Thought that, since I've had some time off work, I should get my act together and make a new blog entry.
(In case you didn't catch my update panel, I've had a bit of a wild ride started by a 'simple' toothache).
Any way, While I was in hospital, my lovely wife Jo thoughtfully brought in a portable dvd player so I could watch a few movies, since I was bedridden. (Gotta love that girl).
So I thought I could give my opinion on...
"A history of violence" (SCV).

Overall, I enjoyed this movie.
Although I felt it seemed a little bit short. But at 96 minutes in length, maybe that means I was enjoying it and time went by quickly.
I have always been a fan of prosthetic makeup effects, and Cronenberg is a director who isn't known for restraint, so the damage inflicted on Viggo's enemies was nicely done. Definitely NOT for kiddies.
Some people have commented that the actors seemed to sleepwalk through their parts, but I just thought that this was just a slower paced, pot-boiler kind of thing. The pacing made the 'acts of violence' all the more shocking when they happened.
Ed Harris has always been a fave (ever since 'The Abyss') and was great as a villain.
But I would agree that William Hurt (who has NEVER grabbed me as an exciting guy) kind of redeemed himself at the climax of this film. Mind you, Mr Hurt STILL struck me as someone running at half-velocity. But on-the-whole, well done Bill.
Viggo was very good, as always, and sex scenes with wife, played by Maria Bello, were kinda 'too hot' for a guy in his sickbed.
The story paced well in short vignettes that told what needed to be told and then moved on.
All in all, I give this film a healthy 'B', verging precariously towards an 'A'.
But, bear in mind, I am a fussy reviewer.

"V for Vendetta" gets a solid 'A'.
If you don't like non-mainstream movies that fit that uncomfortable middle-ground that invariably gets squeezed between 'Drama' and 'science fiction', you probably won't think much of it. But I thought this film had an ambient mood somewhere around 'The Count of Monte Cristo', 'The Matrix' and '1984'. Each are favourites.
Every actor in this film was seriously watchable. Natalie Portman and Hugo Weaving were great (as always) and John Hurt was painfully excellent.
Tired of Christmas movies? How about a new genre... Guy Fawkes movies anyone?


REMEMBER: my rating system goes like this...
If a movie has some part that catches Jo's interest, the movie shall be deemed Suitable for Continued Viewing (SCV). If the movie just gets worse and worse, or if there are no redeeming moments, the rating will sink to Shoddy, Hateful, Idiotic Trash (SHIT).

Rating Scale: A = Must Own. B = Must See. C = Good Watch.
D = Not Good. E = Shoddy, Hateful, Idiotic Trash.