freak-16 Reviews

Bright Star (2009)

No birds sing

[25 January 2010]

I saw this because it was a period drama and I'd heard it was good. I found that neither of the leads connected with the audience and the film felt very detached. There really wasn't one character I cared about and the drama wasn't dramatic and the wit left me cold. The poetry reading had no feeling (even though they used the famous poems you would have heard in high school).

Being a Jane Campion film, I was waiting for the leads to get their gear off and was pleased when it didn't happen. I know the clothes were supposed to be beautiful but the colours were horrible and the style ill-suited. The only actor I had seen before was Abby Cornish and she gave her usual restrained (stoned!) performance. I've nothing actively against her but I won't rush out to see something with her in it. This is not a bad film but I nodded off for a couple of minutes (twice!). Haven't done that since 'Attack of the Clones'.

I wish I had seen what most of the other reviewers here had. This genre is just to my liking but I preferred the recent Beatrix Potter and even the Jane Austin movies to this. It just didn't connect for me.

The Henderson Kids (1985–1986)

80s nostalgia

[2 February 2007]

I loved this show when I was young and was overjoyed when I heard that the first series was being released on DVD. It did not disappoint and is well worth picking up. Tamara (Nadine Garner) and Steve (Paul Smith) Henderson are two high school kids from Richmond (Vic) who have to move to a small town called Haven Bay to live with their 'copper' uncle (Nicholas Eadie) after their mother (Dianne Craig) dies.

There they find it hard to fit in with the local kids (Ben Mendelsohn and Kylie Minogue among them)and uncover a plot by the local entrepreneur which has more to do with them than they realise.

Energetic Garner dominates every scene she's in. It's rare to have such an intelligent young teenager as Tamara Henderson on screen... ever! It's fun watching the rest of the cast too. Most of whom have worked in many other Australian television shows both before and after this production.

The opening shots of red and white roller skates are merely an introduction to this authentic snapshot of 1985. 576 minutes.

Anne of Windy Poplars (1940)

Enjoyed it more than the first

[19 August 2006]

Not great for those spoiled by the Sullivan versions but not bad either. Like Sullivan's, this completely bypasses "Anne of the Island" and bases the movie on "Anne of Windy Poplars/Willows". Neither movie version was faithful to that book.

Anne takes a teaching job in a town controlled by the powerful Pringle clan. Of course, she changes their bitter attitudes and finds some kindred spirits. There are some interesting male and female characters and the actress who plays Anne Shirley is adequate but not charismatic. However, her character/acting is more likable than first time round in "Anne of Green Gables" (1934).

As expected, there isn't much of Gilbert. I believe he's played by a different actor. This Gilbert is handsomer but duller.

I found this more watchable, and better quality, than its predecessor but won't be buying this one (I caught it on TV).

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

Nice to see a movie about someone over 40

[9 April 2006]

Had the pleasure of seeing this movie yesterday and it was wonderful. The kind of thing that people of almost every age and background can enjoy. Anthony Hopkins gives maybe his best performance ever (at that's saying something) as he inhabits this character truly and completely. He's amazing to watch, you definitely forget he's Anthony Hopkins.

World's Fastest Indian is the true story of Burt Munro, an old New Zealand bloke who set the land-speed world record at Utah's Bonneville Salt Flats in 1967 in is 1920s style 'Indian' motorcycle racer.

The movie begins in New Zealand and has a remarkable Grandfather/son type storyline which is the heart of the film. He then departs by ship to LA, before towing his motorcycle to Utah. On the way, he experiences culture shock, meets fascinating characters and experiences many setbacks as well as a dream come true.

It's refreshing that the Americans he encounters aren't portrayed as ignorant jerks aholes (as they often are in non-American films) but as genuinely good and interesting human beings. I really enjoyed the Vietnam soldier the drag queen hotel clerk.

This movie's about the persistence and passion of an eccentric enthusiast and how life doesn't have to stop when you get older and isn't worth living if you don't take risks and pursue your dreams.

It's definitely in the 'inspiring feel good' category. The pacing is a little slow but I defy anyone not to enjoy it.

It is worth it for one scene alone where Anthony Hopkins first claps his eyes on the salt flats (he's raced on beaches all his life).

It's so nice when a movie you know nothing about and don't know what to expect, doesn't suck at all.

My only criticism is the ending. I would have liked a scene where the other racers greeted him.

Maximum Overdrive (1986)

So bad it that it ain't

[9 July 2005]

When I was 12 or so, many moons ago, I went to a video store to buy The Breakfast Club. They didn't have it in stock and I bought this instead (How the video tape worn over the last 15 years!).

I knew it was an instant classic from the opening scene when a flashing sign outside a bank says: F&%^ You! Have a nice day! In a nutshell, machines take over the world and a bunch of people are stuck in a gas station with trucks circulating and demanding fuel. The best truck is a toy truck with a giant green, menacing face on the front.

Highlights include an electric knife cutting a waitress' arm, a coke machine shooting cans at people's heads, a kid getting steam rolled and a truly eerie (no joke) ice-cream van just driving around by itself with its gentle music.

Best lines? The waitress screaming "You can't - WE MADE YOU!" before being riddled with bullets by some sort of gun on wheels. The best line of all goes to the awesome Pat Hingle when a 10 year old boy asks where he father is.

"Dunc got scrubbed by one of them big boys out there, tough break kid!" Pat Hingle is the highlight for me. I also liked the support cast including Lisa Simpson's voice. Emilio and Laura are well cast as the leads. Good acting is not required in this kind of film but everyone hit the right note for me.

This movie is so bad it's awesome. The soundtrack/score is great. To this When I'm driving on the freeway and trucks get too close, I hum the danger music "Truck, Truck, Truck!" (rent it and you'll know) and there's plenty of AC/DC to rock to including "Hell's Bells" and "You Shook Me All Night Long". There's even a cameo of sorts.

It's based on a Stephen King short story (Trucks) and was remade in the '90s though that movie is not nearly as great as this one.

Remember, a lot of people would hate this because it's D grade but it's awesome D grade.

Brigada Escorpión (1997)

Original and daring police series

[18 December 1999]

I have seen 10 episodes of this Chilean police series and I was very impressed. The scripts are fantastic and quite daring in their subject matter. The main characters (played by Alarcón, Escobar & Rivadeneira) are all non-stereotypical and the guest actors are usually good. This show has real style and I have not seen any other Spanish-speaking shows like it. It's a real shame that more episodes weren't made. This is better than a lot of American police shows I have seen.

The Butcher Boy (1997)

Imaginative, touching

[18 December 1999]

I can't believe that some people don't like or understand this film. I went and saw it because I love Neil Jordan films and this is his best ever (I saw it three times before I made that decision). I loved the look and structure of the film. The main character, Francie, was very likeable. He does some horrible things but he never lost my sympathy in any part of the film. The screenplay and the delusion sequences were amazing. The narration is very humorous and it's obvious that Jordan understood and was very familiar with the setting. I found watching this film to be a mind-blowing experience, dramatic, humourous, horrifying and very touching too. It has definitely made my top-ten list.

Happy Together (1989)

Quite nice

[15 December 1999]

This was the midday movie today and I saw Patrick Dempsey's name and I thought "Oh no! Not another 80s teen flick starring Patrick Dempsey!" Then I saw Brad Pitt in the opening scenes and I thought I'd stick around. I'm glad I did because it was quite a sweet movie and well worth a look. Patrick was great, Slater was a bit over the top but that was what the character called for. All in all it was a nice movie that had a lot to say about love and relationships. It falters a little towards the end but overall I really liked it and might even consider seeing it again.

The Sixth Sense (1999)

Disappointing, slow, boring

[22 October 1999]

Veronica Lake

Date: 22 October 1999 Summary: Disappointing



I'm surprised to read so many positive reviews. I don't think it was a bad film, the kid was riveting I guess but overall it was a big disappointment. I'd seen the huge American box office and heard all the hype and I really was expecting the best film of the year and it wasn't even the best film I've seen this month. (I would rate Election, An Ideal Husband, and American Pie higher than this) I figured out the twist pretty quickly and was completely detached, almost to the point of boredom. I though the flashes of dead people weren't at all scary. It was original in that it had a child as the protagonist but this idea has been explored many times before. I would only give it a 6 out of 10. I had an annoying audience in the cinema which probably didn't help but I am dumbfounded at this average film's popularity. I don't know, I loved "The Thin Red Line" and plenty of people didn't so I guess we all have different tastes.

Nightwatch (1997)

Josh Brolin is riveting

[25 September 1999]

I saw this creepy thriller once at the cinema (where I really got into it) and once on video (where I started to see the flaws in some of the characterizations). The film is sick in parts (the thumb thing, the semen on the leg) and sickly funny too. It's quite sexist and some of the performances are lousy (especially Ewan and Nick Nolte who under-act and over-act respectively). Josh Brolin is very effective in his support role. I think he saves the film with his amazing skills. He is certainly an actor to watch out for. Without him, the identity of the killer would have been ludicrously straightforward (although I doubt there's anyone who won't figure it out before the end.) Some of the other support characters are effective but Patricia Arquette's role is too small to judge. The film looks great and it's an original concept, music is used to good effect e.g. "This old man, he played six". All in all, it's an OK film but only stands up to one viewing and is not for the faint-hearted because the whole thing leaves you feeling rather ill but at least it provokes some kind of reaction (unlike most films these days). I'll be sure to check out the original.

The Young Riders (1989–1992)

Wonderful cast, unforgettable show

[25 September 1999]

I cannot calculate how many hours I have spent watching this show. You only have to check out the fan sites on the internet to see its impact. This must be one of the best (and best-looking) casts ever assembled. Josh Brolin is intense, sexy and magical as 'James Butler Hickock'. Anthony Zerbe hits just the right note as the wise but eccentric 'Teaspoon'. Ty Miller as 'Kid' is sincere and appealing. Gregg Rainwater plays the sensitive 'Buck', a half-breed torn between two worlds but belonging to none. Travis Fine is remarkable as 'Ike', a bald mute. Could any other actor have pulled off such a role? Brett Cullen is the handsome and fair marshal 'Sam Cain', if only he had stayed beyond season 1! Yvonne Suhor gives and amazing and sympathetic portrayal of 'Louise McLoud', a scared but strong woman trying to make it in a man's world by disguising her femininity. Don Franklin plays the intelligent, funny, but frustrated 'Noah Dickson' - who is very far from the usual stereotypical portrayal of blacks in westerns. Chris Pettiet plays 'Jesse James' at 14, a boy anxious to grow up and be a man but badly needing guidance and a sense of family. The comic relief is provided by Stephen Baldwin who gets all the best lines as the obnoxious but endearing 'William F. Cody' (although you may more often than not be laughing at him, not with him). The first housekeeper was 'Emma Shannon' (Melissa Leo), a woman trying to make it in the west after being deserted by her husband. She becomes a mother figure for the riders, something that most of them were lacking. Later came Clare Wren who played the sexy 'Rachel Dunne' who was a lot tougher and wiser than she looked. Well I don't think I missed anyone out. The show also had fantastic guest stars, excellent shoot-outs, and showed the conflicts that were developing between the north and the south at that time. It also showed the true meaning of love and friendship. It was wonderfully shot and had just the right blend of drama, action, and humor. I guess if you've read this far you already know and love the show. Why not write your own comments here? Oh, and "Try a little Jimmyness".

El entusiasmo (1998)

Interesting Chilean Film

[2 September 1999]

This is the story of beautiful couple Fernando (Alvaro Escobar) and Isabel (Maribel Verdu) who, together with their young son, Miguel, go to live in the Chilean capital. They set up an adventure tourism business which quickly becomes successful, but Fernando's idealistic enthusiasm - he's not amoral, but feels he has to behave tough in a tough man's world - drives him to buy a share in a dodgy real estate company, which is where the moral problems begin. Fernando's cynical friend, Guillermo (Alvaro Rudolphy), and Isabel (Carmen Maura) complete the cast of this morality tale about the hard road towards experience, where professional and personal demands always seem to be in conflict.

Valparaíso (1994)

OK Spanish/Chilean thriller

[19 July 1999]

Lovely Chilean soap-star Angela Contreras (Rojo y Miel) stars in this OK movie. Contreras searches for her stolen baby in the port city of Valparaiso Chile. There are some nice thrills and plot twists. Worth a look.

Under the Hula Moon (1995)

Quirky fun indie comedy.

[25 June 1999]

Let me just say that this film is not to everyone's taste but others will love it. I've seen it four times. Betty ( Lloyd, who is always fabulous, does a mean American accent here) and Buzz (Stephen Baldwin at his best) play a perfectly suited couple who live in a trailer and dream of big things. When Buzz's brother (Chris Penn) turns up things go haywire. Chris Penn gives a scarily intense performance. He is really great and gives a violent edge to this hilarious and quirky comedy. So if you like your movies unique and original. Under the Hula Moon is for you.

The Thin Red Line (1998)

profound, moving, visually stunning, resonant

[11 June 1999]

War poetry helps us tune in to the psyche of the soldier and this film was poetry. Not only was it visually stunning (who can forget the bird, the butterfly, the wind through the grass, the islanders), but it actually commented on the nature of war and how different people feel about it. This film is best watched alone in a cinema. Just let it flow over you. It is unlike any war film I have ever seen. It shows the struggle between humans and nature as well as the struggle within. The characters were interesting and diverse and the performances were wonderful. Especially Sean Penn, Elias Koteas, and Ben Chaplin. I love great war movies. I think the truly great ones actually comment on war rather than just showing graphic violence. I know I shouldn't compare but I thought it was a lot better than Saving Private Ryan. That film, while visually stunning, had nothing to say (unless you count the "make my death worthwhile" bit), the bookends were unnecessary and uninspiring and overly patriotic. If you want to see a good war film, see Apocalypse Now, see Platoon (we did not fight the enemy, we fought ourselves; the enemy was in us.) and see The Thin Red Line. The fact that it didn't win the Oscar for best picture is a huge compliment when you consider the bad, bad films that have won it in recent years.