Do we really need a new Rambo movie?

I mean, I like 80's action movies as much as the next guy. I saw the Predators, the Missing in Actions, the American Ninjas, the Commandos, The Lethal Weapons. But is there really a need for another Rambo movie? Click here and tell me what you think.

Personally I think this is a huge risk for Stallone. The new Rocky got fair reviews, and was I'd admit a nice, fitting end to the series. But bringing John Rambo out of retirement is tricky. I do get it - the world needs someone to kick some serious ass right now. More blood, more violence. Good guys beating bad etcetera. But come on. Have some dignity.

Tintin!

As a kid, one of my favourite memories is going to the bookstore, picking up a new Tintin comic book, and spending the day engrossed in another crazy adventure. Tintin, for those of you who don't know, is the intelligent and witty world-travelling super-sleuth created by Herge, who together with his "talking" dog Snowy, best friend Captain Haddock, and a whole slew of weird and wonderful colleagues solve weird and bizarre mysteries. A few years ago came the good news that Spielberg had bought the rights to the books, and was going to develop a movie series. After being on the backburner, it has been announced that both Spielberg and Peter Jackson will direct Tintin movies!

I truly believe my love for travel grew from reading Tintin stories, whose exotic locales, different languages and cultures really are an integral part of the stories. The illustrations were marvelous and romantic - windswept deserts, raging oceans, lush jungles... I still read the "comics" occasionally today, and am surprised at how the stories work on different levels - there is a lot of humour that I missed as a kid but now appreciate.

People, do yourselves a favour. Buy a Tintin comic for yourself or your kids. It will take you back to a more innocent time, but best of all will entertain you for an afternoon.

cheers.

what the hell happened to...

Nicholas Cage. The man used to be cool. The mannerisms, the excessive pauses, the staccato speech, the facial tics. It all worked. In the mid nineties, Cage was gold. Leaving Las Vegas, The Rock, Face-Off, Con-Air. All films cemented the fact that Cage was always watchable, no matter the subject matter. Since then he's worked with respectable directors (Brian de Palma, Scorcese, Oliver Stone, John Woo, Ridley Scott etc.) but in mostly mediocre, largely forgettable movies. Before he was box office dynamite, now he's more like a wet rag. His flops litter the box office charts. Lord of War, Weather Man, Wicker Man, Windtalkers, Bringing out the Dead, 8MM. Every once in a while there's a piece of crap popcorn movie like National Treasure which exceeds its expectations. And for every five of these there is a gem like Adaptation.

I guess it all comes down to output. Most actors do one movie a year. Cage is seemingly intent on spewing out product as long as he is allowed. In the last 7 years he has had 15 movies in theatres, and according to IMDB has another 7 movies in production. Nic's new movies, once an event, are now a commodity. Now I am not saying that he's not an interesting guy to watch, because he can make almost any role bearable, but he needs to start being a little bit choosier. Like accepting 6 films out of 10 offered, instead of 9. Lights, camera, bitchin' technology indeed.

quick update.

Well I started writing a blog entry, then realized it was too serious and too depressing. The reason I started writing this blog in the first place was to entertain myself, and I can't do that if I am writing entries that are too introspective and "deep". So it's back to the observations, the commentaries on regular occurrences, the mindless movie of the month, the vapid quotes.

But I do aim to post more regularly though, so stay tuned!

Marto

You'll Never Walk Alone!

Another pulsating night at Anfield, and we're heading to the biggest game in club football for the 2nd time in 3 years! Could not be happier.

Now imagine this song reverberating through the stands, 40,000 people singing:

When you walk through the storm
Hold your head up high
And don't be afraid of the dark
At the end of the storm
There's a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of the lark

Walk on, through the wind
Walk on, through the rain
Though your dreams be tossed and blown
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone

Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart
And you'll never walk alone
You'll never walk alone


Brilliant