Book review for a movie with the same title

"I am Legend" by Richard Matheson. I read this book the week before the movie opened (Dec. 14, 2007) because I wanted to be able to appreciate the book without any influence from the movie. Originally published in 1954, "I am Legend" takes place in the futuristic year of 1976. Despite this, the story holds up in today's world.

The story is about Robert Neville, a plant worker, who finds himself the last survivor of a plague that has turned the rest of the world into vampires. From the opening scene, we see how Robert spends his days; making stakes, hunting vampires as they sleep (with said stakes), restocking his supplies (from the now empty stores around his California town), and reinforcing his home.

At night, he stays locked in his house, battling the demons in his own mind; his drinking (it helps take his mind off the vampires that surround his house each night), the fact that his daughter was killed by the virus that mutated everyone else, and that he was forced to kill his wife when she was changed by the virus.

Robert struggles to do research, searching for clues to ways to either kill or cure the infected. Typical vampire mythos serve him well. Garlic around the windows, crucifixes (or Torahs for jewish vampires, the Koran for muslims, etc.), holy water, wooden stakes, and sunlight. But he wants to know why certain things work better than others. He comes to the realization that vampirism was able to take over civilization because people don't believe. After all, how do you fight a foe that you don't believe in.

It's a great story that brings to life the complete lonliness and isolation that Robert Neville feels. His only companions are his thoughts and the ever-present vampires. At turns heartbreaking and terrifying, "I am Legend" is one of the best novellas I ever read.



On Saturday, Jen and I were able to wrangle a babysitter for Peanut and head to the movies. It was kind of slim pickings at the theatre, but I was surprised when Jen suggested we should go see "I am Legend". I'd been wanting to see it, but it wasn't really her kind of movie. Much to our surprise, we both really liked it.

It was pretty intense at times, even though I knew the most of what was coming. They did "hollywood" it up a bit, but not in a bad way. The movie maintained the main themes of of the novella, showing us a Robert Neville obsessed with his loneliness, heartbroken at the loss of his family, and desperate to find a way to save himself and humanity.

Will Smith did such a good job bringing Matheson's character to life, it was hard to imagine that he used to be the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". Watching the hope and anguish in his performance made the movie seem all the more real. That, and the fact that the ghouls in the movie are infected with a rabies type disease and aren't true vampires.

I know it's almost gone from theatres, but I'd recommend seeing it if you haven't already. Or find someone who has a bootleg copy if you can't make it to the theatres. (the authors of this blog do not condone bootlegging of any type. Unless someone's got an early cut of "Dark Knight".

This is completely ridiculous

About a month ago, on NPR's "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me", director/occasional actor Kevin Smith was on their "Not My Job" segment. During the segment, he discussed the podcast the he airs with his producer/friend Scott Mosier.

Since then, I've gotten caught up on every episode of SModcast. Jen would say that it's come at a price, since I've seemingly immersed myself in all things Kevin Smith.

For example:

Two weeks ago, I rented both "Clerks" and "Clerks 2". It'd been close to ten years since I'd seen "Clerks" and back then, it was one of my favorite movies. Nearly ten years of customer service later and the flick still holds up. I then dug right in to "Clerks 2" and thought it was even better. I could identify with "2" a little more, since I've been waiting on people for roughly half my life, and still find myself at the beck and call of people who sometime irritate me. However, unlike Dante and Randall, I love my job. I was almost sad to see "Clerks 2" end, and have had this on the brain since seeing it. (spoiler alert! If you haven't seen this movie, stop watching at the 2:40 mark)



Then, for my flight to and from L.A., I rented "Dogma" (one of my favorite films. Matt Damon telling Ben Afleck that he needs a nap still kills me), and "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back". Sadly, the disc that came from the store was only disc 2 (exta material) so I didn't get to watch "JASBSB". Soon, soon.

Also, I'm reading Smith's "My Boring-Ass Life", a collection of his online diary that has been published in book form. Check it out here, or head to your local Waldenbooks or Borders to have a peek.

Jen, posting about this may have purged my system a little, but I can't make any promises.

Attention Marcus Sakey fans!!!

Check out this great post on "The Outfit" from friend of this blog, Marcus Sakey. If you like thrillers, both the book and movie varieties, it's worth checking out.

Worth the D'oh!

Jen and I left a sleeping Peanut in the hands of our capable babysitter, and took in a late show last night. As you can tell from the trailer above, we saw "the Simpsons" movie.

I think that Jen's view of the "Simpsons" is that she can take or leave it. On the other hand, I've been a fan of the "Simpsons" since the show started,almost 19 years ago. I can remember the ferver over all things "Simpsons" in the early '90's. In fact, I was the proud owner of a Bart Simpson, "Don't have a cow, man!" tank top. That's right, I said, "Tank top".

My friend Jeff and I would watch the shows on tape all the time. Given our love of quotables, the "Simpsons" have proven fertile ground for us. Some favorites include:
"It says, 'I choo-choo-choose you.' And there's a picture of a train." - Ralph Wiggum.
"I just want to have a beer while I'm caring." - Homer Simpson
"Kwyjibo. A big, dumb, balding, North American ape. Kwyjibo." - Bart Simpson
"Remember Ralphie, if you're nose starts bleeding, it's because you picking it too much. Or... not enough." - Chief Wiggum.

I believe at one point Jeff, his sister Jill, and I tried to catalog all the "Simpsons" VCR tapes we had, using the chalkboard in the opening sequence as the identifier for certain episodes.

Hey, it's not like we had full-time jobs back then.

Anyway, I'm highly recommending this movie. It's pure escapism, meant to keep you laughing for the duration. And it delivers.
Seeing this movie, while inspiring a nice trip down memory lane, helped me remember just how much I enjoy this show (I've really been hit or miss in viewing it the last few years). I'll be setting the DVR for the upcoming 19th season.

The Boy Who Lived

Well, being on vacation in Idaho can't cure some addictions. Last night Jen and I went to the midnight premiere of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix". Tuesday was a long day and I hoped to catch a nap with Peanut in the afternoon, but that didn't work out. I got involved with a book, and read her nap away. By eleven, I was ready to pass out, but I stuck it out until midnight. The theatre was packed, so I grabbed seats while Jen got snacks.

Following ten minutes of previews, the Warner Brothers logo appeared on the screen and the main theme started. While I would have prefered, as always, that nothing be left out or changed from the book, I feel that the finished product was fantastic. Most of the crucial elements from the plot were there, from Harry's confrontation with Dudley in the beginning, to Grawp, Hagrid's Giant half-brother. There are several times where flashbacks to previous movies are shown, and it's amazing how young the actors looked back then, and how mature they look now.

I've long said (concerning the Potter movies) that as an avid reader of the books, the movies do an okay job of covering things in the books. However, if you haven't read the books, I think that the movies do a great job of presenting the stories and standing on their own. It's the inconsistancies between books and movies that Potter "purists" have a problem with. Of course, if they included everything from every book, this movie (based on the longest of the "Potter" books) would've been about five hours long.

With ticket prices being what they are, though, you'd certainly get your money's worth.

If you've seen the other movies, what are you waiting for? Go see this movie. (play trivia first, though, will ya?) If you haven't seen the first four, go rent or buy them, and then go see this film. To me, it's the best of the series. At least until next November when "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" comes out.

Top 10 Movies

Inspired by the recent American Film Institute's top 100 movies of all time, Jen suggested that I create a list of my favorite movies. She mentioned this a couple of days ago, and after much thought, I think I'm ready. In no particular order:

1. Superman: the movie; "They are a great people Kal-El..."
2. the Godfather; "Leave the gun, take the canoli."
3. Star Wars Episode V: the Empire Strikes Back; "No, Luke. I am your father."
4. Jaws; "We're gonna need a bigger boat."
5. Raiders of the Lost Ark; "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
6. Die Hard; "Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs..."
7. Pulp Fiction; "It's the one that says, 'Bad Motherf$@%er'."
8. National Lampoon's Vacation; "Are you kidding me?! This is a 'Magnum P.I.'!"
9. Caddyshack; "A hat like that should come with a free can of soup."
10. Se7en; "What's in the box?!"

As you can see, my tastes are kind of all over the place. I love good thrillers, but sometimes you just can't beat classic comedies. While these are some of my favorites, I'm sure that once I post this, I'll think of ten more that I should have put on here, because that's the way my life is. What are some of your favorites? Any movies that, when you see the on TV, you have to stop and watch? At least for a few minutes?

Yippie-ki-yay motherf@*#er

Live Free or Die Hard - Trailer

Posted Apr 09, 2007

There is a criminal plot in place to take down the entire computer and technological structure that supports the economy of the United States and the world.

Well, I indulged myself tonight. Bubba and I went to see the fourth installment of the "Die Hard" series. I've been a fan of the "Die Hard" series from the start. Granted, the first is definitely the best. John McClane, stuck in an office building, battling terrorists, while trying to save his estranged wife. "Die Hard" redefined the action genre and spawned many "look-alikes". Some good, some not so much.

"Live Free or Die Hard", finds McClane pulled into yet another battle he doesn't want to fight. Cyber-terrorists are holding the nation hostage, and McClane, through no fault of his own, has to take matters into his own hands. Chase scenes, shootings, McClane taking a beating as well as dishing them out.

Sure, it's a popcorn movie, and we probably didn't need another "Die Hard", but I, for one, am glad John McClane's back on the big screen. It's a fun, fun movie.

Maybe I'm just old...

"Sand?! You ate sand?!" "What in the Wide Wide World of Sports is going on here?!" "Be the ball." Real tomato catsup Eddie?"

They just don't make 'em like they used to. Recently, I've gotten into a couple of discussions concerning the "quotability" of movies. Some of the "classic" movies from the 1970's and 1980's have the best lines ever. Movies like "Sixteen Candles", "the Breakfast Club", "Goonies", to name just a very few. Along with the movies quoted above, there are tons of highly quotable movies from this time frame.

I feel like this is not so much the case with films now. Even one of my favorite (and much anticapated) movies of 2006 had a very memorable line. But it was lifted from it's 1978 predecessor.

Don't get me wrong; I've seen and thoroughly enjoyed lots of current movies. I've also watched my favorites of these, over and over. But I can't find the commonality of quoting newer movies to/with people. It seems like the ones that everybody knows are the movies that I grew up with. Even people who are younger or older than I, recognize the older movies rather than new ones.

Is this because the writing was so much better back then? Was it because those movies weren't trying to be anything? Simpler times? Nostalgia? It's a mystery to me.

Has anyone else noticed this? Or am I dwelling needlessly on something that nobody cares anything about? Feel free to share your favorite movie lines. There usually good for a laugh.