"HEAR THE other side," advised ancient Roman law.
This movie is named after a classic Hasbro naval combat game. The subtitle, "The Battle for Earth begins at Sea", says it all. Plenty of action. lots of thrills. So let me say a few words about this neglected sci-fi thriller. (At least it is neglected in the mega-mega millions shadow of The Avengers.) It's exciting.
A lot happens when aliens visit us with negative feelings and some of it is simply spectacular. The movie is a bit like the "Transformers" genre in that the aliens seem totally unbeatable, are made of something that is practically indestructible, are huge, have powerful weapons and kill 20,000 people in Hong Kong right at the beginning. (A nice start; it gets your attention.)
"Battleship", while predictable, boasts a a misbehaving naval officer--leading man Taylor Kitsch in a second try since Disney's failed "John Carter." Though the character is written in a too-obvious manner, Mr. Kitsch gives it his all. The very fine Alexander Skarsgard plays his disciplined older brother. (He is one of HBO's conflicted "True Blood" vampires.)
Everything about this movie was much more interesting to me than "Transformers" ever were.
Because? Because most of it happens at sea and around Pearl Harbor and it harks most memorably back to World War II. (In this one, the American hero-against-his-will-- ends up as pals with another more moderate officer who just happens to be Japanese. (Actor Joji Yoshida).
The sea-worthy ships are beautiful and so is Hawaii and, especially, the old-fashioned Battleship Missouri, having been made into a Museum. (It was on this true historical artifact that the surrender of Japan took place back in 1945 with General MacArthur accepting for the U.S. ) Well, it's nice to see our old friend, the Missouri, again.
The real plus for Battleship is that good actor is that good actor Liam Neeson who once more gives a true and honorable performance as the chief of naval operations. I liked the athletic and blonde leading lady, Brooklyn Decker. As well as the real hero, actor Gregory D. Gadson, who performs without his legs. He is outstanding.
In the words often uttered during the Great Depression - what do people want for a nickel?
Battleship, directed by Peter Berg, is a very entertaining movie, unlike most smash-and-bang films of today. In fact, I liked it better than The Avengers. (Blasphemy!)
Now I hear that maybe Russell agrees on the resemblance and is considering portraying Tiny Tim in a Judd Apatow-produced film! Tiny, in case you need a reminder, was pop-culture
phenom with his ukulele, his high pitched voice and marriage to "Miss Vicky" on the Johnny Carson show. Though his popularity was short-lived, Tim continued to work until his death in 1996. He was completely serious about his music, and was known as an archivist, as well as the man who memorably sang "Tiptoe Through the Tulips." Tiny was one of the more innocent distractions in the often-terrible, endlessly tumultuous decade of the 1960s.
Last week Cincotti--still a youngster at 28 -- performed songs from his latest CD, "Metropolis," at the dark and trendy Le Poisson Rouge in the West Village. He has composed all the songs on the album. He's also written, with his sister, Pia, a musical titled "How Deep Is the Ocean." (This debuts in June at the New York Musical Theater Festival.) The fans at Le Poisson Rouge loved all his new material.
It read: Two steamed 1 ½ lb. Lobsters with butter Cole Slaw and French Fries and Dessert whether it be sorbet, ice cream Or cookies. A bottle of red or white wine
And the price of this outing for two on Sunday nights is $90. Now, that's a bargain.
Of course, Sunday night is everybody's favorite night to stay home in front of the TV. But then, you could choose to be different. Go to Swifty's on Sunday evening.
Tell Robert and Steve that Liz sent you.
