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Peter-266
Reviews
The Ring (2002)
New Trousers Please
I made the mistake of watching this film, after years of evasion, a couple of nights ago. You see, I'd heard this was genuinely scary (albeit not as scary as the original Japanese version). I'd delayed watching it because of the light in the eyes of anyone who told me about it was kind of....unnerving. Now, like several other posters on this site, I can't shut my eyes without playing through sequences in the film. Brrrrr, even writing about it conjures up a series of flashbacks. Having said all that
.I still give this 10 out of 10. I love creepy films, but this is more than just creepy, it's insidious and nasty, you keep trying to swerve away from the creepy content and think about the atmospheric believable acting or the cinematography, but the shadow of flies, maggots, spinning chairs and grotesque facial distortions are lurking just out of the periphery of your minds eye. I think I'll give the original version a body swerve for a while longer.
The Flight of Dragons (1982)
Sheer Magic
I'm yet another of the "seen this when I was a kid", around the same time that Fox's animated "Dungeons & Dragons" was on TV. I was, and still am, captivated by the integrity of the film. Top marks go toward the story, animation and voice acting. This is well worth a look if you haven't already, especially those with a head for myth & fantasy. The TV series "Dungeons & Dragons" was very similar in style to "Flight Of Dragons" on a smaller scale and I liked to think of it as a progression of the film.I (usually) always sided with Eric.
Joe Versus the Volcano (1990)
What Is That...A Teddy Bear?
I love this film mostly because of the absurd humour which, being from the UK, is part of my psyche. Like the part on the Waponis Island when the guys swing into the gongs and are rapidly removed on stretchers. There are so many great lines from everyone (especially the Luggage Salesman) and a lot of first class deadpan acting not to mention a splendid (Marty Feldman) inspired Lloyd Bridges. The Music is another reason I love this film. Like the hauntingly memorable Theme track that pops up throughout most of the film, from the downbeat soulful to the upbeat Calypso like feel of the other tracks that trace the transformation of Joe Banks the Schmuck to Joe Banks the fairly righteous dude. As for Meg Ryan (another reason to see the film "Hubba-Hubba"), there's three of her in here, Yowsa! And they all lived happily ever after....
Reign of Fire (2002)
Mad Matt Scores A Scorcher
The first half of the film sets the mood brilliantly and introduces a refreshingly new concept on Armageddon, not from nukes or mad funny moustached dictators with a badly concealed chemical warfare plants, but from Napalm breathing Dragons. I must admit from the start I was hooked and, yes, although the acting and plot does have a few holes, they weren't serious enough to get in the way of a decent story and some first class CG. The dragons are excellent and have just the right measure of menace to give the right level of tension. There's a decent cast of Brits but the show is easily stolen by Mad Matt Mc Conaughey's double well 'ard character with a magnificent slap-head, steel wool beard and accompanying well 'ard tattoos. Cool but obviously driven a bit bonkers mad by his obsession to kill all Dragons. Definitely worth a look, I read about this in my regular SF magazine this time last year and had high hopes for it, thankfully it wasn't a disappointment.
Billy the Kid and the Green Baize Vampire (1985)
Snooker Loopy Alright
I've got to be honest, but I've not seen this film for a good few years. However the first time I saw it ( on a new-ish Channel 4 and about the time it was very fashionable to be able to run a list of the top snooker players of the time as well as know the juicy bits of gossip behind each name) it bewildered and amazed. Bewildered in the sense that someone had made a Musical about Snooker and Amazed that it blimmin well worked so cool and despite not seeing it for so long I can't watch Jimmy White without seeing Phil Daniels. Although the whole film is a blast I particularly remember the closing sequences of the tournament play-off itself specially the music track for the whole sequence (having played and rewound that umpteen times)(Yeah I recorded it, just wish I could find that tape). I was intrigued to know how many of the community knew about this gem and pleased to find that those who do liked it. Pity it`s not avaliable (yet) on VHS or DVD. Here's hoping.
A Knight's Tale (2001)
An Absolute Knock Out
I went to this film with pretty low expectations due to almost non-existent promo material BUT from the film`s opening chords of Queen`s "We Will Rock You" you could tell that this was going to be pretty special. The whole film from then on in demands your total attention and uses one of the best sountracks I`ve heard on a film for a long time, particularly the David Bowie "Golden Years" segment. The story is cool, the good guy is very good and the bad guy is VERY bad, the acting is way above adequate (although Chaucers character did get on my nerves for a while due to the over the top over cooked hamminess), the humour is excellent and certainly Pythonesque in a lot of areas (re Monty Python and the Holy Grail), the end sequence has an insight into the Battle Of The Sexes regarding Farting in the Middle Ages which will BLOW YOU AWAY. Altogether a brilliant experience and as suprisingly good a film as Pitch Black also turned out to be. Goes to show hype isn`t always necessary (see - Apes, Planet Of The).
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963)
I Love It
I remember seeing this film a loooong time ago and it`s one of those films that, once seen, you never forget. My interest was recently reawakened when an advert on the TV was using the theme tune for the film and brought back pleasant memories. The slapstick/knock-about humour is timeless and the interaction of the, most unlikliest of, traveling companions never fails to trigger the laughter muscle. This is comedy at it`s finest and features some of the greatest comedic actors of all time. It`s a film that has a great feel good factor. In the same way as there will never be a comedy duo like Laurel and Hardy - It`s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a film that can never be duplicated but maybe admiringly paid tribute too.