dlewis-10 Reviews

The Odd Angry Shot (1979)

Under-rated classic

[31 October 2001]

The posters have been accurate, but there are a couple of points to make.

1) When Graham Kennedy made this, it was well past his crow imitating days - he was trying to crack into movies (and doing generally quite well)

2) The original novel was based on the experiences of the author. That is how he saw his experiences in the SAS. The movie is an excellent adaptation. So when you ask if these guys would have stormed Kosovo, the answer is 'YES!' There is a very well done scene where they clear out a temple (i hope). This shows the true level of professionalism in the SAS at that time, despite all the nonsense they carry on with....

3) What most war films don't do is the extreme boredom felt by soldiers between combat ... this film does do that. Even Saving Private Ryan didn't quite make it...

4) Apart from those minor quibbles, I agreed with the reviewers... Find this film and watch it. While it is flawed, it is possibly the best Vietnam film, and the one with the least political baggage...

Willing and Abel (1987– )

Another failed Australian Sit-Com

[16 September 2001]

It is said that Australia does not produce good situation comedy, and with a few notable exceptions, this is true. Willing and Abel tried to take a Goodies-esque approach - two handymen who'd do anything anytime. Both stars (Dodwell adn Withington) had both finished on A Country Practice, and used this celebrity as a vehicle to get this up and running. Unfortunately history and the Australian sense of humour (which prefers sketch comedy and satire from its homegrown shows) was against it, and it only lasted 6 episodes or so.

The Mommies (1993–1995)

Usual pap

[13 September 2001]

A forgettable series, based upon the lives of two 'moms'. They have obnoxious kids, caring yet insensitive husbands, and are supposed to be funny. Little is memorable in this show, and I was surprised to see it last beyond 1 season. Some sit-coms have still-born ideas - this was one of them.

The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)

Miscast Folly

[25 July 2001]

One of the twentieth century's great novels, turned into one of its worst films. Why? I suggest, firstly, that Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis both SHOULD have been in the film, but in each other's role. Bruce Willis should have played Sherman McCoy. Tom Hanks would have done nicely as Peter Fallow. I agree with the reviewer above who said that it was not a disaster, just limp. Melanie Griffith was OK, but the body of her role was cut out.

I guess it was nice to see an American production rip the life out of American literature, rather than British literature (see Pan, the Beach, High Fidelity, Young Sherlock Holmes, etc etc etc...)

Gideon's Crossing (2000–2001)

Pretension wrapped up in pomposity

[15 July 2001]

Good acting, as far as can be given with this rancid storyline. TV seems obsessed with the idea as medical person, or doctor as God. Ben Gideon would do much better to teach medicine, rather than give an overlong philosophical debate, aimed at high-schoolers to these boring unintelligent, god get-them-away-from-me group. If he did teach medicine, they might run into far fewer problems.

1/10.

Breaking News (1994–1997)

Brilliant

[20 February 2001]

Between 'Frontline'and 'Media Watch', the credibility of 'tabloid tv' was destroyed. Brilliant playing, great scripts, and all this, on a shoestring budget. Like 'The Games', 'Frontline' often prophesied actual stories. Journalists both loved it and hated it. It's a shame these guys did 'The Panel'. It's not likely that tv comedy will get as good as this in the near future.

Blankety Blanks (1977–1979)

Groundbreaking tv comedy

[31 October 2000]

"Cyril said ...'OOOOHHHH, my friend Derek got his hand stuck in my (BLANK)'. Hosted by the irrepressible Grahame Kennedy, it was bawdy, rude, and occassionally hilariously funny. Kennedy himself toed a fine line between naughty and offensive, and often goaded his panelists into the same. A cavalcade of celebrities (mostly minor), attuned to comic timing and the double entendre, completed the task. Contestants didn't win much, but it didn't matter. The series was revived, with Daryl Somers as the host, but it didn't have the verve, the nerve or the wickedness of the original

The Panel (1998–2007)

Not that smart

[31 October 2000]

The Panel shows the limitations of its very talented crew. Uninformed, unrehearsed, unprofessional, its speakers go from the merely thick to the completely annoying. Indeed, watching the promos generally save you more than an hour, as the promos show the funny bits, which are few and far between. I loved these guys in D-Gen, Frontline and the Castle, but I just cannot stomach the Panel.