Incredibly non-pc, gross, scatological and shocking, this is also one of the best written and truly hysterical comedies I have seen in forever; A refreshing bit of dark dark comedy that leaves me in tears when I am not gasping "did they really say that??!!". It's a gem. watch it and savor.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Hap and Leonard
(2016–2018)
One of the best series on television
26 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
There is nothing not to love about this series, save for the fact that it's so short and there's such a long wait between seasons. Having always been a fan of Joe R Lansdale's work, I was delighted to see that the producers and writers of the current series have kept true to the characters and feel of the novels, while taking the plots in creative new directions.
The creative twists--such as Sheriff Valentine's revelation about his past, (season two) and the flashbacks of Hap and Leonard as small boys bonding over the deaths of their fathers--are nothing short of perfect; the story gallops along with nary a stumble, and the actors have nailed the characters with surgical precision. So intelligently written and beautifully paced, each episode deserves multiple viewings to appreciate. Put this one on your must-watch list--you'll be happy that you did.
The creative twists--such as Sheriff Valentine's revelation about his past, (season two) and the flashbacks of Hap and Leonard as small boys bonding over the deaths of their fathers--are nothing short of perfect; the story gallops along with nary a stumble, and the actors have nailed the characters with surgical precision. So intelligently written and beautifully paced, each episode deserves multiple viewings to appreciate. Put this one on your must-watch list--you'll be happy that you did.
Lincoln
(2012)
Sigh. Daniel does it again
29 December 2012
I'm prepared to admit at this point that Daniel Day Lewis has succeeded to the title of most brilliant actor of his generation--and I do not say that lightly. But when I consider what he has done here--imbued the most sacred president in our history with such aching, gorgeous, complex humanity--seemingly without conscious effort on his part--I say give it to him.
His Lincoln is at once ordinary and divine, passionate and all too earthy...and he inhabits the role so fully that not beyond the first minute do you think to yourself that you are watching an actor and not the man himself. I admit, at the first speech, I rather expected the voice to be deeper and more commanding, but that wore off instantly, and Spielberg to his credit gets every scene note-perfect. The scene where soldiers on the field were quoting back to him the Gettysburg Address was heartbreaking--The big guns, to be sure, but everyone in the theater stopped breathing. Spielberg has the mood and light fine-tuned to the point that when the characters are donning shawls against the cold--this in the white house--you shiver. I can'think of a single actor who was not up to snuff, but James Spader as a rascally vote procurer stands out. Sally Field as the troubled Mary Todd Lincoln is a sympathetic gem, and her portrayal should go a long way towards explaining and perhaps inviting history's revision of that unhappy woman. The film focuses most on the nuts and bolts of legislative and presidential processes, and while that may be boring for some,it has such a ring of authenticity and research that it had me scrambling for the history books to check on things I hadn't known. This is the most difficult of all subjects to film, a dense scholarly work translated to popular culture, but it succeeds on all counts. See it, make your children go with you. You won't regret it.
His Lincoln is at once ordinary and divine, passionate and all too earthy...and he inhabits the role so fully that not beyond the first minute do you think to yourself that you are watching an actor and not the man himself. I admit, at the first speech, I rather expected the voice to be deeper and more commanding, but that wore off instantly, and Spielberg to his credit gets every scene note-perfect. The scene where soldiers on the field were quoting back to him the Gettysburg Address was heartbreaking--The big guns, to be sure, but everyone in the theater stopped breathing. Spielberg has the mood and light fine-tuned to the point that when the characters are donning shawls against the cold--this in the white house--you shiver. I can'think of a single actor who was not up to snuff, but James Spader as a rascally vote procurer stands out. Sally Field as the troubled Mary Todd Lincoln is a sympathetic gem, and her portrayal should go a long way towards explaining and perhaps inviting history's revision of that unhappy woman. The film focuses most on the nuts and bolts of legislative and presidential processes, and while that may be boring for some,it has such a ring of authenticity and research that it had me scrambling for the history books to check on things I hadn't known. This is the most difficult of all subjects to film, a dense scholarly work translated to popular culture, but it succeeds on all counts. See it, make your children go with you. You won't regret it.
Shoot 'Em Up
(2007)
If you love clever action, this is your film
29 September 2007
Warning: Spoilers
If you are a fan of the Marx brothers, Tarantino, or any other absurdist filmmakers, this is your cup of tea. Forget plot, forget exposition, just strap in and enjoy the ride; this is the most fun you're going to have at the movies for a long time. (Particularly if you are fortunate enough to have an Alamo Draft House in your burg, where you can enjoy a civilized meal and wine during the movie). Basic story is simple:man saves girl about to be murdered and delivers her baby, saves baby against waves of murderous thugs sent to kill it; enlists the heart-of-gold hooker, susses out the reasons for pursuit, and confounds them all.
Like the grandfather in Princess Bride exclaims, this story has everything;good and evil, heartbreak, redemption, true love..oh, and yeah, action: more action, and more cleverly spiked with wry humour than you've seen in the last six movies you screened. The director has a truly original touch, having the hero off the bad guys with carrots, and using crankcase oil as an escape slide--trust me, you've got to see this, if not on the big screen, then at home. And you bloody well better eat your veggies.
Like the grandfather in Princess Bride exclaims, this story has everything;good and evil, heartbreak, redemption, true love..oh, and yeah, action: more action, and more cleverly spiked with wry humour than you've seen in the last six movies you screened. The director has a truly original touch, having the hero off the bad guys with carrots, and using crankcase oil as an escape slide--trust me, you've got to see this, if not on the big screen, then at home. And you bloody well better eat your veggies.
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