This movies is a blast. Rush & Depp are perfect. Depp's acting takes this movie to a whole different level. The picture is always nice to look at and the story is good. One flaw - it is too long. Why would any director take a commercial piece like this and allow it to stretch over 2 hours, let alone nearly 2 & 1/2 is beyond me. I can see Terry Gilliam wanting to hold out for a masterpiece like Brazil or Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings due to it's very detailed plot, but come one, this is supposed to be light fare.
Reviews
9 Reviews
Stuart Saves His Family
(1995)
Under-rated -Must See-
1 August 2003
I really liked this movie. And no, I have never been in a 12 step program. But we all know people like this and we all share some of these experiences. But beside all that, it is funny. Al Franken is excellent. Julia Sweeney's "I'm sorry" character is hysterical. Sure it's a little movie but great if you are interested in human behavior.
Brazil
(1985)
It doesn't get much better than this
1 August 2003
I must say it is very interesting to read the reviews about this movie. Those who don't like it, obviously don't get it. But oddly, many who do like it don't get it either or are making it too complex. Yes, there is complexity, but come on, it is basically bureaucracy(the system) versus imagination(the human part.) You don't need to understand much more. Sure there is the psychotic logic of it all which is hard to follow, but that's the point! This is not futurism, this is happening NOW! The dream sequences are his expression of his humanity. (By the way, this, and the ending, were the parts which were ironically cut by Universal when Gilliam refused to edit it down.) The whole process of society is dehumanizing and this is a film correcting our priorities. Gilliam plays the mad genius well and scores points for the old, crotchity, eccentric, artist in us all. Thanks. BTW, To see a mythologically re-enacted version of the making of this movie, watch Baron Von Munchhausen.
This Is Spinal Tap
(1984)
This one rates an Eleven!!!
1 August 2003
Ok maybe that was too obvious. I still enjoy popping in this DVD now and again. BTW, The DVD is incredible. Lots of extras, very funny commentary. I suppose some non-musicians may enjoy this, especially ones who know musicians, but in generally it is a lot of inside jokes.
Ed Wood
(1994)
The BEST
31 July 2003
It helps if you know a bit about Ed Wood, or get a copy of Criswell Predicts. But either way this movies is incredible. Depp, Bill Murray, the whole cast is spot on. Burton rules. Watch it friend, because it is where you and I will be spending the rest of our lives.
The Meaning of Life
(1983)
Timothy Leary's favorite movie
31 July 2003
This is more like the Flying Circus show than the other two movies. It is also full of songs. Luckily, the songs are hilarious. Like, "Every Sperm is Sacred" and "Isn't fun to have a Penis." Fun for the whole family. Like in the other two films by Python they go for the throat. Nothing is sacred. (except possibly sperm) From birth to death they spoof everything we dumb humans have gone through and man is it ugly. Thank Jehovah for humor!!! (I know, I'm only making it worse for myself.) Besides, give it a look for old Tim's sake.
Life of Brian
(1979)
Too Funny?
31 July 2003
Every religious person on the entire earth should be strapped down, like in "A Clockwork Orange" and forced to watch this movie over and over. Yes, it is a comedy, but it also contains the most brilliant insights into life ever before contained on celluloid. Like, is Brian's big nose from his mother or his fathers side? How could Jesus speak to the multitudes? And of course, what part did Biggus Dickus play in the political history of Rome. After tackling the local Mythology of Briton with Holy Grail, the Pythons go after bigger game with the major mythology of western civilization. The trilogy is then capped off with a go at the meaning of life itself in their third film. This one however, is arguably the funniest. Moral = Always look at the light side of life.
If you don't laugh, go kill yourself
31 July 2003
This is the single funniest movie ever made, (which is why I rated it a 3) with the possible exception of Monty Pythons next movie the Life of Brian. And it just keeps getting funnier! Actually, I don't know why I am bothering to write this, because if you haven't seen this movie yet you are either a) a stuck up git, b) a loser c) a hermit (Reg, can I borrow yer goat?!) or very, very young. OK, then if your are very, very young run out and get this, but skip the bits about the spankings and the oral sex.
Spirits of the Dead
(1968)
A tale told by an idiot! NOT
31 July 2003
Ok, so you already know I like these movies by my user name. And it is three separate movies all based on stories by Edgar Allen Poe. The father of modern storytelling. Metzengerstein is very poetic. No pun intended. And Jane Fonda looks amazing, by the way. (worth the price of admission alone.) William Wilson is an excellent story, considered the first of it's kind; dealing with split-personality. But the masterpiece is Fellini's Toby Dammit. Terrence Stamp is simply possessed. I feel this story right along with him. Stamp is a very under-rated actor. The mood and tone created by Fellini is fantastic. Very fascinating study which is so different than the original Poe story and yet it really captures the spirit of it. You'll want to run out and read the original. Titled "Never Wager Your Head To The Devil." A good bit of advice from Poe, the author without a moral. If you have never gotten Fellini before try this one.
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