Movie #265 - Hellboy II: The Golden Army

Hellboy II: The Golden Army
2008 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, Doug Jones, John Alexander, James Dodd, Seth MacFarlane, Jeffrey Tambor, John Hurt

More of the Red guy isn't necessarily good or bad news in my opinion.  This installment takes a turn more toward a fantasy plotline, with an ancient army's resurrection and command at stake.  Can Red, Blue, and the team stop them in time? 

Meanwhile, more of the weird are they/aren't they love story between Blair and Perlman takes shape.  At least she's fully committed to the team this time around, allowing for more conflicts elsewhere... like with the weirdo in the deep-sea diving gear.

Somewhere between these two movies, Guillermo del Toro did Pan's Labyrinth and the artistic elements are apparent.  Having recently watched Pan as well, some of the characters could easily be lifted from this movie and placed into the world created in that one.  Visually, this is gorgeous to watch.

Movie #264 - Hellboy

Hellboy
2004 - Rated PG-13 - 2 hr 2 min
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, John Hurt, Rupert Evans, Jeffrey Tambor, Doug Jones, Karel Roden

Before seeing this movie, I was unaware that Ron Perlman could get uglier than he already is.  I was also unaware that Selma Blair could become more annoying.  Together, they're a weird match made in... hell? Maybe?

This movie's for boys, comic book fans, action film geeks. It is not for girls.  Still, I can appreciate some good CGI as much as the next girl, but there's not too much of that in here either.  The fish guy's kinda cool and I love John Hurt, so it's got that going for it.  Plus, that nerdy new kid is okay.

Mostly, though, this is one of those movies you'll enjoy more if you're a fan of the comic.  It's not geared to someone like me. So I don't hate it, but I don't love it as much as others might.

Movie #184 - Enemy at the Gates

Enemy at the Gates
2001 - Rated R - 2 hr 11 min
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Starring: Jude Law, Ed Harris, Joseph Fiennes, Rachel Weisz, Bob Hoskins, Ron Perlman

Here's a twisted transition for you.... Enchanted to Enemy at the Gates. But here we are.  World War II. Snipers. Russian war camp.  Yippee!

Once I wrapped my brain around this non-musical, non-animated, non-happy-whatsoever movie, I remembered how much I enjoy it.  Joseph Fiennes has redeemed himself since Elizabeth (for me, anyway) with his character here, who really means well but gets a little too jealous for his own good.  In the end, he's a true friend though and makes the ultimate sacrifice.

This is one of my favorite roles for Jude Law as well, who doesn't get to be pretty in this movie and is not surrounded by flocks of women.  He really gets to act.  And watching his various stand-offs with one Ed Harris (scary, Nazi mo-fo in this, btw) is just delightful, in a very morbid way.  Thrilling? Compelling? We'll go with compelling.

Then there's poor Rachel Weisz, who just wants to help. Then just wants to love Jude Law like any other girl, okay? Leading us to the most awkward love scene in cinematic history. I'm serious. Most. Awkward. Scene. Ever.  But definitely well done.

And that's that. This movie makes me sad, but it's so powerful to watch.  I love it.

Movie #79 - Blade II

Blade II
New Line Cinema
2002 - Rated R - 1 hr 57 min
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Starring: Wesley Snipes, Kris Kristofferson, Ron Perlman, Norman Reedus

So let me get this straight, Whistler ain't dead? And now he's a vampire?

I hate when movies do this and they lie right to our faces. "Hey, remember how we didn't *show* him die in that last movie? We were totally kidding! Firing a gun at point blank range into your own temple doesn't *always* kill you, so we're capitalizing on this tiny percentage of failed suicide attempts to back our claim. Whistler ain't dead, the vampires got 'im, and you gotta come get him. Bitch."

On the plus side, Norman Reedus is a delight and Ron Perlman is an awesome bad guy.  The movie keeps your attention, but not in the same way the original did.  Snipes is still all "I'm not like Angel at all, Joss Whedon. Wanna fight about it?" and believable about it, too.  But really, I don't think this installment was necessary.