Before I jump into this, let me go on record, I like Johnny Depp. I often like Tim Burton. I even mostly like Roald Dahl. And John August. I even had a good time at the movie. I laughed several times, and in no way thought the movie was a waste of time.

( And yet. )

 
Okay. I’m done now. I stupidly volunteered to make a shot list for the start of principle photography (see, I'm making a movie, and I'm being pathetically geeky about it) tomorrow, so, I've got some work to do yet tonight.

Happy Birthday to Kristen Bell! Without her, Veronica Mars would not be the same.

Today is Monday, the day we type about movies, and the business of movies. Yes, I’ve been listening to NPR, why do you ask?

 

Given movie prices, as I mentioned last week, I’m going to review some old classics. However, due to bad planning, this one, while undeniably a classic, isn’t on any list of great films. That’s okay, it has Cary Grant, and that’s enough for me.

 

( His Girl Friday )

...and this one has a picture of *me,* and also, my name...

Serenity 

There are minor spoilers in that second to last paragraph, that starts with "All this is not to say that I think the movie is perfect or I'm blinded to possible problems. " Stop reading there, if you want to be completely spoiler free.

I can't stop thinking about this movie. This movie is unbelievably good. I understand that the print last night was a more recent print than kung_fu_monkey , saintpookie  and drtectonic  saw, so it's much improved, quality-wise. I'm going to agree with Beemer that Joss is, well, I can't bring myself to type it, but, I'm, thinking it. In a good way. Mostly.

I cried more than once. I laughed a good deal, too. I will not spoil the movie, as that would be a terrible crime, since that's the kind of movie it is. ( Some further thoughts: )

Also, the banner thing went off smashingly. We ended up with 34 of the 35 cities participating in some form or another, but most had banners like in the picture, linked in the next sentence. This is a large picture, but, when I saw it, it made my month, and was beyond awesome. Joss was blown away, and quite touched by the whole thing apparently, and I am so glad I sucked up my initial "didn't get tickets" disappointment to set out the idea anyway. Besides, there is no way this would've worked without all the people who jumped aboard, and made it go. To be redundant and almost cliche, "we did the impossible, and that makes us mighty." I still have the Denver banner, which will be mailed later, since our Universal reps weren't up to the task. I'd be happy to let anyone peep at it, and sign it. Fact, I think I'm going to sign it a second time. Can't Stop the Signal, Indeed.

This is the first year in, well, probably a decade, that I haven't seen a single one of the films nominated for best picture when the nominations came out.

When the noms are released, it naturally reminds me of the great Oscar Word of the Day tradition. I've been so bad about the Words of the Day, that I'm not sure anyone is still interested in them. So, I shall shamelessly ask for input on a) shall there be Words of the Day and b) if yes, should they still be using Yahoo groups, or some other means? (i.e. should that be the root of my blog? Or some other form that my gentle readers might prefer and of which I am unaware?)