The Flick: The Hunger Games
The Peeps: Jennifer Lawrence, Stanley Tucci, Wes Bentley, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Josh Hutcherson, Woody Harrelson, Lenny Kravitz, Jack Quaid (yep, Dennis' son), Donald Sutherland, etc.
The Dealio: Read the first in the series. Not a huge fan. Went to see the movie to see what 'they' did with the material. For those who never read the book, briefly, 74 years ago, as punishment for an devastating uprising, once a year, every district in Panam is required to participate in The Reaping, when one boy and one girl (garnered from those between the ages of 12 and 18) are selected to enter the Hunger Games. These are a series of increasingly violent encounters between the tributes from each district. There can be only one survivor. That survivor wins a lifetime of luxury and indulgence for him/her self and some sort of benefit to their district, as well. The heroine of this story is Katniss Everdene, a tough, resilient and resourceful girl who has been the mainstay of her family since her father died and her mother took a leave of absence from her responsibilities in keeping the family in food, shelter and something to trade to obtain what is needed. In this daily struggle, Katniss is assisted by Gale, another experienced-beyond-his-years teenager, who offers her advice and support and accompanies her on her outings to locate and capture something for them to eat and barter. Gale approaches the idea of the Reaping with philosophical acceptance: he has put his name in so many times (42 times this year alone) to obtain food for his own family, that he knows he will be chosen. Katniss worries about her younger sister, Primrose, who, at 12, is set to experience her first Reaping. When Prim is selected in the lottery, Katniss volunteers to stand in for her. Then Peeta, a baker's son, who has nourished a long-standing crush on Katniss, is chosen as the male tribute from District 12. Aaaand, they are off to The Capitol to prep for and participate in the Hunger Games.
The Grading Session: 3.41 pengies out of 5. First of all, this movie is too long (stop me if you've heard this from me before). The casting was cracker-jack and everyone did extremely well with their roles. Question: Does Donald Sutherland ever play a nice guy, or even a semi-okay guy, any more? I did notice that, ahem, some of the more seasoned actors seemed to rush their lines a bit- very distracting. However, when I compare this film with the Twilight ones, I must say that I prefer the strong and feisty Katniss as a young female role-model over the simpering, I-am-nothing-without-my man(er, vampire), Bella Swan. Pul-eez.
I also found the musical selections quite intriguing. I saw Lawrence in Winter Bone (fabulous, harrowing. Another hard-scrabble role, so you know the girl can definitely bring it), which was set in the Appalachians. The sound track for THG had a definite, apt and sinuous Appalachian tang to it as well. Which I loved.
Your mileage may differ.
Lessons Learned: Well, here's a big and revealing one: apparently, defying common sense and science, CG and holographic conjurings CAN hurt you. In fact, they can pretty thoroughly kill you. And I don't mean by scaring you to death. Apparently, the laws of physics and reason cease to exist in the Arena. Also, this: it seems that the court (or at least the style of the court) of Louis XVI is alive and well in Panam.
Notable Quotables: 'Happy Hunger Games!' 'May the odds be ever in your favor!'
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Maphead
The Book: Maphead: Charting The Wide, Weird World of Geography Wonks
The Writer: Ken Jennings (Yep, that Ken Jennings. The one who lasted over 6 months on Jeopardy!)
The Dealio: Ken Jennings is a maphead, and he not only doesn't care who knows it, he is proud to be so labeled. Whether you care about maps and geography (My name is Susan and I am a maphead married to a maphead) or not, this book pulls you into the incredibly secretive, intriguingly complex world of the cartophiliac. My own mapheadedness takes a peculiarly mild form: I love maps, love looking at maps, admiring especially beautiful maps, no matter the subject. But, be so ill-advised as to put a Thomas's guide in my hand and ask me to navigate to the nearest park...and forget it. Might as well ask a one year old for driving directions. One famous statement my husband still trots out from time to time is my instruction to him to 'Turn up! We're going north, so turn up.' He actually had to pull the car over so he could regain control of the steering wheel, his laughter was so volcanic. None-the-less, I dove into this book with great zeal. Starting with the National Geographic Bee (hosted by none other than Alex Trebek), and moving swiftly, almost seamlessly, through the history of maps, map trading, geo-caching and the evolution and widespread use of GPS, this is a wonderful, well, road trip book. Chock full of personal anecdotes, history and science, but rendered in a smoothly engaging way, this is more than a dry throwback to elementary school. It is a celebration of all things map-related. And you will be surprised, I think, by just how many things actually ARE map-related.
The Grading Session: 4.61 pengies out of 5. A few debits for too many "NOTE:" entries. I have both the audio version and the text version (well, you would, wouldn't you, in a product called Maphead? Gotta see those map-ages). My one quibble with the audio version is that the reader- who, overall , is pretty good- mispronounces a number of fairly common words. But, as I said, this is a quibble- and a minor one at that.
Lessons Learned: Geography is not just maps. It encompasses things as diverse as politics, war, science, agriculture, history, seasons, astronomy, finance, religion, art and even music. Who knew? Oh. Right. Geographers.
The Writer: Ken Jennings (Yep, that Ken Jennings. The one who lasted over 6 months on Jeopardy!)
The Dealio: Ken Jennings is a maphead, and he not only doesn't care who knows it, he is proud to be so labeled. Whether you care about maps and geography (My name is Susan and I am a maphead married to a maphead) or not, this book pulls you into the incredibly secretive, intriguingly complex world of the cartophiliac. My own mapheadedness takes a peculiarly mild form: I love maps, love looking at maps, admiring especially beautiful maps, no matter the subject. But, be so ill-advised as to put a Thomas's guide in my hand and ask me to navigate to the nearest park...and forget it. Might as well ask a one year old for driving directions. One famous statement my husband still trots out from time to time is my instruction to him to 'Turn up! We're going north, so turn up.' He actually had to pull the car over so he could regain control of the steering wheel, his laughter was so volcanic. None-the-less, I dove into this book with great zeal. Starting with the National Geographic Bee (hosted by none other than Alex Trebek), and moving swiftly, almost seamlessly, through the history of maps, map trading, geo-caching and the evolution and widespread use of GPS, this is a wonderful, well, road trip book. Chock full of personal anecdotes, history and science, but rendered in a smoothly engaging way, this is more than a dry throwback to elementary school. It is a celebration of all things map-related. And you will be surprised, I think, by just how many things actually ARE map-related.
The Grading Session: 4.61 pengies out of 5. A few debits for too many "NOTE:" entries. I have both the audio version and the text version (well, you would, wouldn't you, in a product called Maphead? Gotta see those map-ages). My one quibble with the audio version is that the reader- who, overall , is pretty good- mispronounces a number of fairly common words. But, as I said, this is a quibble- and a minor one at that.
Lessons Learned: Geography is not just maps. It encompasses things as diverse as politics, war, science, agriculture, history, seasons, astronomy, finance, religion, art and even music. Who knew? Oh. Right. Geographers.
Unbroken
The Book: Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption
The Writer: Laura Hillenbrand
The Dealio: This true-life tale of Louis Zamperini reads like fiction: as a boy, Louie was the scourge of the neighborhood, scrapping, stealing, smoking and roving the area like an orphaned bear-cub. But an inspired idea from his older brother- running- changed all that, and Louis, forever. As a young man, he represented the US at the Berlin Olympics, signed on for the US Air Force as a bomber, was shot down, survived life on a raft for the longest period of time then recorded only to become a POW at a series of ever worsening facilities and endured being the subject of the particular attentions of a sadistic camp commander. Yet, through all of this, Zamerini remained defiantly unbroken. And still remains so to this day. At the age of 93, Louie continues to live his life with zest, grit and spirit. Now, thanks to Hillenbrand's book- which reads, at times, like a fictional thriller- you can get to meet Louie Zamperini, too.
The Grading Session: 4.99 pengies out of 5. A wildly readable book, at times there seemed a bit too much repetition and detail attached to some scenes. A totally unnecessary gilding of this particular lily, as Louie's story stands strong and proud on its own. I found that I simply could not put this book down. Every time I tried, it kept beaming me signals to just give in and read a few more pages. I so love this in a book!
Lessons Learned: One really big one: the human spirit is an unreasonably, improbably unsquashable thing. Then, too, this one: do not judge a book by its cover, or a person by their physical size: there is just as much room for courage, bravery and defiant spirit in a physically tiny person as in a muscle-bound giant. Lastly this: the desire for respect and dignity can drive a person to endure against all odds, once everything else has been stripped away. It is the hunger for those two things which gives us that extra strength to carry on.
The Writer: Laura Hillenbrand
The Dealio: This true-life tale of Louis Zamperini reads like fiction: as a boy, Louie was the scourge of the neighborhood, scrapping, stealing, smoking and roving the area like an orphaned bear-cub. But an inspired idea from his older brother- running- changed all that, and Louis, forever. As a young man, he represented the US at the Berlin Olympics, signed on for the US Air Force as a bomber, was shot down, survived life on a raft for the longest period of time then recorded only to become a POW at a series of ever worsening facilities and endured being the subject of the particular attentions of a sadistic camp commander. Yet, through all of this, Zamerini remained defiantly unbroken. And still remains so to this day. At the age of 93, Louie continues to live his life with zest, grit and spirit. Now, thanks to Hillenbrand's book- which reads, at times, like a fictional thriller- you can get to meet Louie Zamperini, too.
The Grading Session: 4.99 pengies out of 5. A wildly readable book, at times there seemed a bit too much repetition and detail attached to some scenes. A totally unnecessary gilding of this particular lily, as Louie's story stands strong and proud on its own. I found that I simply could not put this book down. Every time I tried, it kept beaming me signals to just give in and read a few more pages. I so love this in a book!
Lessons Learned: One really big one: the human spirit is an unreasonably, improbably unsquashable thing. Then, too, this one: do not judge a book by its cover, or a person by their physical size: there is just as much room for courage, bravery and defiant spirit in a physically tiny person as in a muscle-bound giant. Lastly this: the desire for respect and dignity can drive a person to endure against all odds, once everything else has been stripped away. It is the hunger for those two things which gives us that extra strength to carry on.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The Iron Lady
The Flick: The Iron Lady
The Peeps: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, etc.
The Dealio: This is your life, Baroness Margaret Thatcher. Sort of. Told in a random scattering of back-and-forthing, the retired and largely reclusive Thatcher meanders between the mists of Swiss-cheesy memories (and, it is strongly suggested, in the grip of some unnamed neurological disorder) and the threatening present, where things just do not make sense in any way she can understand. She spends long periods of time in the company of- and being alternately scolded and cheered on by- the ghost of her long-gone spouse, Denis. When, she seems to wordlessly wonder, did everything and everyone pass her by?
The Grading Session: Out of a possible 5 pengies: 4.31 pengies for the story, 5.0 pengies for the acting. There were a couple of deficits in the film: 1st, one minute Thatcher is a young, inexperienced female from the country who dares to challenge the male establishment. Then, seemingly overnight, she marries Denis and gets elected. I am pretty sure a few things happened in between (like her becoming a barrister and a chemist, having twins, struggling through some political contests before getting a few smaller wins). Also- and this is just for me, as an under-informed Yank: how about a catch up at the end to tell us what happened since the movie ended? I do so love this detail whenever a flick is based upon a real-life personage. I also felt the film dragged in a few places (loads of scenes of her puttering around, messing with Denis' belongings, watching TV or old films and listening to The King and I. Could we not have lost some of those in favor of the holes I groused about above?), Editing is a wondrous, powerful thing. Lastly, I never cease to be amazed by Streep's embodiment of her roles. Whether it is Maggie Thatcher or an Abba-happy bohemian, she scarfs down the essence of her peeps and makes them her own. Brava. Again.
Lessons Learned: On your way up, remember your family. Later on, you will surely be glad you did. They are the ones who are for you, even first thing in the morning, when you are at far from your best and others are against you. All else is fleeting. Lastly this: apparently, departed spouses drink cocktails- and mix them, too- dance beautifully and can be sent packing by loud music and TV shows. Who knew?
Notable Quotables: Margaret Thatcher: Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become... habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become.
The Peeps: Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent, etc.
The Dealio: This is your life, Baroness Margaret Thatcher. Sort of. Told in a random scattering of back-and-forthing, the retired and largely reclusive Thatcher meanders between the mists of Swiss-cheesy memories (and, it is strongly suggested, in the grip of some unnamed neurological disorder) and the threatening present, where things just do not make sense in any way she can understand. She spends long periods of time in the company of- and being alternately scolded and cheered on by- the ghost of her long-gone spouse, Denis. When, she seems to wordlessly wonder, did everything and everyone pass her by?
The Grading Session: Out of a possible 5 pengies: 4.31 pengies for the story, 5.0 pengies for the acting. There were a couple of deficits in the film: 1st, one minute Thatcher is a young, inexperienced female from the country who dares to challenge the male establishment. Then, seemingly overnight, she marries Denis and gets elected. I am pretty sure a few things happened in between (like her becoming a barrister and a chemist, having twins, struggling through some political contests before getting a few smaller wins). Also- and this is just for me, as an under-informed Yank: how about a catch up at the end to tell us what happened since the movie ended? I do so love this detail whenever a flick is based upon a real-life personage. I also felt the film dragged in a few places (loads of scenes of her puttering around, messing with Denis' belongings, watching TV or old films and listening to The King and I. Could we not have lost some of those in favor of the holes I groused about above?), Editing is a wondrous, powerful thing. Lastly, I never cease to be amazed by Streep's embodiment of her roles. Whether it is Maggie Thatcher or an Abba-happy bohemian, she scarfs down the essence of her peeps and makes them her own. Brava. Again.
Lessons Learned: On your way up, remember your family. Later on, you will surely be glad you did. They are the ones who are for you, even first thing in the morning, when you are at far from your best and others are against you. All else is fleeting. Lastly this: apparently, departed spouses drink cocktails- and mix them, too- dance beautifully and can be sent packing by loud music and TV shows. Who knew?
Notable Quotables: Margaret Thatcher: Watch your thoughts for they become words. Watch your words for they become actions. Watch your actions for they become... habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. And watch your character, for it becomes your destiny! What we think we become.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
We Bought A Zoo
The Flick: We Bought A Zoo
The Peeps: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johanssen, Thomas Haden Church, Elle Fanning, Patrick Fugit, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, John Michael Higgins, etc.
The Dealio: Relatively new widower (Damon), uproots his family from life in the big city to a more...rustic setting: a lovely old property, off the beaten, compleat with the zoo of the title. Along the way, we get to deal with the predictably ticked off at all the changes teenager,(Colin Ford), the myriad nay-sayers, the block-headed bureaucrat who has a fetishistic relationship with his automatic measuring tape, the peppy, spirited, can-do adorable young 'un and a motley cast of misfit support-crew. Not that there is anything wrong with this. There is comfort at seeing something a bit predictable -especially at the holidays. However, it would be a mistake to dismiss this as a sub-par or bad film. It is not. It is what I refer to as a palate-cleanser: once we have had our eye-sockets expanded by the special effects of Mission Impossible, our stomachs clenched by The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and our minds pretzeled by Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, it is a fine thing to just enjoy a charming and engaging story, with oodles of high notes, expertly acted.
The Grading Session: 4.36 pengies out of 5. However...there is really no excuse for this to be an over two-hours' long palate-cleanser. And- sorry, Cameron Crowe, but you just can not make Scarlett seem everyday and plain by putting her in work clothes and minimising her make-up. Still, if you are in the mood for a comfort-food type flick, this would be my suggestion. Your mileage may differ.
Lessons Learned: All San Diego County references to the contrary, the Rosemore Animal Park is actually in England. My companion at the screening kept saying 'We are definitely going to check this out; why haven't we already discovered this one?! We totally rule at staycations, so, this one would be a natural.' But, not if it is in England. Plus this: Thomas Haden Church is totally incapable of sloughing off in even a minor role. Another leveraged-into-superb supporting job.
Notable Quotables: From Benjamin Mee: You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it. (This is one I happen to agree with..which)
The Peeps: Matt Damon, Scarlett Johanssen, Thomas Haden Church, Elle Fanning, Patrick Fugit, Maggie Elizabeth Jones, John Michael Higgins, etc.
The Dealio: Relatively new widower (Damon), uproots his family from life in the big city to a more...rustic setting: a lovely old property, off the beaten, compleat with the zoo of the title. Along the way, we get to deal with the predictably ticked off at all the changes teenager,(Colin Ford), the myriad nay-sayers, the block-headed bureaucrat who has a fetishistic relationship with his automatic measuring tape, the peppy, spirited, can-do adorable young 'un and a motley cast of misfit support-crew. Not that there is anything wrong with this. There is comfort at seeing something a bit predictable -especially at the holidays. However, it would be a mistake to dismiss this as a sub-par or bad film. It is not. It is what I refer to as a palate-cleanser: once we have had our eye-sockets expanded by the special effects of Mission Impossible, our stomachs clenched by The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and our minds pretzeled by Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, it is a fine thing to just enjoy a charming and engaging story, with oodles of high notes, expertly acted.
The Grading Session: 4.36 pengies out of 5. However...there is really no excuse for this to be an over two-hours' long palate-cleanser. And- sorry, Cameron Crowe, but you just can not make Scarlett seem everyday and plain by putting her in work clothes and minimising her make-up. Still, if you are in the mood for a comfort-food type flick, this would be my suggestion. Your mileage may differ.
Lessons Learned: All San Diego County references to the contrary, the Rosemore Animal Park is actually in England. My companion at the screening kept saying 'We are definitely going to check this out; why haven't we already discovered this one?! We totally rule at staycations, so, this one would be a natural.' But, not if it is in England. Plus this: Thomas Haden Church is totally incapable of sloughing off in even a minor role. Another leveraged-into-superb supporting job.
Notable Quotables: From Benjamin Mee: You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it. (This is one I happen to agree with..which)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The Flick: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)
The Peeps: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, Robin Wright, Joely Richardson, Goran Visnjic, Geraldine James, etc.
The Dealio: For those totally unfamiliar with the gig: under-a-cloud journalist Mika Blomqvist (Craig) is hired by an aging industrialist (Plummer) to retreat to his country estate under the guise of writing a family history. But his real assignment is much murkier and more perilous: he is to find out what happened to his client's grand-niece, who disappeared over 30 years ago, and whom he fears is dead. At the hand of another family member. Blomqvist accepts the job and its myriad challenges, and finds more than he bargained for in the prickly, mysterious and troubled research assistant, Lisbeth Salander- the Girl of the title. Through many twists and turns- often quite violent, Blomqvist frequently takes a backseat, as Lisbeth arises to assume center stage. In fact, as in the first book, Salander makes for an quick decision for the reader/audience. Either you like her and bond with her immediately. Or you do not- in which case, most likely, you will not finish the story in either format. It was a source of great disappointment to me that, after coming down firmly as one of the first (I really did like her. Understand her? No. Not really or completely. But I did admire her determination and sheer guts), I found the 2nd and 3rd installments of both books and the Swedish movies to have Salander sidelined for the bulk of those treatments.
The Grading Session: 4.59 pengies out of 5. Again, really too long. Of course, the book was about 800 pages, so...yeah, that's really a load of source material. Given the huge job of condensing it down, and being fair to all concerned, I believe the casting was terrific and a wonderful fit. Mara's Salander, visually and verbally was more apt and a better fit to me. I did not understand why some of the pay-offs to plot were munched and tweaked. Especially when one major one made no sense what so ever. But, I chose not to dwell on those, since, taken as a whole, this was a worthy effort. I would be interested, however, to see if the follow-ups are actually made, and what their reception will be, if they are. The soundtrack was tip-top, if predictable. Nice job, Trent. However, Sweden didn't fare as well, and I find myself oddly reluctant to spend any time there. It- in this movie, at least- was a mad mash-up of Gotham City and Whoville. What's up with that? As always, your mileage may differ.
Lessons Learned: All together now: don't judge a book by the cover. Everyone assumes something about Salander that makes her not only beneath consideration or even common courtesy, but also eminently dismissible. Also this: I am in awe of anyone who actually understands about 1/2 of the things Salander is able to do with computers.
Notable Quotables: Armansky :'She is...different.' Frode: 'Different in what way?' Armansky: 'Different in...every way.' Vanger: 'Bring your drink. Leave my knife.'
The Peeps: Rooney Mara, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgard, Robin Wright, Joely Richardson, Goran Visnjic, Geraldine James, etc.
The Dealio: For those totally unfamiliar with the gig: under-a-cloud journalist Mika Blomqvist (Craig) is hired by an aging industrialist (Plummer) to retreat to his country estate under the guise of writing a family history. But his real assignment is much murkier and more perilous: he is to find out what happened to his client's grand-niece, who disappeared over 30 years ago, and whom he fears is dead. At the hand of another family member. Blomqvist accepts the job and its myriad challenges, and finds more than he bargained for in the prickly, mysterious and troubled research assistant, Lisbeth Salander- the Girl of the title. Through many twists and turns- often quite violent, Blomqvist frequently takes a backseat, as Lisbeth arises to assume center stage. In fact, as in the first book, Salander makes for an quick decision for the reader/audience. Either you like her and bond with her immediately. Or you do not- in which case, most likely, you will not finish the story in either format. It was a source of great disappointment to me that, after coming down firmly as one of the first (I really did like her. Understand her? No. Not really or completely. But I did admire her determination and sheer guts), I found the 2nd and 3rd installments of both books and the Swedish movies to have Salander sidelined for the bulk of those treatments.
The Grading Session: 4.59 pengies out of 5. Again, really too long. Of course, the book was about 800 pages, so...yeah, that's really a load of source material. Given the huge job of condensing it down, and being fair to all concerned, I believe the casting was terrific and a wonderful fit. Mara's Salander, visually and verbally was more apt and a better fit to me. I did not understand why some of the pay-offs to plot were munched and tweaked. Especially when one major one made no sense what so ever. But, I chose not to dwell on those, since, taken as a whole, this was a worthy effort. I would be interested, however, to see if the follow-ups are actually made, and what their reception will be, if they are. The soundtrack was tip-top, if predictable. Nice job, Trent. However, Sweden didn't fare as well, and I find myself oddly reluctant to spend any time there. It- in this movie, at least- was a mad mash-up of Gotham City and Whoville. What's up with that? As always, your mileage may differ.
Lessons Learned: All together now: don't judge a book by the cover. Everyone assumes something about Salander that makes her not only beneath consideration or even common courtesy, but also eminently dismissible. Also this: I am in awe of anyone who actually understands about 1/2 of the things Salander is able to do with computers.
Notable Quotables: Armansky :'She is...different.' Frode: 'Different in what way?' Armansky: 'Different in...every way.' Vanger: 'Bring your drink. Leave my knife.'
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
The Flick: Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
The Peeps: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyquist, Josh Holloway, etc.
The Dealio: When a seemingly simple hand-off goes sideways and agents are killed, and explosives cause international repercussions, the MI team is forced to go asset-free and come to a resolution on their own. As always, should the team be captured or killed, the State department will disavow yadda-yadda-yadda. Is there even a nano-second when you think that Ethan Hunt (Cruise) will not accept the gig? I mean, we've all seen him dangling off the tippy-top of the tallest building in the world, right? And we know that this was not just a pledge-prank, right? Okay then. You have got the gist.
The Grading Session: 4.29 pengies out of 5. Story takes a second seat to the non-stop action- and it does pay off, keeping us interested and involved. But, seriously, the minor players (Pegg and Renner especially) steal the scenes they share with Cruise- and with The Building. You get what you expected here. Nothing more. Nothing less. And, really, is that such a bad way to spend a few hours over the hols? I think not, but your mileage may vary.
Lessons Learned: Do not get distracted by a pretty face when working a hand-off. Also- no one is ever exactly what they seem. Look deeply before deciding on your next move. Lastly- Cruise, apparently, has absolutely no fear of heights. Or blue screen.
Notable Quotables: Benji, explaining the tack-glove: 'Blue is glue.' Ethan: 'And red?' Benji: 'Dead'.
The Peeps: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton, Michael Nyquist, Josh Holloway, etc.
The Dealio: When a seemingly simple hand-off goes sideways and agents are killed, and explosives cause international repercussions, the MI team is forced to go asset-free and come to a resolution on their own. As always, should the team be captured or killed, the State department will disavow yadda-yadda-yadda. Is there even a nano-second when you think that Ethan Hunt (Cruise) will not accept the gig? I mean, we've all seen him dangling off the tippy-top of the tallest building in the world, right? And we know that this was not just a pledge-prank, right? Okay then. You have got the gist.
The Grading Session: 4.29 pengies out of 5. Story takes a second seat to the non-stop action- and it does pay off, keeping us interested and involved. But, seriously, the minor players (Pegg and Renner especially) steal the scenes they share with Cruise- and with The Building. You get what you expected here. Nothing more. Nothing less. And, really, is that such a bad way to spend a few hours over the hols? I think not, but your mileage may vary.
Lessons Learned: Do not get distracted by a pretty face when working a hand-off. Also- no one is ever exactly what they seem. Look deeply before deciding on your next move. Lastly- Cruise, apparently, has absolutely no fear of heights. Or blue screen.
Notable Quotables: Benji, explaining the tack-glove: 'Blue is glue.' Ethan: 'And red?' Benji: 'Dead'.
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