It is 1968. The Green berets are knee-deep in the jungles of Vietnam, fighting to save Montagnard villagers from the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong. But in the midst of it all, as the war is raging, the sound of a plane is heard overhead. Its cargo contains no weapons, no provisions for the troops. No, it is none other than... an elephant... descending by parachute to the waiting villagers below.
Operation Dumbo Drop was a mission conducted by the 5th Special Forces in Vietnam. Were it not for the fateful day the Dumbo Drop mission took place - the day Dr Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated - this would have been a newsworthy event. Instead, it just became a pleasant anecdote, told by those involved to their friends and families. And in the mid-nineties, it became a rather disappointing Disney venture.
To paraphrase good ol' Hamlet, "The screenplay's the thing." Absolutely. So when a script turns out to be as thin as this one (verging on the anorexic), all comic potential is horrendously scuppered, and a first-rate cast (Ray Liotta, Danny Glover and Denis Leary) is hideously squandered.
The film only really comes alive for the climactic Dumbo Drop (pretty exciting), having proven dull, predictable (there's the inevitable faecal fun - I mean, after all, the film does star an elephant) and corny. The elephant herself (named Tai) is wonderful, but her companion (a young Vietnamese boy) is downright unwatchable (although, to be fair, his scenes are excruciatingly written).
Not goofy enought to please the kids, nor clever enough to win over the adults, the cinematic Dumbo Drop well-and-truly misses its (artistic) mark.
Twenty-five years ago, Karl (Billy Bob Thornton) brutally offed his mother and her lover with a sling blade ("Most folks call it a sling blade, I call it a kaiser blade, uh-huh.") Now, having been released from the asylum, he returns to the town of his youth, where his gentle manner leads him to an unlikely friendship with a young boy (Lucas Black) and his widowed mother (Natalie Canerday). All would be peachy if it weren't for the presence of the mother's scumbag boyfriend (country singer Dwight Yoakam) who forces Karl into a situation that will bring major consequences for all.
Slow does not always mean boring. Karl is slow - he's verrry slow - and he's also one of the most fascinating characters you could hope to witness, thanks to layers of work by Thornton. Think you've seen everything the cinematic retard has to offer? Think again.
'Sling Blade' is also slow, beautifully slow, in fact. The film's lingering pace mirrors that of both Karl and the film's Hicksville setting. Yoakam does a great job of depicting the worst that such a place has to offer, but the town does offer its share of sympathy - Canerday and Black play the most understanding people one could hope to meet (the latter is the boy Karl could so easily have been), while the late John Ritter is a real bonus as the gay shop owner, a man who feels as alienated as Karl. Then there's Robert Duvall as Karl's fanatically religious father, and the late J.T. Walsh as an inmate who can't stop talking about the details of a murder he committed.
A skillful, character driven, Oscar-winning script by Thornton (who also wrote 'One False Move', one of my absolute faves!), superlative direction by Thornton (he mutes the colours, plays with shadows, and he's got himself a haunting soundtrack), and a knockout central performance (he did the whole film with glass in his shoes, apparently!!) Forget the one-liners and major explosions for a while and just soak up these characters.
truly great film and Charlton Heston is outstanding. his role of Moses is fanatasic and brings a whole new dimension. I would recommend this film.
This is a great DVD. Lots of old & rare video footage. As well as the fantastic interviews & out takes.
This is a must have for old & new Quo fans well worth buying.
This film has made my top five films of all time,it's a quirky slice of life with lots of black humour. the acting is brilliant combined with an absolutely fantastic sound track that seems to seemlessly fit the mood of the film.it's a must to rent or buy, you won't be disappointed.
Steve Carell is excellent playing the character of Andy Stitzer. He works in an electrical appliances store, with cool friends but they find out his problem and the quest to lose his virginity begins.
The 40-year-old Virgin is, without a doubt, one of the most side splitting comedies of the year. It is ridiculously hilarious - the title suggests why.
I had never heard of hitchhikers guide until I heard it was being released as a film so I decided to read the book before the release to see what it was all about. The book was a very enjoyable read so I went to the cinemas to see the movie. WOW!!! This was one of the most funny movies I have watched in a long time. Buy it and you will not regret it.
Robert Rodriguez animates Frank Miller's sensational adult comic Sin City with such elegance and professionalism that I can securely say that this film mustbe the best this year. Sin City is no mere film, it is art with beauty more prominent than I have ever seen in motion picture before. The black and white filming is stunningly effective with amazingly tasteful scenes. The individually selected flashes of colour help bring his story to life.
The storyline itself is addictively interesting. It follows the lives of selective citizens of Basin City through three seperate storylines which intertwine to amazing effect. Don't be put off by the lack of a solid story, because the switch in stories keeps you completely hooked, and refreshes your interest at every turn - the interchanges are so fluid that you won't even notice it.
Strong performances from all actors, especially Bruce Willis, who assumes his role of movie hero once again. Micky Rourke delivers a persuasively love-struck Marv, out to avenge the death a hooker - the only woman to ever show him compassion, and Clive Owen who tries to control the outbreak of a civil war by covering up the grim murder of a corrupt police officer.
Guest director Quentin Tarantino perfects this already amazing movie, with such films as Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill under his belt. If you liked those, this is a must-see. I couldn't possibly do it justice. If you watch anything in the next week, watch Sin City.
Great film, Roberto DeNiro is outstanding as the bus driver. It shows how many different roles De Niro can play. He is not just a gangster actor.
It is very rare that film can be genuinely called "unique' but it is a description that can genuinely be applied to Zombies Lake for this film, directed by J.A. Laser, is unlike any other in the history of the cinema.
The story is simple; a small village in France, or Italy, or Belgium, or Spain is invaded by Nazi soldiers during the second world war. Wreaking havoc, they earn the enmity of all the villagers, with the exception of one young girl. Stalked by a German soldier, within a few minutes she falls passionately in love with her would-be attacker.
But then the villagers exact their revenge. The soldiers are stormed and their bodies disposed of in a local lake. There is much rejoicing throughout the village, except for the young girl now pregnant by her beloved storm-trooper.
The child is born, thirty years pass, and we are now in modern day - or, at least, the late seventies- but the little girl is, confusingly, still only eight years old. Life is idyllic and quiet in the village until the Nazis start to claim their revenge but this time No More Mr Nice Guys. Or even Mr Live Guys. Whenever anyone is foolish enough to dally beside the Lake, zombies in once-smart uniforms rampage but terribly slowly. A passing female basketball team who frolic happily in the lake to an instrumental cover of Finland's entry in the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest come to a very nasty end.
The story mainly follows the common banal route of monsters munching their way through extras, with the stock cast of female journalist desperate for a story, cynical police, pompous mayor etc. But towards the end a bizarre twist emerges with the development of a would-be touching relationship between the little girl and her dead father. A scene where she feeds her zomboid dad fresh blood from a bucket is truly bizarre.
In the end, good old napalm saves the day.
The camera work is reminiscent of You've Been Framed; the direction non-existent; the editing of the "oops, me scissor's slipped" school; the acting is, at worst, peculiar, and, at best, downright peculiar; and the dubbed dialogue defies the English language - and the actors' lip movements. The make-up involves painting the face green and a liberal use of Rice Crispies and Copydex, whilst continuity and period detail are, frankly, useless. Also the underwater scenes clearly betray the floral tiles of the swimming pool where filming took place.
But is it scary? That's the whole purpose of a horror film, after all. Zombies should be foolproof as they capitalise on our horror of death plus our fear of the familiar becoming treacherous. However the circumstances of viewing are a major factor. If this had been watched at 2 in the afternoon, sun streaming through the windows, cherryade in one hand and kebab in the other, and in the company of a few friends, then chills would be in very short supply. On the other hand, watched at midnight in a large and inexplicably creaky house, thunderstorm in mid-fulmination outside, some weaker, over-imaginative souls (e.g. me) may be forced to keep the light on that night, crucifix and flame-thrower to hand.
But should children be allowed to watch it? Of course not. They are far too sophisticated and would much prefer Resident Evil. But the important question facing society today is: would it inspire violence in the viewing public?
Only against the director.
'True Romance' is essentially a modern love story, telling the tale of two lost souls Clarence and Alabama (Christian Slater and Patricia Arquette). A chick flick, however, it certainly isn't. As well as a love story, it's a road trip and mafia film all rolled expertly into one, by vitue of the writing skills of Quentin Tarantino. It has all of the hallmarks of a Tarantino movie, with moments of comedic genius and gory brutality.
The story begins with the two main characters falling for each other, whilst Alabama is working as a prostitute. Clarence attempts to free Alabama of her seedy lifestyle by bargaining directly with her psychotic pimp, Drexl (Gary Oldman). In retrieving Alabama's possessions, he inadvertently steals a suitcase full of Mafia-owned cocaine. On discovering this, Clarence decides to sell it with the aid of his friend Dick, whilst trying to avoid the attentions of the pursuing police and Mafia.
This is a gem of a film, wonderfully written and shot, with a number of memorable performances. It's aided in no small part by its star-studded supporting cast (Samuel L Jackson, Dennis Hopper, Christopher Walken, Brad Pitt, Val Kilmer). The scene with Clifford, Clarence's dad, and Vicenzo, the Mafia boss (played by Hollywood heavyweights Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken) perfectly illustrates the qualities of this film. The scene is bristling with atmosphere, as the situation fluctuates bewtween sheer comedy and brutal violence.
'True Romance' created few waves with audiences at the box office. The script and the cast alone, should have ensured a bumper return, however any failings there do nothing to detract from its overall brilliance.
Pure classic 80's comedy at it's best. More than just a sitcom it's like a live show for every episode, including the snide comments made to camera. After falling for a cheap "Stork at the door" gag Richie kills a milkman with a meat cleaver and then says "..that's the most milkman shaped stalk I've ever seen." kills me everytime. A must for ever DVD collection.
Barbra Streisand's glorious voice has enthralled us for over four decades now and it is still going strong. In these television specials, Streisand broke new ground with these stunning performances. My Name is Barbra introduced the world to her glorious talents - sometimes watching this, you cannot belive that that beautiful voice is coming out of her. Thrilling. Color Me Babra sees her becoming various works of art and expressing the masters' vision vocally. Stunning. Belle of 14th Street - whilst not a classic - still has memorable performances - Barbra and a piano - you can't beat it. A Happening in Central Park is Barbara's legendary concert in front of 135,000+ fans. A delightful mix of standards and comedy numbers. This was the largest concert ever for many years and captures the excitement and chutzpah of this special event. Barbra & Other Musical Instruments is a round the world trip musically. Her voice is at its very best and will blow you away on this fantastic romp.
Nostalgia is a wonderful thing. You remember how great something was and how much you enjoyed it - until you experience it again, that is. Usually nostalgia turns to disapointment and colourful metaphors, but sometimes, on that odd rare ocassion, you find yourself smiling and realising why you had such fond memories after all. The Muppet Show is one such happy memory that didn't leave me for good reason...
The interplay between Kermit, Miss Piggy and the others is an absolute joy to witness. Perfection is rarely attained in the world of television, but that's just what you find here. Such a joyous blend of songs and sketches, some so funny you may find yourself having to press the pause button to avoid the embarrassment of wetting yourself. Plus, who can forget the special guests? They were so willing to take part that they subjected themselves to self-parody - I wonder how many folk in the world of entertainment would do that today?
I will make two promises to you. First is that you will find this even more funny now that you have grown up, and secondly your children (if you have any) will love this as much as you did when you were their age.
Relive the joy that Jim Henson gave the world - you know you want to...
this is the best series so far. the episodes with madonna and jennifer lopez are sheer class. have told all my friends about it and i am assured that they will love it as much as i do. cant wait for the new series.
An excellent comedy series, ranks with some of the best in British comedy. The humour is derived from the characters and their interaction. Intelligent eminent surgeon meets country folk, who always appear to have the upper hand! Doc Martin, played by Martin Clunes, is an unlikely hero, but he carries off the part brilliantly. I love it!
'Good Will Hunting' tells the story of Will Hunting (Matt Damon), a deeply troubled but hugely gifted young man. In short, Will is a genius who inexplicably prefers to spend his time drinking with his similarly-minded friends, rather than making the most of his God-given talents.
His intelligence is brought to the attention of Jerry (Stellan Skarsgård), a stuffy MIT professor. Whilst working as the university janitor, Will solves a near impossible mathematical problem meant for Jerry's students.
To avoid an impending prison sentence, he reluctantly agrees to be tutored by the professor, and to attend regular therapy sessions. A number of psychiatrists try unsuccessfully to resolve Will's problems, until he meets Sean (Robin Williams), a friend from the professor's own university days. Both have equally troubled emotional pasts, and as the parallels are drawn, an unbreakable bond is formed.
The strength of the film lies not in a well written script, but in the heartfelt performances, brought about by the directorial brilliance of Gus van Sant. What makes it particularly memorable are the tear-jerking and poignant moments which stud the film. There are a number of small and unspectacular scenes in the latter part, that wonderfully demonstrate the emotional change in Will, as a person who has learned how to love and be loved.
Overall a truly heart-warming film, which even the toughest of men could learn something from!
Nothing more to say!
Season 4 is the best so far and its getting better and better.
There isn't enough that can said about The West Wing. With the tv series well beyond the 5th series in the UK, it is well worth having them to watch over and over again. With a cast of such talent, direction of genius proportions and a script as complex, inspiring and gripping as that of the West Wing, it is not a surprise that series after series have resulted in numerous awards.
Series 1, in the grand scheme of things, sets the scene, and introduces the audience to the characters. The beauty of the West Wing is the relationships that these characters have with each other and the way they run the American Government. Episodes range from personal moral dilemmas to international crisis'. Martin Sheen is not only believable as President of the United States, but he almost makes you wish that President Bartlett was indeed the most powerful man in the world. His co-actors, and leadership staff are not only brilliant at bringing alive the seriousness of running a country, but are outstanding at presenting their humanity through humour, romance and a real sense of trying to do what is right for the country.
Every episode combines all of these, and never fails to inspire me in some way - many have left me with a tear in my eye and that is even on a fifth or sixth viewing! An excellent series, an excellent buy to watch again and again, and still find new things going on
Here it is, the complete story of Mulder & Scully, on their Quest to find out the Truth about aliens and other strange phenomena, an absolute must for sci-fi & X-Files fans.
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