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for my moviegoing public - The Island
Dec. 22nd, 2005 12:03 pmHa! I've figured out how to get to the top of the Netflix new release list. Simply add the title to your queue the second you hear a whiff of a rumor that it's coming to video within the next 2 months. Thus I was able to see The Island only a week after its release (or maybe that was just because this isn't a very popular movie. Unlike The 40-year-old Virgin, which currently has a "very long wait." Poopie).
There may be some spoilers ahead, depending on how much you want to see this yourself. I get a headache trying to decide what someone would consider a spoiler, so no cuts.
I had but one reason to see this movie, and that obviously is my beloved Ewan. I thought Tery could appreciate it as well for Scarlett Johansson (who, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't kick out of bed for eating crackers either), but it was hopelessly too futuristic for her tastes (even the Mack trucks look like the Batmobile in this movie). I remember very well the original version, Parts: The Clonus Horror, or at least the MSTified version. I remember it was stupid beyond reckoning, but the MSTie treatment of it was proportionately hilarious. I also remember that was the episode that started my burgeoning (but relatively shortlived) obsession with Michael J. Nelson, he of the wanton writhing in hot pants and bucket hat.
The film actually has a very interesting premise: In the future, a shady company offers the obscenely wealthy the opportunity to buy themselves a clone, suitable for harvesting organs and bearing children for them. The problem is the project was a failure until the clones were allowed to develop sentience, something the clients are not told due to the obvious moral conflict that would create. The clones have no idea of the purpose for their existence, living their lives tranquilly in an underground bunker until they are lured from the general population by winning the lottery, or the chance to go live on The Island. Wacky hijinks ensue when Lincoln (Ewan) accidentally stumbles on the truth and he and Jordan (Scarlett) escape to the outside world, aided by their friend McCord (Steve Buscemi. I'm winking at YOU,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
swankyfunk).
There is great potential here to raise all sorts of questions on morality, humanity and what constitutes life, not that director Michael Bay worries his pretty little head with any of that. He opts instead for lots and lots of explosions. I sometimes wonder if he gets tired of making the same movie over and over again. Every Michael Bay movie has the exact same elements: Protracted, dazzlingly expensive car chase scene with maximum destruction of property: check. Someone drawing a gun in slow motion before blasting everything to Kingdom Come: check. Humongous explosion(s) resembling a nuclear holocaust, also in slow motion: check. *sigh* I'm not a big fan of action movies to begin with, and frankly here it's only taking time away from looking at Ewan, something I'm even less a fan of.
But unfortunately for me the few scenes where there is acting involved are so priceless that I will probably have to own this movie. Ewan and Scarlett are among Earth's most beautiful creatures, and I wouldn't have minded scrapping some of the stuff blowing up to make room for more kissing. The sight of her pushing him against a wall (I know the feeling, girlfriend) while he whispers, "I've never done this before" is worth the price alone. The sight of Ewan the clone (who is American) coming face to face with Ewan the client and trying to copy his Scottish accent is worth the price alone. Hell, the sight of Ewan in delicious little rectangular glasses is worth the price alone. (
) Ditto the sight of Ewan being caught in the men's room with Steve Buscemi in a compromising position. Plus the movie itself is pretty visually stunning, gratuitous fireballs notwithstanding.
3.5 out of 5, and the movie owes almost all of that to Ewan.
Totally unrelated (unless you want to stick with the whole "obsessions" theme), I made myself some Snape/NIN crossover icons, because I think the resemblance to Trent is undeniable:
I wanted one saying "He's a magic man" (you know, Heart), but Tery informs me this would be "queer." Like she's some kind of expert.
There may be some spoilers ahead, depending on how much you want to see this yourself. I get a headache trying to decide what someone would consider a spoiler, so no cuts.
I had but one reason to see this movie, and that obviously is my beloved Ewan. I thought Tery could appreciate it as well for Scarlett Johansson (who, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't kick out of bed for eating crackers either), but it was hopelessly too futuristic for her tastes (even the Mack trucks look like the Batmobile in this movie). I remember very well the original version, Parts: The Clonus Horror, or at least the MSTified version. I remember it was stupid beyond reckoning, but the MSTie treatment of it was proportionately hilarious. I also remember that was the episode that started my burgeoning (but relatively shortlived) obsession with Michael J. Nelson, he of the wanton writhing in hot pants and bucket hat.
The film actually has a very interesting premise: In the future, a shady company offers the obscenely wealthy the opportunity to buy themselves a clone, suitable for harvesting organs and bearing children for them. The problem is the project was a failure until the clones were allowed to develop sentience, something the clients are not told due to the obvious moral conflict that would create. The clones have no idea of the purpose for their existence, living their lives tranquilly in an underground bunker until they are lured from the general population by winning the lottery, or the chance to go live on The Island. Wacky hijinks ensue when Lincoln (Ewan) accidentally stumbles on the truth and he and Jordan (Scarlett) escape to the outside world, aided by their friend McCord (Steve Buscemi. I'm winking at YOU,
swankyfunk).There is great potential here to raise all sorts of questions on morality, humanity and what constitutes life, not that director Michael Bay worries his pretty little head with any of that. He opts instead for lots and lots of explosions. I sometimes wonder if he gets tired of making the same movie over and over again. Every Michael Bay movie has the exact same elements: Protracted, dazzlingly expensive car chase scene with maximum destruction of property: check. Someone drawing a gun in slow motion before blasting everything to Kingdom Come: check. Humongous explosion(s) resembling a nuclear holocaust, also in slow motion: check. *sigh* I'm not a big fan of action movies to begin with, and frankly here it's only taking time away from looking at Ewan, something I'm even less a fan of.
But unfortunately for me the few scenes where there is acting involved are so priceless that I will probably have to own this movie. Ewan and Scarlett are among Earth's most beautiful creatures, and I wouldn't have minded scrapping some of the stuff blowing up to make room for more kissing. The sight of her pushing him against a wall (I know the feeling, girlfriend) while he whispers, "I've never done this before" is worth the price alone. The sight of Ewan the clone (who is American) coming face to face with Ewan the client and trying to copy his Scottish accent is worth the price alone. Hell, the sight of Ewan in delicious little rectangular glasses is worth the price alone. (
) Ditto the sight of Ewan being caught in the men's room with Steve Buscemi in a compromising position. Plus the movie itself is pretty visually stunning, gratuitous fireballs notwithstanding.3.5 out of 5, and the movie owes almost all of that to Ewan.
Totally unrelated (unless you want to stick with the whole "obsessions" theme), I made myself some Snape/NIN crossover icons, because I think the resemblance to Trent is undeniable:
I wanted one saying "He's a magic man" (you know, Heart), but Tery informs me this would be "queer." Like she's some kind of expert.
