tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481549185308465110.post1890075737264109632..comments2024-03-08T04:06:20.301-05:00Comments on TrustMovies: PUNISHER: War Zone and PRIDE & GLORY Two Losers, one deserving, the other not.TrustMovieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01130460547029155342noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481549185308465110.post-50346052061406523552009-04-09T09:32:00.000-04:002009-04-09T09:32:00.000-04:00In these come-to-life cartoon movies, current even...In these come-to-life cartoon movies, current events and concerns are ALWAYS "background fodder for the bloodshed and mayhem," as you quite correctly describe it -- whether in a straight-ahead revenge flick like Punisher, an ersatz "deeply thoughtful" piece of trash like The Dark Knight or an empty and surprisingly boring effort like Iron Man. I guess I am beginning to appreciate the emperor more when he simply admits he has no clothes -- and gets on with the action at hand. The latest Incredible Hulk, managed to do this well, too. All these films seem to imagine that they must give lip-service to topics like terrorism, etc. Punisher did less of it, I thought, except, of course, where that anti-religion angle -- a genuine and welcome addition to the oeuvre -- is concerned. Imagine what might be accomplished if the majority of citizens began placing their trust in things other than a fictitious deity? I believe they actually do this already without admitting it and then use the deity as an excuse not to face things that must be faced -- from the idea that "actions have consequences" to the concept that death needs to be considered and prepared for. I'm probably getting off-target here. But I am glad you at least finished Punisher and understand, I hope, what I mean by its unusual ending. And -- ah, yes -- City of Ember!TrustMovieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01130460547029155342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481549185308465110.post-23525908029350007892009-04-08T17:49:00.000-04:002009-04-08T17:49:00.000-04:00Jim - Surprisingly, I did make it the entire way t...Jim - Surprisingly, I did make it the entire way through! The film mentions the Iraq War, deals with certain issues regarding terrorism, but ultimately it's all background fodder for the bloodshed and mayhem. A bit too one note for me. Although it's great you critically consider films that are mindlessly dismissed by most mainstream critics. There are gems buried beneath the negativity, like City of Ember!GHJ -https://www.blogger.com/profile/12235068406016194156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481549185308465110.post-66996096556617645162009-04-08T10:19:00.000-04:002009-04-08T10:19:00.000-04:00You're not alone there, Glenn. Most everybody fel...You're not alone there, Glenn. Most everybody felt similar, I think. I didn't pick up on much that seemed very political in "Punisher." But did you not notice the religion thing going on? At the point of that final shot, around the neon "Jesus Saves" sign, I felt like standing up and saluting! Or did you not last out that far into the film? Maybe the movie just pushed all my anti-religion buttons, agnostic reprobate that I am.TrustMovieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01130460547029155342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2481549185308465110.post-88285243610999265422009-04-07T20:30:00.000-04:002009-04-07T20:30:00.000-04:00I don't know Jim. I hated both of these films, esp...I don't know Jim. I hated both of these films, especially Punisher: War Zone. I sensed it was trying to have a political slant, but was too idiotic to successfully tie these ideas into the otherwise monotonous, bad story. As for Pride and Glory, the first act isn't bad but once the cliches start rolling in, it's all downhill.GHJ -https://www.blogger.com/profile/12235068406016194156noreply@blogger.com