Slipping Down the Slope

"Somewhere Hitler smiles. They say that he killed the disabled and the sick (not to mention the Jews) for all the wrong reasons, but if in fact there is no wrong or right, no objective truth, then all that really matters is that he did kill them, which by the standards of contemporary ethics, makes him a visionary."
~Dean Koontz, One Door Away from Heaven, Chapter 41

Look Out, Stranger...

If you like to watch old western movies because you like them, you like to make fun of them, or both, you're liable to split a seam watching this. It's from an old WWII movie called Starlift, which was basically an entertainment show for the troops. The movie's not great, but this song and one other comedic performance are funny.

Pertaining To The More the Merrier

Mr. Dingle (Charles Coburn) is an amiable older gentleman who shows up in Washington D.C. to help with the housing problem. WWII is well underway, and the capitol city is literally over-flowing with people trying to do their patriotic duty. One such person is young, unmarried Constance Milligan (Jean Arthur). To help with the housing shortage, she advertizes to sublet half her apartment - and Mr. Dingle finagles his way in. Soon he decides that she needs a "high-type, clean-cut, nice young fellow." So he finagles his way further into her life by renting half of his half of the apartment to a young man named Sgt. Joe Carter (Joel McCrea). Who happens to be a high-type, clean-cut, nice young fellow. And very much available.

This is very definitely a "screwball" comedy. The storyline verges on the ridiculous, and everything is very much accelerated. (Though that seems to be the case in most romantic comedies; how do people fall in love that fast?) At the same time, a suspicious-minded person would call it "propaganda." Connie repeatedly says that subletting half her apartment is her "patriotic duty" - the implication being thus: Who knows what wonderful things could happen to you if you did your patriotic duty?

Ultimately, there were three things that sold me on this movie. First, it's one of those hilarious romantic comedies that very much follows the formula: One has an idiot significant other, but is thrown together with a different person due to unforeseen and unescapable circumstances. In just a few short days, the one and the different other find that they're in love, but neither wants to ruin anything by striking up a real relationship. And the list of the other romcom elements goes on. However, this movie is cleaner than most modern romantic comedies, though it has no fewer funny scenes. Second, I've seen the lead actor in another movie and really liked him. He's not a great actor, but I like the characters he portrays. Third, the characters are lovable. Connie is the sweetest thing. Joe is not quite as "high-type" as Mr. Dingle thinks, but he's still a good man. And Mr. Dingle is the perfect picture of a meddlesome older man who thinks he knows best for everyone - and really does.

My Rating: OK (thematic elements, very mild sexual content and references)

Now I'm Getting Interested...

Just a few thoughts on this new trailer.

Originally, my reaction to The Amazing Spider-Man was: ugh. Too dark. I like the Christian Bale Batman movies, but I draw the line at Spider-Man. I've never read the comics. However, I am a huge fan of Tobey Maguire's depiction. He's a bit annoying and dorky at times, yet Peter's a good kid trying to figure out what to do with these crazy-sweet powers that got dumped in his lap. That's my favorite thing about the Spider-Man trilogy, and what sets it apart from movies like, say, the Batman movies (two so far), the X-Men movies (I've seen four), the Avengers movies (five so far)... need I go on?

This trailer looks more like my idea of Spider-Man. He's fresh, dorky, and cocky like a typical teenaged boy. Granted, he helps create a monster (at least it seems that way), and then decides that he needs to fix it. That's not exactly on the to-do list for every teenager. But life is the unfolding of sin, atonement, redemption, and salvation. Why should movies be any different? I'll be interested to see whether the filmmakers can stick to the "hero-out-to-fix-his-mistakes" thing while still holding onto Peter's (apparently) goofy personality...

Soft Openings

Okay, so you know that part in Ocean's Thirteen when some of them are trying to explain a "soft" opening to Saul? A soft opening is basically a preview of the big opening - like a test drive. If there are bugs in the system somewhere, they can be ironed out by management and staff before the real opening comes with its requisite fireworks and flashing lights. Well, that concept is now being applied to Super Bowl commercials.

I kid you not. Just look at IMDb for the preview of the Avengers preview that will be broadcast during the Super Bowl. Seriously? A preview of the preview? There are other commercials posted online, too. Six of this year's commercials are right here. Where's the fun in that? The surprise is the best part of the commercials. Remember the Bud Light axe murderer one? Or the E*Trade baby? Little Darth Vader?

Feedback is the only thing going for this whole "soft opening" idea. Maybe companies can look at ratings on youtube and avoid showing certain commercials during the Super Bowl. Remember Doritos and Pepsi from last year? Crude. Most of the others were just flat-out boring.

But if you're going to put them out there for general consumption before the Super Bowl, it defeats the purpose. Everybody talks about the commercials after the Super Bowl - that's the point of the whole thing for people who aren't football fans. If the commercials have already been seen and digested by most or even some of the populace, doesn't that take a little magic from the moment when they're seen on TV?

For the record, I've seen just one of the 2012 Super Bowl commercials to which I have linked. I'm saving the rest for the day itself. Oh, and one more thing. GO GIANTS!