Dec
30
Netflix #53 - Jason and the Argonauts - Suggested by no one
Whenever you hear a professional talking about stop motion special effects or even just special effects in general, nine times out of ten, they will mention the scene in Jason and the Argonauts where they battle the skeletons. I had seen bits and pieces of that scene hundreds of times over the years, but had never seen it in its entirety, nor the movie it is part of. So I finally decided to watch it, and I did, and it was awesome.
Ray Harryhausen is a genius. Seriously, how did they do that? I think I prefer fake looking models rather than fake looking computer animation, which seems too common these days when filmmakers want to take shortcuts and overuse computerized special effects. Oh, I suppose I should tell you about the movie, huh? It was just as you’d expect. Cheesy in that oh-so-awesome way. The story was a pretty standard retelling of the Golden Fleece mythology, with loads of fun Ray Harryhausen battles mixed in. The ending was a bit abrupt and didn’t really wrap up anything, but it was loads of fun anyway. If you liked Clash of the Titans, I would definitely give this a shot!
Netflix #54 - Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day - Suggested by digkv and The Infamous Dr. Para
I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from this movie. It’s a period piece, but it’s a comedy? Odd. It took me a little while to get the feel of the film, but once I did I fell completely in love. It was so good! Amy Adams (from Enchanted) was genius, as was Frances McDormand, but Amy totally stole the show, I mean movie. Frances plays an out-of-work nanny who wrangles her way into working as the “social secretary” for Amy’s flighty character who has three men she has to choose between. As the title suggests, they spend the day together and both help each other out in gloriously predictable but wonderful ways. It’s one of those movies where you know what’s going to happen, and you really want it to happen, but you still hold your breath because you love it so much that you don’t want them to mess it up, and when it ends the way you predicted (and wanted!) you breathe a sigh of relief and shout for joy because it was just that good! And Lee Pace is in it! I definitely recommend this one!
Keep your recommendations coming!
December 30th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Jason and the Argonauts is my youth, which means that I am either (a) 40, or (b) forgetting all the 80s crap I watched back then. Still, Jason rocks. And Sinbad. I digress. Ahhhh, Lee Pace. He’s my height AND born in the same year. Isn’t that a sign of true love?
December 30th, 2008 at 7:36 am
I love the fact that Lee Pace is as tall as me. It makes me glad that not everyone in Hollywood is oddly short. I didn’t realize you were that tall also.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:19 am
Oh yeah, Jason and the Argonauts. They play that on TV up here fairly regularly and I watch it every time. So hokey and cheesy and so cool. Never heard of the other one though. Glad you had two good choices to enjoy.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Someday I might know just one of the movies you review….
December 30th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Jason and the Argonauts…man that was kickass when I first saw it…I was like 12 maybe. I don’t think it holds up now, but back then, that was the shiznit!
HUGS…
December 30th, 2008 at 10:07 am
I love the “fake looking models” too. Someone actually had to do something more than click a mouse to make them come alive.
And I loved the Sinbad movies. For some reason he stirred “strange” feelings in the young me. Of course I totally understand those feelings now.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:40 am
I totally *heart* Amy Adams … Have you seen Junebug?
December 30th, 2008 at 11:58 am
VUBOQ: No, I’ve never seen it.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Junebug is a film full of awesome. Amy Adams was nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar. It takes place near where I went to high school. The characters were like some of my classmates.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Amy Adams is so wonderful. I can’t wait to see her new movie, Sunshine Cleaning.
December 30th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
This really hurts! I have so much to say, but my “early” new years resolution is to be a more responsible, benign commenter. So I’m going to stick with it. Luv Ya
December 30th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
VUBOQ: Sounds good, I’ll give it a shot!
Brian: I can’t wait for Sunshine Cleaning either! Looks so good!
Mark: That is the worst New Years resolution I’ve ever heard.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Jason and the Argonauts was awesome! Sindbad is definitely worth a watch as well. I haven’t seen Miss Pettigrew yet, but I may have to fix that.
December 30th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Mark: You probably think I lied about the Christmas card. I didn’t but it came back to me today saying you have “no mail receptacle”, so I either got the address wrong or you need a mail box.
I’ll send you a birthday card if you send it to me again. Sorry sweetie, I really did try. tam.0505@yahoo.ca
December 30th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
I love jason and the Argonauts! loooooooooooove! I have it on VHS
December 30th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I saw Doubt last night. It was really good. My friend and I probably spent an hour afterward discussing our impressions. I almost want to see it again to pay closer attention to certain parts.
December 30th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Craig: Oh, yes. 6ft 3 and love it. Us giants must stick together!
December 30th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Gotta love all the stop-motion classics, although Clash of the Titans is my all time favorite Jason and the Argonauts is awesome too.
And what is so great about being tall? I think my spectacular 5′5″ stature is way better than you gangling giants make it out to be. Can I get a WOOT, WOOT from my vertically challenged brethren? Anyone? Hello?
(crickets)
Sigh… I’ll just be in my Hobbit Hole if anyone needs me…
December 30th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
I want to see Miss Pettigrew! I will have to put that on my list of movies to see. As for movie recs I must keep pushing Death at a Funeral and start pushing Atonement, but you might have to break out the happy pills because the ending is soooooooo depressing. lol Have you seen Clue? It is genius! lol
December 30th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I saw Clash of the Titans when I was a kid, and I loved it. I have not seen it in a while. I wonder if I would like it as much as a grownup. I have not seen either of these movies. For some reason I had always thought Jason and the Argonaughts was a scifi story rather than Greek mythology. I think “Argonaughts” made me think of “Astronauts”.
December 30th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
M. Nicodemus: If it makes you feel better, you are 1/4 inch taller than me : ).
Jason and the Argonauts and The Sinbad movies were the shiznet (yay Polt!) way back when. Old. Sigh.
December 30th, 2008 at 9:29 pm
Chris: At least you didn’t think it was a movie about the Canadian Football League. The Toronto team is called the Argonauts. No freaking idea why. They are just called the Argos usually which makes even less sense.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Steven: Yeah, Atonement was amazing, I grabbed it at a 3 for 20 sale from Blockbuster.
December 30th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
I loathed Atonement.
December 31st, 2008 at 1:02 am
I wanted to see Miss Pettigrew so bad but haven’t had a chance. I should really get netflix. I heard that Amy Adams is amazing in this - she’s really becoming something!
December 31st, 2008 at 11:15 am
Tam, I’ve never had any complaints about my receptacle before. But at least you tried. By the way my B-Day is Jan 12, Capricorn!! Just a hint
And by the way, Polt, Heather and Two Pi, and Michelle M. totally rock. My Christmas pretty much sucked, but your cards really brought me a lot of cheer when I needed it most. Luv Ya!
December 31st, 2008 at 11:29 am
Michelle M: Thanks for the support
Mark: My B-Day is on the 5th, Yeah Capricorns! I only wish we had a better birthstone, I mean garnet? Really?
January 3rd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I loved Jason and the Argonauts…and I used to think it was all done with stop-action photography. That is until I saw that clip again today. It’s just many, many Ann Coulters. It’s hard to recognize her from long ago. The years have not been kind to her.
January 6th, 2009 at 3:52 am
I loved Miss Pettigrew. Did you happen to see Juno yet? or Baby Mama?
you want some good laughs check those ones out.
I saw the Dark Knight yesterday,and thought it was pretty good too.
And if you like period pieces,I would recomend Elizabeth I,if you haven’t seen it yet.