All Ron Perlman, all the time

Yesterday, we went to see HellBoy II. Visually stunning and full of the inventiveness one would expect from director Guillermo del Toro, the movie was a fun time, and we all enjoyed it. That said, the plot doesn't stand up to much thought, and despite its overt attention to emotions the film often felt hollow. On balance, I recommend it to those who enjoyed its predecessor and also to anyone who simply loves amazing visuals.

As I type this, the late-night, beach-house movie crew (which tonight numbered six, then five, then four) is watching another movie with Ron Perlman, the truly dumb In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale. Jason Statham manages to keep a straight face as he pulls up turnips, fights armed beast soldiers, encounters the tough women of the forest, and on and on. It's silly enough to provide occasional fun, but this one deserves the resounding thud it made at the box office.