Monday, October 06, 2008

End of the world movies

I thought I loved disaster movies, or as my kids all them, "end-of-the-world" movies. As much as I love them, I think my hubby has me beat. Tonight, we're watching a movie a movie about major earthquakes. I'm not sure of the name. After this, he's salivating about another disaster movie about tornadoes hitting New York City. I've not really gotten into this one. Why? For one, I'm busy blogging and reading emails. But two? There's too much action-adventure and not enough characterization. Even though I love this type of movie in general, they have to have great characters and slow down enough to allow them to shine through. What I really love is to watch the human spirit prevail against all odds. I also want to know what makes the characters tick even when there are disasters happening or pending. I can watch "Independence Day" night after night after night. Ditto with "The Mummy", "Night of the Comet", "The Stand", "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Night of the Tornadoes", and "Day After Tomorrow". I can watch "Armageddon", "Dante's Peak", and "Twister" occasionally if not as much as those on my A list. I want to know the characters and feel their emotions. Some of the made-for-TV disaster movies have so much "disaster" happening, or show so many characters, I lose interest fast. Just like I'm having trouble getting into the movie on TV now. Of course, the longer I've been writing, the more I want to edit not only books but movies and the quicker I become bored if it's not really good. When I really love a movie, I forget to edit. Or maybe I should say I can tell when I really love a movie or a book when I stop trying to edit and just enjoy it. I'm not trying to be picky, but it just happens. I'm watching a commercial about the "NYC: Tornado Terror" and I have to laugh. Okay, so I'm warped - I'm laughing at a tornado ripping apart a city. Why am I laughing? Because for the gazillionth time the Statue of Liberty is being torn apart in a movie. It's so cliche. It's like a disaster movie can't be made about NYC without showing the Statue of Liberty being destroyed. Give it a rest already! Even in the "Day After Tomorrow" a movie I like a lot, the Statue of Liberty is bowled over by tidal waves. Of course it would be, but still. And now in this one, it showed the Statue of Liberty's arm being ripped off. This reminds me of the "Planet of the Apes" where Charlton Heston finds out he's on Earth and not some other innocuous planet when he finds the Statue of Liberty in the ruins. The only disaster movie set in New York City I thought was original in using the Statue of Liberty was "Ghost Busters" or was it "Ghost Busters II" where the Statue of Liberty starts walking and saves the city. Now that was pretty awesome and unique twist on the cliches. Now I know hubby's more twisted by me. The next movie was just advertised again and the Statue of Liberty's arm was just flung off again, and he's going "Oh, cool!". I married a sick sick man. I guess we're well suited. :) After all, I blew up all of planet Earth in my book "Eternal Damnation", so whose the real twisted one? You'll also want to see what Amarinda Jones, Anika Hamilton, Anny Cook, Barbara Huffert, Brynn Paulin, Bronwyn Green, Dakota Rebel, Kelly Kirch, Molly Daniels, Sandra Cox, Regina Carlysle, and Cindy Spencer Pape are up to, so make sure to visit them also. :)

9 comments:

Brynn Paulin said...

Your A-list looks just like mine. I watch Day After Tomorrow and Twister as often as I can. I need to get Dante's Peak on DVD. I have it on VHS and it's a little worn. The man against nature thing really appeals to me for some reason. Maybe that's why I like Jurassic Park as much as I do. Who knows?

Unknown said...

I forgot about Jurassic Park. It's gorier than the others I tend to watch but Jeff Goldblum is one of my favorites so he makes it good (such intelligent men are so sexy, ya know?). I think my kids have hidden "Day After Tomorrow" on me as I can't find it and I only had 3 copies (long story).

Unknown said...

Did you notice this post says it was published Monday October 6th? What's wrong with blogger? It's only the 5th! It skipped over my scheduled post for the 5th and published this one. At least I noticed so I'll reschedule my post for today for later. Oi!

Sandra Cox said...

Day After Tomorrow is one of my keepers.
I loved the mummy series and the Indiana Jones series. I like the fact that the next generation features in strongly.

Cait London said...

I'm with you on tearing NYC apart. So cliche.

Cait London said...

I'm with you on tearing NYC apart. So cliche.

Anonymous said...

I'm the same way! Love disaster movies. I haven't seen the NYC one, but now I shall have to, even if it sucks.

weenie said...

That Planet of the Apes moment with Heston was and still is awesome...brings shivers down my spine! Came here via the little black box - hi!

Cindy Spencer Pape said...

not a disaster movie fan, but do love the pulp feeling Mummy, Indiana Jones, and National Treasure sort of flicks. Great post, Ashley!

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