IRON MAN (2008) ** I want to like it, more than I do. They make all kinds of important points about war and peace and arms dealers and profit and capitalism…that I entirely agree with, just that it's not what I'm looking for in a movie about a comic book. I mean, if people can't figure stuff that obvious out by reading and/or watching the news…well, they obviously can't, maybe comic book movies are the answer. I, on the other hand, am not particularly entertained when it takes half the movie for the guy to turn into a superhero and start kicking ass. Given the grandiose conception of what they were out to do, you'd think that Robert Downey, Jr. would be inspired casting. That natural aloof, self-centered arrogance comes so naturally, but he settles so comfortably into it that you never get much anything else. Even his conversion seems suited to the sole purpose of pleasing himself. I know he can be tough and even great, but…maybe because he feels like he's being a comic book character he has to keep it all ratcheted down. Similar problem for Gwyneth Paltrow: she never seems quite sure what a woman who would put up with so much, and with such oddly-hued hair, might really be like, though she has no doubt that profound feelings underlie it all. The good/bad news is that Jeff Bridges appears to have every nuance of what a bald, cigar-smoking arms dealer would be like, and do, and think about it all, so there's no question of what it is that Downey's up against. Very little government complicity, from what I see here, which doesn't explain why we sent troops to Iraq and Afghanistan with inadequate equipment.
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Reviews won't do it any more! I need sustained brilliance! I want to buy your exciting new terrorist novel!
I've already read both of your novels. Thank you, they're amazing. Now I want to check out your weekly blog on everything