Movie Moments, Part 2

Yes, there is more. This will probably end up being three posts. Enjoy the next batch!

X-MEN

It's corny and cliche, but I really enjoy the moment when they're breaking into the Statue of Liberty to save Rogue, and Wolverine makes the metal detector go off, then feels the need to destroy the annoying machine. (Oddly enough, Cyclops doesn't--just what is his visor made of, then?) That, and the comment about yellow spandex, which, of course, would have looked rather ridiculous on Hugh Jackman, so it's a good thing they went with basic black for everyone. But a nod to the original is always in good taste.

X2: X-Men United

I just love that Nightcrawler got to be in this one. He was always my second favorite, right behind Wolverine. What is striking, though, is his conversation with Mystique in the forest. They are both more noticeably mutants than most of their friends because of their blue skin, and Nightcrawler asks why she doesn't make herself look normal all the time, since she has the ability. Her answer--"why should I have to." Even though she's one of the "bad guys" and we're supposed to hate her, she's right about that. They shouldn't have to hide who they are, and both groups are trying to make the world into a place where they will be accepted. I would have been Nightcrawler's friend, even with the blue skin. In my book he's cooler because of it.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Captain Jack Sparrow. Need I saw more? Fine, I'll be more specific. I love his whole entrance into town: sailing in on a sinking ship and just barely reaching the dock but clearly unconcerned about it and then toying with the bumbling naval officers. I've always wanted to know just what story he was telling them when Elizabeth fell into the water. "And then they made me their chief." There must have been something good before that. Or perhaps it was simply prophetic, considering what takes place in the sequel.

Hidalgo

I love any movie with a horse or swords or epic-scale adventure. This one's got all three. What's best about it is the fact that it opens in South Dakota, and that the hero draws his strength from the midwest. Actually, the best line was cut from the final film but made it into the first round of previews. The shiekh is describing to Viggo's character just how dangerous the race across the desert will be, and he responds that "it sounds an awful lot like South Dakota." Man, I wish that one had made in into the actual film.

Sahara

So much better than the book. And I hope this is the only time I can ever say that. Seriously, don't get me started on how pathetic Clive Cussler's writing is. But I digress. The movie is comic genius. Best part? In the midst of the firefight on the river, Rudy, the computer nerd, gets into the action and when Dirk climbs back onto the boat Rudy tells him, "I shot a guy with a flare gun!" Also, in spite of how ridiculous all of their stunts are throughout the film (justified by the fact that they used to be navy seals), when Dirk jumps back onto their boat from the enemy's boat, he actually struggles a bit to pull himself over the rail. One moment of realistic action in an otherwise typically unbelievable escapade.

A Knight's Tale

Simple answer: "I will eviscerate you in fiction." Really, I could go with just about anything that Paul Bettany as Chaucer says. What impresses me most about his character is how they got his sentiments right. At the end he says "all of human activity lies within the artist's scope," which the real Chaucer certainly believed. It's a breath of truth in an otherwise completely anachronistic farce. But don't take that the wrong way--this is the best anachronistic movie I've ever seen and I love it.

National Treasure

I love watching this movie and continually shouting out, "I've been there!" It's now true of almost everywhere they go; I just need to spend some time in Philadelphia to complete the movie tour. Also, Riley is my favorite character by far, especially when he finally figures something out before Ben and gets to gloat over it--"Is this how you guys feel all the time?"

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Watching it for the first time, I was so excited when Lucy opened the wardrobe for the first time and three mothballs fell out, just like in the book. In spite of the changes they made later to the story, preserving little details like this is a comfort. And Mr. Tumnus was great. I love the look on his face as he charges pell-mell into the battle with no weapon and no armor, just his red scarf trailing behind him.

Big Fish

Two images stand out in my mind from this film. The first is the scene at the circus when Ewan McGreggor's character sees the love of his life for the first time and time literally stops. After he walks through the performers, the popcorn in the air comes back into time when he touches it and it falls to the floor. It's a spectacular image. The second is when he's trying to win the girl and fills the entire campus quad with Daffodils. I read somewhere that they used real flowers for that shot, not CGI. Imagine how long that must have taken to set up. The attention to detail is quite impressive.