Talk #287

In the midst of a serious discussion of the unification issue among the Lighters, let us engineer a "Great Escape" and talk about movies.

"High Fidelity"---Well, this movie will probably get you to laugh a little. Why not laugh with the leading character in the movie and see how silly boys can be by falling over girls.

" Waking the dead"---This movie got pulled so fast that I was fortunate to catch before it vanished. If it shows in your town or it comes out in video, it may not be a bad idea to spend a little time on it or with it. An interesting movie about what is real and what is not, and it is sometimes difficult to tell. This is not to say it is difficult to tell what is true and what it not true, which is impossible to tell most of the time.

"Up at the Villa" ---A story based on Mougham's book with a setting on the eve of WWII. I must say I disagree with LA Times again in that I thoroughly enjoy the movie without any problems. Sean Penn is a fine actor and a good choice for the part, except he is only cute but not dashing enough. The "unpleasantness" of being caught in an upcoming war is pretty well portrayed, although the story was not about the war at all. Try this one to " escape ".

I agree with Warren that " Gladiator" is a most satisfying movie to see. It has heros triumphed over villains, big battle scenes rarely seen on the screen these days, a quasi-love story and above all " The gladiator " was played by a real tough guy. The computer graphics are as good as they come. But it is not another " Spartacus ".

We first saw " Spartacus" when we were, perhaps, younger than Warren is. I have seen it many time since. The truly outstanding cast alone would be a once-in-a-life-time treat. And then there is this most famous/infamous scene of the slave washing the master in the golden pool ( filmed at the Hearst Castle's swimming pool lined with gold). Many movie critiques have discussed the significance of this scene in
terms of human relationship. This sort of thing does not turn me on, but then Jean Simmons was in the movie, and she seemed quite irresistible in 1960, almost.

Once again " Gladiator " is a most satisfying movie to see.

Dear Lighters, " The Taiwan Strait War " is certainly something we should be concerned with, but it is, perhaps, beyond our control. On the other hand, we can choose which movies to see.