p e n g u i n d e v i l

Back in my raucous teen years, I suffered a number of debilitating addictions. They varied in degree but there was one, short lived (just a few months of ’85), that was overwhelming. Conveniently, it was also inexpensive, only a nickel for each short fix. I would pursue it all the day long and then, come nightfall, the sounds would stream through my head keeping me awake: the commanding voice… the cracking of the whip. After pondering it rarely in the decades since then, I have suffered a small relapse… Through an enabler known as Macmame. Luckily, my interest is no where near the level of my teen years, but there is certainly an entertainment value remaining. Yes, I have again been traipsing through the caverns of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Back in the day, I was the king apparent of this game, though unlike the other games I played well that were more popular (Digdug, Robotron 2084 and Burgertime), I always suspected that my domineering skill at this was due to the fact that I seemed to be the only person who ever played the machine. Somehow, even with the grand new technologies, something about these good old boys really sits right with me. Though you “need” to own or buy the right to use these old ROM’s, there is an amazing treasure trove of memories waiting out there in the iAether…

avoid instant death…

After that excitement though, there are the movies. Sadly the movies I have to contribute aren’t exactly inspiring much. I will get around to watching something more interesting soon, I hope. I ended up watching A Civil Action. I’m not really one for legal drama’s and this was wasn’t too exciting, but I do appreciate anything that brings attention to corporate corruption, so I appreciated it on that angle. But it was actually a fine, fairly interesting story and I thought Travolta did fine in the lead role as an attorney who get involved in a “families versus corporation” environmental pollution case. Though it’s based on a true story, I still couldn’t help but feel that they went a bit overboard exaggerating the extent to which these lawyers sacrificed for this case. But what I really came away from the movie thinking is: Wow, what a cast. They even drug John Lithgow out for it. It had good roles for William H Macy and Robert Duvall (who was as good as always, even if his character was a bit too frustrating and though they overplayed his little mannerisms) and Gandolfini did a good job (Even after watching 20-odd seasons of the Sopranos, I was capable of seeing him as someone other then Tony). On the other hand, Tony Shalhoub (who I have been fond of ever since Big Night) seemed wasted in his bit part… Lot’s of screen time as one of the lawyers dragged along by Travolta, but little dialogue and character. So, you know, the movie was alright.

We then watched yet another Stephen King job. This time, a real feature film! The Dead Zone. Possibly the least engaging King one yet. Certainly not as bad as The Stand (and certainly not as entertaining as it either…), but not particularly interesting. Though it is another one with an eye-catching cast. The story of a fellow who lands in a coma for five years after a car accident and then comes back with the ability to get flashes traumatic events in peoples futures. This ability ends up leading him down a pivotal path and Christoper Walken, as Johnny, has to come to terms with his new power as a gift, a curse or both. Walken, while a wonderful actor, is better suited as a character actor in a supporting role. I just don’t get him as a lead, his intensity is too intense, and I don’t think his characters are believable enough if you flesh them out too much. It also starred Brooke Adams, who was disturbing due to how familiar she looked (it must have been from an old favorite, Gas Food Lodging), but the worst was Herbert Lom, who, while I like him and he did a dandy job, I just could not stop picturing Dreyfus from the Pink Panther movies whenever he was on the screen.

Oh yes and, after a too long break, I went on another hike.

The exciting details live here:

Devil’s Rest