A sprawling tale that serves to illustrate the very European genre of 'Romansploitation' films. The large background scenes are often from earlier 'sword & sandals' movies. Quite the game of "spot the 20th century item" (high heel wedge sandals, metallic satin sheets, etc)
Visually simple in presentation. A collection of confessional interview subjects reveal themselves in a way that is raw, emotional & immediate.
Like long childhood summers this film develops slowly. Constantly brilliant is Willem Dafoe as the humanely real Bobby Hicks, a motel manager with a heart who really cares for his residents (whether they realise it or not) The cast comprises a large number of first time actors & they give great naturalistic performances. In the land of the "Magic Kingdom" we see all the brightness & colour, but we also get to see a grubbier flipside. Not everybody will get to visit the Disney castle, just like you never get to the end of the rainbow, but in the imagination of a child beating up the leprechaun for his pot of gold is a distinct possibility.
A salutary lesson from Steven Dood; "Don't read the comments. Never read the comments."
Stumbled across this show and like many others I have to recommend the English dubbed version. The unexpected blindsides of dialogue that leave you laughing out loud; at times offensive but always intended to amuse. Definitely an anime for an adult audience.
It's not about the fall, it's about how you land.
A masterpiece of cinema; from the film's soundscape & visuals to the immersive realistic acting & dialogue, La Haine embodies everything that makes filmmaking such a powerful storytelling medium. Every viewing it's as good as ever.
Super-low-budget (£29000) means that the film has it's limitations, but it is worth a watch to see what can be done.
Episode 2 gets the tone right. An investigation episode, detection & the odd fight (+ extra car stunt) keeps the pacing of the series. Glad that the title sequence is so close to ORIGINAL Magnum P.I. , it's a little homage every episode.
Excellent explanation of a complex web of corruption & criminality.
The constant background music bed is however quite wearying (but seemingly an endemic feature of modern documentaries)
Elizabeth Berkley can be rather 'intense' in her performance but the reputation of Showgirls as a bad movie is rather undeserved. It's overlong for sure & does throw in extra side plots & revenge is tied up swiftly in comparison to the story setup.
The end... JOHN CONSTANTINE!!!
Would love to have had a second series, joining those massive crossovers in the DC universe shows. Maybe?
Often remembered as simply a disco movie, Saturday Night Fever is more than the sum of it's dancing & music. Sure there are missteps with the plot (what's going on with Frankie; coming home to leave again) & the adult themes that get touched on but aren't allowed to intrude too much. The location footage captures a Brooklyn & New York that, 40 years on, is now history.
Watching this with the Director's Commentary on is a blast too! So many great snippets on movie making, acting & also period social reference.
The film calls to mind the TV series Maison Close (which would be a good companion piece of viewing). Both feature the use of 20th century music against a period setting, disconcerting the viewer. Split-screen is also used effectively in the film and often at unexpected junctures.
Sterling performance from Dave Bautista. Masterfully edited to feel like a seamless accompaniment of our main protagonists.
A seminal car chase film that is as iconic as Bullitt.
Kink (2013) is a perfect companion piece to this film, showing us how some of the interviewees have progressed in the BDSM scene.
The Fall Guy without a cameo from Lee Majors?
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Of course not, it's in the end credits! :thumbsup:
23 April 2012
Right ; here it is; I've finally seen "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (2011)" & was underwhelmed. It's well acted & shot. The dialogue is ....... well lost by an unnecessary amount of background 'noise' (how much music!) Quite frankly the 2009 film (Swedish version, NOT dubbed; read the subtitles) is head and shoulders better in these fields plus also covers more of the plot points from the novel in only about 20 minutes more screen time. I wanted to enjoy this so much but having seen Michael Nyqvist as 'Kalle' Blomkvist Daniel Craig was just going to have too much to do to even come close. I do like how Michael's daughter snagged a role as the girl who sells Daniel coffee, cakes & ciggies! If you haven't seen either film start with this; then seek out the trilogy with Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist et al to see how it should be done. Oh & read the books as well, it's worth it!
Watched in the main for the cars and what cars they are. Very concerned that they change when they run into water though :person_facepalming_tone1:♀
A great companion short to "The Wrecking Season". Nick Drake is and was a great subject for a film maker, communicating his outlook and life experience.
John Hannah makes everything better.
From the opening titles (which ape the period the film is set) to the end credits, it's a beautiful, emotional ride.
An ambitious film. Impressive scope with civil war reenactors involved as extras (the "Making Of..." documentary is an interesting companion piece) Running time is intimidating making it an easier at home watch. The ONE complaint is on some facial 'wig' work that is just too WTF, especially as original photographs are also displayed.
An unexpected brilliant turn by Brittany Murphy giving an energetic performance in a light rom-com story. She is the standout character, a whirlwind who propels her friends and acquaintances throughout the picture. (Particularly appreciated the depiction of London without it's horrendous 21st century skyline melange of disparate towers!)
From the pen of David Renwick comes this classically English Drama-Com. The two seasons have a distinct difference in feel (beyond the obvious episode durations) The first season being more interesting with it's dual leads illustrating the romantic search for "the one". Tamsin Greig is exceptional as usual in a role filled with pathos and longing.
Deeper in season 2 but it's finally here....the Trejo Coffee and Donuts cameo. :thumbsup:
After so many accolades and awards The Skewer makes the foray into the visual world, and the end result is as good as the audio episodes. (If you've not yet heard them then I urge you, seek them out and listen with headphones for the best experience!)
What a rug pull. Excellent handling and a great way to narratively address this second season being so different to the first in it's overall feel.
A spy?
Sweetly constructed short exploding the fantastic life of Amelie.
I'll stay with the fantasy though please. :heart:
Such a shame that the Disneyfication of the life of Matoaka has repeated the colonial myth created by John Smith and others. An opportunity exists to tell the real story, though it would present a less than pretty picture!
Curiously it's another film with Mel Gibson that takes history, and plays fast and loose!
