Cowboys & Aliens

Okay, nothing much has been happening with me, so I decided to review a few of the films we've watched lately. First up...

Cowboys and Aliens.

I am not particularly fussy about the films I watch. I will happily sit through anything that holds my attention. It doesn't necessarily have to be thought provoking but it does have to be entertaining. Usually when I see the trailer for a film, I can tell straight away whether or not it's my kind of thing. I wasn't overly enthused with this one from the outset. Firstly, the concept seemed a little too whacky but I figured how wrong could Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig be! After seeing the film I have my answer.

It is 1873 and aliens have arrived to take over the Earth. All that stands in their way is a few good men (and one woman). Our "hero" Jake, played by Daniel Craig wakes in the middle of the desert with a strange metal bracelet and a bad case of amnesia. He makes his way to the nearest town and before we can establish if he is a good guy with a bad temper or a bad guy with morals, the aliens attack. Here is the first problem, all stories have to have a lead character that you empathize with. You don't have to like them but you have to be willing them to succeed. I didn't really care about this Jake at all. His back story is revealed gradually as he regains his memory but the exposition is predictable. He has a futuristic bracelet-come-weapon stuck on his wrist - it's pretty obvious where he got it so you only have to guess whether he was given it or he stole it!

If Jake is the bad guy then Harrison Ford's character "Dolarhyde" is the badder guy. It was nice to see Ford play something different for a change and I think he did a good job with it. I am not knocking anyone's performance in this movie. There was nothing wrong with the acting and the special effects were fine (although with a budget of $163M I was expecting better). The story was what let this film down for me. I was expecting more than pretty scenery and high class CGI.

I haven't read the graphic novel this film was based on so I can't tell if maybe this film just didn't translate to the big screen well. One thing is for sure, I won't be adding this to the DVD collection when it gets released.

Where Has The Time Gone?

Wow, I didn't realise how long it had been since I posted anything on my blog. I'd like to say it is because I have been busy but that wouldn't be true.
The reading challenge has been put on the back burner. I still intend to proceed with it but I've been spending time reading scripts and books on screenwriting, trying to teach myself how to be a better writer.
I've also joined a forum at OTTfilms where like-minded people are getting together to make low and no budget films. There are some amazingly talented people hanging out there and already I've been inspired to enter one of their competitions. I don't expect to win but I have had some great feedback. It all helps with the learning process but more importantly, it helps to build the confidence I am lacking.

This year has flown by - mostly because I have been walking around on autopilot. My way of coping with the loss of my Dad has been to shut myself off from everyone. It is not the recommended way of dealing with loss but it is the only way I could function. Ten months on and I am still close to tears every time I realise that he is gone.

Last weekend I met up with my aunts and uncles for the first time since the New Year. Being around them reminds me of my Dad as we all used to get together to do Karaoke. I was dreading it - not because I didn't want to see them but because I didn't think I'd be able to make it through the night without getting upset. On the way there I almost turned around to go home. I am glad I didn't. Spending the evening with them all was just what I needed to pull me out of this slump I've been in. I realised that my Dad was right - your family is the most important thing in your life.