Friday, October 24, 2003

2 things happened today: I discovered just how stupid I could be, and I watched The Gods Must Be Crazy for the third time. Since it's too embarrassing talking about the former, I shall talk about the movie instead. I think I might've once thought it the best movie ever made. That could be exaggerated, since I can't claim to have watched all the movies ever made, but it does tie with The Matrix as one of my favourite movies ever. And if you consider the fact that this movie was made in 1980, sans special effects, specially choreographed action sequences and Keanu Reeves, it is apparent which is the product of superior workmanship. In my opinion, it is truly what a good movie should be: simultaneously moving, hilarious and thought-provoking, with a simple and completely original story. It has all the elements of comedy, social commentary, action and romance, yet none of it is strained or deliberate. I don't normally enjoy physical comedy, but the car sequence really worked. Also loved the cheesy documentary-esque voiceover, especially the part about civilisation following a schedule ("...at 9a.m. everyone starts looking busy, at 10.30 they all take a short break for 15minutes.... then, they start looking busy again."), and the part where the baboon snatched the coke bottle from the bushman ("..he told the baboon, 'This is an evil thing, it has brought much unhappiness to my family. Please let me get rid of it, or it will bring much unhappiness to you too.' He spoke long and earnestly to the baboon, and in the end it must have worked, for the baboon dropped the evil thing.") It's a pity I didn't enjoy The Gods Must Be Crazy 2 though; it seems like Jackie Chan movies are the only ones where the sequels are better than the original. (Hmm, possibly Indiana Jones too, except I'm not sure what the first movie was.)

-- tee @ 6:21 pm |