Welcome one and welcome all! Last night I had a dream I
owned a submarine, but for some reason my dad thought I shouldn’t have it and
sold it behind my back. I was not happy. Why I’m having dreams about my father
taking away phallic shaped objects from me is one question of many for my psychiatrist this week, but before the
men in white coats get me I have given you some film recommendations for the
week. And boy are they crazy…
Monday
Running Scared (2006) Channel 4 2.25am
A post-Tarantino action film (see also Lucky Number Slevin
showing this week) where you crank up the style and turn on the edgy – this is
an explosive film to sit back and watch that still manages to keep your attention in between things going boom. The film has a relatively simple concept: Paul
Walker has a son. Paul Walker’s son has a friend. This friend decided to shoot
his abusive stepfather and then go on the run. He shoots the stepfather with
Paul Walker’s gun. Paul Walker must retrieve this weapon before the wrong
people find it. Simple right? Well throw in some tense-action-thrilly-ness and pepper
with some real “what the fuck?” moments and you got yourself a decent film
which is certainly not run of the mill. The major puzzle is why it is on so
late, so make sure you set the recorders kids!
Team America: World Police (2004) Sky Comedy 8pm
I’m sure, I’M positive everyone has seen this, so why might
you ask I am recommending it?
1) In case you haven’t watched it, watch it. Just in case there is anyone out there....
2)
I haven’t seen it on TV for a while so here it
is for anyone else who hasn’t seen it in a while.
3)
It’s so funny it would be criminal not too.
4)
“Hewwo!”
Tootsie (1982) Sky Modern Greats 10pm
Cinema audiences love a good cross dressing movie; in fact
audiences have loved cross dressing since the time of Shakespeare when women
were not allowed to act and men had to act all the parts (the ’women’ would
often dress up as men though as in such plays as in “Twelfth Night” and “As you
Like It"). Tootsie is one of the classics of the genre and one of the biggest hits of the 80's. Dustin Hoffman was (and still is) one of the
biggest stars going because of his versatility and the warmth he could
bring to all of the characters he portrayed. This film follows Dustin as an out of work actor who gets a
gig when he auditions for a part as a woman. Classic comedy that also has Bill
Murray in support – which is reason enough to watch it.
Girl, Interrupted (1999) Sky Drama 11.35pm
The film that launched Angelina Jolie into the big time, Winona
Ryder’s performance should not be overshadowed though. The film’s main pull is
watching the two lead characters navigate a story which takes an earnest look
at mental illness (the film is based on Susanna Kaysen’s memoirs of her own
time in an institution) in between some touching and unnerving moments. Will
not be everyone’s cup of tea, but will be a rewarding experience for anyone who
gives it the time.
Tuesday
The Thing (1982) Sky Modern Greats 10.10pm
Let’s be clear about this – I am not recommending ‘The Thing’
showing on Sky Premiere. I haven’t watched that yet; the reviews are not great but
I will get round to it. I am recommending the original remake (the original
film is 1951’s “The Thing from Another World” which is itself an adaptation of
John W. Campbell Jr’s story “Who Goes There?”) and it is rightly seen as one
of the classics of both sci-fi and horror. I could literally write a 2,000 worded
recommendation for this film, but I will try and keep it brief(ish) as I know
you probably have better stuff to do. This film, created by John Carpenter,
follows a group of American scientists in a remote station based in the Antarctic
who have an encounter with a shape shifting alien. It is one of the scariest
and goriest films I have ever watched and yet it still oozes cool from every
orifice – from the creepy soundtrack to Kurt Russel’s grizzly Macready - this
is a must watch film that begs to be watched in the dark and behind the sofa.
House of Flying Daggers (2004) Sky Indie
Coming off the back of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”,
this is a film that deserves to be seen in its own light. The cinematography
and the action is simply breath-taking, the amount of detail poured into any
give scene would embarrass most main stream movies. The film follows two
captains from the Tang Dynsasty who are tasked with bring down the rebel group,
The House of Flying Daggers. This film is simply beautiful .
Lucky Number Slevin (2006) Film 4 11.15
As mentioned in my Running Scared recommendation here we
have another post-Tarantino film. What do I mean by post-Tarantino? Look for
obscure pop culture references, edgy action, and air of cool that usually didn’t
appear in action films of yesteryear. It might sound like a criticism… and I
guess it is a little bit, but do I like the film? Yeah I do. Josh Harnett is
the man suffering from mistaken identity with a couple of mob bosses and hair
which always looks cool no matter who’s hitting him the face. Decent cast that
also includes Bruce Willis, Ben Kingsley, Lucy Liu and Stanley Tucci make sure
it is definitely worth your time.
Wednesday
The King of Comedy (1983) Film 4 9pm
My film recommendation of the week, and it’s a hat-trick for
Martin Scorsese (can you guess who my favourite director is?). This is a film
that I’ve been recommending for a while now to people who put up with me and is
one of the few instances I disagree with Empire Online, who only give it 3 out
of 5. Robert De Niro stars as Rupert Pupkin who is obsessed with becoming
famous and resorts to stalking his idol Jerry Lewis in order to make it happen,
with mixed results. Fascinating and often awkward this is a creepy look at
people’s obsession with celebrity culture and is relevant as it was 30 years
ago – probably more so.
Ray (2004) Sky Modern Greats 8pm
Right, I’ll be honest with you here. I’ve watched this film,
I know I quite liked it, but I can’t actually remember why, other than an amazing performance from Jamie
Foxx – I’m pretty sure the story line was good, if not remarkable, and it’s an
interesting look into an icon and the darkness that was part of his life – hey,
that wasn’t bad actually! Maybe I remember more than I give myself credit for. Regardless
of my poor memory, Jamie Foxx is blue legend Ray Charles, and this story
follows him in his formative years dealing with blindness, his rise to stardom
and the problems that it seems to always bring about. If you want a bit more of
an insight here is Total Film’s write up:
Ruby Sparks, Cinema
There’s not a lot else on tonight, so if you fancy making
the most of Orange Wednesday, then go out and see this film as all the reviews
seem to be good for it. Paul Dano is an author who writes about his dream girl –
who then just happens to come to life. Yep, I know, but put away your sensible
side for a bit, and just and enjoy it. Here’s Empire’s review to seal the deal.
Thursday
My Cousin Vinny (1992) TCM 9pm
I was doing pretty well for recommending films I have seen
this week but all this is about to come crashing to an end, and this one is nowhere
near as embarrassing as the next one. Joe Pesci is the small time lawyer who
thinks he is big time trying to get his cousin off the hook for a murder
charge. It’s got Joe Pesci in it, so it should be worth my time. For the rest,
here’s a review from Empire Online:
The Abyss (1989) Film 4 6.15pm
Right I am embarrassed I haven’t seen this. Like really embarrassed.
My excuse is, that I’ve always known it’s there, and I’ve really never been
compelled to watch it, but I know I should… ok I don’t have an excuse, for the
following reasons:
1)
It’s by James Cameron.
2)
It’s sci-fi by James Cameron
3)
It’s sci-fi by James Cameron that stars Michael
Biehn
I know Michael Biehn may not be familiar to all of you but
he is kind a big deal to me cause of the roles he has played in a couple of my
favourite films (which just so happen to be Jim Cameron films as well).
Basically all this means I am stupid for not have watching it, and I’m sorry. I’m
not sure exactly who I am apologising too, but there you have it just in case. The story concerns an underwater rescue team
who encounter aliens and is meant to be one of the great sci-fi films of all
time. Geez. Here’s Empire Online’s write up:
Blazing Saddles (1974) ITV 4 10pm
This film regularly appears in top 10 funniest films of all
time along with the other usual suspects (take a bow ‘Airplane!’, ‘Some Like it
Hot’ and others…) and rightly so. Starring Gene Wilder and directed by Mel
Brooks, the story follows a young black man who become a young black sheriff to
a frontier town who are less then appreciative. Watch, laugh and enjoy.
Friday
National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978) Sky Modern Greats 8pm
One of the ‘others’ I was referencing in my previous
recommendation when I spoke of greatest comedies of all time is this – and it
is possibly the most influential comedy of all time. If you haven’t watched
this film, then I recommend now is a good time. This film follows a fraternity
house battling to fight off expulsion from university and the madcap madness
that ensues. This film is responsible for lowering ‘the tone’ when it came to
comedy, and the repercussions can still be felt today in basically anything the
frat pack plus its extended family does. It’s the film that threw John Belushi
into the stratosphere… just think of him as the original Zack Galifinakis if
you’re not familiar.
The Machinist (2004) Sky Indies 10pm
Christian Bale does ‘his trick’ (I’m joking if you’re
reading by the way Christian) and sheds shocking amount of weight to play an
insomniac struggling with the problems with reality – and when I say ‘with
reality’ I don’t mean the problems life throws up (those too) but more so
working out what is real… Fascinating look into a man losing the plot, make
sure you check this one out. Also this film concludes a trilogy of films on Sky
Indie that must surely rank as some of the most depressing of all time. So if
you feel like hating life then please tune in at 6.10 pm for ‘Never Let Me Go’
and at 8pm for ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’.
Conan the Barbarian (1982) Sky Modern Greats 11.40pm
The film that got Arnie Schwarzenegger’s career on the way
to the big time is a great fantasy yarn about sword fights, sorcery and snakes.
A great score by Basil Poledouris brings to life this magical tale about the
warrior Conan looking to avenge his parents death in a harsh and brutal world.
If you just like lots of boobs and biceps on show then you’re also in luck.
No comments:
Post a Comment