2009 is nearly at an end and time to give my opinion on the best films of the year. The following list is a Spinal Tap list, in that this one goes to 11. I tried very hard to limit myself to ten films, and I had done it until I realised I had left UP of the list. By hat point there wasn't anything I could take out so 11 it shall have to be.
1. MOON - Stunning debut from Duncan "Zowie Bowie" Jones and the performance(s) of a lifetime by Sam Rockwell
2. LET THE RIGHT ONE IN - The perfect antidote to the Twilight films
3. (500) DAYS OF SUMMER - Best romantic comedy since High Fidelity
4. STAR TREK - What the Star Wars prequels should have been!
5. AVATAR - Cinema will never be the same thanks to the "King Of The World". Plot & screenplay problems aside, this must be seen in 3D on the biggest screen possible.
6. IN THE LOOP - There hasn't been a funnier film this year. Malcolm Tucker is a legend!
7. INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS - A return to form by Tarantino
8. FANTASTIC MR. FOX - A cussing good movie
9. A SERIOUS MAN - Seriously good but that ending will piss off a lot of people
10. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY - Scariest movie since The Descent
11. UP - Pixar can do no wrong (except for Cars!)
Agree? Disagree? Let me know your favourite films of the year.
Thursday, 17 December 2009
Monday, 14 December 2009
(500) Films of Empire - Day 90
71 - Night Of The Hunter - 3 stars
Initially a flop on its release, the criticism of the film caused this to be Charles Laughton's only film as a director. And that is a terrible shame as there is a great deal to admire in this tale of a villainous preacher who infiltrates a young family in an attempt to get his hands on the takings from a bank robbery.
The film is anchored by the performance of Robert Mitchum as Preacher Harry Powell, a man of God who definitely works in mysterious ways, even having 'love' and 'hate' tattooed on his knuckles. Tip-toeing the line between charming (his outward persona to the naive small town locals) and terrifying (to the children as he plots to get the money from them).
There is also beautiful cinematography, some of it is reminiscent of Citizen Kane.
Now the film does have it faults. Perhaps it was because "it was a simpler time back then" but I couldn't get over the fact that Shelley Winters gets married to Powell about a week after her husband's hanging because some local busy-body thinks that the kids "need a man around".
Also some of the performances are a little corny, especially that of Pearl (the little girl), but I shouldn't be too harsh since Laughton apparently had no time for the kids during filming.
Rewatching it this time, with a greater degree of film knowledge, I was able to spot wonderful touches like the cross of light that appears on the water as the children escape Preacher, or how the sets of the bedroom look like a church. The level of religious imagery is very detailed.
Regrettable that he never directed again as I think there were more great films to come from Laughton.
Initially a flop on its release, the criticism of the film caused this to be Charles Laughton's only film as a director. And that is a terrible shame as there is a great deal to admire in this tale of a villainous preacher who infiltrates a young family in an attempt to get his hands on the takings from a bank robbery.
The film is anchored by the performance of Robert Mitchum as Preacher Harry Powell, a man of God who definitely works in mysterious ways, even having 'love' and 'hate' tattooed on his knuckles. Tip-toeing the line between charming (his outward persona to the naive small town locals) and terrifying (to the children as he plots to get the money from them).
There is also beautiful cinematography, some of it is reminiscent of Citizen Kane.
Now the film does have it faults. Perhaps it was because "it was a simpler time back then" but I couldn't get over the fact that Shelley Winters gets married to Powell about a week after her husband's hanging because some local busy-body thinks that the kids "need a man around".
Also some of the performances are a little corny, especially that of Pearl (the little girl), but I shouldn't be too harsh since Laughton apparently had no time for the kids during filming.
Rewatching it this time, with a greater degree of film knowledge, I was able to spot wonderful touches like the cross of light that appears on the water as the children escape Preacher, or how the sets of the bedroom look like a church. The level of religious imagery is very detailed.
Regrettable that he never directed again as I think there were more great films to come from Laughton.
Sunday, 13 December 2009
(500) Films of Empire - Day 89 - John Hughes
This a double bill that I wanted to do following the death of John Hughes earlier this year, however I did not own a copy of The Breakfast Club. That's what Lovefilm is for.
So following the X Factor final (sad I know but I can't help getting sucked in), I stuck on the double bill, inspired by Olly doing Twist & Shout from Bueller, complete with dance moves.
369 - The Breakfast Club - 2 stars
"Don't you forget about me" sang Simple Minds, and it's tough to forget this film. One of the definitive teen movies of the eighties, from the master of the teen movie John Hughes (responsible for among others Sixteen Candles and my personal favourite of his, Weird Science). Hughes takes the usual school stereotypes, locks them in detention for 8 hours and attempts to strip back the layers to reveal that deep down 'we're all the same'. So we get The Jock (Estevez), The Nerd (Michael-Hall), The Outcast (Sheedy), The Prom Queen (Ringwald) and The Rebel (Nelson), all regular members of 'The Brat Pack', and continuing the trend of having teenagers played by actors in their mid-twenties.
So how do 5 teenagers pass the time in an all-day detention? They sleep, slag each other off, claim that they are "nothing like them" especially in the case of Bender, smoke dope, dance around, give heartfelt confessions, etc, etc.
But do they manage to break down the barriers and become BFFs? Not really. Whilst they bond during their time in lock-up, the conclusion made is that the class structure within high school will prevent them from becoming friends as they move in different circles.
And how unfair is it that the nerd ends up alone? Ringwald and Nelson hook up and Estevez and Sheedy get it on, leaving poor Anthony all alone. Totally unfair that they are off smooching while he has to write the essay for ALL of them. Perhaps he doesn't need to because of Weird Science where the nerds created their own woman in the form of Kelly Le Brock.
A portrait of school at a more innocent time, imagine a modern day version with hoodies in the classroom!, but it has aged quite badly and doesn't quite have the charm to this (nearly) thirty-something that it had in his teens.
88 - Ferris Bueller's Day Off - 4 stars
Now here is a film that doesn't tire or get old. Ferris's message of "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop to look around once in a while, you might miss it", is as valid today as it was back then.
It has to be said that at my age it is a lot more difficult to pull a "sickie" and take the day off to pursue some wild extra-curricular activities, especially since I am the boss. Curse my position of responsibility!
His day of fun includes many iconic moments such as the trip to the museum, and the 'Twist & Shout' performance at the parade.
He effortlessly coasts through life and because of this, Ferris is a great hero for the eighties generation, who else could have pulled off a leopard-print sweatervest, but every great hero needs a great villain, and Ferris has his in the form of Ed Rooney, a man who "won't let some snot nosed punk leave his cheese out in the wind", and determined to catch Ferris out. Rooney is played in a great, slimy performane from Tim Burton regular Jeffrey Jones.
I wonder what Ferris Bueller would be doing now? Still bunking off work? Maybe a sequel would be fun...
Days remaining - 276 Films remaining - 369
So following the X Factor final (sad I know but I can't help getting sucked in), I stuck on the double bill, inspired by Olly doing Twist & Shout from Bueller, complete with dance moves.
369 - The Breakfast Club - 2 stars
"Don't you forget about me" sang Simple Minds, and it's tough to forget this film. One of the definitive teen movies of the eighties, from the master of the teen movie John Hughes (responsible for among others Sixteen Candles and my personal favourite of his, Weird Science). Hughes takes the usual school stereotypes, locks them in detention for 8 hours and attempts to strip back the layers to reveal that deep down 'we're all the same'. So we get The Jock (Estevez), The Nerd (Michael-Hall), The Outcast (Sheedy), The Prom Queen (Ringwald) and The Rebel (Nelson), all regular members of 'The Brat Pack', and continuing the trend of having teenagers played by actors in their mid-twenties.
So how do 5 teenagers pass the time in an all-day detention? They sleep, slag each other off, claim that they are "nothing like them" especially in the case of Bender, smoke dope, dance around, give heartfelt confessions, etc, etc.
But do they manage to break down the barriers and become BFFs? Not really. Whilst they bond during their time in lock-up, the conclusion made is that the class structure within high school will prevent them from becoming friends as they move in different circles.
And how unfair is it that the nerd ends up alone? Ringwald and Nelson hook up and Estevez and Sheedy get it on, leaving poor Anthony all alone. Totally unfair that they are off smooching while he has to write the essay for ALL of them. Perhaps he doesn't need to because of Weird Science where the nerds created their own woman in the form of Kelly Le Brock.
A portrait of school at a more innocent time, imagine a modern day version with hoodies in the classroom!, but it has aged quite badly and doesn't quite have the charm to this (nearly) thirty-something that it had in his teens.
88 - Ferris Bueller's Day Off - 4 stars
Now here is a film that doesn't tire or get old. Ferris's message of "Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop to look around once in a while, you might miss it", is as valid today as it was back then.
It has to be said that at my age it is a lot more difficult to pull a "sickie" and take the day off to pursue some wild extra-curricular activities, especially since I am the boss. Curse my position of responsibility!
His day of fun includes many iconic moments such as the trip to the museum, and the 'Twist & Shout' performance at the parade.
He effortlessly coasts through life and because of this, Ferris is a great hero for the eighties generation, who else could have pulled off a leopard-print sweatervest, but every great hero needs a great villain, and Ferris has his in the form of Ed Rooney, a man who "won't let some snot nosed punk leave his cheese out in the wind", and determined to catch Ferris out. Rooney is played in a great, slimy performane from Tim Burton regular Jeffrey Jones.
I wonder what Ferris Bueller would be doing now? Still bunking off work? Maybe a sequel would be fun...
Days remaining - 276 Films remaining - 369
Saturday, 12 December 2009
(500) Films of Empire - Day 87
372 - Army Of Darkness - 2 stars
Or to give its full title, Bruce Campbell Vs Army of Darkness.
Be under no illusions, this is the Bruce Campbell show. No other characters really get a look in, as he gurns and quips his way to victory against the deadites, and at one point Ash fights an evil version of himself, double the Bruce. Gone is the wimpering, cowardly Ash from the first film and now we have a fully fledged 80's style action hero.
There will be more in-depth discussion about how great Bruce Campbell is when I review Evil Dead 2, and the Spider-Man films.
This film is not as over-the-top bloody as the first two, instead Sam Raimi seems to be fulfilling a childhood dream by making his own Harryhausen film, as Ash takes on an army of stop-motion skeletons.
Unfortunately I didn't find this as good as the originals, Evil Dead 2 being one of my all-time favourite horror films. Thee wasn't enough blood and gore splattering the screen and Raimi didn't abuse Campbell enough. Didn't help mattes that I accidentally put on the US theatrical cut instead of the Director's cut that has the better ending.
Or to give its full title, Bruce Campbell Vs Army of Darkness.
Be under no illusions, this is the Bruce Campbell show. No other characters really get a look in, as he gurns and quips his way to victory against the deadites, and at one point Ash fights an evil version of himself, double the Bruce. Gone is the wimpering, cowardly Ash from the first film and now we have a fully fledged 80's style action hero.
There will be more in-depth discussion about how great Bruce Campbell is when I review Evil Dead 2, and the Spider-Man films.
This film is not as over-the-top bloody as the first two, instead Sam Raimi seems to be fulfilling a childhood dream by making his own Harryhausen film, as Ash takes on an army of stop-motion skeletons.
Unfortunately I didn't find this as good as the originals, Evil Dead 2 being one of my all-time favourite horror films. Thee wasn't enough blood and gore splattering the screen and Raimi didn't abuse Campbell enough. Didn't help mattes that I accidentally put on the US theatrical cut instead of the Director's cut that has the better ending.
Friday, 11 December 2009
(500) Films of Empire - Day 86 - X marks the spot
462 - X2 - 4 stars
Screw Avatar! If you want a movie with blue people in it, chose X2 with Nightcrawler and the incredibly hot Mystique (is that wrong? I don't think so).
I had recently compiled a list of the top 5 comic book movies, putting this at number 4. Having rewatched X2 tonight, I would like to raise its position to number 2 and drop Sin City to 4.
This film was the best comic book film until Christopher Nolan rebooted the Batman saga, because Bryan Singer created a movie that works as blockbuster that appealed to the mass market yet had a huge amount to say about discrimination in society (more on that below).
Having established the characters in the first film, this movie allows the story to be the focus, as the opposing mutants are forced to team up against William Striker, a Mengele-style general, who wants to rid the world of the mutant "curse", played with relish by Scotland's hardest working actor Brian Cox.
It fleshed out existing characters, clearly realising that Jackman's Wolverine was the real star, whilst hinting and teasing new ones (Colossus, Kitty Pride, etc). It also cleverly set up the Dark Phoenix storyline, that was rushed and poorly executed in the third film,
It is really frustrating that Singer left the franchise to make the disappointing and pointless Superman Returns, leaving us with Brett Ratner to deliver an all-action/no substance sequel.
Also having rewatched this film, I can't help thinking that the Wolverine spin-off made even less sense with bigger plot holes than I remember, might have to rewatch that (if I have time!).
Below are extracts from a course I gave on Comic Book Movies and my thoughts on the X-Men trilogy as a look at discrimination within modern society:
Part of X-MEN's success was that it wasn't just a comic book movie. X-MEN posed interesting questions and theories on the issues of discrimination and tolerance in modern day society. When Bryan Singer took on the project, he said that he didn't want to make a comic book movie, he wanted to make a science fiction film, set in the real world and grounded in reality.
This reality is apparent from the opening scene which takes place in Poland, 1944 where a young Jewish boy Eric Lensher is separated from his parents in a Nazi concentration camp. This is where Lensher's powers to control metal manifest for the first time, planting the seed for him to become Magneto.
In a nice touch, the mutants' powers normally occur and manifest during times of great emotional stress and intensity, their bodies going through strange changes – essentially an extreme version of puberty. Something all children have to deal with what can be a difficult and confusing time, witness Rogue's first kiss for example.
Singer invested in the themes that haunt every alienated person, from suffering schoolchild to anguished adult: “Am I alone in the world? Why am I different? To what lengths will I go to fit in?”
X-MEN is a parallel for every type of 'ism' or bigotry out there – whether that be racism, sexism, religion, sexuality, etc. Look at the current situation in America following 9/11, where a Muslim or person of Arab descent cann be victimised or persecuted due to the race and religion of the terrorists.
According to Ian McKellen, Marvel said that the majority demographic for the X-Men comics is black, gay and Jewis young men, “They're the people who, in our society, feel most disaffected. They are made to feel as if they are mutants. So I feel I'm sticking up for the minorities, of which I am a member”.
“Bryan pitched the films to me as a parable for the gay dilemma. What do you do once you realise you're gay and you're different? Do you try and fit in and play down the differences... or follow the Magneto road and say we're so different that we're superior?” - Ian McKellen
There is a lovely scene in X2, co-written by McKellen, where Bobby “Iceman” Drake 'comes out' to his family as being a mutant. He is met with fear by his brother, who calls the police, and bemusement by his mother and father:
“We though Bobby was going to a school for the gifted”, “He is gifted”
“Have you ever tried not being a mutant?”
Bryan Singer chose to focus the story on the differing attitudes of Charles Xavier, leader of the X-Men, and Eric Lensher aka Magneto, the leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants. Singer described them as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, two people with differing methods on how to achieve a common goal. Magneto has seen in the past how minorities have been singled out and murdered, his family was killed and he still harbours that fear and resentment.
People fear what they don't understand.
“Mutation. It is the key to our evolution. It has enabled us to evolve from a single cell organism into the dominant species on the planet. This process normally takes thousands and thousands of years, but every few hundred millenia, evolution leaps forward.”
What's interesting about the X-Men is that each of them has a different ability that can be both a blessing and a curse. For example Cyclops has this incredible energy in his eyes but he can never really look at another human being.
The various ways in which the humans attempt to deal with the mutant phenomenon are very relevant to today's society.
In the first film the main opposition to mutants is Senator Kelly, who is attempting to pass a Mutant Registration Act. In a scene reminiscent of the McCarthy era, in which mutants would be named and shamed. Kelly's claim that he possesses “a list of names of identified mutants living right here in the United States” is based on Senator McCarthy's almost identical claim about Communists working in the US State Department. It was subsequently proven to be rhetoric, McCarthy was in possession of no such list.
“I think the American people have a right to decide whether they want their children to be at a school with mutants, to be taught by mutants. Ladies and gentlemen, the truth is mutants are very real and they are among us. We must know who they are, and above all we must know what they can do.”
“Senator, it is a fact that mutants who have come forward and revealed themselves publicly have been met with fear, hostility, even violence. It is because of that ever present hostility that I urge the Senate to vote against Mutant Registration.”
In X2, an assassination attempt on The President by a mutant starts the first steps of a war between humans and mutants. It is later revealed to have been engineered by a bitter war veteran who has experimented on mutants (furthering the links to Nazi Germany), now seen by some as a shot at the Bush administration's war on Iraq, using an attack by a minority as an excuse to go to war.
In X-MEN 3: THE LAST STAND, scientists develop “The Final Solution”, vaccine designed to eradicate the mutant gene from the system, essentially a cure to mutation, something that does not sit well with Magneto;
“They wish to cure us but I say that we are the cure.”
Screw Avatar! If you want a movie with blue people in it, chose X2 with Nightcrawler and the incredibly hot Mystique (is that wrong? I don't think so).
I had recently compiled a list of the top 5 comic book movies, putting this at number 4. Having rewatched X2 tonight, I would like to raise its position to number 2 and drop Sin City to 4.
This film was the best comic book film until Christopher Nolan rebooted the Batman saga, because Bryan Singer created a movie that works as blockbuster that appealed to the mass market yet had a huge amount to say about discrimination in society (more on that below).
Having established the characters in the first film, this movie allows the story to be the focus, as the opposing mutants are forced to team up against William Striker, a Mengele-style general, who wants to rid the world of the mutant "curse", played with relish by Scotland's hardest working actor Brian Cox.
It fleshed out existing characters, clearly realising that Jackman's Wolverine was the real star, whilst hinting and teasing new ones (Colossus, Kitty Pride, etc). It also cleverly set up the Dark Phoenix storyline, that was rushed and poorly executed in the third film,
It is really frustrating that Singer left the franchise to make the disappointing and pointless Superman Returns, leaving us with Brett Ratner to deliver an all-action/no substance sequel.
Also having rewatched this film, I can't help thinking that the Wolverine spin-off made even less sense with bigger plot holes than I remember, might have to rewatch that (if I have time!).
Below are extracts from a course I gave on Comic Book Movies and my thoughts on the X-Men trilogy as a look at discrimination within modern society:
Part of X-MEN's success was that it wasn't just a comic book movie. X-MEN posed interesting questions and theories on the issues of discrimination and tolerance in modern day society. When Bryan Singer took on the project, he said that he didn't want to make a comic book movie, he wanted to make a science fiction film, set in the real world and grounded in reality.
This reality is apparent from the opening scene which takes place in Poland, 1944 where a young Jewish boy Eric Lensher is separated from his parents in a Nazi concentration camp. This is where Lensher's powers to control metal manifest for the first time, planting the seed for him to become Magneto.
In a nice touch, the mutants' powers normally occur and manifest during times of great emotional stress and intensity, their bodies going through strange changes – essentially an extreme version of puberty. Something all children have to deal with what can be a difficult and confusing time, witness Rogue's first kiss for example.
Singer invested in the themes that haunt every alienated person, from suffering schoolchild to anguished adult: “Am I alone in the world? Why am I different? To what lengths will I go to fit in?”
X-MEN is a parallel for every type of 'ism' or bigotry out there – whether that be racism, sexism, religion, sexuality, etc. Look at the current situation in America following 9/11, where a Muslim or person of Arab descent cann be victimised or persecuted due to the race and religion of the terrorists.
According to Ian McKellen, Marvel said that the majority demographic for the X-Men comics is black, gay and Jewis young men, “They're the people who, in our society, feel most disaffected. They are made to feel as if they are mutants. So I feel I'm sticking up for the minorities, of which I am a member”.
“Bryan pitched the films to me as a parable for the gay dilemma. What do you do once you realise you're gay and you're different? Do you try and fit in and play down the differences... or follow the Magneto road and say we're so different that we're superior?” - Ian McKellen
There is a lovely scene in X2, co-written by McKellen, where Bobby “Iceman” Drake 'comes out' to his family as being a mutant. He is met with fear by his brother, who calls the police, and bemusement by his mother and father:
“We though Bobby was going to a school for the gifted”, “He is gifted”
“Have you ever tried not being a mutant?”
Bryan Singer chose to focus the story on the differing attitudes of Charles Xavier, leader of the X-Men, and Eric Lensher aka Magneto, the leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants. Singer described them as Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, two people with differing methods on how to achieve a common goal. Magneto has seen in the past how minorities have been singled out and murdered, his family was killed and he still harbours that fear and resentment.
People fear what they don't understand.
“Mutation. It is the key to our evolution. It has enabled us to evolve from a single cell organism into the dominant species on the planet. This process normally takes thousands and thousands of years, but every few hundred millenia, evolution leaps forward.”
What's interesting about the X-Men is that each of them has a different ability that can be both a blessing and a curse. For example Cyclops has this incredible energy in his eyes but he can never really look at another human being.
The various ways in which the humans attempt to deal with the mutant phenomenon are very relevant to today's society.
In the first film the main opposition to mutants is Senator Kelly, who is attempting to pass a Mutant Registration Act. In a scene reminiscent of the McCarthy era, in which mutants would be named and shamed. Kelly's claim that he possesses “a list of names of identified mutants living right here in the United States” is based on Senator McCarthy's almost identical claim about Communists working in the US State Department. It was subsequently proven to be rhetoric, McCarthy was in possession of no such list.
“I think the American people have a right to decide whether they want their children to be at a school with mutants, to be taught by mutants. Ladies and gentlemen, the truth is mutants are very real and they are among us. We must know who they are, and above all we must know what they can do.”
“Senator, it is a fact that mutants who have come forward and revealed themselves publicly have been met with fear, hostility, even violence. It is because of that ever present hostility that I urge the Senate to vote against Mutant Registration.”
In X2, an assassination attempt on The President by a mutant starts the first steps of a war between humans and mutants. It is later revealed to have been engineered by a bitter war veteran who has experimented on mutants (furthering the links to Nazi Germany), now seen by some as a shot at the Bush administration's war on Iraq, using an attack by a minority as an excuse to go to war.
In X-MEN 3: THE LAST STAND, scientists develop “The Final Solution”, vaccine designed to eradicate the mutant gene from the system, essentially a cure to mutation, something that does not sit well with Magneto;
“They wish to cure us but I say that we are the cure.”
Thursday, 10 December 2009
(500) Films of Empire - Day 85
474 - Enter The Dragon
Having watched Brandon Lee's The Crow the other day, it was time to see his father's final film and the only Kung Fu movie to appear on the list.
This is like a Bond film but with Bruce Lee as the super spy. Tasked with taking down a crime lord by competing in a martial arts competition (now I know where Mortal Kombat got its storyline from), he fights his way through many henchmen on the crime boss's island complete with underground lair... did I mention the villain has interchangable hands (including solid steel, bear claw and knives). Best villain that the Bond films never had.
Characterisation and plot are given the briefest of sketches to allow for the fight scenes to be the main focus. Such was the secondary status of the story, that the whole film was recorded silently and redubbed back in the US.
And this film is all about the action, mostly choreographed by Lee, showcasing his immense talents to the world (film was produced by the USA, not Asia), with a variety of fights; one-on-one, mass brawls, the famous room of mirrors sequence, etc. At one point Lee even breaks a young Jackie Chan's neck!
Tragedy seemed to follow the Lee family as like his son, Lee died before fully reaching his potential and three weeks before the premiere of this film.
A fitting tribute to his legend as all the elements (dodgy dubbing, great fight scenes, blatant stereotyping, such as Jim Kelly's afro-haired black man) all combine to make this a cult classic.
Days remaining - 280 Films remaining - 373
Having watched Brandon Lee's The Crow the other day, it was time to see his father's final film and the only Kung Fu movie to appear on the list.
This is like a Bond film but with Bruce Lee as the super spy. Tasked with taking down a crime lord by competing in a martial arts competition (now I know where Mortal Kombat got its storyline from), he fights his way through many henchmen on the crime boss's island complete with underground lair... did I mention the villain has interchangable hands (including solid steel, bear claw and knives). Best villain that the Bond films never had.
Characterisation and plot are given the briefest of sketches to allow for the fight scenes to be the main focus. Such was the secondary status of the story, that the whole film was recorded silently and redubbed back in the US.
And this film is all about the action, mostly choreographed by Lee, showcasing his immense talents to the world (film was produced by the USA, not Asia), with a variety of fights; one-on-one, mass brawls, the famous room of mirrors sequence, etc. At one point Lee even breaks a young Jackie Chan's neck!
Tragedy seemed to follow the Lee family as like his son, Lee died before fully reaching his potential and three weeks before the premiere of this film.
A fitting tribute to his legend as all the elements (dodgy dubbing, great fight scenes, blatant stereotyping, such as Jim Kelly's afro-haired black man) all combine to make this a cult classic.
Days remaining - 280 Films remaining - 373
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
(500) Films of Empire - Day 84
464 - Seven Brides For Seven Brothers - 2 stars
What a plot! A man walks into town one day and decides to get married so quickly finds a wife. She becomes sick of sharing the home with his six brothers so she devises a plan to get them married and off the farm quick sharp. And how will she do this? Through the medium of song and dance of course!
This leads to a truly barnstorming sequence (held at a barn raising event, maybe its where the expression came from?) where the brothers court the local ladies. Achieved through an impressive 10 minute dance number that contains terrific dance moves mixed with acrobatics.
But here is how mysoginistic the film is, how do the men get the women to fall in love with them? By kidnapping them and forcing them to live on their snowed-in mountain farm for the winter!
An incredulous story, saved by the use of cinemascope as it looks stunning but probably only used in order to get all 14 main characters on screen at the same time!
78 - Rosemary's Baby - 3 stars
HAIL SATAN, HAIL SATAN!
One woman's descent into insanity as her perfect life; lovely home, loving husband, dodgy haircut ("it's Vidal Sassoon"), slowly crumbles as she becomes convinced that there is a conspiracy against her and her unborn child.
Paranoia is a theme that runs through many of Polanski's films (I don't know why he would think that people were out to get him?), and his anti-"Love Thy Neighbour" sentiment is present here before becoming the central theme of the fantastic The Tenant.
The neighbours in question are the wonderful Castevets, played by ??? and the Oscar-winning Ruth Gordon. Imagine your interfering grandparents turned out to be Satan worshippers, that's the Castevets.
Polanski wisely keeps most of his cards to his chest, keeping the audience wondering if what Rosemary believes is really true or all in her head.
Days remaining - 281 Films remaining - 374
What a plot! A man walks into town one day and decides to get married so quickly finds a wife. She becomes sick of sharing the home with his six brothers so she devises a plan to get them married and off the farm quick sharp. And how will she do this? Through the medium of song and dance of course!
This leads to a truly barnstorming sequence (held at a barn raising event, maybe its where the expression came from?) where the brothers court the local ladies. Achieved through an impressive 10 minute dance number that contains terrific dance moves mixed with acrobatics.
But here is how mysoginistic the film is, how do the men get the women to fall in love with them? By kidnapping them and forcing them to live on their snowed-in mountain farm for the winter!
An incredulous story, saved by the use of cinemascope as it looks stunning but probably only used in order to get all 14 main characters on screen at the same time!
78 - Rosemary's Baby - 3 stars
HAIL SATAN, HAIL SATAN!
One woman's descent into insanity as her perfect life; lovely home, loving husband, dodgy haircut ("it's Vidal Sassoon"), slowly crumbles as she becomes convinced that there is a conspiracy against her and her unborn child.
Paranoia is a theme that runs through many of Polanski's films (I don't know why he would think that people were out to get him?), and his anti-"Love Thy Neighbour" sentiment is present here before becoming the central theme of the fantastic The Tenant.
The neighbours in question are the wonderful Castevets, played by ??? and the Oscar-winning Ruth Gordon. Imagine your interfering grandparents turned out to be Satan worshippers, that's the Castevets.
Polanski wisely keeps most of his cards to his chest, keeping the audience wondering if what Rosemary believes is really true or all in her head.
Days remaining - 281 Films remaining - 374
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