Inktober #16 The Thin Line
Sometimes it's so thin you can't even see it, so you just have to say it for it to be thick.
Sometimes it's so thin you can't even see it, so you just have to say it for it to be thick.
I drew a number and it really started reminding me of this guy! So there: it's a homage! To his style, and to his generous Samaritan persona.
Looking back I should've gone for a brighter background though. Maybe next time.
Don't be sideways now.
Camped out with the mists of wicked memory.
Can these movies actually get any better at this point? The action's as heavy as the script is elaborate, and car chases, human chases, helicopter rides, fights in enclosed spaces, charming ladies, spy intermezzos and intrigue all follow one another in what boils down to another pretty serious segment of the franchise.
Tom Cruise is his usual self - which is great, albeit a bit predictable. I'm not certain but it seems Ving Rhames gained a little weight since last. Not that it matters. He stays in the sidelines and plays his part as well as usual.
I'm happy to see Benji (Simon Pegg) get a bit more space, and a bit more professional, all the while retaining just enough of his earlier comedy value.
The characters are all an intricate balance, as are the two girls (or three? Four?), and not to mention: Henry Cavill. That guy's something else. He steals the show, even though Sean Harris is the main villain once again.
It's exciting to know Tom Cruise does as many of his stunts as possible himself, in that you'd better believe the action's as authentic as possible, and whatever stunt doubles participated in those chases were in for some ride. Must have been intense.
It looks serious. It looks good. I'm sure they managed to squeeze in some special effects somewhere, but wherever they are I'm not noticing them. (Well maybe that helicopter part.)
Mission Impossible keeps it authentic as few, and I believe it's mostly because - as with the Bond franchise - they actually do try to keep as much of it as possible real. For real.
It shows not only in the stunts, but in the devices (of course they're props - but well-made props), the characters, and pretty much everything that is Mission Impossible. Out of three movies I watched at the movies this particular day this was most definitely the best of the three, and not just because it was the most serious, and most uncompromising, but just because it's always so thorough. It was great all the way through.
Shame about Alec Baldwin though.
rated 5/5: friggin awesome
Here's the story of a hunter, and even more so: his son. It takes place 20,000 years ago, with guest narration by Morgan Freeman. His modern English surrounded the ancient tongue oddly, but strongly, as always.
It was a good story, and filmed well, albeit sometimes with a modern flare that seemed unsuitable for such an ancient tale. The flashbacks, slow motion jumps and plunges; fuzzy sparks rising to the sky. Beautiful but unnatural sceneries stream by, and animals (all but the wolf... and hare), on a harsh and emotional hunt, but even more so: long voyage home.
It was good, but predictable, obviously angled towards a smaller audience (no blood, emphasis on moments that might rouse a child - like the insects, focus on family relations, simplified villains, etc), and stylized i a way that - though it looked cool - I don't feel had a place in this time. I would've preferred dirty, close and chaotic. The struggle under the ice as seen from the side had more movie poster potential than momentary immersion.
I do appreciate the natural beauty, monumental scenery and power - without having to resort to cliche, sex appeal or gore, but at the same time it's like they're somehow parodying our ancestors. Making their lives both more, and less, than they really were.
rated 4/5: fo shizzle