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Reviews
The Hot Potato (2012)
Beautiful-looking amusing comedy-drama
Gorgeously-shot geezer-fest with a lovely colour palette and a soft heart. It tells a simple, quite satisfying story and stars some top British actors - Winstone, Meaney etc. The film is enjoyable and warm- hearted, despite being a bit predictable in its plot. The violence is cartoonish and often funny, and the level of threat is minimal. Self-parodying at times, the film also recalls the Carry On films and sixties classics like Alfie and The Ipcress File (especially in the music - though The Ipcess File is much darker, obviously). The set design is always beautiful, with lots of period detail. There are some nice European locations too. Charming.
Bewitched (2005)
Brilliant under-rated movie
This is a movie that many people hated, but if you are prepared to go with the multi-layered fantasy, you might just love it. It's like a love-letter to the original Bewitched TV series, which is why Aunt Clara and Uncle Arthur are there, and why there are some in-jokes that you won't get if you haven't watched much of the series. If you have, however, you'll get it. The film feels at times as fluffy as a musical comedy - indeed it has visual references to several - and at other times like screwball or sitcom. Generically confusing, therefore, but that's part of the fun. Why have a boring linear narrative in a single genre when you can do anything you want to? Lots of analogies between the 'magic' of film and movie-making, and witchcraft itself. Also, no patriarchal nonsense about women having to give up their powers, as with so many witch films. This is a bubbly, not-entirely-consistent roller-coaster ride - give it a try. You might like it.