Lola Rennt; upcoming Oaks attractions

[illusionofjoy]

Since she has a horrible habit of watching (and even worse - enjoying) cheesy teen flicks, I've been dragging joi_division out for more indie films. This has had mixed results, given that she has successfully counter-dragged me out to Mean Girls and Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban - both of which I enjoyed. My only complaints about Mean Girls are: 1.) they didn't fatten up that member of the Plastics nearly enough (come on - she barely had any pudge on her!) and 2.) It didn't end like a Shakespearian tragedy; it should have ended on a nice bitter note, however, the script writers and/or directors decided to get all warm and fuzzy on us instead.

As for the Harry Potter films, I've now seen them all at the point, and I do believe that this third one is the best. Shamefully, I can't compare it to the book, but I do believe that the choice of a new director was a good one. This Potter outing is more sinister - a darker vision of the written word. As a credit to Rowling, I was glad to see that there wasn't so much direct dwelling on Voldemort. Had he made a personal appearance at Hogwarts for the third time in a row, I think I would have rolled my eyes and walked out. A good villain shouldn't return to the scene of the crime (or in this case, two previously attempted crimes) over and over again until the heat has blown off a little.

Tonight's film was Run Lola Run, or Lola Rennt, if you are inclined towards Deutchland. Joi and I went to see it at The Oaks, Pittsburgh's premiere independent film showcase. The last time I had seen Run Lola Run was in college, where I had unfortunately fallen asleep in the middle of the film - not because I was bored, but because I had spent so many nights staying awake that the sandman decided to give me a nice, friendly beat-down.

As it stood, I quite enjoyed the full film. Much like Donnie Darko (of which, the re-released director's cut will be screened at The Oaks), this film relies on the theory of predestination. In contrast, we get three possible outcomes, rather than two and the corrections to the timelines diverge over more than one life being saved or lost. If one wishes to philosophise over the nature of causality and how much free-will we really have, Run Lola Run is a good conversation-starter.

As mentioned previously, the director's cut of Donnie Darko will be coming to The Oaks on August 6^th. At tonight's screening of Run Lola Run, the staff were all dressed in red wigs, so I expect them to all be in bunny suits for this film.

Another upcoming feature that I would be interested in seeing is Gypsy 83. Based on just the poster, it looks decidedly gothic, which both intrigues and alarms me. While plenty of punk-themed movies have been done (i.e.: Sid & Nancy, SLC Punk), the Goth subculture has been one that the media has been afriad to touch - or when they have, ended up giving us a horrible characature, rather than believable characters (though, the believability of the actual "characters" one may run across in a Goth club is wide open for debate). In any case, I'll probably see this movie out or sheer curiosity - or more likely simply because the lead female role is a voluptuous darkling with great cleavage.

Comments

[joi-division.livejournal.com]

Just wait till I make you watch "Bring it On" or "Ten Things I Hate About You."

*giggle*

[meiow.livejournal.com]

I *love* those two. :) I dragged my husband to them, and he guiltily enjoyed them both.

However, "Jawbreakers" is something to miss. "Heathers" did it so much better. Besides, you'd see Marylin Manson without makeup, and, well, you'll probably want to scratch your eyes out.

The tooth-brushing scene in "Bring it On" is my favorite...

Re: *giggle*

[joi-division.livejournal.com]

*snicker* I made him watch "Jawbreaker" last year. I think he's doubted my movie tastes since that moment.

Re: *giggle*

[meiow.livejournal.com]

Well, it *was* awful. :P Such a bummer! I was so hopeful that it would be an even better biting commentary on society than Heathers. Denied. *staple hand to forehead*

Have you seen "Not Another Teen Movie"? There's *so* many funny references, and some really great cameos...

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005JKMW/102-5272632-8036147?v=glance

Re: *giggle*

[joi-division.livejournal.com]

Oh yes- I loved "Not Another Teen Movie"- I had to see it since it was making fun of all the other bad movies that I love.

Re: *giggle*

[illusion-of-joy.livejournal.com]

I have always loved you for your taste in music, not movies. ;)

[meiow.livejournal.com]

btw.... while I'm thinking about it: you should really join gothic_curves. I think you'd love the pictures. :)

[illusion-of-joy.livejournal.com]

Mmmmmm...more women I can't have sex with...

[meiow.livejournal.com]

LOL! Eye candy is a good thing.