Kill Bill, Volume 1 was a fun DVD last weekend. Volume 2 should arrive from Netflix tomorrow, and I’m looking forward to it. Quentin Tarantino was born to make this kind of movie, a pastiche of different styles, borrowing heavily from comic books and TV shows, stitched together with gratuituous violence but with a wink towards the audience. Not for everyone, probably, but I was pleasantly surprised. It was on my list to see, but it beat expectations. Metacritic score of 69 probably isn’t wrong, but better than that for me.
Day: December 7, 2006
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Movie: For Your Consideration
After Best in Show, Christopher Guest and the rest of his merry team earned the right to make most any movie they chose. With For Your Consideration, I’d suggest it’s time to revoke that license. Studded with funny actors, sprinkled with funny scenes, this extended sketch — sort of a movie novella — really doesn’t match up to previous work.
I’ll admit my disappointment was colored by the consistent cackles behind me. These inconsiderate folks fell over themselves laughing just at the first appearance of some of these actors. Sure, it was a Friday night, and I’m glad people are out to enjoy themselves. But when you interrupt my Friday night, I get grouchy.
Metacritic score of 70 feels exorbitant. Notably, the community there is voting the film at 5.8, a step lower. I suppose the critics got to see the film in a quiet screening; maybe I missed some of the jokes?
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RIP, James Kim
Like so many around the country (especially in the small-world of the San Francisco Internet industry), I followed the story of the Kim family over the last week. After the unexpected lift in spirits when the family was found, it was especially disheartening to get the bad news yesterday afternoon.
So, we doubled down. They found the family, we said to each other. Maybe they’ll find the dad too. [C.W. Nevius, SFGate]
I worked at CNET for five years, until May 2006, so my thoughts are with my friends and colleagues there now. I didn’t know James very well. But he was responsive and helpful the one time I made a personal request for his expertise. Every comment and report I’ve seen demonstrates that this was the norm.
I ache for those two children.