gregorysgardner Reviews

Treasure Island (I) (1999)

Brilliant

[10/10 · 27 October 2004]

The best Treasure Island ever made. They just don't make films

like this anymore, or ever. No one makes films like this. More

than a novelty, this film is funny, frank and fascinating, yet moody,

mysterious and morose. This is one of my favorite pictures. The

director must have had some idea what it is all about, but he

certainly leaves room for your own impressions and interpretations, while leaving little left to the imagination. Why he

has not made more films like this, I have no idea. While

reminding me of some of the best noir, it is one of a kind. But this

is not for the lazy or simple.

Go West (1940)

Big fan

[8/10 · 22 October 2004]

After being a huge Marx Bros. fan my entire life, I finally laid down and watched Go West, expecting to be disappointed. I don't know why, I guess that I heard the latter MGM films didn't live up to the first two (though I did enjoy Room Service). Go West is a treasure.

Not living up to Duck Soup doesn't mean that Go West isn't chock full of little gems to be savored. These comics are so far ahead of their time (and ours), that one can't help but marvel at their freshness and flavor. I am so glad that I waited to see this, seeing a Marx Bros. film for the first time at my age, what a treat. Next stop, the Big Store!

DJ Hound Dog (2003)

It's Hot in South Beach

[4 May 2004]

I sneaked a peek at this last night, and had a ball. The international DJ scene is explored from the fish lens of a British transplant in South Beach. The lead character is a bit of a hound dog, but it's all in good fun, and the music is a gas. I liked the way the filmmakers incorporated fantasy and reality, and were unafraid to use sexuality shamelessly, without becoming a cheesy excuse for depicting soft-core porn. A lot of actual DJ's were introduced, but their personalities were not as fully explored as I would have enjoyed, but I got a taste of the scene. Jacobs is quite a character, and I hope to see him more often. HEY DJ rocks a medium that has become altogether too flaccid.