Medicine 2002 If you have some time, you should really try and read this weekend's edition of the New York Times Magazine about modern-day medicine. Of particular interest are the cover story, The Seductress of Vanity story (about a cosmetic dermatologist), and the story entitled Dr. Levine's Dilemma. Good stuff, and a definite must-read if you're interested in or are pursuing a career in medicine. Also good if you should be studying for finals but are in the mood for some high-brow procrastination. |
Monday . May 6 . 2002 . 10:20am |
review: spiderman So unless you've been living under some sort of large, impenetrable rock, you must realize that the movie "Spiderman" came out this past weekend, and that it's broken all sorts of box office records. And I have to admit that I was in one of the frenzied throngs of people who hurled themselves towards the box office to see this movie on Saturday. And I liked it. Here, for a deeper analysis... 1.) Tobey Maguire as Spiderman. I have to admit, I have a rather large crush on Tobey Maguire, first from "The Ice Storm," then from "Pleasantville," culminating in "The Cider House Rules." I think he reminds me of Holden Caulfield, somehow. Anyway, he was a good choice for the title character, at least in the beginning of the movie, right after Peter Parker gets bitten by the genetically enhanced super-spider (they have these handy, science-filmstrip-from-the-60's graphics showing double helixes whirling around, colorful pieces being spiced out and inserted so you know what "genetically enhanced" means) and is learning to use his new powers. And he cries rather prettily when his uncle gets killed. But this charm is kind of lost later in the movie, as it kind of descends into the special effects maelstrom to which most big-budget summer movies fall victim. And why? Because you can't see Tobey Maguire's face when he's in the Spiderman costume. We want more Tobey Maguire face-time! Also, I stand by my assertion that if Spiderman did indeed possess the strength, agility, and web-spinning abilities of a spider, that he would be shooting webs out of his butt. 2.) Kirsten Dunst as The Girl. You know what? Kirsten Dunst should not have red hair. She just shouldn't. Bring back the blonde. I guess the character is supposed to be a redhead, but whatever. I haven't seen that many Kirsten Dunst movies outside of "Interview with a Vampire" and "Bring it On," but that pretty much sums up the two ends of her career anyway. (I did want to see "The Virgin Suicides" when it came out, but no one else did, and I didn't want to watch it alone.) There's really not much to say about her in this part, since the part is kind of two-dimensional and just involves wearing low-cut V-neck shirts (to establish that The Girl is hot) and screaming in terror (to establish that The Girl is in danger). But I think she took what she had to work with and did it well. She's kind of plucky. I am kind of distracted by her teeth, however, which seem unnaturally small somehow. 3.) Willem Dafoe as The Bad Guy. You can totally tell that Willem Dafoe is thinking, "What the hell am I doing making a movie called 'Spiderman?' I'm Willem Dafoe, for chrissake! I was in 'The English Patient!' I'm classy! Where's my goddam paycheck?" He plays some scientist that turns into the Green Goblin after inhaling some smoke. I know that sounds vague, but really, that pretty much sums it up. Also, he's crazy. And he has all sorts of weapons and such. I think that the Green Goblin costume was kind of overly plastic-molded and really more comic than scary. It also makes the mistake of having some gigantic honking mask to cover up Willem Dafoe's face. It would have been much more creepy just to have Willem Dafoe making insane expressions and jumping around in a green leotard, I think, because that guy's wrinkled, plastic face freaks me out. 4.) Other people were in this movie too. Worthy of mention is the old guy who plays Uncle Ben (love his rice). He really bore an eerie resemblance to Ricardo Montalban. Today is Joe's birthday. He's 28 years old. That sounds awfully old to me, but I guess I'll be 24 in a month or so, and that sounds right old too. xo Michelle |
Bikini Briefs |
Medicine 2002 If you have some time, you should really try and read this weekend's edition of the New York Times Magazine about modern-day medicine. Of particular interest are the cover story, The Seductress of Vanity story (about a cosmetic dermatologist), and the story entitled Dr. Levine's Dilemma. Good stuff, and a definite must-read if you're interested in or are pursuing a career in medicine. Also good if you should be studying for finals but are in the mood for some high-brow procrastination. |
