Constantine

[lanalucy]

I don't think there are any spoilers here other than what you could
get from imdb - cast lists and character names and the tag line.
There is a small paragraph toward the end that could be considered
spoilerific if you choose to look at it that way.

While I was at Beltane on Saturday, I ran into my not-really brother
and he asked if I wanted to get to the movies this week. Then he
actually called me on Sunday and invited me again, but Kid and I were
already busy (and tired from the busy). Since the last movie I saw
in-theater (incidentally with him and also his last in-theater) was
Troy, I was practically salivating at the chance, though.

We made plans yesterday to go out and see Constantine. I make no
apologies for liking Keanu Reeves and I value my few opportunities to
see a movie that my 11 year old daughter can't see (since I so rarely
get to go without her). My brother had to remind me of this when I
was vacillating between a couple of PG-13s that I actually wanted to
see more than this one.

Keanu and Rachel Weisz (both of whom were coincidentally in a movie
called Chain Reaction together about ten years ago) were the leads.
She doubled as her character's twin sister. Some of the casting was
unusual, like Djimon Hounsou as a club owner. I totally did not
recognize him from his stint on ER. Peter Stormare as Lucifer (though
imdb credits the part as Satan, he was referred to as Lucifer or Lou
when at all) was satisfyingly eerie and creepy. Shia LeBeouf was also
a complete surprise. I saw Holes with my daughter a couple of summers
ago, and once I knew who it was, I knew him, but until then, he just
looked like a cute kid who drew driver duty. His character reminded
me vaguely of Gabriel in Witchblade. (Witchblade, RIP, waaaah)

I was distracted during the ENTIRE movie because I recognized Pruitt
Taylor Vince as soon as he walked onto the screen but couldn't
remember what from. I could even remember the circumstances, but it
wasn't until the closing credits that it hit me (and my brother's
knee): Touching Evil, American-style. What relief! Another show I
really enjoyed that bit the dust.

I have no knowledge of the comic book(s) on which this movie was
based, and so can't compare, nor would I even if I'd read them.
Regardless, I liked this, more than I expected to like it. There were
about half a dozen scenes overrun with bugs, which I could easily have
done without, but they were not gratuitous, in my opinion, and so
didn't bother me as much as they otherwise might've. I liked the
imagery, the concept, the interaction between good and evil. I could
see part of the end coming a mile off, but didn't mind taking my time
getting there. I thought it was appropriately vengeful yet cocky for
Lucifer to take the action he did afterward, and I liked that
resolution.

There was a little bit of cussing and some shirtless Constantine and
some wet-shirted girly boobies nearly falling out of a bra, but no
actual nudity. Damn the bad luck.

It was worth my $6.50 student ticket, and my brother mentioned that
he'd be buying it when it came out. I'd recommend at least a dollar
movie outing, because it just wouldn't play as well on a small screen.

Apropos of nothing, my brother and I both decided while we were
walking to our respective vehicles that Brad Pitt liked his own ass
much better than either of us did. I want the poster to Mr and Mrs
Smith, only life-size and brought to my door by Angelina herself,
thankyouverymuch. Someone can rip it in half and keep the Brad Pitt
half because my brother doesn't want it, either. {g}