Movie Hawk By the Numbers

In an extremely coincidental and totally unplanned set of circumstances (these phrases instead of the popular use of “ironic,” which it isn’t, much like most of the situations people use “ironic” to decribe), my review of 300 was entry number 100 here at Movie Hawk. If I really think about it, that’s a low number, considering the fact that I’m nearing eight months in this space, but that’s just a fact you’re going to have to deal with. Here’s some interesting (to me) figures of the activity of the first 100 posts at Movie Hawk.

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It’s All Greek to Me

The comic book revolution continues to influence the films that Hollywood cranks out, bringing familiar characters off the pulp pages and into the public conscience. Last year’s Sin City brought new light to the genre, bringing a very specific look to the film pallet, its rich black-and-white set against stark glimpses of color setting the mood for a fascinating, intriguing story. Frank Miller, the graphic novelist who created the Sin City stories and helped direct the movie, brings his retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. to the screen with 300. And while Miller deserves adulation for once again challenging the visual conventions of film, his translation from comic to film here isn’t quite as complete as previous efforts.

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Queen of Hearts

At this point, there’s little doubt that you know of The Queen, know that it’s considered a fantastic film, and have heard that Helen Mirren‘s portrayal of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is among the stronger performances of the past several years (and, according to the Academy, the strongest of this past year). And so there’s little I can do to convince you to see the movie if you haven’t already. Not only does The Queen put the week after Princess Diana’s death into historical perspective, not only does it clue the stateside population into British royal procedure; it’s also a deeply human, moving account that questions what a monarch owes to her people.

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Ruffled Feathers

It’s always disappointing when your favorite team’s season ends earlier than it should, but for some reason, last night’s loss by Saint Joseph’s to George Washington – a loss that could very well keep the Hawks out of postseason play (the NIT could still very well come knocking) – can’t be seen as much of a surprise. For months, the Hawks have confused and frustrated their followers; the season may have come complete with a cardboard Foghorn Leghorn cutout declaring “I say, I say, you must be at least THIS tall to ride this ride). And last night’s game summarized everything about these Hawks that has infuriated me throughout the season. As a matter of fact, I came up with a game specifically designed for this team: let’s see how many ways you can complete the sentence “The problem with this team is…”

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There Are Literally Not Enough Jokes

I’m extraordinarily late in reporting this news – I first heard about it before the new year – but I got an email from reader Tom G. today that reminded me and made me chuckle all over again:

Dave Matthews will be playing the patient in tonight’s episode of House.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a big fan of House and used to be a big fan of Dave Matthews, so it would make sense that I report the guest spot as soon as I found out about it. But, honestly, I was too overcome with jokes to focus on one. “Does Dave play a patient so riddled with drugs that he mumbles everything he says?” “Will this episode feature a 17-minute jam session?” And so on. Dave plays a mentally challenged musical savant, which isn’t too far off from the truth. Let’s just hope that House has enough Vicodin to put up with listening to selected tracks from Stand Up.

Tonight’s episode will certainly be worth checking out. And once you’re done that, go get the first two seasons on DVD, and be amazed at the wonder that is Hugh Laurie’s American accent.