Hey folks, Harry here with Maria Von Trapp - who came with her daughter to their 3rd BNAT and it seems they were quite sated. It's nice to see that she loved V FOR VENDETTA so much. I think the chief reason it became my favorite film of the 24 hours is that I expected to love KING KONG - but with V FOR VENDETTA - which seemed like a troubled production and if you've read the graphic novels there's a whole host of scenes that you just "KNOW" won't make it into the feature film released by a major studio in today's world... Well, they did. All of em. Just amazing film.
A rare review from me, Maria von Trapp while Liesl sleeps to catch up on her beauty rest.
This year's BNAT had some of my favorite movies yet.
Of course the movie that was King of 'em all was Kong.It was the second movie and the highlight for me in an evening bright with memorable movies.The Avian Bird Flu documentary "prologue" was both informative and scary, and I was so glad that the folks down in New Zealand are socially conscious enough to make us all aware of how they're evading the Bird Flu during their Worldwide, Whirlwind Tour, by avoiding BNAT altogether. (We sure did miss you visiting Austin again and we hope you hurry back...soon.) However, I'm not sure of the wisdom of leaving Harry in charge of holding a certain smoke bomb, should it become apparent that one of the attendees of BNAT is, in fact, a huge gorilla. Harry might, under sleep deprivation mistake any one of us for King Kong.... and well, Peter, be more careful of the "toys" you give the Head Geek, okay? Luckily, it was okay because King Kong was only the second movie of the evening...but at 6 am we might not have been so lucky. At any rate, I can report that Harry was happily hugging that smoke bomb, original 1933 movie prop, when last I looked.
Anyway, that being said, and all the countless reviews you have seen on this sight, you MUST see this movie. It is incredible to me that such a classic movie is remade so artfully to appease geeks and skeptics and offers something for everyone to enjoy and be entertained by. This puts the medal of Master Filmmaker permanently in Peter Jackson's hands, IMO. The folks in New Zealand really, really have an achievement to be proud of and congratulations to all of you. The BNATers gave it a standing ovation. I wouldn't change one thing, not a hair on Kong's head. This movie is absolutely perfect and it should be a huge hit around the world. Movie-goers should remember their tissues. This movie had me crying at the hardness of life during the depression, of the desperation of living for your art, a little too much like present times, if you ask me.
Ah.... "too much like present times," brings me to the my second favorite movie of the event. V for Vendetta, I thought was supposed to be released in September, but was delayed. This movie was so close to home, it was TRULY scary. Again, I don't want to ruin it by revealing plot details, because "V..." does such a fantastic job of keeping the viewer engaged in wondering what the characters are going to do next, all the while thinking what would I do in their shoes? And even more chilling, it had me thinking "have I done enough?" Has fear driven us all so far that we will only do the right thing when we can be assured of not being alone in doing it? Most people living in the modern world wonder how Hitler could've moved so many people into orchestrating the horrific events of the Holocaust. I usually refer people to the movie the Pianist in which some members of the family say, "well, it really isn't that bad yet, and we'll get through this" but when it was finally undeniable that it WAS that bad, it was too late, and the machinery of fear and racism were too firmly entrenched to overcome the deadly weight of its inertia. Another thing that this film will bring to light is that fear and racism belong to us all, not just in an era of history, and not just a distant place, not just the Spanish Inquisition or Nazi Germany, but it is the burden humanity must bear together and bear intelligently and responsibly and NOT repeat. As you watch this movie, you will undoubtedly find the connections to things in the movie and current events frighteningly obvious. A fabulous movie, a treasure visually and in its language. I know when this movie IS released it will not only stir controversy, but be on every movie lover's top ten list. I can't think of any reason why "it should be forgot." Inspired by graphic novels, it is extraordinary how it hits right on the nerve of current events...Cindy Sheehan is certainly living her one-inch of life, for sure.
Butt Numb-A-Thon this year had movies to delight every geek in the room from the Musical numbers from Footlight Parade that included opium dens and Honeymoon Hotels, to movies containing a spelunker's worst nightmare or Cigarette Burns on celluloid, not to mention the final in the Vengence trilogy. And let us not forget the news that the great Ray Harryhausen is coming out of retirement! The geek world cheers and applauds! I know Moriarity, Quint, Massawyrm (who guessed the final movie, BTW) and Harry himself will have a much more in-depth report, but I thought I would send in my .02. I enjoyed the 24 hours immensely and hope Liesl and I get to return year after year to celebrate Harry's birthday. And speaking of that, Happy Birthday, Harry
