Thursday 28 May 2015

The Big Country

Question: How many people consider themselves to be a gentleman?
And what does it mean to actually be one? What ideals should you follow and how should you conduct yourself?
The answers seem pretty obvious. I like to think of myself as a gentleman and I try to hold myself to a high standard of conduct.
But this movie really shows it it means to be a gentleman.
It's the 1958 classic, The Big Country.

Thursday 14 May 2015

Batman Begins

I do not understand America's obsession with Batman.
Is it symbolic enough?
The guy is practically the definition of boring invincible hero. He knows every martial arts, is an expert in biochemistry, world's greatest detective, best weapons designer and can hack literally any computer system.
Also, his bat-belt has a bat-gadget for every bat-situation.
Don't get me wrong though, I do enjoy some Batman stories. The Justice League cartoon did a great job balancing him against the super-powered heroes. And the 'The Batman' cartoon was simply amazing.
Especially when Batgirl showed up
But at his core, Batman is rather silly. He's a guy who uses his billions of dollars to dress up as a bat and scare petty criminals.
It can work, but it has to be handled carefully.
This movie does not do that.

Thursday 7 May 2015

Basil The Great Mouse Detective

For a time through the late Seventies and most of the Eighties, Disney was obsessed with animals. Most of the Disney Animated Canon during this time were either movies about animals or anthro version of other stories (Such as Robin Hood). One of these was Basil the great mouse detective.
Obviously based on Poirot
Released in 1986 this movie saved Disney's animation studio following the debacle that was the Black Cauldron.
But is is actually any good? Or was it simply not terrible?
Personally I think it wasn't very good.