My Harry Potter-watching outfit, which you will see in person if you come on Sunday to the IMAX!
Dave and I have been playing catch-up recently, trying to see some movies while they were still in the theatres.
So, here’s what we’ve seen recently.
300 – Lovely cinematography and plenty of eye candy, though I have to admit that Gerald Butler’s Scottish accent was quite peculiar. I enjoyed the modern soundtrack and the action scenes were entertaining, but some of the creepy creatures were just too creepy. Oh, I also totally called that they filmed the Oracle scene under water – yay for me! Did I mention that there is a lot of nudity in this film? Lots.
Hot Fuzz – Another brilliant Simon Pegg movie! I love love love Simon Pegg, who I first saw in Shaun of the Dead. I’ve seen Shaun of the Dead 4 times now, including the Zomb-o-meter version and the director’s commentary. If you haven’t seen it, rent it now! Hot Fuzz pairs Simon Pegg with his buddy Nick Frost once again. The action is terrific, the story never slows down, and the jokes don’t stop. It’s currently playing at the second-run Carmike theatre on Blue Ridge Road.
Transformers – More than meets the eye!! This movie is awesome! Really, really wonderful. Go see it now!! I sat with my knees pulled up to my chest the whole time – there’s not a minute of relaxing in this fast-paced, adrenline-packed movie. Shia LaBeouf did a great job, but what kind of funny name is that? I also found myself feeling a dramatic surge of patriotism and pride watching all the arms of the military responding with lightnight speed and courage to the situations that were thrust upon them. Silly, I know, but that’s just who I am. *shrug*
Silver Surfer – Not as bad as the first Fantastic Four movie, but not great by any means. I was never a fan of the comic so I wasn’t put off by how much they changed Galactus for the movie. Jessica Alba continued to look plastic with her Sims hair, freaky fake contacts and goofy blue eyeshadow. Ioan Gruffudd (pronounced YO-an GRIFF-ith) is pretty cute though they didn’t give him enough gray at the temples. The Silver Surfer himself was pretty cool.
Harry Potter – We’re going to see it today!! Here’s Cristin’s review.
Cristin invited me over for a 12 hour Harry Potter movie watching party on Saturday. I missed the first movie but arrived at 3 PM for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. After that we watched Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and then Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. It was a very nice, intimate party. It’s gotten me excited for the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
I got to meet Kelli and Jamie, both very sweet girls, as well as Matt, who seemed nice and kept out of our way while we chatted and drank.
Kelli and Cristin really outdid themselves gettting ready for the party. Ele would have been impressed! Kelli was even wearing Gryffindor colors. 🙂
I brought some Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans and they were a hoot to try! Cristin’s blog linked to to some funny photos on her Flickr album. I also got some good snuggles with Lily, Cristin’s adorable kitty. (I promise I didn’t take her home with me!)
Wednesday night The Colony movie theatre showed an original copy of The Dark Crystal. The print had lots of pops and haze in it, it was definitely an old, old copy of the movie. They even had a vintage movie poster on display, check it! 
Cristin decided to go with me, after agonizing over the decision. We posed in front of the poster but the stoned guy taking our picture couldn’t figure out how to focus…grumble.
But damn, aren’t we cute?!
We met for burgers and fries at Pharaoh’s before heading to the movie. I so so enjoyed meeting Cristin! She’s awesome and she loves David just as much as I do! (I’m sure Matt’s middle name is David.) We had a great time talking over dinner, and it was very relaxed and natural. The conversation flowed easily. This is the best you can get when meeting an internet friend for the first time. Yay!!! But I was totally surprised at how wee she is – look, she’s smaller than me! That just makes her more adorable. She is really too cute.
Attention Jackson Publick: I may have found the Venture Bros. original house! These enormous, insane carpets line the walls of the Colony’s movie theatre. How retro can you get? I’m sure that Rusty would think they’re so fab!
I think we should also note that the Colony serves beer! which makes it all the more fun. I can tell you that I’ll be there in November to see V for Vendetta a fourth time in the theatre. (Also this.)
Here’s us in front of the marquee. See, proof that they really were showing The Dark Crystal! You can see more pictures at Cristin’s post.
I liked the movie. I still think it’s too creepy and macabre for youngsters, and I think I was probably too young when I watched, but I liked it. And I think I know now why my brother liked it so much. I think it was the utter imagination of the whole thing, and the ballsy-ness it took to make a somewhat dramatic movie using no live actors.
I thought that the inspirations for many of the creatures were found in nature. Cristin says the Podlings were based on potatoes! The Garthim seem very much like more-mobile horseshoe crabs. There were many creatures (plants or animals, I don’t know) that seemed very inspired by coral reef denizens: the little delicate ferns that would withdraw at the slightest touch, the anemone that scuttle out of the way on the cliffside. I’d love to hear/read more on that topic.
Anyway, it was super enjoyable and I had a super great time. Yay for new friends and old movies!
Hehe, you can see my balance ball in the background – that’s my normal chair here in my office.
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