camillusdsl Reviews

Stop Making Sense (1984)

You know it makes sense!

[10/10 · 11 December 2009]

I watched this wonderful musical experience on DVD recently. I hadn't seen it for at least ten years and was delighted to see how well it's stood the test of time. Memories came flooding back of going to see it several times in the cinema with my then girlfriend (now my wife of twenty three years). Every time we went we met the same group of friends, smuggled in some beer, then danced all the way through the movie. Anyone too young to remember Talking Heads in their prime should watch Stop Making Sense and see how a group of talented musicians can put on a stunning show without the need for any flashy pyrotechnics. The originality and quality of the music and the clever use of simple lighting combine to make this a must see movie. Just be sure to move back the furniture so you have room to dance!

The Boondock Saints (1999)

If you're Oirish, come into the parlor

[1/10 · 1 December 2009]

Normally any movie with a good score on IMDb is worth watching, so I sat down to enjoy "The Boondock Saints" expecting enjoyable action. The first thing that made me worry was the opening scene, which is set in what is presumably a Roman Catholic Church. There was obviously no effort whatsoever made to ensure that the service was accurately portrayed (for example -the Lord's Prayer which is recited was not the Catholic version, but the reformist "Protestant" one, which is never used in a Roman Catholic service). If filmmakers decide to set a plot in any particular geographical location or ethnic community they should show at least enough respect to get the basics right. This on its own is a minor point but it was only the beginning and should have warned me about what was to come. It seems that the only reason that the main characters are Irish is to fulfil the necessary religious link needed by the movie title, by using the stereotypical off-the-shelf Irish Catholic, hard drinking, hard fighting but with a heart of gold model. It would have been far better to have done without the painful attempts at an "Oirish" accent which were amongst the worst since "Finian's Rainbow" and painful to an Irish ear. (If you want to see how it is possible for non-Irish actors to get the accent perfect watch "The Proposition".) All of these faults aside the movie could still have been entertaining. Unfortunately the plot is so weak and predictable that not even an actor of the quality of Willem Dafoe could save it. I had to struggle with the desire to switch this movie off after the first twenty minutes, something I almost never do. There are a lot of movies in this genre and my advice is to pick a different one – especially if you're Irish.

Black Dynamite (2009)

Black Gold!

[10/10 · 9 November 2009]

It's not often that I enjoy a movie to the point of laughing out loud – but Black Dynamite had me belly-laughing more than once. For those of us who are old enough to remember the joys of 1970's cinema this movie brings back all that was best (and worst) of those slightly grainy, scratched, funk and wow-wow pedal laden classics. The deliberate continuity errors and goofs are hilarious. The dialogue and stock characters could be drawn from any of those wonderful blacksploitation movies that were so exciting for a young lad living in rainy (and then almost 100% white) Ireland. So dig out your wide-collar shirt, pendant and platform boots and enjoy this gem.

Deadwood (2004–2006)

Fantastic!

[10/10 · 28 February 2009]

I'd been hearing about Deadwood from my friends for some time and figured they must be wrong; nothing could be that good. Guess what?... I was wrong! Deadwood is without doubt the most enjoyable series I have ever watched. It's gritty, course, violent and foul, that's what makes it great. I have a brother who worked in mining camps in Canada in the 1970's. When one camp was being struck they found three bodies of guys that had never been missed! He reckons Deadwood is right on the mark. The quality of script and acting is top-shelf. The fact that (allowing for the necessary poetic license needed ) it is a true story makes it absolutely fascinating. I have no hesitation in recommending this wonderful series to anyone.

Changeling (2008)

Good solid movie.

[9/10 · 10 February 2009]

It would be hard to live up to the hype that has surrounded this film, but thanks to the excellent job done by Clint Eastwood as Director we get a solid movie that doesn't fall into the all-too-easy trap of being overly sentimental. Angelina Jolie delivers a refreshing performance which proves she does not need action or glamour to carry a starring role. It would be very easy for any woman playing such an emotional part to slip into hysterical over-acting but instead she delivers a beautifully understated study of a mother living through the worst nightmare any parent can imagine. Add a supporting cast of top-shelf talent, and a good period atmosphere, to what is an incredible true story and we get a must-see movie.

Passchendaele (2008)

A wasted opportunity..

[1/10 · 2 February 2009]

I don't want anyone (most especially Canadians) to take my criticism of this movie to mean that I have anything but the height of respect for the courage and sacrifice of those who fought and died in WW1. I had the honor of being the first member of our family to pay their respects at the grave of my father's uncle who was killed in action in Belgium in 1916. Standing in the midst of those endless rows of gravestones was one of the most emotional things I've ever done. The futility and scale of loss endured by that generation is beyond imagination. I have also studied this period in history in some detail. That said, I was really interested in seeing this movie. Sadly I was very disappointed. The plot is so unbelievable that it ruins what should have been a realistic account of one of the saddest and most tragic periods in history. It's best described as "Mills & Boon" meets "All Quiet on the Western Front" with "Mills& Boon" winning the day. The film tries to be a war movie and a romance, but succeeds in neither and has to resort to visual clichés of the poorest kind, and a plot tissue-paper thin . I hope somebody makes a fitting tribute to the Canadian dead of WW1 soon, because this is defiantly not it.