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Reviews
The Jackal (1997)
Good versus Evil - Who's who???
Who was the hero, and who was the villain in this? Can't work it out. Are we supposed to root for the FBI, aided by convicted IRA terrorist, and cheeky chappy Richard Gere? Or are we to root for the Jackal who want's to kill the first lady?
Which is worse? Guy who wants to shoot the presidents wife, or guy who was part of an organisation that mames and murders innocent children? It's a toughy.
I think we were supposed to side with Gere and the whole valiant struggle against the imperialistic oppressors angle. The romantic battle for freedom and one mans fight for love and revenge against the man who murdered his unborn child. Didn't quite gel with me I'm afraid. Maybe being British meant I had trouble rooting for an IRA terrorist. In fact, I had trouble with the way the film treated a convicted IRA terrorist as a fundamentally good man, focused on his love story and loss, and ultimately allowed him to charge through the streets with a gun because he gave his word he wouldn't do anything bad.
The whole film is testament to the flippancy shown towards terrorism by America in the past, when it was "somebody elses" problem. I wonder how Gere's character would be portrayed nowadays, and instead of being an IRA terrorist how about an Al-Qaeda terrorist instead. Would he still be a loveable rogue?
The Office (2001)
Pity to those who don't "get it"
This is one of the best written, best observed comedies of recent times. True, you do tend to watch it through your fingers uttering "Oh my god" whilst feeling utter embarrassment, but that is it's charm. The characters are so well fleshed out, and it's nice to see characters "playing up" to the camera, rather than ignoring it like a "fly on the wall" documentary. That is how people react to a camera, they show off.
I have read a few people rate the humour as subtle, but I disagree with that. I think the humour is purely based in the pleasure found in the misfortune of others. This is a British trait, and may explain why some none British viewers don't get it. It is very similar to Pheonix Nights (also worth watching) in that respect.
There are some pure gags in there, like Frey Bentos, leader of Cuba, but mostly the comedy comes from the characters. You may not like the characters, but you can't help but be drawn to them as real people.
So who will find The Office funny?
Well, imagine you see somebody trip and fall in the street do you :-
A) Laugh B) Help Them
If you answer B) then The Office probably isn't for you. If you answered A) then brace yourself for a barrel load of cringeworthy moments, that will have you squirming in your seat.
10/10. Simply perfect.
About Schmidt (2002)
Sloooooowwww
I won't pretend to be a film buff who reads into the underlying messages and social comment of a film. I watch films to be entertained. And I wasn't. Slow, boring and tedious.
The only thing that kept me watching 'til the end was the fact that I thought this was a comedy. "It must get funny in a minute". It doesn't. There are some moderately humerous bits, but more chuckle worthy than funny.
A comedy it isn't, more a moving account of a mans self worth, how he deals with regret, loss, and how he longs for his life to have meaning. There are some chuckles, but then again, that does just about sums up life, doesn't it????
A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Boring
Accepting the underlying themes of persecution, etc. A.I. is extremely dull. To it's credit, at least the film admits it's a complete rip off of Pinnochio with constant reference to it, but there is nothing shocking, nor thought provoking in this film. It ambles along at a painfully slow pace, with the occasional show piece thrown in to try to liven up the proceedings. I think the biggest problem is, you never really empathises with any on the characters. I guess the robot boy is supposed to grow on you as the film progresses and he starts to exhibit more human traits, but this doesn't happen. And you end up not particularily caring whether he achieves his dreams of not. There is one moving moment at the end where you finally think he isn't going to achieve his dream, and he doesn't know how to give up, and you guess he'll spend eternity stuck at this one point. This would have made a thought provoking end to the film. Unfortunately, in true Spielberg manner, this would have been too down beat, and we are then treated to a rediculous, and unnecessary fifteen minute ramble. Speilberg seems unable to leave a film open at the end, and the same is true for this. He has to tie up all of the loose ends, and end on a positive note in a kind of "..so the worlds not such a bad place after all..." type way. This doesn't really fit with the themes of the film, as generally, when people are persecuted, it all doesn't work out in the end.
Not a great film that is ruined by the ending. The only plus point is the "teddy bear". The only lovable character in the whole film. And at least he lived happily ever after...so maybe the world isn't such a bad place after all ...
Lee Evans: Live in Scotland (1998)
Hilarious
Is Lee Evans the funniest comedian around today? Resounding yes me thinks.
Anyone who hasn't seen Lee Evans should try this. He's an extremely funny, energetic and enthusiastic comedian. His humour is based on observation, where he points out the obvious with a funny twist. Very, very funny, and worth the money just for the effort that he puts into his act. He must lose a couple of stone everytime he's on stage he sweats that much. He has tried his hand at sitcoms too, but don't judge him on that. For me, his sitcoms are poor, but his stand up is second to none.
I have just seen him live on his Wired and Wonderful tour and I think when the video comes out for that, if you like this, you should try that too. A genuine comedy genius, who'll have you crying with laughter. It's difficult to review one particular show as they are all so funny, but give this a shot as the Scotland show was special.
Repossessed (1990)
Oh dear
I logged into IMDB expecting to find this film in the 250 chart. That's the 250 worst movies chart. Juvenile humour, and even worse than that, telegraphed juvenile humour. The gags are pitifully weak and forced. You can imagine the script writer putting an <insert gag> tag in the script and adding the jokes later, coz that's how it plays. The gags should flow naturally, but lines are delivered purely so that a gag can be bolted on after it, and worst of all, you know when the gags are coming, even down to the point when the main character is introduced as Father Mayii you know that a "Father Mayii", "Yes you may" line can only be minutes away. Some of the Naked Gun, Airplane, Police Squad humour can work well, but not here. It's a personal thing, but I don't like big neon lights saying "Laugh Here", I'd rather have to work it out for myself.
Cherry Falls (1999)
Absolute nonsense
Absolute dross. Total brain dead nonsense. The film opens quite well. The first scene is shocking and does make you think this is going to be quite a good tennage slasher flick. Then, after death two, you are told that the killer is only killing virgins. Now then, Killer, High School, Virgins...let me think where on earth could this story possibly go? And it does, straight down the middle. I had to sneak the disk back to the video shop in fear of being spotted. That's how bad it was.
Final Destination (2000)
Enjoyed
I enjoyed this film a lot. Good premise, great opening, and some imaginative death scenes.
*SPOILER* I don't really want to go into the plot, but I have to mention the initial plane crash scene. It is so harrowing, and probably as realistic a depiction as you would ever want to see. You can feel the fear of the passengers, knowing you are going to die must be a terrible thing, and that is basically how the film progresses. The survivors know they are going to die and in what order, and so does the audience. Does this ruin the film? Not at all. Some of the ways the people are dispatched are pretty unbelievable, but then again, this is a film, and tumours or heart attacks wouldn't be particularly entertaining to watch. The second person to get it, being hit by a bus is fantastic. As the director says on the DVD commentary, you know it's going to happen, but it happens about 3 seconds before you expect it. So fast, and so shocking.
A great, entertaining film. Brain in neutral to a certain extent, but then again, that's why I watch films. To be entertained, not enlightened.
The Matrix (1999)
What more can you say?
Excellent. One of my all time great films for watchability and entertainment. I own this film on DVD, and can watch it at any time. With most films, you have to wait until the memories subside before watching it again, but with Matrix, I can watch it at any time, even back to back. In fact, multiple viewings of this film should be compulsary. The first time is excellent, but there are alot of subtle references during the film that don't click until you've seen the whole film, so it is worth watching again when you know exactly what is going on. The special effects are awesome, the fight scenes perfect, even Keanu puts in a decent performance. Fishburne is excellent, as are the supporting cast. Watch it many times, NOW! I only hope the two pending sequels don't ruin this.
Arlington Road (1999)
Another WOW ending
Loved this film. There are very few films that leave you speechless as the end credits roll, but this is one of them. It does drag in places, and doesn't seem to be going anywhere for long periods, but once you see the complete picture you realise the methodical plot development is necessary. It starts with irrational paranoia, then layers evidence slowly on top, until you actually start wanting Jeff Bridges character to succeed. And best of all, you think he is doing ...
I don't mind if films are too far fetched, I like stories that twist, and this one certainly does that. There aren't many films that make me go WOW when the twist is revealed... The Game, Angel Heart, House of Games, Sixth Sense , and I can now add Arlington Road to the list.
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
A great film
Robin Hood : Prince of Thieves is a great film. Fun and Fast. The true nature of the Robin Hood story. I know that Costner couldn't manage an English accent, but at least he used Ye' olde English dialect. The film isn't accurate, nor is it supposed to be. As I said before, the film is Fast and Fun, a light hearted tale of Good against Evil. The setting is incidental, it is the spirit of the film that is important. If you want a accurate account of Britain, try Monty Python and the Holy Grail instead. It's much closer to the mark.
Mr. Murder (1998)
On and on and on ...
Good Film. Decent Acting. Fine Plot (kinda like Soldier). Too Long !!!
The film starts well. It had me thinking that this kind of GM/Clone type stuff is possible and may well have been tried by governments as we speak. After a great opening 45 minutes the film descends into farce. Chase, evade, catch fight, chase, escape, fight, catch, chase, etc... At on point it feels like a superman flick. One leaves as the other enters, etc. Laughable. I did however enjoy the pathetic special effects when Baldwin was fighting with himself. Shocking!