Summer Blockbusters Are Upon Us

Well, it certainly looks like I'm going to have to hit the theaters more than a few times in the coming weeks. Spiderman 2 opens Wednesday (as if anyone could possibly not have already known that, considering the amount of advertising they're doing). And it just plain looks awesome. I never really followed the Spidey comics, but know enough about his story to be interested, and absolutely loved the first one. Based on the commercials, I have my doubts that the sequel is truly going to be better than the original, but it still looks pretty darn good, and worth the time.

As mentioned in a previous blog entry, there's a new King Arthur flick coming out in another couple weeks, too. That obviously will warrant a viewing. Did I mention that the incredibly lovely Keira Knightley is in it? And, while I've never been a huge Azimov fan, nor did I ever read the book the title is gleaned from, I, Robot opens a week or so later. Will Smith in an action/sci-fi flick . . . how can it go wrong?

Then there's Fahrenheit 9/11, which opened a couple days ago. I originally had no intention of seeing this film. My basic reasoning was that if I'm going to hand my hard-earned money cash to Hollywood, I'm going to do it for the entertainment value . . . if Michael Moore really felt strongly that everyone should see this work, then why not put onto broadcast TV? But, the neo-cons have been so vocal about this film, hurling insults and attacks (including a nation-wide movement trying to intimidate theaters into refusing to show it, even going so far as death threats) that I can't help but wonder what they're all so afraid of. In all the denouncements of the movie that I've read (mostly written by rather opinionated fools who haven't even seen the film) none of them have disputed the actual facts presented. They all simply launch into tyrades against Moore, wildly throw around the word "lies" (without giving specifics or examples) and try to intimidate viewers into not seeing it. So, it's intrigued me . . . and at this point there is a very good chance I'll attend a viewing. I suppose Moore should thank his opponents for all the free publicity he's given his film

I still haven't gotten around to seeing Shrek 2, which I'd really like to see. Looks absolutely hilarious, as was the first. Same thing with the latest Harry Potter installment (though I'd hardly refer to them as "absolutely hilarious").

Haven't seen any trailers for it yet, but The Bourne Supremacy is due out in late July. Based on the first film, this one should be pretty enjoyable. And of course, who would be able to resist Halle Berry in tight leather as Catwoman? I've been really impressed with M. Night Shyamalan's previous works--atypical & intriguing--so The Village should warrant be worth the time and money.

So, while I'm going to have the time flexibility to check out this films (did I mention that I'm on short time at work? Just one more week--whoo hoo!!!), the funding situation might throw a monkey wrench into things. But, I'll just have to worry about that later, after all the movie-going.

Arturus?

I'm not sure what to make of the new movie King Arthur. I mean, I don't claim to be any kind of expert on the subject, but I have done more than my fair share of study of the Arthurian legends, including the historical realities of Arthur, Merlin and the Knights. And nowhere, in any of my readings & viewings, have I ever seen reference to the claim that Arthur was a Roman officer. From what I've gathered, the movie takes the stance that Arthur is a bit of a disillusioned Roman soldier who finds himself leading an alliance of Brittons and Romans against the Saxons in the mid-5th Century. Now, since the Saxons were still in power up until the Norman Invasion (lead by William the Conqueror--one of my direct ancestors, BTW) in the late 11th Century, and ruled all of England under Alfred the Great (another of my direct ancestors, BTW) in the 9th Century, it seems a bit hard to swallow that the Romans & Brittons defeated them in the 5th Century.

In all of my various readings, the leading conclusion (but let's face it, no one knows for absolute sure) is that Arthur was actually an Irish chieftain during the 4th or 5th Century (well, apparently the movie got the time frame right) who united his peoples against the Romans. Quite a bit of evidence also points to Merlin being an actual person (again, an Irishman) around that same time. Additionally, there is a plethora of documented evidence that many of the legends of the Arthurian Knights were actually based on the Fianna, a band of warrior elite guarding the High King of Ireland in the early 4th Century.

So, again, I'm not really sure where the movie makers are coming up with the claim that Arthur was a Roman soldier. Now, i understand that this is just a movie, and of course they're allowed to fictionalize things. After all, most of the Arthurian movies try to portray events taking place in the Middle Ages. But, they're trying to bill this as the "authentic story" of Arthur and the Knights. I'm curious who did their research and where they got their info from.

But, that being said, it still looks like it'll be a pretty good movie, and I'll likely go ahead and see the movie for the pure entertainment value. Of course, the fact that the incredibly lovely and talented Keira Knightley stars is a major plus

Thank you Universal!!!!!!!!

Whoo-hoo!! This is absolutely wonderfull news. Filming began June 4, with the entire original cast (especially glad to see the adorable Jewell Staite) and a release date of April 22, 2005 has been set. Not entirely sure I'll be able to wait that long, but I'm sure it'll be worth it

Free at last! Free at last!

Turned in my 2 week's notice at work yesterday. Wow, what a burden lifted from my shoulders I don't have another job lined up yet, but I'm sure things will work out. Gonna take a little time off to clear my head, get caught up on the house/yardwork and evaluate things. In the meantime, if anyone out there knows of any IT support (Windows Network Administration, PC/Network Support, etc.) positions I'd appreciate a note

Ah, relaxation

Went fishing in southern Oregon all last week. Was pretty darn cold up there, but not too unbearable. Nice and relaxing . . . got to recharge the old batteries. I wonder how long it'll last, though. Probably be right back to the burned-out, stress fille me by Monday afternoon, considering the crap I usually have to put up with at work