The Kingdom

[varjohaltia]

I ended up seeing The Kingdom on impulse in lieu of my original evening plans. I expected a fast-paced action flick with lots of shooting and explosions, set against the backdrop of Islamic fundamentalism in Saudi Arabia.

Well, it did have those things. The mood in the theater, though, when the lights came back on, was more somber than I've seen since Lord of War. I'm not sure it's a good movie yet; I'll have to give it some more time. I'm pretty sure the Saudi community is not going to like it, although I can't speak to the authenticity of its milieu. It's raw and bloody. It is also a movie carried to a surprising degree by its actors. Not that the characters develop any depth, but the reactions, emotions and strengths of their faces is brought out very well. It's a movie that doesn't let you just watch the fireworks, but makes you get at least a bit involved. As the thematic is the very war the United States is presently engaged in, I believe getting involved and thinking about these things is a very positive outcome, as disturbing as it may be.

Comments

[hyanan.livejournal.com]

I had similarly odd feelings about Munich and The Constant Gardener.

Not related to the post, but did you still want to shoot photos for our headmaster's visit on Friday night, Sept. 28? We'll be practicing the 26th, 27th, and 28th, but you don't have to shoot pics all 3 nights. Let me know and I'll give you directions to the dojo. :D

[varjohaltia.livejournal.com]

Want to?: Yes!
Can?: Unknown. Camera is still in the shop :-(

[hyanan.livejournal.com]

I can lend you my Digital Rebel...I know you don't care for the camera, but I have flash, many cards, tripod, etc. What do you think? Would you shoot with my Rebel if you had to? *makes woobie eyes*

[varjohaltia.livejournal.com]

Well, flash probably isn't an option anyhow. I can certainly shoot with your Rebel, but what kind of lenses do you have for it?
Regardless, I can do what I can with what I have, but I'm really a bit mopey about the lack of my camera, since I spent some money for lenses for very much this kind of stuff. (Particularly since your Rebel may well be a better camera as such anyhow ;-) )

[hyanan.livejournal.com]

Ah yes, no flash during the demonstration...I forgot. But afterwards and for our group shot at the end - no problem.

I have the standard 18-55 lens as well as a 75-300 zoom lens. Nothing terribly fancy. For accessories, I have a flash, eyecup extender, a remote, a cable release, an extra battery, and a tripod. I've got 2 2G SanDisk Ultra CF cards and a few random 256 and 512MB ones - which is essentially overkill, even with the RAW setting. :D

I hear there's a free t-shirt in it for ya! (Not that this is exciting, but hey, it's a t-shirt.) XD

[varjohaltia.livejournal.com]

Yay, free stuff! I put the date on my calendar. I may not be able to make Thursday, but Tue or Wed and Fri should be fine.

[hyanan.livejournal.com]

In case I forget, the dojo address is:

Orange Lake Civic Center
11803 104th Street
Largo, FL 33773

More detailed directions since it's easily missed:
http://www.yagyu-ryu.org/tampa.shtml