"The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (2003)

This movie was kind of fun, especially as an English literature person.  Easy enough to follow if you've not read anything, but all the more fun the more of the different characters/books you've read.  I'd read Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde and Tom Sawyer, and I'd seen movies done up with Captain Ahab (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) and Dorian Gray.  The others, while not read or seen, were easy enough to peg--the African adventurer (Allan Quatermain), an invisible man (Rodney Skinner), and a vampire (Mina Harker).  I imagine the feminist critiques should have fun with the Harker character.  Movie, action movie, was a lot of fun to watch.  And great music, especially--as always--the end credits.  (Music by Trevor Jones.)  Apparently the movie was based off a graphic novel.  Good music, not necessarily anything new, but I like it nonetheless.

"Batman & Robin" (1997)

I couldn't remember if this was a movie I'd seen before, and after it arrived I realized I had--probably when it first came out.  I watched a number of the Batman movies during that strip of time.  This is much closer in style to the Batman TV series I grew up with--overdone/melodramatic props and actions--which I didn't mind as a kid.  Made it "safe"--as in not real.

"The Three Musketeers" (2011)

Not having read the book, but have having watched the 1993 adaptation, it was interesting noting the similarities and differences between adaptations and deducing the touchstone story elements from the book.  This adaptation seemed to be quite liberal in extending current day action devices under the umbrella of DaVinci inventions.  This made the film seem more like the 17th century musketeers meet James Bond.  This includes a Milady DeWinter who is very much not your just-a-wall-flower, pretty to look at character.  Gutsy action packed woman--who still manages very attractive clothing.  And the costumes/outfits of the 3 musketeers and D'artagnan are very nice looking, too.  If you're looking for period authenticity, this film isn't likely it; but, for a fictitious story excursion, it does the trick nicely.

Logan Lerman ("Percy Jackson" from Percy Jackson, this was his very next film after Lightning Thief) was a surprise to me.  So was finding Orlando Bloom in the end credits ("Duke of Buckingham").  I'm not in the habit of looking at the cast list, or even featured actors/actressess, ahead of time.  But, maybe I should just look down the list of Orlando Bloom films since I seem to be on a roll of watching them (3 Orlando Bloom films three nights in a row; that's unplanned).

The 1993 version had sections of story needed the first time through the film, but deemed slower parts that I often fast-forwarded through on later viewings; but, it also seemed a much wittier adaptation.  I still recall a number of it's lines fondly.  ("The cardinal recommends [champaign?] ..." "Porthos, we're in the middle of chase." "You're right. Something red.")  This adaptation had less wit, but moved the action along quite a bit.  Not likely any fast-forwarding here on a rewatch.  Then again, without the wit, there's less of an enticement to watch a 2nd time, at least not right away.

"The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" (2003)

I still find my most enjoyed movies to be ones with few words after the first watching.  Too much I'm still savoring to spoil by analysis.  I will say this, I still thoroughly enjoy the character of Legolas.

And I need to stop staying up past 2 a.m. so many nights in a row.

"Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl" (2003)

I enjoyed this.  Escaping into another world is fun to do for awhile.  And seeing Orlando Bloom just reminds me that I would love an excursive tale into the world of Legolas.  Anyways ...

The end credit music is especially a dream.  I love that music--soundtracks that actually include the film score's music, and end credit music is often especially rich.  Sigh, ah, if my creative writing fingers would spin a tale of words as rich as it is in my mind and such that others would enjoy it, too.  Too low in the ranks to be honed as a practice, I'm afraid, but I don't give up toying with the idea from time to time.  This movie's tale had all that is promised to a story of this genre, yet spun in a way to keep you watching and interested.

"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" (2012)

Mmmm.  Happy.

And of course, the noble moments had to include a French horn sound.  :)  I was glad to see they include at least one song from within the world of the story--the dwarfs singing around Bilbo's fireplace--since Tolkien included so much song inside the books himself.  And it was well-chosen--men's voices, heartbeat tones to the melody, undercurrent providing current for the emotion the jolly brashness tried to cover.

And the throwing the dishes scene held a strong link to one of my own creative writing creation's traits.  :)

Well-done.  The whole thing.

I like.

"The Sea Hawk" (1940)

An Errol Flynn movie again with music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold.  Grand, rich, exciting music.  Interesting music spots:  The music leading up to the jungle ambush didn't use foreboding music.  It was almost light-hearted.  Maybe because the audience already knew the ambush was coming.  I liked that better because it helped to dispel the tension some.  I don't care for high-tension necessarily.  So, this gave me a chance to keep just enjoying it.  The end sword-fight was an interesting whirlwind of music choices--liked that, too.  Black & white movie.  The end-speech was the only direct indicator of its 1940s historical release (noble-ness inspiring, going to war and all that).