Sick And Hungryy....

Several days spent in quiet contemplation of my navel (or dark gazing, as Zsarina puts it), culminating in a strange bout of viral fever as the itchy throat on Monday quickly deteriorated into something else really does fill ANYone's personal depression quota. As a result, I now feel perfectly fine (mentally, since physically I feel like shit, thanks to the virus) but thankfully out of whatever zone I was in these past few days. In any case, I'd like to thank those luverly people who have inundated me with well wishes and assorted what not. One does not dare ask for more, heheh. And also, to that very nice offer of a going out, lemme know (wink wink). Human contact is ALWAYS good.

So, since it's the middle of the week, I decided to start on my favourite little pastime: movies! Specifically, the films of summer 2004 (amazing how time flies, innit?). Here the Ox outlines some the movies he's looking forward to (and also others he's NOT really excited about) just because he's nice, and because movies are for sharing. Well, at least good ones and porn.

BUT. Before that, here's a minor rant. I still cannot fathom why some so called "academic" film directors still insist on manufacturing trash for the Malaysian Masses. Glancing at a banner proudly displayed near my place of work, one cannot but think that the Malaysian movie going public are suckers for "satu lagi filem melodrama tragik". And I'm quoting verbatim here. Looks like we have a long way to go, and this will be a blog entry in itself...

Right. Now to the good stuff: Summer 2004 Movies!

Spiderman 2
I was rather pleased with the first one, doubly so since it was directed by Sam "Evil Dead" Raimi! I dunno if Doc Ock makes for a better villain, but we'll see. The first previews look quite delicious, and I can only hope it will be one of those rarest of rarities: a sequel that's better than the first.

Troy
Historical battles on a massive scale? Brad Pitt cleaving his way through many bronzed bodies, armed with only a spear? Orlando Bloom in yet another supporting role like this? I'm a sucker for these battles (though seriously, one more movie with the infamous fiery catapult device...) and this shapes to be one of the best this year. Will know when it shows though.

The Village
Night "I see dead people" Shyamalan returns with a creepy little story set in (what else?) a fog enshrouded little village. William Hurt and Sigourney Weaver star in this one, which I think will do marginally well, if not better. I'm a director man, and Shyamalan CAN be good (if a little dreary).

Aliens Vs Predator
I can only pray for this one. Freddy Vs Jason sucked big time, but still the lure of seeing my favourite aliens kick each others' butts on screen may prove to be a draw. Paul Anderson as director doesn't really inspire confidence....so I'll relegate this to a maybe watch.

Van Helsing
I REALLY can't be excited for this one. Seriously. Sure it sounds intriguing. It's got Hugh Jackman and the wolfman, but why the hell did they have to cast Kate Bleeping Beckinsale in a horrendous Transylvanian accent (don't believe me check the trailer)?? Really, I'll be happy if this proves even marginally entertaining.

Catwoman
Halle Berry should be enough of a draw for males to attend this one. I'll be banking on Christian Bale's Batman, thank you. Something just doesn't sit right with me on this one. Hey, if it's any good, I'll even be pleasantly surprised.

The Punisher
Early reviews have tanked it, and I hope it comes and goes as quickly as it can. Another example of comic to movie madness gone wrong.

That's all the time I have for this edition of the Wednesday Movie watch, so keep coming back!

Signing off,
Movie.Ox