Weekend movies: "Equilibrium", "Hide and Seek"

[alexandral]

"Equilibrium"
This weekend I have spent under the sign of "Equilibrium". I have watched it two more times (one of them was a screen-capping watch), made icons and generally was in the mood "OMPH, I like this movie so much".

The Story is one of the futuristic dystopias. After the World War Three, a drug was developed that allowed to eliminate human feelings and build the new type of society. In this new world, inquisition-like government rules with the help of the elite "Cleric" forces and strives to wipe the human feelings and anything that facilitates them (like art or anything out of the ordinary) off the face of the planet. Why? Because the feelings of rage, jealousy, etc. are responsible for all the wars, murders and crimes. Uniformity is the only way to salvation.

Director "Equilibrium" was directed by Kurt Wimmer. Aparrently, due to the poor promotion the film performed very badly at the box office. Despite this after "Equilibrium" had been released on video/DVD it gathered a huge following. The bad news - the only other film I know of that Kurt Wimmer directed is "Ultraviolet" (with Milla Jovovich) and OMPH! "Ultraviolet" is may be one of the worst films ever known to a man.

Why do I like it so?

+ "Equilibrium" reminded me of "Matrix", probably THE favourite film of mine. It also reminded me of "V for Vendetta", but for me "Equilibrium" was much much better.

+ One of my favourite actors, Christian Bale, made his action debut in "Equilibrium". For me actors usually can be divided into two distinct categories. Category one: Actors who can ACT. (Robert De Niro, Al Pacino). Category two: Actors who are extremely gorgeous to look at, especially when action sequences are involved, but would not coupe on their way trough Shakespeare. (Keanu Reeves, Jensen Ackles). Christian Bale is one (and actually probably the only one) actor who can do both categories in extremely fabulous way. YAY!!! For me, after "Equilibrium", Christian Bale holds the crown of "hot men clad in black", overtaking Keanu Reeves by a mile. But the main thing is - isn't he a great, great actor? He can do accents, he can pull off interesting independent movies like "Machinist", he can do everything!!!

+ Action sequences and choreography in "Equilibrium" are out of this world.

+ I find many interesting elements in "Equilibrium". To start with, the idea of "uniformity as a panacea for all evils" is hitting home with me. This was one of the favourite ideas of Russian Communist Party, and I am still paying for this personally. I was born and bred to be a conformist!! I guess dystopic societies always are (and will be) fascinating for me because I lived in one for almost a half of my life.

Also I find the idea that "feelings are bad, bad things" very fitting in the present situation in the world. I don't know statistics (and apologize in advance if I am wrong!!), but it seems that more and more people are turning to the mood-changing drugs because they can't cope with their feelings in this fast moving world.

+ And plus to all this, Sean Bean has a small, but essential and important role too!!! And he reads Yeats on-screen!!!

+ The movie is so beautifully filmed, that I could not stay away and made some icons. They are completely free to share (textless are not bases), I just made them because the film is so gorgeous!!!

Preview:

01.	02.	03.

"Hide and Seek" I have also watched "Hide and seek" with Ribert De Niro this weekend. And - What??? Why did Ribert deNiro agree to take a part in a something like this? He is usually so careful in choosing his roles. ** Very very puzzled **

01.	02.	03.	04.
05.	06.	07.	08.
09.	10.	11.	12.
13.	14.	15.	16.
17.	18.	19.	20.

Comments

[bzoppa.livejournal.com]

Yay for Equilibrium.

Ganking the Do you dream, and will credit. Thanks for directing your talents towards the hotness of Christian Bale and this movie!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

EEEEEE! Thank you! I am glad you liked the icon! And this movie is a gem!!

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

I can't say I think Equilibrium is a good movie, but I do think it's an interesting one. I never for a moment believed in its world, but it made me think, and it was visually fascinating, so I still enjoyed it. And Sean was yummy. *g* I've taken #4 to save for someday, btw.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I never for a moment believed in its world, but it made me think, and it was visually fascinating, so I still enjoyed it. And Sean was yummy.

I think it just reminded me of so many things in USSR that I have totally "bought" the world of it. And Sean Bean ! To see him there was a treat!!!

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

Awww, Bean reading Yeats icons! ::loves you:: I will definitely take some once I figure out which one I like the most.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

It was an unexpected treat for me to see Sean Bean in this film. I started watching it for Christian Bale's sake and then - EEEEEEEE! Sean Bean, cool, dressed in black and reading.

And - Thank you!!

[soniag.livejournal.com]

Yay for your post! I enjoyed every word.

The icons are beautiful -- I will study them all very closely a few more times and then let you know which I'm taking.

(I have to delete some first. Wah.)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you like!!

I am so interested to see upcoming film "I'm Not There" where Christian Bale plays Bob Dilan. I like the director, Todd Haynes, his film "Far from Heaven" is so brilliant (and heart-breaking).

[tattooedraven.livejournal.com]

Lovely batch, great coloring and use of gradiants and brushes! Very well done, thanks for sharing. ^^

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

The Story is one of the futuristic dystopias. After the World War Three, a drug was developed that allowed to eliminate human feelings and build the new type of society. In this new world, inquisition-like government rules with the help of the elite "Cleric" forces and strives to wipe the human feelings and anything that facilitates them (like art or anything out of the ordinary) off the face of the planet. Why? Because the feelings of rage, jealousy, etc. are responsible for all the wars, murders and crimes. Uniformity is the only way to salvation.

I think I've seen this movie or something very similar. It's been a while ago so I don't remember.

Your icons are gorgeous. It didn't take you any time at all to figure out this icon making thing. :)

I'm going to take 4. I've been wanting to add another Sean icon to my user pics and this one is perfect. Thanks. :)

[endlessdeep.livejournal.com]

Wow, I totally messed up that reply. I'm not going to redo it though. lol.

[koalathebear.livejournal.com]

Oh dear I really want one of these icons. I am going to have to do another icon purge. As you know, I thought this movie was wonderful - a surprise jewel hidden away. A really mean guy at work said that it was "so bad it went straight to pirated dvds" :P I just don't know how you can get past the emotion Bale put into the role and the whole coldness of the world that was greated and that amazing scene where he listens to Beethoven. *guh*

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

EEEEEEEE! I am so glad you like the icons!!

A really mean guy at work said that it was "so bad it went straight to pirated dvds" :P

Actually, absolutely opposite - it has made it's way through even without big promotion and reached very good ratings on IMDB.

I just don't know how you can get past the emotion Bale put into the role and the whole coldness of the world that was greated and that amazing scene where he listens to Beethoven. *guh*

Indeed! Imagine like him hear something so moving for the first time without preparation!! ** Loves this scene **

[elspethsheir.livejournal.com]

Eeeeee! As always, just gorgeous. I've even created a folder called "alexandral icons" to keep track of yours, because I end up saving so many! Snagging 14, 16, 17, and 19 and 20. SO GOOD.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you like the icons! I guess some films, like "Equilibrium" are so pretty that one can't go wrong!!

[burningchaos.livejournal.com]

took 5 and 8, they are beautiful. Will credit with use

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! I am glad you like them!

[syliasyliasylia.livejournal.com]

Eee!!!! I love these icons as much as I love this movie... All the Sean Bean reading Yeats icons are fantastic and I can't decide which one to snag! 6 or 8? Also I'm taking 20, badass Christian + great cropping!!!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Tank you so much, darling!! You are such a great icon-maker , I feel so HONOURED to hear your good opinion!!!

Number 20 is my favourite, I admit. C.Bale+Guns=Irresistible combination

[jedistardust.livejournal.com]

Those all came out really nice, especially the colors on 16, 18, 19. Snagged a whole bunch and will credit with use =)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your comment!

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Such beautiful, beautiful icons! I'm going to have to find a way to take a few - even if I'm not on my normal computer at the moment.

And I love your write-up about the movie.

but it seems that more and more people are turning to the mood-changing drugs because they can't cope with their feelings in this fast moving world.

I think you might be right about this. There is also a trend in our modern world that feeling bad or down is a bad thing, and that you are expected to be happy, effective and goal oriented all the time.But that is not possible, and so people end up feeling inadequate and sad. Well, at least that is my general take on the subject. Bear in mind that it is very general though. ;)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you like the icons! The movie is so beautifully made!!!!

There is also a trend in our modern world that feeling bad or down is a bad thing, and that you are expected to be happy, effective and goal oriented all the time.But that is not possible, and so people end up feeling inadequate and sad. Well, at least that is my general take on the subject.

I agree. In fact, I think that feeling sad is like feeling tired - necessary for our coping mechanism. When we feel tired, it is like mechanism inside telling us to stop, think, reflect and even cry. IMHO it is very dangerous to interfere with this. (but I am not psychologist, I can be totally wrong again)

[ergie.livejournal.com]

Using some for my rp journal, dolph_lestrange. And, I'm watching the movie RIGHT now in fact, on FX. HAH!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am glad you like the icons! I hope you enjoyed the film!!

[ginger001]

I've owned my dvd of Equilibrium for years now and I haven't watched it completely yet... but mr. ginger did and he liked the movie very much... What I watched so far was great and the soundtrack is fantastic too!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I can't believe I have missed this film completely and only recently discovered it when soniag and elspethsheir started talking about it.

but mr. ginger did and he liked the movie very much

This is great!

[momsalive1]

**hearts Equilibrium**

I don't much care for pretty actors, but once I saw this I decided to make an exception for Christian Bale!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I don't much care for pretty actors, but once I saw this I decided to make an exception for Christian Bale!

I like pretty actors as an eye-candy and diversion when tired, but I understand your point. Christian Bale has it all, and is not pretty actor per se, but a great actor who happened to be pretty :) I am looking forward to "I'm not there". C.Bale playing Bob Dylan - how interesting!!

[caras-galadhon.livejournal.com]

These are lovely! (And so hard to choose from!) I've taken 2-8 and will credit, of course. Thank you!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your comment!!

[dancingwriter.livejournal.com]

I'm here because of elspethsheir and the Bean-reading-Yeats icons--thank you so much for making them and making them available for adoption! I'm taking them all because I can't decide which I like best, but whichever one(s) I use, I will certainly credit you.

And yes, Christian Bale is indeed an impressive actor.

[(Anonymous)]

Hi- I love EQ and CB! These are such lovely icons. I will credit if use. Thanks!

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

OK, I decided: I took #6 - for use whenever I talk about books :P

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

YAY! And I think I will have to steal your smoking one. Two icons of smoking Sean Bean - never too many, right??

[laurel]

I watched this movie recently and found it very interesting-- I think I like it, but it's not one I love, if that makes sense.

Anyway, grabbed a couple of these (7 and 16). Thanks!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is very interesting! I am very different on this - I see many flaws in this movie that stop me from saying "I 100% like it" but at the same time there is something in C.Bale's character that makes me love the film unconditionally. :D

Glad you liked the icons!!

[london-in-may.livejournal.com]

Beautiful icons! I saved a few and will credit. Thank you!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!!

[splix.livejournal.com]

Took #5 - will credit. They're all beautiful, thank you so much. :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :D

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

Mmmm commenting to this WAY past the fact (heh, came over because of credit on icons from Children of Dune >.>) since I discovered the movie a month ago or so, I soooo read you loud and clear! It's still obsession for me >.>

And heh, Sean Bean? Hot, condemned man, reading Yeats on-screen? So. good.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Great! I was just thinking about this film all this week too - I must re-watch it ASAP. I dn't think the film would have been as good without Christian Bale and Sean Ben but as it stands it is unforgettable.