Page 1 of What I watched this week (w/e Sunday 5th June)

On DVD:

A Chinese Ghost Story - A strange movie with a mix of suspense, comedy, fantasy, romance and martial arts; A Chinese Ghost Story takes place in a haunted bordello where Ning Tsai-Shen take shelter in a rainstorm. The strange mix of genres lends for a highly enjoyable movie which will suit all tastes. :) Shame about the awful subtitles on the DVD which was a cheapie from DDDHouse.com. :(

Battle Royale - Brilliantly satirical and bloody, Battle Royale is set in Japan (which was victorious in WWII) but which now suffers from the problem of teenagers rebelling against authority. The solution is the Millennium Education Reform Act, which allows the government to pick a ninth grade class at random and put it on an island on which they must kill their classmates until only one is left alive. Slightly flawed but the underlying satire and brutal violence makes for compelling viewing. :D 8)

Versus - Forget the plot, for there isn't much of one to speak of; Versus combines elements of The Evil Dead, Night of The Living Dead, The Matrix and Stephen Chow movies to create a rollercoaster of terrific set piece fight scenes which is great fun from first minute to last. :)

The Bridge on the River Kwai - David Lean's film about an allied POW camp in Burma in which British POWs are ordered to build a bridge which they are determined to build well. Unbeknownst to them, the bridge is targeted for demolition by an Allied demolition squad which leads to a gripping finale. Alec Guinness and William Holden are both superb, as is David Lean's direction. :D

The Man in the White Suit - Like many movies from Ealing Studios, this is well scripted, directed and acted; Alec Guinness plays Sidney Stratton, an inventor in creates a fabric that won't wear out and is impervious to stains. Far from being welcomed, his creation becomes a marketing nightmare and he is forced to go on the run, hunted by those who he invented the material for. :D

The Simpsons: Season 5 (commentaries) - With contributions from writers, directors, animators, actors and producers, the commentaries are entertaining, informative, funny and not repetitive. :D

The Quiet Man - Beautifully filmed, John Ford's film about an American ex-boxer who retraces his Irish roots is wonderfully acted by John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara and Ford uses the lovely Irish scenery very well to create a very different look to his Westerns. :D

Team America: World Police - Extremely funny, this parody of Jerry Bruckheimer and Michael Bay films is more proof of the warped genius of Matt Stone and Trey Parker. :) 8)


On cable:

Open Range - This could have been a great western but it drags far too much and only Robert Duvall saves it from being a new Waterworld. :(

Stuck on You - There are only a couple of good jokes in this rather disappointing Farrelly brothers movie; Meryl Streep and Cher are good sports but there is not enough decent material to fill the running time. :¦

Kostya Tszyu vs. Ricky Hatton - Terrific fight with a great ending and an excellent display of sportsmanship; a brilliant advert for the sport. :D


At the cinema:
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith - See here. >:(

Millions - A lovely story, beautifully told by Danny Boyle who returns to form by well directing a cast who step up to the plate and do the story justice. :)


Downloads:
South Park seasons 6 and 7 - Very funny stuff; Matt and Trey are inventive enough to know when something is missing and re-introduce Kenny, first when he possesses Cartman (who drinks his ashes) and then he just appears to reunite the gang. The topical satire still works even if the stories are no longer fresh. :D




My Top 20 Horror Movies ---- My DVD Collection ---- My Gremlin

This item was edited on Monday, 6th June 2005, 00:00

(which was victorious in WWII)

I didn`t get that from the film or book... will have to watch again and check.


Quote:
Millions - A lovely story, beautifully told by Danny Boyle who returns to form by well directing a cast who step up to the plate and do the story justice.

Want to go and see this. Have you ever seen a film called "Purely Belter"? The concept reminded me of like a reverse version of that.

--

www.soundalikes.com/ (Version 2. Updated 8/4/05)

Battle Royale - I assumed from the military presence on the streets and militaristic nature of the film that Japan had been victorious and had not adopted the `pacifist` constitution that it now has.

Purely Belter - I really enjoyed this, with it's good mix of humour and drama and it is similar to Millions; with two unknown child actors and trouble with money as the subject of the film.


My Top 20 Horror Movies ---- My DVD Collection ---- My Gremlin

Quote:
I assumed from the military presence on the streets and militaristic nature of the film that Japan had been victorious and had not adopted the `pacifist` constitution that it now has.

Nah. Its set in a `day after tomorrow` type future, where society has started to crumble. Therefore you need some pretty hardcore police. Nothing really to do with the war.

Following
Sub Pop Vidoe Network Volume 1
X-Files season 5
The Wanderers
Bill Hicks Live
Early Doors season 1
Game On season 1/2
The Kingdom (Original Danish version, not the Yank remake)

Don`t watch much tv, just watched Have I Got News For You and Jools Holland Show.

Pre Ordered A-Team season 2 now it`s officially got a release date.

This item was edited on Monday, 6th June 2005, 10:59

Team America - Saw it at the cinema and watched this week on DVD. The DVD actually adds a decent bit. Especially the revelation that `Bruckheimer is a Turd`. Hilarious from start to finish and note perfect parody of everything. And, as per all their other work, a totally infectious soundtrack. America F*** YEAH!! :D

Mothman Prophecies - Watched this again on tv last night. Pretty underrated in my opinion with some genuine spooky moments. Probably the only richard gere film i dont have to be forced to watch. :)

LOTR: ROTK - Finally got round to `watching` this with the DC on. In fact, like most DC`s I listen to I usually stick it on while im doing some housework or something because it beats the radio. Anyway, a fascinating commentary, once again with revealing insights that not only encourage you to watch the movie again, but appreciate the herculean effort of getting it onto the big screen.

TV

Lost - Watched the finale. Excellent (as always) episode. But what is going to happen in series two? Im just shivering with antici..................pation. :D

Enterprise - Getting a bit bored of the money saving multipart story arcs. Theyve milked this romulan one to death. :¦

Smallville - Surprisingly good. Seems to have found its feet in the last few episodes. I did think they were going to bottle it and have everyone remember nothing and move them back to square one, but they didnt (entirely, anyway) which was nice :)

This item was edited on Monday, 6th June 2005, 11:56

Films

Cursed - A half decent Wes Craven horror flick, which the had the potential to be far better. Should have been released about five years ago when these type of teen horror films were all the rage. ;)

Mr. 3000 - Better than I expected, and Bernie Mac is great in it. If you like your `underdog` style sports movies - then it might be worth checking out.

Star Wars Episode 3 - ROTS - Is there anything else to say now?

A Dirty Shame - A John Waters film... need I say anything more? Completely bizarre, and not the kind of thing you could recommend - but seeing (the sexy) Selma Blair with Lolo Ferrari sized boobs is great fun in itself.

The Eye 10 - Should be avoided, though the first two Eye films in my opinion, are excellent. But it`s not a patch on the first two as they try to turn the series into the direction of a horror comedy. If people fighting ghosts by farting and burping is your thing, then it might be worth your time. Otherwise, steer clear I`m sad to say.

Into the Mirror - An interesting film, which drags at times, but is worth checking out if you like asian chillers. Not really scary, but the plot twists hold your attention.


TV

Band of Brothers - Watched first two episodes. First episode was great, second wasn`t so good - but looking forward to seeing the rest.

Twilight Zone (2003?) - Watched the first four episodes of the series. So far its been okay - with the Adolf Hitler episode being a standout.

They are all I can remember off the top of my head. :D

This item was edited on Monday, 6th June 2005, 12:35

SWAT - A fun film shame there wasn`t a bit more violent as it should of been.

A Company of Wolves - A Wizard of Oz type story but with wolves, but ends up being s***e.

The Parallax View - A good conspiracy film but there were a lot of lengthy scenes that could of done with editing down, it`s your typical 70s film that when there`s an action scene there`s no close up shots say like when two people fighting, it`s always shot at long distance, or scenes jump from the person being alive to that person dead in the next scene.
You can understand why directors such as Spielberg, Scorsese, and Coppola stood out from the rest of the directors.

The Enforcer - Another excellent Dirty Harry film, with Tyne Daly aka the one half of Cagney & Lacey.

Sin City - Okay not great as it`s been made out to be.

floyd


DVD collection

TV:

Dr Who - Pretty good, but do you think it`s any coincidence that Rose chooses the older guy over the one her own age (although Mickey is a bit of a gormless fool :) )


DVD:

Mortal Kombat - Made before Paul Anderson needed to put `W.S` (Wide Screen?) in his name, it`s been a while since I`ve seen this and the first time on DVD (£3, DVD Soon). Not as good as I initially thought it was, although Christopher `Highlander` Lambert is quite funny. Maybe it`s time to review my computer-game movie adaptations (It`ll still be better than Street Fighter though :P );
Apollo 13 - It`s good, and the anti-gravity scenes are great, but it`s lacking a truly dramatic edge given the enormity of the event at the time;
Batman: The Movie (1966) - Hmmm, I don`t know whether it falls into the `so bad, it`s good` category or `so bad i should stick the DVD in the microwave`. Some truly appaling dialogue (worse than the Star Wars love scenes :p ), but maybe it wasn`t helped by me being sober at the time...


Downloads:

Beauty and the Geek - Promising US reality show where some good-looking female airheads are paired with some socially deficient male geniuses, in order to win $250,000. This week, the guys had to educate the girls to do a spelling bee and general knowledge test aimed at 12-year olds, while the girls had to educate the guys with a dancing competition. It wouldn`t be reality TV without some late-night action however, and there was a bit of romance between some of the contestants (much to the disappointment of their partners). It`s funny and the summer`s a bit slow for TV, so I`ll stick with it I think. Better than Big Brother anyway.
Father of the Pride - Sky One `exclusive` (just cos they can be arsed airing the other 2 completed episodes), and, like I`ve said previously, it`s funny in places, but not consistently enough.
The Shield - Excellent episode:
SPOILER:

The Strike Team are back together, and ready to kick some serious butt. Also had it`s comedy moments, like when Vic found out Dutch was seeing his ex :)
Listened to Hatton vs Tszyu on the radio (just happened to be awake at 2am, downloading it now anyway), they said it was a corker of a fight.

Think that`s it, currently downloading Family Guy, American Dad and the 4400 to watch over the next week.

Chris.

This item was edited on Monday, 6th June 2005, 19:32

DVD`s

Together - Lukas Moodysson movie about communal living in the 1960`s. Despite being in Swedish this is a very easy film to watch, funny sad if you know what I mean... :)

House of Dark Shadows - low budget movie spin-off of cheesy 60`s/70`s vampire soap that I have a sost spot for having watched it so often as a kid in the US...
not recommended unless you were also a kid growing up in the early seventies in the US... :)

The Old Grey Whistle Test Vol. 1 - fantastic nostalgia-fest! Best acts include Curtis Mayfield, Alex Harvey and Edgar Winter. :D


Not watched much TV but would like to add NON MUSIC AUDIO to the list ...

I`ve been listening to the wonderful Beat Lectures (William Burroughs, Alan Ginsberg etc) from Naropa ...now available to download for free!! :D

That`s about it in a week when my youngest daughter is appearing in `Summer Holiday` at Winchester Theatre for the next 8 days - which means more visits to the thatre than I can count on two hands... :/