Review of Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (2000) by Jim S — 08 Aug 2004

So, saw [i]Collateral[/i] on Friday. Pretty badass. Tom Cruise doesn't just play a one-note villain, but creates a completely engaging character. Does he really believe the nihlistic things he tells Jamie Foxx, or does he tell himself these things as a way of rationalizing his actions? Or is it neither and it's all a show? In my opinion, Tom Cruise is one of the best actors of his generation. When he's on screen he simply electrifies it. He's willing to take risks, as evidenced in [i]Eyes Wide Shut, Magnolia, [/i]and [i]Vanilla [/i]Sky. And Jamie Foxx again proves to me that he is A-list material. My one problem with the movie is that the ending goes in a direction that I wish it could have avoided. There were two ways it could have gone, and it took the more conventional route, and while not wholly disappointing, it does leave me wondering what could have been if Michael Mann or Stuart Beattie, the screenwriter, had pushed it in another, more complex direction. That said, it's a solid thriller with some definite moments of pure surprise that create a feeling that anything can happen.

Went to a pool party on Saturday. I drank half a fifth of tequila (is that tenth?) plus some beer (Bud Light... yech... but they offered and I'm not one to be rude). I then had to drive home to Metairie from Chalmette, which is about an hour drive. Jesus Christ... I've never been that irresponsible and don't plan on doing that again. I passed out pretty hard and woke up to one hell of a headache.

The girls were going to have a birthday/going away lunch today. Danielle and Jay's last day is Friday and my birthday is next Monday. Well, that kinda fell through. Rescheduled for tomorrow. Oh well. Other than that... bleh.

Oh yeah, I watched [i]Paradise Lost 2 [/i]and [i]Amores Perros[/i]. See the ratings above. I really have nothing to add about them at this moment because I don't feel like it. So fuck you if that's not good enough for you.

Oh, yeah, going to the Monday Night Football game September 13th. Very, very sweet. Envy me.