Speed Racer

Is it ok if I admit that I sort of liked this? It had style, and echoed the original cartoon really well. I think that most people who saw it weren’t overly familiar with the source material though, and a lot of the movie was lost on them. My only complaint was that it could have been “darker”. They could have taken the source material, and just gotten wicked with it: blood, sex, violence, etc. But, I know that’s not a realistic expectation. The thing is that I think it’d have worked a lot better that way. All the fans of the original are adults now, so why make this into a kids movie? Perhaps that’s where the movie fell short – it was too “grown-up” for kids, and to childish for grown-ups.

Into the Wild

I was surprised at how much I liked this. I appreciated the acting, the direction, the story, the message – and the music. It was really a full package. I’ve heard people criticize Christopher McCandless – the real person behind the movie. They simply know nothing, and don’t get the point. To me, they’re missing out on the experience and joy that is freedom and life. I’ve met many people like McCandless who by luck or skill lived a happier ending. They are the reason the world is interesting.