Hello guys,
Today, a comedian has died. A legend. A true master of his domain.
Never has a straightman been so funny.
The spoof genre is not too be taken lightly and isn't, as you seem to believe, easy to do. Though if anyone has ever seen any of your films (Ive had the misfortune to see a small part of 'Date Movie' and made an attempt at watching 'Epic Movie', ya know, to try and give you the benefit of the doubt. There was no benefit to be had from watching your film. To anyone) it will be evident how difficult it is to create both a quality spoof and genuinely funny slapstick. Simply taking cheesy moments from already bad films and multiplying them 100 times doesn't make it funny - Id rather watch the original film and take the piss out of it myself.
My point is, I don't want kids growing up, seeing the 'Naked Gun' films or 'Police Squad' or 'Wrongfully Accused' or 'Dracula: Dead And Loving It' or 'Spy Hard', enjoying them and, through some misguided genre link, being directed towards one of your travesties. It isn't fair, on them to watch them and for you to piggyback on someone else's good work and creativity.
So I propose you immediately cease production on any currect projects you have and promise never to darken the cinema with one of your 'comedies' ever again. Also, you take the profits from your films and donate them to Jim Abrahams and David and Jerry Zucker, to allow them to find both an actor who can do the form justice and to produce something worthy of film lovers time.
If you've ever laughed simply from the look on Leslie Nielsen's face, then you'll understand. Do the right thing.
The King is dead. Long live the King.
Liam
Monday 29 November 2010
Wednesday 3 November 2010
'Beautiful Girls'
Just watched the film 'Beautiful Girls'. It's good. Very good. Very wordy, but it has a... 'Vibe' about it. Hard to describe, but it just captures a feeling.
And that's what I like in a film - It's all about the feeling. If it doesn't make you feel, for the story, for the characters, for something, then there isn't much point.
Story can basically be summed up as - Willie returns to hometown to find friends still there and nothing's changed. Except their age.
Natalie Portman was a bit showy and I did, at one point, think "She's the most ridiculously over-intelligent 13 year old in the world"... Until I remembered my favourite film is 'Leon' and in that she plays a ridiculouly over-intelligent 12 year old, so... I'll let it slide. But, BUT, the relationship between her and Timothy Hutton is spot on. Plus there's that idea - That there's someone perfect for you, the idea that 'the one' exists, but you can't ever be with them - And it usually ends with some conflict... before its resolved and everyone lives happily ever after. In this film, it's different. There were 2 potential relationships, or rather 2 potential people, who were perfect for Willie, Hutton's character. First, there's Natalie Portmans' ridiculously over-intelligent 13 year old 'Marty'.
Now, you know this relationship is never going to go anywhere. It can't. She's 13, he's 29. But they seem so right for each other. As she's says in the film "I'm 13 but i'm an old soul". She's wonderful. Maybe the child version of the character she plays in 'Garden State'. Willie and Marty speak to each other unlike any adult and child. They're both funny. They both laugh. They both have moments of concern. He when he realises she might not be joking when she suggests he wait 5 years so they can be together. She when he explains its not possible because she's not the person she will be at 18, and she'll change and want something different.
The other is, the rather brief, Uma Thurman. Not a major part, but a key one. An outsider in this town where no-one, except Willie, seems to have ever left. It's sorta hinted she might be the one Willie leaves his intended for. But she's more just a temptation. A suggestion of something different. Plus she's got a boyfriend.
The ever-likeable Michael Rapaport is going through a tough break-up after 7 years. Matt Dillon is the one time (probable) Prom King, and coolest guy at High School, who hasn't amounted to what he though. Lauren Holly is the one time (probable) Prom Queen, who isn't who she thought she was. And is having an affair with Dillion.
Through in a few more friends, all dealing with the difficulties of growing up and approaching 30, and you've got a darn good film. Realising that, now, they're are adults and that this is what there life is, for better or for worse, and that there's no more waiting to see how things turn out.
For me, its about accepting what you've got and that, while it might not be what you dreamt it would be, what you've got is actually better then you realised.
Hmm, that last sentence sounds almost cheesily poignant.
8/10, though I'm certain over time, with repeated watchings, that will improve.
Done and dusted.
Liam
And that's what I like in a film - It's all about the feeling. If it doesn't make you feel, for the story, for the characters, for something, then there isn't much point.
Story can basically be summed up as - Willie returns to hometown to find friends still there and nothing's changed. Except their age.
Natalie Portman was a bit showy and I did, at one point, think "She's the most ridiculously over-intelligent 13 year old in the world"... Until I remembered my favourite film is 'Leon' and in that she plays a ridiculouly over-intelligent 12 year old, so... I'll let it slide. But, BUT, the relationship between her and Timothy Hutton is spot on. Plus there's that idea - That there's someone perfect for you, the idea that 'the one' exists, but you can't ever be with them - And it usually ends with some conflict... before its resolved and everyone lives happily ever after. In this film, it's different. There were 2 potential relationships, or rather 2 potential people, who were perfect for Willie, Hutton's character. First, there's Natalie Portmans' ridiculously over-intelligent 13 year old 'Marty'.
Now, you know this relationship is never going to go anywhere. It can't. She's 13, he's 29. But they seem so right for each other. As she's says in the film "I'm 13 but i'm an old soul". She's wonderful. Maybe the child version of the character she plays in 'Garden State'. Willie and Marty speak to each other unlike any adult and child. They're both funny. They both laugh. They both have moments of concern. He when he realises she might not be joking when she suggests he wait 5 years so they can be together. She when he explains its not possible because she's not the person she will be at 18, and she'll change and want something different.
The other is, the rather brief, Uma Thurman. Not a major part, but a key one. An outsider in this town where no-one, except Willie, seems to have ever left. It's sorta hinted she might be the one Willie leaves his intended for. But she's more just a temptation. A suggestion of something different. Plus she's got a boyfriend.
The ever-likeable Michael Rapaport is going through a tough break-up after 7 years. Matt Dillon is the one time (probable) Prom King, and coolest guy at High School, who hasn't amounted to what he though. Lauren Holly is the one time (probable) Prom Queen, who isn't who she thought she was. And is having an affair with Dillion.
Through in a few more friends, all dealing with the difficulties of growing up and approaching 30, and you've got a darn good film. Realising that, now, they're are adults and that this is what there life is, for better or for worse, and that there's no more waiting to see how things turn out.
For me, its about accepting what you've got and that, while it might not be what you dreamt it would be, what you've got is actually better then you realised.
Hmm, that last sentence sounds almost cheesily poignant.
8/10, though I'm certain over time, with repeated watchings, that will improve.
Done and dusted.
Liam
Thursday 28 October 2010
A beginning and 'The Social Network'
Let's begin at the beginning. Films are intriguing creations. They can be an escape from reality or a slice-of-life. Sometimes they're good. Sometimes they're bad. Sometimes they're so bad that they are good, and what's that all about?! Am I right? Ahem... Sometimes they're terrible. Sometimes they're incredible. And sometimes, just sometimes, they can be life-changing. Seriously. They celebrate the best and worst of every aspect of the human condition.
A bad film disappoints, it'll definitely be debated, possibly mocked and probably compared to better works.
A good film pleases, it'll be pondered over with what it did well and what it could have done better.
A great film captivates, it'll be cherished for years to come.
Seriously.
Films, however, are also meant to be fun. And they are. Which is why I love them.
I love the good and the great, and I like the non-cynical bad ones. Someone who tries and fails is always better then someone who never tries at all.
Anyone, to begin, I watched 'The Social Network' last night.
The story of how Facebook came to be, and the backstabbing and litigation that took place behind the scenes.
Quick synopsis - Mark Zuckerberg. Harvard student. Dumped by girlfriend. Creates comparison site, using pictures of girls from Harvard. Approached to create Harvard Connection, a Harvard-specific social network by Winklevoss twins. Begins to create Thefacebook with funding from best friend, Eduardo Severin. Stays in contact with twins, with vague descriptions of progress. E-mails twins with problems and says site is no longer viable. Launches Thefacebook. Expands to include other universities. Twins discover site and claim Zuckerberg has stolen their idea. Thefacebook expands. Gets renamed - Facebook is born... but not without a few disagreements.
If you haven't heard the full story of how Facebook came to be, then I won't ruin the ending for you here but, if you believe the Aaron Sorkin-written, David Fincher-directed version (and don't, Sorkin's already made it clear he's not afraid to substitute the truth with good, quality drama) then it's pretty spicy stuff.
Sorkin's script is fantastic. It's 'modern', and I can't think of a better word to describe it, like no other film in recent memory, but then again, so is the story. It's sharp, it's non-stop, and I don't think there's a wasted word in the entire film. Maybe its because Facebook is such a recent phenomenon, and thus fresh in the brain, that it feels so vibrant, but I'm not so sure.
Fincher's direction is unflashy, and solid, which seems like another word for mediocre, but it isn't - Take the time to consider what would happen if Tony Scott directed a version of what is, in essence, the story of how a website was made... Fact is, David Fincher is an excellent director. It has similar feel and pacing to Zodiac, albeit without the murders. Its a way of making a blockbuster without the action.
Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg is perfect... Or is he? I have no idea what Mark Zuckerberg is like or if this is how he really behaves but... Hang on, I remember, the truth is not king here. So, yeah, Eisenberg is good, very good. While this isn't a massive leap from the characters he's played previously, it is still different. Quiet, but very driven and very intelligent. But for someone whose life revolves around a social network, he's fairly unsociable, annd yet very confident with it.
Everyone else does a good job, nothing too flashy, but then again, from what i've read, neither are the people that are being portrayed. College kids, nay, computer geeks, albeit very well off ones probably aren't that showy. Except Sean Parker, played by Justin Timberlake. Co-creator of Napster, and regular Don Juan if this is to be believed... No,wait, done it again - This is not a documentary. These things are not necessarily true.
Anyone, Sean Parker is a flashy character. Jusin Timberlake fits the bill and does a standout job, standing out among the nerds. Especially in his fall-from-grace, when he feels the wrath of Facebook's rather strict founder.
Overall, an excellent film. 8.5/10. (That's right, it's neither an 8 or a 9)
Well, first review done. I may have written that a lot less reviewer-y then I intended, but maybe lots more then I expected. Im sure over time I will become to find a way to express my genuine love for films.
Over and out.
Liam
A bad film disappoints, it'll definitely be debated, possibly mocked and probably compared to better works.
A good film pleases, it'll be pondered over with what it did well and what it could have done better.
A great film captivates, it'll be cherished for years to come.
Seriously.
Films, however, are also meant to be fun. And they are. Which is why I love them.
I love the good and the great, and I like the non-cynical bad ones. Someone who tries and fails is always better then someone who never tries at all.
Anyone, to begin, I watched 'The Social Network' last night.
The story of how Facebook came to be, and the backstabbing and litigation that took place behind the scenes.
Quick synopsis - Mark Zuckerberg. Harvard student. Dumped by girlfriend. Creates comparison site, using pictures of girls from Harvard. Approached to create Harvard Connection, a Harvard-specific social network by Winklevoss twins. Begins to create Thefacebook with funding from best friend, Eduardo Severin. Stays in contact with twins, with vague descriptions of progress. E-mails twins with problems and says site is no longer viable. Launches Thefacebook. Expands to include other universities. Twins discover site and claim Zuckerberg has stolen their idea. Thefacebook expands. Gets renamed - Facebook is born... but not without a few disagreements.
______________________________________
If you haven't heard the full story of how Facebook came to be, then I won't ruin the ending for you here but, if you believe the Aaron Sorkin-written, David Fincher-directed version (and don't, Sorkin's already made it clear he's not afraid to substitute the truth with good, quality drama) then it's pretty spicy stuff.
Sorkin's script is fantastic. It's 'modern', and I can't think of a better word to describe it, like no other film in recent memory, but then again, so is the story. It's sharp, it's non-stop, and I don't think there's a wasted word in the entire film. Maybe its because Facebook is such a recent phenomenon, and thus fresh in the brain, that it feels so vibrant, but I'm not so sure.
Fincher's direction is unflashy, and solid, which seems like another word for mediocre, but it isn't - Take the time to consider what would happen if Tony Scott directed a version of what is, in essence, the story of how a website was made... Fact is, David Fincher is an excellent director. It has similar feel and pacing to Zodiac, albeit without the murders. Its a way of making a blockbuster without the action.
Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg is perfect... Or is he? I have no idea what Mark Zuckerberg is like or if this is how he really behaves but... Hang on, I remember, the truth is not king here. So, yeah, Eisenberg is good, very good. While this isn't a massive leap from the characters he's played previously, it is still different. Quiet, but very driven and very intelligent. But for someone whose life revolves around a social network, he's fairly unsociable, annd yet very confident with it.
Everyone else does a good job, nothing too flashy, but then again, from what i've read, neither are the people that are being portrayed. College kids, nay, computer geeks, albeit very well off ones probably aren't that showy. Except Sean Parker, played by Justin Timberlake. Co-creator of Napster, and regular Don Juan if this is to be believed... No,wait, done it again - This is not a documentary. These things are not necessarily true.
Anyone, Sean Parker is a flashy character. Jusin Timberlake fits the bill and does a standout job, standing out among the nerds. Especially in his fall-from-grace, when he feels the wrath of Facebook's rather strict founder.
Overall, an excellent film. 8.5/10. (That's right, it's neither an 8 or a 9)
__________________________________
Well, first review done. I may have written that a lot less reviewer-y then I intended, but maybe lots more then I expected. Im sure over time I will become to find a way to express my genuine love for films.
Over and out.
Liam
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