*sniffs* does something smell a bit... skunky...? *raises hand* "it's probably me."

[clocketpatch]

So, I saw Watchmen last night (or rather, was dragged from my homework by my room mates to see Watchmen… not that I was entirely unwilling). It was good. No, scratch that; it was VERY good; quite possibly one of the best movies I’ve ever seen –

blue glowing genitalia and all

 

 

 

(actually, there was a guy in the theatre, not one of my friends thankfully, who made funny cooing noises each and every time the wild blue willy made an appearance. Mature much eh? ...it was actually a pretty funny noise, I don't think there was a person present who didn't at least chuckle at it a little bit)

 I liked the character Rorschach, but apparently EVERYONE likes Rorschach. I don’t know what that says about people (though Mr. Inkblot himself would probably have some cunning insight). Incidentally, according to  THIS test, Rorschach is the character I’m least like. I’m most like – 78% like – Mr. Wild Blue, apparently. Which doesn’t bother me that much. For some reason, about halfway through the movie, I started thinking of him (Dr. Manhattan, there, I used his actual name) as sort of a human TARDIS. Well, he’s blue and does weird things with time. It sort of almost works.

The movie was gory and graphic and very much earned its 18a rating. Don’t be bringing the kids to see this, or yourself if you’re at all squeamish. Highlights include: various bones snapping in nasty ways, copious amounts of CGI blood, someone getting their hands sliced off with a circular saw… and more. I’m not squeamish, but there were a few times I was flinching, closing my eyes. Oh, and there’s also an AWKWARD sex scene done to the tune of the most awkward version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah I’ve ever heard, or maybe it was just awkward because of the sex scene. I don’t know. It was awkward.

 

Despite all of that, none of the sex or violence ever felt gratuitous. Given the context of the movie, and what was happening, and the message it was trying to give, it all felt very right. I haven’t read the comic, though my room mate who has tells me that the movie was mostly faithful to its source material. Speaking of source material, I went on a little google rampage after coming home to find out more about the comic and discovered that its author, Alan Moore, apparently got his start in the comic writing industry writing the strip for DWM. Also, apparently he had a hand in the construction of the Cartmel Master Plan. Somehow this revelation didn’t overly surprise me. 

 Anyway, in other news, a skunk got into the ducts at my work today, just a few minutes before quitting time. Someone accidentally set the security alarm off, that startled the intruding skunk, and I don’t think we’ve ever vacated the building (a retrofitted turn of the century farmhouse) so quickly. Now my new (well, new to me) jacket reeks of skunk gas, as does my back pack. Eww….

 

Oh well, that’s the way things go some days, and it we all got a laugh out of it.

 

 

 

 

Comments

[garpu.livejournal.com]

Bonus points for mentioning the Cartmel Masterplan in a movie review. ;) Worth seeing matinee or full price?

[clocketpatch]

well, I saw it on cheap night, but I'd gladly see it again full-price. It was very good. And it's close to three hours long so you're definitely getting your money's worth (and it's a testiment to how good it is that, in those three hours, I never looked at my watch once)

[garpu.livejournal.com]

Hrmmm...could be a possibility. Read the graphic novel first?

[clocketpatch]

I didn't, but I got a quick summary of it first and I think that helped. The movie is pretty well laid out for the lay person and I didn't have any real problems following along. Main thing to remember is that it's about DYSFUNCTIONAL super heroes, and that it takes place in an AU version of the 1980s. Oh, and to keep and open mind through the first bit which is a bit confusing. It all resolves itself into a plot quickly enough to keep you watching.

I really, really, really want to read the novel now that I've seen it, just to see what difference there are. My room mate tells me that there aren't many, but that the pre-credits sequence is explained better.

[garpu.livejournal.com]

Cool. :) I wish i'd read the book before seeing "V for Vendetta."

[alouzon.livejournal.com]

Heh. I got Manhattan as well. I also had to try not to snork all the way though the quiz and its creative spelling. "Curage"? Honestly...

[clocketpatch]

The spelling *is* pretty special innit? All part of the fun I say. lol.

[alouzon.livejournal.com]

It's kind of scary. If I wasn't already in my howse, I would have maid a run for it, whot?

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

So, apparently I'm most like Adrian Veidt a.k.a. Ozymandias. Now, let's be honest, that isn't exactly a good thing, is it? At least his heart was in the right place, kinda... *starts work on monstrous plan to save humanity - from itself!!!*

I haven't seen the film yet, want to though; do read the comic, though, Clocket; it's excellent stuff. And then read "From Hell", if you can get your mitts on that - it's astonishing (don't see the film of "From Hell" though, or if you do, do so only to laugh at Johnny Depp's "cockerney" accent). I think one of the noteworthy things about Watchmen is that the two characters people seem to like/find the kewlest are the nihilistic mass-murderer/rapist and the violent fascist vigilante; y'know, old Alan probably did that on purpose...:)

Alan Moore's DWM connections serve to make him even cooler in my eyes - did he create the infamous Beep the Meep, or was that someone else? Anyway, I'm glad we don't have skunks to contend with over here - they sound like nasty little critters.

[clocketpatch]

Hmmm, with heroes this dysfunctional I don't think being most like any of them is particularly good. Moore probably DID do that on purpose, and I was having a conversation to that end with my room mates after we left the theatre.

Alas, he was not responsible for Beep the Meep. He only wrote about five comics, and I get the impression from the wiki stub that he was only doing it for the money and not out of any love for the show.

As for skunks, well, the baby ones are cute, but they do stink to high heavens if you piss one off/ startle one enough to make it spray. Phhewww!!

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

I still want Beep the Meep in NuWho; make it so, Moffat! Or failing that, Frobisher...

[clocketpatch]

FROBISHER!!! I totally need a Frobisher icon...

You know, I'm not always a bit fan of CGI, but CGI was most assuredly created so that we might have a CGI Frobisher.

Are you listening 2009 production team?

wants please can have yes?

[jjpor.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed. Am also looking at ads for Watchmen action figures and thinking, hmmm...point missed? much??

[clocketpatch]

just a little bit eh? No, well... perchance you manufactured them Mr. Ozymandias?

[episkopos.livejournal.com]

Hi! I followed jjpor here and I've read some of your fiction on the Teaspoon. Like the review but for one tiny thing.

Rufus Wainwright didn't write Hallelujah. Leonard Cohen did, and it's his version that's in the film (I think - I know Cohen's Hallelujah when I hear it but I don't remember what I heard in the cinema, if you follow me).

I'm slightly appalled that anyone has a bad word to say about Cohen's version, but we'll blame the sex scene for that. ;)

[clocketpatch]

Ah, you are right of course (actually, my room mate was saying it was Leonard Cohen, and I ignored/forgot because I'm silly like that). Nothing wrong with the song itself, but his voice in combination with the sex scene and the random bit of lip-synching was slightly... well it was funny if nothing else.