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grcane
Reviews
Jarhead (2005)
The shape of things to come? I hope not.
As we all know there is always a clutch of movies that get spawned by conflict and some are good and some are brown and smelly. My boy, Matt age 12 and myself are movie freaks. We hardly ever wait for DVD but prefer to sit amongst the litter at our favourite 'Flix' and live, eat and smell the movie raw. I was particularly keen to take Matt to see this movie as the US vs Iraq conflict is on the syllabus for his modern history studies and i though that this would be a great opportunity to see life for the soldier on the ground albeit through the eyes of a Marine Sniper. Having served as a sniper myself. So in we went and the fact that the movie had only just been released in the UK yet we were in the smallest cinema screen (Just 120 Seats) and half of these were vacant seemed somehow ominous. Casting no-names is a good stunt and throwing in ten shovel loads of sexual innuendo and graphic language is another but it cannot mask poor direction and production and the fact that the script writer has had to re-run all his his Vietnam movies for ideas. Shallow, weak, and missed opportunity are all phrases that spring to mind for me but in another way I am pleased because it leaves the field wide open for someone to come and do a good job. Don't think I am not a fan of Sam Mendes because I am but as Matt said 'Dad that was disappointing' I could not agree with him more. Sam you could have done much better what happened to you after Road to Perdition?
Munich (2005)
Surprise, surprise....
Being no big fan of Mr Berg and still reeling from the very miscast and dull War of the Worlds I never the less dragged myself into Munich to see what a mess he made of what is a controversial and sensitive subject. I happened to have my 12 year old son with me (Sorry Mr Sensor) and he for all his tender years is usually spot on with his critique so I was looking forward to hearing his opinion especially as he had no recollection of the events on which this film was based. So, expecting the worst and almost hoping I was proved right in we went (Straight after 'Jarhead' in fact). Before the movie even started I new something big was about to happen, the 550 seat auditorium was full, not one empty seat that I could see. To the film. For me the very fact that there were no big names in this movie showed me The Berg was serious about this movie and that the subject matter was going to be treated both seriously and with sensitivity, could you imagine Cruise as Avner? Perish the thought. Terrorism, as we all know, is now a part of our lives and has been since the 60s and medias ability to bring it to us in full living color almost as it happens but what Mr Berg did here so very well was to both condemn it but give us an understanding of its purpose and futility at the same time. We all realize that as long as there is terrorism humanity will fight back. Direction was flawless, casting nothing less than a work of art, Cinematography outstanding and lighting nothing short of genius. OK there were a few continuity errors, so what, isn't there always and yes it was graphic at times but hey. As I said the real test for me was consulting my son at our usual post movie pizza joint. When I asked him what he thought he replied 'Can we see it again Dad? It's the best film I have ever seen'.
The Grudge (2004)
The Incredible shrinking audience.
I live in Switzerland and travel to Austria to see a movie in English language once a week. Its a fun thing to do because the film is always a 'Sneak' not yet on release film in Austria. Its also a surprise movie, so no-one knows what they are going to get till the curtain goes up. This is fine because it forces me to watch films I would never usually see out of choice. As always, the 'Sneak' was well attended with a starting audience of about 150. I was a bit doubt full about the film from the kick off, I mean, a lot of Japanese names on the opening credits and some non Japanese actors I never heard of... but I figured lets hang in and see what happens... Ten minutes into the movie, after a great deal of audience laughter the exodus started... twos and threes to start with then a steady flow with me almost wondering if there might be a fire back there when they found the jawbone in the roof space. As the final credits rolled a glanced over my shoulder (I like to sit in the front) and to my amazement saw that there were just 3 of us left! Thats right.. 3! I mean the move was bad... very bad.. but never in 40 years of regular movie going had I experienced anything like this. I found the effects passable at best, the direction a joke, the acting wooden and the script writer should do the honourable thing and fall on his sword... by the way.. if you saw the movie... don't you think the monster with the long lack hair and white skin looked familiar? Awooooooo!
The Song Remains the Same (1976)
Self Indulgence? and why not..
Super groups are now a rare breed and this iconic work is not so much a documentary or a rock video but more like a work of art. Those of us born in the 60s grew up with the likes of Led Zep and although they must seem like rock Dinosors to young people today The Song Remains the Same serves as a solid history lesson on how the super groups were, how they behaved and we will never see the like again. I agree in part that some of the fantasy films were a bit self indulgent especial the film that accompanied the late Jon Bohams 'Moby Dick' and Peter Grant must be the most distasteful character in the film but it is undeniably a classic.
Incidentaly, Robert Plant is still out there performing with Priory of Brian and now Strange Sensation recognizing that he has received so much from music and is determined to repay it.