2008 Hates Us All
Wow.
So the first month of the year is barely halfway finished, and we've had a major plagiarism scandal, more major floods here in England, the death of a beloved TV star (Suzanne Pleshette), and the deaths of two talented young actors. I am stunned.
I was going to do a book review today, but I was too busy watching all the coverage last night to read. How sad. The hubs and I were really excited about Dark Knight; we still are, but this is going to make the experience very different.
Not to mention the total creepiness of the fact that I bogged about celebrity deaths and book character deaths yesterday at the League.
So I actually don't have much to say today. It's just sad. I've honestly only seen one Heath Ledger film (10 Things I Hate About You, which I believe my best friend loaned me along with a few other movies once when I had a horrible toothache. It was okay, I think. Certainly not as bad as one of the other films, which was American Pie, which I thought was absolute crap. Perhaps my toothache kept me from seeing the humor in it, but I've never been a fan of grossout humor. Anyway.)
I didn't intend to blog about a subject already being covered everywhere, but the day has gotten away from me so I'm still not done reading the book I was going to review, and I'm kind of zonked with all the heavy coverage everywhere anyway.
I will say this, though. It really bothers me when there is a death and everyone immediately assumes it was related to drug addiction. Especially in this case when it's beginning to look like a tragic accident. Everyone has to one-up each other and be more cynical and snarky than everyone else. It's depressing. Perhaps that's what's bothering me so much about this--it's tragic that a talented young father lost his life, but it's even worse when vultures start swooping in and saying he deserved it because he was a junkie or "everyone knew this was coming" or whatever. You don't have to care. Heck, if it weren't for the Dark Knight I probably wouldn't care that much either, because like I said I'm not terrifically familiar with the man or his work. But it bothers me to see the gleeful schadenfreude spreading like rancid cooking oil all over the internet.
And that's it. I may blog tomorrow, but if not I'll be back on Friday with some cheerful things to say, I promise.
10 comments:
Thank you! That's what I was trying to explain to my coworkers who didn't get it. "It has to be a drug problem, he's rich and famous."
I enjoyed 10 Things I Hate About You as an adaptation of "Taming of the Shrew" that finally makes sense.
Other movies he's in that I would recommend:
A Knight's Tale: the rock n' roll take on the Middle Ages. Lots of fun, unless you're really anal about costume and historical accuracy.
Brothers Grimm: Terry Gilliam isn't everyone's cup of tea, but this was the performance from Heath I pointed to when people bitched about him playing the Joker. Usually the response I got was "Crap, I totally didn't know that was Heath Ledger."
I haven't seen Brokeback Mountain since I don't usually watch that genre of movies, but my mother and sister both enjoyed it.
Yea, D, A Knight's Tale is hilarious, and has a great sound track. When one of the rich and famous pass on at a very young age, or lose everything, through stupidity, I always use the unfortunate incident as an object lesson for my own kids. These people are not to be looked up to or imitated. To do so is insanity.
Ya know, I really don't care.
The "rich and famous" are really just people. So, some guy I don't know died. Huh, happens all the time. BFD.
I'm way to anal about accuracy to have enjoyed A Knight's Tale (crappy plot notwithstanding), and you couldn't pay me to watch Brokeback Mountain so I can't really comment on that side of things.
I am looking forward to the next Batman movie though. (Christian Bale = drool)
SdB
Heath Ledger was great in The Brothers Grimm. I loved that movie.
The most disturbing thing to me was the vast sea of paparazzi vultures taking pics of his body being loaded into the ambulance. There was not a nanosecond that flashes weren't going off. News outlets today, be they tabloid or "real" journalism, just feel so voyeuristic these days. I need a shower.
See, klc, my Mom really liked A Knight's Tale so I tried to watch it but I just hated it from the word go. I got that it was supposed to be anachronistic fun, but I just wasn't seeing the fun.
I'd like to see Brothers Grimm though. He was working on a new Gilliam movie over here, too. Poor Gilliam. As someone said on Ain't It Cool News, did Gilliam piss on an Indian burial ground or something? The guy has the worst luck!
And that's very true, Bernard. I am not a celebrity worshipper by any stretch and don't really follow much celebrity news. Half these people I don't even know who they are; like I said, Ledger wasn't on my radar at all until he signed to play the Joker.
Ah, Seeley, I am so, so hearing you on Mr. Bale. I'm still not absolutely crazy about his Batman (because frankly, I don't think I'd be crazy about anyone as Batman, because Batman is way too much in my head for anyone to really do him justice) but Bale is close. He's grown on me.
You know, Robyn, it's pretty sad when I find Gawker's coverage to be more respectful than the major media. I don't think there's a single outlet that hasn't made at least one tacky and/or disgusting comment. Sad.
I agree it is sad but I'm sad for his kid(s) -I really don't follow celeb lifestyles.
I agree with these guys on A Knights Tale -it is a very entertaining watch, you should rent it at least. -V95
Robyn,
I love the Brothers Grimm! I have that movie.
December,
It was a sad loss to the film community. I agree with you. People are always going to talk about you, whether you're alive or dead. Even if it was drug related, it was still sad because it was an addiction, something one can't control. People can be cruel. My sympathy goes out to his family; especially his daughter.
There does seem to have been a lot of early trauma in the year. I hope 2008 is getting it out of its system. I was sorry to hear about Ledger's death.
I'm fine with Bale as Batman, because I'm more of a Spidey freak (and Tobey Maguire is NOT spidey).
Bale should be Bond, too.
What's-his-ugly-face is the furthest thing from Bond in my mind and i really hope they recast for the next one. Bale for Bond. We should start a petition....
S
I may give A Knight's Tale another go, V95, if everyone likes it so much. Maybe I just wasn't in the right mood.
Right, DH, there's a little girl involved here, who is probably one day going to see a lot of this stuff. Not that everyone needs to shut up, but really, can we be less thrilled that someone has died?
Me too, Charles. I had such high hopes for this year, I hope they're not unfounded.
Oh, see, Seeley, I love Craig as Bond. Normally blond men are NOT my thing but I do think he's very sexy in the role, much closer to Bond in the books.
I did loathe that stupid cheesy "romantic" speech near the end, though. That crap about ho what little is left of him is hers or whatever? Guh! How sappy.
Bale would indeed be a good Bond though.
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