As usual, I worked late last night. One of my three bosses, the Flyin' Hawaiian, the amazing Sid Kanazawa, is preparing for a summary judgment motion to be heard on Monday. He's one of those guys who you don't think is on the beam and then out of nowhere -- BLAM. Brilliance!! I like being around that.
Anway, I left work, tired but work buzzed. On a whim, I decided to catch "Sin City" at the Gazillion-Plex near Reseda.
I'm a huge fan of Frank Miller, or at least, I used to be. I was remiss when you guys came to the CP here in not showing you my comic book collection in the garage. Doesn't make sense that I didn't, because I'm scared of my garage and don't venture in there unless it's daytime, I absolutely have to and there's a man around. I should have taken advantage of men being about.
In the dreaded garage, I have the whole 50th anniversary year of Batman all wrapped in plastic. Batman was great, but I really fell in love with Frank Miller's way with a comic book reading "Elektra:Assassin."
Beside Miller's mastery of infusing cliches with new life, there was the stoner abstract artwork by Bill Sienkiewicz. I was dating The Psycho-Jeff at the time (before the "psycho" part escaped its restraints). He was the one who got me into comics hardcore enough to collect the boxes-full protected in my garage. We read Elektra together on our stomachs on the bed, feet playing tap tap in the air. Ahhhh. Good times.
After The Psycho-Jeff fell away from my life, so did the collection of comics and Frank Miller. My loss. The comics. Not The Psycho-Jeff. He liked to hit, which considering my size, is something a man has to be committed to. I digress.
And then I walked into the movie theatre last night.
OMG. I've felt that way about only three other movies..."Star Wars" (the first one), "The Matrix" and "House of Flying Daggers." Something different. Art on screen moving for my pleasure.
Every frame of "Sin City" is a comic book page. Vignettes of hard-boiled reprehensible violence, mayhem and cruelty in black and white with hints and slashes and gashes of color. Live action comics for geeks like me, who can accept hearing words rather than reading them in the bubble on the side. Not easy to do. My head-voice for those bubbles is always better, richer than what usually transpires in comics-to-screen movies. Everyone spoke in my head-voice perfectly. The one who didn't, Rosario Dawson, I didn't so much mind. Though not in the comic book cadence everyone else was delivering, it worked for her.
Mickey Rourke -- friggin' Mickey Rourke -- is a revelation. He always had it in him, I know, but did I think he'd ever get another chance to show it? No. Hell, no. I, and apparently everyone else in this company town, haven't thought about him in a decade. He was troubled and trouble and everyone knew it. Plus, the plastic surgery, boxing...were just creepy. I've never seen him in a movie where he didn't look like he needed to be rinsed off. But for this. For this. If he doesn't get nominated for something, it's a travesty.
For we women, Clive Owen. He reminds me of Gregory Peck for some reason. For we women, Bruce Willis. Not so much him, but his character, the against all odds rescuer.
For the guys. You lucky guys. For Carla Gugino strutting around naked with a gun, it's worth it. For the aforementioned Rosario in nearly nothing, (also with a gun)... For Jamie King, sheet wrapped around her before being bedded, all blond curls and round ass... Jessica Alba in chaps... Little Rory Gilmore unimpressed by dicks... Brittany Murphy in undies, a man's shirt and heels... Devon Aoki's ass kicking...
Guys! Trust me. It's worth it.
Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller directed. Rodriguez relinquished his membership in the Director's Guild to direct the film with Miller. Apparently, the DGA doesn't permit a member to direct with a non-member. (The previous sentence is incorrect. The DGA wouldn't give Miller credit as co-director.) So Rodriguez GAVE UP HIS MEMBERSHIP! Moxie move in this company town. I think I love him.
Gripes: Heavy voiceovers, but considering the source to which they were stringently faithful... A little disjointed. Repetitious. Only one Rutger Hauer scene.
I recommend this movie. Even if you don't like it, I don't think you'd be able to say it was 2 hours lost.
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Sin City
Dave and I went to see Sin City on Friday night.
Oh
My
God
We both walked out of there feeling stripped raw and every nerve-end tingling. It may not have been perfect, but it has to be one of the most must-see movies of all time.
*points upwards* Everything Sherl said, especially about Mickey Rourke. I got so lost in his storyline I forgot I was watching a movie. It felt more like peeking in on someone's life. Someone really fucked up, but nevertheless...
I just have to add: Elijah Wood being about as un-Frodo-like as you can possibly imagine.
Nick Stahl - that boy is definitely going to go places. John Connor was a fairly straight-forward sort of character. Then in Carnivale he's shown huge versatility as Ben Hawkins, and now in Sin City he just creeped me out so much he made my skin crawl.
I've read reviews that said it was too heavy-handed - and I guess it was, from a certain perspective. But if you forget you're watching a movie and instead imagine yourself reading a graphic novel - this is it. It was a comic book put on the screen in all its glory, and they nailed it. Dead on.
Sin City
You know, I wasnt a huge fan of Sin City...Ok like its super original and stuff, but for me, it just past the level of violence and darkness...I dont know, maybe im just a wimp.
2ndly, you were amazed by "House of Flying Dagger?" I rented it the other day with friends and we were very "eh" after watching it. I mean I liked it, but to compare it to the others?
(im not nay saying, just asking your reasoning behind it, hell maybe help me see something that I missed)
Lastly, i just saw "Kung Fu Hustle"....omg i havent laughed so hard in a long time. ITS SO FUNNY!
Sin City
Oh. Em. Gee. My friend Mary and I want to see that sooo bad.
...
Yes, we're Asian obsessed :oops:
Sin City
I actually took Robin to see Sin City while he was out here. I was (of course) in love from first frame to last. I have read, devoured, and adored Miller in the past and this movie was Miller brought to life in all it's gory glory. So good I fear I shall never see it's equal. A comic book movie that was fully immersed in the feeling and wonder that make comics the special, unforgettable medium they are.
Alright, my inner geek got a bit carried away there, but hey...it really was an awesome cinematic achievement.
Sin City
Ok, I know sometimes I am on the slow boat to China, but I (finally) recently saw Sin City and in three words, it was amazing!
If you, like me, live under a rock, crawl out immediately and go see this one. Elijah Wood was the most disturbing character and I loved every moment.
And referring to Heather's comment about Nick Stahl, on a not so coherent note, did anyone else know that the rumor is they are NOT renewing Carnivale for a third season?
I know and I agree... they are out of their friggin' minds! Sad, but hopefully not true.
Sin City
Oh, no. Say it ain't so!!
Sin City
I've not seen the show but I heard about the cancellation on the BBC Cult website earlier this month.