This 2003 Edward Zwick directed, Tom Cruise / Ken Watanabe acting vehicle, THE LAST SAMURAI, was nice to watch on a quiet Friday night with the dog, when my wife is out seeing MOMIX: BOTANICA at the Knight Theatre in uptown Charlotte.  Though a bit heavy on plunging bloody battle scenes, it was beautifully shot by John Toll, who has quite a pedigree.  I believe they were trying to make a point...a point of honor...that is continuing and keeping their ancestors memories alive, at any cost.  I got that...I enjoyed the acting and they conveyed that point well enough to me in that regard.  I felt...the point of honor.  The cultural difference spoken and shown, in the long but not forgotten past of the 1870's, makes for a good flowerbed of tension, always building towards the "honorable" ending.  Also noted was the Hans Zimmer score, his 100th movie score to date in 2003.

I saw the third Stieg Larson movie last night, THE GIRL WHO KICKED THE HORNETS NEST, and was once again blown away by the Swedish production as I was with the first two.  I read the books, became a fan, and then saw the movies.  Being an avid reader, many times when I see the movie afterwards I am let down in some way.  Not the case with any of these three jewels.  Though a different director for the first, and the same for the second and third, they follow the books to a tee.  Making it all come together, Noomi Rapace rocks the world as Lisbeth Salander and has set the bar very high for Rooney Mara in David Fincher's 2011 American version.  Although sub-titled once again, I was able to follow along.  For me it's the same as watching Shakespeare...it takes ten to fifteen minutes to catch the flow and then all is right.

I caught JENNIFER'S BODY (2009) last night.  Pretty good horror flick and I do like the writing of Diablo Cody.  I've enjoyed JUNO as well as THE UNITED STATES OF TARA very much.  Megan Fox was okay but I think the better performance went to Amanda Seyfried as the BFF who figures it out and takes action.  The ending was nice as well and this is the second movie in the last three days that while watching the credits there is still a movie going on and in my opinion changes the outcome. KUDOS!  I am a huge fan of credits and after credits storyline.

I finally saw Oliver Stone's ANY GIVEN SUNDAY (1999) and I must have liked it because when it was over I didn't understand why it was so late...oh...the movie was 2 hours and 43 minutes!  Always a good sign.  The Stone feel of a movie was there and I think the football world was displayed well.

Last night it was PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2.  Watching this at home was much different than the first in the theater.  I thought the tie in was excellent to the first and look forward to the 3rd installment.  It was interesting how some trailer shots were not in the final cut but then that's editing right?  Somewhat slow but creepy building, it none the less kept me interested and the ending was believable, in the realm of this movie.

Watched two good movies this weekend.  2002's SOLARIS with the ever beautiful Natascha McElhone was very good. Jeremy Davies as well put in a great job and of course George Clooney was...well George Clooney.  Also watched the documentary STILL BILL from 2009.  About Bill Withers and his music and life...very interesting.  Recommend both.

An amazing book!  Will the movie do it justice?  Why has it taken 50 years to make the movie?
Here is there link:
Visit the Official <a href="http://www.AtlasShruggedPart1.com">Atlas Shrugged Movie</a> Web Site!

Spent a few hours updating my IMDB page this morning at 3AM when sleep was not happening.  They had added a feature I was not aware of and until I am a household name I continue to "pay the dues" looking and knowing it will come...that big break!  Between IMDB, Actors Access, 800Casting, and this site, and I am sure there are others I am not on, one must, or may, be very diligent that all of these internet tools of the trade remain updated.  Ah...the life of an actor!  Now if income will come as well!  HEAR ME UNIVERSE!

Well it looks like I may have to get another day job...and I don't mean "day player" which would be fine. I need the universe to intercede quickly with some paying acting work!  Come on now! 

Times of Confusion

In times of confusion

In times of stress

It never is easy

To know what is best

You seek out guidance

You seek out advice

Only sometimes to find

You cannot pay the price

You make your decisions

You follow them through

You hope that tomorrow

You can serve what is due

You state your case

On the knowledge you acquire

Always on the run

Always under fire

At the end of the day

Did you do all you could

Will you find sleep

Have you done any good

JJ                             2.05.11

Not a huge NFL fan anymore since Cleveland left in the middle of the night years and years ago but watched with family from Wisconsin.  Commercials did not really do it for me this year.  Half time show was choreographed nice but the Peas singing didn't seem to be right levels or was it just boring?