A Statement of New Year, New Blog

OK, so not really.

Here's the deal, darlings: KateJones, aka The Movie Girl, wants to start writing more critical analysis, because she thinks she wants to be a critic when she grows up.  Thusly, this blog will henceforth be a forum of practice and, well, practice.

So, I am going to start writing critical article-thingies for new films, old films, and television shows.  I might even write more than one criticism of the same film (the more I watch The Dark Knight, the more I want to talk about it.)

All I ask for from you, dearlings, is that you comment comment comment, tell me WHEN I'm wrong, WHY I'm wrong, and maybe if I don't make any sense sometimes.

Also, keep in mind that I will NEVER be wrong, but you are allowed to incorrectly disagree.

Merry New Year!

A Statement of Setting a Good Example (And About The Dark Knight)

Having just told Lady Liberty to write in her blog, it seemed to prudent to follow my own advice.

Earlier this week, one of the best films of the year, The Dark Knight, was released on DVD, BluRay, etc, etc, etc.  I have watched it twice.  Because that's what I do.

Having seen the film in the theater later in its run (I was in London when it opened in the US, and came home the day it opened in the UK, natch), I was able to sneak into an uncrowded screening, have a row to myself, and settle into one of the most creepy and delectable performances in recent memory; the overshadowing and brilliant job done by Heath Ledger is a true tribute to a man who will never again grace the big screen.  The decayed makeup, the incessant tongue-action, that walk, are all marks of an amazing performance, one of a thoughtful and talented actor.  Let it not go unsaid that this was the loss of a man who could have been his generation's greatest performer.

At the time I found the film excellent, but long and slightly overwrought by the end (we love you, Harvey Dent... they couldn't give you your own movie?  Seriously?), and as was expected of everyone, I focused mainly on Ledger's performance in the initial viewing.

So... these second and third viewings.

Make things much more digestible.  On the small screen the Joker and the stunts and the intensity are of course lessened, but not to the extent that they become ineffective.  It also gives the viewer a chance to concentrate more on the story, which is less overwhelming when you can focus on it.  Batman has limits.  The Joker doesn't.  This is the message buried deep beneath the mob hits, the explosions, and the breathless trips to Hong Kong.

Batman might be a vigilante, but he is a good vigilante.  And just when he realizes what he "would have to become" in order to beat men like the Joker, we begin to fear that that's what will happen; he will break his own rules out of heartbreak, anger, and sheer irritation at this guy who just won't quit.

In the end, though, he reassures us that this will never happen; he takes the blame for the kidnapping of Commissioner Gordon's family, and the death of Dent.  He puts himself in harm's way and goes on the lam to prove to himself, and to us, that he is the Dark Knight.  Gallant and true, and willing to do what it takes.

So watch it again, ok?

(This can also be done late in January, when it is re-released in the theaters as a run-up to the Oscars.  Another chance for big-screen excitement!  Hooray!)

A Statement About Grey's and the Ginormous Shark

Grey's Anatomy, where have you gone?

I remember a time, not-so-long-ago, when I knew and loved (or loved to hate) every character on Grey's Anatomy.  I didn't know everything there was to know about all of them, or any of them, but I rooted for them, hoped for them, and tough-loved them through any number of traumas, family dramas, and patients.

So what the hell is going on?

Season 3 was dark and unrelenting; George's dad died, Meredith's mom died (and Meredith almost joined her), Izzy and George slept together, Alex fell in love with a mentally unstable patient, Bailey's marriage started to fall apart, the Chief and his wife ran hot and cold, Burke left Cristina at the altar, and Meredith and Derek "broke up."

We came back hopeful in Season 4, but it took a while to clean up the mess from the previous year, and then the disaster that was the Writer's Strike occurred.  Finally, finally, things got back in the swing when they returned.  Creator Shonda Rimes announced that she had watched all of the show's DVDs during the strike, and she was going to recapture the tone.  In the season finale, Meredith standing in the field surrounded by candles, making the big romantic gesture for Derek was exactly what we wanted; a sign that the old Grey's was back.

Oh, how very wrong we were.  The Izzy/Denny "thing"... there aren't really words.  It was good to hear late last week that there is a plan, that in theory there will be an explanation that will make sense to everyone.  But reflected in this is a larger problem.  A story that potentially bizarre and polarizing should not take eight episodes to wrap up.  And if it's going to take that long, the audience should not be kept in the dark to the point that they feel compelled to give up before the payoff.  Viewers have to have faith in the writers of any show, and when the writers go so completely off the deep end without even a hint of explanation, that trust is shaken.  Seriously.

Factor into this more new characters than anyone could possibly care about (that said, Kevin McKidd's Owen Hunt is yummy, and does indeed make a perfect addition to the cast... too bad he has to share his time with Melissa George's ridiculous Sadie...), and it seems that the old Grey's is irrevocably lost.  We still love our core characters, but they are not given enough attention for us to put up with their antics any longer.  And since it is virtually impossible to back-track once these characters have been added and these mistakes have been made, it brings us to a defining moment, and a sad conclusion: Grey's Anatomy has jumped the shark.

A Statement About Holiday Movies

Tis the season to watch all of those movies that your mother will only let you watch after Thanksgiving.  I have compiled a list of my faves, fully recognizing that it's a guilty pleasure kind of list, and not one necessarily reflecting film quality.  So here are my favorites.

Holiday Inn/Meet Me in St. Louis- These two have to be listed together, because they are not strictly Holiday Movies.  Or rather, they are ALL Holiday Movies.  Each one covers about a year in the life of their characters, but each gave life to a classic Christmas song; Holiday Inn is the first film featuring the song White Christmas, while Judy Garland sings Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas for the first time in St. Louis.  Classic.

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation- Are you serious, Clark?

The Santa Clause- Ok, ok.  I know it's nouveau and a bit cheesy, but all of the Santa Clause films are charming and funny, with fun holiday pop visuals.  Just go with it.

The Muppet Family Christmas- Not the Muppet Christmas Carol.  The Family Christmas.  You know, the one where they invade poor Fozzie's mother's house, Miss Piggy gets caught in a snow storm, and all of our Sesame Street friends show up to help with the Christmas Pageant.  Also, an errant Turkey tries to convince Swedish Chef that Big Bird is actually the Christmas meal.  Amazing.

Love Actually- Charm in abundance, every notable British actor from the past ten years (except the grandes dames, who really get enough movies together), and a warm and cheerful message that doesn't over-do the goo.  Not every character gets a happy ending, but every viewer finishes the film in full Christmas spirit.

When Harry Met Sally- Actually, this is the last film to watch before the holiday movies go away until next year.   Culminating on New Year's Eve, this rom-com mainstay is the perfect way to wrap things up.

So... yeah.  What are your "must-see" films for this time of year?