johnd-18

I enjoy Debra Messing, Ben Stiller is always fun and I do love to watch Jennifer Aniston, she's so sexy and how Brad left, I dunno. And one of the greatest actors of our generation is Philip Seymour-Hoffman, and Hank Azaria is great too. But I also dunno how these guys got sucked into this lame ass project. The script had to suck from Day 1. I assume it was just a star driven pay day. Shame because the idea was great. It's a Writer/Director though and that's where it probably all came undone. Anyway, it made me keep falling asleep last night from midway onwards. I wouldn't bother unless you're wide awake and your pain threshold is at maximum.

So it's not the best film ever made, but it is so far away from the worst in my box that I feel compelled to write.

Look at what the independent critics say...today as I write Rotten Toms has it at 78%. That's a good mark. "A funny, poignant piece of meta-movie-making that is a worthy addition to the mockumentary genre" says Cinemania. MovieViews writes "The Delicate Art of Parking is held together because of its strong characters. They're funny, they're quirky and, most of all, they're realistic." That's just two. There's a lot more. So don't assume the worst. Rent it and have a few laughs at situations we've most of us experienced if we drive and park.

"The Honeymooners" is a romantic comedy with a real story. So many romantic comedies are just slushy. This one has grit and realistic events to laugh at. The characters go through the classic up and downs in a fast developing relationship. They're real, genuine and compelling. It is though, a comedy. It deliberately has moments of disbelief, but those moments are all part of two people finding each other, their commonalities and the things they can share joy in. Than there is the beautiful settings. What a place to honeymoon. This is one of the most gorgeous coasts you will ever see. Rolling pastures leading to beaches that are a total delight.

This film is fun and meaningful, momentarily hysterical and from time to time introspective...just like a real relationship.

I'd never heard of this before I saw it on cable tonight. It is a charming comedy of manners and diversity coming together for the happy ending. If you want a light laugh and to feel good, watch it. It comes in the tradition of Aussie comedy but at the more meaningful end. The victory of a diverse community first uniting to indoctrinate newcomers and then uniting to meet a dream is at turns deep and at others, just a damn good laugh. Jason Donovan is superb as the central cast member, Helen Dallimore is suburban sexy and a great "sensible" character. Gary Day as the crazy neighbour is fantastic. I am pretty sure I first saw him in a kiwi TV show called "Gloss" although he's not credited with that in IMDb. He's fun, slightly villainous, and should be getting a lot more screen time!

This is a good standard thriller. I saw it with a bunch of New Zealand theatre owners for a theatrical potential test screening and the reaction was mixed - some would show it, some not. It did very well on video and the women love Casper. I am connected to the movie, but I think an objective 6 to 7 out of 10 is fair as a video. Everyone likes the twist at the end!

This film has to be one of the all time best from us Kiwi's. It has managed to wrap comic material with menace and poolhall excitement in a great entertainment package. I hope it does enormously well on the international stage - it deserves to.