Mark switched me on to Mark Kermode’s film reviews on Simon Mayo’s radio show some time back. Most wittertaining it is too. From here I found Mark Kermode’s uncut video blog. Why mention this now? Well, may I present to you Revue: Star Wars, The Clone Wars. I’ve heard a clip of the dialogue in this film and it makes the Phantom Menace sound like Shakespear.
Tim, the inconvenient truth is that the film has some factual errors. That does not mean it has been robbed of its purpose.
If its core arguments are sound then the message will survive. The arguments’ scientific basis is sound. The High Court ruling only requires nine errors to be highlighted and for teachers to explain the political context — hardly a bad thing in itself.
Do we have to accept messages entirely without question because someone influential says they are important? I’m glad that important ideas such as climate change are held up to scrutiny because it makes it that much harder for self interested, short sighted politicians like Bush to deny.
Thanks to the inestimable Mr Estall I got to see a preview of Danny Boyle’s new film Sunshine last night. Better still, before the screening there was an interview with the man himself. Danny Boyle, that is, not Mr Estall. It was a good interview and he took a wide range of questions from the audience. I thought he was very open, unpretentious — especially around practicalities such as marketing a film — funny and not a little self-deprecating. He hung around after the interview to talk to some of the folks in the audience and he even stayed when the film started to roll.
And the film? Well, in genre terms it’s a sci-fi thriller/actioner. It’s definitely towards the “harder” end of sci-fi, think 2001 or Alien. It’s got the confined feel of those films too and from the interview I picked up that this was a concious choice. In places I was worried that it was going to veer towards the mindless chase-me-chase-me-blood-and-gore of something like Event Horizon but thankfully these elements of the film are kept in proportion. It was only as we discussed the film afterwards that Mr Estall and I began to appreciate how clever and different the writing really is; some of this can easily pass you buy as you are pulled along by the compelling story. The visuals are a treat and there are some striking stylistic choices made that raises this film above the norm. If you decide to see this intelligent action flick I’d recommend finding the biggest screen you can.
There are simply too many classic films I have not seen and, worse, probably won’t get round to seeing unless I get some help. So here’s the plan: On the first Saturday evening of each month will be convened Film Club, wherein a classic film will be watched. And… that’s about it really. The theory is that by making an arrangement it’s much more likely to happen.
Suggestions for classic films for the first meeting are welcome. A good working definition of “classic” is if you tell someone you haven’t seen film X and they reply, “You haven’t seen X?!”. So for me, that would include The Godfather and The Shining.
Saturday 9th draws near, so here’s the rough plan for the Indithon. We will start each of the films on or about the following times:
Turn up when you can for as long as you can. Crash a film midway if you must, just ignore my scowls.
Fedoras and bullwhips optional, comedy names mandatory. The rules for the comedy names are as follows: Replace your own first name with an American state name. Bonus marks if it starts with the same letter as your first name or alliterates. I’ll be Arkansas Smith.
We’ll provide dinner, somehow. Bring your own booze and nibbles, e.g. bad dates.
Much as I dislike removing Louise from her top spot on the blog today, Tim’s been nagging me to know what I thought about Casino Royale.
Louise and I got to the cinema about 5 minutes before the film started, thankfully with pre-bought tickets in hand. Due to Orange Wednesdays the place was rammed and we were uncomfortably close to the front and off to the side. It reminded me of going to see Four Weddings where I was in the leftmost, frontmost seat. Ouch.
Anyway, enough of the situational ramblings. We both enjoyed the film and I think it is improved as much by what is left out as what is put in. Particularly the jettisoning of much of the Bond paraphernalia that has grown up around the series. Recent films had acquired a touch of the pantomime where you know most of the shape of the film before you even sit down. Listen up 007, this is a watch. Oh yes it is! Oh no it isn’t! Ah, Miss Thinly Veiled Double Entendre, I’ve been expecting you. He’s behind you!
In the opening (post-credit) chase scene my hackles started to rise: When is climbing up a crane ever a good idea as an escape route? But as soon as I saw the parkour action I couldn’t help but smile. I’ve wondered for a couple of years what it would be like to use parkour stunts in a film; answer: good!
From that point on the film had me engaged almost throughout. I thought the running commentary on the poker game a little heavy handed. Look! It is the tell! He is bluffing. Yes, thanks, James already explained that not two minutes ago. Stupid test audiences!
The humor, too, was much better. And so on… lots of other people have raved more articulately about the obvious improvements. My few gripes above aside, it was a good film. They’ll make a packet. Yes, James Bond will certainly be back.
End note: A quick plug for Firefox 2. The built-in spell checker certainly made writing this post a lot easier. Or a least less embarrassing when I got “paraphernalia” wrong.
Tiredness. I’m tired. I should probably be in bed. Why am I tired? I’m not entirely sure. Perhaps it’s because I now get to look after the children solo for a few hours at the weekend while Louise is at work. Or perhaps it’s the after effects of those cocktails last night. (Aside: I really don’t like Campari. At all. Way too bitter. I really want to take a test to see if I’m a supertaster; I certainly fit the profile.)
(Another aside: The wind started to pick up a few minutes ago and blew over some of our milk bottles, so Louise and I have had a fun time crawling under our cars with torch and broom. Not feeling so tired right now.)
We’re planning to go and see Casino Royale on Wednesday evening. Tim W seems to rate it; Mark less so. I’m still hoping to see The Prestige, given it’s relation to Batman Begins and Tim S’ recommendation. However, I don’t think our babysitter quota will stretch far enough. So, Tim, it’s not Borat but can I interest you in some Bond? (I was going to write Bondage there but I hear double entendres went out with Brosnan.)
Tim, the first rule of Film Club is that you don’t talk about Film Club.
Sorry, that was too easy. My list of Films I’m Embarresed To Admit I Haven’t Seen includes The Godfather and The Shining. We’ve got a lot of work to do.
Hmmm… these blog posts are getting a little incestuous. We need to expand our blogging circle line of friends. I reckon I can persuade Mr Watkins, unless someone else wants to volunteer?
Last year’s Ringathon was great fun, so this year I’d like to do something similar to celebrate my birthday. After due thought and consideration, I think a marathon Indiana Jones watching is in order. As “Indyathon” just doesn’t cut it as a name, I’m going to call it the “Indy 345″. Answers on a postcard.
I can’t believe Raiders is 25 years old this year!
Whenever I used to watch Empire, I would wonder why in the space scenes Artoo’s panels were black instead of blue. Well, thanks to a work collegue’s link to starwars.com, I now know exactly why.