A man dressed as Santa Claus is robbing houses in a seedy part of Los Angeles. He is disturbed by the tenants of one particular flat, a fight ensues and he escapes with their rent money. What could have been an interesting opening soon descends into a lazy farce, strewn with archetypal 'black' comedy characters; fast-talking middle aged women, macho convicts with a taste for anal sex, hookers with hearts of gold. No comedic stone is left unturned; but it says a lot about the film that you really don't care what happens to the protagonists. That the film runs for less than 90 minutes is blessing indeed. It's sad to see Ice Cube (once a talented rapper, and interesting actor in Boyz N The Hood) reduced to this shameless mugging.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Batman & Robin
(1997)
A short review
14 August 2003
Watching this movie is like being trepanned with the edge of a concrete block. A colossal waste of your time, and more importantly your money. I had the misfortune to experience this shambles in the cinema. It holds the distinction of being the only time I asked for my money back. In a word: Terrible.
SF:UK
(2001– )
Hope they repeat this programme soon
5 July 2002
'SF:UK' was a great programme, detailing the developments in British science-fiction writing film and television over the last 100 years. It stretched all the way back to HG Wells, and covered everything in-between...'The Prisoner', 'Dr Who', 'Things To Come','2000AD', 'A Clockwork Orange', Quatermass, and so on.
Particularly brilliant was the episode dealing with comic book legend Alan Moore and his ground breaking comic series' 'Watchmen', and 'V for Vendetta'. Presenter Matthew de Abaitua even managed to secure an interview with the great man.
de Abaitua's droll contributions always made the programme watchable, and helped place developments in British sci-fi within the political and social goings on of the period in question.
Great television. Only problem was it was on at 2.30am!
Particularly brilliant was the episode dealing with comic book legend Alan Moore and his ground breaking comic series' 'Watchmen', and 'V for Vendetta'. Presenter Matthew de Abaitua even managed to secure an interview with the great man.
de Abaitua's droll contributions always made the programme watchable, and helped place developments in British sci-fi within the political and social goings on of the period in question.
Great television. Only problem was it was on at 2.30am!
The Warrior
(2001)
Korea's answer to 'Crouching Tiger...'
5 July 2002
An above average period action-movie, that was reportedly the most expensive production ever mounted in South Korea. Unfortunately it cannot hold a candle to the vastly superior 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' (even though this film also stars the delectable Zhang Ziyi) or 'Once Upon A Time In China'. The cinematography recalls Janus Kaminski's work on 'Saving Private Ryan', the camera being over-cranked in the battle scene's to produce an effect of hyper-realism.
All in all worth seeing, but instantly forgettable.
All in all worth seeing, but instantly forgettable.
Avalanche
(1994 TV Movie)
One for the 'so bad it's good' file
5 July 2002
I had the misfortune of seeing this crapulous effort on television a few years ago. Suffice it to say Michael Gross phones in his performance, and Hasselhoff is the least convincing thief/psycho...EVER! If you have a couple of hours to kill, watch it and prepare to laugh.
Almost Famous
(2000)
Like listening to the Eagles. YOU DECIDE.
19 September 2001
A friend of mind told me this was a very good film, so when it became available in the video store I rented it. I finished watching it about a half hour ago. My initial reaction was to say that I didn't like it. The first problem with this film is that it is overlong. The second problem is the performance (or non-performance) of Kate Hudson. How on earth did she get nominated for an Oscar? The third and most serious flaw of the movie is the time period in which it is set. I know that after Jerry Macguire Cameron Crowe could pretty much do whatever he wanted, but for God's sake! Some of you out there may be fans of The Eagles or Crosby, Stills & Nash, and if you are, great! You'll enjoy this. If, like me, you think that almost every American record not made by Iggy Pop c.1971 - 1974 SUCKED BIG TIME, avoid this film. It resembles the music made by those bands; it thinks it is striving towards some great profound truth, when it is really bombastic, insincere and boring.
The one thing that saves Almost Famous from being total garbage is Philip Seymour Hoffman. The man livens up every scene he's in, and gets the message of the film across in his few brief appearances; don't meet your heroes, you'll only end up disappointed. Just like you will if you rent/buy this film.
The one thing that saves Almost Famous from being total garbage is Philip Seymour Hoffman. The man livens up every scene he's in, and gets the message of the film across in his few brief appearances; don't meet your heroes, you'll only end up disappointed. Just like you will if you rent/buy this film.
Memento
(2000)
One of the greatest films of the past ten years
25 April 2001
A lot of the time people are given to hyperbole when they see a good film at the cinema. 'It was fantastic...brilliant...best film I've seen in ages.' The real test is if the film sticks in your head. I saw Memento three months ago, and as soon as it is available to rent on video I will be first in line for a copy.
The story concerns a man named Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce aka Ed Exley from LA Confidential, Mike from Neighbours), who as a consequence of witnessing his wifes rape and murder has lost his short term memory. He can only remember moments after this event in fifteen minute periods. Afterwards he forgets everything. He is trying to find his wifes killer, but the clues he gathers are not in his head. They are maps, diagrams, Polaroid photos, and tattoos of names and places which cover his body. He needs to rearrange this information to find the killer.
This could have been a very straightforward thriller, but in the hands of director Christopher Nolan it becomes a film which will mess with your mind for weeks after viewing. The editing and cinematography really contribute to an air of extreme paranoia, as do the peformances of the actors (including the delectable Carrie-Anne Moss).
In my view it was a scandal that this film was not exhibited in time for the Oscar nominations. It would have beaten Gladiator (great film though it is) hands down to the best picture statuette. If that sounds like hyperbole, go see the film. You'll see what I mean.
The story concerns a man named Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce aka Ed Exley from LA Confidential, Mike from Neighbours), who as a consequence of witnessing his wifes rape and murder has lost his short term memory. He can only remember moments after this event in fifteen minute periods. Afterwards he forgets everything. He is trying to find his wifes killer, but the clues he gathers are not in his head. They are maps, diagrams, Polaroid photos, and tattoos of names and places which cover his body. He needs to rearrange this information to find the killer.
This could have been a very straightforward thriller, but in the hands of director Christopher Nolan it becomes a film which will mess with your mind for weeks after viewing. The editing and cinematography really contribute to an air of extreme paranoia, as do the peformances of the actors (including the delectable Carrie-Anne Moss).
In my view it was a scandal that this film was not exhibited in time for the Oscar nominations. It would have beaten Gladiator (great film though it is) hands down to the best picture statuette. If that sounds like hyperbole, go see the film. You'll see what I mean.
Blue Collar
(1978)
A brilliant film, with great performances
25 April 2001
I saw this film late at night on television and loved it. It is very rare to find an American film tackling issues like corruption in organised labour, or the despair of being at the bottom rung of the economic ladder. That's not to say that this film is preachy or heavy-handed in it's message. The social comment is contrasted with moments of humour and tension. The script is great, and so are the performances especially Richard Pryor (in a straight role) as Zeke Brown, a frustrated union man who wants to 'get him some representation!' I cannot recommend this movie enough, especially if you enjoyed Five Easy Pieces, or Riff Raff.
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