Adi Granov</a> - Trio, Back cover; </br> <br />
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9 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/636364931"><i>Hampton Court</i></a> 1915 by Walter Jerrold, illustrator E.W. Haslehust, at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27524">Gutenberg</a> <br />
- Lion Gate, Pond Garden <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DZ6NqqlXTEVxucwFNZZ0Pm3evZ1NWMp7rjvfpPXY6Wo83fclH1UpHDKnZSCi49IHFVhYGb6MBqETgtGSWZAJ18nOkUN2nZ91zC1ogYGYiMPO4C9awVpbIamWPPe2Ijjff8dG0AFfkNf5/s1600/Jerrold-LionGate.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4DZ6NqqlXTEVxucwFNZZ0Pm3evZ1NWMp7rjvfpPXY6Wo83fclH1UpHDKnZSCi49IHFVhYGb6MBqETgtGSWZAJ18nOkUN2nZ91zC1ogYGYiMPO4C9awVpbIamWPPe2Ijjff8dG0AFfkNf5/s320/Jerrold-LionGate.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkpgSEDEMZpywRMuWqVzIEo4Ug21hMphQfVMmtq7OWMwjIyJQracfmyme-5RCZGlHqAc0G43GPKuRP2wJxplgE6IascP521Ed2zivZV1BRasSkdIewHkAv4NY0T3LfNrRPTwKaBKYdWbC/s1600/Jerrold-PondGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkpgSEDEMZpywRMuWqVzIEo4Ug21hMphQfVMmtq7OWMwjIyJQracfmyme-5RCZGlHqAc0G43GPKuRP2wJxplgE6IascP521Ed2zivZV1BRasSkdIewHkAv4NY0T3LfNrRPTwKaBKYdWbC/s320/Jerrold-PondGarden.jpg" /></a><br />
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8 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/632745562"><i>Loathsome Dragon</i></a> by David Wiesner and Kim Kahng 1987 <br />
back cover -ship ; pg 7,14,28 warlock, Queen, King, Margaret, Childe Wynde, Toad <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomT8tYepRte0exi_sXlkhvNbTDutohNYzHgUXLhImOwTjk9bWJ_uBGaOrJSAaKMT8ie2bIygzaZwqwxSoUMgN5ZNFohWwYsghyvhSLBCG41P72udaPHE1I9Ktb5sISPu-_DS3OhXb1s8H/s1600/w00.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjomT8tYepRte0exi_sXlkhvNbTDutohNYzHgUXLhImOwTjk9bWJ_uBGaOrJSAaKMT8ie2bIygzaZwqwxSoUMgN5ZNFohWwYsghyvhSLBCG41P72udaPHE1I9Ktb5sISPu-_DS3OhXb1s8H/s320/w00.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqmzaPfvS4rTbR_5VVcTGQmXpTFncTMYArdvApKcTh-jEbWCgmQP_FQc-fI8wHs-32LjIVH-62j808o9YmMiGjF973J074Iz4lufFermzn9tpxjNbdjAhn4V24pfV4kQIEPg0uHbW0XuX/s1600/w14.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDqmzaPfvS4rTbR_5VVcTGQmXpTFncTMYArdvApKcTh-jEbWCgmQP_FQc-fI8wHs-32LjIVH-62j808o9YmMiGjF973J074Iz4lufFermzn9tpxjNbdjAhn4V24pfV4kQIEPg0uHbW0XuX/s320/w14.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioONQl_SukN9hTj9qe5hjC1wXz5YLngf-TqF97cTOjUC5dXK09skRZGhmtUS2WbwLUjVSM2edsP97YBJcNOsP1RYpLY3XfdJ-4nU9xdy6SA5ltsjHfQqdnFF4YX0Lvw2cyzb92Q6jXgnGY/s1600/w7.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioONQl_SukN9hTj9qe5hjC1wXz5YLngf-TqF97cTOjUC5dXK09skRZGhmtUS2WbwLUjVSM2edsP97YBJcNOsP1RYpLY3XfdJ-4nU9xdy6SA5ltsjHfQqdnFF4YX0Lvw2cyzb92Q6jXgnGY/s320/w7.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlfvgQVyyrmc3k7gOh71wr6mzJVtobq_hak6qQCnuUBo4cNkV8uBgpqMOTwzq6jEKIHMMqsFSWwaWF6MH8bqvBAzab_89mADqtdd9voAkJSyGVDR04mJsyRFFKJWS69kaIZ2uDmK21w79/s1600/w28.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlfvgQVyyrmc3k7gOh71wr6mzJVtobq_hak6qQCnuUBo4cNkV8uBgpqMOTwzq6jEKIHMMqsFSWwaWF6MH8bqvBAzab_89mADqtdd9voAkJSyGVDR04mJsyRFFKJWS69kaIZ2uDmK21w79/s320/w28.jpg" /></a><br />
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7 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/626345391"><i>Beautiful Creatures</i></a> animé by <a href="http://cassandrajeanart.blogspot.ca/">Cassandra Jean</a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHUFDEJKXzyEjPxVekI03dLR2F_smfVYDxSRAVHLINoWg_3J4tTUZAzDSry0BpMdoH8JsoGwySTlkYlZaDh1iJE5IHxfCioh_UmSnASfwZqjYDYgcVTSCL1pVCr1s2avp6DPcbj2EAdrC/s550/BeautCreatFlat60ColorP4-5.bmp" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHUFDEJKXzyEjPxVekI03dLR2F_smfVYDxSRAVHLINoWg_3J4tTUZAzDSry0BpMdoH8JsoGwySTlkYlZaDh1iJE5IHxfCioh_UmSnASfwZqjYDYgcVTSCL1pVCr1s2avp6DPcbj2EAdrC/s550/BeautCreatFlat60ColorP4-5.bmp" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG4XzGgVR8wp3PmxYvptCue06QgccKQy1c0ycyIBYJkDZHjOj98DTtwEZmwF_496FFx0s0MecvvrbxcK5nChN-YVoRxWsTP-eMh38tG8i7Y_57k0UwKJnAzqobmXCigj5YX3vBt89LYTX/s550/BeautCreatFlat60BwP108-9.bmp" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbG4XzGgVR8wp3PmxYvptCue06QgccKQy1c0ycyIBYJkDZHjOj98DTtwEZmwF_496FFx0s0MecvvrbxcK5nChN-YVoRxWsTP-eMh38tG8i7Y_57k0UwKJnAzqobmXCigj5YX3vBt89LYTX/s550/BeautCreatFlat60BwP108-9.bmp" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQExeP3NoXZUtwc08La55Nx08If2nTQZ8U2iTtl7bU9LOmi51dY6y5wthKUjFBKYaku74Lrc6B_hj1JeUEO66KErMyB6xl_2ntd0qkOq1ijGgLCr3-z6QXkpyiOiSczVW4b1psFKkdOcOq/s550/BeautCreatFlat60BwP166-7.bmp" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQExeP3NoXZUtwc08La55Nx08If2nTQZ8U2iTtl7bU9LOmi51dY6y5wthKUjFBKYaku74Lrc6B_hj1JeUEO66KErMyB6xl_2ntd0qkOq1ijGgLCr3-z6QXkpyiOiSczVW4b1psFKkdOcOq/s550/BeautCreatFlat60BwP166-7.bmp" /></a> <br />
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6 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/313206916"><i>Hugo Pepper</i></a> by <a href="http://www.stewartandriddell.co.uk/">Chris Riddell</a> (text Paul Stewart) #3 <a href="http://www.stewartandriddell.co.uk/farflung/index.htm"><i>Far-flung Adventures</i></a><br />
Cressida Claw, Mermaid Daisy, her sister Lily<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-dwm_xpOdWKvT4T-atogJ2YvLHqatBNglHZDr2OUUkEqdM9VTiTECFwb9I7Eci0jSF4m1ssboqBeabWQ9F6YeAMjvBY9bHXQYMDVZRgmQ2hRansSrk3leGJgOzB5vh0RU04JuYWKy_oO/s180/HugoCressidaSm.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq-dwm_xpOdWKvT4T-atogJ2YvLHqatBNglHZDr2OUUkEqdM9VTiTECFwb9I7Eci0jSF4m1ssboqBeabWQ9F6YeAMjvBY9bHXQYMDVZRgmQ2hRansSrk3leGJgOzB5vh0RU04JuYWKy_oO/s180/HugoCressidaSm.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBnHjWLpxD6mospoNr1MJRBCR8euA9ChG5rFDCXIUtF369fUZbz0zBo1qcNlHlvpY_LKzAhuYWzJ-BIhuaXjmr_cnc1tRgWZLOAGWZKrIgpTbrO0cirgkC2xo8PJJILltqUQgQWhn40QH/s190/HugoDaisy.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBnHjWLpxD6mospoNr1MJRBCR8euA9ChG5rFDCXIUtF369fUZbz0zBo1qcNlHlvpY_LKzAhuYWzJ-BIhuaXjmr_cnc1tRgWZLOAGWZKrIgpTbrO0cirgkC2xo8PJJILltqUQgQWhn40QH/s180/HugoDaisy.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWf-Ei_GhhyphenhyphenKi9YCQizVGE15qZx7SU1lMTZ6Moev8_-ejAXliJ8tPVcMAOdr9hkltkwJQsSOArKx_BsCDv23KDHIyq6R4VEWjL64h5bPcNO9SD6fPGqQqG69nFPP5jusNpnAZdzNjR47Sk/s180/HugoLily.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWf-Ei_GhhyphenhyphenKi9YCQizVGE15qZx7SU1lMTZ6Moev8_-ejAXliJ8tPVcMAOdr9hkltkwJQsSOArKx_BsCDv23KDHIyq6R4VEWjL64h5bPcNO9SD6fPGqQqG69nFPP5jusNpnAZdzNjR47Sk/s180/HugoLily.jpg" /></a> <br />
Mermaid on a Bicycle, Hugo Pepper<br />
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5 Paintings by <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/407109558">Emily Carr</a><br />
- Cathedral, Seascape, War Canoes<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5Vffka21SiuhVnqVMtaGo1h7XpqSeNjjERxWKg2esZDCcj9yxDysTgEfQhfHzqwYrx7wOOOlJ6aMHwV_NrCdcHVKZqA-KealUkssNwmu4cm9Q5UzbJSrSkS0cPNsoDiYoQgYa406b_Za/s1600/Carr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5Vffka21SiuhVnqVMtaGo1h7XpqSeNjjERxWKg2esZDCcj9yxDysTgEfQhfHzqwYrx7wOOOlJ6aMHwV_NrCdcHVKZqA-KealUkssNwmu4cm9Q5UzbJSrSkS0cPNsoDiYoQgYa406b_Za/s320/Carr1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRhs4hBJiL67Jm4TB146FAzBNl1dl_hJa-CbPxMn2E_XgnpI4pEavDvBduRv5ZRAhCzVlaenXJ-8te6GsTepccLIK4KuALHCUVm5WM5lQTsV00By4whFYY-CmGnD6bOgWylxjjgYaR5ld/s1600/Carr4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHRhs4hBJiL67Jm4TB146FAzBNl1dl_hJa-CbPxMn2E_XgnpI4pEavDvBduRv5ZRAhCzVlaenXJ-8te6GsTepccLIK4KuALHCUVm5WM5lQTsV00By4whFYY-CmGnD6bOgWylxjjgYaR5ld/s320/Carr4.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZWTGt-E83KBrzSUyFHWiVmQ6Zml-Ar7Fap-gcK1Dude42GbhW9wNDuOnC1rZoHygNGxfV5TvqQX78t5LWE8mXt0tGYOYFsrDD3j5-LOotwiAih1DyH7-dX4bUeTLKF2gS0ilmgt0nc40/s1600/Carr5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZWTGt-E83KBrzSUyFHWiVmQ6Zml-Ar7Fap-gcK1Dude42GbhW9wNDuOnC1rZoHygNGxfV5TvqQX78t5LWE8mXt0tGYOYFsrDD3j5-LOotwiAih1DyH7-dX4bUeTLKF2gS0ilmgt0nc40/s320/Carr5.jpg" /></a><br />
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4 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/407109558">Emily Carr</a>, painter<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlYaHvoZei36_WpDb5ea2xbvCma-BYVXHyayS7GKT2CsH_0u3bjoLK6gY80ZCQMFoom1htibtUn66z4YO_sAPEfqgA6zLi1P1gBeeyeNEOrgpCJzU9C33gLytl4Vi0oZ9P5lLMu2VvbbK/s1600/Emily1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlYaHvoZei36_WpDb5ea2xbvCma-BYVXHyayS7GKT2CsH_0u3bjoLK6gY80ZCQMFoom1htibtUn66z4YO_sAPEfqgA6zLi1P1gBeeyeNEOrgpCJzU9C33gLytl4Vi0oZ9P5lLMu2VvbbK/s320/Emily1.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoITfsWSehzAW60p7OwnB1cHZafFYntt_GEi0StdxCn6CratTsWHBQLxPnzLUEkk2e7iHTlAkicREWG9jC8oQ7PfuWMAIbl4LYfuE5FujHRe_Lh15tSCLOxI_CPURgZM9SWOWbNpc6dQ-/s1600/Emily2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSoITfsWSehzAW60p7OwnB1cHZafFYntt_GEi0StdxCn6CratTsWHBQLxPnzLUEkk2e7iHTlAkicREWG9jC8oQ7PfuWMAIbl4LYfuE5FujHRe_Lh15tSCLOxI_CPURgZM9SWOWbNpc6dQ-/s320/Emily2.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrZM0OCZNShwv-YvxkzlwnGk-92wxaN2kdEo5-VopP5IHMaEAUmna6JoyLBYwXkaegdD9_m95Kzj9H1wTUa1VcMJcFWEuKATRRUd-itX3zmfoYoxiBoLunJLO64Vjs0Fgoux744NCmm36/s1600/Emily3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrZM0OCZNShwv-YvxkzlwnGk-92wxaN2kdEo5-VopP5IHMaEAUmna6JoyLBYwXkaegdD9_m95Kzj9H1wTUa1VcMJcFWEuKATRRUd-itX3zmfoYoxiBoLunJLO64Vjs0Fgoux744NCmm36/s320/Emily3.jpg" /></a> <br />
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3 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/627786451"><i>Burglar's Fate</i></a> <i>and the Detectives</i> 1884 by Allan Pinkerton at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/17762">Gutenberg.org</a><br />
- Holdup at Geneva Bank, "Hands up, Newton Edwards!", <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3neu_nov2lySCMzWpSS4crxK7mJEqWSLHsMfOMlTKW2EgsYlR6GU5rUrnE-XtBUvmTyCCsB51Ll-cpPEBdgRsT0HmYDNBzoiGXYPp0y1kNI23OgltkOArXYN9oU_sd2N62c-UXuPqzkp/s1600/1Bank15k275x183.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3neu_nov2lySCMzWpSS4crxK7mJEqWSLHsMfOMlTKW2EgsYlR6GU5rUrnE-XtBUvmTyCCsB51Ll-cpPEBdgRsT0HmYDNBzoiGXYPp0y1kNI23OgltkOArXYN9oU_sd2N62c-UXuPqzkp/s320/1Bank15k275x183.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhEYkWUAXIocaOjgVPtBCTD-72kSQCfu68ZLOeoRvLiB_ZAdXz0TLrb_I78rAjDK7AdZMVwaJQzJLrEzxD4wr7494BApIHTW0sF7UNNNET2Y91NojEb8UpEvrC_cnexnNFsn7HD3arEJv/s1600/2Newton16k259x173.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhEYkWUAXIocaOjgVPtBCTD-72kSQCfu68ZLOeoRvLiB_ZAdXz0TLrb_I78rAjDK7AdZMVwaJQzJLrEzxD4wr7494BApIHTW0sF7UNNNET2Y91NojEb8UpEvrC_cnexnNFsn7HD3arEJv/s320/2Newton16k259x173.jpg" /></a><br />
Dig up gold, Everman quickly placed hand on young man's shoulder<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC42T_dvPfbrd0lHczadNi0VUKgRyXQPxYK6ITIbIxC6ej4nZplNFoyB0th5DEemvH6i3Zs6cZvy0rf_z1UhlwY3tfkG_kzuGf4UDxxvvYK4UDERwIYh4k2Zl__cZOCnT7eZ9AtU43NrM/s1600/3Bag16k251x177.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTC42T_dvPfbrd0lHczadNi0VUKgRyXQPxYK6ITIbIxC6ej4nZplNFoyB0th5DEemvH6i3Zs6cZvy0rf_z1UhlwY3tfkG_kzuGf4UDxxvvYK4UDERwIYh4k2Zl__cZOCnT7eZ9AtU43NrM/s320/3Bag16k251x177.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIE98Ymsrk6Ywd1wL5kNIXixX18bt-c2gpl9rKMcuv9b32eyCot5oy0I1t4wTxD2m6e9Toxh32JYAhFqn3u-E86irmyJtZaTdoY6J8YQFsTLNWeCHwCoPIjnyMXm77YtAUOjEt9hTFyY_l/s1600/Everman15k265x180.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIE98Ymsrk6Ywd1wL5kNIXixX18bt-c2gpl9rKMcuv9b32eyCot5oy0I1t4wTxD2m6e9Toxh32JYAhFqn3u-E86irmyJtZaTdoY6J8YQFsTLNWeCHwCoPIjnyMXm77YtAUOjEt9hTFyY_l/s320/Everman15k265x180.jpg" /></a><br />
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2 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/392463186"><i>Merchant of Death</i></a> artist Carla McNeill & Richard Scarry <a href="http://www.busytownmysteries.com/">Busytown</a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/385670720">Operation</a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlwYZMExdiG8RM7zHTXcrpIsulIvVg1SYph4n6-R6gq-3NNXm54Do71h4XhAN8QhzzmJ11_gge5EYBpQPUqLvlSY7ADp-nuiDFDbRF8lZ-lAfbwr0o_2JaEnS41ljZdNfmTKhtSJqTjga/s1600/McNeill,+Carla-MerchantOfDeath-Loor.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlwYZMExdiG8RM7zHTXcrpIsulIvVg1SYph4n6-R6gq-3NNXm54Do71h4XhAN8QhzzmJ11_gge5EYBpQPUqLvlSY7ADp-nuiDFDbRF8lZ-lAfbwr0o_2JaEnS41ljZdNfmTKhtSJqTjga/s320/McNeill,+Carla-MerchantOfDeath-Loor.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3P3sPDck6Cgh6fI9NPwofizuEF0B5UE2-lwDHRcQ0bBwS1JePnxZaSrp5BEQZdF_Yy9hWT7QOSMUFs-2Pb5MroMxoKOgi8wB-Et-QSiNSRYEN_ROlwyxooCx2bMf1qmjZ60j869k1n3S/s1600/McNeillMallos.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3P3sPDck6Cgh6fI9NPwofizuEF0B5UE2-lwDHRcQ0bBwS1JePnxZaSrp5BEQZdF_Yy9hWT7QOSMUFs-2Pb5MroMxoKOgi8wB-Et-QSiNSRYEN_ROlwyxooCx2bMf1qmjZ60j869k1n3S/s320/McNeillMallos.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0P5baGH4i5Sz1MfmzVLFWh9_kTBXiURwSdSMAGX9nH8_X_n5Hf8OewMJ4Qi8aDMgiS48HZTuDua5iPw6n2lxtFw2fl-p0bzsuoRlot_2-GbsQCNm6qFmFHYwoa81T9KdQEXN6-EPd4tD/s1600/ScarryOperations.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0P5baGH4i5Sz1MfmzVLFWh9_kTBXiURwSdSMAGX9nH8_X_n5Hf8OewMJ4Qi8aDMgiS48HZTuDua5iPw6n2lxtFw2fl-p0bzsuoRlot_2-GbsQCNm6qFmFHYwoa81T9KdQEXN6-EPd4tD/s320/ScarryOperations.jpg" /></a> <br />
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1 <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/551891119"><i>Iron Man: Extremis</i></a> by artist <a href="http://www.adigranov.net/artwork_cover.php">Adi Granov</a> Trio, Back cover<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzjr2Uu9l4UFlN_Gue6vkDnEcJ1pPUbSOkBBvRZ2QL926J3I7P7mUkEtyej_rsqeexJoTRCCiifEw6wnnehqDzyfKXGkKeEMZ0yVNhHt84tADqWD5jtsECTwgEoJWtV4znF-hzDbeQiP6/s1600/IronManTrioSm.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzjr2Uu9l4UFlN_Gue6vkDnEcJ1pPUbSOkBBvRZ2QL926J3I7P7mUkEtyej_rsqeexJoTRCCiifEw6wnnehqDzyfKXGkKeEMZ0yVNhHt84tADqWD5jtsECTwgEoJWtV4znF-hzDbeQiP6/s320/IronManTrioSm.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9bF1e6DW4thaUjdyWQLBTasPURH1dnF4Nd-wnrg_EGu8WCC6gdYoRlXR_PXk-84LbYuwfrcn5-zn3h-LlgpWx6UH7D8_DDh1FyNggSeTyTkXqhLzJgpZWYuVs5FB6AowXkEjE74IrK6r/s1600/IronBack.bmp" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ9bF1e6DW4thaUjdyWQLBTasPURH1dnF4Nd-wnrg_EGu8WCC6gdYoRlXR_PXk-84LbYuwfrcn5-zn3h-LlgpWx6UH7D8_DDh1FyNggSeTyTkXqhLzJgpZWYuVs5FB6AowXkEjE74IrK6r/s320/IronBack.bmp" /></a> AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-14114394760813426892013-04-25T06:52:00.001-07:002013-05-29T18:35:32.365-07:00G.I. Joe 1: Rise of the Cobra 2009 5*<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOB1cA7aFPnD_o5BKQQOkoEXKW-1nI1v9WHwqIVXspTZZNNDiLMrOPAWblnbGdvXf_gKAf_Lxus02swQNhFR3f5n2zLgecMq3av6018aEbK2jV_LYk-Say3SrqlbM6fX7VhKVL1t1v4Ox9/s1600/giJoeCobra.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOB1cA7aFPnD_o5BKQQOkoEXKW-1nI1v9WHwqIVXspTZZNNDiLMrOPAWblnbGdvXf_gKAf_Lxus02swQNhFR3f5n2zLgecMq3av6018aEbK2jV_LYk-Say3SrqlbM6fX7VhKVL1t1v4Ox9/s320/giJoeCobra.jpg" /></a><br />
G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra 2009 5* <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaNs64k_2xw">Preview </a>Bash, boom. Fists, swords, guns, bombs. "We're running out of time". "This has only just begun".<br />
<br />
<b>Plot </b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Joe:_The_Rise_of_Cobra">details </a>are less important than heart-stopping action alternating with suspense. Good guys chase bad guys while wise-cracking quips. Visual and sound effects multiply thrills. What could be better? Surprise twists shake up premise so we can watch again and again. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6OO04SV3ZY">Sequel</a> Retaliation 2013 adds the king of Die Hard action film series Bruce Willis, as the original Joe, the only one the team can trust. Yowza. Geronimo.<br />
<br />
<b>Cast</b>: Captain Duke (Channing Tatum), Roadblock (Dwayne Johnson), General Joe (Bruce Willis), Lady Jaye (Adrienne Palicki), Storm Shadow (Lee Byung-hun), Snake Eyes (Ray Park)<br />
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AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-2741888026093351192013-03-31T23:39:00.003-07:002013-05-11T20:58:13.280-07:00Star Trek 2009 5*<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1ccGAkkkkg35hyphenhyphenFg4aBVdcDDsyR6evZe8-ECCtQFX0tNNMtl3qwYmuH7dX-0dxG1xVVoeGB6aDc5uk6wbubMzEtpooZK9IeNDPtQTPahSP4yh0rFR23L1smfw3xsXrp2hDsdWRzq4rI0/s1600/StarTrek2009.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP1ccGAkkkkg35hyphenhyphenFg4aBVdcDDsyR6evZe8-ECCtQFX0tNNMtl3qwYmuH7dX-0dxG1xVVoeGB6aDc5uk6wbubMzEtpooZK9IeNDPtQTPahSP4yh0rFR23L1smfw3xsXrp2hDsdWRzq4rI0/s320/StarTrek2009.jpg" /></a><br />
Star Trek 2009 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ETDE0VGJY4">Preview</a><br />
"In the first ten minutes, your heart breaks and then soars". Unexpected shocks bring fear or laughter, right after one another. Recognition of old friends, now young again. Fantasy feels real. (After this, old re-runs - (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQeMknVWuU0">edited</a> or <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SK0cUNMnMM">full </a>clips) cheesy out-dated theatrical over-acting, straining to life styrofoam rocks on likewise sets, rubber costumes - are funnier now.) What if your past were changed?<br />
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Star Trek: Into Darkness 2013 is coming. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5gdbUC9mWU">Preview</a>. Recent TV rerun was cut for ads, of course. I forgot how stunning was Star Trek 2009. DVD can be paused, replayed, enjoyed, rediscovered via Extras, commentary. Every time this shows on TV, I watch again, always thrilled.<br />
<br />
Original evocative horn solo rises triumphantly to eerie spaceship broadcast inside U.S.S. Kelvin. A lightning storm the day of our hero's birth is really an enemy attack by one massive vessel. Throughout, orchestrations, thrumming drums, and perfect sound effects add immensely. Everything is real - wide western Earth plains, volcanic planet Vulcan, high tech building yard, space station, atop an atmosphere high giant drill - and majorly funny, "cupcake". Lt Hikaru Sulu (John Cho) claims hand-to-hand combat expertise - fencing - we get <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ArVBL8EgKU">swords </a>clashing. <br />
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Gorgeous guys and girls? Our gung-ho jump-in hero may not be much of a team player, but stellar cast leads as a whole. Leonard McCoy (Karl Urban) has a down-home <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlphfLO3MYA&list=PLB9B07D07077EA689&index=1">Kentucky drawl</a> to melt your "Bones". . He <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs0J2F3ErMc">likes </a>"the pointy-eared b-d" Virile joking Scotty admires the Enterprise "She's one well-endowed lady. I'd like to get my hands on her ample nacelles, if you'll pardon the engineering parlance." Onboard, "I like this ship! It's exciting!"<br />
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"If only .. ", the eternal cry of human distress. What if a better brighter future universe were threatened? If the present were wrong, painful? "Whatever our lives might have been .. our destinies have changed." Everything changes.<br />
----------<br />
<b>Spoiling</b><br />
<br />
Vengeful Nero (Eric Bana) intends to destroy all Federation planets, begins with the ship captained by the father of James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine). 25 years later, he demolishes the Vulcan home world of Ambassador Spock (Leonard Nimoy). 129 years before, Spock arrived too late with red (color of danger and blood) matter "black hole device" (star bomber) to save Romulus. <br />
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<b>Quibbles</b><br />
1 Nero (Eric Bana) at 39 spent 25 years waiting for Spock minus 4 years in black hole (Spock mind-melds Kirk to "129 years ago") = working miner, impregnated wife @ age 10. If he was, say 20, he should now look 49, not 39. Maybe Romulans are long-lived, like Vulcans, and look younger? If young Spock is 22 (2009 Zachary Quinto b.1977), old Spock is 131 (78 Leonard Nimoy b.1931 - old looks old). <br />
2 Why does Kirk hang around, fire everything at Nero, when the villain is already doomed by the singularity, thus endangering the Enterprise? Just so Spock can say "Not this time" to Kirk's "logic" and "compassion"?<br />
<br />
-----------<br />
<b>Spoilers</b><br />
<br />
Whatever is bad can be worse. Laugh amid disaster. Everything can turn upside-down in a blink. <br />
<br />
Triumphal music rises (again), the armada warps out. Except U.S.S. Enterprise stalls short .. saved by the delay. Ensign Pavel Andreievich Chekov (Anton Yelchin deliberately fakes) fails voice activation code on Russian <a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FakeRussian?from=Main.Lzherusskie">accent </a>"nine-five-Wictor-Wictor-two", but at 17, he can transport like Scotty. (Helen Mirren RED, who knew?). Interview <a href="http://trekmovie.com/2009/05/08/exclusive-interview-with-anton-yelchin/">transcript</a>.<br />
Spanish <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBz7ldS8eok">Wictor Wictor</a>. Checkove is whiz with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGNfrNJZin4&list=PLB9B07D07077EA689&index=4">transporter</a>. <br />
Trying to save the Enterprise, Kirk fumbles with swollen sausage fingers and unintelligible numb-tongue. Captured, choking, Kirk is released just enough to gasp "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXy_DO6IZOA">I've got your gun</a>". All is way funnier on screen. <br />
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Kirk, kid, takes fast right in step-dad's stolen car to avoid pursuing motorcycle cop .. who aerially cuts corner; car goes over cliff, kid rolls free. Meanwhile kid Spock beats down bully who calls human mother whore. He chooses to supress emotions, but discriminatory Science Academy panel during acceptance provokes new Spock to decline their admission for Starfleet, and girlfriend. <br />
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Snow blizzard hides a galloping animal, possibly rescue, that grows closer bigger, angrier, louder, hungrier. Kirk flees, but an even bigger beast attacks both. Kirk tumbles off a cliff, but the monster falls after, busts through cavern opening, ever pursuing. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ECsW0x8svw&list=PLB9B07D07077EA689">Scene</a>.<br />
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Enjoying free fall, Olson delays pulling his chute, and dies, with all demolition charges to stop the invaders. Choking in hold of derisive Romulan, Kirk gasps out "I've got your gun". Icy calm Spock explodes into murderous rage when Kirk has to bait him to assume command, stopped only by Spock's father Sarek (Ben Cross, I never recognize his permutations). <br />
<br />
I almost wish I were a real Trekkie, to see buried "canon" trivia. Spock seeks his parents in the <a href="http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Katric_ark">Katric ark</a>. Even today's culture has embedded <a href="http://wiki.the-big-bang-theory.com/wiki/Star_Trek_References">references</a>, especially hilarious TV <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCDybiF0SAg">Big Bang</a> Theory, core four stars still expanding. Penultimate nerd Sheldon Cooper yells name of nemesis "Wheaton" like Kirk shouted "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlJRh_Z6J">Khan</a>!" <a href="http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/the-big-bang-theory/videos/32794349/title/sheldon-rap-big-bang-theory">Sheldon </a>has nightmares of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBnflnDArlk">Gorn</a>.<br />
<br />
Every time Scotty beams warp-speed into Enterprise giant tubes, I hold my breath. Nope. Our gang is tough. Who knew Captain of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-iAJT8wozU">pilot episode</a> "The Cage" was a girl? <br />
<br />
In my first year, my own pilot dad crashed his jet, so I have a special weakness for this back story of the Captain for 12 minutes who saved 800 lives. Star Trek 2009 has heart, body and soul. <br />
<br />
<i><b>Commentary</b></i><br />
<br />
"In the first ten minutes, your heart breaks and then soars"<br />
Kelvin, as in U.S.S., was JJ's grandfather, inspiration to make movies, # on ship his birthday<br />
handrails on space-ship not on others, seems obvious now <br />
Kirk's dad actor cast deliberately to resemble Kirk (Pine)<br />
first day broke out in sweat, surrounded by big bald tattooed guys with swords<br />
pregnant mom (Jennifer Morrison - Once upon a Time)<br />
such a pity men deliberately included mom for their wives <br />
I missed that uncle became step-father <br />
<br />
in last 2 weeks made huge changes for better<br />
Spock meets mom before Science Acadamy in real church<br />
scripted speech pattern show "what Vulcan is"<br />
<br />
Kirk's motorbike spokes removed, who noticed?<br />
head bangs on low clearance first day added, echoes later when he ducks below <br />
Star Trek Academy is Northridge Library http://www.movie-locations.com/movies/s/StarTrek2009.html<br />
<br />
reveal of green-skin is hark-back to original<br />
I did not recognize green-skin Gaila (Rachel Nichols) as Keira in Continuum and Scarlett in G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra = sign of better actors <br />
all 3 in underwear for fun, bigger surprise when Spock already has girl<br />
deleted Kirk sleeping with green girl to implant virus in test<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDg674aS-F4">Kobayashi </a>Maru - Kirk eats apple to appear more cocky<br />
listened to 40 years before for sound design <br />
<br />
first sight of Enterprise - homage to other previous reveal<br />
Uhura is peon in bowels until Kirk brings her to bridge<br />
"Prod Nero" is supposed to be Praetor<br />
every Trek team member needed critical role to win war & support others <br />
Romulans speak English, huh.<br />
red matter stays mystery till later<br />
<br />
Spock: puzzled by "the complexity of human pranks"<br />
Olson = red shirt #1<br />
falling onto <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGNfrNJZin4&list=PLB9B07D07077EA689&index=4">drill </a>face close-ups falls = improv stand on mirror in parking lot <br />
Falls out upside down, shake camera <br />
sunlight outside is more realistic on film<br />
<br />
problems mount, never rest, <br />
like Raider's of the Lost Ark, Marion in spinning plane,<br />
Sulu stabs both Romulans "swash-buckling vibe" <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGNfrNJZin4&list=PLB9B07D07077EA689&index=4">stabs </a><br />
minimize budget? shoot drill shoots <br />
<br />
surprise when parachute breaks Nomayo real Soviet expression "Good borscht!"<br />
Chekov's save beam is homage to beloved 1999 <a href="http://aneyespy.blogspot.ca/2012/01/5-dvd-galaxy-quest-tim-allen-sigourney.html">Galaxy Quest</a> (me too! one of my few purchases) <br />
"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-VMTIPwk74">Never give up! Never surrender!</a>"<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBk6EI4c7p0">Preview </a><br />
<br />
slow motion only used twice, more effective: Spock leaves bridge, Spock lost planet<br />
moving when Uhura kisses Spock "okay" because actress recalled own loss<br />
<a href="http://memory-beta.wikia.com/wiki/Star_Trek:_Nero">comic </a>book explains Nero losing planet? (removed 25 years in prison, whew)? what accent?<br />
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no deleted scenes (also whew)<br />
<a href="http://www.geeklegacy.com/star-trek-into-darkness-prequel-comic-features-klingons/">Comics </a>for Into Darkness <br />
greatest compliment for actor is "unrecognizable" .. "not make-up, performance"<br />
<br />
Spock boots Kirk "out of the chair" was improv on day<br />
finally everyone all together for 40 years of fans and newbies?<br />
true to canon and new<br />
both Kirk and Spock right, same goal, different approach (Lennon & McCartney both lost parents young?)<br />
<br />
Alaska 2nd unit plus paper snow in Dodger stadium <br />
set up drill sequence at same time sent flakes over desert Vulcan<br />
judicious cuss, one "Bullshit" to old Spock like Indiana Jones in Temple of Doom, single "Shit" at trouble<br />
mind-meld bizarre vs lecture, "intentionally obtuse .. more impactful", balance exposition, too far confuses, just right elucidates<br />
Spock: "Millions of lives lost because I failed", I disagree, chance and Nero killed, not Spock who tried his best <br />
"Good luck" feels real "thrusters on full" Nimoy's own line<br />
<br />
destiny, fate = removed Spock's line about coincidences "time-stream's way of mending itself"<br />
real steam gushes in Budweiser plant location for underground substation tunnel<br />
transwarped beagle shows up in novelizations?<br />
had to fight budget for Scotty in pipes<br />
Enterprise innards = Budweiser<br />
Scott: "I like this ship! It's exciting!"<br />
<br />
Spock hero too, embraces humanity when dad admits loved wife Amanda (Winona Ryder), and friendship with Kirk<br />
first double profile shot of Spock and Kirks heads facing shows partnership<br />
Nyota's first name not in canon<br />
first Romulan on "squid ship" Norada is really brother of actor Zach<br />
modulated voice of Will Wheaton<br />
set like Lego, movable parts, one level felt like many<br />
<br />
villain not super, blue-collar worker, no desire to kill big stars (or lesser)<br />
everyone on film "best in the business .. top of the game"<br />
courage theme cuts to Checkov's smile<br />
silence judicious<br />
only choir, singing nonsense<br />
"money moment" = relief, not triumph, ball thrown ball around bases to everyone<br />
Pike: "I am relieved" double entendre<br />
<br />
big smile <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAKiWvjfCiQ&list=PLB9B07D07077EA689&index=9">end</a><br />
Nimoy asked to say line, chose "Thrusters on full"<br />
given closing "Boldly go" motto<br />
<br />
by J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindelof, Roberto Orci <br />
good fast constant input though I cannot tell voices apart, <br />
till end, dwindles to blue balls, nada, <br />
thanks to all "genius wizard .. best in the world", <br />
"can't believe it worked" " they see more than once" "mission to get our wives" Gene Roddenberry's wife visited, supportive, voice of Starfleet computer, passed away before release, son phoned praise<br />
"we should do a sequel"<br />
<br />
<b>Special Features</b><br />
<br />
<b>A New Vision</b>: <br />
most praise to JJ from others, fun to see faces, hear voices behind scenes<br />
shows original Trek ep14 "Balance of Terror", slower paced <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-9WqidMjuk">Clip </a><br />
faces of (so young), all guys but Zoë <br />
Alex Kurtzman: add "rock and roll" to original classical<br />
<br />
key "how do we make the spectacle feel real?" "root in reality" "old school" "40% location"<br />
shoot widescreen, not digital, imperfections, grittiness, helate flares add life, miniatures<br />
classic crew side lurch to "3-2-1 Boom"<br />
physical shaking random rhythm always J.J. "black belt"<br />
costume kids to make set look bigger on ice planet cave, sub-station corridor<br />
last shot of Spock 14x, JJ has talent for big scope and intimate moments both<br />
<br />
<b>Gag Reel</b> I laughed <br />
Chris Pine voices over "boldly" motto, funny faces as credits, <br />
bloopers, bleepers, clowning accidental and on purpose, <br />
thrum dance beat on mikes<br />
spill-your-guts insect misses Pike's mouth<br />
Spock smashes Kirk into chair, Uhura smashes door<br />
Fun real dancing <br />
<br />
<b>Previews</b>:<br />
1 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen <br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH3STHC63hU">Optimus </a>Prime "fate rarely calls upon us at a moment of our choosing"<br />
2 GI Joe: Rise of the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oad-4FZhWOI">Cobra </a><br />
Baroness: "this has only just begun"<br />
3 TV <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tCT_IwBmfo">Fringe </a><br />
4 Star Trek DAC? multi-player game <br />
Kirk: "Either we're going down, or they are"<br />
<br />
<b>Cast</b>: / Enterprise crew<br />
Cadet (First Officer, Captain) James Tiberius Kirk (Chris Pine)<br />
Ambassador Old Spock Prime (Leonard Nimoy)<br />
Cmdr New Spock (Zachary Quinto)<br />
Crew (member?) Ntoya Uhura (Zoë Saldana)<br />
Dr Leonard McCoy (Karl Urban)<br />
Lt Hikaru Sulu (John Cho)<br />
Engineer Montgomery Scott (Simon Pegg)<br />
Ensign Pavel Andreievich Chekov (Anton Yelchin)<br />
Capt Christopher Pike (Bruce Greenwood)<br />
Nero (Eric Bana)<br />
<br />
<b>Setup</b><br />
Languages: English, Francais, Espanol<br />
Captions: English, Francais, Espanol<br />
<br />
<b>Previews</b><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkaV997x62s">Transformers</a>: Revenge of the Fallen<br />
G.I Goe: Rise of the Cobra "this has only just begun"<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgkIc5G6ZU4">Mashup </a> 10 tense, explosive, scary clips AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-43396846795271465032013-03-31T22:51:00.000-07:002013-05-30T17:15:03.279-07:00Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars 2004 3-4*<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5LmlkTVXgxUHHI0fjRjrliWKUdnTvAqaDMHMV9ZlUu6oKyLM1vJdXljtZ8Ix0wxci5TJnDHQJwAnvBgNkrh7cLhAlTwZzYiejWgXUGG1fql7fav6qAS9k2YLgQtdYI6r-Vg8tdkKGFuh/s1600/Farscape.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5LmlkTVXgxUHHI0fjRjrliWKUdnTvAqaDMHMV9ZlUu6oKyLM1vJdXljtZ8Ix0wxci5TJnDHQJwAnvBgNkrh7cLhAlTwZzYiejWgXUGG1fql7fav6qAS9k2YLgQtdYI6r-Vg8tdkKGFuh/s1600/Farscape.jpg" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKH9HLzoYB0">Preview</a>. March 1999-2003 TV series Australian, aired UK and US. Disc1: film, Disc2: Extras I like better 4* after percolating, appreciate niche, style, effects, fun. Didn't know till Extras that fans demanded film to finish cancelled series. Actors Black and Browder both loved in Stargate SG-1. If only all beloved cancellations ... <br />
<br />
Aeryn Sun (Claudia Black) voices over silent body of fiancé, former Earth astronaut John Chrichton (Ben Browder) "You did it .. All dying has stopped .. three is not such a scary number .. but I will not accept it as a tradeoff for losing you". Boom. Big space-fight. <br />
<br />
Cut to remote water planet ocean, where Rygel (puppet voiced by Jonathan Hardy), Muppet cute-ugly Dorian-alien from Hyneria, brings up (literally vomits) treasure (spoiler = baby bits). Mission over at secluded stopover, our team returns to main stream society, and shocking news. "We are now officially engaged in the last war of our era". Enemy Scarrans "were already taking the galaxy by force, system by system". <br />
<br />
Their leader is Emperor Scorpius (Wayne Pygram). Although ornate in top-knot hairdo and gold-embroidered red silk Oriental coat over red skin, I am reminded of giant green-skin villain Sarris (Robin Sachs) in <a href="http://aneyespy.blogspot.ca/2012/01/5-dvd-galaxy-quest-tim-allen-sigourney.html">Galaxy Quest</a>). He baits War Minister Akhna (Francesca Buller) with the promise of power and status, as Empress, if she helps him build an empire. She is not credible as a warrior leading pursuit, when dressed in impossible impractical tight skirt and high heels. <br />
<br />
Chiana (Gigi Edgley) "Witchiepoo", joyful over regained eyesight, jumps on Rygel's boss D'Argo (Anthony Simcoe), in welcome. He is tall, auburn-furred, and tentacle-scalped. Her chalk white skin and hair are stark beneath make-up to look black and white. Pilot is the other puppet main character, who directs ship Moya. Her tri-partite baby squid shape seems a precursor to the 2009 <a href="http://aneyespy.blogspot.ca/2013/03/star-trek-2009-5.html">Star Trek</a> Nero's Romulan mining freighter Norada. <br />
<br />
Until I realized fans demanded movie after series cancelled unfinished, the plot made no sense, starting from the show's end. Perhaps if one knew the large cast of couples from 1999-2003 TV series and back story, many jumps and flashbacks would make more sense. How everyone pairs off is annoying. Reminds me of "The Big Bang Theory", expanding from nerd quartet to their sweethearts. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zeu_IEcYD8">Best moments</a>. <br />
<br />
Perhaps in the TV series, females influenced more than as side-kicks, but here primarily are attractive appendages. Sikozu (Raylee Hill) is a skimpy-top redhead kick-ass. Defense leader Braca (David Franklin) has pregnant Grayza (Rebecca Riggs). <br />
----------<br />
<br />
<b>Quotes</b><br />
One-liners break the tension, add humor to the most serious situations. Wild invented curses, like "fuzzbot", "Frell", where F- off is blanked out, started in the TV series, continue here. "Hang the frell on" means wait for coming aid.<br />
<br />
I'm fond of Shakespearean from Look's "<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/272355084">Alvin Ho</a>: Allergic to Girls, School and other Scary Things" and Viking from Cowell's "<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/277041953">How to Be a Pirate</a>". My memory is tricksy right now, so I can try my own oaths, inspired by Farscape. <br />
<br />
Aeryn: Who's taking fire?<br />
John: Who isn't?<br />
<br />
A: You don't know what you're doing.<br />
J: I never do. <br />
<br />
John's motto "Run first", goes by the wayside when odds "not good" are the "best odds we ever got".<br />
<br />
J: Chrichtons don't cry. Often. Or for very long. <br />
<br />
Scorpius: You are immune to the probing.<br />
J: That's because I always speak the truth.<br />
<br />
D'Argo: You've grown, dude.<br />
son Jothee: It's the armor.<br />
<br />
Stark goes "completely farbot" before John saves him from drowning in flood and fire.<br />
<br />
A: "I'm pregnant, not incapacitated"<br />
<br />
Jool: I belong here.<br />
John: You always made the best mistakes. <br />
<br />
Some odd references sound out of place or time. "We're hit by any more missiles and we're Spam". Spam is canned meat, supplied in 1937 to US troops, still popular in Hawaii. They have IRS, but do they know what that means? <br />
<br />
----------<br />
<br />
<b>Behind the scenes</b><br />
<br />
Even behind the scenes, the actor who plays the black masked elder Scorpius/Harvey (Wayne Pygram) cannot keep track of all species names. We learn the back-stage secrets, like magic tricks exposed. Shots sound like fire-crackers because they are. From TV show to full-scale film, their first orchestra of 80 musicians, saws and puffs. A "baby" is doll, a fake. <br />
<br />
The crew motto, from the top dog producers, was "Play". Food was laid on in actual tons. "Modesty strips" slipped off accidentally, we are told, not recorded for posterity, so still Family rated.<br />
<br />
----------<br />
<br />
<b>Spoilers</b><br />
<br />
Too much next is boring, a recap of 2 months in crystallized stasis and lost pregnancy. Baby bits, left inside, grow inside Rygel. Besides required for parenthood, he is also the crown Prince of his people. His royal court demands he return. <br />
<br />
Jothee (Nathaniel Dean) plays deus ex machina, bringing unexpected reinforcements to help his estranged father D'Argo. <br />
Chiana: The frellings killed my D'Argo.<br />
<br />
Stark marries John and Aeryn in a fountain to a patter of nonsense syllables - funeral and puberty rites - then "Do you love each other enough to marry? Then you are. Congratulations." He pushes them into the water so the son is born wet. <br />
<br />
Time deadlines put pressure on the plot. The birth accelerates to days. Although Chiana's new eyes can see through walls for enemies, the enemy Scarrans bomb the temple protecting awakened remnants of the Eidelon race. The Eidelon species, believed extinct, have a genetic ability to persuade others to make peace. But an Eidelon must touch an angry target to affect it. <br />
<br />
In a universe at war, the survivors are the only hope. John will not, and cannot, construct a doomsday weapon. He cannot convince his own side, let alone their opponents, otherwise. They will not stop until John builds the end of them all. <br />
<br />
John: People make peace.<br />
<br />
----------<br />
<b>d2 Extras</b> (right arrow key pages through)<br />
<br />
1 The battle behind the wars - behind scenes mix with interviews, cast, crew, lots<br />
- Sep 2002 series cancelled, story unfinished, f-g great, tears, fan outcry, so Dec 2003 mini-series<br />
- script readthrough, mid-makeup, 8 stages, "farscape day" runs 3 hours behind, ship called Penetrator invades Decimator (D'Argo), monumental scale, leather, animatronic puppets cost more than actors have to be careful, 90% dialog drowned out. re-done, "chunder" = vomit <br />
"In space you can do whatever you like" "no holds barred"<br />
2 Conceptual art gallery - 54 sketches, mostly bw (black and white), costumes, sets, alien font, mostly ships, look alike by the end<br />
3 Storyboards - 67 arrows direct action on quick bw frames<br />
4 Spacecraft gallery - 16 frames 2D, 3D white, grey, color<br />
5 Prop gallery - ~118 frames: weapons, accessories, clothes, bedding, prosthetics, tools, set "dressing", doodads - numbered out of order, boring when sealed boxes plastic wrapped<br />
<br />
Setup: Audio: English; Subtitles: English, Spanish AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-83713063197736291982013-03-15T12:53:00.001-07:002013-03-15T19:16:04.355-07:00Oz: The Great and Powerful 2013 4*<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVM06urRGVYVxxK4u0qYIsW5qYa3b05v3TdxQIEyKrEcb7mcQzWijs5aN3-Jr0EP4AKUkVzMDdLUgDa5of7oQD0RjENhaShRNMBKhOPdsOp7_oSGLE3m6nJfkl8AVGc4ZoIsCcBaDWhyphenhyphenf/s1600/oz.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVM06urRGVYVxxK4u0qYIsW5qYa3b05v3TdxQIEyKrEcb7mcQzWijs5aN3-Jr0EP4AKUkVzMDdLUgDa5of7oQD0RjENhaShRNMBKhOPdsOp7_oSGLE3m6nJfkl8AVGc4ZoIsCcBaDWhyphenhyphenf/s320/oz.jpg" /></a><br />
"Oz: The Great and Powerful" 2013 <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyywumlnhdw">Teaser</a> 4* Good, not great. Feels true as prequel to Baum's books.<br />
<br />
Expected too much, had a ball anyway at birthday present, first cinema visit in ten years, may color review. Initial sight of Oz world reminded me too much of 2" screen on Nintendo DS game graphics. Tiny biting river fairies tempt magician, also named Oz (James Franco) by drumming first half of recognizable rhythm, but ohh, don't finish the beat or you'll be sorry (spoiler?)<br />
<br />
The crystal emerald garden has flowers with ruby centers = staggering. Running along narrow rockways obviously green-screen, but scares all the tots sitting at the front of the theater. Why piffle when effects work? We <b>are</b> in a magical land.<br />
<br />
Huge melting dark eyes (like Shrek Puss in Boots), luscious soft kissable lips, lush womanly curves (no skeleton models, skull faces here), topped by velvety red giant hat and jacket, over black leather pants hugging trim fit figure .. Princess Theodora (Mila Kunis) is The Most Gorgeous. The evil brunette duo, Princess Evanora (Rachel Weisz) shoot over the top of the beauty scale. Glinda (Michelle Williams), Oz constantly calls her Wanda, is uglified by a fake streaky bleach blonde, frozen stiff wig-like head. Ick. I don't get why she plays Annie back in Kansas, too, the echoing later of characters. <br />
<br />
Oz lets down the first crying girl who cannot walk, but gets another chance to help Megan, from China Town, actually a village. Megan seems set to return. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legends_of_Oz:_Dorothy's_Return<br />
<br />
My favorite lines are (roughly) "I like green", "Let's go kill a witch", "Everything in good time .. and a good time in everything". Weak script. <br />
<br />
Ever since Kermit the Frog muppet said "It's not easy being green", I wear my Kermie brooch with pride. March 17 Saint Patrick's Day always brings out my red-haired gran's Irish heritage. <br />
<br />
Maybelle's aunts told her the family had a castle in Ireland. When I toured the shamrock shores, I saw that two-storey, family one room atop animal's barn level, abode. As far as the eye could see from there, the "Laird" ruled over the properties. <br />
<br />
I was so happy to see some of the credits, but did not recognize them later, maybe the disguise of flying monkey bellhop? Frank/ Finley (Zach Braff). Winkie Gate Keeper (Bruce Campbell).<br />
<br />
I like green.AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-86176957390210233022013-01-25T13:18:00.004-08:002013-02-09T22:18:07.997-08:00Agatha Christie Miss Marple - The Blue Geranium 4*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6TaBSxDDIr1vxf7FPJkCIXLuSbO2Atj_Dka1uvQK4AcRuxIclVaWtSDi37AMguqoSL4fb3MbETxlBDpl9gMH2hDqzELS0cht5g7SoYI3RAZ5Fy-GbgbLY95UG-SelGVs_2sYAyPMs5lU/s1600/MarpleGeranium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ6TaBSxDDIr1vxf7FPJkCIXLuSbO2Atj_Dka1uvQK4AcRuxIclVaWtSDi37AMguqoSL4fb3MbETxlBDpl9gMH2hDqzELS0cht5g7SoYI3RAZ5Fy-GbgbLY95UG-SelGVs_2sYAyPMs5lU/s200/MarpleGeranium.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmokgdSJFoM">Clip</a>. Shivering fearfully, a woman prays in her bedroom for divine protection. Downstairs, man answers rotary phone "Don't call me here". Elsewhere, red-enameled fingernails puts down her phone. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sI1iTmSkEvc">Spoilers to music</a>. <br />
<br />
Next morning, George Pritchard (Toby Stephens) breaks the locked door of dead Mary (Sharon Small). Blood streams from her nose, and one blue geranium in a bouquet of pink blossoms. Not enough once, the whole death scene repeats later amid flashbacks.<br />
<br />
Miss Marple (Julia McKenzie) gasps when observing wasp poison concoction. When Detective Somerset (Kevin R. McNally) refuses her call, Jane invades a London gentleman's club to Sir Henry Clithering (Donald Sinden). Newspaper report in hand, she recalls the knotted tangle she "got wrong".<br />
<br />
On the (to me, delightfully gorgeous little antiquated) bus to visit her friend Reverend Dermot Milewater (David Calder) in Little Ambrose (no sweet "prettiest village I know" named like that among quiet fields in my New World), the only other passenger, troubled Eddie Seward (Jason Durr), confides "I have been through a tunnel .. I'm going to force the moment to its crisis". <br />
<br />
Dermot's niece Hester (Joanna Page) is cook for Pritchards. Hypochondriac wife Mary is obsessed with horoscopes, dependent on "magic tonic" sugar solution of Dr Jonathon Frayn (Patrick Baladi), whose father sold the Summerleigh estate. To encourage Pritchard's generosity, the golf club appoints George their new Captain. But children interrupt the village gathering, the body of Eddie washes up in the river. Mary's sister Phillipa (Claudie Blakley) also in the Air Force, first in love with the dashing pilot George, married his brother Lewis (Paul Rhys), gambler and failed writer. <br />
<br />
<b>Spoiling</b>:<br />
Miss M recognizes the "crisis" quote from T.S. Eliot (1888-1965) "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock" 1920, when a man intends to propose, and asks about the rest of the corpse's tie and scratches on his neck. Alcoholic Eddie left his drying-out clinic to find his wife Penelope, vanished years ago, probably now in Little Ambrose. Nurse Caroline Copling (Claire Rushbrook), artist Hazel (Caroline Catz), and Dermot's niece Hester are the newcomers, I remember who's trouble. <br />
<br />
Hazel (in brown wig) and George act like sweethearts, then Hester and Payn find pregnant Carstairs (Rebekah Manning) strangled in abandoned estate mill-house by George's tie, leaving Mary's missing jewelry and costume of Zarida, mystic that threatened Mary with death when pink flowers turn blue. George confesses to all three murders. But Miss M knows the truth.<br />
<br />
---------- <br />
<b>Spoilers</b>:<br />
Arsenic crystals used to kill wasps resemble smelling salts Nurse Copling used to kill Mary. Miss M notes an Auction House paper in Eddie's wallet, the painting that brought him to Little Ambroze, freeze frame to show clearly, and believes the rest of Eddie's tie left on tree over river indicates partway through he regretted his suicide. Caroline blackmailed Phillipa for Mary's death, blaming Phillipa's angry years of slow poison, framed George for Carstairs using his tie. <br />
---------- <br />
<br />
Carstairs and Pritchard are both names from "Why didn't they ask Evans", disconcerting. Maybe Pritchard is used often because Agatha's only grandson is Matthew Prichard? <br />
<br />
<b>Extras</b>:<br />
Subtitles English<br />
4 Cast Filmographies 2pg credits 2008-1953 McKenzie, Catz, Sinden, Stephens<br />
120 years with Agatha Christie 5pg - 2010 anniversary 90 years after first novel, 2 billion sold, something every 8 seconds 80th for Miss M, 45 languages, Matthew Prichard is only grandson. John Curran's "Agatha Christie's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Agatha-Christies-Secret-Notebooks-Mysteries/dp/B004E3XI8A">Secret Notebooks</a>" has two unpublished Poirot stories AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-42702594957488736792013-01-25T13:18:00.001-08:002013-08-03T20:38:50.990-07:00Agatha Christie Miss Marple - Sleeping Murder 4*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQbndZyNF2h6lXQhR-Spji3YTkZ54sPXstKui3fXXJpZEYmhztRNXcgKi94qBJTeYgp6Gk0XH6uDBwpZOvP9OUNiM-a1kvileBDFvaK4kjrkzxTkMj9ehwHUxYRj3sYEF12YpEic9ZY_K/s1600/MarpleSleeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="193" width="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmQbndZyNF2h6lXQhR-Spji3YTkZ54sPXstKui3fXXJpZEYmhztRNXcgKi94qBJTeYgp6Gk0XH6uDBwpZOvP9OUNiM-a1kvileBDFvaK4kjrkzxTkMj9ehwHUxYRj3sYEF12YpEic9ZY_K/s320/MarpleSleeping.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Htztc-d514">Preview</a>. As always, costumes are delicious, sets lavish - from 1933 India to 15 years later in Dover - plus a vaudeville singing act in full voice. Bright red lipstick, glossy hair waves, and vivid sharp colors inside and out, entertain eye and ear. Unraveling the problem when one already has seen the answer still captures the imagination and intellect. <br />
<br />
In a magnificent Hillside mansion that Gwenda Halliday (Sophia Myles) age 21 chooses by "instinct", the pretty blonde from India uncovers a door blocked, wallpaper of "poppies and cornflower" in the planned nursery, and envisions strangled "Helen" at the foot of the stairs. Her busy London fiance's bespectacled assistant Hugh Hornbeam (Aidan McArdle) calls soft-spoken white-haired Miss Marple (Geraldine McEwan) to uncover secrets meant to protect. Marple recruits nearly-retired Dilmouth Chief Inspector Primer (Russ Abbot), and contacts police in India. Former housemaid Lily takes the train in to say her part, suffering the worst of consequences. Finally all the suspects gather for the revelation. (Rated 4* instead of 5* because of the original plot dependence on coincidence and guessing, not the film or acting quality.)<br />
<br />
----------<br />
<b>Spoilers</b>:<br />
Gwenda's maternal uncle Doctor Kennedy (Phil Davis) presents evidence from a tragic history: a photo from Funnybones vaudeville troupe (including Dawn French as Mrs Erskine) actress Helen shares handwriting on a farewell dear-Kelvin postcard. Gwenda's mother Claire (Anna-Louise Plowman - Sarah/Osiris in Stargate SG-1) did not die in a car accident, but really became Helen Marsden to flee police. Her father Kelvin (Julian Wadham) came back to Hillside, but fell off the Dover cliff days after his new fiancee Helen vanished. Claire ran away to escape her <i>too</i> loving brother, but he, jealous and angry, killed the happy couple. <br />
---------- <br />
<br />
<b>Featurettes</b>:<br />
1 Behind the Scenes - Interview clips with McEwan and others about Marple's character, one other mystery, mostly highlights that retell this story.<br />
2 Agatha Christie Bio - 6 screens - "over a billion copies in English .. another billion in 44 languages .. outsold only by the Bible and Shakespeare .. last published novel "Sleeping Murder 1976 .. first Miss Marple Murder at the Vicarage 1930 List - finger43<br />
3 Photo Gallery - 15 posed stills in costume<br />
4 Cast Filmographies - 1-4 screens work for 8: McEwan, Myles - Dr Who 10 "Girl in the Fireplace" Marie Antoinette, Aiden McArdle, Geraldine Chaplin, Philip Davis, Dawn French, Paul McGann - Dr Who #8 1996, Julian Wadham - English Patient 1996 AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-41586499623942916252013-01-25T13:17:00.002-08:002013-08-12T21:37:59.736-07:00Agatha Christie Miss Marple - Why didn't they ask Evans? 2*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRbKZW7fDRrAsIyysEZJaV13OVMbZwoYEqfJhtwII5lVFYhf5XwreYM9HR_AiqZk4Az8QisO0ybZJ7v5oMxJ2dsVzXLe3VetDtiAS8FT4aROjeyV1oFTTwgolLk5j56wxTp0uI31yVp1g/s400/acMarpleEvans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="160" width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRbKZW7fDRrAsIyysEZJaV13OVMbZwoYEqfJhtwII5lVFYhf5XwreYM9HR_AiqZk4Az8QisO0ybZJ7v5oMxJ2dsVzXLe3VetDtiAS8FT4aROjeyV1oFTTwgolLk5j56wxTp0uI31yVp1g/s400/acMarpleEvans.jpg" /></a></div>On sea cliff, organist Robert Attfield (Sean Biggerstaff) finds man dying, his last words the title. While observant Miss M (Julia McKenzie) knits quietly, pretty Lady Frankie Derwent (Georgia Moffet) convinces Bobby to write Richard Trent aka Roger, who identified body as his cousin Mr Pritchard. Confused? Miss M spots his car window reflections in bird binoculars, and leaves the couple near handy fence-wire to get unlock car for clues: map, pipe, and key.
<p>
Jane, Claude, Frankie, Bobby
<p>
To get in, Frankie runs her car off the road at the entrance of Castle Savage, circled on Pritchard's map, where tea baron Lord Jack Savage died "writhing and moaning" six months ago. Lady Sylvia Savage (Samantha Bond) calls the nearest doctor, who has clinic nearby, psychiatrist Dr Alec Nicholson (Rik Mayall), who advises Frankie stay. Bob sets off with Pritchard's key to Hotel Cattermole and finds the victim's diary and true name, Carstairs. For support and safety, the team follows Frankie - Miss M claims to be her old governess, Bob her chauffeur with more clothes. How too convenient and dangerous, that all are invited to stay in a house of suspects. Especially after we learn the first Lord Savage, elder brother George to Jack, died suddenly in China.
<p>
Claude Evans (Mark Williams - Weasley dad in Harry Potter) worked for George in China. Why does he hang around and grow deadly orchids in conservatory setting, except to provide a gorgeous film background? (Spoiler - and second victim who leaves supposed suicide confession.) Tom (Freddie Fox), son of the Savage house, pets deadly vipers, hides uncle Jack's will, and stares at orphanage photo. Moira (Natalie Dormer) "the most noticeable person I've ever noticed" was a nurse, now neighbor, jealous-seeming wife to Dr Nicholson, both with drug access.
<p>
Faithful old manservant Wilson (Richard Briers) gives mysterious needles to employer Sylvia. Resident piano teacher Roger (Rafe Spall) makes up to Frankie, while Moira flirts with Bob. Bombastic incompetent Commander Peters (Warren Clarke) refuses to listen to others' answers.
<p>
We get to look over their shoulders, see glances and actions unobserved by others. Huge castle, psychiatrist Nicholson tosses her a pill, son offers pit viper for perusal. I was overwhelmed by so many new people, all staying in the same big house. Curious happenings, actions, reactions and interactions, meaningless scraps of paper and conversations. Tension, music mounts, footsteps approach .. poof .. ordinary chit-chat. Very convoluted motivations ring weak when Miss M guesses history from years ago. McKenzie's portrayal is entirely believable.
<p>
----------<div></div>
<b>Spoilers</b>:<div></div>
If Jack killed George, older brother and first Lord Savage, because he and Sylvia wanted to marry, why did the newlyweds take on fake siblings Tom and Dottie Dorothy (Hannah Murray) after dumping real ones, now Roger and Moira, in the Chinese orphanage? Current Attfield maid Florence Roberts (Siwan Morris) seems too young to be Florrie Evans, former "nursemaid" to Jack, too informal for "nurse". Why necessary for her to witness his death? Others all suspects?
<p>
Why does Carstairs, such a good friend of Jack, come all the way from China to benefit George's children he doesn't know, because he thinks will made out to orphanage is wrong? Did he not see his killer Roger? Why waste last words on questioning reason maid Evans not asked to witness will instead of gardeners, newly replaced so as not to recognize forger Roger in place of Jack?
<p>
Roger says Moira suffered deeply at the hands of invading soldiers. She dies horribly from poison, tactfully face down, a snake tattoo conveniently exposed by her slit-back dress. Does not Sylvia, guilty of ruining all their lives by selfish lust, deserve punishment?
</br>
----------<div></div>
<p>
<b>Extras</b>:<div></div>
captions<div></div>
photo gallery<div></div> ~30 posed publicity vs casual style stills, mostly single, outside or in flowers<div></div>
4 cast filmographies<div></div> - 2 pg work, many mysteries, 2009-1971 McKenzie, Bond, Clarke, SpallAnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-11001690218253490882013-01-25T13:16:00.003-08:002013-02-08T08:58:44.140-08:00Poirot v7 Egyptian Tomb, Underdog, Yellow Iris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-luQG17_uHjUVw3SeZRN94iZJfBwYUREIddnK1R92LqQS7Dy6I9x1kJn4JVg79Ad2ZoJy4rJTPTPQ1-7QWe2Km0Kfjx9zKD5vsdsQ-YRGzn9VrHN2C89VDXH3nFNnHGg_I1A_08aLe7-/s1600/PoirotLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="222" width="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-luQG17_uHjUVw3SeZRN94iZJfBwYUREIddnK1R92LqQS7Dy6I9x1kJn4JVg79Ad2ZoJy4rJTPTPQ1-7QWe2Km0Kfjx9zKD5vsdsQ-YRGzn9VrHN2C89VDXH3nFNnHGg_I1A_08aLe7-/s320/PoirotLogo.jpg" /></a></div><b>Sigh</b>. Agatha Christie flash-froze for us the 1930s English upper class - the elegant rich - white suits, hats, gloves, long dresses, uniformed servants. Mostly quiet deaths, where aristocrats hire Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (David Suchet), master of "the little grey cells" quiet cogitation accompanied by his side-kick Captain Hastings (Hugh Fraser), and secretary Miss Lemon (Pauline Moran). I forgot comic relief, her ouija board and hypnosis. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDo8TXCTNFPB3qn2Pv8dge6Pf5YRGlCCatPYmNuOvVm7LxQ06GJyuki3aDvsS46Sdxp-grZ6jfHVYglFkO0YYRL6bBsvKcm_QEF4rdgYghCQl15IqbQgypiQP4zBeyeUqSomXp7oaPdFHp/s1600/Poirot7Egyptian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="195" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDo8TXCTNFPB3qn2Pv8dge6Pf5YRGlCCatPYmNuOvVm7LxQ06GJyuki3aDvsS46Sdxp-grZ6jfHVYglFkO0YYRL6bBsvKcm_QEF4rdgYghCQl15IqbQgypiQP4zBeyeUqSomXp7oaPdFHp/s320/Poirot7Egyptian.jpg" /></a></div><b>1 Egyptian Tomb</b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WikQTsj5pvY">Full</a>. <br />
Excavators die from a royal burial chamber curse, or is the motive money or career? From giant white museum statues to camels, palms, fly-whisks, campfires in the sand. 3000 year-old jasmine - mm - achoo. "Rome rose and fell .. wars and catastrophes .. this king forgotten". <br />
Fine that Poirot pours his poisoned tea into a lab analysis bottle, but why also fake attack and send Hastings for help? Classic finale with all suspects gathered in one room (tent). <br />
-----------<br />
<b>Spoilers</b>:<br />
At Yale University, Dr Ames was appointed heir to his chum Rupert. He kills his pal's billionaire uncle, their dig funder, and misdiagnoses Rupert's exczema for leprosy, triggering unexpected suicide just before marriage would introduce another heir. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcS-VgkO5S7RccuFh_dN6DYPDOT7GI-itD2n2lQGsuprrhJNiaOsfQDMT72nuoDTWVtLVmQCd-Xft5m91E1RVo2vmX1HNeHDzYV3jSyflCP35kYSlH3mZqlScwcw7Q9F2Km81aJmUBwAr/s1600/PoirotIris3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="264" width="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCcS-VgkO5S7RccuFh_dN6DYPDOT7GI-itD2n2lQGsuprrhJNiaOsfQDMT72nuoDTWVtLVmQCd-Xft5m91E1RVo2vmX1HNeHDzYV3jSyflCP35kYSlH3mZqlScwcw7Q9F2Km81aJmUBwAr/s320/PoirotIris3.jpg" /></a></div><b>2 Underdog </b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AATAVdLnmOk">Part1</a>. <br />
Opens with exciting fight in lab and fire - a new chemical formula for synthetic rubber at stake, worth a fortune to Germany in upcoming war. Profit-hungry company owner Sir Reuben Astwell (Denis Lill) fires his wife (Ann Bell) Nancy's secretary Lily (Adie Allen), gets clobbered, his son Charles (Jonathan Phillips) suspect. <br />
<br />
Again, a worried mother hires Poirot, already guest on the spot, angry at his "obnoxious" host. I cannot remember if in the book Poirot retrieves a fabric scrab from a bush and dabs on house-maid Gladys' blood from his hanky, to fool the dress owner, but the whole folderol seems over-the-top. <br />
-----------<br />
<b>Spoilers:</b><br />
The burglar was Humphrey Naylor (Andrew Seear), tussling with his lab supervisor. How does one stuntman (Simon Crane) do both parts? or did he just supervise? Horace Trefusis (Bill Wallis) stole Naylor's formula to make a fortune using his German contacts. Lily altered her handwritten (no more) reference from "Naylor" to "Marsden", and sought proof of the swindle. I'd forgotten much of the buildup, but not the killer, Trefusis, hidden behind a handy curtain while the other suspects came and went.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5IiiahcSzllabatZ3qp7TofesQt6reJjpx28rgLjRcUfmvEiMgIckqjEm_xEY8Ndqx1JNELglhQUFa0d7-g9mJc0IAMEBAzQhGT2LJDeIBF6dKZnyRP3S5P2HdsX4w55tR_17Tfbzqs7/s1600/PoirotIris1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="176" width="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK5IiiahcSzllabatZ3qp7TofesQt6reJjpx28rgLjRcUfmvEiMgIckqjEm_xEY8Ndqx1JNELglhQUFa0d7-g9mJc0IAMEBAzQhGT2LJDeIBF6dKZnyRP3S5P2HdsX4w55tR_17Tfbzqs7/s320/PoirotIris1.jpg" /></a></div><b>3 Yellow Iris</b> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw-4kh40F3s">Part1</a>. <br />
Soft cream colors tint scene while Poirot narrates flashback to Buenos Aires, where heiress Iris, married to Barton Russell, drinks cyanide. Powder found in her bag, case is closed as suicide. Next morning, a military coup general deports the detective "third-class", before solution. <br />
<br />
Now a London restaurant reunion gathers the suspects again, and threatens the surviving Weatherby sister Pauline, one month short of age 21, to get trust funds, and marriage imminent. Poirot plans pretense to lure out killer. Based on "Sprinkling Cyanide" featuring Colonel Race. (Seen many times before, I tire of theme song.)<br />
----------<br />
<b>Spoiler:</b> <br />
Pauline pretends to die; in servant uniform, she then serves drinks to all suspects. At meal before, Barton, guardian who stole Weatherby trust fund, pretended to be waiter, serving drinks and planting potassium cyanide. <br />
----------<br />
<br />
<b>Special Features</b><br />
1 David Suchet: 5pg "painstaking research" for every role, read "every description", not "loner" but "same eye for order" <br />
2 Agatha Christie: Bio 4pg = Marple DVD, 3pg Poirot books: 1920 Styles-1975 Curtain<br />
3 Filmographies (works to 2003): 9 - David Suchet, Hugh Fraser, Philip Jackson, Anna Cropper, Rolf Saxon (Mission Impossible 1996), Denis Lill (Rumpole of the Bailey TV 1983-92), Ann Bell, David Troughton, Geraldine Somerville (Harry Potter's mother Lily)AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-83228818416483192532013-01-25T13:15:00.004-08:002013-05-29T18:33:36.413-07:00Ice Age Xmas 3*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuEwW5a_5313N7v8my_fF-myseLnhI3psxeNkfBQWTG9lt4GgCxJCPRw0jupq4Kh6CWR3oUCcSEJZkaP9MCPIyJkNBlzUi5a0zliBFY8ASk3r0Epl7yGwNkgoOClOTzVqpovIHid7eQpR/s1600/IceAgeXmas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="265" width="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBuEwW5a_5313N7v8my_fF-myseLnhI3psxeNkfBQWTG9lt4GgCxJCPRw0jupq4Kh6CWR3oUCcSEJZkaP9MCPIyJkNBlzUi5a0zliBFY8ASk3r0Epl7yGwNkgoOClOTzVqpovIHid7eQpR/s320/IceAgeXmas.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDKGOLT5YJI">Preview</a>. Sid (John Leguizamo) disdains Manfred's (Ray Romano) thirty-ton granite mammoth heirloom Christmas rock, decorates a tree instead, breaks the rock, and ends up on Manny's made-up Santa's Naughty List. In a white-out, Sid falls off a cliff with young mammoth Peaches. Cute, sappy.<br />
<br />
<b>Spoilers</b>: Reindeer Prancer rescues "788 pound feather" and companions, flies them to North Pole. A group of mini-sloths help the gang repair toys, and Prancer's pals Santa distribute toys around the world. <br />
<br />
<b>Q</b>: What do you call a group of sloths? <a href="http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/about/faqs/animals/names.htm">A1</a>, <a href="http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/got_questions_groups_list.html">A2</a>, <a href="http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a_group_of_sloths_called bed, unverified">A3</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-6883489544407195192013-01-25T13:15:00.002-08:002013-06-04T16:08:30.392-07:00Bend it like Beckham 5*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8R88g54GIlcMN7rWL2Bm9DiZBT1m2W0akUK2J6RUbQYJgIrqz-YJScTwdY6pKc_21BCaFjCJc1_I1K7TDVqf4wV0hA4mIAhvpTkhDyJfBjjBfK2SNLAgh7CaguywDUQ5A3cOHT0M9Otx/s1600/BendBeckham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="214" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8R88g54GIlcMN7rWL2Bm9DiZBT1m2W0akUK2J6RUbQYJgIrqz-YJScTwdY6pKc_21BCaFjCJc1_I1K7TDVqf4wV0hA4mIAhvpTkhDyJfBjjBfK2SNLAgh7CaguywDUQ5A3cOHT0M9Otx/s320/BendBeckham.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Jess: <i>If I can't tell you now what I want, then I'll never be happy whatever I do.</i><br />
<br />
Her dad: <i>I don't want her to make the same mistake .. of accepting situations. I want her to fight.</i><br />
<br />
This was the start of my love affair with "The Beautiful Game" of futbol in Europe, soccer in North America. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsmbObwStSQ">Preview</a>. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=617Ah1e2quQ">Full</a>. As curry is more than a dry powder - complex blend of coriander, cumin, tumeric, and more - so does this film have snickers and guffaws of the true cheer tear snort drop-jaw flavor. If you know anything about soccer/ futbol, you'll know more than I did at first viewing. <br />
<br />
The title refers to the magical curve that directs soccer balls around opponents, directly into the goal for historically high-scoring Beckham, hunky hot media star who raised profile of "The Beautiful Game" worldwide. Players have weight-lifter strength, long-distance runner stamina, high-wire balance, martial arts flexibility, balletic fluidity, gymnastic acrobatics, synchronized team work, individual brain work, ever-so masculine bodies straining shorts and tops, This film has vision, character, morals, fun, fast family-grade action and script. <br />
<br />
The heroine is first-generation English Jasminder "Jess" Bhamra (Parminder Nagra - ER, Ella Enchanted) desperately hiding her futbol talent from her family. Their immigrant colorfully costumed culture from India takes visual supremacy. Her best mate (aka pal in Brit-speak) is Juliette "Jules" Paxton (Keira Knightley, yes, a year before her Pirates of the Caribbean fame at 16). Jules' mother Paula (Juliet Stevenson) is always in ultra-feminine fluffy pink, and assumes lesbian daughter in panic after overhearing only part of a conversation. Outfits may be dated. Who notices?<br />
<br />
Jess' futbol talent is hidden from her family, known only to her cousin Tony (Adi Ferreira, EastEnders) who "<i>really</i> likes Beckham". Her elder sister's marriage is their focus. The teen wants to attend university and play futbol. Her dad (Anupam Kher), a pro-level cricket player, gave up the sport after prejudiced whites black-balled him from their club. Her fight for identity slots this tale into the "coming of age" niche. <br />
<br />
Jules' father Alan (Frank Harper) raised her as a futbol fan. His wife blames him for the tomboy nature of their only progeny. She despairs of passing on her passion for fashion, everything curly girly. <br />
----------<br />
<b>Spoilers:</b><br />
The eavesdropper mistakes Jules' jealous anger at Jess' near kiss with their coach Joe (Jonathan Rhys Meyers - Tudors, Mission Impossible 3) "you knew I fancied him" for a lesbian rejection. I think the humor is just as funny today, in absurd politically over-correctness (differently advantaged? really). <br />
<br />
Jess' dad has a secret. The superb cricket player quit after a white club denied him entrance. "Who was hurt? I was. I want more for my daughter. Two daughters happy in one day, what more could a father want?" The scene where he "cannot stand her long face" and lets her sneak out of her sister's giant wedding reception party to win the last half-hour of the final and joint scholarships to "America" was cut for TV.<br />
----------AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-63595974859734269772013-01-25T13:14:00.002-08:002013-08-03T19:47:21.778-07:00Lost in Austen 5*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_beMK7ADgXIvwKGaJAfpkQLTzfgQObF0zSR7GdWirSZbEtpVxUTHnwy9rGb2UFJdOEW-tuk8a09x1i5gTHkJtOKG6PZqQorvufAnuIJQznl4x4OiMFkbI8RKDBRXJnat8XcfXt7eIbG4/s1600/LostInAusten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_beMK7ADgXIvwKGaJAfpkQLTzfgQObF0zSR7GdWirSZbEtpVxUTHnwy9rGb2UFJdOEW-tuk8a09x1i5gTHkJtOKG6PZqQorvufAnuIJQznl4x4OiMFkbI8RKDBRXJnat8XcfXt7eIbG4/s400/LostInAusten.jpg" /></a></div>
Travel to imagined time past, funnier than Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice original text, sweet, more gorgeous aristocratic manor, extravagant gardens, lush costumes than I could envision. I watch repeatedly.
<div></div></br>
Plot has same hero, rich Darcy, but Amanda Price (Jemima Rooper) from present-day London is trapped on the long ago side of a secret passageway to her rural "dear friend" Elizabeth Bennet (Gemma Arterton, Prince of Persia: <a href="http://aneyespy.blogspot.ca/2012/12/prince-of-persia-sands-of-time-5.html">Sands of Time</a>, <a href="http://aneyespy.blogspot.ca/2012/01/3-dvd-clash-of-titans-sam-worthington.html">Clash of the Titans</a>) who has not returned from "the city" after switching places. But she must, to marry wealthy new neighbor, overly full of pride and prejudice, Fitzwilliam Darcy (Elliot Cown). We know (Amanda reminds Austen neophytes like myself) how the plot <i>should</i> go, but the real people are not adhering to their written roles. Everything goes very wrong.
<div></div></br>
Dresses are soft and long, colors pale and dreamy. Hair is wavy on men, curly on women, straight on Amanda. Mr Bingley (Tom Mison) is weak-willed, his sister Caroline (Christina Cole) sharp and cutting, his best mate wealthy aristocrat Darcy hard and cynical.
<div></div></br>
Father (Hugh Bonneville) is poor but loving, to have his daughters marry for money makes him feel like a "whore-monger", regrets his own marriage to once "very beautiful" Mother (Alex Kingston - the best actor is memorable and unrecognizable - River Song, Dr Who 2011-now <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_HmXP52tTg">Hello Sweety</a>, ). The twittery nagging match-maker throws all at the heir to their property, curate Collins (uglified Guy Henry) with wealthy snob patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh (Lindsay Duncan). He sniffs his fingers, and I did not know why.
<div></div></br>
<b>Spoilers:</b>
Collins observes his hand first "feels himself inside his pants pocket". Eldest daughter Mary accepts his proposal, looks devastated riding away from the church ceremony. Amanda knees Collins in the point of maximum pain, so I thought she was tough enough to publicly deny villain soldier Wickham's status-crushing rumor that her father is a fish-monger, until the reason came clear. She was saved from marriage herself. Darcy insults Amanda, but after he agrees to get his shirt wet in the pond, their passion turns inside out, reverses outward hate to inner love.AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-57820199487224096022013-01-25T12:39:00.002-08:002013-01-25T13:03:11.792-08:00Great Detective Stories - Reader's Digest 5*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pL7LNp6YSUDDLUFRI6DsaJHrjNS6v_0UJjk1h8AXMIXiTAAIfPoAX2NPuRyTjGn8ntA_cbGUfiAZBa89kjaJK7YLYhZOalAYWwd2o3gWQ4NMpRNVgjABrlITnTHvmqg-G8a_aZcgLoQH/s1600/DigestDetectives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pL7LNp6YSUDDLUFRI6DsaJHrjNS6v_0UJjk1h8AXMIXiTAAIfPoAX2NPuRyTjGn8ntA_cbGUfiAZBa89kjaJK7YLYhZOalAYWwd2o3gWQ4NMpRNVgjABrlITnTHvmqg-G8a_aZcgLoQH/s320/DigestDetectives.jpg" /></a></div>"Great Detective Stories" <br />
Reader's Digest 1998<br />
isbn 0276424182 hb 528 pg<br />
>2K after #22 so will not fit on GoodReads <br />
<br />
35 authors vary in styles, worth reading more. Best stories can be re-read; some I knew. Intro discusses genre, formulas, "golden age flowering between the two World Wars" - significance lost on me, till soft old-fashioned phrasing triggers date check. Most authors dead, some on gutenberg website. Short stories have little time, so develop plot over personality, but 5* for individualities in both. Close has paragraph bios. <br />
<br />
1 The Longer View 1939 - Margery Allingham 1904-66<br />
5* Romance amid troubles, fear for vulnerable victim.<br />
Dejected after beloved marries another, rich Campion shows pal Feering his first shabby digs. "Help Me" lipsticked on wall, "Janey" low on door, evokes vision of "beautiful blonde with dark eyes", opposite of beloved. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
I guessed kidnapped child, but mother fits Campion's vision. Through binoculars, he views far, from racetrack bookie who accepts ransom, to ringleader supervising from flat white rooftop. <br />
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<br />
2 The Little House 1927 - H.C. Bailey 1878-1961 <br />
5* Justice in nick of time from innocuous clue.<br />
Flittery old Mrs Pemberton asks Fortune to get back grand-daughter's new kitten from "nasty and dirty" little girl next door, denied by owners, chemist Cabots, who frequent night-clubs and supply restaurants. Police smile, busy with restaurant worker corpse Fortune claims frail addict finished by cold night. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
Fortune aka water inspector finds hidden Rose, convinces Scotland Yard to rescue abused daughter of jailed Harfords, framed as dealers by jealous Miss Cabot.<br />
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<br />
3 Lucky Penny 1985 - Linda Barnes 1949<br />
5* Atmosphere and personalities entertain reader as solution unfolds. <br />
Ex-cop cabby narrator Carlotta puzzles over soprano and movie slang of slim bundled robber who keeps change, but tosses bills, "hearing swish of trash-can lid". <br />
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Spoiler <br />
Justin Thayler killed wife for money and coin collection. Conspiring mistress employee Marcia paid gold Roman coin in cab fare, male disguise to retrieve. In Marcia's house, Carlotta unloads bullets from refrigerated gun, so saves ex-partner Mooney.<br />
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<br />
4 Murder 1927* - Arnold Bennett 1875-1956<br />
2* Confusing end, Bond seems oblivious to truth. <br />
Quiet Lomax Harder 35 shoots first at left-handed Franting; "violent crude beast" threatens Emily, Harder's beloved but Franting's wife. Gun is in Franting's left pocket, but bullet hole in right temple p63. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
Amateur detective Bond convinces Supt of suicide. Should not wound be in <i>left</i> temple? ----------<br />
<br />
5 The Clever Cockatoo 1938 - E.C. Bentley 1875-1956<br />
5* Clever answer and stop. <br />
Mrs Lancey asks Trent to Italian villa for sister, lovely flirt Lady Bosworth, who has fits of blankness, loses all vivacity. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
In her lip salve, jealous old husband Sir Peregrine put stupefying drug few others knew. Trent frames cockatoo for destruction of shiny holder, confronts regretful husband to stop. <br />
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<br />
6 The Tragedy at Brookbend Cottage 1914 - Ernest Bramah 1868-1942<br />
5* Tense buildup to stormy climax, shocking end. <br />
Blind Max Carrados and sidekick Carlyle consulted by navy Lt Hollyer for sister Millicent 28, before her older husband Austin Creake kills her to wed his typist.<br />
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Spoiler <br />
Creake caught faking lightning from train electricity, but infatuated Millicent shoots herself. <br />
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<br />
7 The Silver Curtain 1991 - John Dickson Carr 1906-77<br />
5* We can identify with naive patsy, but not guess answer from tonight and before.<br />
In French casino town, silvery rain sheets over stabbed winner Davros, when broke Jerry Winton bends to pick up full wallet, in front of Dr Hébert and pretty Eleanor. Prefect Goron finds empty billfold in Davros' pocket. "The air is aromatic; open carriages clop and jingle".<br />
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Spoiler <br />
Davros stole pearl necklaces that Hébert sugercoated into pills, for broke English tourists to smuggle out. Hébert drops knife from roof onto greedy partner's back, bent to pick up second full billfold. <br />
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<br />
8 Goldfish 1946 - Raymond Chandler 1888-1959<br />
2* Trail of bodies. <br />
After informant Peeler tortured dead, ex-cop Kathy offers narrator PI Carmady share of insurance reward for stolen pearls buried by thief Sype, now goldfish hobbyist. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
Exotic golfish have pearls inside. Wife falsely claims fakes, sort-of twist after others shot.<br />
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<br />
9 The Chief Mourner of Marne 1927 - G.K. Chesterton 1874-1936 <br />
5* Sad, obvious, asks Christian forgiveness for wicked crime.<br />
Father Brown solves why Marquis James Mairne exiled himself after duel with cousin Maurice. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
Younger Maurice took place of elder heir James, shot when he ran up to Maurice, who "fell before bullet flew", as taught by actor second, now rich on blackmail. <br />
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<br />
10 The Mystery of the Baghdad Chest 1997 - Agatha Christie 1890-1976<br />
4* Tricksy solution to love triangle murder.<br />
Poirot asked by lovely Mrs Clayton to save beau Major Rich, accused of stabbing her husband, stuffing him into chest before party. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
Jealous Major Curtiss drilled breathing holes, told Clayton to spy for cheating from inside chest, stabbed him during party.<br />
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<br />
11 Who Killed Zebedee 1881 - Wilkie Collins 1824-89<br />
5* Narrator not named. Surprise chance solution.<br />
Dying Catholic confesses his first murder case as London bobby 27. On honeymoon in boarding house, sleepwalker wife wakes to husband stabbed dead by knife inscribed "To John Zebedee, from -". Narrator's engagement to resident cook Priscilla Thurlby keeps case alive. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
In home village of intended, he chances on long-sought cutler, and takes away page with entire inscription in killer's own hand. Local rector recommends Priscilla, seduced and jilted by Zebedee. Narrator resigns, confronts fianceé, burns evidence and her confession. <br />
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<br />
12 Within the Gates 1953 - Edmund Crispin 1921-78 <br />
5* Plays on uncommon key words. <br />
Almost inside Scotland Yard, Fen sees Crowley, war-time MI5 cryptologist cum botanist, killed and papers snatched. DI Humbleby's department has a leak, needs Fen. F: "Discretion is my middle name". H: "But very few people <i>use </i> their middle names". Fen on cryptogams-grams: "Like formication .. no connection whatsoever with .." <br />
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Spoiler <br />
Because death also outside Vegetation magazine hq, Fen sends Sgt Robden to question editor. Fen catches traitor Robden denying cryptogram analysis on body and editor's reply. Crowley was killed for his Cryptogam plant article. <br />
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<br />
13 Hunted Down 1859 - Charles Dickens 1812-70 <br />
5* Tragic. Many revelations, of character and plot, foreshadow without disclosure.<br />
Narrator Sampson instantly dislikes oily center part "straight up here .. no trespassing" of Julius Slinkton, who insures life of friend Beckwith, chats about actuary Meltham who left society. In fall 6 months later, by Scarborough seaside, he meets Slinkton and niece Margaret Niner, whose health fails like her late sister. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
Sampson saves Margaret by commending her to Meltham, who loved her sister. In winter, drunkard Beckwith reveals he is sober Meltham, who found Slinkton's diary, guilty record of his nieces' poisoning, Killer takes one last dose; Meltham dies later. <br />
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<br />
14 The Man with the Twisted Lip 1892 - Arthur Conan Doyle 1859-1930 <br />
5* Unusual circumstances, happy ending.<br />
In opium den, narrator Watson finds disguised Holmes seeking vanished Neville St Clair, who left clothes, blood on window sill over high tide, and professional beggar Boone, distinctive for orange hair and disfiguring face scar. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
Holmes scrubs face of sleeping jailed Boone to reveal St Clair, reporter whose assignment on beggars led to more remunerative profession, until wife saw him by chance. <br />
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<br />
15 The Betrayers 1956 - Stanley Ellin 1916-86<br />
5* Tragic for unexpected reasons.<br />
Lonely Robert falls for fragile Amy subjected to quarrelsome husband Vince. When argument over $10,000 ends in ominous thump, her bloody handkerchief left in hall, Rob tracks down her sister Celia. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
He follows trail of men who betray innocent, from cruel father to Vince's $10,000 bank robbery. When cops break down door, she jumps out window to death. <br />
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<br />
16 The Blue Sequin 1909 by R. Austin Freeman 1862-1943 <br />
4* Impossible now. Why kill whole cow for red herring? <br />
Narrator Jervis helps Dr Thorndyke answer solicitor Stopford, why actress's diamonds left in her train room, after pointed implement (maybe umbrella spike of Stopford's artist brother) penetrated her skull. Thorndyke requests art supply ox-gall, is sent to butcher with fresh stock.<br />
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Spoiler <br />
Thorndyke finds one steer with sensitive cracked horn, asks butcher to bring gall and saw off horn. On horn tip are brain cells, hat spangle and dyed hair from corpse. Her head was out window to see hay rick fire. <br />
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<br />
17 The Oyster Catcher 1957* by Michael Gilbert 1912-2006*<br />
5* Common sense and listening ear beat techno-whiz micro-gadgetry. "Do you know why God gave young policeman two feet but only one head?"<br />
Sgt Petrella finds non-existent census-taker and 'nothing unusual' 'man from the Council' visited neighbors Friday, when strong athletic secretary Miss Martin fatally coshed by 2' screwdriver. Superiors concentrate on forensics, oyster shell in pocket of coat left when intruder ran from frail old Colonel in previous burglary rash. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
Colonel noted red spot in intruder's eye, that Petrella finds in Miss Martin's second cousin. Coat belonged to Colonel's cousin who breeds budgies fed oyster shell. <br />
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<br />
18 Long Gone 1986 aka She Didn't Come Home - Sue Grafton b1940<br />
5* Builds up our sympathies, clever guess for answer.<br />
California narrator Kinsey Millhone 32 seeks wife of "boyish faced" harried Rob Ackerman "determined to spawn more". Escrow officer Lucy, left 3 demanding toddlers with $500K and one first-class ticket to Buenos Aires, but packed overnight bag, including "round plastic container .. size of a compact", in her boss Sotherland's office locker. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
Finding her absconding, Rob killed and buried her in backyard sandbox, planted bag to frame boss, mistakenly packed her diaphragm because ignorant of her tubal sterilization, confesses to wired Kinsey.<br />
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<br />
19 A Man Called Spade 1932 - Dashiel Hammett 1894-1961<br />
5* No more elevator boys. Red herring easy. Real clues are phone records. <br />
Too late, San Francisco lawyer Sam comes in answer to call from strangled Nob Hill client Max Bliss, tie missing, chest inked with T star symbol also on threat from Paris; Talbot signed another threat. Last visitor was brother Theo, recompensed after prison sentence for joint job. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
Vengeful Theo called Sam, first half-hour earlier as wrong number after killing brother, second claiming to be Max, really at City Hall marrying Max's secretary for alibi. <br />
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<br />
20 The Sapient Monkey 1892 - Headon Hill 1857-1927<br />
3* Chance photo closes simple case faster. <br />
Rich Gale hires narrator PI Zamba to clear son Franklin of measly £500 theft. Promising bank cashier, engaged to boss Tudway's daughter, paid tailor with £5 note - serial number matches one stolen, but he claims from father. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
Real cashier thief hired party performer Pietro, whose monkey used Franklin's note in trick, all photographed by Maud Tudway. <br />
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<br />
21 A Question of Confidence 1972 - Michael Innes 1906-94<br />
2* Confusing in toto and why confesses. <br />
Retired cop Sir John Appleby clears son's friend, Oxford historian Brian Button, who found unauthorized photocopies of his confidential Cannongate file by their static electricity, Master Dr Durham shot dead, interrupted dictating Button's dismissal for incompetence. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
In next day's mail, Durham confesses suicide and desire to give careless Button "lesson in pulling his socks up". <br />
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<br />
22 Caught and Bowled, Mrs Craggs 1981 - H.R.F. Keating 1926-2011*<br />
5* Likeable ordinary hard worker outsmarts pros. Unexplained link. <br />
Clever Mrs Craggs's sharp eye for dirt convinces Supt Hutton of murder and killer when bluff "theYorkshireman" expires from heart failure while winning cricket bet in Lord's Club Long Room, where members known only by nicknames Boggers, Winkie, Oldest Member but Three. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
Oldest is visibly poor - grimy tie, cardboard over shoe sole hole - cannot afford bet loss. How does he know red wine reacts fatally with MAOI depression medicine, after Yorkshireman and cook both refuse contraindicated cheese?<br />
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<br />
23 A Case of Butterflies 1989 - Peter Lovesey b 1936 <br />
5* Catch villains by knowing nature and basic human weaknesses.<br />
Commander Jerry Glazier collected butterflies as kid, sees Purple Emperors hover insistently over outbuilding floor of rich Sir Shenton, who reacts oddly to ransom note for wife Ann, gone after Ireland tour with fellow entemologist Cressie, her revealing photo in Shenton's waller. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
Purple Emperors feed on decomposed meat, attracted to Ann's body, placed weeks before Cressie toured with friend posing as Ann.-<br />
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<br />
24 The Homesick Buick 1950* - John D. MacDonald 1916-86<br />
5* Dates from when car radios had preset push buttons. Useless minutiae. Funny people. <br />
Geek Pink Dee 14 can tell Washington FBI agent Randolph A. Sternweister origin of getaway cars from one of bank robber shot fleeing in close-knit Leeman Texas. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
"Where all six frequencies are represented by radio stations in the immediate geographical vicinity" and FBI shows victim's photo yields hideout. <br />
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<br />
25 Chapter and Verse: The Little Copplestone Mystery 1989 - Ngaio Marsh <br />
2* Killer "overly conceited and vindictive" seems weak reason to encode evidence (Hadet anagram of Death) or confess. <br />
Rare book seller Timothy Bates from New Zealand brings village Supt Rory Alleyn old local Wagstaff family bible. Verses refer to 3 non-existent 1779 Hadets. Bates falls to death from church tower. <br />
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Spoiler <br />
When accused, gossipy crossword-loving postmistress confesses to 3 deaths on same dates in 1921. <br />
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<br />
26 Footprints in the Jungle 1951 - W. Somerset Maugham 1874-1965<br />
4* Double narration is clear. Sad, no proof. No first name for Mrs Bronson-Cartwright.<br />
After bridge game with the Cartwrights, narrator tells partner Glaze how Olive looks like both parents, "the pleasantest of people here", still in love. Police chief Glaze narrates 20 years ago, shooter of Malay rubber planter Reggie Bronson never caught, Olive born 4 months after; mother wed Cartwritght after 4 more. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
On jungle shortcut, cyclist Reggie shot when stopped (thus best friend Theo), remains later found of coolies' wages in pocketbook and watch (thus not motive). Reggie infertile, had all the money, so wife's pregnancy led to murder. <br />
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<br />
27 Sadie When She Died 1972 - Ed McBain 1926-2005*<br />
5* Gory "knife protruding from the blood and slime of the lady", tragic. Detectives save news of her demise "for last, like dessert". We suspect husband Fletcher, who invites detective Carella where posted menu prices "would have frightened him out of six months' pay". <br />
Carella suspects criminal lawyer Fletcher sliced across abdomen of hated adulterous wife Sarah after knifer, burglar Corwin, left. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
Carella interviews names from Sarah's "little black book" who slept with "Sadie Collins". Corwin confesses, suicides Xmas day, before Fletcher tapes "she begged me to kill her" on car bug.<br />
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<br />
28 Deadly Fantasies 1989 - Marcia Muller b 1944<br />
4* Guessable, sadly inevitable. Personalized cast.<br />
Narrator Sharon McCone regrets disbelieving rich heiress Laurie Newingham, poisoned after voicing suspicions of greedy siblings. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
To finance poorly-managed volunteer agency, Dolph Edwards married her secretly (California law benefits common-law anyway), put arsenic in contact lens solution that she licked off. Ick.<br />
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<br />
29 The Man in the Inverness Cape 1910* - Baroness Orczy 1865-1947<br />
3* Confusing solution.<br />
Lady Molly tells servant, narrator, to meet bony Scot Olive Marvell, who denies brother Leonard would disappear with diamonds of painted actress Lulu Fay, engaged to Lord Mountnewte. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
In cheap shrill disguise, Molly cozies up to Marvell maidservant Rosie Campbell, deduces 3 conspirators dressed as each other to confuse witnesses. <br />
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<br />
30 Mystery at the Library of Congress 1960 - Ellery Queen 1905-71 & 1982*<br />
3* Obscure riddle basis, what books share. <br />
Library clerk Shuffing always brings illegal drug distributor Bacom 3 books whose titles point to contact. Police ask Ellery to identify contact first, from "The Complete Shakespeare", Shaw's "Man and Superman", and "Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant". <br />
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Spoiler<br />
All three authors have beards, so contact is nearest bearded man.<br />
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<br />
31 Concrete Evidence 1993 - Ian Rankin 1960<br />
5* Clever. Conflicting personalities and physical traces beat fancy forensics.<br />
UK Inspector Rebus traces skeleton from basement to Alexander Abbot, whose business partner Ford vanished years ago at sea. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
Competitor Kirkwall saved sample of Ford's writing, differs from hotel reservation where Ford never seen.<br />
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<br />
32 When the Wedding Was Over 1979 - Ruth Rendell 1930<br />
3* Plot unaffected by minor roles, bracketed by Thomas Hardy quote "Matrimony begins with dearly beloved and ends with amazement". <br />
Chief Inspector Wexford checks if dubious Gandolph found new evidence in diary of Ada Fenton, friend to brother's lover Florence Winchurch, hanged for 1900 strychnine poisoning of husband Edward .<br />
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Spoiler <br />
Diary entry forged for 29 Feb. Pope Gregory ruled 1900 not leap year.<br />
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33 The Adventurous Exploit of the Cave of Ali Baba 1928 - Dorothy L. Sayers 1893-1957<br />
2* Secret society of hooded numbered strangers known only to the One. Passwords, rituals.<br />
For 2 years after Lord Peter Wimsey reported dead, fired footman Rogers helps The Society commit crimes, until Number One unmasks the "man from Lambeth", sets explosives to destroy hideout-prison. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
Number Two frees Rogers, aka Wimsey undercover, to rescue her lover One, suffocating in Wimsey's airless booby-trapped room-size safe (cave?). <br />
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<br />
34 The Man in the Street 1947 - Georges Simenon 1903-89<br />
4* Sorry for man pursued, we are led down false path.<br />
Police chief Maigret trails man days non-stop to catch doctor's killer. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
Bogus news article that his wife fled free fools man to give himself up, because she shot her lover. <br />
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<br />
35 Pickup on the Dover Road 1981 - Julian Symons 1912-94<br />
4* Again, we're led astray.<br />
Donald, driving toward sunny France from rainy England, hears radio report of nearby murder, picks up "Golly", Billy Golightly, who knows too much about the incident. <br />
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Spoiler<br />
Sgt Golightly waited on one possible escape route for nephew who killed his aunt for inheritance. <br />
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* <b>Dates </b>found elsewhere than in Acknowledgements<br />
4 http://gaslight.mtroyal.ca/murder.htm<br />
17 in Ellery Queen Magazine Aug 1957 <br />
http://www.philsp.com/homeville/fmi/t945.htm <br />
24 in Eleanore Middleton Edwards' "Great Mystery Stories" <br />
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/313404984<br />
29 in "Lady Molly of Scotland Yard" 1910 <br />
http://www.e-reading.org.ua/chapter.php/143724/3/Legendary_Women_Detectives.html<br />
30 Queen = NY cousins Manford Lepofsky 1905-71 + Daniel Nathan 1905-82 <br />
<br />
<b>Definitions</b>:<br />
16 quondam = previous <br />
gall = bile secretion in small pouch under liver <br />
ox-gall = watercolor wetting agent <br />
21 divagate = digress<br />
26 pudang = engagement ring<br />
sukas = sage<br />
stenga = intoxicating aphrodisiac drink<br />
seis = dance music<br />
<br />
<b>Typos</b>:<br />
p18 "paper magnet" is magnate (pompous snob striding through newsroom slowed by flying metal or paper - clips, staples, desks, cabinets, pages, books, dollars, receipts)<br />
p63 "right temple" would be left if truly suicide. Are we to notice wrong decision?<br />
p265 leg's is legs<br />
p400 is comma in "Not, at all" typo or sarcasm?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://peterlovesey.com/">http://peterlovesey.com/</a> <br />
Partial Review on GoodReads <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/407107337">http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/407107337 </a>AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-2096744613187539842012-12-14T15:09:00.002-08:002013-02-09T22:43:04.275-08:00Toy Story 2 1999 3* (Toy Story 1 1995 original 5*)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNMOcR2reY8OQw8R-646QmDlmpZzLn77rjC8Tj5b9Kx8LQ1r6SoEYcZ7ctEQYElU-0gFl4gYMoo244PtXtsRphq8_662LMpsHBkReBHuwNKNidIabCOTNZhUGqEbZLDsCgSfffEgc-o6n/s1600/Toy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNMOcR2reY8OQw8R-646QmDlmpZzLn77rjC8Tj5b9Kx8LQ1r6SoEYcZ7ctEQYElU-0gFl4gYMoo244PtXtsRphq8_662LMpsHBkReBHuwNKNidIabCOTNZhUGqEbZLDsCgSfffEgc-o6n/s200/Toy2.jpg" /></a></div>Favorite catchphrase: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VSYmGSJtCA">"to infinity and beyond"</a> (astronaut Buzz). Previews: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lu0sotERXhI">#2</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYz2wyBy3kc">#1</a>. <br />
<br />
Story starts for me when Cowboy doll Woody (Tom Hanks) anticipates annual alone time with owner Andy at Cowboy Camp, but is left home after his arm breaks. (Why not fix then?) While he rescues Mr Wheezy, damaged voice-box penguin (Joe Ranft) from a yard sale, Woody is stolen by Al (Wayne Knight), Toy Barn owner. <br />
<br />
Film, however, begins confusingly inside a video game, then adds bits for every toy box resident and dog Buster. Action slows, sidetracked throughout, by homages to other movies, especially prequel, that go over my head and drop my rating. <br />
<br />
The complete 1950s TV Roundup Gang with Jessie (Joan Cusack), Stinky Prospector Pete (Kelsey Grammer), and faithful mount Bullseye (silent but personable) will bring big bucks if personally flown to a Japanese Toy Museum. Pete offers Woody choice "You can go back or stay with us and live forever". Astronaut Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) leads the gang of Mr Potato Head (Don Rickles), (Tyrannosaurus) Rex (Wallace Shawn), Slinky Dog dachshund (Jim Varney), coin bank (called "slotted pig" by deluded Buzz), and Hamm (John Ratzenberger). <br />
<br />
While Tour Barbie guides our team around the Barn, our Buzz gets trapped and replaced by another. New Buzz is like our old Buzz was at first; he believes his job is to save the Universe from Zurg, that his powers, such as laser beam, are real. Exciting chases run through streets, Al's store and high-rise home, airport luggage conveyor belts. Final jump from moving airplane imitates the TV last episode of unfinished Roundup Gang series. Too much imitation, homage throughout, flies over my head.<br />
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<b>Spoilers</b>:<br />
Al, Pete, and evil Zurg - like Darth Vader, he is father of hero Buzz - are the villains. Jessie has to trust Woody, jump off without seeing TV show conclusion, not knowing if they will survive. Of course everyone goes home intact to Andy's bedroom. Andy sews Woody's arm back, creating a one-sided muscle-like bulge. Why could Woody perform stunts in airport as if arms both worked?<br />
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Final credits run beside repeated imitation real-life gag reel of script and action adlibs, bloopers. Mrs Potato Head (Estelle Harris) packs extra inside her hubbie. Bug's Life 2 sneak-in. <br />
<br />
<b>Extras</b>: (yawn)<br />
1 Toy Story 3 new characters - Whoopi Goldberg, Timothy Dalton, Michael Keaton, more <br />
2 Buzz Mission Logs Episode 2 - real International Space Station astronauts exercise<br />
3 6 Pixar Artists - began varied ways, do different specific jobs, say "find what you love to do" like them<br />
4 Sleep Deprivation Lab - 4 years work in 6 months stressful but successful<br />
5 2 "studio stories" with black line drawings<br />
5.1 Pinocchio - dolls thrown into ceiling "because we had no girlfriend", tall narrator Sweetland threw Pinocchio whose nose stuck and pants fell down <br />
5.2 The Movie Vanishes - When 20 seconds accidentally deleted and regular backups were bad, narrator with newborn baby, work-at-home mom Susman, had backup at home <br />
6 Pixar's Zoetrope - sculptures spin under strobe light in California and Hong Kong Disney Exhibits<br />
7 Joe Ranf - died in 2005 car crash, interview, storyboard demo, others remember him, dedications in Cars and Corpse Bride films<br />
8 ad for digital copy <br />
<br />
<b>Commentary</b> by Dir John Lasseter, Co-Dir. Lee Unkrick and Ash Brannon, Co-Writer Andrew Stanton<br />
<br />
Opening computer game to shock audience with Buzz adventure just threw me off. Flying rocks were mistake, but worked, so kept. Game done last so full of foreshadow, homage to Star Wars and other sci-fi wasted on me, not a trivia accumulator. Dog expected to be bad is friendly, mostly to show off animation innovation of fur, individual hairs. Again, didn't seem to be logical start to story yet. <br />
<br />
New room looks just like old Toy Story 1, so wasted deliberate reproduction. Also threw me, hops so fast through cast, didn't know was review for audience. Arm rip is to remind us that they are fragile because he doesn't age. Ace of Spades is death card and references nightmare from earlier movie, again wasted, just confusing, because I did not remember. <br />
<br />
Ranft is in present tense, before he died. Mr Wheezy brought back from lost in 1. Creepy. To them big deal that lights dim slightly outside when arm torn off is not noticeable without this commentary - more wasted effort. <br />
<br />
Fear of yard sale meant to mimic #1 fear of birthday party new gifts. Yard sale items review house, enemy Sid's house, even other movies, ad from Toy Barn in 1. Again, I forgot 1, so all these references are wasted. For me, story starts here, Woody taken by 50s collector. Again, tribute to 50s wasted on me - costume, hair, collection, nothing twigged. <br />
<br />
"Second act sag" had to take his arm off "just a popped seam" fixable not morbid human. Woody doesn't have to decide anything, he cannot leave without arm. Al has nose hairs, 4 o'clock shadow, I missed. Plant jungle Buz leads gang through are all from Bug's Life. Why would I notice or care? Music only when toys moving under traffic cones, rest of time is noisy crash sound effects. They're so happy to use restorer character in Geri's Game from Bug's Life videotape, cross-over. Scene cut like live action. Whoop-de-doo. <br />
<br />
Brought back deluded Buzz, funny part of 1, with new, even more deluded Buzz. Also referenced Star Trek good Kirk meets bad Kirk episode. Despite watching re-runs every day, now second time through, still did not connect for me. <br />
<br />
Barbie dance party uses Ann Margret Viva Las Vegas. Okaaaayyy. Rex chases like Jurassic Park, out same time as #1. Line 1965 order shortage of Buzz toys was true, 9M built since then. <br />
<br />
Mis-direction Woody thinks Jessie turned on TV, doesn't believe her denial. Jessie mourning loss of owner Emily deliberately reminds parents of children growing up, made everyone cry, needed laughs. RockM SockM robots built at time Tyson bit Holyfield's ear, so blue guy misses part of ear. <br />
<br />
Insane Buzz wears helmet and belt, but others accept, used to his previous attitude. Zurg has eye in back of head because real Steve Austin $6M man figure had vision hole. Calling Mr Potato Head "Vegetable Man" was left out of first movie, other nicknames from #1 when Buzz first met them. Matched with opening "so audience know". We do? Another shot does homage to Cape Fear. Cape - huh? <br />
<br />
When Bullseye stands up and shyly holds hooves as if naked was animated early, had no place to slot for long time. Joss Whedon screenwriter had Potato Head eye as remote camera, never used idea in #1. Double Buzz, didn't need split screen or trickery like Freaky Friday. Reverses #1 many places, here Buzz gets to echo "You are a toy". Woody "I can't stop Andy from growing up but I wouldn't miss it for the world" is for parents too. <br />
<spoiler> Set up to trust Pete, surprise when turns, was always bitter because never bought. In Museum he said Woody would be loved, but Buzz says "behind glass" "never touched" not loved. Zurg comes back and "wears a skirt". "I am your father" Darth Vader's line. </spoiler><br />
<br />
Floor goes to 11, homage to Spinal Tap. Elevator muzak is from Bug's Life. Like #1 Pizza Planet truck comes out of nowhere. Zurg throws baseball to son, deliberately "Field of Dreams". The little aliens were so big in Japan, they added into dangling air freshener. <br />
<br />
Airport detail from work on Bug's Life. Got tour of San Franncisco airport baggage area. Background kids patticake turns into punch. "Butte" Montana sticker on Buzz' bottom I did notice. Comeuppence reworked many times. <spoiler> Packed beside Barbie, her cheek has face-paint, her owner "an artist" Woody grabs reins literally and is real cowboy, risks all to rescue soul-mate with horse and rope. Andy has little sister Molly nobody mentioned. </spoiler>.<br />
<br />
Like 1 had match blow out, need moment here. <spoiler> Instead of Jesse slips like stereotypical damsel in distress, voice Joan Cusak said switch so he slips and she rescues. </spoiler> Everyone who makes the movie, <i>makes</i> the movie. <spoiler> The second plane suddenly flies out of nowhere for another phew.</spoiler> <br />
<br />
Ending gives everyone a moment. They say just right, I find long, anti-common-sense. Al is in Japan yet does live ad? Mr Wheezy suddenly Robert Goulet deep opera splash. Why neighbors across the street move in and drinking cofee? Barbie background singers in sequins - they don't try to make sense. <br />
<br />
<b>Previews</b><br />
Toy Story 3 Andy goes to college. Buzz reset to .. Spanish, and deluded again.<br />
Beauty and the Beast musical AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-37618168020805585012012-12-14T14:57:00.001-08:002012-12-30T15:54:06.469-08:00True Grit 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bPhLX-vYx5Po8R5uIAirdWSPQLHLmGdOWLF8hq0Ayjj_ZVqSDUH_xa7mTKQwHCGd-Yj5FFjmjYg3eoqmRUQCweZ1Hu_9NBXAuH_GYgtqJj0KclXoX7lA7zqsyaHOvOBzFjn-rT1JZ-i-/s1600/TrueGrit1969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bPhLX-vYx5Po8R5uIAirdWSPQLHLmGdOWLF8hq0Ayjj_ZVqSDUH_xa7mTKQwHCGd-Yj5FFjmjYg3eoqmRUQCweZ1Hu_9NBXAuH_GYgtqJj0KclXoX7lA7zqsyaHOvOBzFjn-rT1JZ-i-/s200/TrueGrit1969.jpg" /></a></div>"True Grit" 2010 Jeff Bridges <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXCmUEaPQPM">Preview</a> does echo John <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruTdCaAWTNA">Wayne</a> 1969. Both are probably equally sad, funny, deathly exciting, memorable, and watchable again and again. <br />
<br />
PG-13 (disturbing images, parental guidance for under-13s) seems old fashioned with video games like Hitman available. Obscenities borderline "pencil neck son of a bitch". No romance, but ouch the violence. <br />
----------<br />
Spoilers:<br />
Moon's fingers cut-off, half Quincy's bloody face, LeBoeuf gurgling beneath near bit-through tongue (worst, FF fast forward, close eyes), snakes hiss in skeleton, trail of corpses accumulated on her back trail seen in delerium, faithful horse Little Blackie collapses, sacrificed, all agree for adults. <br />
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"Leaning in his everlasting arms" oboe and orchestra reverberate soft and sweet while the grandfatherly hero holds and carries her miles to save her life. Once is not enough for this film; I would buy if I bought DVDs. Also, I have requested Charles Portis' based-on book, and John Wayne 1969 version.<br />
<br />
In 1875 West, to avenge her father Frank's cold murder and robbery by hired hand Tom Chaney (Josh Brolin), Mattie Ross (Hailee Steinfeld) 14 sets out in winter, aided by inherited Colt's Dragoon revolver, drunken "old fat" one-eyed Marshal Reuben "Rooster" Cogburn (Jeff Bridges) and boastful dandified Texas Ranger LeBoeuf (Matt Damon). Though drunkard of limited vision depth, Cogburn has poise, extensive practical experience, courage, "true grit". Heroine is witty bargainer, knows Latin and law but not guns, grows to respect and believe his reputation. <br />
<br />
End has closure with beginning by voice-over from Mattie, same image of coffin into train, same light falling snow. Such details become evident when seen again, increases humor, appreciation, characters, set, costume, foreshadowing (snakes), continuation (storekeeper Bagby), dialogue ("I have previous business" in the jakes), tears, everything - proof of excellence. <br />
<br />
Opening quote "The wicked flee whene none pursueth", biblical with "eths" is indeed Proverbs 28:1. "You must pay for everything in this world .. There is nothing free except the grace of God." Reminds us they did speak act believe differently then and there. Like education - where does Mattie learn law "writ of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replevin">replevin</a>" bargaining for her father's ponies then fireside chats with Ranger, also conversant? <br />
<br />
The manner of speech is a catchy combination of old-timey full words rather than contractions, slang, and odd grammar. <br />
<a href="http://timeoutchicago.com/arts-culture/movies-on-demand/14785535/true-grit-vocabulary">sofky</a> = Indian "osafki" ground dried corn bits hominy or (wild) rice stew, meat optional<br />
Any suggestions for meaning of "stickers" in "but about six trees between there and Canada, and nothing else grows but has stickers on it"? My guess is a prevalence of <a href="http://mudcat.org/scots/display_all.cfm">Scotch</a>, <a href="http://www.ehow.com/info_8057720_weed-control-russian-thistle.html">Russian tumbleweed</a>, or other thistle weeds with burrs limiting farm cultivation?<br />
<br />
"I do not know this man .. (hung high) Possibly in the belief it would make him more dead". "If them men wanted a decent burial, they shoulda got themselves kilt in summer." The clear air, clean outdoors is mostly pleasant, but hints at the hardships of riding. The music over the end credits is hymnal in sweetness, softly unobtrusive in the soundtrack, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNmM6pcI-Xo">songs</a> relevant tuneful tearful memorable. <br />
<br />
Cogburn "I never shot nobody I didn't have to.. If it ain't loaded and cocked, it don't shoot.. I always go backwards when I'm backing up.. " only accepts Mattie's hire when she hands him $50 reward up front "for expenses". "They tell me you're a man with true grit". LeBoeuf (Matt Damon, all pronounce Labeef as if translated from French) Texas Ranger, has been "ineffectually pursuing" "half-wit" (Mattie's terms) Tom under aliases from Texas for murder there. Mattie catches up for the first night out, but after mutual insults, LeBeouf bids "Adios" (ay-deeose). <br />
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Spoilers:<br />
Forster (Ed Lee Corbin), heavily bearded medico and tooth extractor, the whole head of a bearskin above his own (Bear Man in credits), in drawn-out syllables, sends them for shelter from a snowstorm to the dugout of "the Original Greaser Bob", but unfriendly occupants order them to "Ride on". When Mattie blocks the chimney to force them out, they shoot through the roof at her. Quincy and leg-shot partner "Kid" Moon cooked up a mighty mess of "shofky" and stock over-much whisky. Threatened with losing his leg and offered good lawyer by Mattie, Moon reacts to description of powder mark gunshot scar on Tom's cheek. Quincy chops off Moon's fingers, Cogburn blows half Quincy's head away. Done for, Moon confesses they expect the Lucky Ned Pepper (Barry Pepper tee-hee) gang Tom is reputed to have joined.<br />
<br />
LeBoeuf arrives unexpectedly just before the gang, also sent by Forster, making me needlessly suspicious that he was in disguise, perhaps Tom) disrupting Cogburn's 1 1/2 on seven ambush. "You put a kink in my rope, pardner.. The scheme did not develop as I had planned." Two of dead own a silver mine in Winding Stair Mountains, the next goal. Through snow and desert, LeBoeuf and Mattie discuss Latin legal terms "malum in se", the one-eyed drunkend Cogburn and injured-arm LeBoeuf compete shooting at tossed-up cornbread. Finally in a rainstorm, finding the Parmalee mine empty, Tom gone, Mattie and LaBoeuf mutually apologize for misjudging the other before LaBoeuf leaves. <br />
<br />
Fetching water the next day, Tom doing the same, underestimates her, allows her to take the bag out of her pocket, unwrap the gun, even tells her to cock the revolver, and approaches as she shoots him in the leg. Ned likes her, orders psychopathic Tom to stay, no pay if he hurts her. Tom strangles her, stopped by LeBoeuf. <br />
<br />
Cogburn takes down three of Ned's four riding in opposition, but falls, helpless until LeBoeuf's long shot takes down Ned. Tom knocks out LeBoeuf. "Even a blow to the head could silence him for only a few short minutes". But Mattie remembers to cock LeBeouf's rifle; the shot knocks Tom over the cliff. Cogburn sucks out her snake-bite venom, carries her to help, stays after her arm cut off, only till out of danger. <br />
<br />
She writes to remind of $50. He finally sends her a Memphis Wild West show flyer 25 years later 1903, but she arrives three days after his death. The closing scene is the aged spinster, snow swirling down on a green plain, giving last respects at gravestone where she had his body moved in order to visit.<br />
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<br />
Special Features encouraged me to watch all over to absorb details more than primary action:<br />
<br />
1 Mattie interview. First movie. Made up, curled long hair instead of braids, she seems older. Mother sewed burlap skirt, Salvation Army outfit for audition. Father took her to shooting range before using guns, so knew to pretend kick back absent with blanks on set. Rode English "couple of years ago", so learned Western quickly. <br />
<br />
2 Costumes 1875 "Bustles to buckskin". Designer Women long hair, men face hair, more hoops than bustle, no "cowboy hats", mostly worn-out city or Mexican sombreros, Stetson asthmatic son invented 4" brim and crown. Bridges helped choose hat, patch, boots, custom coat, dressed to bulk up. Damon - flashy dandy, only one in all buckskin, spurs, trim hat. Pepper wooly chaps in book too, front angora back leather, custom. Outstanding aging department. Brolin animalistic, costume fits badly as if stolen. Whole cast like composition, voices harmonized, collaboration. <br />
<br />
3 Fort Smith set. Granger Texas. Sources b&w, so kept sepia feel. New paint job has to look old. Wide streets for wagons turning. Dirt over cobblestones. Did snow once, rare for real. Hide present-day post office in daily use. Manually pluck leaves from trees for hanging in winter. Wrapped phone pole in bark to fake tree. No plywood. Real legally qualified steam train produces own electricity. <br />
<br />
4 Cast. Clips and comments more than hoo-rah praise, synergy. Damon calls lead "imperfectly perfect". "Hilarious" actors and result. Hailee didn't recognize Pepper without broken twisted face make-up.<br />
<br />
5 Previews:<br />
1 Ten Commandments restored in Blue-Ray 55th anniversary Charles Heston as Moses.<br />
2 Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon 27 July 1969 Moon landing plus extra mission on dark side transformer alien enemies.<br />
3 <a href="http://aneyespy.blogspot.ca/2012/01/dvd-thor.html">Thor</a> 3D. highlights action, omits humor and sadness<br />
4 Super 8 boy in small town makes movies with friends, only ones to believe and stop enemy released from army train wreck<br />
5 The Fighter true boxer Micky Mark Wahlberg makes good but brother Dicky Christian Bale goes to jail<br />
<br />
AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-13851296396407380462012-12-14T14:39:00.000-08:002013-05-16T00:25:09.847-07:00Timeline 5*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFYpFg0X0jzdm9Aqd4ixJoqYmsZn52Me9j_GWrKoEopMEVNDLuoU0o7Lfl5gGNbBVsYcy6vKglFWrH_sHVXzTCHKfjW7MCUuAhd5fcs08vHoUtKtQR3j2FYjA7JecA-Ga1nl13DRA2xHi/s1600/Timeline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaFYpFg0X0jzdm9Aqd4ixJoqYmsZn52Me9j_GWrKoEopMEVNDLuoU0o7Lfl5gGNbBVsYcy6vKglFWrH_sHVXzTCHKfjW7MCUuAhd5fcs08vHoUtKtQR3j2FYjA7JecA-Ga1nl13DRA2xHi/s200/Timeline.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SlLJ51nDncg">Preview</a>. 4* Exciting action overtakes predictable plot, more sad than fun so lower despite my Gerard crush. Archaelogist Andre Marek (Gerard Butler) recognizes unusual sarcophagus from 1400s France, wherein a knight with a lopped ear clasps the hand of his lady beside for all time. Professor Johnston (Billy Connelly), father of Chris (Paul Mark), is lost in 1437 April 4, the night the French conquer La Roque castle and neighboring Castlegard village, provoked by the death of Lady Claire. Students convince Francois (Rossif Sutherland) to join, because he is the only competent French speaker. <br />
<br />
But English invaders demand he translate "je suis un espoin", kill the "interpreter" for "confessing" and three Marines sent as backup. One Marine, dying, presses his return control "marker". His forbidden grenade explodes the experimental equipment in the present. <br />
<br />
From first landing into rushing river, the dwindling members run, hide, escape, battle, and pause for guilt at deaths, but no thought to lost descendants. Casual sword slices and arrow strikes, massive trebuchet catapult, flaming bombs smash stone walls. Realistic re-enactments are way better than phony computer effects. <br />
<br />
Marek repeatedly saves delicate-looking tough-fighting Lady Claire (Anna Friel), sister of French leader Arnaud (Lambert Wilson), defying history, of course getting his ear chopped. Chris and his brave sweetheart Kate (Frances O'Connor) lead French through the secret underground tunnel from the monastery so the French still win the day. <br />
<br />
Based on Michael Crichton book I now want to read. Online <a href="http://www.preterhuman.net/texts/literature/general/Crichton_Michael/Crichton,%20Michael%20-%20Timeline.pdf">excerpt</a>. <br />
__________<br />
<br />
<b>Spoilers</b>:<br />
<br />
Villains die in both times. Damaged equipment is repaired in the last minutes of the six-hour window allowed. In present-day, sarcophagus inscription describes happy life of Andre, Claire, and three children, one named after Francois. AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-9833030061449107052012-12-14T13:32:00.000-08:002012-12-30T15:55:19.419-08:00Fifth Element<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDAkLEAR3-lhpFT0O0L3EVhxi_BP9dZZwRIA4yfDbP5nVcIxzmUEqKqsYHyPvKBEfMpjHFrUWZ4P_yQbDDZlZP7_ytClUmkB5k_CFCEdir4IouSF46JY6m5PCxX7MRMPSV5-chAZKMlfV/s1600/FifthElement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDAkLEAR3-lhpFT0O0L3EVhxi_BP9dZZwRIA4yfDbP5nVcIxzmUEqKqsYHyPvKBEfMpjHFrUWZ4P_yQbDDZlZP7_ytClUmkB5k_CFCEdir4IouSF46JY6m5PCxX7MRMPSV5-chAZKMlfV/s200/FifthElement.jpg" /></a></div>3* for contemporary Bruce Willis, I'd watch him fight almost anything or anybody. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoKssDjs64o">Preview</a>. Bizzzz-arely overdone <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU3Qmdccje4">humor</a>, crazy 1997-era outer-spacey special effects, fights, action, memorable in flashes, not overall. I caught snippets, intrigued enough to stay up late when more popped onto my radar, then again I think, but never saw the beginning or knew the name. Browsing <a href="http://www.spacecast.com/InnerSPACE.aspx">InnerSpace</a> spacecast website to enter Hobbit film contest found 1-7 Feb 2013 cross-Canada Cineplex Digital Film <a href="http://www.spacecast.com/article/The-Great-Digital-Film-Festival-2013-Full-Film-Lineup">Festival</a> of supposedly well-rated entries. I recognized all but two: Fifth Element and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLn1y9v6yno">Oldboy</a>. <br />
<br />
Futuristic Bruce Willis in orange overall is retired agent brought back. With orange-hair instant-English-learner girl garbed in decorously placed white strips, they embark on mission to save the world in strange method, lots of fighting and special effects. Would change DVD Reviews in blog heading to Film, but DVDs include Extras I discuss and rate. This is a place-holder while I interlibrary loan search for DVD. AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-7571228134775643462012-12-14T12:56:00.001-08:002012-12-14T12:56:53.755-08:00Red Dawn 1984 original<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmyMhkpoaNswi_lnn1wfzhHpSCWH19IfKyvDm2FNGAxJ2vHpxux66SSgi2b8rPhXbcNB8FjU348_oZKLBjEWDCYAh-zUjfm-6TK62Y3Cb_2Rpjn9S_sCc8GUSmWR-PRd11kWk2zm93znU/s1600/RedD1984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOmyMhkpoaNswi_lnn1wfzhHpSCWH19IfKyvDm2FNGAxJ2vHpxux66SSgi2b8rPhXbcNB8FjU348_oZKLBjEWDCYAh-zUjfm-6TK62Y3Cb_2Rpjn9S_sCc8GUSmWR-PRd11kWk2zm93znU/s200/RedD1984.jpg" /></a></div>4* for outdated now, but still credible tear-jerker. I might have adored teen Jed Eckert (Patrick Swayze) leading classmates if I had seen the first 1984 version of this scary patriotic war story then as an America teen. Even now my eyes teared up. When boys had their hair long, girls permed, both in tight jeans, everyone was afraid of the Reds (Russian and Cuban Communists), atomic bomb, armageddon. Waking up to enemy invasion was absolutely real. Is rousing even now for teen viewer to identify with high school kids fighting back against cruel authority. <br />
<br />
Patrick Swayze is dead from cancer now, a hero in another way, then visibly muscular jock Jed Eckert. With his brother Matt (Charlie Sheen), knowledgeable about mountain survival, they camp, fish, hunt, start guerrilla warfare, scrawling Wolverines, school team mascot name on wrecked enemy vehicles. Downed pilot Lt. Col. Andy Tanner (Powers Boothe) is object of affection for girl ("tell me about your wife" I'll never love again"), rather than leadership. Captured doomed father Tom (Harry Dean Stanton) in prison camp has cameo "Avenge me!". Lots of sickly sweet tear-jerker moments I would have appreciated more when younger, less cynical. <br />
----------<br />
Spoilers:<br />
At the end, reduced to four, the brothers sacrifice themselves attacking the headquarters as diversion while Erika and Danny flee to liberated territory. The Cuban Colonel, himself originally a guerrilla, waves the Eckerts free (to die). Jed shoots the Russian hunter who took them down, shouting "You lose", but is shot himself. Jed carries (dead) Matt to a (familiar?) park bench "we'll wait for dad, he's coming soon". Torture was implied then "you don't know what they do" from unwilling traitor Daryl turned in by mayor father then forced to swallow tracking device. <br />
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I may see the remake, looks to have older cast; baby boomers have aged. Probably keep lots of shooting and explosions, may be more violent and bloody. Tough lesson, but important, to remind those who have not had to go to war about some of suffering by those who have.AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-51826065769946847962012-12-14T12:39:00.000-08:002013-08-12T21:12:33.092-07:00MacGyver: 5* Atlantis, Doomsday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ea07rPHJq46XLN8lh-FCfKloZpfyLS1IPeqyv2njvCia8L7tEMJPmk2WAO2_NPxhJsVRWtLmsR_FumARC2lGYAYWTIVAQMMmJINPGv1ToLxm1fM7PTCjbHhbF5IsQmml8N22Br_H9vnj/s360/MacGyver2tv..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="380" width="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ea07rPHJq46XLN8lh-FCfKloZpfyLS1IPeqyv2njvCia8L7tEMJPmk2WAO2_NPxhJsVRWtLmsR_FumARC2lGYAYWTIVAQMMmJINPGv1ToLxm1fM7PTCjbHhbF5IsQmml8N22Br_H9vnj/s360/MacGyver2tv..jpg" /></a></div>MacGyver (Richard Dean Anderson) starts both adventures in London: posh accents, castles, elite universities and museums.
<p>
Atlantis seeks key in underground trap labyrinths, then under a volcano for treasure. Doomsday has more deaths and injuries. Former KGB and greedy millionaire team to build nuclear weapons.
<p>
As always, hero saves innocent pretty girls and bystanders, even traitors, with whatever lies to hand, seconds to spare. He knows how to play tough, cool, ingenious, never overacts. Betrayals seem obvious, not surprises.
<p>
<b>1 Lost Treasure of Atlantis</b> - Annoying past professor with Atlantis obsession has one of those bellowing loud-volume voices that pierce sensibilities, void credibilities "one of my best students"; not even good comic relief. Nasty Balkan ethnic cleanser general foiled when MacG trapped in shed with engine-less jeep and rocket ammo. Boom!
<p>
<b>2 Trail to Doomsday</b> - I never trusted the surviving brother and "ex-KGB good friend of the family" cutey, so no surprises. Big hair 80s had plumper ideals than scrawny models today; architecture always classic beauty. Starts with murder of "good friend", hasn't seen for years, some friend, and girl's body; double funeral. Run, chase, close calls, injuries. Scarier. First almost slapstick by comparison.
<p>
Anderson is tall and handsome, my ideal Air Force hero in <a href="http://www.tv-links.eu/tv-shows/Stargate-SG-1_644/">Stargate</a> team planetary explorations. Even in a Santa hat, his face is fine. <a href="http://www.rdanderson.com/">Official Site</a>AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-36831973592861827462012-12-14T12:20:00.000-08:002012-12-14T17:33:44.918-08:00Journey to the Center of the Earth 2008<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EF_CdvAMJNOrRLFdLSXYDBfy8IyI4H37nZbvSHzuNXcQ7azjDSrb0bRU_tl2BrfD1aBgaCWFZRajAp0m4GXidUL13NJEcprr4iZ-H9cZO7_xLUIJIENKRW3HnfqALuXCIpcxQEhIG47z/s1600/JourneyCenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6EF_CdvAMJNOrRLFdLSXYDBfy8IyI4H37nZbvSHzuNXcQ7azjDSrb0bRU_tl2BrfD1aBgaCWFZRajAp0m4GXidUL13NJEcprr4iZ-H9cZO7_xLUIJIENKRW3HnfqALuXCIpcxQEhIG47z/s200/JourneyCenter.jpg" /></a></div>1-2* "Journey to the Center of the Earth" 2008 must have had a low budget; effects are mostly laughable. Could barely watch through, kept hopping up for snack or excuse. Heiress Martha Dennison (Victoria Pratt) enlists professor Jonathon Brock (Rick Schroder) to find missing husband Edward Dennison (Peter Fonda), helped by nephew Abel and Alaskan Russian Sergei, finding dinosaurs deep underground, not deadly as claimed. Adam Stuart Smith UK <a href="http://www.plesiosauria.com/dinosaurs.php">plesiosauria</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Li5Acq8ZQ&feature=relmfu">pt4 Film</a> 9:20 "most deadly dinosaur", <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZwHGr1dJdo">pt1</a>AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-58093738321248999732012-12-14T12:14:00.000-08:002012-12-30T16:36:21.091-08:00Dakota 1945 2*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpNJr8SuGQbMcZ_kW4O7_z2j8DcNuGR05BHWnE2E7guYkOtFkGT7Ykn8aGOROifcIlPfjS1a7WWCzAI8MUDxnqOMWr0Jv9qnmviCxgBk5np4P2mfX-3SpRvQHEiHAVr3Oc5PXRQ9uxVho/s1600/DakotaDVD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="283" width="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpNJr8SuGQbMcZ_kW4O7_z2j8DcNuGR05BHWnE2E7guYkOtFkGT7Ykn8aGOROifcIlPfjS1a7WWCzAI8MUDxnqOMWr0Jv9qnmviCxgBk5np4P2mfX-3SpRvQHEiHAVr3Oc5PXRQ9uxVho/s320/DakotaDVD.jpg" /></a></div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34Dt6Aw8pG4">Preview</a>. Black and white. Weak comebacks from disobedient new wife who spends money irresponsibly without consulting new husband. John Devlin (John Wayne) arrives in top hat at 1870 mansion. New wife Sandra (Vera Hruba Ralston climbs down from window without luggage but with $20K (and supposedly Gainsborough painting we never see), pursued by papa (signs telegram Marko Poli?), owner of railroad they board. <br />
(Aside: How <i>not</i> to get top acting talent. Shining blonde (wig?) Czech figure skater married already-married head of studio. She claimed different ages. To Hitler's "Would you like to skate for the swastika?", she said she retorted "I'd rather skate <i>on</i> the swastika. Good publicity.) <br />
<br />
John aims for California, but Sandy says all the flowers there give hay fever and buys tickets for Dakota. At her father's, she overheard railway plans to extend, buy land in Fargo. John looks forward to quiet and "making love". Colonel Jim Bender and sneaky Collins connive to make Devlins' acquaintance, take same stage and boat, despite help request from big rancher Anson Stowe burned out by raiders framing Indians, then shot dead. <br />
<br />
Steamer captain (Walter Brennan) berates bosun Nicodemus "Yassir" "darkie boy" for comic relief. Scenery backdrops of river and buggy looks fake, flat. Sandy unloads John's bullets, so bandits get away with start-up stash just before boat runs aground. Sandy volunteers to tell widow Stowe of her bereavement. <br />
<br />
Fargo residents in folk costumes for celebration, meeting Collins again in company of bandits. Bender signs up the wheat-growers to forfeit their land, and puts Collins in as marshal. Devlin pretends to leave town and talks fast to take over the contract, but seeing her father's land buyer Geary come into town secretly, she blurts out the news to Bender. Dance girls in sparkly low cut gowns are the excuse for a song number "Call me". The bar music is the background to action outside. <br />
<br />
Old-fashioned punches are fist-to-jaw, with small sound effects even when thrown obviously wide. Hits and and throw-into-wall contrast greatly with martial arts and vigorously physical (Israeli agents' Krav Maga) techniques sifting into modern film fight styles. Self-defence classes should be required for everyone, starting at day-care, through high school; even/ especially seniors need confidence training brings.<br />
<br />
----------<br />
Spoilers:<br />
Bender has the contract stolen and old man in charge killed. Climax is big blazing bang. Bender shoots Geary, accuses Devlin to attempt lynching, sets fields on fire to get land that spread to settlement. Collins shoots Bender trying to leave with money first, attacks John. Satisfying result on villain, not so much when too-lovely wife says 'sorry honey, sunk (my pun) our travel money into boat, even though railroad coming'. <br />
----------<br />
AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-44547438528135616272012-12-14T11:47:00.001-08:002012-12-14T11:54:50.532-08:00Animation Express 0*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0ntbP-J54IDkGss7K2CNGTKNyxkW1QmX5KsKgXZ5duXNFk4vNKdo2y3c4B52VN4W0j0a7MjdvghHCaqe0ivTpzCs3H048zpvj5V3uiJCxy9hXNj23Tt9-X4wbXcbVjBP4JVgmJ062xtQ/s1600/AnimExp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb0ntbP-J54IDkGss7K2CNGTKNyxkW1QmX5KsKgXZ5duXNFk4vNKdo2y3c4B52VN4W0j0a7MjdvghHCaqe0ivTpzCs3H048zpvj5V3uiJCxy9hXNj23Tt9-X4wbXcbVjBP4JVgmJ062xtQ/s200/AnimExp.jpg" /></a></div>"Animation Express" 26 French/English shorts with subtitles. Sad dull boring and horror.<br />
Disc1<br />
1 Madame Tutti Putli - horror, silent girl rides train, organ theft<br />
2 Forming Game - letters shapes music India baby<br />
3 Hungu - patterned aborigines arrow equines, ma cries for baby who ages, skull to instrument at start<br />
4 Rosa Rosa - flickers lovers narrate war baby color normal "life goes on"<br />
5 Rains - railway highrise umbrellas traffic violin clear piano birds<br />
6 Retouches - plunk-notes wiper flakes orange road hand stair paintbrush man lines volleyball lines green<br />
7 Subservience - bleak plain, panting servant rolls red carpet, drinks, violins ballerina 2 carpets contiguous servants sink for binocular wipe, alone high view<br />
8 Spare Change -Montreal "dont talk to me about sunny skies" grey shade outlines bums bum asshole St Peter flame "go to Hell" rock color "do it" amoeba<br />
9 The Spine - codependent counsellor fingers, cowboy Dan (Gordon Pinsent) body parts fall off fuck balloon songbird Mary deflates pink-green spine marriage<br />
10-13 The Man who Slept, How People got Fire, Robes of War, Drux Flux<br />
<br />
Disc2 - not worth a glance, but here's the titles in case you're searching <br />
Sleeping Betty, The Necktie, Come Again in Spring, HA' Aki, Here and There, Flutter, Engine 371, Invasion of the Space Lobsters, Sainte Barbe. Paradise, Vive La Rose, Land of the Heads, Runaway<br />
AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-13960960122968945252012-12-14T11:18:00.001-08:002012-12-14T11:32:57.114-08:00Igor 2008 *5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGosgse5c5hq77vvcqxmZ7b3bLnv8_4IDsNWwF8JiDmoKyHaL7FVvFbm7uw_p1UGuJsW7wpAfynqQ0A1nMuHfpxcLvR-qflaargki6PwOZskFhatVVBlT5Q1KkKY4fs7fLHujIE1qhxEdo/s1600/igor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGosgse5c5hq77vvcqxmZ7b3bLnv8_4IDsNWwF8JiDmoKyHaL7FVvFbm7uw_p1UGuJsW7wpAfynqQ0A1nMuHfpxcLvR-qflaargki6PwOZskFhatVVBlT5Q1KkKY4fs7fLHujIE1qhxEdo/s200/igor.jpg" /></a></div>More comedy than horror, starts slow, picks up fast, funny, sweet. When clouds covered the farming land Malaria, King Malbert (Jay Leno) declared an annual Evil Science Fair competition in Killiseum, for worst global threat to blackmail world leaders for $1M. <br />
<br />
Every mad scientist has a hunchbacked Igor, graduated from Igor school to help, and a girlfriend, really Jaclyn (Jennifer Coolidge) in disguise, to steal best for perennial winner Dr Schadenfreude (Eddie Izzard). She is Heidi for incompetent Dr Glickenstein (John Cleese) whose accidental death allows his Igor (John Cusack), hunchback differentiated by enormous appealing eyes, to create life, gigantic lopsided Eva (Molly Shannon), sweet aspiring actress with enormous appealing eyes, one brown, one blue. She thinks she is auditioning for the musical Annie. The only songs I liked, the others felt intrusive, were the final two, "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" and "I can see clearly now the rain has gone".<br />
----- <br />
Spoilers:<br />
In the Killiseum contest, invisible announcer Carl Cristall (Arsenio Hall) introduces battle of the monsters. Dr Schadenfreude activates her evil bone, her eyes turn black, but Igor repeats her line "I'd rather be an good nobody than an evil somebody", and adds advice "Everyone has an Evil Bone. We can choose whether to activate it." Meanwhile Igor's secret inventions, bottled Brain (Sean Hayes) and immortal feline Scamper (Steve Buscemi) destroy the king's weather ray, so as Eva sings "the sun will come out", the sunlight blasts down on everyone. Finally at the Malibar Theatre, blind orphans sing "xxx", and Igor offers to build a pet to care for with Eva. <br />
-----<br />
Extras<br />
Commentary with a director (and fan voice) Tony Leondis high, writer Chris McKenna deep, and a producer Max Howard English<br />
Opening scenes co sunny golden orange is color of hope, that increases. Every image tells story, so Igor's first outfit resembles prisoner: stripes, straitjacket, handcuffs. Who knew? Not me. Long Igor voice-over exposition to establish weird world and odd characters. Permanent marker "BRIAN" on Brain's jar is darkest for his intro, wiped so softer, less intrusive after joke. His mouth is an electrical current. Huh again. I just thought it zizzled when he got excited. <br />
<br />
Dr Schadenfreude's castle is supposed to be tacky like Liberace museum in Las Vegas. Who? Tony sounds gay, is that relevant to wanting Liberace look? Jaclyn-Heidi is homage to Jekyll-Hyde, visually always snake-like, Heidi busty wholesome bovine milkmaid, Glickenstein crocodile-like. Nope. Didn't get any of that. Animators pointed to voicer Jennifer's facial expression. King is armadillo-cockroach, sleazy survives all. Igor had to be cute, I got the large eyes, but the nose was tweaked lots. <br />
<br />
No straight lines in whole movie, all asymmetrical, off-kilter. Glicky's lab not matte painting, totally 3D, visible from any angle, because we spend so much time there. "Pull the switch" to make life turned into joke when Scamper refuses yell, requires please. John makes us take Igor seriously, real hopes and dreams, not bumbling idiot. Homage to original Frankenstein movie to see monster first from behind. Hole in wall was created from outside by mistake, so she has to fall backward. Enh. Without commentary, I'd never know or miss details and homages. "Blind orphans get everything" is Sean ad-lib. Homage to Frankenstein merges coming across little girl and blind hermit. Eva starts to glow. <br />
<br />
Jaclyn dressed snaky pop 60s? Block colors I see, snake no. The DVD was so popular, well-used, scratched, spots skip, gags drop, plot shorts (sometimes I just jumped scenes), but I did catch a Frankenstein homage staggering up to tower (lightning bringing life is just tradition). Brain Wash is combination of car wash, insane asylum padded cells, torture chamber eyeball openers, brain helmet. I was confused by killer spy suddenly followed by car wash owner; formerly scene between then no time to build a spider. Original intention was to include many horror film references, so Jeff the Fly was deliberate, for Jeff Goldblum movie "The Fly", Vincent Price look for original "The Fly". Oh dear, this is way beyond me. <br />
<br />
TV interviewer James Lipton (as himself questions acting teacher for Eva's Brain Wash lesson) accepted being on show by announcing while interviewing John Cusack. Axe Murderer to Actor's Studio is a play on words? No, Tony, I did NOT "get it". All the little things you all enjoyed, the coffee maker, Employee of the Month Award, I didn't notice. But I did try echoing Eva's elocution exercise "A box of mixed biscuits and a biscuit mixer" is a doozy I could not do, said "pss pss". Her list of "things to do" actressy ambitions "adopt children from all over the world" rings a peal on my beloved odd Angelina Jolie who took husbands and children from her film sets, Madonna, probably others; "become an environmentalist, but fly private when necessary" is so hypocrite Prince Charles. <br />
<br />
Action carriage chase written in three hours, smashing, serious unmasking. "Paparazzi! Why can't those vultures leave me alone?" is not so funny if Princess Diana's death was a big deal, 2008 not before, maybe too long after. Simple shapes and textures rather than realistic was time-money decision, yet earlier they claim no decisions dollar-based. Igor chases Brain with axe for admitting he used remote to set Brain Wash TV station programming to acting lesson. Like cartoon, no fear. <br />
<br />
None of actors recorded together, yet onscreen relationships impact. Invisible Carl represents press (reporters), interview studio is homage to Leno's actual set. Leaders manipulate in our real world; this movie empowering to question authority.Eva's collar is wings of angel, like her. It is? Cozy in castle to represent like Christmas with fire, candles. Like Wizard of Oz, three friends get gifts, heart, etc. Cohorts lines were changed, Scamper's tooth and Brain's buzzy lips made easy. <br />
<br />
Everything upside down, monsters sweet, pretties nasty. In Schadenfreude's sauna, Igor being lured to the dark side, motif is snakes, S-shapes everywhere, crazy straw. Really? French love Magnum PI, so French animators drew mustache on Schade's igor with Hawaiian floral shirt (Christian Slater cameo). Trivialest of trivia, have a contest. Commentators are fans of Guthman movies (who? dunno any of his movies) where actors let loose and characters dominate, harder in animation. <br />
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1103765/bio<br />
http://10starmovies.com/profiles/Les_Guthman_220193/<br />
<br />
Color drains from her and movie as Eva learns truth. Drama vs melodrama balance, understand why she leaves with Schade. In France, they put Igor's hands on her front chest, American director moved to shoulders. Igor stands up for himself in body as well when spirit does, speaks in front of others without slur. Mixed 2D matte with 3D for cost. No people in arena, too costly. Scamper has reason to live now. They don't think he looks like cat. He does. Brain has his arc, "you're the only hunchback who can stand tall and fight for her", "smartest thing you ever said". <br />
<br />
Inspiration for passage was Paris catacombs, walls patterned with bones and skulls. Igor discovers the blue sky above the clouds, morality of our own world, our politicians mislead, allegory (?) is we have to stand up and be responsible for the role we play. "We've got Annie" is for "musical theatre fans" like Tony. Compositing is shadows and blurs, important. Fans of Rank and Bass (Rudolf, Mad Monster Party stop motion). Who? Okay. Backgrounds all dark so light faces and people pop out. <br />
<br />
Final big fight, Eva singing dressed as Annie battling monsters, bizarre, absurd, surreal. Annie people gave rights because same message, believe, hope. Here Schade's large red goggles remind me more of Elton John than Liberace. Eva pulling arena down with ropes wrapped around arms looks like Hercules to me. Igor's journey brings the sun out for everyone. Crowd is repeated from before, cost. Jaclyn changes into Igorette, "I'm going home to change" is adlib. Igor gets beginning wish, crowd chants his name. At end he has yellow tuxedo because whole kingdom bright. Seeing bright world from stage echoes start balcony view dark world. Okay. 7 1/2 mins credits. Oy. They lived based in Paris almost 2 years, but animation in Vietnam, all Jan 2008 - costs? quality? Recorded around the world, Thailand, New York. I do not like the credit song or others, but Annie, "I can see clearly", the movie and message great, <br />
<br />
Alternate opening starts with news report ten years after King Malbert spread cloud cover, started blackmailing world with winning evil invention from Science Fair "Who will have the strength to stop them?" Igor narrates the lives of nobody hunchbacks, his inventions ignorant "brain with no brain", "talking rat who can never die", finally his planned hope "to change all that" (Eva). <br />
<br />
Concept Art Galleries:<br />
1 Characters - tiny Igors, group, others same<br />
2 Set & Production Design - vehicle drawings and models, rooms mostly empty in sketch and color, Eva with broken wall hole, buildings<br />
3 Storyboards - Chase scene in pairs of simple sketches with illegible labels<br />
4 Posters - Name Igor in many styles - fave multi-color lab bottles, lit castle, fave - lead trio, simple unfamiliar Igor (& Eva) sketches AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7958252526274655848.post-39910026472078779232012-12-14T11:08:00.000-08:002012-12-30T15:56:17.358-08:00Prince of Persia: Sands of Time 5*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZQVd7ZcH0sP6rI9T6MabgEyjAag339_-W3g7VKi8EGDD9faCCdZRY3x7mHu2FOl8NG85dh-s75m6IGRFMScZco6ETw_TVeGlmTzm7AwHjvHPB5LFu5iGKdX1yKNCUClOL0Li8kLXKB_o/s1600/PrinceP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZQVd7ZcH0sP6rI9T6MabgEyjAag339_-W3g7VKi8EGDD9faCCdZRY3x7mHu2FOl8NG85dh-s75m6IGRFMScZco6ETw_TVeGlmTzm7AwHjvHPB5LFu5iGKdX1yKNCUClOL0Li8kLXKB_o/s200/PrinceP.jpg" /></a></div>"Prince of Persia: Sands of Time" from Jordan Mechner and his video game of same name. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgEt-4L3fKQ">Preview</a>. <a href="http://princeofpersia.wikia.com/wiki/Prince_of_Persia_Wiki">PrinceWiki</a> <a href="http://princeofpersia.wikia.com/wiki/Prince_of_Persia:_The_Sands_of_Time_(movie)">PrinceWikiFilm</a><br />
<br />
Reminiscent of childhood favorites Ali Baba, Scheherazade, magic, brave youths rewarded, secret underground passages booby-trapped, sword clashes.... Fast fun fight for family, truth, justice - and to save the whole world. "We make our own destiny" encourages the hero. <br />
<br />
As the sun rises (opening and closing scenes) on the DVD, I almost miss the moral that Destiny connects some. A voice-over frames the history. Missed more than I realized on TV (King orders Dastan to marry captured Princess, burns from poisoned robe. She flees with him and tries to stab him for enchanted dagger he accidentally rewinds time for alternate events. "Give me the strength not to kill her". They flirt and fight on the way to the King Sharaman's funeral.) <br />
<br />
I liked what I saw, from evil Nizam ordering out sorcerer "Hassansin" assassins. Found DVD, but the whole is mostly better. He kills a dreadful number of (his own loyal royal Persian) soldiers. The defiant ostrich racer-promoter Sheikh Amar (Alfred Molina) defying taxes on behalf of "the small businessman", decrying "secret government killing activity", is out of place, comic relief goes too far. The knife-throwing Seso (Steve Toussaint), a famed Ngbaka "Scourge of the Numidian Plain", convinces the "slightly dishonorable entrepreneur" Amar to "nobility" of action. <br />
<br />
Questions: Why does the poison cloak not affect the servants who touch it first? Why don't we see Nizam''s burned hands earlier? How does Dastan find Tamina again alone among the dunes after the funeral? Why bother with magic and dead eyes when Hassasins terrifying for deadly skill alone? <br />
<br />
Still think film could edited pre-amble, credit to plot that stands alone fine starting later. Perhaps starting, with one orphan boy saving another, saved in turn by king, draws in niche audience? Chase over (really, the rooftops) city does set scenery. Dastan's actions show his rebellious contentious attitude - in a fight, buddy betting, ignored in disharmonious council. Climbing to open the Eastern Gate yet while invading Alamut show his creativity, courage, bruising acrobatics, warror skill, achievement, and goals "to save lives". Eldest son Tus observes: "You've never excelled at following orders." <br />
<br />
Brave handsome youngest prince Dastan (Jake Gyllenhaal), adopted from "gutter", fights their treacherous power-hungry uncle Nizam (Ben Kingsley), for a magic dagger guarded by courageous beautiful Princess Tamina (Gemma Arteron). Pressing the weapon handle top can turn back time briefly; misuse can release an apocolyptic sandstorm. Arabian nights desert scenery, sandstorms, venomous snake-wielding Hassassins, sword clashes, martial art conflicts, flying knives, shiny armor, fierce battles, massive explosions, falling stone, fiery pit, sacrifice ... gauzy flowing costumes, romantic glances, sweet kisses. Palette sandy, humor rare "welcome to search me for it", action over-the-top, emotion and wide-screen effects believable. song over lengthy credits is piercingly unpleasant; throughout was appropriately unobtrusive. <br />
<br />
Prince Garsiv (Tony Kebbell) has lean, narrow, few-days-growth almost-beard Joseph Fiennes style for brotherly resemblance, normally ignored in entertainment casting. Muscled body on fuller faces, very short hair, seems to be common lead look these days. Though attractive for models, I prefer more unique actors, especially with deep rumble-my-heartstring (not North American accent) voices. Eldest heir Tus (Richard Coyle) is not my style, but they make a fine trio. <br />
<br />
Spoilers: Shocking when all three Princes including Dastan, Ngbaka, and Tamina all die in turn. Tears swell. Entirely believable. The happy ending turning back time to save them relieves deeply. The luck to rewind just after the entrance to Alamut is the perfect point to start all over. Well done helping the viewer recognize with Dastan where we are in time. Though he meets Tamina without their history, his love is in his eyes, his gift of the dagger a hint that "We hardly know each other well enough. I look forward to the day that we do".<br />
<br />
Some films I saw (part) on TV first before finding DVD. Older DVDs have no extras, extras sometimes take more time than film itself, so regular play may be posted first. <br />
<br />
Bonus Features:<br />
Making of ..<br />
"Epic period piece" <br />
- Cast/ crew - first see person labelled by name title then bit bites illustrate words by example, hold attention even of ADHD <br />
- I watched 3x and could again <br />
- real sets, props, vipers, scorpions, hidden valley ahs one narrrow path <br />
- "exquisite detail" leather - cheese grater to age heavy costumes "feel like clothes" "look like paintings"<br />
- (Pirates of Carib. designer Penny Rose) <br />
- army of 500 not CGI<br />
- "fantastic craftmanship", 30 tries for Dagger, <br />
- all on the spot artisans hand-made <br />
- took Marrakesh metal, wood, materials to England Pinewood 007 studio (9/11 stages turned over 3-4 x = 30-40 sets), for duplicate castle<br />
- black-red warrior Nasaf Persia contrasts with Hindi gold-blue Alamut<br />
- "rewarding visually" stunning, film watchable without sound<br />
- genuine action in Morocco at hottest time, Aug over 100F, rain<br />
- "hysterical sequence", pro jockeys never on ostriches before<br />
- 3th-6th Century Morocco<br />
- "actual God-given action hero can fight, jump, clamber", swing, flip, bounce, climb, ride, "Parkour" from game <br />
- wires for safety, not stunt moves <br />
<br />
- 3 ads I ignored<br />
- we have to pay to get more ads? GAK. Why I frequent public libraries.<br />
- ads for Blue-Ray, sorry Blu-Ray, who cares, obsolete in months anyway.<br />
- I like previews I can choose, others I FF Fast-Forward.<br />
- Tron, I saw - fun effects, happy ending, no need to watch again<br />
- Toy Story 3 - Sunnyside Day Care has evil Teddy, traitor Ken, who trap our old favorites. I caught the last half on TV.<br />
<br />
Sneak Peeks:<br />
ad for DisneyRewards.com, Blu-Ray, Disney Zeke and Luther<br />
<a href="http://aneyespy.blogspot.ca/2012/01/dvd-sorcerers-apprentice.html">Sorcerer's Apprentice </a><br />
A Christmas Carol - animated musical, Jim Carrey as Ebenezer Scrooge<br />
Fantasia , Fantasia 2000, Destino short<br />
Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 talking dogs, too cute, for $50K show prize, "families are stronger together than we are alone"<br />
Lion King HD (once was bad enough)<br />
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AnEyeSpyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15445947638230896968noreply@blogger.com0