Change Your Image
tucostevens54
Reviews
13th Day of Christmas (2021)
Genuinely creepy, not bad for a first effort
The 13th Day of Christmas is an amateur film and it shows; with lighting, intermittent sound quality and such. But beyond that is a film that is actually pretty good.
Copper David Jennings is leading his crew on a hunt for "the Christmas Killer", who has been hacking their way through the holiday season. Out of the office, he visits his brother James, who runs a swanky club, and mum, who oddly looks about the same age as him. Alongside this plot is that of a dysfunctional family, the Blunts, whose Dad is alienating his wife and eldest daughter by gambling. These two stories eventually, tragically, coincide.
The main problem with the film is it tries to fit too much in, perhaps it would have worked better as a series. Subplots abound, with a workplace romance, a battered husband (in a particularly unsettling scene) and the lead character's divorce all making appearances, though several tail off without a conclusion.
The script, by actor/writer Dan Brothers, mostly shines in the more domestic scenes, particularly in scenes with the Blunts; with Mike Parker's grizzled but caring Clifford coming across as the most naturalistic in the film. Other standouts include Richard Smith's (unfortunately brief) turn as an oh-so-camp gay best friend, and Kerry Barratt as David and James' formidable Mum. The final confrontation between policeman and killer is also very well done, and the twist is quite a surprise, although the killer's identity is unfortunately quite obvious from the moment they open their mouth. Additionally, the filmmakers have clearly gone to a lot of effort in preserving the look of the early Noughties, with chunky desk phones and the like littering the police station.
Certainly worth the price on Amazon Prime.
The Living Daylights (1987)
An underrated classic
Whilst a big fan of the Moore Bond, I was happy to see him leave after playing the role at least one film too many times (a 57 year old Bond wasn't quite right) and replaced with the far more earthy Timothy Dalton. Dalton allows the film to work as a more serious drama than its predecessors, and his relationship with beautiful cellist Kara Milovy (Maryam d'Abo) is both convincing and touching, a change from some of his brief flings in the past.
The film itself is very well plotted, with the defector Georgi Koskov (Jeroen Krabbe) warning MI6 of a newly initiated plot from Stalin's time "Smert Spionam" - death to spies. Koskov is snatched back from his safe house soon after, and Bond goes to assassinate the apparent mastermind of the scheme, his old friend KGB Director Leonid Pushkin (John Rhys-Davies.) But smelling a rat, he investigates Koskov by spending time with his girlfriend (hardly his most painful mission), and later learns that the situation isn't as straightforward as it seems.
Action scenes are still abound amidst all these scenes of serious drama (and lighter romantic scenes, such as Kara and Bond's time in Vienna), the whole final act involving a raid on a Russian air base by the mujahedeen and Bond's fighting the vicious killer Necros (Andreas Wisniewski) whilst hanging from the back of a transport jet. And of course, there's the obligatory car chase, followed by the less obligatory cello case chase.
The only major down side of the film (as many have mentioned before) is the lack of a memorable villain. Arms dealer Brad Whittaker (Joe Don Baker) has enough quirks for him to make a fun side villain, but he lacks charisma and his final battle with Bond seems more like an add-on to the end of the film. Koskov has potential, as his schemes are very well done and he is able to think quickly on his feet, but he is too slimy to be a master villain. On the other hand, lead henchman Necros could easily give classic henchmen a run for their money; he infiltrates Koskov's safe house single handedly using a garotte, explosive milk bottles and number of different accents.
All in all, an excellent film and one of my favorite Bonds.
Great Performances: Jesus Christ Superstar (2000)
What then to do about Jesus of Nazareth?
First of all, I think this version is much maligned even before people watch it, simply because it is not the original. Because the cast members are not the same as before they are automatically dismissed. So, at least give it a chance.
Now then, the production is clearly not so ambitious as its predecessor. I do prefer the change from the hippie style of the Norman Jewison film, but this is a little extreme - black leather and helmets, cast members clinging to gantries. But it didn't distract me too much, and in some areas in worked quite well, I particularly liked the lair of Caiaphas with the television screens picking up the action.
So, cast members then. Glenn Carter, while a little stroppy at times, is a lot more expressive than Ted Neeley. Renee Castle as Mary is heart-breaking as Mary, whilst Tony Vincent makes the most of his single scene as the youthful guerilla Simon the Zealot. Also of note are the villains, the deep voiced Caiaphas and his sinister, shrieky sidekick Annas, who resembles Pinhead from the Hellraiser series. Rik Mayall is also a scene stealer as King Herod, his decadent showman a far cry from Josh Mostel's chubby, frizzy haired hippy
By contrast Jérôme Pradon's shrieky voice is clearly not fitted to the role of Judas and at times grates on the ears. One of the most notorious critiques however, is Fred Johanson's performance as Pontius Pilate, is shrieks, bellows and goggles his eyes throughout the show, though he shows moments of promise during his "Pilate's Dream" number.
Again, a compromise between this version and the 1973 film would probably bring about an excellent adaptation. As it stands, Jesus hasn't quite changed water into wine.
Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
Not quite the Messiah...
So I first came across this film after listening to the original album and seeing the odd clip on YouTube (mostly of the somewhat maligned 2000 version). I wasn't exactly impressed.
The whole hippie shtick gives the whole film a dated appear and a sense of fakery, why should we invest in these characters if even in the film universe they are just characters playing parts; with very poor costumes to boot. Using the actual locations is an interesting touch though, despite them having crumbled somewhat since the early ADs.
Performance-wise, the film is a bit of a mixed bag. Carl Anderson is a great singer, but he seems to be almost permanently angry; if you listen to performances of him years later he has definitely honed things for the better. Ted Neeley's rock tenor with a gravelly undertone carries him through the most of the film, but his acting is about as wooden as the cross he is nailed to at the conclusion. The character actors fair better, Yvonne Elliman and Barry Dennen, who were with the show since its inception as an album, manage to bring pathos to Jesus' devoted disciple and the troubled procurator respectively, with Dennen's "Pilate's Dream" being an understated highlight of the film. Bob Bingham is also a hit as the booming bass voiced Caiaphas, who decides that killing Jesus will ease the oppression of the Romans - a film exclusive song "Then We Are Decided" allows him to become a more well rounded figure as he and slimy sidekick Annas (Kurt Yaghjian) try to decide how to fix the Jesus problem.
All in all, a very mix bag. Good scenery but bad costuming and style, acting on a scale ranging from stiff as a board to meaningful and moving. Combine the good points of this film with the good points of the 2000 version and you might just have a fine adaptation.
All in all, a 6.
Les Misérables (1998)
An unfaithful, truncated... excellent adaptation.
Bille August's adaptation of the classic tale of redemption, revenge and romance is not a faithful adaptation of the book. Characters are reduced to bit parts, or are eliminated entirely, whilst the ending is removed. But this does not stop it from being an excellent film. Dramatically shot and convincingly acted, this is one for the ages.
The ever reliable Liam Neeson provides the film's soul as the repentant convict Jean Valjean, believable as both a former criminal and a saintly figure, touching with his female costars and smouldering when confronting his nemesis, the ever watchful Javert. The Javert of this film is colder and crueller than the professional of Hugo's book, but in the hands of Geoffrey Rush, he still garners sympathy as his duty -bound world falls apart. Uma Thurman provides pathos in her brief role as Fantine, as does Claire Danes, whose relationship with Valjean provides the true emotional heart of the film. Also notable is Peter Vaughan as the Bishop of Digne, the man who sets Valjean on the path to redemption.
So if you are looking for a faithful adaptation, look elsewhere. But if you seek a moving, dramatic and entertaining film, you cant wrong with this version.
Doctor Who: A Christmas Carol (2010)
"I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future!"
Doctor Who's Christmas Specials have occasionally been hit and miss, sacrificing quality for spectacle. I'm happy to say that this year's entry did nothing of the sort.
Whilst in the honeymoon suite of a starship, Amy and Rory (dressed in their police and centurion costumes for reasons they don't wish to discuss) are about to crash land. Their only hope is Kazran Sardick (Michael Gambon) a cruel old miser who controls the sky. Borrowing an idea from his old friend Charles Dickens, The Doctor shows Kazran his past, present and future in the hope of bringing some warmth to the old man's heart.
The visuals in this episode, particularly on Kazran's palace, are spectacular, but it is the acting that is the real treat this Christmas. Gambon is sublime as he subtly transforms in true Scrooge style, whilst soprano Katherine Jenkins makes a pleasing debut, although a plot point involving her singing may possibly point out some stunt casting.
But the real Christmas star here is Matt Smith, who has settled into the role quite comfortably by now, he manages to be both entertaining and empathetic at the same time, some of his best scenes involving his interaction with the young Kazran, and later when he finds himself engaged to most unusual (yet familiar) bride.
This years episode ends on a high, despite the tragic fate befalling one of the characters and leaves this reviewer hungry for more.
Great Performances: Chess in Concert (2009)
Rice's gambit pays off.
Watching Chess with no idea what to expect, I was completely blown away by this DVD.
First of all, despite many negative comments, Idina Menzel makes a very convincing Florence, and while she does falter on some of the high notes, her performance more than makes up for it. Josh Groban brings a quiet intensity to Anatoly and manages to wow audiences in his big numbers, particularly the act-ending 'Anthem' while Adam Pascal, playing his opposite number, is brilliantly boorish, but manages equally to play Freddie's change of heart and inner monologues (Pity the Child) convincingly.
The supporting cast all compliment the key players well, my particular favourite being David Bedella as the sinister, yet charismatic Molokov. The staging and storyline show just why Chess was never a success on the West End or Broadway, but as a recording, it is sure to endure along with the greats.
The Godfather II (2009)
Flawed but fun, an offer you shouldn't refuse.
When the Don of New York is killed following Castro's rebellion in Cuba, Don Michael Corleone places responsibility for his business interests squarely in your hands...
Taking numerous liberties with the source material, The Godfather II is an interesting game. The main appeal is the building of your own empire and 'Family', whilst eliminating your rivals in the traditional Sicilian fashion. However, the main story of the game is somewhat flawed, complete a mission, take over some businesses, etcetera. Sometimes a free-hand is not always what is best.
However, while it lasts, the game is particularly addictive, interacting with characters from the famous film as you counter assassination attempts, FBI hearings and even attempt to eliminate the dictatorship of Cuba. The fighting system is just a complex as the previous game, with plenty of imaginative execution methods to keep you occupied.
The voice cast is generally on good form, although several key players from the film such as G.D. Spradlin (Senator Geary), Carmine Caridi and Danny Aiello (The Rosato Brothers), not to mention Al Pacino himself, are notably absent. However, Robert Duvall performs excellently as the unflappable consigliere Tom Hagen.
Perhaps a game for rental rather than purchase, this is a game which should not be missed.
Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon (2008)
Furon Boogie...
After twenty years of harvesting brain stems, Cryptosporidium 139 and his bodiless commander Orthopox are living a cushy existence in the Space Dust Casino Los Paradiso. That is, until their lives are turned upside down by an attack from the Molinari brothers, sending on the them on an adventure involving the secret art of kung-fu, a raid on the Louvre and synthetic Furon DNA made mostly of peanut butter...
Yes, after two titles, Destroying All Humans isn't as fresh as it once was. However, the weapons, abilities and story are fresher than ever, with Seventies pop culture references thrown in at every turn. (Who ever imagined vaporising Frenchmen whilst listening to the YMCA? True, the game is quite short and simple (the final boss came all to soon), but the graphics are brilliant, the dialogue is hilarious (particularly between Pox and Crypto, the ever excellent Richard Horvitz and Grant Albrecht) and the game-play is immensely fun while it lasts.
Buy this game!
Pushing Daisies (2007)
Bringing new life to an old genre...
I first watched Pushing Daisies not knowing what to expect. And after the first episode, I still had my doubts. But after the second episode, the show had me hooked.
Ned (Lee Pace) is a pie-maker who has the extraordinary ability to bring dead things back to life, but only for sixty seconds, or something else will take their place. He meets avaricious private investigator Emerson Cod (Chi McBride) who enters him into a partnership; find out who killed Emerson's murder victims and collect the reward. Everything is going along smoothly until Ned resurrects his recently murdered childhood sweetheart, Charlotte Charles (Anna Friel), and decides to keep her alive for good. The only twist is, they can never touch...
A quirky, sentimental, and often hilarious piece of television, Pushing Daisies is a true piece of family entertainment, sweet, but not saccharine, with elements of gripping drama and moving romantic comedy, it features excellent performances from all the cast, with Pace and Friel being all too believable as the leads, and excellent support from McBride and Wicked's Kristin Chenoweth as the waitress who is in love with Pie Maker. The cast is rounded off with Ellen Greene and Swoosie Kurtz as Charlotte's eccentric aunts and Carry On stalwart Jim Dale as the omniscient Narrator. Completing the triumph with an unforgettable visual design that conjures up images of Tim Burton and Lemony Snicket, and featuring an award winning score by Jim Dooley, this is a show for the ages.