Unforgettable (1996)

I just finished watching a film I'd never heard about before today, which is strange because the actor is very well known to me. Ray Liotta stars as doctor David Krane in this far fetched sci-fi thriller directed by John Dahl.
After being acquitted of the brutally murder of his wife Dr. David Krane can't get the thought about finding the real murderer out of his mind. Although he were able to keep his job, his two daughters have been removed from his care.
When a scientist, Martha Briggs, presents her study of a drug mixed with spinal fluid which can transfer memories Krane sees this as a chance to find the killer by entering his dead wife's memories. He amazingly manage to do so but with the effect of straining his heart.

Yes, this is far-fetched science but I've been able to accept similar deus ex machinas in for example Brainstorm and Inception, so why not this spinal fluid drug too?
The phasing of the movie is a bit uneven, there is a long chasing scene which I wished was a little shorter. I guessed the point was to let Krane go through a situation that would worsen his heart condition but the scene came a bit off as a filler. Although I could say the same about many of the memory scenes, they're later revealed to have a more direct point to them than the first-impression gave.

Ray Liotta's David Krane comes off as stubborn, impatient and irresponsible. He also have a past of heavy drinking and violent tantrums, he is in other words the perfect suspect. Still it's impossible not to have some faith in him. Ray Liotta was a good choice for the character, he really knows how to act questionable types.

Unforgettable is visually well made but what stands out for me is the orchestration by Christopher Young and Pete Anthony which adds a lot to the mood of the film.

Overall I think watching the movie was time well spent. There's a lot of suspense, the ending is not obvious and it does a good job of creating the disorientation and strain Krane goes through by being imprinted by other's memories.

The future is often so gloomy.

I've been watching some strange films in my life and science fiction gives film-makers an opportunity to really go for the weird aesthetic. Metropia looks a bit creepy at times because the actors in this film look a lot like cgi Gerry Anderson puppets with natural texture, eeek.  

The story is set sometime in the future and Europe is connected by an underground travelling net. It's not so often I get to watch a dark gritty future set in Europe but we have such a dark and gritty past so why not.

As with so many futures the anxiety of a government's or a huge corporation's control over individuals is the focal point. As usual with this types of films the control is build further on the basis on what the depressing reality already is. In Metropia it's sure getting depressing, only a strand of hair on our body is enough to listen to our thoughts and communicate new ideas into our minds.  Also all the television sets are equipped with hidden cameras so big-shot corporation creeps can spy on everyday people.

The style of the film is interesting and it's funny how aware I get of texture when all the people and clothes look like little dolls. I paid more attention to the visuals than the story which I felt didn't offer me much new material in this genre.

I've been watching that mathematician guy part 2

I Think I better just divide those Goldblum posts. I've learned now to never try to make posts that feel like a never-ending burden instead of fun.



"Are we limp and hard to manage?"
Mac in Earth Girls Are Easy.

A bewildered Gina Davis, mmmmm.

This is clearly not the most challenging acting job Goldblum ever had. 

His job here is to be good looking, I must give him credit for doing it remarkably well. This character solely exists so that female viewers first can go "Wow!" and then "Awwwww." 

He's first introduced as an alien blue fur-ball which travels in a tiny colorful spaceship together with two wacky hornballs (Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans).

I'm blue da ba dee da ba die

Why this guy?

As mentioned Goldblum is hired in as eye candy and love interest of the female lead (Gina Davis). He appears as innocent and learning, he doesn't protest when he's given a dashing make-over and he's the neatest lover in movie history. He has this weird LSD-love touch which comes in handy throughout the film. Oh..and he wiggles his blue furry ears, how cute is that?

My Elevation Bono with flying elephant.

I loved the flying elephant in U2's Elevation video.

Just one more thing....

I'm sad now, I loved watching this guy. Peter Falk, the man who was famous for his portrayal of the scruffy looking Lt. Columbo. He lived a long life and was an active actor until 2009. He was such fun to watch, awesome actor. His deliveries were full of life, his gestures, his facial expressions, all the talent needed to build up a believable character.

He looked clever, even when acting dumb, something Columbo often did to trick the villains.

I need to plan a Peter Falk marathon now (weep).

Brilliant U2 music videos (Because there are not many of them)

I love their music but their videos have often only concert or just standing singing type of clips. Not too interesting in other words.
U2 isn't completely without some good visual stuff though. For those remembering Achtung Baby the visuals were great intertwining own satellite tv station (Zoo Tv) and Bono's different stage personas The Fly, Mr. MacPhisto, Mirror Ball Man and someone who looked like a Zoo Tv crew member singing Bullet the Blue Sky, Running to Stand Still etc. Mmmm those were the days.
But they haven't been lazy after that, although it feels long between the music video gems there have been some brilliant videos from these guys.



Windows in the sky (alternate version)


There are other great music videos for this song but this video really took me by surprise. The flow of images is soothing to watch and the images themselves are what every U2 fan will feel happy to see.


Elevation


This video is just great fun and what I find rare from U2. A mishmash of strangeness complimented with hilarious and convincing clips of The Edge in Tomb Raider. Him of all people, that's adorable. Watch out for that air-floating elephant.  


Stay (Faraway so Close)


Mmmm, the angels of Wim Wenders. U2 acts as helping and comforting angels while the viewers are escorted safely around in Berlin. Otto Sander and the beautiful Nastassja Kinski are in this little masterpiece too as well as in the film U2 did this song to (Far Away, So Close) 


Lemon


An idea based on Victorian Eadweard J Muybridge's photographic studies of people in motion. The fabulous Mr. MacPhisto is in it doing all his grand moves.



All I Want is You


Anyone remember the film Freaks? Remember and remember, it was made in 1932. U2 seem to have a liking for it as this video shows. The story differs in that the lady in this video comes off as sweet, which makes this story sadder than the creepy Freaks.


Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me.


MacPhiiiiiisssssto!
Before Nolan fans told me that Batman Forever was shite (and basically all other no-Nolan Batman films for that matter) it was fun to watch. Frankly I still find it fun to watch.
Mr. MacPhisto discussed with Schumacher the possibility of a part in the movie as a villain. He was told he would have been perfect but Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey were already hired in for the crazy parts. Instead U2 made a song for the soundtrack and let MacPhisto star in it against The Fly. 


I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight.



U2 apparently didn't have time to pose or act in a video which after watching this I think isn't a bad thing at all. I found this song to be one of their anonymous songs but this music video works in harmony with the music and made me interested in this tune. It's sweet in story and style.



The Unforgettable Fire


I think this must be my favourite. I love the glittering cityscapes, the lights and the seamless transitions from city scenes to the completely different winter sceneries. I love that slick looking tv with The Edge and Larry playing, I love the effect of the carousel drastically increasing the spin. The visuals are dramatic and the lighting makes my eyes yell "THANK YOU!" There's an dark atmosphere that lays thick in this video, the lyric and the music which is so gratifying. Indeed unforgettable.


One (Anton Corbijn version)



The band has of course scenes where they are standing playing but this video's slow moving pan and still like images makes it a pleasant watch. Corbijn filmed the band in drag and make-up and made them emotional touching and dignified. A classic, both video and music.



The Original of the Species


This is another video that made me like the song. Sometimes it seems that if the brain links good visuals to a tune that said tune increases it's attractive quality. Bono actually looks charming in this video. I feel inspired to make U2 fan art.

What on earth have I been doing lately?!

I have been working on my DeviantArt gallery and used hours upon hours commenting on others artwork. I am trying my best to give good comments that not only says "Thumbs up", "Cool image" and similar.
This takes time but I of course hope for some comments back. I am taking this seriously because I upload print images that I intend to sell, I need money and hope my creative work is good enough.

This is one of my images for sale. (This image is a compressed jpg file)

I also post images that is not for sale but many of them can be downloaded and some of them goes under Creative Common, which means others can use the art work for non-commercial purposes.

 I do also post fan art from time to time. Making fan art is a fun way to exercise your skills. I made this after a fellow deviant wrote she wished for a vampire drawing of Leonard Nimoy.  


http://majkinja.deviantart.com/