I really hate historical epics making all previous empires into America wannabes.

You know this is a true sign of a country feeling insecure, when it starts looking to history and claiming great moments for itself.

I found a movie theater I can get to here! It's showing Resident Evil 2 for $8.00 a ticket. I'm about that desperate.

Haven't seen The Grudge, but the sound in Ju-On really upped the creepy factor. Oddly, things that seem to be emphasized as scare points (like the hand coming out of the back of SMG's head in the previews) were not nearly as effective as some of the more subtle bits.

I saw The Sea Inside last night, and while I didn't enjoy it as much as Abre Los Ojos or The Others, it's still very, very good. Javier Bardem is phenomenal. I'm curious to see if it gets a wide enough release to attract controversy.

[spelling fixed]

Javier Bardem=genius actor.

He's superb in Bad Education.

I watched Star Trek: Nemesis over the weekend. I feel dirty, now.

I feel dirty, now.

And not in that good way, I bet.

The Grudge seems to be getting thrashed by the critics at large. I don't know. I loved The Ring, despite the incoherence of the plot. It had atmosphere and terrific cinematography and some genuine pathos. The word around is, The Grudge makes The Ring look like narrative masterpiece. Is it really that bad?

Is it really that bad?

Eff 'em. Eff 'em all. The critics, that is...

I think the mainstream critics are trashing it because they need long-winded explanations, or, I don't know.... a bunch of stuff that makes for crappy horror (if you ask me). Or they just don't like horror movies (critics usually don't).

All the small press critics I've reead *love* it. I loved the original, and from what I've heard, they're faithful enough to it that I'm sure I'll love this one (though not as much as I loved the original).

Vonnie, I strongly urge you to ignore the critics trashing it and go see it. I think it will be very good (meaning it will scare the crap out of you).

Serial:

Though, as far as narrative.... I also think the critics are too needing of narrative coherence. The Grudge does jump around a little, without warning, and they expect you to keep up. So if you are like a mainstream critic, and can't handle a movie that expects you to bring your brain along, you might not like it.

I expect you'll be able to follow along, where critics had a tougher time of it.

So if you are like a mainstream critic, and can't handle a movie that expects you to bring your brain along, you might not like it.

Sean, considering you haven't seen the film yet, perhaps you could refrain from implying that my husband (who found the film solidly mediocre) is an idiot who just couldn't follow the plot. Just a thought.