Memoirs of a Geisha & Nanny McPhee

Yesterday, on Monday, Jan. 30, 2006, after working from about 2:00 p.m. to about 7:30 p.m. (or 8:00 p.m.), I decided that I needed a break, and went to see Memoirs of a Geisha, since it was highly recommended to me by a friend, who has similar tastes in film than I do.

I went to see the film, and the comment from a friend of mine exactly echoes what I feel about the film: "It's nice cinemagraphically, but not very true to the book." (I haven't read the book, and I guess seeing the movie does not make me want to read the book either).

This film shows the nastiness of human nature. When people are competing for wealth and/or fame, all the gloves come off, and some will resort to nasty tactics, like spreading rumours or saying nasty things to the person's face. I really think that Ziyi Zhang's character, Chio/Sayuri took the high road, and got to the top fair and square.

The other thing that bugged me about the film was getting Chinese actresses to play Geishas... We really don't need to fit into the stereotype about how all Asian cultures are alike, and how all Asian people look alike. The music also was not as good as I thought it was... Considering this movie beat out Brokeback Mountain for best score, it sucked royally to have won. I have the soundtrack for Brokeback Mountain, but I do not want to get the soundtrack for Memoirs of a Geisha. Yes, Yo Yo Ma has some great cello solos, but nothing too exciting, in my opinion. I felt that the music didn't go anywhere, there was no peak, no climax. But obviously, I do not know scores, since the people at the Golden Globes picked that movie to have the best score.

And then tonight, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006, I went to see Nanny McPhee. I did not know that Emma Thompson, who plays Nanny McPhee in the film, wrote the screenplay. I was supposed to meet a friend at the theatre to see it with him, but we missed each other. When I got there, he went to the coffee shop to get a coffee and sit down. I thought he was already in the theatre, so I went in, and looked for him in the theatre. I didn't see him there, so I went on the DDR machine, because I told him I would be at the DDR machine. But he also didn't show up. I thought I had missed him. It turned out we missed each other. He spent his time at the coffee shop, outside of the theatre.

The movie was good, it was fun, clever, entertaining, and a good family film. However, what ruined the movie was these three people who did not have any knowledge of movie etiquette.

In a film, especially in one where it is funny, it is okay to laugh. However, it is not okay to laugh every bloody minute, because not everything is funny in the film. As well, it is not acceptable to make comments constantly. If I can hear you, and you're one or two rows above me, that's a problem. I will not go on a rant about movie etiquette here, but these were the two things that the three idiots constantly ignored. That really diminished my enjoyment of the film. I did however get another free movie pass, so that's good.

All in all, this was a good day. Despite idiotic people who went to see Nanny McPhee and laughed at every bloody thing. I even glared at them, and they still didn't get the hint... * rolls eyes * Here's where I wish the phrase: "You! Off my planet!!" would actually come true!