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Master Brown
Reviews
Foxy Brown (1974)
My first Pam Grier Film
Without Pam Grier, I wouldn't have found this movie half as entertaining. I had never seen her stuff before. Her screen presence is huge. You just want to watch her.
Saw it for the first time tonight. That RED suit. I don't think I've ever seen a leading lady look that good on screen.
Halle Berry can't compare. Pam has that hard edge to compliment the beauty. Tough and sweet. Why haven't I watched more of her early stuff.
Oh well better late than never.
Coffy next!!!!! Without Pam (and maybe Antonio) I would have voted this a 3. But 6 in this case.
Calendar Girls (2003)
Good acting, average script, boring direction
I have always liked Julie Walters TV stuff. Especially her comedy. This was the only aspect of the movie I was looking forward to.
The character she played was pretty straight. Which is okay, because she's extremely versatile.
I've never watch Helen Mirren on the box, although I am aware that she is well respected. I did however enjoy her performance in this film. I now appreciate why she is so respected.
But, I have to say the performances from Walters, Mirren and the rest of the cast are the redeeming things in this movie.
I thought the script was tame. TV movie material It wasn't quite poor, but it wasn't 5 star either. And the movie had that drab boring Britcom look that I just hate.
This film is being hailed as the next Full Monty. I agree. That movie was also drab, overrated and featured the main cast getting their kit off.
The only reason this film is getting all the hype is
A)The original subject matter; The Calender Girls themselves. And these women actually exist, so you don't need heaps of talent to come up with that idea.
B) We don't make many movies in this country. That is why people go on about the Full Monty which is more at home on our TV screens. Not the big screen.
Ultimately, this was not a comedy. It was a comedy drama. So why not call a spade a spade. If I expected Comedy/Drama I would have been less disappointed, having only chuckled a couple of times.
SUMMARY. Enjoyed most of the performances, but it aint that good. Is it folks?
One Sunday Morning (1997)
Excellent
This is an extremely powerful film about a Nigerian man who sells roses on the street to survive, while waiting for his immigration papers to come through.
His wife is full of worry while he tries to look on the bright side at all times. He is full of hope. This is even more evident when he spends time with his children.
This is one of the best short films I have ever seen. Shot in grainy black and white, with excellent performances all round. This is an unpretentious piece of filmmaking worthy of more than it has received.
If you come across this film, don't pass it by. You will be hooked for twenty minutes. I was.
Woo (1998)
Okay concept but I hardly laughed.
MILD SPOILERS
I thought this movie was a bit all over the place. The concept was fun, but wasted on a weak script.
I stayed up late to watch this because it looked like fun, but I hardly laughed.
Good points: The stolen car. Tim uses his remote to activate car alarm to discover the alarm is the only thing left.
I also like the scene in the hidden club when Woo starts getting down and Tim hasn't got a clue what to do, then asks her to dance at the wrong time.
Not so good points: I also think Jada Pinket was the wrong choice for Woo. Not foxy enough, or funny enough. There are many funny great looking young black actresses in cable TV sitcoms who could have caned that part.
Don't need to see it twice. Look forward to a remake, with a stronger script in fifteen years or so.
Funny Bones (1995)
Jerry Lewis' straight acting is brilliant.
Good film. Not funny, but not intended to be (at least, I don't think so). Nice canted shots. Interesting camera angles. This is also a cinematographer's movie. Jerry Lewis' straight acting is brilliant. (See also the excellent King Of Comedy). Jerry's speech to his son on the presence of "Funny Bones" is the highlight of the film for me.
Would recommend.
Blade II (2002)
SLICK FIGHT SCENES
Blade II featured some of the best fight scenes you will see in any action movie.
This is due to excellent choreography and Wesley's enthusiastic performance. When watching Blade I and II you can see Wesley Snipes is thoroughly enjoying himself. And this transfers to the viewer.
I do think the story is weak and clumsy but Wesley is totally engaging.
I can imagine no one else playing Blade.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
DOES THIS DESERVE A REVIEW?
This movie was so unfunny, I wondered whether or not it even deserves a review.
American Beauty was much, much funnier and cleverer.
Why did they throw money away on such a terrible script. As I write this, I'm still wondering if I should. But I've done it now.
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
OVERRATED & UNFUNNY
I watched this COMEDY without laughing once. And most of the people in the cinema weren't exactly off their seats. Either they were laughing internally or just didn't find it funny. The latter is more than likely.
I thought Renee Zellweger and Hugh Grant were good but the script was predictable and boring.
The jokes were forced.
Co-writer Richard Curtis is good when partnered with Ben Elton, who is a solid joke writer but (with the exception of FOUR WEDDINGS) he has failed to impress me.
Interestingly enough, Ben Elton's big screen mission, MAYBE BABY was pretty average.
I suggest the two embark on a big screen project together. Then and only then are we likely to see a theatrical British release with jokes as strong as the ones seen in their classic sit-com BLACKADDER.
Abre los ojos (1997)
NO NEED TO REMAKE THIS
I recently saw this film and I must say it was one of the best films I have seen in a long time.
Entertaining from start to finish, the movie begins with some witty banter from the main characters. Very well executed; Especially NORIEGA as Cesar. I haven't seen Vanilla Sky but it would be interesting to see if the non-comedic TOM CRUISE can deliver funny lines in the same way. I have heard that the witty banter has been re-written for Cruise. This would not surprise me.
This film works on all levels for me. The SCRIPT is complex. There was a point in the film where I wondered if I knew what was going on. And the answer to that is I didn't. This was because the writers (& director) did not want us to be ahead of Cesar. We shared his frustration, and as things were revealed to him, they were also revealed to us.
The DIRECTION was sharp. Not too showy but still stylish. Nice camera angles, used only to enhance our experience. Never overdone.
The ACTORS were consistently engaging. They also knew how to be funny when it was required of them. I feel many of the cast would do well in English speaking films.
There was NO NEED TO REMAKE THIS. Although I speak a little Spanish, the person I saw this film with does not, and enjoyed it thoroughly. He expected a 'hard going continental movie' but came out of the cinema looking forward to his next viewing of this film.
The English speaking audience is not as ignorant as distributors may think they are. CROUCHING TIGER is a good example of this.
I sincerely believe ABRE LOS OJOS would have been a bigger international success if they had given it the chance.
All I can do now is tell everyone they should see this movie.
Shrek (2001)
EDDIE, EDDIE, EDDIE
Shrek is a funny animated film.
After my first viewing I thought Shrek was quite good. My first comment was "Not as good as Toy Story".
However, after repeated viewings the film just gets better and better. It is witty and the voice characterizations are excellent.
But it is EDDIE Murphy (as Donkey) who steals the show. He is as funny as he's ever been on film.
Very few films have brought out the real Eddie as seen in his stand up routines. Ironically, it is Shrek (along with Trading Places, Coming to America and The Nutty Proffessor) which comes closest. Eddie Murphy in his rawest, funniest form is yet to be experienced on film. Probably never will be.
As for Shrek. Children love it, adults love it. A film not to be missed.