This weekend, Plainbellied and I saw three new movies. On Friday night, we watched "Rocky Balboa." Plainbellied had never seen "Rocky" until after we got married, and she's not very familiar with the earlier movies. I really like the first four, though (usually I pretend "Rocky V" never happened). Well, I'm not really into "Rocky II," but I really like "Rocky," "Rocky III," and "Rocky IV." I have to say that I enjoyed "Rocky Balboa." If you're not familiar, it follows the same basic storyline of "Rocky," but it's about life after Adrian and how Rocky tries to relate to his kid. It's a schmarmy, feel-good kind of movie, and I am not ashamed to say that I liked it. There are even a few memorable scenes where Rocky talks sense into his son. If I had a choice, though, I'd probably watch I, III, or IV before renting this one again.
On Saturday we saw "Hot Fuzz." It was amazing. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. If you've ever seen an action movie, then you may love it (noticeable influences are "Point Break" and "Bad Boys II"). The plot itself is engaging, if absurd, but it's really the dialogue that makes the film. It does start off a bit slow, but that's all right, because once it gets going, it doesn't really stop. There are a number of running gags, but they aren't annoying. The only caveats I'll make is that it is incredibly graphic in its depiction of violence, and there is a fair amount of cursing. It is definitely not a family movie. If you have a weak stomach, don't go. If that's not a problem for you, then you may have the same experience we did when we saw it in a filled theater where everyone was absolutely laughing their head off.
When we got home that night, we popped in "The Queen," which Plainbellied got from Netflix. Frankly, I didn't like it. It isn't my kind of film. I didn't like any of the characters. I never had any sympathy for Diana, even. More than anything, watching everyone interact made me wonder why the British would maintain the monarchy for so long. I'm not a fan of bowing and scraping. It particularly bothers me that when the Prime Minister, elected by the British people, goes to meet the Queen, he has to bow and he can't turn his back to walk out of the room, and he actually has to ask her permission to form a government. I realize these are all simply formalities, but come on! Why biology should be considered a reasonable way to choose a head of state is beyond me.
Plainbellied later confessed that she didn't realize that the whole movie was about Diana's death. She thought it was a biopic of Elizabeth II. I don't think she'll make that mistake again.
6 comments:
I find it even more peculiar that the huge country of Australia is basically subordinate to the queen of England. Australia is a democracy, of course, but the queen can decide to throw out the government and call for new election on a whim.
Now, THAT is beyond me, to have such a thing going on in the third millennium.
interesting point about lineage as a determining factor in leadership choice. hard to disagree. BUT look what democracy has thrown up. george w and tony. i mean COME ON! still you sound a reasonable sort of chap. perhaps you should do your side of the atlantic. and i'll do uk. fair enough?
I haven't seen the first two movies but saw the Queen and thought it good.
:)
Nava--I still can't understand why Australia and Canada have the queen on their money. I realize they're in the Commonwealth and all, but it does seem a bit strange to me.
Harpwales--You're right about Bush and Blair. The difference is that they had limited terms, and at the very least, the voters got what they deserved. Imagine GWB as president for as long as Elizabeth has been queen (didn't George III lose it at one point?). I do know that the queen is a figurehead, and that the UK is in fact a democracy. I mostly have a problem with wealth and privilege (the problem is that I don't have either).
Rhonda--Like I said, it just wasn't my type of movie. I do have Prime Suspect coming from Netflix, and that stars Helen Mirren (it actually figures in a minor plot point of Hot Fuzz).
very tricky issue our monarchy. and everyone in the uk will have their own take. for some its a piece of very expensive history, for others its an intolerabe affront to their rights as individuals. for most its a bit of colour on the tele that they can direct their affection/spleen at when there's no footy.
personally i think the succession will be interesting. as you rightly point out eii has been on the thrown for a long time. half a century in fact. and a particular half century that has seen big changes in the UK's relationship with the rest of the world. my hope is that when she does finally throw in the towel we'll see a reduction in the sovereign's role. hopefully william will keep a lower profile and be more business-like and less prone to donning the ceremonial frocks and the big hats. altho there is a quite a tradition of the latter over here. cf elton john.
we could of course cut her head off. we've done it before and that kind of helped her ancestors (except one) realise that they worked for us, rather than the other way round. but if we did that we'd have to restructure our whole system of government to prevent the likes of oleaginous little tone slithering to the very top and declaring himself god. now that would be expensive. and very risky.
the power and the money? can't argue with that. i don't have them either. but would you do the job? i sure as hell wouldn't.
hm that was a bit of a long 'un. more a post that a comment really. think i'll stick it on http://isthetruthoutthere.blogspot.com/
best
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