Restoration (1995)
Directed by: Michael Hoffman
Starring:
Robert Downey Jr.
Sam Neill
David Thewlis
Meg Ryan
Ian McKellen
Hugh Grant
Synopisis:
Robert Merivel (Robert Downey Jr.) is an up and coming student of medicine. He is also a womanizer who spends more money than he has on woman and wine. His friend John Pearce (David Thewlis) tries to warn him and guide him back to his studies but as usuaul is met with resistance from Robert. One day while the two friends were working in the local hospital a patient comes with a remarkable wound. Robert dared to touch the wound while John looked timidely on. This action set Robert's life on a new course, King Charles II (Sam Neill) took note of Robert's wonderment and requested him to come to the palace and look at after a patient in disperate need of medical attention.
Robert is lead a stray from his calling literally by order of the King. Robert's life is changed again when the King orders him to marry the King's mistress. In exchange for marrying in name only Robert is given a Knighthood and an estate. Just as quickly as he was thrown into the King's fantasy world, Robert is tossed out.
After being cast out from the Kings good graces, he seeks out his friend John and joins in him in the treatment of insane. Robert takes an unusual perspective on treating the asylum patients and it appears to work. He also starts to notice one female patient, Katherine (Meg Ryan. He gets involved with her romantically and at the same time his friend John contracts the black plague and dies. Robert and Katherine leave the asylum.
Robert and Katherine find themselves back in England with the black plague in full swing. All the physicians have left and the well are being hold up with the plague ridden. Robert finds his way back to his calling and starts to treat the ill but under his friends name, John Pearce. His talents get him noticed again by the King and he is needed once again at the palace.
Review:
This is a good period movie. The storyline shows how back in the 1600's a Kingly request can shape someone's life. It also shows one man's journey to find himself and his reason for being alive. The movie is a bit long but that does not take away from story being told. The main character, Robert, though educated is a fool by his own design. His youth was spent chasing his desires which gave him instant gradification but left his life empty of accomplishment. As the story progressed the viewer can see how the character allowing himself to be shaped by the people around him during different stages of his life. In a way showing how someone can easily become a follower with simple temptation. In the end Robert became the master of his own fate and found more precious things to hold dear than creature comforts, thus freeing him from any Kingly request or allowing himself to be manipulated into beiing a stooge.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
1969 (Distributed in 1988)
1969
Directed by: Ernest Thompson
Starring
Robert Downey Jr.
Keifer Sutherland
Winona Ryder
Joanna Cassidy
Synopsis:
Ralph Carr (Robert Downey Jr.) and Scott (Keifer Sutherland) are best friends who grew up togeather and both went to college to avoid the Vietnam draft. Scott's brother is a Marine and has been sent out to fight. During this time Ralph flunks out of school and is in danger of being drafted while Scott's brother is first considered Missing in Action but then is confirmed dead. Scott an undecided youth disagrees with the war but doesn't know how to break away from his parents ideas and struggles to find himself. He goes from hiding in college, to trying to help his friend not get drafted and also makes an attempt to save himself by trying to cross the Canadian border. In the end Scott comes into his own and stands up for what he believes in.
Review:
The characters were all generic, as well as the plot. Even the strife of someone dying in the war was overshadowed by the inability to convey that anything major was really happening in the movie. The director tried to take the viewer on a journey about how the war affected a small town which seemed to remain untouched by any tragedy. The movie comes across as a bit sugar coated with no real show of emotion one way or the other. There are no signficant parts which come to mind to fully describe this movie as other than bland.
Directed by: Ernest Thompson
Starring
Robert Downey Jr.
Keifer Sutherland
Winona Ryder
Joanna Cassidy
Synopsis:
Ralph Carr (Robert Downey Jr.) and Scott (Keifer Sutherland) are best friends who grew up togeather and both went to college to avoid the Vietnam draft. Scott's brother is a Marine and has been sent out to fight. During this time Ralph flunks out of school and is in danger of being drafted while Scott's brother is first considered Missing in Action but then is confirmed dead. Scott an undecided youth disagrees with the war but doesn't know how to break away from his parents ideas and struggles to find himself. He goes from hiding in college, to trying to help his friend not get drafted and also makes an attempt to save himself by trying to cross the Canadian border. In the end Scott comes into his own and stands up for what he believes in.
Review:
The characters were all generic, as well as the plot. Even the strife of someone dying in the war was overshadowed by the inability to convey that anything major was really happening in the movie. The director tried to take the viewer on a journey about how the war affected a small town which seemed to remain untouched by any tragedy. The movie comes across as a bit sugar coated with no real show of emotion one way or the other. There are no signficant parts which come to mind to fully describe this movie as other than bland.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Santa and The Fairy Snow Queen (1951)
Santa and the Fairy Snow Queen
Made by Sid Davis' film company
Starring: I don't think any of the actors in this want to be associated with it.
Synopsis: Santa's elf/helper Snoopy over hears Santa inviting the Fairy Snow Queen over for a sugar cookie snack; or maybe a bootie call, it was the 50's they had to keep it clean. Snoopy the "I'm snorting coke off screen" Elf, guides the watcher or victim; whatever you feel like after watching this; to Santa's work shop to see what happens. When the Fairy Queen shows up he is asleep so she decides to be a hag and play a trick on him. She turns all the toys in his workshop into living beings. When the torture, err, fun is over the Fairy Snow hag tries to turn them back but they don't want to go. According to the Fairy Snow Douche Bag her magic only works on willing participants; if only the Bush administration's "magic" were limited in this way. Santa then scolds The Fairy Queen and lays a guilt trip as thick as a shag rug on the toys for being selfish. In the end the toys go back to being toys, the Fairy Snow Wrench learns a valuable lesson, and Snoopy snorts her Christmas bonus.
Review:
I read a few things about this film short prior doing this review; it was a holiday special that aired in the 50's. It's special alright!
Dear Lord! The film short was only 27 minutes long but I still prayed for it to end quickly. This is proof Ed Wood is not the worst director of all time. How in the world did this escape the movie lot? Better yet what movie executive gave the green light to this debacle?
Let me start with the narrator/host Snoopy, who is supposed to be an Elf in Santa's workshop. Yes, elves are supposed to be cute, friendly, energetic, and happy. Not overbearing, hard to watch, and generally annoying. I'm talking about Snoopy jumping all over everything, running around, and practically humping the floor. She reminded me of what my cat does when she's in heat, jumping around, rubbing up against everything and sticking her butt up at you if you pet her. I gotta say there must have been some good drugs on that set to keep the actors there.
The Fairy Snow Queen wasn't much better really. She made a sad, sad attempt to ballet dance elegantly, but failing miserably, around the small set that is suppose to be Santa's workshop. The typical Christmas toys were there a baby doll, a rag doll, a toy solider, a Victorian doll and a jack in the box. Amazingly enough the jack in the box was more annoying than Snoopy, I know hard to believe someone felt the need to out act poor Snoopy. Oh, and I forgot to mention Santa is a giant man, the only thing you see in the workshop shots is his big boot. The actor playing Santa was not filmed with any of the other actors. My guess is he was too creepy and none of the other actors wanted to go near him, or he didn't regularly bath; take your pick.
Along with some long lasting night terrors, there was a memorable line which I will carry with me always. It's when Santa is chastising the Fairy Snow Queen, he says "But they need to be changed back, something terrible could happen. They could get hurt or fall in love." That's right kids you heard it, Santa says love is a terrible thing.
There is one redeeming quality about this short film, TV special, train wreck; what ever you want to call it. It makes good MST3K material, if you are in a MST3K mood and you have Comcast Cable, you can find this gem under the free Something Weird segments.
Made by Sid Davis' film company
Starring: I don't think any of the actors in this want to be associated with it.
Synopsis: Santa's elf/helper Snoopy over hears Santa inviting the Fairy Snow Queen over for a sugar cookie snack; or maybe a bootie call, it was the 50's they had to keep it clean. Snoopy the "I'm snorting coke off screen" Elf, guides the watcher or victim; whatever you feel like after watching this; to Santa's work shop to see what happens. When the Fairy Queen shows up he is asleep so she decides to be a hag and play a trick on him. She turns all the toys in his workshop into living beings. When the torture, err, fun is over the Fairy Snow hag tries to turn them back but they don't want to go. According to the Fairy Snow Douche Bag her magic only works on willing participants; if only the Bush administration's "magic" were limited in this way. Santa then scolds The Fairy Queen and lays a guilt trip as thick as a shag rug on the toys for being selfish. In the end the toys go back to being toys, the Fairy Snow Wrench learns a valuable lesson, and Snoopy snorts her Christmas bonus.
Review:
I read a few things about this film short prior doing this review; it was a holiday special that aired in the 50's. It's special alright!
Dear Lord! The film short was only 27 minutes long but I still prayed for it to end quickly. This is proof Ed Wood is not the worst director of all time. How in the world did this escape the movie lot? Better yet what movie executive gave the green light to this debacle?
Let me start with the narrator/host Snoopy, who is supposed to be an Elf in Santa's workshop. Yes, elves are supposed to be cute, friendly, energetic, and happy. Not overbearing, hard to watch, and generally annoying. I'm talking about Snoopy jumping all over everything, running around, and practically humping the floor. She reminded me of what my cat does when she's in heat, jumping around, rubbing up against everything and sticking her butt up at you if you pet her. I gotta say there must have been some good drugs on that set to keep the actors there.
The Fairy Snow Queen wasn't much better really. She made a sad, sad attempt to ballet dance elegantly, but failing miserably, around the small set that is suppose to be Santa's workshop. The typical Christmas toys were there a baby doll, a rag doll, a toy solider, a Victorian doll and a jack in the box. Amazingly enough the jack in the box was more annoying than Snoopy, I know hard to believe someone felt the need to out act poor Snoopy. Oh, and I forgot to mention Santa is a giant man, the only thing you see in the workshop shots is his big boot. The actor playing Santa was not filmed with any of the other actors. My guess is he was too creepy and none of the other actors wanted to go near him, or he didn't regularly bath; take your pick.
Along with some long lasting night terrors, there was a memorable line which I will carry with me always. It's when Santa is chastising the Fairy Snow Queen, he says "But they need to be changed back, something terrible could happen. They could get hurt or fall in love." That's right kids you heard it, Santa says love is a terrible thing.
There is one redeeming quality about this short film, TV special, train wreck; what ever you want to call it. It makes good MST3K material, if you are in a MST3K mood and you have Comcast Cable, you can find this gem under the free Something Weird segments.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Diamonds and Guns (2007)
Diamonds and Guns
Starring:
Renee O'Connor
Helena Beaven
Jed Sura
Jonathan Fraser
Raymond O'Connor
E. Sean Griffin
Cynthia Szigeti
Julian Moses
Synopsis aka Spoiler: Ashley (Renee O'Connor) and Bria (Helena Beaven) are roommates and best friends who are on the brink of eviction and for Bria deportation looms around the corner. In a last ditch effort they go to Vegas to try their luck there. Bria meets Francis (Jed Sura) after Ashley comes down with food poisoning and is stuck in the room for the rest of the night. Francis is the hotel owners, Mr. Gretano (Raymond O'Connor), son. He is engaged to Connie (Julian Moses), who is the daughter of another hotel owner, Mrs. Antignatti (Cynthia Szigeti). Bria and Francias end up together after a night of drinking. Francias gets his best friend, Johnny B. (Jonathan Fraser), involved to help him get out of the mess he and Bria have caused.
Ashley is left on her own until the next morning when Bria demands a doctor be sent to the room to care for her. The hotel desk clerk (E. Sean Griffin) gets the brunt of the abuse from everyone. He has to endure angering Connie because Francias is avoiding her and he is trying to cover for him, Johnny B. is breathing down his neck to find out about Bria and Bria is insisting he call a doctor to help her friend. So, the desk clerk does what any desk clerk would do, he grabs Francias and tells him to go check on the sick guest.
Ashley ends up being cared for by Francias while Johnny B. tries to find Bria. Through being sick and given drugs Ashley still wants to do what she came there for, audition for one of the Vegas shows. I don't want to give away the whole plot so I’ll let it here.
Review:
If you are a Xena fan or Renee O'Connor fan you've been waiting a long time for this movie. The film had its rough spots and it almost looked like it wasn't going to be released. Luckily, this project has seen the light of day and was become available for mass release.
The film has a campy, light hearted feel to it. The story line is simple, along with the dialog and edits. Which is good, the premises of the movie aren’t to wow you with special effects or even to impress you with over bearing artistic shots. It's to show how two friends get wrapped up in one laughable situation after another. Oh and Ted Raimi as a landlord ;).
There are plenty of cut away scenes which make for great comedic effect, like when Ashley gets sick at the roulette table; you see her looking ill and lurch forward. The scene cuts away to the roulette attendant you hear Ashley get sick and by the reaction on the roulette attendants face its clear the puck landed in the roulette spinner.
I also liked the 4 box wipes used to show what was going on in 4 different places at the same time. There were some great one shot in there like Ashley propped up sleeping in a display of dolls. Of course the movie pokes fun at great chase scene stereo types for example Brea is being chased by Johnny B. and she is running everywhere while he's walking at a mildly fast pace but always seems to be right behind her.
If you are looking for a good situational comedy, you found it with Diamonds and Guns. The comedy displayed in the film is good and is not too ridiculous or over the top. Keeping with the campy feel it's fun to watch and is entertaining. Oh, one last thing, farts are funny.
Starring:
Renee O'Connor
Helena Beaven
Jed Sura
Jonathan Fraser
Raymond O'Connor
E. Sean Griffin
Cynthia Szigeti
Julian Moses
Synopsis aka Spoiler: Ashley (Renee O'Connor) and Bria (Helena Beaven) are roommates and best friends who are on the brink of eviction and for Bria deportation looms around the corner. In a last ditch effort they go to Vegas to try their luck there. Bria meets Francis (Jed Sura) after Ashley comes down with food poisoning and is stuck in the room for the rest of the night. Francis is the hotel owners, Mr. Gretano (Raymond O'Connor), son. He is engaged to Connie (Julian Moses), who is the daughter of another hotel owner, Mrs. Antignatti (Cynthia Szigeti). Bria and Francias end up together after a night of drinking. Francias gets his best friend, Johnny B. (Jonathan Fraser), involved to help him get out of the mess he and Bria have caused.
Ashley is left on her own until the next morning when Bria demands a doctor be sent to the room to care for her. The hotel desk clerk (E. Sean Griffin) gets the brunt of the abuse from everyone. He has to endure angering Connie because Francias is avoiding her and he is trying to cover for him, Johnny B. is breathing down his neck to find out about Bria and Bria is insisting he call a doctor to help her friend. So, the desk clerk does what any desk clerk would do, he grabs Francias and tells him to go check on the sick guest.
Ashley ends up being cared for by Francias while Johnny B. tries to find Bria. Through being sick and given drugs Ashley still wants to do what she came there for, audition for one of the Vegas shows. I don't want to give away the whole plot so I’ll let it here.
Review:
If you are a Xena fan or Renee O'Connor fan you've been waiting a long time for this movie. The film had its rough spots and it almost looked like it wasn't going to be released. Luckily, this project has seen the light of day and was become available for mass release.
The film has a campy, light hearted feel to it. The story line is simple, along with the dialog and edits. Which is good, the premises of the movie aren’t to wow you with special effects or even to impress you with over bearing artistic shots. It's to show how two friends get wrapped up in one laughable situation after another. Oh and Ted Raimi as a landlord ;).
There are plenty of cut away scenes which make for great comedic effect, like when Ashley gets sick at the roulette table; you see her looking ill and lurch forward. The scene cuts away to the roulette attendant you hear Ashley get sick and by the reaction on the roulette attendants face its clear the puck landed in the roulette spinner.
I also liked the 4 box wipes used to show what was going on in 4 different places at the same time. There were some great one shot in there like Ashley propped up sleeping in a display of dolls. Of course the movie pokes fun at great chase scene stereo types for example Brea is being chased by Johnny B. and she is running everywhere while he's walking at a mildly fast pace but always seems to be right behind her.
If you are looking for a good situational comedy, you found it with Diamonds and Guns. The comedy displayed in the film is good and is not too ridiculous or over the top. Keeping with the campy feel it's fun to watch and is entertaining. Oh, one last thing, farts are funny.
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