Wednesday, December 5, 2007

To See or Not To See...

The Golden Compass opens this week in theaters. I've seen the previews on TV for the last several weeks and I had simply dismissed the notion of paying to see it. It's quite possible that it relates to my dislike for the lead actress (Nicole Kidman), but the scenes with the giant polar bears look pretty impressive without having the appearance of being ridiculously fake since they are surely CG generated. I was still in the camp of not wanting anything to do with this film. Then, the Christian right speaks up and condemns the movie as being anti-Catholic (normally I can't stand Fox News reports, but this one was actually somewhat well done. They made an attempt at being objective - I know it's just about a movie, but I don't think it's too much to ask for the reporting of news to be politically neutral). Now I am becoming more interested in seeing the film because of the controversy. Is there really an anti-Catholic message? I'd have to see it to find out and the group that is recommending a ban has absolutely no intention of doing actually watching it themselves (What century is this anyway?).

It's still going to take a lot to overcome the fact that Nicole Kidman is in it though... After a trio of terrible movies, I vowed to not watch any of her future movies. What were the three movies that drove me to this, you ask? 1. Eyes Wide Shut - boring movie about characters that weren't worth watching... it was uncomfortable just to sit through. 2. This one is probably going to annoy/anger some people, but here goes anyway - Moulin Rouge - I don't mind the musical/movie crossover genre... oh wait, no, I despise the musical/movie crossover genre and this was one of the worst I'd ever seen. 3. The Others - The so-called twist ending was a waste because it was glaringly obvious from within the first five minutes of the movie. Apparently I gave up on her as an actress in 2001, and now, going back through here IMDB filmography, the only movie of hers that even half-liked was Malice - which wasn't even that good. Why do people like her? I just don't understand; all of her roles end up being over-acted, the movies she chooses to appear in aren't that good, and now I find out that she's married to a country music "star". What the hell? Yeah, I'm not seeing this movie - Nicole Kidman is charting waters previously only occupied by Denzel Washington (seriously, Crimson Tide is one of the worst films ever made) in my book.

7 comments:

Kim said...

But Daniel Craig is in it...

Andrew said...

He was great in Casino Royale.

Anonymous said...

Kim stole my comment!

I would only consider going to see that movie because of Daniel Craig!!

Kim said...

Can't wait to see the next four Bond films with him in them. Andrew, that is the only Bond film I have watched from start to finish... I have not seen any of the others...

Okay, sometimes we see parts of that one with Denise Richards and make fun of her, but that doesn't count ;)

Andrew said...

Gina - But can he overcome the Nicole Kidman factor? I'm not sure.

kilax - The Bond series has new life! I quit looking forward to them when they became action/blow up everything films. Now they're getting back to the spy movies they were meant to be. You should see Goldfinger, Dr. No and possibly Goldeneye. Christmas Jones was probably the dumbest character ever conceived - an entire role developed for a single one-liner?

Anonymous said...

I'm looking forward to the Blonde Bond series, too. Which is a big suprise because I can't make it through any of the old school ones..except for Goldfinger. Some of the Pierce Brosnan ones are ok. Some of them.

Anonymous said...

Crimson Tide is a sweet movie. That's right. I am reading this stuff....and stalking you silently.

-luv Justin