Check it Out in October

To mix things up on the blog and resuscitate it back to life ER style I will be posting a series of articles throughout October highlighting a variety of films, TV, music and games that I would recommend. Basically it’s a way of me getting out there some of things I really like, and hopefully might even be a way for others to discover them too. There are few things like discovering something that you really love and that, for whatever reason, you just get. Not everything will be for everyone, some of it will be well known, some less popular but hopefully it will be an interesting experiment and something that might even useful to some people. So I shall see you back here tomorrow with the first entry and then throughout the month!

Eat lead slacker!

I am indeed a slacker and apologise to those who have visted only to find barren landscape of updates these past few months. Alas I cannot promise a rapid posting barrage in the coming weeks either, my current setup is not best suited to preparing and writing pieces to the standard and frequency that I would like, and I don't want to be posting half-baked ideas for the sake of posts. So for now it may remain quiet but I just wanted to let you know I am still here and to watch this space as it were, I still have plenty I want to share and many many many films lines up for possible reviews.

So until then take care, go make yourself some tea or take up knitting, and thanks for stopping by, it is always appreciated.

- Dave

Dr Horrible's Sing-along Blog

Joss Whedon, possible man-god has a new project, conceived during the writers strike and available to watch free this week. I will say no more but click along and enjoy. Part 1 is available now, part's 2 and 3 will be released later this week. Dr Horrible's Sing-along Blog If only he could be involved in every TV show...

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

Nineteen years on from his last adventure the return of Indiana Jones has been the talk of the industry lately, any introduction or re-capping of the film is largely unnecessary here, others have covered Indy’s comeback in more detail and in greater depth than I could. Still in doing so quantifying the actually film becomes difficult, how do you separate out the feelings of expectation? Or the inevitable comparisons to the earlier films? In truth I don’t think you can, we all bring baggage to every film which is what makes them so fascinating and interesting, it is our own personal reactions that matter, and more than most the Indiana Jones films are personal. Many people have grown up with the films either at the cinema or at home and the reverence for the series means that any new entry will be scrutinised, loved by some and derided by others. This is just such a film, and watching it and thinking back on it I can now both see why people would not like it, and why some would adore it. Thankfully I fall much more heavily in the latter category, the film is not without its flaws, but it also irresistibly entertaining and fun and shot with the style and wisdom that only comes from someone of Spielberg’s experience, that he brings his top game to the film helps smooth over many of the cracks that may threaten to otherwise derail the film. Set in 1957 the film cleverly uses its timeframe as an advantage, the use of Russians as the bad-guys and the nature of the crystal skulls all play heavily on the iconography of the era, early scenes that play with the suspicions of communist spies and nuclear warfare play well against Harrison Ford’s now older Indiana Jones. He is not the same man he was before; age has taken its toll in some ways and the shift in tones help give the movie a different feel. Spielberg’s period films are always fascinating and the way the 50’s is recreated, especially in the opening hour is expertly done, throughout the film is masterfully shot and gives a more filmic and authentic feel. In fact the strongest section of the film is the first hour; it is slower but intriguing with a good set-up and mystery. A large part of this is due to the character of Mutt, Shia LeBeouf has taken a bit of a hit for this film but I thought he was great in the role, engaging and prickly and had good chemistry with Ford, if anything it is the nature of the character that will conflict people rather than the way it was handled in the film. Once the characters reach the rainforests of South American the action kicks in and whilst some of the sequences are expertly handled and exciting some suffer from an overuse of CGI and the fake look dampens the tension, despite promises of ‘old-school’ filmmaking there are a few key scenes that are plagued by this issue and whilst some of the effects in the film are breathtaking (one shot at the end definitely fits this bill) others stand out and take you out of the film. The ending as well is probably the weakest part of the film, it’s not bad per-se but just involves characters re-acting to events out of the their control, Indy doesn’t really take control in the way that he used to and the lack of clever puzzles or booby traps is a bit of a disappointment. There could also be criticisms that the supporting cast is under-used throughout, John Hurt’s crackpot professor has very little to do and whilst Cate Blanchett is obviously having a ball in her role as the main villain, she isn’t given enough to do at times and her supposed psychic powers are never actually utilised. Ultimately though the film won me over, it was entertaining, slick and fun and most of all felt like an Indiana Jones film. It was definitely strange seeing one on the big screen for the first time and getting used to Harrison Ford in the role again after all this time, but at the end of the day the film maintains the pulp sensibilities of the original films with enough verve and wit to pull through the awkward patches. These films were never realistic or serious and with adult eyes it is harder to view this film in the same light as the originals, there are films best watched with the eyes of a child, for escapism, heroism and adventure. For all that could have go wrong though Kingdom of the Crystal Skull is a minor triumph, it is by no means perfect but somehow manages to overcome its myriad of flaws to become an entertaining and fun piece of cinema, if you let it. The nitpickers will have a field day and many could well be justified in hating it, but for the rest of us we won’t care, we will be off once again with Mr Jones, enjoying the ride. Indiana Jones is back, whilst the setting and character have changed a bit over the years the sensibilities remain spot on and as long as your willing to let go and enjoy it there is a lot to like here. Despite the odd jarring moment this is, for the most part, a blast, quite literally, from the past.

Be Kind Rewind

As previously established Michel Gondry is an odd fellow. His previous films Eternal Sunshine and the Science of Sleep have impressed me greatly (I haven’t seen Human Nature, which by all accounts is how it should be) and the premise for Be Kind Rewind intrigued me as well. In fact its refreshingly bonkers, the kind of surreal and idealistic idea you might pitch one day thinking it was funny, turning that into a fully fledged film however is another matter. By now I’m sure you know the premise, small time video shop on the brink of closure accidentally has all its videos erased, leaving the hapless Mod Def and Jack Black to re-create the films using their home video camera. Naturally the making of these videos are the highlights of the film, Gondry’s low budget sensibilities and creativity are in full swing and he constantly manages to find hilarious ways to spoof and lovingly homage some classic and not so classic films. What is great about the film on the whole is its earnest goodness. There is barely a bad bone to be found in the film and its good natured humour is unlikely to produce full on laughs, but you will smile throughout. The story is oddly mixed, the back story of a jazz musician by the name of Fats Waller is tied up with the store and its owner, played with a sweet levity by Danny Glover. Whilst these threads of the plot seem disconnected at the start they are weaved in well to the video shenanigans to set up the films touching finale. In fact as much as the film is about creativity and expressing yourself, it is also about community and town spirit and the scenes of neighbourhood people getting involved in the films and helping out are moving, and bring back a lot of personal memories of my teenage years running around with a video camera and the bond that provides between friends. Mos Def continues to impress after his turn in the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, his earnest pained expressions are endearing and he has great comic timing, Jack Black is fairly unrestrained in the film and whilst his character easily comes across as obnoxious and annoying, he has just the right amount of empathy to traverse this and his manic energy is certainly infectious. With all that said the film does have its flaws, the story is thin and the impending sense of doom over the fate of the shop never carries much weight. Outside the main characters as well there aren’t many memorable faces, Gondry keeps our investment at a distance, the entertaining humour at times masks the films lack of depth. But that is not what this film is about, as an ode to imagination and community spirit Be Kind Rewind is a success and one destined to warm your heart and put a smile on your face. Another creative explosion from Gondry this is perhaps his slightest film yet, but his inventiveness and heartfelt message, along with some good performances, pull it through in the end.