At the Movies

There are a rash of 'new' movies out, telling all the old stories in new form. Obviously some are destined for greatness - like current 'blockbusters' if i could think of one, but that is mainly because of the wide-spread mediocrity of the contending pap.

 Comic book tales are very big in all this and, like most comics some are quite good providing some escapism in imagines super powers and Wham! Bam! The current 'XMen' and 'Heros of the Universe' reprise former efforts with new story lines if not new casting. 'A Dame to Kill For"  is an interesting new product in the genre, entertaining  even if the dame really isn't worth killing for.

 A couple of topical issues movies are interesting but play on the old 'fear'  and prejudices one might think should be starting to fade.

'Frontera' is an interesting piece that makes the 'wetback' experience look challenging only because somebody might be trying to shoot you, or kidnap you as you wend your way to some gardening work. The actual trek is an overnight walk through the desert -bring water- to a usually friendly American home or roadside pick-up. Aside from the Americans who like to 'scare greasers back where they came from', or thee poor border patrol and cops who hold the frontier for freedom. It's a redemption tale where love conquers hatred - or even a hard bitten Mexican-disliker who incongruously  and for little apparent good reason changes his spots. There's a nod  to the other terror in a scene where two border jumpers catch the eye of the heroine of the piece as they wander away from the immigrant camp, to lay their prayer mats out in the desert and worship Allah. Great shades of undetected jihad!

Another period piece is 'Camp X Ray' and almost ludicrous look at the 'coming of age' of a young female GI posted to guard the hard core "detainees" (prisoners have rights) at Gitmo. Starring the beauteous Kristen Stewart, who does wonders for the army kepi and fills out her regulation PT outfit admirably - the film depicts how the personal touch of empathy can grow to affect ones' thinking and ones' duty. Although she's 'honor-bound to defend freedom at the Gitmo slammer, GI Jane can't help become affected by the 'humanity' and personal magnetism - for it can't be anything else- of one of the worst of the worst. She can even 'get over' their initial meeting when he introduces her, and the uniform she so proudly wears to the notorious 'shit cocktail' after she slacks off on procedure. Unlike most gals in a similar situation, outside of Copenhagen, she cleans herself off and, wondering why somebody would do that to a stranger, soon falls for his humanity.  Lindy England she's not.  What I can't figure out is why her fellow guards let her off with it?  Other than a senior NCO who gets confused by her beer consumption and tries relieving his stress in her, and a CO who seems related to the Fort Commander in Dancing with Wolves, you'd almost think she was doing guard duty on her own tick.  All is as it is however, her tour comes to an end and the accused jihadi is still safe  for democracy in the hands of others honor-bound to treat him like the unconvicted sh*t he so truly is.
But you are left with the impression that, if her military benefits aren't up to scratch, she might be checking out Code Pink or coming back with Michael Moore.

David Cronenburg's latest 'thriller' a psychodrama about incest Hollywood is drawing some buzz in the media - probably because of its advertising budget.  If you've seen 'The Fly' you won't be impressed by Juliette Moore's concern about her "holes" and Robert Pattinson's casual worldliness as an aspirant/limo driver. The move is a bum-numbing POS. It's called "Map to the Stars"

"Lucy" is interesting but somebody started smoking the dope and the story of a gal who accidentally unlocks her real self turns into an incredibility.  the continuity goes down a 'caca hole'.

"St. Vincent' is a pleasant change in the right direction. Great cast and not a bad story. Outstanding sound track. It might actually get a nomination.

I'm a really wanting to see 'Fury'.