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Reviews
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
the credits: they make this film
I haven't seen the original and I'm really interested to see what is original story and what is a new 'twist'
I'm definitely not a horror fan, I was dragged by my dad who was threatening to make me go and see 'the passion of the Christ' and zombies suddenly seemed to be an exciting subject!
The film itself was pretty good, I was quite impressed but then I'd gone in fearing I'd miss the whole film hiding under my coat so.... The only majorly gruesome up close zombieness occurs in the first few scenes, and yes it was gross and perhaps a little unnecessarily so, but it's horror, you expect that. Once they get to the mall though it's more of a thriller/horror and I wound up really getting into it, empathising with characters and cheering zombie deaths, and consequently saying 'no no for gods sake just stab them in the head!'
My second favourite bit is all the stuff on the roof between the people in the mall and Andy across the street. A classic moment is made when they try to get Andy to shoot Jay Leno in zombie form, it's a beautiful moment!
But the film is made by it's credits, don't leave before them and mock those that do because the film goes up about 3 point in my ratings of it by the credits, I won't spoil it for you, just tell you to watch them.
In the Cut (2003)
Ignore the negative hype
I'm surprised by how many bad reviews this film has, it may not be perfect but there's a lot to love and like about this film.
Firstly lets step over the Meg Ryan hurdle, I am a rom-com addict so I of all people should want her to be her usual breathy, gushy self. However I almost prefer this look for her, I'm glad she can do more than just doe eyed expression because it makes me like her even more as an actress. Some may criticise the inconsistency in her character but I think it all just adds to the artistic isolated human being her character is.
The sex was well done and I think this has a lot to do with it being directed by a woman. I'm not saying men cannot do sex scenes that appeal to both sexes but I loved the way Jane Campion as a woman director didn't shy away from the sex, but embraced it and made it pretty sexy.
I loved the way it was filmed, to me it is reminiscent of Corrine Day's photography (she also directed the Christina Aguilara - Fighter video), which has been described as 'dirty realism' a phrase that has always stuck in my head and illustrates how perhaps low budget, dirty, perhaps realistic locations are used but glamorised. This style was my main attraction and connection to the film, it had me at one of the first shots of the hem of a skirt and a woman's bare legs walking through a beautiful garden.
It was really really well filmed, it shows things how they are, and how you would want them to be seen. Just little thinks like rain falling in artificial light or the way a glass spins or a nipple stiffens under clothing at a touch, these are all brilliantly picked up on, focused on to make them part of the story, to make you *feel* the film.
The framing also picks up on little things that link the film. I love the use of mise en scene to contribute film meaning and this is done so often here, with themes and props reigning supreme. From his obsession with her right foot, to the water pistol to the charm bracelet to the blow job scene preceding the falic picture of a shiny red lighthouse; there were a million little links in the mise en scene that I just adore.
I do see where ppl are coming from in some of their criticisms, to be honest I gave up on the thriller aspect of the murderer and cared more about their relationship, an element that has carried across Meg Ryan's genres, my desire for her to be happy in love. My main worry was not of her danger but that he would be the killer and then their relationship would have been a shambles. However if that's what I get from the film then fine, I know that I do that to most things I watch, everything falls in the sideline to the romantic twist whatever genre it may be, tis just a personal thing.
Anyways ignore a lot of the criticism, the hype around Meg Ryan's transition and don't be offended by the amount of sex, simply embrace it and appreciate the film for how it portrays the world in 'dirty realism'
All the Real Girls (2003)
*Searching for merits*
It depends what you want from a film. I see no point in watching a film about 'real life' because life can be incredibly boring, as this film proves, in fact I think I just re-evaluated my life and am pretty happy with it in comparison!
It's only redeeming feature is it makes me think of those things that you witness and you wish like hell you could record, there's no reason to, but you just want them concrete and to not fade. This film has these, panoramic visions and little witty tiny scenes that are like memories.... BUT memories are great fun if they're personal; if they're the memories of some slow, boring hicks.... it just gets pretty tedious.
I was pretty shocked when I saw how high the ratings for this film were. I would have turned it off myself but I have an annoying habit of hoping a film will get better. It's just not the way I'd want a film to be, I prefer to be told a different version of life, if I want life I turn on the news or even better look around me, talk to people, experience the world. I want to see different possibilities that intrigue, excite and inspire me. I don't want to see drawling, mindless dialogue and so many sunsets that they definitely loose their sparkle.
I think the age gap between young brits and young americans also makes this film hard to relate to. These "kids" at 18? and 22? they're acting like me and my friends might in secondary school, at say 15...so I guess it's difficult to empathise with these characters as they are the same age and older than I am now but acting in a way that lies in my past. I couldn't quite get my head round whether that was an american issue, a less advanced lifestyle issue or just dodgy casting.
Am glad I read the reviews here though, made me see a couple of good points, ok.... one. But maybe it's a semiotics issue, and I just don't relate to it, that's my take anyhoos
From watching more of the bonus featureness of the dvd I can sort of see what they were trying to do, and I do quite like the idea, the trouble being it doesn't convey the idea quite as much as I think they think it does. It's always a problem when someone makes a project, they have an answer to everything and everything has been planned a certain way, filmed, edited etc, but since everyone involved knows exactly what it's *meant* to be they *get* it with all the background. The trouble is they want to show this to people who don't have all that 'background' of how they wanted it to look, I think the main problem is they didn't pull off what is actually a sort of nice idea.
Tipping the Velvet (2002)
Spectacular!!!
This is a superb TV series, it's sympathetic and for once realistic! portrayal of lesbian women is delicately handled and well done. On top of that the directing is wonderful and the settings sumptuous and rich, a real treat. If you missed the first one I advise you watch next weeks, 9PM, BBC 2
A Tale of Two Bunnies (2000)
How can you not love it?
A brilliant film, fun, romance and most of all BUNNIES!!! You cannot fail to love this feel good movie which takes you back to the fun and class of the playboy clubs. I'm personally gutted since I've lost the video I recorded the film from sky on, :( was it even ever released on video in the uk? I've searched high and low and would die for another copy!!!