Good, bad, I'm the one with the fangs
Feb. 23rd, 2006 04:19 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jchrisobrienI watched Night Watch last night with a number of fine folk. Spoiler info and a comparison to Underworld can be found here
Underworld featured fairly generic vampires, one that conformed to a pretty common stereotype: Gothy, sleek, androgynous, mattle black leather and mirrorshades. The Others in Night Watch are a very eclectic bunch: mages, seers, shapeshifters, and yes, vampires. No werewolves, though. You meet computer programmers, hair stylists, girl group rock stars, and some awesome villain in a white Adidas sweatsuit with bling and a big white Russian fur hat. Awesome, and different.
The vampires and lycans in Underworld are descended from common stock, and are really souped up humans. The Others employ magic and travel through something called the Gloom, a shadow world that will consume you if you stay in it too long. The visual effects are very interesting in Night Watch, and they do manage to convey the mood of an ancient conflict better than in Underworld. Night Watch is being adapted from a series of novels, so that is an added bonus.
There are a couple of stories going through the film, and while some end in victory for the Light, some don't. I have a feeling Night Watch will do pretty well in the States, well enough for them to bring the sequal Day Watch over as well. If you want to see something new and different with your supernatural world, with a little bit of camp and a different sense ofstyle, go see Night Watch.
That being said, I still enjoyed Underworld.
Continuing a theme of doing new things, I took lunch at Pho Pasteur in Chinatown today with Eeyrg, who looked quite happy. We talked about the new changes in our respective lives, and both of us seemed to be doing rather well. I had to think about that on the way home. I'm content with a lot of things right now, but I am happy? I'm not doing cartwheels down the street or saying the World Is Full Of Love. But I'm not really down about anything either. I'm not worried about things, I have plans in motion and am dealing with stuff as it comes down the road. Maybe the state of being happy isn't large and glowing like a bonfire all the time. Maybe being happy is the feeling when you're full of good soup. Of walking in the sun. If nothing's wrong, then things are Right.
Speaking of more new things, I'm off to the MFA tonight for the first time in .... maybe ever.
Underworld featured fairly generic vampires, one that conformed to a pretty common stereotype: Gothy, sleek, androgynous, mattle black leather and mirrorshades. The Others in Night Watch are a very eclectic bunch: mages, seers, shapeshifters, and yes, vampires. No werewolves, though. You meet computer programmers, hair stylists, girl group rock stars, and some awesome villain in a white Adidas sweatsuit with bling and a big white Russian fur hat. Awesome, and different.
The vampires and lycans in Underworld are descended from common stock, and are really souped up humans. The Others employ magic and travel through something called the Gloom, a shadow world that will consume you if you stay in it too long. The visual effects are very interesting in Night Watch, and they do manage to convey the mood of an ancient conflict better than in Underworld. Night Watch is being adapted from a series of novels, so that is an added bonus.
There are a couple of stories going through the film, and while some end in victory for the Light, some don't. I have a feeling Night Watch will do pretty well in the States, well enough for them to bring the sequal Day Watch over as well. If you want to see something new and different with your supernatural world, with a little bit of camp and a different sense ofstyle, go see Night Watch.
That being said, I still enjoyed Underworld.
Continuing a theme of doing new things, I took lunch at Pho Pasteur in Chinatown today with Eeyrg, who looked quite happy. We talked about the new changes in our respective lives, and both of us seemed to be doing rather well. I had to think about that on the way home. I'm content with a lot of things right now, but I am happy? I'm not doing cartwheels down the street or saying the World Is Full Of Love. But I'm not really down about anything either. I'm not worried about things, I have plans in motion and am dealing with stuff as it comes down the road. Maybe the state of being happy isn't large and glowing like a bonfire all the time. Maybe being happy is the feeling when you're full of good soup. Of walking in the sun. If nothing's wrong, then things are Right.
Speaking of more new things, I'm off to the MFA tonight for the first time in .... maybe ever.
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no subject
Date: 2006-02-23 09:28 pm (UTC)When/where was that one made?
The consistancy feels strange, doesn't it? Especially after a period where things are...not good. It's as if happiness has to be the opposite extreme. (HAPPY ;) ) But part of being happy with things is attaining equilibrium, yes? And equilibrium often means some form of consistancy.
no subject
Date: 2006-02-24 03:16 am (UTC)Usually cosistency is stagnation, or badness. There's a lot to be said for balance or equilibrium (awesome movie!). Equilibrium brings harmony, and balance, so it's not a crazy amout of goodness, but a calmer kind.
It's good groundwork for more crazy goodness to come!
no subject
Date: 2006-02-23 09:31 pm (UTC)it was SO good to see you. i've been thinking along those same lines as your above post illustrates this afternoon. we are doing rather well and can smile, so... why the hell not? :)
no subject
Date: 2006-02-24 03:13 am (UTC)Only good can come of that!
no subject
Date: 2006-02-23 09:47 pm (UTC)Yes! Happiness, for me anyway, is faith in smaller delights, details, and aspects. It's taking joy in the little details, knowning that it is this ability, the capability to find so much in so little that will amount to more frequent moments of 'BIG HAPPY'. It's all about value. I value and treasure that which I do have. Even when there are things I think I'd like more of, or feel that I lack, I always try to refocus on that which is already safely within my grasp. Because nothing is certain. You can't always guard that which you already have, but in valuing it, you're less likely to take it for granted. Often, things taken for granted are too easily lost, and not noticed until it is far too late.
Have fun at the MFA. Art is Magic. Magic is Art. *G*
no subject
Date: 2006-02-24 03:11 am (UTC)Learning to really value and appreciate what we have, friendships especially, is something I could honestly learn to love more. Like you said, just because it's there doesn't mean it will stay. You have to work at it, nurture it, keep it alive.
And in that, you will find happiness.