Michael Fassbender rewatch #2: Hunger and Jonah Hex
A bit of a mixed bag on the rewatch today. A very serious film followed by a very silly one.
2. Hunger
I was 11 years old when Bobby Sands starved to death in the Maze prison in Northern Ireland. Throughout the 80s I have some very strong memories of the fear of the IRA, and the confusion over what "The Troubles" were actually about, and this kind of residual guilt that my government were seen as the big bad guy in all this. Watching Hunger was quite a revalation because it is not a film that's entirely sympathetic film. There's a long, claustraphobic scene about half way through where Bobby (played by my darling Fassy) has a long conversation with his priest (played by Liam Cunningham, weirdly Fassy's companion during Centurion) about the morality of the Hunger Strikes, and of starting up a new one. Honestly, it's a brilliant scene, starkly portraying both sides of the Republican argument.
Ultimate, of course, the moderate argument, the very negotiation that Bobby Sands so despised, won out. And Martin McGuiness won genuine political power. Watching the conditions in Maze prison, and the fact that BOTH sides of the argument (the Prison guards AND the IRA prisoners) seemed to understand ONLY violence, means that I wasn't sure if I sympathised with anyone. The IRA's methods seemed totally over the top for what they were protesting about (things like the right to wear civilian clothes, assembly with other prisoners) while the prison guards methods (which were very, very brutal) seemed disproportionate. I could see both sides, which really surprised me, as I expected this to be a pro-Republican film.
I wouldn't exactly recommend this film. It's not exactly entertainment. But it's an interesting history lesson if you are a Brit.
It actually feels weird to gif this film. Most of Fassy's scenes are unbelievably horrific, and I'm not even talking about the last 20 minutes when you literally and graphically get to watch him starve himself to DEATH. But I will do a couple.
That incredible scene where Bobby talks to his priest. It's like he's talking to God himself.
Managing to look sexxor even when super skinny. Also looking weirdly like Christain Bale.
And serioious, Fassbender is method. He lost so much weight for this it's scary. Comparisons to Christain Bale again, I think. Just... OUCH.
There are a lot more graphic, violent images on Tumblr but I can't watch my beloved Fassy go through all that again. #HugsFassyTight
3. Jonah Hex
This film couldn't be more different. It's a comic book film (DC) about this sort of Confederate Soldier Undead Wild West Bounty Hunter which is a really odd mix of genres. Fassbender plays this kind of Irish henchmen to the main villain John Malkovich, who's obsessed with setting things on fire and has a weirdly hot chin tattoo. He gets killed near the end, so you get to see him really enjoying playing a baddie for most of the film. However, don't buy it for Fassbender, he's not in it nearly enough. Buy it if you like comic-book-to-film translations.
Beard Tattoo!
Mad as a box of frogs!
He loves blowing things up!
Patented Fassy Shark laugh!
Make fun of his chin tattoo? He will burn your face!
Tomorrow I've got the 300 to watch because NOTHING is as sexy as Fassy with long hair and ubermuscles. Not sure what else to watch. I'm umming and ahhing over Fish Tank. Is it any good?
Also, I feel I'm neglecting James. Do you forgive me James? Drink some milk!
You forgive me don't you?
Thought so!
2. Hunger
I was 11 years old when Bobby Sands starved to death in the Maze prison in Northern Ireland. Throughout the 80s I have some very strong memories of the fear of the IRA, and the confusion over what "The Troubles" were actually about, and this kind of residual guilt that my government were seen as the big bad guy in all this. Watching Hunger was quite a revalation because it is not a film that's entirely sympathetic film. There's a long, claustraphobic scene about half way through where Bobby (played by my darling Fassy) has a long conversation with his priest (played by Liam Cunningham, weirdly Fassy's companion during Centurion) about the morality of the Hunger Strikes, and of starting up a new one. Honestly, it's a brilliant scene, starkly portraying both sides of the Republican argument.
Ultimate, of course, the moderate argument, the very negotiation that Bobby Sands so despised, won out. And Martin McGuiness won genuine political power. Watching the conditions in Maze prison, and the fact that BOTH sides of the argument (the Prison guards AND the IRA prisoners) seemed to understand ONLY violence, means that I wasn't sure if I sympathised with anyone. The IRA's methods seemed totally over the top for what they were protesting about (things like the right to wear civilian clothes, assembly with other prisoners) while the prison guards methods (which were very, very brutal) seemed disproportionate. I could see both sides, which really surprised me, as I expected this to be a pro-Republican film.
I wouldn't exactly recommend this film. It's not exactly entertainment. But it's an interesting history lesson if you are a Brit.
It actually feels weird to gif this film. Most of Fassy's scenes are unbelievably horrific, and I'm not even talking about the last 20 minutes when you literally and graphically get to watch him starve himself to DEATH. But I will do a couple.
That incredible scene where Bobby talks to his priest. It's like he's talking to God himself.
Managing to look sexxor even when super skinny. Also looking weirdly like Christain Bale.
And serioious, Fassbender is method. He lost so much weight for this it's scary. Comparisons to Christain Bale again, I think. Just... OUCH.
There are a lot more graphic, violent images on Tumblr but I can't watch my beloved Fassy go through all that again. #HugsFassyTight
3. Jonah Hex
This film couldn't be more different. It's a comic book film (DC) about this sort of Confederate Soldier Undead Wild West Bounty Hunter which is a really odd mix of genres. Fassbender plays this kind of Irish henchmen to the main villain John Malkovich, who's obsessed with setting things on fire and has a weirdly hot chin tattoo. He gets killed near the end, so you get to see him really enjoying playing a baddie for most of the film. However, don't buy it for Fassbender, he's not in it nearly enough. Buy it if you like comic-book-to-film translations.
Beard Tattoo!
Mad as a box of frogs!
He loves blowing things up!
Patented Fassy Shark laugh!
Make fun of his chin tattoo? He will burn your face!
Tomorrow I've got the 300 to watch because NOTHING is as sexy as Fassy with long hair and ubermuscles. Not sure what else to watch. I'm umming and ahhing over Fish Tank. Is it any good?
Also, I feel I'm neglecting James. Do you forgive me James? Drink some milk!
You forgive me don't you?
Thought so!