Reviews
Sunshine (2007)
Bruckheimer-ish plot DONE RIGHT
I wasn't sure what to expect going in to this, but it had me from the get-go.
Boyle deftly achieves a delicate balancing act - Sunshine is alternately thrilling; awe-inspiring; philosophical and transcendent.
Films like this often get bogged down in their self-perceived epic-ness, but Sunshine always feels grounded and real, taking a lot of inspiration from the original Alien in this respect.
Cast is uniformly great, but particular attention must be paid to Hiroyuki Sanada as the Captain. Effortless gravitas.
Set-pieces are also excellently executed.
Fools will compare it to Event Horizon, but they are foolish fools. That film sucked, this one RULES!
Batman Beyond (1999)
This Show Rocks!
I was blown away by this series, which I believe is the best action cartoon to come along since Aeon Flux.
The fluidity of the action scenes are extremely appealing, and the action is animated much better than in stuff like Spider-Man and Superman.
I was actually surprised at some of the more violent scenes, but I welcomed them nonetheless.
When I first saw the series, with the aged Bruce Wayne in action, I couldn't help but think this is the closest we'll ever come to seeing Frank Miller's 'The Dark Knight Returns' adapted into another medium.
Which is both good and bad at the same time.
Futurama (1999)
Silence! I Concur...
Question: How Do You Follow Up The Greatest Television Series Of All Time? Answer: With Gusto.
Matt Groening has all but topped his most famous creation with 'Futurama', I couldn't have imagined in my wildest dreams it would be as good as it is. That's not to say I had no faith in Matt, it's just that 'The Simpsons' was sooo off the chart in every measure, I couldn't imagine an equal, But that's exactly what this is. But different.
Matt's always said he is a big fan of classic and pulp sci-fi and it really shows here - which may repel some more snobbish viewers. But is is their loss, for 'Futurama' is the funniest thing I've seen since 'The Simpsons'. Honestly!
The 'Robot Planet' episode has been my favourite thus far. Especially the 'It Came From Planet Earth' part.
Bender is an instant classic. I was glad to see Matt didn't just use his 'Simpsons' voice actors in all the roles. Bender sounds so cool. The look of the series is a wonderfully original too. Not too derivative, but not too weird.
The careful introduction of recurring characters is indicative of the lessons Groening learnt on 'The Simpsons'. That's not to say 'the Simpsons' did anything wrong, it was just a little haphazard in the setting up of its universe.
If you need to be told to watch this show, you probably shouldn't. but I'm gonna tell you to watch it anyway, because it's just that damn good!
Metropolitan (1989)
I Wanna Hang Out With These Kids!
This movie is very close to my heart. Every time I watch it, I lose touch with any bitterness and cynicism that may reside within me. It turns me into a complete sap. I just love every character. I love the scene with Tom and Charlie in the bar talking with the older version of themselves. I love when they find the panties on the lawn of Rick Von Sloneker's beach house. Although this and Stillman's other films are often described as 'Woody Allen-lite', I think they have more heart than Allen's films.
I read somewhere that Whit Stillman said he was going to stop making films about these sort of people after 'The Last Days Of Disco'. I pray it isn't so. Then again, a Whit Stillman action film is something I would definitely pay money to see.
Jonathan Creek (1997)
The best mystery series of the nineties
This show hooks you so brutally with the set-up that knowing the outcome becomes an obsession.
It's the epitome of a show that American's just wouldn't be able to handle, even though it's comparatively broad.
Creek himself can come across as a bit of a know-all, but the characters surrounding him are more than appealing.
I think this is showing on A&E or PBS or something in the states and I strongly urge anyone there to check it out.
It has taken the mystery series genre into the 21st century, leaving antiquated crapolla like 'Murder She Wrote','Columbo' and even Poirot in it's dust.
Top stuff!
Scarfies (1999)
The Kiwi's Are Coming!
This film is another fine example of what New Zealand filmmakers can do when they hold the audiences' enjoyment above their own artistic w**k-ness.
The Sarkies Brothers have created an extremely (un)pleasant film that isn't really about University life at all, but about those staple cinematic conventions -paranoia, murder and er, flatting.
I strongly urge any one not from New Zealand to check out this little gem. God knows when it'll get released anywhere else though. I hope it gets onto screens in the U.S.
One quibble however, three times in the film, characters describe each other as 'jerks'. Honestly, who in New Zealand uses that word with a straight face? It's such a sitcom-ism. 'Dick' would have been much more suitable in my eyes.
Talk Radio (1988)
Claustrophobic Joy...
I love this movie!
Oliver Stone's smallest pic is his best in my opinion.
He takes a seemingly inhibitive setting, a radio station, and uses every possible angle to great effect.
While I agree most of the credit should probably go to Eric Bogosian, I think the way Stone moves between the flashbacks and the present are great.
The flashbacks don't seem to be popular with reviewers, but I think they work really well, especially the one at the suit shop.
I wish Eric Bogosian was in more films (not like Under Seige 2) as I have little opportunity to see him strut his stuff on stage.
The Sopranos (1999)
Tony's domestic family is more intense than his mafia one...
This show is truly groundbreaking stuff. Watchable storytelling with real resonance.
I love the way Livia has emerged as the villain of this show. Who would have thought a crusty old bean could cause so much havoc? I'm starting to perceive this whole series as an allegory for the intensity of the relationships between family members. The power they wield over each other is more brutal than any gun. What about Livia's expression at the end of the last episode? How evil was that? Or was she just drugged up? Who can say? God damn this show is cool!
And the actors -oh my god! They all deserve awards. Tony Sirico is hilarious! The actors who play the kids are great. Michael Imperioli is fantastic as usual. And I think Edie Falco more than lives up to James Gandolfini's performance. If they don't get best actor and best actress at the emmy's there truly is no justice in this world.
I thought John Heard's corrupt cop was great too, a beautifully tragic character.
Anyone reading this who has not seen this show, I cannot recommend it highly enough. It has more than filled the void opened since Homicide: Life On The Street turned to crap.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
A fresh crop of good-looking teenagers...
I would like to stress how refreshing it was to see a film about teenagers not comprised of kids from Buffy, Dawson's, Scream or other Kevin Williamson leftovers.
Although Julia Stiles did kind of look like the Stay-Puft Marshmallow man when she got angry.