Page 1 of What I watched this week (w/e August 20th)

On DVD:

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Finishing my Charlie Kaufman triple bill from last week, this brilliant and inventive film was probably the best of 2004 and features Jim Carrey in one of his only roles where I don`t want to hit him! :D

Eyes Without a Face - Beautifully filmed with surreal touches, this tremendous film by Georges Franju is so chilling, simply because the main character, Dr. Génessier is so human and not a `looney` as in so many B movies. :D
Blood of the Beasts - This short about the slaughterhouses of Paris is on the Criterion disc and showcases Franju`s skill with a camera. The black and white footage detracts somewhat from the slaughter on the screen, focusing more on the aesthetic, but the film had enough impact to turn my stomach and, if I wasn`t a vegetarian already, this would make me think twice about eating meat. :)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail - Although Graham Chapman was a hopeless drunk during filming and rain made the woollen chain mail heavy and uncomfortable, this is consistently funny and my favourite Monty Python film. :D

Monty Python`s Life of Brian - With Graham Chapman sober, the Pythons were able to concentrate on filming together and without a `passenger`. This is undoubtedly the Python`s most accomplished film and the satire on organised religion seems as relevant today as it was then when it sparked so much controversy. :D

Monty Python`s The Meaning of Life - The film isn`t so much a coherent narrative as a set of sketches linked together by a loose theme but the surreal humour is terrific and the film is almost worth watching for `The Galaxy Song` and `Every Sperm is Sacred` musical numbers. :)

Half Light - With a first act almost entirely lifted from Don`t Look Now and completely predictable plot twists, this is, as the title suggests, a bit dim. :( Full review to follow sometime.

Evil Aliens - Jake West`s homage to `splat-stick` movies such as Braindead is a funny and gore-filled genre piece with so many in jokes and references that I lost count! :) Full review to follow sometime.

Coach season one - Starring Craig T. Nelson, best known to contemporary audiences as the voice of Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible, this 1989 sitcom sits right on the cusp where 1980s TV ended and the sitcoms of the 1990s began. It doesn`t fall into the Friends trap where actors say lines that are beyond the intelligence of their characters. :) Full review to follow.

Quadrophenia - An extraordinary debut film and a landmark in British film and TV - full
review here. :)

Countess Dracula - A strange offering from the Hammer Studios but a fine DVD package nonetheless - full review here. :¦


Cinema

Monster House - A horror movie for kids that I thoroughly enjoyed with terrific voice acting and a genuinely involving story. :)

Nacho Libre - I didn`t think it was the best thing that Jack Black has done and certainly didn`t live up to Jared Hess`s previous offering, Napoleon Dynamite. Despite this, Black is a wonderful physical comedian and any man who can get a laugh just by moving an eyebrow is able to carry the weakest film; Nacho Libre isn`t bad by any means but I expected more from the director of Napoleon Dynamite and writer of School of Rock. :¦


Television

England vs. Pakistan: Fourth Test - England were battling back from a disastrous first innings when the whole Test match descended into chaos and confusion; I have no idea whether they`ll be playing tomorrow or not.

American Pie Presents Band Camp - Horrible and puerile rubbish, this has none of the humour or innocent charm of the first two and is thoroughly predictable - I`m amazed that I made it to the final credits.
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David Beckett AKA wossname

This item was edited on Sunday, 20th August 2006, 22:05

Without A Paddle -Fun film if a little cheesy towards the end, when they find out what the real treasure is, but Burt Reynolds is funny as the hermit who lives in the mountains.

Wolf Creek - Not much of a true story but loosely based on several incidents around Australia, a bit overlong, but pretty brutal when it gets going, only spoiled by a massive plot hole towards the end.

Wayne`s World - Excellent film from start to finish.

Waynes World 2 - Great sequel except for the weak ending.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy - Classic Will Ferrel, great gags, with Steve Carell who plays the brilliant dumb weatherman.

floyd

This item was edited on Monday, 21st August 2006, 13:04

Late again (:¦

Mini reviews in the usual place.

Fitzcarraldo :)

Cobra Verde :(

My Best Fiend :D

King Kong :D

The Ladykillers :D

Ten Wanted Men :¦

Dreamer :)

The Man Who Knew Too Much :)

The Stone Tape :)



Mine Was Taller

This item was edited on Wednesday, 23rd August 2006, 00:00

Star Trek Nemesis - Patchy film good in places but a few scenes were off mainly the Argo buggy scene - there was just no point to it.

Hex - Pilot episode - Blind purchase and really enjoyed was surprised. Great characters and eerie setting.

Jaws 30th Aniversary- Classic film given justice with an excellent dvd

My Own Private Idaho - Cool film - surreal in places more good characters

Night Of the Living Dead- Tried several times but cant get through it - dodgy acting.

Syriana - hmm kept me to the end - didn`t follow the full plot, may need 2nd sitting but its not a film id particurly watch again.

Allo Allo - Series 1 "Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once" some classic comedy there, still makes me laugh after all this time.