Who Watches the Watchmen?

I love it when the theme of a movie or book is posed in the form of a question. Aside from its brilliance, it's a great alternative to pitching a concept as "Star Wars meets Showgirls", or "a cross between Sisterhood of the Travelling Panties and Godzilla, with a dash of Daddy Day Camp thrown in for good measure." That's no good. 'Who Watches the Watchmen?' MUCH better!

I've gotten into the habit lately of reading certain books before their film adaptations are released. I've done it with No Country for Old Men, The Road and now Watchmen. Sure, it can ruin the element of surprise (depending on the faithfulness of the adaptation), but it can also save the story in case the movie is dreck. Who would want to read a great novel right after a shitty movie adaptation has plagued theatres? I'd much rather read the book first and THEN sit in a theatre, knuckles cracking in anticipation. Another upside is having a cast already assigned to their roles, so while reading I could easily tack Jackie Earl Haley's gravelly, Marlboro-fucked voice onto Rorschach, Jeffrey Dean Morgan's onto The Comedian, etc.

The comic itself is excellent. Filled to the brim with noirish twists, turns and clues. Jam-packed with exposition. Everything you'd want from a proper whodunit. I'll spare the details so as not to spoil the fun. And yes, I'm probably the last geek on the surface of the planet to have read it. But I'm glad I have. I can now say, I'm VERY eager to see what Zach Snyder does with Watchmen. The look of the film in the trailers thus far is arresting, painterly. It looks like he's captured the essense and tone of the comic book, and cooked up a visual feast that will teleport the characters from paper panels to silver screen. As long as they include the flashback scene where a young Rorschach chews the face off of a pesky bully, I'll be happy.

Wrestle This!

The Wrestler is a reminder that there are still great actors in our midst that have gone forgotten for too long. Fallen heroes of our youth who slipped between the cracks of time only to resurface at the most unexpected of moments. When we truly need them. And are richer for having bared witness to their gifts. Mickey Rourke's turn in this film easily rivals John Travolta's comeback in Pulp Fiction. What he's done to himself physically in life...his face...now a mask...is somehow very appropriate for this role. I was lucky enough to catch a screening at the New York Film Festival last month, and although I was saddled with arguably the worst seat in the house, even that couldn't damper my enjoyment of the film. Mickey Rourke's bravura performance is one for the books - he was born to play this role. It's sad. Iconic. Real. Awesome. A simple story told simply. But with a cast that breaks your heart. I'm so thankful that Nicolas Cage, once up for the title role, was ceremonially dumped. Darren Aronofsky has scored another classic. Feast your eyes on the trailer goodness above.