Ang Lee
Posted by Stuart at 01:25 PM on June 23, 2003A surprisingly cool breeze was blowing through the falling rain as I left the MBK movie theatre last night. My friend Toon wrapped his arms tight around himself and complained about the cold through his chattering teeth. I'd say the wind chill was about about 70 F, but I was sure Toon was going to get frostbite any minute. I guess that's what happens when you live in balmy Bangkok all of your life. How do my Thai friends back in the states (especially the ones in Chicago and New York) ever survive?
We had just finished watching Hulk, which we both thoroughly enjoyed. I'll even go so far as to say it was better than Matrix 2. The effects were fairly good, the characters and storyline were interesting, and the cinematography was stunning. Ang Lee added a lot of nice little touches with panning and zooming camera tricks, split screens and intelligent uses of the color green throughout the movie. For a mainstream Hollywood flick, it was quite artistic.
Speaking of Ang Lee, I read a quote of his in the Bangkok Post last week that really hit home with me. He said, "I want to keep jumping and moving around. I like to keep myself nervous and put myself on the edge and stretch. I don't want to get used to any routine or rythym or formailty... I have to keep doing things that I don't know how to do... Its a little sadistic, but I think you have to go through the tortuous and nervous process to get the best out of yourself."
What an articulate way to say what I often feel living in Thailand.
woah. better than matrix 2. now that is surely a first! :)
When I say it's better than Matrix, remember that I didn't really like that movie. I thought it suffered from the inevitable part-two-of-three shortcomings (no beginning and no end), the special effects were over hyped and the story and dialogue were meaningless x-Files-ish psycho-babble. But at the same time I am looking forward to the third and final installment to see if the creators can tie it all together and make some sense of all the vague philosophy.
As far as Hulk goes, I just talked to a friend who told me to not waste my time because it was complete trash. So I guess you will just have to see it and judge for yourself.
Very good quote. I lean too much on the other side .... complacency, yet I am the only one who can be blamed for allowing myself to get into those ruts. But the crazy thing is that everytime I notice that is what I going toward, I try NOT to let that happen. At times I feel as though I don't push myself enough to branch out and get nervous .... except for my pending move to FL ... lots of nervous and lots of excited!!!!
Cliff said that Matrix 2 was really good --- Intersting to hear that The Hulk, you think, is better ..... I would like to see both!!! Actually having moving night tonight "Alex and Emma." during the week I need a light hearted, non-thinking, non-action packed flick, or else I'll be awake ALL night!!!! :-)
Chilly at 70 degree wind chill --- sheesh .... hahahaha!!!!!