yeah. Syriana lacks some of the character moments that Traffic has so it comes off a little more dry. i was personally expecting more from the film after seeing Gaghan's interview on Charlie Rose. he really digs into the complexities of the film in that interview where he didn't otherwise have enough space to expand upon in the film. yeah i recommend you guys Torrent that interview - it's remarkable just what extent Gaghan went to in his research for the film, and just how much of the film comes from real life stories and experiences

if it's not playing (EDIT (Par): because the embed has been removed) DOWNLOAD it here

I think Traffic was easier to follow, but I'm piecing more of Syriana together the more I think about it. It's so easy to get confused because they chose not to actually locate most of the controversy in any particular nation, it's just some representative persian gulf country. and that muddies up a lot of things, who's talking about whom, what deals are being made where etc.

Syriana was easier to get wrapped up in. I somehow picture myself getting tied in string from all of the strands of story that get wound together... you get a little lost at times. But it is worth seeing. Even if, at the end, you're lost in who did what to whom, the message is very clearly stated. There are some incredibly sympathetic points in the story, and the perspectives in the story are really well communicated. It's the denouement that twists them up (unfortunately), and that's just because it happens rather rapidly, and you end up with this muddled "wait a minute, what just happened here?" feeling. things probably could have been done a little better, but given that it's a movie about such a messed up situation in reality, it sure does a good job of conveying exactly that... how impossible to understand all the intertwinings it truly is.

how's that for a reaction? enough string-like metaphors? : )

In comparison to Traffic, besides simply the ease of accessibility, which Traffic won, hands down, I think Syriana made it really clear just how complex this issue is (moreso than Traffic), and it conveyed way more different points of view on the subject, treating them all with deference (at least, in my opinion).

I'd suggest that people see it. It is a good movie. I don't know that I would say it's stellar, and I don't know that I'd say I particularly liked it, but by no means is it abhorrent, and I think it deserves to be seen. I don't know how you'd make a better movie of such a difficult-to-understand thing, while still managing to show so many different sides to it. If the medium is half the message, the fact that the movie is so difficult to follow at times certainly helps to send a clear statement to the audience.

Get someone to go with you who's then willing to hash out what happened with you for the next half hour or so... it's not a date movie, by any means. there are some truly hideous moments... i nearly gagged once... but it is worth seeing.

alison, what did you think of Syriana? (also compared to Traffic if you've seen that)

new word for y'all:

mol·ly·cod·dle Pronunciation Key (ml-kdl)
v. tr. mol·ly·cod·dled, mol·ly·cod·dling, mol·ly·cod·dles

To be overprotective and indulgent toward. See Synonyms at pamper.

Cheney shoots man

Happy Darwin Day!

hello!

So, folks Tonight, SYRIANA at Gateway Theatres 9:30pm

If you have nothing else to do, come on out, it's supposed to be a great movie.

but do remember that Gateway is now owned by Empire Theatres, so you can't use your Cineplex/Famous Players gift certificates to get in.