Some comments I shared with a friend on...

On Hero.
http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&cf=info&id=1808404384

This is a martial arts film that won seven awards at the 22nd Annual Hong Kong Film Awards (2002). I'll probably go see it at least one more time just to take in the visuals.

VISUALS
To me the real award winner of this film is the shooting style, thanks to Cinematographer Chris Doyle. Awesome, fluid, lyrical, poetic. He's done things with filmic time--from staccato zoom and pan shots, to close-up work on objects moving, to capturing vibrant fabrics as they cascade downward or across the screen. Chris knows his stuff.

I checked out his bio. He started out as a Stuntman (1987), worked his way to a Stunt Coordinator (1993), and then made his break into Cinematographer some years ago. It make sense. He understands action and movement, be they a person or some inanimate material. He knows where to place the camera to capture these events. I'm a humbled man now.

STORY
The story isn't that complicated, but it does keep you guessing.

(Mini-spoiler material)
The story involves a fighter, Jet Li, who comes before the ruling Emperor, to account the story of how he came to possess the weapons from three renown fighters. Thus much of the story is told in flash-back. There is a twist however... I'll just say, be mindful of "the colors."

CHARACTERIZATION
I have to agree with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution critic: "Emotionally distanced, but still a beauty..." The characters gave great performances, but somehow I rarely felt "pulled in."

The characters accomplished their tasks of breathtaking martial arts, choreographed movements. There are tears, acts of passion and anger and revenge, but somehow I felt a tad disconnected with what they felt. Maybe as an American I expected a "Western-styled" feel to the emotional outlet. Maybe Far-Eastern eyes discern a different matrix of emotions conveyed through: color palette; subtleties in body shifts, stance, and placement; eye movements; use of costuming with various designs that signify an almost Japanese Noh play look.

Was able to get up early (4am) today and check out the Perseid meteor shower. ...Of course I missed the peak period that was earlier in the evening, but I did see several meteors in a relatively short amount of time. I wonder if after the peak period, someone might coin the phrase, "meteor drip"? You heard it here first, folks!

Also found out one of the new guys at work is an avid amateur astronomer. He shares there's a place near here called Blue Canyon, where the night time skies are perfect for star parties. /BB