December 2009
10 posts
5 tags
The Black Sheep of Whitehall (1942) review
Although Will Hay’s film career spanned less than a decade (1934-1943), it can be separated into several distinct “periods.” After some early oddities, he hit his stride when teamed with director Marcel Varnel in Oh, Mr Porter! (1937), though he’d actually already appeared several times with sidekicks Moore Marriott and Graham Moffatt in films directed by American import...
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The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009) review
A wryly amusing piece of work. There’s not much to say about this film—that’s not meant to be a negative remark, it’s simply that The Men Who Stare at Goats is perfectly fine for a pleasant evening at the cinema (or, shortly, a DVD rental). It’s slick, funny in an understated way, and well-acted by a good cast. It’s not profound or a blockbuster or...
“I Want My Baby for Christmas” by...
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Avatar (2009) review
Avatar takes place on the planet Pandora, which—unfortunately for its inhabitants—is a place where the conquest of the American West (and the concomitant subjugation or elimination of the Native Americans), the Vietnam War, and the deforestation of the Brazilian rainforest are all ocurring…simultaneously! Yes, James Cameron has left no trope unturned in his 2.5 hour tale of the...
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Brothers (2009) review
Worst…Birthday…Party….Ever!!! That’s a flippant remark about an engrossing, serious drama, Brothers (curiously enough, despite it’s seemingly “all-American” content, a remake of a 2004 Danish film). Sam (Tobey Maguire) ships out to Afghanistan, leaving his wife Grace (Natalie Portman) and two young daughters behind. Sam’s brother Tommy (Jake...
3 tags
On the Night of the Fire (1939) review
An interesting but flawed British drama. The basic flaw—in my opinion—is the film’s lack of focus. Is it a psychological drama? A police procedural? An examination of mob mentality? A tale of a specific working-class neighborhood? Yes (to all of the above). Not to say a film has to be narrow in scope, but On the Night of the Fire meanders rather too much for my taste,...
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Veronika Decides to Die (2009) review
Although my appearance and demeanour are perhaps best described as “Charles Bronson-esque,” I actually have a sensitive and romantic soul. Really!! However, I am a man and, as such, am largely immune to the seductive emotional lure of “chick flicks.” And make no mistake about it, Veronika Decides to Die is a “chick flick” par excellence, in form and content.
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A Woman in Berlin (2008) review
“Frau, komm!” was a German phrase uttered countless times by countless Soviet soldiers in Berlin and other parts of Germany at the end of World War Two. Rape and pillage, partly because that’s what victorious soldiers have always done, and partly in retaliation for the Nazis’ savage campaigns in the USSR, were endemic as Russian troops advanced through Germany. ”How...
4 tags
The Stone Tape (1972) review
In the 1970s, the BBC had a tradition of adapting ghost stories for television broadcasts during the Christmas season. The Stone Tape is actually not part of this series—it was longer (90 minutes) and was shown on BBC Two on Christmas night, 1972—but the “quality ghost story” concept (harking back to Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at least) is admirably...
3 tags
The Invention of Lying (2009) review
Amusing Ricky Gervais vehicle that loses its edge about two-thirds of the way through and becomes a bit treacly. Still, in the end it’s entertaining enough and has some genuinely funny and thought-provoking moments.
In a parallel universe, everyone tells the truth all the time. Even advertisements are unashamed pleas to “keep buying Coke…it’s very sweet,” and...
