Change Your Image
mark-3629
Reviews
Starstruck (1982)
Revisiting my youth
I loved this film when it came out- so much so that I dyed my hair blue and started wearing my father's old winkle-picker shoes from the 60's.
I can't remember how many times I saw it in general release and sadly have lost the fabulous vinyl LP with it's extraordinary pop-up insert.
I watched it again last night on DVD and whilst the sound quality is pretty bad, it's one of those films that could benefit with a bit of loving car and remastering and cleaning up. In hindsight, it could be classed as the "Strictly Ballroom" of the 80's. The quirky characters that are such a calling card of Australian cinema, the deprecating humour and what a line-up of character actors and faces that we have known for years on our TV and film screens.
The features are interesting but I had to turn off the Steven McLean offering as he just kept going on and on.
I was puzzled by some of the deleted scenes as I have a distinct recollection of them being in the actual original release- the exploding pressure cooker sequence and a fantasy scene featuring the character of Angus at school which isn't part of the widescreen version I purchased a few years back. Were there a couple of versions or was it simply re-cut in recent times (like the dreadful cut version of "Picnic at Hanging Rock" which ruined what was a beautiful movie.
I still sat there last night joining in with the dialogue, singing the songs quietly to myself and having such a great time remembering a film making time in Australia when they made some real gems of comedy looking at the unique humour that makes us the Australians we are. A sweet film that took me right back to the Regent Cinema 2 in Adelaide in the early 80's and shone a light on the alternative music of the time, paving the way for the coming wave of great Aussie bands. Do yourself a favour- watch it and relive the 80's.
Still Life (2013)
A beautiful elegy on life's brevity
We saw 'Still Life" on Sunday- a truly beautiful film that is a wonderful and heart-churning lesson in how we relate to others in life and the reminder to connect with people. When the effort of not trying to cry causes such gut-wrenching anguish, you know that the film-maker has said what needs to be expressed. Talk to your neighbors, the person on the bus or really anyone: the lesson learned: who will grieve, miss you and be there when your time ends. Beautiful performances by Eddie Marsen and Joanne Froggatt. A wonderful elegy on connection: get yourself to the cinema. I guarantee that you will call someone you love/ care about after seeing this and hopefully re-think how you live your life. Just think of the old Bette Midler song "Hello in there" and then you'll get it......
The Women (2008)
Why did they do it?
I went along to this movie with some trepidation; the original is a masterpiece of both writing and acting and unfortunately my fears were realized. This is a humorless piece of work and I sat in the theater waiting for the wit and humor to begin- I'm still waiting, it seems. Updating the storyline to the present time just didn't work and the altering of characters an absolute travesty- why did they introduce Bette Midler's character when she disappeared just as quickly as she arrived; the related character in the 1939 original was an integral part of the plot. The women in the cinema laughed a few times but nothing touched me as being funny with the exception of a line from Meg Ryan talking to her mother about her situation and telling her that 'it's not like a 1930's movie'- I sorely wished I was viewing the 1930's version. It was all too touchy feely 'sisters stick together' and really needing some of the acerbic wit and clever dialog from the original play- I still watch the original movie and pick up a line that I have never caught before. There is no sense of closure to this new version, and whilst the 1939 movie is politically incorrect by todays standards, each thread was tied up and when the movie ended- it did so strongly. This remake should be labeled with a warning for any viewers- if you know the original, don't bother: I felt cheated by losing part of my life in a cinema watching this unmemorable piece of fluff. Bring on the Jungle Red!!
Paris, je t'aime (2006)
Paris will make you love her in all her diversity
For those who have visited and love Paris, this movie really tugs at the heart and wish you were there. It is a little overlong and some of the segments seemed unnecessary i.e the hairdresser story and the mime one left me cold. The stand out segments would be the injured immigrant and the subway comedy but the final story of the American tourist visiting Paris to test her french almost had me in tears- it was comic in the context of how bad her accent was (but as I have no french, she beats me hands down) and the poignancy of her realization of the effect that Paris had on her rang so true for me. I also loved the threading together in the final moments of the various characters who made up the rich tapestry that this film is. Recommended.