An over-hyped, but nonetheless compelling, drama; 'The Wrestler' sees Mr Rachel Weisz; director Darren Aronofsky ('Requiem For A Dream') back in the reviewer's good books after his surreal, sci-fi romance 'The Fountain' was slated across the board and booed off screen at Venice. Mickey Rourke receives a welcome outpouring of goodwill from fans and critics alike with an assured, poignant performance as ex-wrestling superstar Randy 'The Ram' Robinson a.k.a., as he hates being reminded; Robin Ramzinski. Big in the 80s, Randy is all but washed up; struggling to recapture faded glories in spite of his allying health and an astute awareness that nostalgia can only take you so far. It's no secret that 'The Wrestler' is a fictional, light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel parallel to Mickey Rourke's life; his once promising career derailed by a successive series of bad choices, the years spent in straight-to-video purgatory followed by a brief resurgence with 'Once Upon a Time In Mexico', 'Sin City' and a fully fledged comeback with this film; Rourke's best performance since the heyday of 'Rumblefish' (1983) and 'Diner' (1982). Randy is offered an opportunity to stage a legend's re-match with his most famous opponent; 'The Ayatollah' a.k.a. Jim (their first bout circa 1980 sold out 'Madison Square Garden') but an unforeseen setback after an extreme wrestling gig, forces Randy to re-evaluate his life: try and make amends with his estranged daughter (an intense Evan Rachel Wood), attempt to woo old friend & stripper (Marisa Tomei on fine form) whilst enduring the ritual indignities of his menial day job at a Deli. Rourke's training and ripped physique give him an immediate visual credibility; audiences can sympathise with his pain (both physical & emotional) as he puts his battered body on the line night after night for the euphoric adulation of the fans, not just to earn a living; but to soak up an undying love and a sense of belonging absent in all other aspects of his life. As well as being about Mickey Rourke, 'The Wrestler' also alludes to 'The Twelve Labours Of Hercules' for the scenes where Randy is in an apron and hat uniform behind the Deli counter, is reminiscent of Omphale, princess of Lydia's punishment; in which she forced Hercules to wear women's clothes and do the housework. Labours Five (cleaning 'The Augean Stable') & Ten (capturing Cerberus) also come into play: Elysian King Augeas charged Hercules with the task of cleaning his stables (which housed more cattle than anyone else in the land, but had never been cleaned hence one can only imagine the mess; filth being a metaphor for human sins). Herc triumphed by re-routing the rivers Alpheus and Peneus to purify this den; these stables represent Randy's life and his sincere efforts to make amends, Augean Stable is also a Greek synonym for the star sign constellation of Capricorn (i.e. 'The Ram'). Labour Ten links in with the old symbol for Pisces (i.e. two people as opposed to two fish) one entering Hades, the other leaving; Marisa Tomei's character is leaving her life as a stripper (i.e. her disguise) behind, whereas Randy continues towards Hades in pursuit of Cerberus and his own fate, whatever it may be. Capricorn 'The Ram' is also considered an introspective gateway sign into the upper echelons of spiritual self-initiation; so that powerful, last shot suggests Randy attains this level and consciously decides to embrace the path without hesitation or regret. Esoteric subtext aside, I liked the way Mickey Rourke employed Hulk Hogan-esque vernacular by calling everyone "brother" and how 'The Ayatollah' was to 'The Ram' what 'The Iron Sheik' was to Hogan back in the days when 'Wrestlemania' was just a glimmer of an idea in Vince McMahon's mind. 'The Wrestler', thankfully, doesn't spend all its time in the squared circle; though the theatrical but dangerous dynamics of the pro-wrestling world are effectively brought to light. With hard-as-nails grapplers finalising routines backstage like genteel interior designers, deciding on how to best to arrange a potpourri display. Marisa Tomei's memorable take on 'The Passion Of The Christ', retro musings, good pathos and an excellent central performance by Mickey Rourke make 'The Wrestler' worth watching, a little overweight with all the hyperbole & praise this is a film that occasionally body slams its points home, but still comes out a winner.
I have watched every episode of Scrubs, and it's amazing! This series starts an amazing season. J.D is played fantastically by Zach Braff. The best thing about Scrubs is how hilarious it is! The clever lines are put together in a way that would make anyone laugh!!
Excellent!
I've been re-watching Dallas since it was released on DVD in the UK and can I just say - WOW!!!! I know most people stopped watching Dallas after season 9, but I can't possibly see how! Season 9 has it all! Drama, Confusion, Sex, Scandal and one of the greatest closing scenes in an episode EVER!!!! Watching the grief and pain that the central characters go through in this season is incredible! If you want thrills and spills, scandals and alcoholics then this is the box set for you!!!!!
Quite easily one of the best TV shows of the 90s. Anyone who has seen this show will know how brilliant it is, and anyone who hasn't should go watch it now.
A great show that should not be missed by anyone.
In this film Will Smith gives his strongest performance since In the Pursuit of Happiness. In Seven Pounds, he plays the role of Ben an IRS agent who's depressed. It's a story of redemption to start out with and then it turns into a love story. Ben falls in love with one of the seven people he sets out to help, which complicates things. This is a very depressing film with a surprising conclusion; I give Seven Pounds 5 stars all the way.
An amazing film that works on several levels. It is good as a funny-animal animation with danger and adventure and a feel good achievement-against-the-odds moral. But the big surprise for me was that it actually works as a heavyweight kung-fu film. It is full of in-jokes and visual gags that those who love the genre will enjoy, but it is also a classic kung fu tale of discipline training, awesome fights and a great villain who has fallen from grace through the seductive lure of power.
This was a fantastic film full of surprises, action and humour and was a great homage to the kung-fu genre from start to end.
I watched it with no expectation, and was amazed, so much so, that I watched it again the next day with equal enjoyment.
An absolutely classic kung fu story re-told with funny animals. Should appeal to a wide audience; those who love funny animation and even those who are die hard kung-fu genre-fans.
Let us all take a minute from our busy lives and give Jonathan Demme a big round of applause shall we. This gentleman certainly knows how to make a fantastic piece of film. Silence of the Lambs and recently Rachel Getting Married are just two films that show his expertise. The review in question however is neither Silence of the Lambs or Rachel Getting Married; it is the Talking Heads concert film Stop Making Sense.
Like with the majority of my reviews I just like to come out with it and say how I felt overall with the film. And with Stop Making Sense I was blown away. With no nauseating quick MTV style cuts in sight, this film was a breath of fresh air. Perhaps I am a little biased here, being a big Talking Heads fan perhaps I am looking at it with rose tinted spectacles pressed too firmly against my brow, but don't we all when it comes to film?...
Tell you what. Instead of sticking to a generic review of analysis; picking through all the good and the bad points however few there may be, I will just run down a list of why you should go and give this a watch.
Using the succinct Top 5 style found in High Fidelity here we go.
1) The Songs - Starting with a lonely performance of Psycho Killer by the genius that is David Byrne, the slow gradually builds as each member of the band joins Byrne on stage. And with each member comes a different instrument, and with each instrument comes an excellent song to go along with it. So two thumbs up here.
2) Tina Weymouth - The Talking Heads bassist is just a beautiful woman. She has a charismatic sheen to her that comes with an awesome array of funky bass lines that everyone will be sure to enjoy.
3) Movement - What an unbelievably vague word to have used for this list, shame on me for using it. Anyways onto the point. A good few bands today appear to have forgotten how to have fun on stage these days. You are a rock and roll star, don't just stand like a robot and strum away. Dance like a robot or strum like a robot to make your persona more interesting. Or better yet, buy Stop Making Sense and pop on "Life During Wartime" to discover what having fun is like in a band.
4) Camera Work - This again brings praise to Jonathan Demme. As mentioned previously there are no quick cuts found throughout modern music videos. They are however numerous long shots that allow a viewer to really get a good feel for the event. Couple this with some excellent shots during "What a Day That Was" and you are in for a good time camera wise.
5) The Big Suit - The big suit that David Byrne dawns during the song "Girlfriend is Better" has become an iconic picture in popular culture, and you owe it to yourself to watch the suit in action....
Good for kids and adults. A very funny film and great value for money!
I love this film, it's good for kids of all ages and adults too.
It has a great storyline; it's sad in places, but fantastic!
Well recommended!
Small Soldiers has a good story line and promotes good imagination for kids when they play with their own toys.
Good film, good price!
My son loves the Rugrats and one of the Wild Thornberry films had them in, so I brought it. He loves it and it keeps him quiet for hours and for the price for it on DVD, you can't go wrong!
The first Lost boys is really good and is one of my favourite films. I've watched it over and over and over again.
Didn't think much of the second one, but its worth buying if you have the first film.
When first sitting down to watch Hallam Foe I had no real expectations of what to expect. I had seen a few trailers and heard the name battered around certain culture shows over here in the UK, but I still had no real grasp of what the plot could be.
The film features Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) in the starring role with co-stars Sophia Myles (Thunderbirds), Claire Forlani (Meet Joe Black) and Ciaran Hinds (Munich) all playing their part in this jigsaw of a film. Putting a description of this film in just a few words would not do justice to its plot. As mentioned previously I had no hold on the plot before watching and I believe this enhanced the movie. From the get go, you are left in the lurch of what is really going on. In a culture that has come to expect the main story to be revealed in the first ten minutes this was refreshing. You are not told as an audience that a hates b, or x loves y, you as a viewer piece this together.
Looking back, this review may not be as helpful as first hoped. It is not as fluent or articulate as I a wished it to be, but that is a good thing because it is perfect for this film. This film is rough around the edges just like this shabby little review. It's got some powerful scenes that I wouldn't go as far to say as shock but they do delve an emotional punch to the gut.
With a strong emotional love story running through the heart of the film you must have some strong acting talent to carry the weight of it on their shoulders and Hallam Foe has done just that. Bell is fantastic in his role as the young Hallam. Clever, funny and disturbed are perhaps not words you would like to describe yourself but when it come to a character in a love story it is certainly interests me. But I cannot finish without mentioning the mesmerising Sophia Myles. She is not a polished Hollywood star, she doesn't have the glossed Hollywood look and that is why I like her. With so many female actresses cast for being a Hollywood ideal, when a 'real' women figure burst onto the scene I sit up and applaud....Well metaphorically anyway.
Again I look over this review and see a cluttered mess of words. Rambles and rants are strewn over this little piece. So to do my best to end, I will just leave you with this - Go see Hallam Foe....
Go see Hallam Foe, watch and enjoy and come back here and discuss. I mean what more could you want - Great acting, an intricately beautiful story and fantastic direction from David MacKenzie?
I have watched this a few times since I got it, it gets better each time I view it. For those lucky few who are going to get to see the Boss & Co at this year"s British gigs, this is the perfect warm up for the night before the concert.
For those who miss out on tickets for the British leg then this is a great consolation.
The raw power of the Boss, the charisma of the band, the overwhelming crowd.
Hook your telly up to an external speaker system and you're as good as there - 10/10!
Double disc set, Live Performance.
I thought Quantum of Solace was very good. I know people have complained about the plot being too confusing, not knowing where the title fitted in to it, that it was too short, there was no gadgets or Q or Moneypenny or saucy scenes or innuendo and lame gags. But I thought they made it perfectly clear they were changing all that (for the better in some cases). As for it being complicated, well duh, it is supposed to be believable and more realistic and if that means getting rid of the Bond fans who just like FLASH BANG WHOLLOP HOWS YOUR FATHER OOO-ER MISSUS OOO NICE GADGET OOOH NICE TOTTY OH WHERE IS THE INVISIBLE CAR etc etc then all for the good. In any case, some of the previous titles were a bit vague and had nothing to do with plot and was only thrown into the film via some quip of Bond's. The computer table was a pretty good gadget and a decent car with realistic car-chase scene.
I think he (Craig) plays it very well, not too smarmy, not too pretty and doesn't do everything perfect. For realism and the fact that he is only just beginning his career with '00' status, he is not better than everyone at everything. He is still prone to mistakes, but he works well to correct these errors of judgment and manages to get back on track. He is just very efficient and at least, after a fight, he looks as he's been in one. In fact sometimes he looks like he's been in a fight even BEFORE he's been in one.
Don't worry, I still love the other Bond films and various portrayals, but I think they have made necessary changes and somehow found an edge to the character that makes him more realistic and believable. A real competitor for the Bourne films (same initials incidentally).
I agree about the length of the Bond film, a few scenes did seem a bit rushed just to get to the next action scene. Perhaps they will release it on DVD with an extended cut??? It does warrant it, because there is a depth to the Bond character that Craig showed in his first outing, but didn't seem to be allowed to in this one. Maybe it is supposed to be seen back to back.
Daniel Craig said he is signed to do another two Bond movies and I can see him doing more as long as they don't start getting silly.
It's also extremely excellent and important to see that the opening credits featuring the dancing girls are back, it felt more like a Bond movie again, but the song is very poor.
All in all a very good sequel.
Casino Royale part 2
I enjoyed this. I'm confused sometimes by exactly what the majority of film goers want from films. I thought the ending was quite original. The whole feel of confusion and not really understanding what was going on was, for the most part, quite realistic.
The movie isn't so much about the Monster, (if that is what you want, then see Godzilla, Jurassic Park King Kong etc) but more about the human aspect of a major disaster. This is about how people"s lives are affected, their reactions to disaster in general and their response to complete panic and terror all around them. It was interesting to see how the minority had their whits about them, whilst the majority of people are just plain scared out of them.
It kind of makes you wonder "what would I do?" and in doing so, places you in the film to the point of you being quite out of breath.
Whilst most of us would like to think that we would be the hero and save the day, or be in the middle of it all and understand everything going on about them. However, I fear the majority would pretty much behave like the majority of the panic stricken rabble. Erratically searching for somewhere safe, running around aimlessly like a headless chickens and most likely running headlong into trouble rather than away from it. I also believe that, as in the film, there will be those who would want to film and take photos of all the destruction and mayhem.
The film also depicts the authorities and law enforcement more realistically in that they would not likely be in a position to keep the general public in the picture. They might not fully understand themselves the gravity of the situation, let alone have the time to explain.
All in all, I thought this was a good monster film, but with the focus on ordinary people with ordinary lives.
Not just another monster movie
Over 20 years on, I still find the hugely underrated 'Salute of the Jugger' highly enjoyable and a lot of fun to watch. Gritty and low budget but not at all low quality, the plot is not predictable and the well-shot action sequences make for tense viewing. The many deliberately unexplained things going on in the background in the post-apocalyptic world of Jugger make this movie worth watching more than once.
Rutger Hauer is perfectly cast as the veteran jugger, and Joan Chen does a solid job as the ambitious yet inexperienced Qwik who wants a better life by joining the League. I like the understated dialogue - words aren't wasted in this story.
And the soundtrack is brilliant (get the CD!).
For years I had to put up with the "cut" version of the movie on DVD, with the inexcusably abrupt and unsatisfactory ending. Now, with Optimum Home Entertainment's 99-minute version the original ending has been restored, just as in the theatrical release and VHS video. At long last!
This is an incredible, visually stunning film. It received poor reviews at the box office and I cannot see why! It must have been absolutely mind blowing on the big screen. This is one of the best films I've seen this century, the artwork, the vision and the style of the film are all fantastic. The way scenes are cut together, the high speed octane of the racing, the comedy elements supplied by the young brother of Speed and the family's pet chimp, Christina Ricci's looks, everything about this film is simply superb. OK the plot line is pretty easy to get hold of and the twists and turns in the plot are not particularly difficult or challenging, but that is not what this film is about. It's about family viewing, having a laugh, watching something eye catching and engrossing. It challenges the orthodox methods and styles of film making. I cannot praise the film enough!
Speed Racer fights to restore the family honour and overthrow corrupt racing magnates.
The recent success of 'Slumdog Millionaire' means that you can't pick up a newspaper without some reference to the film, or its newly-exalted director, Danny Boyle. It has been described as a modern-day fairy tale, with many surprised at the filmmaker's perceived change of direction since the likes of 'Trainspotting' and '28 Days Later'. However, as 'Millions' shows, 'Slumdog' was far from his first foray into feel-good or fairy tale territory.
2005's 'Millions' is, if not a fairy tale then a fantastical story about childhood wonder and goodness. In a Britain about to swap sterling for the Euro, we meet Damian, a seven year-old, Anthony his nine-year old brother and their father Ronnie (James Nesbitt) who are moving to a new-build community following the death of the boys' mother.
One day a suitcase containing £265,000 crash lands on Damian's playhouse. He is a heart-warmingly virtuous boy who, to help him cope with the loss of his mother, holds hallucinatory discussions with long-dead saints whose dates he can reel off like other boys would football statistics. He believes the money has been sent from God and wants to use it to help the poor.
While business-minded Anthony has dreams of snapping up property and scuba equipment, he is frustrated at every turn by Damian's misguided altruism, whether it's treating the homeless to a Pizza Hut banquet or stuffing £20 notes into the letterbox of the Mormons who live across the road. Amongst these amusing sequences shot with flair and dexterity, Boyle is asking real questions and expressing key ideas: What would be the 'right' thing to do with the money? How can you be good; good enough for sainthood? Does moving mean moving on?
Alex Etel, who plays Damian, is seriously impressive. His charming naivety and furrow-browed ethics always feel natural and as well as making us laugh, he lets us see that he is really an isolated little boy who misses his mum. What is great is that Boyle never resorts to syrupy sentimentalism or preachy condescension but instead handles the subject with humour, subtlety and trademark quirky style.
An accidental discovery of big cash has been used in films for decades - from No Country for Old Men to Dumb & Dumber - but in this film the money shows the children how the world really works, and teaches them about what is truly important. This is a film which celebrates life and joy unashamedly and is as endearing as it is infectious.
Verdict
The visuals in this film are edgy and memorable; however the storyline and characters are not. It's intriguing enough to be watchable but as for a second viewing...I doubt it!
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