The Boondock Saints

This is exactly the type of violent film that really appeals to me. There's a lot of blood and violence, but it's all done by the good guys and the bad guys are the ones that pay.

Hubby got a recommendation for this movie from the rpg.net forums in a discussion about paladins. And I gotta say, they were spot on. These guys are more like a Chaotic Good representation of paladins though. Well, CG from a society standpoint, but Lawful Good from the perspective of God's Laws. As a matter of fact, the priest in the confessional tells Willam Dafoe's character something along those lines: "The laws of God are higher than the laws of man." I'm a little confused because he seems to be coerced into it by the gun to his head though. I think it's the whole Catholic faith having a problem with murder in God's name (they're possibly a little embarrassed about that whole crusade phase).

Monsignor: And I am reminded, on this holy day, of the sad story of Kitty Genovese. As you all may remember, a long time ago, almost thirty years ago, this poor soul cried out for help time and time again, but no person answered her calls. Though many saw, no one so much as called the police. They all just watched as Kitty was being stabbed to death in broad daylight. They watched as her assailant walked away. Now, we must all fear evil men. But there is another kind of evil which we must fear most, and that is the indifference of good men.
Connor: [as the brothers exit the church] I do believe the monsignor's finally got the point.

Murphy: Aye.

This opening scene still confuses me. It seems to me as if it takes place after the rest of the movie, but I'm not sure there's anything that points to that in the movie. Let me know if you watch it and get the same impression.

Il Duce: Never shall innocent blood be shed, yet the blood of the wicked shall flow like a river. The Three shall spread their blackened wings and be the vengeful striking hammer of God.

The vision/dream blew my mind. I love it when a movie surprises me with a bit of fantastical dropped into a movie when I'm not expecting it. The water seemed to be a deliberate element to the dream, but I'm not sure why. One review alludes to the water making it a sort of babtism. Regardless, that both brothers saw/heard the same thing is just mind-blowing.

Connor: We haven't really got a system of deciding who, Roc. It's just...
Rocco: Me! *Me*! I'm the guy! I know everyone! Their habits, who they hang out with, who they talk to! I've got phone numbers, addresses! I know who they're fucking! I know where they *live*! We could kill *everyone.*
Murphy: So what do you think?
Connor: I'm strangely comfortable with it.

Having the brothers hook up with Rocco to find the bad guys is genius. Rocco was a bag man for 11 years for the bad guys and knows everything about everybody. Just freaking brilliant.

Connor , Murphy: And shepherds we shall be, for thee my Lord for thee, Power hath descended forth from thy hand, that our feet may swiftly carry out thy command, we shall flow a river forth to thee, and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nominepatris, et filii...[they cock their guns]
Connor, Murphy: ...et spiritus sancti.

The relationship between the two brothers (Connor and Murphy) is just fantastic. They fight like brothers. I love that the fight in the hotel duct dropped them right into the midst of the bad guys allowing them to kill everyone. But when things go bad, they're there for one another. When Connor is having his leg cauterized with the iron, he reaches around and uses his brother for support. Such a great way to show how much they need one another.

Connor: Now you will receive us.
Murphy: We do not ask for your poor, or your hungry.
Connor: We do not want your tired and sick.
Murphy: It is your corrupt we claim.
Connor: It is your evil that will be sought by us.
Murphy: With every breath, we shall hunt them down.
Connor: Each day we will spill their blood, 'til it rains down from the skies.
Murphy: Do not kill. Do not rape. Do not steal. These are principles which every man of every faith can embrace.
Connor: These are not polite suggestions, these are codes of behavior, and those of you that ignore them will pay the dearest cost.
Murphy: There are varying degrees of evil. We urge you lesser forms of filth, not to push the bounds and cross over, in to true corruption, into our domain.
Connor: For if you do, one day you will look behind you and you will see we three, and on that day you will reap it.
Murphy: And we will send you to whatever god you wish.

Underworld

I should like this movie better than I do/did. It's pretty - both the people and the stylization, and it actually has a coherent plot. And I'm all about sci-fi/horror flicks. But this movie just leaves me cold.

I think it's the emotionally distant main character. I know that it's a style choice by the director. I can even admire the elements, but my general impression tends towards "meh".

The distance or restraint is an odd choice given that the whole story revolves around love stories. The conflict that pushes the movie's main arc began because Lucian (the werewolf) fell in love with a vampire. Victor had her killed in front of him, and the impetus for the war was born.

And Selene falls in love with Michael (though we're given nothing except for a lingering glance in the train station when they first meet to explain that one). This love leads her to do things completely out of line with her job, duty, and common sense.

I suppose that it's a way they could work love stories into the movie without giving up any of the explosions or violence. But the whole thing just didn't work for me.

From Dusk Til Dawn

George Clooney is an attractive man. But he's never really given me that 'oh yeah' except for this movie. And it's all about the tattoo. It's almost as good as Snake Plissken's (Escape from New York). Almost...

Well, the tattoo and the fact that he manages to portray a bad-ass almost convincingly. As convincingly as anyone can in a funny/campy/horror vampire flick that has Cheech Marin and the phrase "Apple pie pussy".

I also don't hate Juliette Lews in this flick. The chick normally just bugs me. Most of the time, I can't get past that to be able to watch her performance.

And I have got to give props to Salma Hayek. She's only in the flick for less than 5 minutes. But what a 5 minutes. Now that is the way a woman should look. Those hips are the reason she's number 1 on Hubby's list. And I really can't blame him.

As for the rest of it, it's a pretty fun little cult flick. I'll put it on as background when I don't want to get sucked into watching the whole thing.