Book + Movie List

Xanadu (1980)
A Bennett TiVo'd off AMC a.m. 28 February 2004

I've consistently steered clear of this film my entire life, due to its reputation as one of the WORST films of all time, only to find that after watching it that that reputation REALLY, REALLY is not deserved. I mean, this is no cinematic giant, and the plot is really not at all cohesive (or logical, for that matter) but this fluffy star-vehicle for Olivia Newton-John hardly seems worthy of anything like ire. I will say that the direction/cinematography is something even I might have been better able to manage with just a hand-held video camera. And the special effects often seem to be something they bought at a discount from the people who made TRON (who did not have room to use them in their own film). ON-J plays one of the original Greek muses (Terpsichore, I believe), sent to earth by Zeus (still, post-Clash of the Titans miraculously around--though no one would think of him again until Hercules: The Legendary Journeys) to inspire a man who looks a lot like a cross between Heath Ledger and a lost Gibb brother to open a skating discotheque, bankrolled by a 68-year-old Gene Kelly. That's right. Gene Kelly, 68 years old, and the moment the camera pauses on him and he dances, his frame sloughs off some thirty years and he moves with the grace and athleticism of his ultra-talented youth. In other news, at the film's end, ON-J is called back 'home' by Zeus (and someone I assume is Hera, in some voice-over cameos), and though Heath Gibb claims to love only her and pine if she leaves, when she does, it only takes some other woman (also played by ON-J) to strut onto screen as a passing cocktail waitress to change his mind entirely. Oh, Heath Gibb! The callowness of youth! It's not a Barbie if it doesn't say 'Mattel' on the package. And it's never in your best interest to make promises to immortals that you don't intend to (or cannot) keep.

X-men 2
Kristin Schrock Great Escape 14 03 May 2003

More cohesive than the first film, the sequel gets an above average rating (more like a 7.5, but I rounded up today because I'm feeling generous) for some nice Wolverine fight scenes. I'm waiting for the Wolverine movie because, let's be honest, he's the only cool character in the bunch (well, maybe Magneto can be in it, too). Wolverine also wears the grooviest clothes--snap shirts and big buckles. I do look forward to the third one when Wolverine will hopefully face off with his lady arch nemesis.

X-Men 2 X-Men United
A Bennett Great Escape 14 and Dairy Queen 03 May 2003

Comic books benefit from a character roster similar in size to the population of a former Soviet Republic. Two-hour films? Not so much. X-Men is a character-cluttered franchise--one that would fit perfectly if studios were still making weekly or monthly movie serials as they did in the 30s and 40s, but as is, one that would better develop after some pruning (or at least from establishing a firm focus on only two or three mutants). The cut wouldn't be a hard one to make, actors like Hugh Jackman and Gandalf--I mean Ian McKellan--are more than able to carry a film. And can anyone debate the fact that Jackman's Wolverine has the most riveting plot line/character conflict? Too many storylines, not enough for characters to do--it makes a pretty flash, but one that doesn't manage to stay with you after the lights come up. (And consequently, one I wish *would*. There's such potential here. I am sorry to see it treated more cheaply than I would prefer.)

XXX: The State of the Union
Mike Gadd Family Drive-In 30 July 2005

The 2nd feature in the Drive-in two-fer. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it and it held up. I tried to find something in it to hold on to but it wasn't possible. Why do people watch this stuff? And there might be a sequel? Ugh.