Page 1 of What I watched this week (w/e August 13th)

On DVD:

Duckman Series 1 & 2 - This animated show about a cynical, smart-mouthed and permanently horny duck, who is a crap private detective, moves at such a speed it`s hard to keep up. The pop-culture references are now out of date, but the writing is incredibly sharp and the voice acting is superb. :)

The Bridge on the River Kwai - Beautifully directed by David Lean and featuring splendid performances from Alec Guinness and William Holden, this is a superb war film. :D

Delicatessen - This surreal black comedy from Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro is set in a post-apocalyptic future in which the only visible building is the eponymous store where the owner and landlord keeps his tenants fed by murdering the stream of janitors who are driven insane by the bizarre goings on inside the apartment building. Full of surreal humour and terrific performances. :)

Escape From New York: Commentary 2 - With Producer Debra Hill and Production Designer Joe Alves, this is a drier and more technical commentary than the Carpenter and Russell one, but the two fit together well. :)

Being John Malkovich - One of the most brilliantly original concepts for a film that I can think of is superbly brought to the screen by Spike Jonze. John Cusack is excellent in his role and Cameron Diaz puts in the most un-Diaz-like performance of her entire career. :D

Adaptation - Chris Cooper, Meryl Street and Nicholas Cage are all amazing but the star of the movie is Charlie Kaufman, whose incredible and bewildering screenplay steals the show. :D

Dragon Lee`s Ways of Kung Fu - With a horrible transfer, awful sound, terrible fight sequences and a non-existent storyline, this is a real `coaster` of a DVD; full review to follow. >:(

Mr. X - If it weren`t for the well-worked action sequences, this would be terrible; full review here. :(


Cinema

My Super Ex-Girlfriend - Ivan Reitman does comedy well and it seems that some of this film was designed for Bill Murray to play the male lead 10-15 years ago, but Luke Wilson is very good as the man who finds out that hell hath no fury like a female super-hero scorned. Anna Faris somewhat redeems herself from the Scary Movie franchise and Eddie Izzard is excellent as the Super Villain. :)

The Ant Bully - For a comedy, this only had one laugh and was strange in that it appeared to espouse the virtues of communism: one exchange could have been written by Trotsky or Marx! The film used the same design for the insects as Dreamworks` Ants which is far superior and less forgettable. :(

Lady in the Water - Purportedly based on a fairy story written for his children, this new film by M. Night Chamoiscloth never attempts to make sense and I thought some of the plot twists were blatantly obvious. I always found MNS`s `I am the new Hitchcock` cameos irritating, but casting himself in a main role as the man who will change the future of the world proves his ego is the size of Jupiter. He should stay behind the camera as he is a talented filmmaker but can`t act to save his life. :(


Television

England vs. Pakistan: Third Test - Thanks to some beautiful bowling by Monty Panesar, England wrapped up the victory on the final day to win a home series against Pakistan for the first time since 1982. The excellent performances from those who are keeping Freddie`s place warm provides the selectors with a welcome headache.

Twenty20 finals day & Middlesex Sevens - Although it finished in the p***ing rain, the twenty20 cricket provided excellent entertainment and some massive hitting and the Sevens Rugby was a great day of skill and speed despite the fact the Leicester lost in the final.

-

David Beckett AKA wossname

Where has everybody gone?

For me...

The Prize Winner Of Defiance, Ohio
Based on the heartwarming tale of 60s housewife Evelyn Ryan (Julianne Moore) who supported her 10 children and alcoholic husband Kelly (Woody Harrelson) by entering commercial jingle-writing contests. It`s a little repetitive, and ending is sickly sweet, but for the most part it is incredibly well made film with great performances, especially from Moore as a mother with an almost invincible spirit and wit. Great score by John Frizzell too. :)

Slither
Something of an antithesis to the above, James Gunn`s marvelous gore fest is the best horror/comedy/giant slug movie in years. Like the almighty Tremors, only with a lot more blood and entrails. Excellent turns from charismatic leads Nathan Fillion and Elizabeth Banks (still can`t believe that`s her in the Spider-Man movies), and Michael Rooker is his usual creepy self. Lots of fun :D

The Lost City
I was hugely looking forward to Andy Garcia`s controversial anti-Guevera movie, and while Bill Murray is moderately chucklesome and Dustin Hoffman was kind of interesting as a mob boss, it was just boring as all hell. Nearly fell asleep on numerous occasions - maybe I`ll give it another try some time. :(

Brick
After comparisons with films like Donnie Darko I was expecting a work of genius from Brick, but aside from the brilliant Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the ultra-quick witted lead, this was one of the most disappointing films so far this year. The pseudo-film noirish plot is completely ridiculous and the concept of a High School crime ring replete with the least threatening leader ever (Lucas Haas) is just silly. Also, Emilie De Ravin is annoying. >:(

Quote:
Where has everybody gone?
I`m here! Just a little late this week. I`ve noticed this thread has been a little quiet in recent weeks though.

A quiet week for me -

Tower of London :)

After The Sunset :¦

Batman Begins :D

Nosferatu :¦

Woyzeck :(

Mini reviews in the usual place.



Mine Was Taller

DVD Only

"Lawrence of Arabia".
Still a classic and always will be. They just don`t write intelligent movies like this anymore. No line is wasted and has implications later on in the film. No image is wasted as leitmotifs turn up again and again. A deliberately ambiguous film of an enigmatic person.
The quality of the DVD (and VHS) pressing is pretty bad. Quite grainy in several parts and in quite a few scenes a white line down the centre of the screen. This needs a remastering. The restoring has been done.

"Andy Warhol`s Hear/Trash/Flesh"
See elsewhere. First class transfer.

"Mrs. Henderson Presents"
Absolutely dire. Judi Dench doing her "A Fine Romance" role yet again.
Self-consciously camp. Self-consciously "feel good". Dreadful dialogue by Martin Sherman ("Bent").
One bit shock that will lift you out of you seats as you won`t hear it coming. And I don`t mean the sight of Bob Hoskins (acting posh, badly) willy!
Lots of singing by Will Young. Not good for me as I can`t stand his voice. Nice bum though.
I just squirmed through this entire movie but resisted the fast forward (and pause ;) ) button out of some kind of inane duty.
Hated it.