johnfos

I've just seen this movie for the first time and thought I would pen a short comment, but feel that Look Both Ways is a movie that could improve with multiple viewings...

Over the space of a weekend we follow a group of ordinary Australians who are mostly connected through the tragedy of a train crash. We watch as couples and families work through their feelings, cope with their relationships, and manage health problems.

In so doing Look Both Ways explores the ups and downs we all face as we lead our lives and has a relevance for each and every viewer. It's not just light entertainment, there is a serious message here as well.

And yet this is not a movie that has actors preaching to the audience; in fact there is very limited dialogue. The movie is often carried by fast-moving images and an eclectic soundtrack.

Robin Williams only has one scene in this film, but it has become my favourite scene in the whole movie.

Robin is one of my favourite actors and his role here as the crazy Russian Dr Kosevich is hilarious.

The story goes that the eccentric gynaecologist has mainly worked on rats and monkeys, and only recently moved up to humans. The confusion which ensues in the consultation room, as he tries to cope with the new computer and a high-tech examination table, will surely have you laughing out loud.

Trivia: Nine Months is a US remake of the French movie Neuf mois.

It's a bit simplistic to call this a "road movie", but certainly much of the story follows a group of unlikely Bhutanese travellers hitch-hiking and riding in all manner of vehicles. Interspersed with this theme is a second story of a love triangle in the rugged mountains. Both stories are commentaries about the complexities of life and romance in the Himalayas as western ways take root.

Comparisons will inevitably be drawn with Khyentse Norbu's earlier movie, The Cup, and I have to admit that I preferred The Cup. I'll never forget the youthful exuberance of those monks as the World Cup soccer final approached. And I feel the Buddhist message was a bit more direct in The Cup.

However, the tagline of Travellers and Magicians is "The bitter and sweet of temporary things", and this sounds pretty Buddhist to me. We tend to forget that everything is transitory and grasp at it as if it will exist forever, and this is the cause of our suffering.

And that, kind friends, is the extent of my Buddhist wisdom for today.

Enjoy!

One woman took on a corporate giant, and won. This is her story...

The people in the small town of Hinkley in California suffered more than their share of serious illnesses, including cancer. Near the town was a plant owned by a Californian utility company. This film traces the link between the running of the plant and the local people who became sick, and is based on a true story.

Erin Brockovich (Julia Roberts in an award-winning performance) worked as a filing clerk in a small legal firm and she was the one who initially suspected something was wrong. She made many visits to Hinkley and interviewed the people there. And she found out about the toxic chemical Chromium 6, used at the plant as a rust inhibitor, which had leached into the groundwater.

The story which unfolds has a mix of investigation, cover-up, and intrigue. And in the end crucial company documents, thought shredded, appear. The company eventually paid a $333 million settlement to the affected people in Hinkley.

Part of what made all of this so extraordinary was that Erin was not a lawyer and had very limited legal experience. She was also a single mother with three young children.

Another film which is about industrial pollution causing water supply contamination is A Civil Action (1998).

This is a rare glimpse of the Beach Boys from 1964, reaching the peak of their career, before Brian retired from touring with the group. The sound is great and they make it all look so easy!

Brian's fingers dance around his bass guitar as he sings in his slightly self-conscious way. And the whole group is obviously having a good time.

My favourite songs are two rather mellow Brian Wilson tunes -- 'In my Room' and 'Surfer Girl'. But punchier hits such as 'Surfin' USA' and 'Fun, Fun, Fun' also feature. And several novelty songs, like 'Long Tall Texan', are included.

Judging from recent comments, people seem to either love or hate this movie. So, I will try to cover some middle ground...

The film is light entertainment, not a heavyweight blockbuster. It is an entertaining romantic comedy, the kind of lightweight movie you could watch to unwind after a long hard day at work.

As you know, the story of the movie revolves around Hitch (Will Smith), a "date doctor", who is helping Albert establish a relationship with Allegra. The irony is that Hitch's ever-so-cool demeanor starts to unravel when he tries to establish his own relationship (with Sarah). Both relationships intertwine and there are some laugh-out-loud funny scenes. And a few quite touching scenes towards the end.

This is a delightful little film. Some might call it a quirky comedy...

The lives of the central characters intersect at a small roadside cafe in the Mojave desert. Initially, there are misunderstandings and tensions, but eventually they resolve and everyone lives and works together happily.

The film moves at a fairly slow pace initially, and the haunting theme tune contributes to this. But towards the end of the movie, things are decidedly up-beat and the movie turns into an extended song and dance routine! The cafe is transformed into a popular truck stop and everyone lives happily ever after...

If you liked this film, you may also like The Station Agent (2003), another quirky comedy with a rural setting.

This movie is very different and difficult to describe...

It is a music video movie, where there is little dialogue, and some fairly tasteful music choices and nifty camera-work help to move the movie along.

It is a comical movie, which doesn't take itself too seriously. Some scenes are downright funny, especially those with Gunja-man! And there are short comic strip interludes which add a surreal and humorous quality.

It is a road movie, which documents a crazy and meandering trip in an old Holden around some of our "Sunburnt Country". Many notable tourist spots are included, as well as some outback desert scenery.

It is a spiritual movie, which has many Buddhist references. Nirvana, Enlightenment, Void, Illusion and several lines from the Heart Sutra are all mentioned. The movie is portrayed as being somewhere between reality and a dream and is quite atmospheric.

It's a psychedelic and counter-cultural movie. Nimbin is mentioned several times and several scenes seem "other-worldly".

It is a surfing movie, with many allusions to the classic Australian surfing film from the 70s, "Morning of the Earth". Two of Brian Cadd's original songs from "Morning of the Earth" are included in "Bondi Tsunami"... deja vu...

This movie successfully integrates all these genres and may be destined to become a cult classic...

Judging from previous comments, opinion is divided on this film -- most people seem to love it or hate it...

Certainly if you're expecting laugh-out-loud comedy you will be disappointed. The comedy offered here is much more quirky and perhaps even whimsical.

And if you're expecting a movie with a brisk pace, you will be forced to change gears and sit back and (hopefully) relax and enjoy. The first hour of the movie is really quite slow.

Eventually, though, the somewhat convoluted story-line begins to cut in, and things pick up, until we quite warm to the odd character that is Steve Zissou. In the end we actually empathise with him. (Images of Jacques Costeau also come to mind at several points.)

Tasteful renderings of a series of David Bowie songs (many in Portugese) helps the movie along and contributes to its exotic flavour.

This is a great movie for relaxing after a hard day at work. It's sheer escapism and good-humoured fun that only requires the watcher to put their mind in neutral, rest their feet, and not think too much.

A lot of the gags are not very original; we've seen most of them before in some other form. But the basic premise of a Police Academy full of misfits provides a novel context.

I've only seen this first movie of the series and don't really have plans to see any of the others. Can't believe they've made ssssssssooooo many sequels.

Too much Police Academy could certainly wear a bit thin, but first time around it's sheer good fun.

This is a touching film, which had me close to tears at several points.

It is an inspiring film, about how one man took on the entrenched medical system.

It's a light-hearted film which affirms the healing power of humour.

It's a personal film, about the growth of a special man, from humble beginnings.

It's a poignant film which involves human tragedy and loss.

It's a beautiful film which pays close attention to small things like the gentle flight of a butterfly.

It's a brilliant film because it successfully combines all these things...

It's another Robin William's film.

Much has been made of the DVD release of the extended 2003 Director's Cut of Live at Pompeii, but I actually prefer the 'Concert Footage' option in the features section of the DVD...

Following the departure of the Late Syd Barrett, Pink Floyd's psychedelic sound was consolidated with the album Meddle (1971), and three tracks on Live at Pompeii come from this album. The epic song, 'Echoes', is presented in two parts and has poetic lyrics: "Overhead the albatross hangs motionless upon the air... And deep beneath the rolling waves in labyrinths of coral caves... The echo of a distant tide... Comes willowing across the sand... And everything is green and submarine."

The atmospheric 'One of These Days' features the line "One of these days I'm going to cut you into little pieces" sung by drummer Nick Mason. And a blues number, 'Mademoiselle Nobs', features a howling Russian wolf-hound and Dave Gilmour on Harmonica.

Two excellent tracks were later released on the 1973 smash hit album Dark Side of the Moon: 'Us and Them' and 'Brain Damage'.

Also featured are 'Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun' and 'A Saucerful of Secrets' both from the 1968 Saucerful of Secrets album. And there is one other fascinating track: 'Careful with that Axe Eugene'...

Trivia: Pink Floyd was named after two blues musicians: Pink Anderson and Floyd Council.

I really like the way that the great director (the Late) Stanley Kubrick gives us several movies in one. He did it with 'Full Metal Jacket' and has also done it with '2001'...

Part 1 of '2001' is The Dawn of Man and the antics of ape-men and the discovery of a black rectangular monolith are the focus here. At the end of Part 1 a bone is sent up flying up into the air and it comes down as a spaceship!

Part 2 is about the discovery of a second monolith on the moon, eons later, and the subsequent Jupiter mission. This is the main part of the movie and HAL the homicidal super-computer features in this section. And there is one famous line here which sends a shiver up the spine: "Open the pod bay doors, HAL."

Part 3 is Jupiter and Beyond the Infinite, which some people have said is close to an LSD trip. Certainly it's beyond words.

And how do the three parts fit together? There is no one definitive answer to this, but the monoliths are the common thread, and it could be suggested that they somehow shape the course of human evolution.

It should be noted the the so-called sequel to 2001, 2010, is not a Stanley Kubrick film, and is unlike one in many ways. I've heard it said that if you liked 2001, you won't like 2010, and vice-versa.

People more eloquent than I have made some recent and perceptive comments about this film, so I can only echo some of what has been said...

I enjoyed the stark and crisp black and white cinematography. And enjoyed Newman's moving portrayal of the talented, but undisciplined, Eddie.

Eddie's romance with Sarah was a weak link in this film, and the middle part of the movie dragged as a result. The classic Minnesota Fats scenes, on the other hand, sandwiched the romance and really held my interest and (in my humble opinion) were much more central to the overall story.

(This movie, along with Hombre and The Verdict, is part of the Paul Newman Collection DVD set)

Judging from comments made, a lot of people have been waiting for a DVD of the Paul Hogan Show. Well, it's finally out, in Region 4 at least. It's a 2-disc DVD featuring the best of Hoges and all his small-screen characters, and supporting cast including John Cornell (as Strop), Delvine Delaney, Andrew Harwood and John Blackman. 'The Best of the Paul Hogan Show' is rated PG, covers the years 1977-79 mainly, and runs for 370 minutes.

I have to admit that much of the material seems quite dated now, and politically incorrect, but then that was the 70s. The formula is simple: backyard ocker fun that appeals to the workers and pokes fun at politicians and others in the public eye. Notable politicians who get a (dis)honourable mention include former Australian Prime Ministers Bob Hawke and Malcolm Fraser.

I put this DVD into the player simply looking for some light afternoon entertainment, but instead found a really good movie...

The scene for this movie is set rather quickly, as a British frigate (HMS Surprise) captained by "Lucky" Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) is stalked by a larger and faster French warship, in the treacherous seas off South America. The year is 1805.

After setting the scene, director Peter Weir concentrates on character development and we get to know Captain Aubrey and some of his crew, and become aware of the friendship (and at times conflict) between the captain and the ship's doctor (Paul Bettany). The other central character is Blakeney (Max Pirkis), a young and likable Midshipman.

The story traces the voyage of the HMS Surprise as it sails down the coast of South America, via the picturesque Galapagos Islands, and tension steadily mounts as the movie reaches a climax with the final sea battle.

Other excellent movies directed by Australian Peter Weir include Dead Poets Society and The Truman Show.

I really enjoyed Back to the Future Part I, but after watching Part II for 30 minutes I could see that it didn't match the success of its predecessor. Repetition was rife and one of the characters (Jennifer) was put to sleep early on, which was surely a sign of a plot lacking direction. After a while all the coming and going through time became quite convoluted. The "too be concluded..." ending to Part II was also disappointing. Don't think I'll bother watching Part III...

I read a review a while ago suggesting that the Back to the Future trilogy was better than the Star Wars trilogy. I have to say, on the basis of what I've seen, I don't agree. Star Wars was an altogether more mature and meaningful movie experience. Back to the Future is just good fun.

Back to the Future is an above average movie, and I especially enjoyed the first 30 minutes, when my eyes were totally glued to the screen. I think the movie successfully spans the genres of Sci-fi, Comedy and Adventure to come up with an original feel that appeals particularly to teenagers and young adults...

After watching Back to the Future Part II for 30 minutes I could already see that it didn't match its predecessor. Repetition was rife and one of the characters (Jennifer) was put to sleep early on, which was surely a sign of a plot lacking direction. Don't think I'll bother watching Part III...

I read a review a while ago suggesting that the Back to the Future trilogy was better than the Star Wars trilogy. I have to say, on the basis of what I've seen, I don't agree. Star Wars was an altogether more mature movie experience about life, the universe, and everything. Back to the Future is just good fun.

I was surprised to see that one Australian online DVD store had this movie categorised under 'Sport'. Certainly 'Morning of the Earth' is a surfing movie, showing footage of many famous 70s surfers going through their paces, but it is also much more than that...

'Morning of the Earth' is a beautiful and artistic movie about the counter-culture of the late 60s and early 70s, which took the form of an alternate lifestyle of simplicity and self-sufficiency in the warm tropics of Australia, Bali, and Hawaii... 'a fantasy of surfers living in three unspoilt lands and playing in nature's oceans', the booklet enclosed with the DVD says... and it goes on to say... 'see everything as nothing but the soul and the soul in everything you see'.

"Morning of the Earth' has no dialogue and there is an excellent soundtrack of Australian music from the early 70s, featuring artists such as Brian Cadd, G. Wayne Thomas, and Taman Shud. One of the classic songs is 'Open up your Heart'... which says... 'It's a start, when you open up your heart, give your love to others, they become your brothers, when you open up your heart'.

The surfing footage in 'Morning of the Earth' is stunning, full of mesmerizing blues, greens, yellows, and reds; including sunsets and sunrises. But as I say this is a movie that is about much more than surfing. Get the picture?

I really liked the soundtrack to this movie and was especially impressed with the title song by Barry Gibb. I also liked the classy dance routines. The "boy meets girl" story was rather sentimental and corny but that was all part of the fun of this film.

I thought Frenchie, the beauty school dropout, was one of the most likable characters. At one point she says "Beauty school sure wasn't what I thought it would be" and gets the reply "Nothing ever is." At the school dance she says "How do I look?" and her partner replies "like a beautiful blonde pineapple!"

Danny and the boys try to be super-cool macho men but their efforts never quite succeed, especially when the girls are around, which makes for many comic situations.

The climax of the movie comes with the Thunder Road scene...

There's no doubt that a lot of people feel lost after retiring from the workforce... or losing a spouse... or finding out that your wife has had an affair... or having your daughter marry a man you don't approve of... or being misunderstood... Warren Schmidt (Jack Nicholson) has had to contend with all these things and his main response is one of confusion and disbelief.

This is a movie that will make you laugh. And it will make you cry. It is a slow and thoughtful film that tugs at the heartstrings. And it is a deep character study of a lonely old man in crisis.

Perhaps there is a little bit of Schmidt in all of us.

Cheech and Chong's first movie, Up in Smoke (1978), was the most successful and it set the scene for the five other films which were to follow. Nice Dreams (1981) is movie number three.

Nice Dreams is a very good film for laid-back old hippies like me who enjoy romanticising the 70s. Gone are the flower-power days of the 60s and life seems to have degenerated into sex and drugs and rock 'n' roll, and this movie has its fair share of each.

My favourite scene is at the Chinese restaurant where Chong is mistaken for Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. And then there is a welcome cameo appearance from the enigmatic LSD guru Dr Timothy Leary.

One of my favourite supporting roles is the police sergeant who has the tongue of a lizard and believes "the only way to catch a doper is for you yourself to become a smoker."

The quirky soundtrack and slapstick comedy helps to keep the movie moving along nicely...

Even though Cheech and Chong sold millions of records in the 70s and had a major success with Up in Smoke, I would not call Nice Dreams a mainstream movie. I would suggest it is a movie with a cult following although I've never seen it on any "cult film" lists.

If you like this movie you may also like "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and "Withnail and I".

The first thing to say is that Jamie Foxx certainly did give a Oscar-winning performance, and I really did think it was Ray Charles sitting at the piano at times. And Jamie had the mannerisms of Ray down pat, especially the walk.

There's no doubt that Ray Charles was a musical innovator, with mastery over several musical styles. The songs in the movie were great too, although perhaps they were cut a little too short at times. And there were too many flashbacks for my liking, which fragmented the film. I really do wonder what the film would have been like if the scenes had been sequenced chronologically; surely the continuity could have contributed to a better movie.

I enjoyed seeing, but was quite frankly distracted by, the superb automobiles from the 1950s and 1960s, all looking shiny and new. And I cringed when one got a brick through its windscreen.

Overall, I was not quite as inspired by the Ray Charles story as I thought I would be. I guess this was mainly to do with the way Ray's substance abuse adversely affected the middle part of his life and that of his family.

Divorce is usually no laughing matter but in this case family tragedy is laced with laugh-out-loud comedy as an elderly housekeeper comes to the rescue. The character of Mrs Doubtfire is created by Daniel Hillard, the peeved husband, so that he can see his children regularly.

The irony is that Mrs Doubtfire is everything that Daniel is not. Time after time we see Mrs Doubtfire succeed where Daniel himself has failed -- particularly in terms of providing some sort of firm guidance for the children. And in terms of being a trusted companion for wife Miranda.

On the lighter side, one of my favourite scenes is where Mrs Doubtfire is doing the housework to music: enthusiastically dancing and playing the vacuum-cleaner like a guitar. Another is where "she" is sprung going to the toilet standing up.

Everything builds up to an amazing climax, with the scene at Bridges restaurant, where Daniel and Mrs Doubtfire must both appear at the same time. The action shifts from one side of the restaurant to the other and back again, as Daniel becomes the somewhat intoxicated quick-change artist and elusive dinner guest. In the end Daniel's cover is well and truly blown and Mrs Doubtfire is exposed as a fake. Miranda becomes hysterical and I will never forget the look on her face!

Mrs Doubtfire is one of my favourite movies and Robin Williams and Sally Field play a great roles. And I like the San Francisco setting too.

I enjoyed The Aviator and found that it provided a sympathetic perspective on a great man. Howard Hughes' obsessive-compulsive personality seemed to be both the source of his greatness as an aviation tycoon as well as somewhat of a personal liability later on. (I will never forget the repetitive hand-washing scenes.)

The movie is a rich tapestry of an excellent script, fine actors and superb photography woven together by a master director -- as a good film should be. Any further analysis seems superfluous.

The movie started off particularly strongly but dragged a little towards the end. Perhaps it was a fraction too long?