--- In [email protected], TurquoiseB <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I finally got out to the movies last night, after > maybe four months without having been able to see > a film in a theater. And it was a matter of some > curiosity to me which movie I'd pick, being in > Paris and with a lot of them to choose from. > > I made the right choice. It was a new film on its > opening night, and of a type of film that appeals > to me on several levels. First, it was a writer/ > director's first effort; those films are often > magic. Second, it was about a crazy, flamboyant > character, which appeals to me for what should be > obvious reasons. :-) > > But it's also a film that has a lot to say to > spiritual seekers, and about the spiritual quest > and about maintaining hope and enjoying life when > everyone around you is telling you that you're > really in Hell and that you should "Abandon hope > all ye who enter here." > > The film is called King Of California. What made me > decide to see this film rather than any other was > the poster for it in the Metro, which showed > Michael Douglas' face, larger than life, grinning > out from behind a Don Quixote beard with a crazed > but somehow wonderful look in his eyes. Michael > Douglas is not my favorite actor, but when he > lands a good part and invests in it, he can be > wonderful. He's wonderful in this film. > > So is Evan Rachel Wood, as his daughter and Sancho > Panza to his Don Quixote in a deranged quest for > Spanish treasure buried under a CostCo. So many > good moments, so many good lines...it's a real gem > of a film. It's a fable, in the same sense that Don > Juan de Marco was a fable, and with a similar theme > -- in a crazy world, are the crazies who are happy > and having a good time at it actually more sane > than the sane people who aren't? And although I > don't think it's as good a film as DJdM was, it's > pretty darned good, and probably worth a seeing. > > When you do see it, come back here and we can > discuss the ending, and what's in the dishwasher. :-) > Sounds intriguing-- its on my list. I agree about M. Douglas, and that he needs the right part. I tend to go for the more formulaic films, but when I am dragged kicking and screaming to something like this one, or DJdM (which I absolutely loved), I really enjoy it. It may be awhile, but I'll let you know what I think of this one when I watch it.
Saw a terribly titled but really well done british thriller, "high heels and low lifes", with Minnie Driver actually speaking in her native accent, and really enjoyed it-- worth a rental.:-)
