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Reviews
De Düva: The Dove (1968)
I laughed till I cried
I saw this when it came out in '68, and like everyone else in the theater I initially assumed it was a legitimate Bergman film. The look and feel of the picture was perfect, down to the lingering silences, pregnant with meaning. Or so we thought. About two minutes into it, I began to hear a few people giggling, then a few more as slowly it dawned on the audience that this wasn't the Master Himself after all. Soon everyone was roaring, and by the time it was over most of us were ruined for the feature film (No, I have no idea what it was). You don't have to be familiar with Bergman to enjoy this, but it helps. This is an inspired masterpiece that I rate up there with such untouchable classics as "Bambi Meets Godzilla". When is someone going to put these old shorts on video or DVD? The world could use the laughter these days.
Time Bandits (1981)
If you want consistency, watch Chuck Norris
If you want someone to challenge your expectations , someone whose work you can love and hate, and one of the most innovative, brilliant and independent film makers ever - Terry Gilliam is your man.
I saw Time Bandits at its initial theatrical release, and hated it. Expecting MONTY PYTHON, I was bitterly disappointed that it wasn't wall-to-wall laughs in the familiar style. I couldn't figure out why Sean Connery was in it, why the sub-plots were unfinished, and and why the PYTHON people were barely used.
A few years later it became one of the first films to be rediscovered on cable. I gave it a second chance and was richly rewarded. For some reason it came across better in a home screening; it also helped that I was no longer looking for the Python ensemble. That time I was won by the wit and audacity of a film which was clearly a personal vision rather than comedy product.
What I had initially taken for a poor imitation of Cleese & Co was in fact a wondrously complete work of originality and engaging charm. When I looked past my sour notion of circus humor in the use of a midget cast, and allowed the individual characters created by Michael Rappaport,et al to come through, it invited a third viewing solely devoted to enjoying Digit, Vermin, Randall and the rest of these characters whose throw-away lines alone are worth the price of admission. Kevin, sweet and innocent without ever dipping to cute, is the perfect foil to the splendidly earnest and wholly inept cut-throats. The other character being the worlds of Gilliam's peerless imagination.
After fifteen or so viewings, I can say with certainty I could view it monthly for the rest of my life and never fail to find a fresh ingredient with each. With Kubrick's passing, Terry Gilliam holds the chair in daring, originality, taking risks, and quite often re-setting the standard for outrageous and visually stunning satire.
The Old Curiosity Shop (1995)
In an outstanding production,Tom Courtney stands out.
For anyone who loves Dickens, this is going to be a surprise of the best kind. Few productions can capture the details that make Dickens' words come alive. This version of The Old Curiosity Shop does more with an empty set than most do at full steam. The set design strengthens every performance, adding nuance and flavor to actors who are already working at the peak of their craft.
If this seems like slavering, it's only because something of this quality comes maybe once a decade. The cast is a director's dream, and each member delivers just the right spice to this dish.
With so much excellence, it would seem incongruous to isolate any single aspect as standing out, but Tom Courtney, as the menacing Quilp becomes the very heart of Evil around which all this revolves. And a more entertaining Evil you will never see. He makes Quilp a fascination first to last.
This is a recommendation for anyone; and a must-see for Dickens fans.