waltflanagansdog

I caught 'Out On A Limb' on TV late one night and expected to hate it. The plot is everywhere at once, there are so many characters only a competent director could give each their own traits and personality and the seen were Jeffrey Jones kills himself is so "B-Movie", one can't help but cringe.

However it's these "negative factors" that make Veber's movie so watchable. Broderick, Jones, Kling and the young girl playing the narrator all give decent performances, however it is the then-unknown John C. Reilly and Michael Monks that steal the movie as the dim-witted, red necks Jim and Jim.

Visually, the film seems to capture that small town middle America feel. And the two "temp" Deputy's are an utter delight to watch onscreen.

I'd recommend this movie to anyone who wants to unwind with a plot that draws you in without becoming stressful.

Ordinarily, this isn't the kind of film I would choose to sit down and watch, however as a Film Studies student, it is compulsory. The film starts of as all Ealing's do, aquainting you with the characters, the policeman, the milk-maids, the village aristocracy and whatnot. However it does take a darker-than-expected plot strand of trusting English villagers allowing German troops to take up residence in the village hall. The audience knows from the start and there are clues to the villagers all the way through. "'Ere, you're behavin' like a German" was, I believe uttered at one point.

The acting and cinematography are standard to the time, however it is it's plot that makes it differ. The movie almost becomes a dated version of 'Die Hard' towards the ending with the hostages (led by a Seaman home for his wedding) picking off the German's one by one and taking their weapons. However likening a classic Ealing movie to 'Die Hard' does seem somewhat sacreligious.

Social representation is also a treat to watch in movies such as this. The "good English folk" are too trusting, the residents of the Village Manor are your quintessential English folk, (tea-time, pipes and all) and the working classes are good "salt of the Earth folk". Even anti-war campaigners can feel proud to be British after watching this movie.

"Went the Day Well? We died and never knew. But, well or ill, freedom, we died for you."

Nurse Betty is by far one of the best movies I've seen this year, the script is beautifully black, the performances (every single one) are perfect and LaBute's work is visually stunning.

Obviously the stand out performance in the cast is Zellweger who stumbles through most of her scenes in delightful confusion. Freeman and Rock are a great pairing who seemingly bounce off one another and Kinnear delivers another fine performance (a little similar to his role in Mystery Men, though).

I think the hip Tarantino indie kids can enjoy this as well as wholesome movie goers who just love a happy ending.

PS Does anyone know where I can get a tape of 'Reason To Love'?

I saw the pilot of the series last week and it was excellent, the cast was great, it was the best looking TV show I've ever seen and I'm really looking forward to the second episode.

Once again, Channel 4 have excelled themselves and brought a funny, gritty, ground breaking series that should run for years!

The other day, I was bored. I chose to see a movie. The movie that started nearest to my arrival at the cinema was Harry Enfield's much hypes 'Kevin and Perry Go Large'. I was somewhat hesitant to see this movie as even those little 3 minute 'Kevin' sketches on Enfield's TV show bored me. Frankly, the idea of making one of these sketches over an hour long seemed like a bad idea from the start.

The movie was dire.

Enfield did not amuse nor ever has amused me. The few scenes that I enjoyed were played by the under used Kathy Burke or the much funnier Paul Whitehouse in a mere cameo role. Laura Fraser continues her run of bad movies ('Virtual Sexuality', anyone?) and Rhys Ifans has gone even lower (if possible) in my estimation.

Usually, when telling somebody about a movie I would finish by saying' but you should see it for yourself'. Not this one. I strongly advise you all to not see this movie... EVER.

Oh, and 'I wanna do it with you' is more irritating than than nettle rash.

A tired 'movie poster' style summary I know but this movie truly is a hoot. I remember seeing this movie on TV last year sometime and I don't think I've laughed so much in my life.

The movie starts with a disclaimer firstly telling us that it's based on a true story. And then letting us down with 'This is what MIGHT have happened'.

The protagonist is a former swimmer who is demoted to janitor after injury. His ex-wife the team captain who is held hostage.

I can't remember why terrorists hold a swim team hostage but that's beside the point. Rutger 'Show me the money' Hauer backs up the comment that Blade Runner was a one off by playing a crippled Red Indian Bomb expert who has some kind of tie with the leading baddie, they were at 'The Academy' together or something.

This movie is playing on the tired 'Die Hard' formula that 'Under Siege' proved has had it's day.

The set is silly, the plot is silly, the acting is silly. Please note this is not a good silly, like Monty Python or anything. In fact one of the (many, many) problems with this movie is that it takes it's self so seriously.

If you can, watch this move and you can see for yourself.

I have seen Dogma 3 times this week already, why do I keep going back? Because there is so much to take in. Kevin Smith has created fabulous comedies in Clerks and Mallrats and a moving Drama in Chasing Amy but now, he has extended the View Askewniverse to Illinois when the fanboy favourites Jay and Silent Bob go in search of Shermer, Illinois. The stellar cast that they meet trying to get home to New Jersey, (after finding out John Hughes is a liar!) all deliver exceptional performances, Smith regulars Jason Lee, Ben Afflek and Jason Mewes (not forgetting Kevin Smith, himself) all come complete with there usual witticisms. Hardened actors such as Alan Rickman, Linda Fiorentino and Salma Hayek fit into their characters like a pair of old Nike's and two actors that grate on the nerves , Chris Rock and Matt Damon almost redeem themselves. Special note however must go to the over hyped but excellent all the same cameo from Canadian warbler Alanis Morrisette as the omnipotent one Himself, handstands an' all. The structure of the original script was marvellous and one feels the need to point out that the only thing that let it down was the editing, desperate to whittle it down a a 'bite size' two minutes the powers that be seem to have taken the 'flow' away from the film. But don't let that put you off seeing one of the funniest films of the year. Oh, and platypus lovers, even you get an apology!