cottrellpj

Merchant has likability and physical presence/gawkiness going for him (shades of John Cleese's Ministry of Silly Walks). It's more consistently amusing than laugh out loud funny. Compared to "you know who" he presents with much less ego and seemed comfortable involving the audience in his act. Though he gets a lot of mileage out of being cheap/tight- fisted/stingy, the "man has to pay for everything on a date" schtick is very dated (pun intended).

Another reviewer noted that at times this felt like an actor playing the role of a stand-up comedian and there is some truth in that - especially since HBO is putting together a series of "Hello Ladies" featuring Merchant as a hapless Brit searching for love in L.A.. There may be some mileage in this character!

Lots of good performances here, but a lack of cohesion. I'm an Ian Dury fan (as well as Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Wreckless Eric et al) and I was struck by the lack of historical context. Other than a brief reference to The Sex Pistols, there's no sense of time or place here, no evidence of the seminal Stiffs Live tour that cemented Ian's fame and a lack of recognition to the Blockheads, who were (and are) one of the best bands ever - their funkiness and elasticity were unique. A lot of psychological flashbacks and a last 20 minutes that reminded me of a "Movie of the Week". Nowt about the years leading up to his passing. A newcomer might wonder what all the fuss was about.

Words almost fail me to describe how terrible this Irish vanity project (funded by Canadian taxpayers - both federal and Albertan) really is.

There's a sudden appearance by a nice looking Canadian woman (Kathy Ranheim) who in real life was a star athlete in Alberta, for no other reason to ensure Canadian content. Credits also indicate that certain Calgary pubs were of assistance.

Everything here is poorly filmed and at least third-hand (chunks of poorly digested Trainspotting, Lock Stock, Snatch and Reservoir Dogs are the most obvious steals). Avoid like the plague unless you fancy one of those campy "so bad it's almost funny" nights in front of your telly.

Watched "Chicks" last night on MovieCentral. This is leagues beyond the appalling "Men With Brooms" and smacks of hockey love and dressing-room-stink authenticity. You can almost hear Margot Kidder's false teeth clack with conviction! I found the mix of hand-held camera verite and the small town Alberta cinematography to be intoxicating. People who slag off Canadian movies should have a look at this unpretentious gem. I hope it comes out on DVD soon. It makes no apologies for its' setting or characters and is obviously filmed miles away from any studios. I'm amazed this got the financial go-ahead to proceed to film, though I doubt it played at any actual theaters except those within the legendary "200 mile radius" of Calgary.

I thought the "NBC" was about as well done as you could expect. A lot of the media "experts" (like the Globe and Mail) slagged this off in advance, but the original "Beachcombers" holds a place in the heart of all Canadians. Several old cast members are seen in cameos (the ones who are still alive, that is) but the spirit is the same somehow, despite Dave Thomas chewing the scenery every chance he gets. This is somehow meant to be lame, but the finished product meets with expectations. Now, did I watch the Christmas version or not? I can't seem to remember for some reason, perhaps because I've consumed more than a few BC microbrews this afternoon. Does Molly's Reach have Bowen Island Bitter on tap?

I just saw Standard Time at the Victoria Film Festival. Not just for incurable romantics like me, it should also appeal to fans of nostalgic flicks like "Purple Rose of Cairo". Deserves a full release.

Debbie

Normally I don't enjoy the handheld documentary style films, as they tend to induce waves of nausea, but Bloody Sunday had me riveted from the word go. That we already know how it's going to end is irrelevant, the pressure building on the day of the march is almost unbearable. Though there's been criticism that the film is slanted towards the republican point of view, I found it balanced, even in the depiction of the soldiers and officers. Everybody certainly looked the part and I went away feeling some sympathy for both sides. Given the close quarters and inflammatory nature of the conflict, it's amazing that bloodbaths like this (soldiers blasting civilians) haven't happened more often in Northern Ireland. It's only now, that retired soldiers have broken ranks and talked about what actually happened, that a film like this can see the light of day.

Saw Bend It while in London this summer, then twice on the charter plane back to Canada. Twice on the plane wasn't due to trans-Atlantic boredom, just pure enjoyment.

If there's any justice, this film will do very well in North America, especially with fans of Britflicks, ethnic flicks and soccer kids/Moms. The basic message is one of empowerment and acceptance. The "football" scenes are uncommonly well handled and the racial and sexual issues are dealt with in a deft fashion. I'm a bit of a cynic regarding "feel good movies" but this one left me with a big smile and no guilt. May not get a big theatrical release over here, but likely to do very well indeed on video.

Greatly enjoyed About a Boy, even more than (gasp) the book. There's nothing like Nick Hornby to give you a good time at the old cinny, but with a healthy dollop of fibre so you know that it's also good for you.

They definitely have to give out Oscars for performances like Hugh Grant's. Unfortunately, "light comedy/drama" doesn't cut it with the Academy. To date, Colin Firth and John Cusack have taken shots at Nick's classic "stunted emotional man trying to connect to real life without props (Pop, Arsenal, etc.)" but Hugh's is the best. Toni Collette also did extremely well, making a role that could have been laughable have real resonance by the end.

I think I enjoyed the film so much because, paradoxically, I didn't connect to the book the way I did to Fever Pitch and High Fidelity. I just took it as a movie, rather than as an adapted version of something very close to my heart. The only downside? It lost half a point for the "guitar at school" scene, which seemed to be pasted into the screenplay to give Will a chance to absorb humiliation on behalf of Marcus. But this is worthy of a high recommendation. Much more than a Hugh Grant romantic comedy chickflick.

The building blocks of this romantic comedy will be familiar to any movie-goer, but KJS comes at it from a "not quite lesbian" angle that makes it all feel fresh. It's fairly low budget, but the performances are uniformly brilliant, right across the board, and there are some nice atmospheric shots of New York. It's very naturalistic, non-exploitative and warm. Highly recommended for a date night, whatever your orientation.

This is acting of the very highest order by a British dream cast. The pace is leisurely, the tone sad, the journey well worth taking. Why no Oscar nominations? This is so un-Hollywood, it's a balm for adults who want to appreciate the cream of British talent.

The critic who wrote that Monsoon Wedding is "Altman Goes to Bollywood" had it exactly right.

This is a most enjoyable film about a culture that is familiar and very different all at the same time. The mix (sometimes in the same sentence) of the actors' native tongue and English is a delight and the various stories surrounding the wedding are well developed. Let's face it, the female characters are exotically stunning too, which helps. This will have a good run in the "art house" theatres and will be worth a purchase on DVD, as there's a lot of detail to savour, just like "Gosford Park".

Fort Apache is flawed, but interesting and atmospheric. Newman's and Asner's accents are a bit dodgy, but the location shooting and moral ambiguity place this 1981 movie firmly in the camp of 1970's police/New Yawk flicks. Rachel Ticotin is a real stunner, in a very early role. A lot of fuss was made over the portrayal of minority groups and the South Bronx generally when Fort Apache was being made, though it seems standard movie fodder now.

I didn't have high expectations of this "straight to DVD" release, filmed in Vancouver and featuring the Hansons, but no other talent from the original, impeccable "Slap Shot". I rented it, made my way through it and shook my head at the lack of wit, the lack of atmosphere (the original made you feel you were living in a down-at-heel steeltown) and the homophobia/sexism. The "F" word is bandied about liberally, but it wasn't an organic part of the script, just an add-on to gain an R rating. The Hansons are clearly trying to keep their careers going, despite being rather long in the tooth. Don't talk to me about Baldwin's performance, either. This feels like a TV movie with some swearing and T&A glued on.

I write this in the post-Oscars afterglow of Denzel Washington's victory. Pity the movie wasn't more worthy of honours on its' own. I greatly enjoyed the first hour, Massa Washington chewed the scenery with a relish reminiscent of Ben Kingsley's Don Logan in "Sexy Beast". But the filmmakers kept upping the ante past the point of ridiculousness. The pretence of realism gives way to a Hollywood shoot 'em up near the end and cost it a point or two in my estimation.

Never thought I'd say "Thank God for Gordon Pinsent", but it was nice to see a token Newfoundlander included in the American/UK all-star cast...I believe he was the dialogue coach and he was mostly successful in helping the likes of Juliana Moore approximate the singular not-quite-Irish Newfie tones.

Dame Judi Dench was spot on perfect, Kevin Spacey improved markedly after a slow beginning (his character appeared to grow in intelligence as time wore on) but this wasn't as emotionally satisfying as "Cider House". Still worthwhile however, for some nice humourous dialogue in the newspaper office, gorgeous scenery and a sense of place. The very mature audience in Victoria seemed to appreciate it.

Jack Black is something of a genius, so I was persuaded to check out the cheap matinee this afternoon with my teenage kids ($4 Canadian, can't beat it!). I kept waiting for the flick to degenerate, but it never did. Jack is neutered in the role, you can see his evil mind ticking over at the things he'd like to say that aren't in the script, but he's playing along because this is his Big Chance. And he doesn't blow it. The film is surprisingly sweet-natured and the audience (all ages) seemed to lap it up. Is this JB's "Wedding Singer"? We'll see, but if this is a success (early signs say yes), he'll use the leverage for a no-holds-barred Tenacious D movie. Now THAT will make him hard to control!

OK, the poster shows some nubile young things wearing school uniforms with short skirts. Piper Perabo is in some lesbian scenes? Bring it on!

But this is a very well made picture, filmed on a low type Canadian budget, entirely on location at a school in Quebec. Remarkably atmospheric and Piper Perabo turns in a magnetic performance. Give me Piper over Angela Jolie any time (this role begs certain comparisons to Girl, Interrupted). The supporting actors are wonderful and the sexual interludes are never exploitative, they're an organic part of the story. I forgot where I was for a while, I haven't had that feeling at a movie for a long time. This film will please the discerning fan of any gender, young intelligent females, but men looking for T&A will be disappointed.

I've got to agree with most of the reviews out there...this one should have been much more than it was. Good cast, written by Billy Crystal and a guy from Larry Sanders (lots of insider knowledge about show-biz there) and they rely on bad Spanish accents and a horny Doberman for cheap laughs. Catherine Z-J seems to be the only one totally comfortable here, Julia underplays her role, John Cusack wishes he was working on one of his pet projects. Not as funny as it could have been, the romantic side was also underdeveloped. All the same, it flew by and made for a not unpleasant matinee. I give it 6/10.

A bit unfair to criticize this film too much, it's set up like a British made for television feature (low budget, authentic grotty settings, ludicrous phony snow on the streets) and is clearly intended for a young audience. This must be the only Britflick I've seen lately that doesn't use the "f" or "c" words. In the end I felt good about it, despite the predictable progress of the plot and the heavyhanded "moral of the story" moments. The viewer will enjoy this more if he/she is up on British footballing culture, and the accents are much thicker than on Coronation Street, so you have been warned. Good cast, though every part except Jimmy Grimble himself is underwritten. McKee is gorgeous (but who buys her as a slutty single Mum?) and Carlyle takes a minimalist approach to a role that's already fairly thin on paper. Winstone is a wonderful presence without much to do, and the football scenes are more believable than in most pictures (except for the final moments, in which Jimmy is either 100 yards offside or the entire opposition took an actor's union tea break).

Just bought the DVD for $20 (Canadian) and was very glad I did. Wonderfully paced and shot (in the beautiful Nicola Valley of BC) plus Sean Penn didn't allow Jack Nicholson a single moment of mugging for the camera. Somber but riveting in every way. Highly recommended.

Sorry, couldn't resist a cod quote from The Proclaimers to start things off.

"Sexy Beast" is getting incredibly good press in North America. Most of it's deserved, but for me it never really quite reached the heights of, say, "Trainspotting" or "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels". I think the critics are going ga-ga over Ben Kingsley's over the top, scenery chewing, this-can't-be-the-same-guy-who-played-Gandhi mad-dog gangster role. It's fun to watch him doing his thing, but North Americans queasy over the use of the "c" word are warned!

For me, the best bits were the subtle, small touches of romance and the palpable fear and loathing as the happily retired old lag is dragged back into the life he'd left behind. Also nice to see a Cockney Criminals Britflick filmed in Spain. Look out for that rock!

There's an inexhaustible hunger for "basic training" movies, so it's surprising that this one got so little notice when first released. Looks likely to have a well-deserved second life on DVD/VHS.

Tigerland isn't uniformly great by any means, there are some terribly cliched characters (especially the portrayal of the NCO's, makes you long for the return of Lee 'Full Metal Jacket' Ermey) but the lead performance of Colin Farrell is the stuff of instant stardom. Charisma to burn and a role any actor would kill to get.

Someone commented that Guy Richie can create more laughs with editing than others can with dialogue and acting...I think they have a point. I was prepared to dismiss Brad Pitt as a star slumming in a cool film, but he was damn good as the incomprehensible Gypsy fighter. To me "Lock, Stock" had more panache and surprise, but this was an agreeable evening out. Doubt I'd buy the DVD though, unless it were a dodgy deal and fell of the back of a lorry or sommat :)

The good stuff:

Renee Z: Pitch perfect as Bridget. A performance without ego, winning every moment she's on-screen (in other words, the whole movie).

Hugh Grant: His best role for years. Not the stuttering, bumbling sweetie, but a deliciously slimy cad.

Colin Firth: My wife finally sees why women are nuts about him. Wonderful counterpoint to Grant, their jousting was fun and provided some nice edginess.

And now the problems...the movie lost it about the halfway mark. The "diary" structure which worked so well for the first section was abandoned altogether and it became a more "conventional" romantic comedy. Also, England was shown as either dusted with snow or in bright sunshine (where's the rain, lads?) everyone (except Bridget) has homes worthy of millionaires and the "supporting friends" roles (well written by Richard Curtis in 4 Weddings and Notting Hill) are woefully sketchy and incomplete. The fight between Grant and Firth is ludicrous and out of place.

So, I was looking for at least a 9 (after half an hour) but in the end 7/10 will about do it. Bring Renee back to London for "The Edge of Reason", please!