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gurfatehphil
Reviews
Swift and Shift Couriers (2008)
Nice Slice of Madness
Quite entertaining and funny in it's own twisted and politically incorrect way. A nice slice of the madness inherent in modern life and Sydney in particular. It's a 9-part series from Paul Fenech. He's the mad genius behind 'Pizza'. As you'll gather from the title, it's all about the staff of a courier company. Part of the grand comedy tradition of transport and taxi stuff ups. It's a comedy of errors, or should that be terrors? Having had to deal with the transport industry first hand when work in the education industry, this inspired silliness is spot on and close to home. There's going to be a second series in late 2009. Watch it and it'll cheer ya up a bit.
Cutthroat Island (1995)
One of the best pirate flicks of all time
Cutthroat Island. 1995. This film is a fantastic romp. The whole hidden pirate grotto is a homage to the old Pirate Ride at Disney. Pity they've now changed it. Snelgrave, first mate of the Reaper under Dawg Brown, is a great old sea dog. Some people say that there is no chemistry between the cast, I feel that's wrong. The look and feel of this film, from cast to ships to locations, is lush and very piratical. Dawg Brown is a classic piratical foil for Morgan Adams (Geena Davis). An unfairly-maligned epic pirate tale. As you watch and enjoy this rollicking adventure, realize that it's a homage to all those over-the-top salty sea dog flicks of the 30s-40s. Nicely done. One of the best pirate flicks of all time.
Howling III (1987)
Cool if you're from Sydney or know of Burnum Burnum
So. This is a bad horror movie. Most are in some way. But this one has humour and is fun to watch. The Australian setting and well known local people from the 70s and 80s make it especially fun for Sydney-Siders.
The movie is also notable for the appearance of Burnum Burnum, as Kendi, in one of his few movie roles. He got into some trouble over his part from certain quarters. But as he said, "...it's just a movie and it's entertainment, nothing serious." Watch it for the period piece that it is and enjoy something a little off-beat.
Also, watch out for Alan Dargin, the famous Aussie musician, as the Tracker.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
Bad... Very Bad...
Have just seen Dead Man's Chest (Pirates of the Caribbean II).
It's bad. Very bad!
I hated that it's gone from a great pirate tale, as it was in the first movie, to something of a horror comedy. Reminds me a tad of Evil Dead III without the style or sense of fun. Why so many monsters and such? I want pirates not mutants! The gross out factor didn't even enhance the plot. Detracted from it really.
The characters have lost the colour and depth they had and are now just flat. There are no real secondly characters in this one either. Just a re-hash of people from the first flick.
Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Norrington (Jack Davenport) have become faded and slightly evil. I like them as the lovable rogue, the young gent finding himself and the upright naval man. What's happened is just sad.
Only Elizabeth Sawnn (Keira Knightley) has some redeeming features.
Gone are the cleaver asides and one liners. Sad aping of elements from the original was detracting too. Why throw away style and plot and pacing and go for silly and weird CGI?
What a pity and what a let down.