Film Review: IF…. (1968)

Director: Lindsay Anderson
Writer: David Sherwin (Screenplay & Original Script “Crusaders”) and John Howlett (Original Script “Crusaders”)
Running time: 111 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Drama
UK Release date: 19^th December 1968 (Premiere, London)

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 11^th February 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This film came up in an online conversation about the Japanese film ‘Battle Royalle’ as an example of an earlier film featuring violent schoolchildren. I really didn’t know what to expect when I started to watch it and it kept me guessing all the way through I’m afraid. It’s one of those 1960’s films that seems to be trying to be a little too intellectual for its own good. I will tell you more after this brief summary.

The plot surrounds the goings on at a boarding school in England, and in particular those goings on in College House. At the top of the tree are the faculty who rule the classrooms with and iron grip. Then there are the Whips, or as I prefer to see them, the Prefects; these guys rule the halls and the dormitories. Then there are the Senior Boys and finally the Juniors. Much of the film is taken up with the general life in the school, all the bickering, fights and general tension that goes on amongst a group of boys together. We then turn our attention to three seniors, Mick Travis, Johnny and Wallace. Travis is obsessed with war and this sparks the beginnings of a revolution at the school. I will stop there before I say too much, but I assure both you and the Spoiler Police that I have probably made it sound far more exciting than it is.

This is quite an odd film to watch; there are scenes in colour and then there are scenes in black and white. I tried to figure out the logic behind it but couldn’t see any… maybe they just ran out of colour film? All the performances were pretty good, in particular the older boys. And so I’ll give honourable mentions to; a very young looking Malcolm McDowell as Mick Travis, David Wood as Johnny, Richard Warwick as Wallace and Christine Noonan as The Girl. Also; Rupert Webster as Bobby Phillips, Robert Swann as Rountree, Hugh Thomas as Denson and Michael Cadman as Fortinbras.

Unfortunately, apart from a few scenes, including the crazy ending, I found this film quite dull. There seems to be no narrative that could be easily followed; you kind of pick up little pieces here and there. The cutting between colour and black and white also made no sense (to me). Over all, I found it quite disappointing but I feel it’s one of those you don’t ‘get’ until you’ve seen it a few times. Sadly I don’t feel inspired enough to give it another look right now. I guess it does have something to say, but I couldn’t see it… Not recommended.

My score: 5.6/10.

IMDb Score: 7.7/10 (based on 9,504 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0063850/

Rotten Tomatoes: NO LISTING

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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Mick Travis: One man can change the world with a bullet in the right place.

[after lights-out]
Mick Travis: [whispering] Stephans. Whatever you're doing now... don't.

Mick Travis: There's only one thing you can do with a girl like this. Walk naked into the sea together as the sun sets. Make love once... Then die.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer (unofficial):

Film Review: BATTLE LOS ANGELES (2011)

Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Writer: Christopher Bertolini
Running time: 112 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi
UK Release date: 11^th March 2011

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 11^th February 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I remember seeing trailers for this and thinking it looked interesting; but then it got released and was slammed by the critics so I put it on the “Watch when it lands on TV” list. Well, it finally landed on TV and I have to say it was nothing like as bad as I was expecting it to be. It is far far batter than the other film of this ilk that came out around the same time “Skyline”, which I gave the lowest score I’ve ever given to by the way. I will tell you more about this one after this brief summary.

When strange meteors begin falling into earth’s oceans it seems a little odd at first that they weren’t detected. But when scientists realise that they are slowing down before they hit; they soon discover that the earth is under attack. Of course the film focuses on the battle for Los Angeles and in particular efforts of the platoon led by 2nd Lt. William Martinez who has the veteran Sgt. Michael Nantz as his stand-in second in command. They are tasked with reaching a police station in an occupied zone where it is believed several civilians are trapped. To add to the tension, an air strike is due to hit in less than three hours. After some fierce fighting with the alien invaders they finally reach their objective, only to find that a helicopter evacuation is impossible after the aliens bring in their own air support. These are controlled by a central hub that the marines make their next target. I will leave it there or the Spoiler Police (Alien Invasions Division) will have me probed (again).

A very well made film with some really excellent CGI and special effects. The aliens, in particular were very well thought out. As far as performances go, well I thought Aaron Eckhart did an excellent job as Sgt. Michael Nantz; as did Ramon Rodriguez as 2nd Lt. William Martinez, neither part was as cliché as they might have been. Also worthy of note were; Michelle Rodriguez as TSgt. Elena Santos, Will Rothhaar as Cpl. Lee Imlay, Cory Hardrict as Cpl. Jason Lockett, Jim Parrack as LCpl. Peter Kerns, Gino Anthony Pesi as Cpl. Nick Stavrou, Ne-Yo as Cpl. Kevin Harris, Bridget Moynahan as Michelle and Michael Peña as Joe Rincon.

The filmmakers begin with a section that, not only, sets the scene, but also introduces and gives a little back-story to some of the characters. I quite liked this because it gave the audience a little something extra that they might draw upon when these characters were in danger. And, believe me, there’s an awful lot of danger out there! The film does suffer a little from, what I call, ‘First Person Shooter Syndrome’ during some of the action sequences. That is, it’s kind of like watching someone else playing a First Person Shooter video game. The use of hand-held cameras during these sequences just adds to the effect I’m afraid. As a whole, though, I quite enjoyed this film; not entirely original, I could see many parallels with ‘Independence Day’ here, but then again, that’s not so bad. I could easily see myself watching this one again someday… Recommended.

My score: 6.8/10.

IMDb Score: 5.9/10 (based on 73,299 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1217613/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 35/100 (based on 193 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 49/100 (based on 81,598 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/battle-los-angeles/

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http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Sgt. Major: At 14:46 Pacific Standard Time, 12 different locations around the world were breached, in what appears to be a coordinated attack by an unknown enemy. All breaches were along the coastline, in what is a campaign of rapid dominance. This is a textbook military invasion. There are massive casualties in New York, defensive lines are being setup in Boston, and at 13:15 Zulu Time we lost communications with San Francisco and San Diego, their status is unknown. What we do know is that we are the LAST offensive force on the west coast, we can NOT lose Los Angeles.

SSgt. Michael Nantz: Stavro, Harris, the lieutenant needs recon on a bus. If it runs, bring it back here... Either of you know how to hotwire a bus?
Cpl. Kevin Harris: Um, Stvrou can. He's from Jersey, sir.

Cpl. Lee Imlay: [looking at map] This map shows where all the units were deployed... what do all these red marks mean?
[map is covered with red X's]
SSgt. Michael Nantz: It means they're gone.
Cpl. Lee Imlay: You mean the units got moved...
SSgt. Michael Nantz: Wiped out.
Cpl. Lee Imlay: All of them?
SSgt. Michael Nantz: All of them.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/battlela/
Trailer:

Film Review: TREASURE PLANET (2002)

Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker
Writers: Robert Louis Stevenson (Novel), Ron Clements, John Musker & Rob Edwards (Screenplay).
Running time: 95 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Animation/Action/Adventure
UK Release date: 14^th February 2003

Watched on Sky+ Friday 10^th February 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is one of those films I watched because it was recommended to me by several people in the online community. Now usually such recommendations point me towards a lesser-known work, or an undiscovered gem, but this time it’s a big-budget Disney animation. It’s basically the plot of the book ‘Treasure Island’ by Robert Louis Stevenson set in space. It does all the things Disney does well and is entertaining enough, but it just didn’t quite hit the mark (for me). I’ll tell you more after this brief summary.

We are told the tale of the pirate, Captain Flint, and how he amassed a treasure and hid it on a planet whose whereabouts are a mystery. This story becomes a legend and many had tried and failed to find the planet. But when a mysterious stranger calls at the Inn run by Jim Hawkins mother, he leaves behind a map. This map, it transpires holds the key to the location of the fabled Treasure Planet. A family friend, Dr. Doppler, finances an expedition. He hires a ship, a captain and a crew and brings Jim along to share in the adventure. The skipper, Captain Amelia, has reservations about the crew, but they set sail post haste. Jim is sent to work in the galley with the ships cook, one John Silver, a cyborg. There is more to him than meets the eye, and as they near the planet Jim discovers his secret. I won’t say any more or the Spoiler Police will have me keel hauled (again).

Very well made with some really exciting sequences and some excellent animation. The look and feel of it are everything you’d expect from a modern-day Disney animation. As far as performances go, well everyone did a good job, so honourable mentions go to; Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jim Hawkins, Brian Murray as John Silver, David Hyde Pierce as Doctor Doppler, Emma Thompson as Captain Amelia and Martin Short as B.E.N.

I am very familiar with the story and I found that so much of it was either changed or left out that I really didn’t enjoy this film as much as I thought I would. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for updating the classics and I think there have been some excellent modern adaptations of classic novels but this one didn’t hit the mark (for me) I’m afraid. There were bits I did like though, the humour for one; some very nice and subtle jokes in there. I also liked the way they portrayed the relationship between Jim and John Silver; I had never seen it that way before (sorry, no spoilers). Over all though, it didn’t quite have enough for me to recommend it, but I’m sure there are many out there who will love it nonetheless.

My score: 5.2/10.

IMDb Score: 6.7/10 (based on 20,835 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0133240/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 70/100 (based on 143 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 64/100 (based on 62,586 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/treasure_planet/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Doctor Doppler: It's...
Jim Hawkins: Treasure Planet!
Doctor Doppler: [in disbelief] No!
Jim Hawkins: That's Treasure Planet!
Doctor Doppler: Flints' Trove? The loot of a thousand worlds? Do you know what this means?
Jim Hawkins: It means that all that treasure is only a boat ride away!

B.E.N.: I'm starting to see my life pass in front of my eyes! At least, I think it's my life.
B.E.N.: [shouting] Was I ever dancing with an android named Lupé?

Doctor Doppler: Dang it, Jim. I'm an astronomer, not a doctor! I mean, I am a doctor, but I'm not that kind of doctor. I have a doctorate, it's not the same thing. You can't help people with a doctorate. You just sit there and you're useless!

Captain Amelia: I'm Captain Amelia. Late of a few run-ins with the Procyon Armada, nasty business, but I won't bore you with my scars; You've met my first officer, Mr. Arrow? Sterling, tough, dependable, honest, brave and true.
Mr. Arrow: Please, Captain...
Captain Amelia: Oh, shut up, Arrow. You know I don't mean a word of it.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: THE LION KING (1994)

Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Writers: Too many to list (27)
Running time: 89 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Animation/Adventure/Comedy
UK Release date: 7^th October 1994

Watched on Sky+ Tuesday 7^th February 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I have seen so much praise for this film over the years but never got around to watching it. Well, a rather cold Tuesday night and it’s on the hard drive of my Sky+ box. I took the plunge and was quite impressed with it over all; although I’m not really the target audience I did find it both entertaining and amusing. I will give you more of my thoughts after this very brief summary.

The film tells the story of Simba, a lion cub who is destined to be king. That is if his uncle, Scar, doesn’t get his way first. Simba enjoys life as a cub, playing with his friend Nala and learning life lessons from his father, Mufasa. But then Scar decides to take a hand in his destiny and Simba finds himself out in the wilderness alone. Here he is befriended by a Warthog, Pumbaa, and a Meerkat, Timon. They persuade Simba to put his troubles aside and just enjoy life and so this unlikely trio live quite happily in another part of the jungle. Before we know it Simba has grown up and a chance meeting with Nala brings back memories he had buried deep inside him. But what will he do about it? Well, just in case there’s one or two out there who haven’t seen it yet, I’ll leave it there or the Spoiler Police (Jungle Division) will be taking me for a visit with the hyenas (again).

Excellent animation and some really good songs are what struck me most about this film. To be honest, I had heard most of the main songs before, but it was nice to put them into context. Performance-wise, well everyone did a good job, particularly Jeremy Irons who voiced the evil Scar really well. Also worthy of note were the voice talents of; Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Young Simba, Matthew Broderick as Adult Simba, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Nathan Lane as Timon, Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa, Rowan Atkinson as Zazu and Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi.

Although it was good, and great for younger viewers, I guess I was expecting something a little more epic. Not that I was particularly disappointed, I suppose all those rave reviews I read maybe upped my expectations a tad. At the end of the day it does what it says on the tin and you really cannot ask for more. It does stand out as one of the better Disney animated films its era, that’s a given, but I must say I have seen later films that are equally as good, or even better. Even so, it will still delight, amuse and entertain and I cannot knock it for that… Recommended.

My score: 8.2/10.

IMDb Score: 8.3/10 (based on 220,746 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0110357/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 89/100 (based on 92 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 89/100 (based on 1,177,009 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_lion_king/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
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FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Mufasa: Look, Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom.
Young Simba: Wow.
Mufasa: A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king.
Young Simba: And this'll all be mine?
Mufasa: Everything.
Young Simba: Everything the light touches...

Zazu: [about Scar] There's one in every family sire. Two in mine, actually. And they always manage to ruin special occasions.
Mufasa: What am I going to do with him?
Zazu: He'd make a very handsome throw rug.
Mufasa: [Surprised] Zazu!
Zazu: And just think, Whenever he gets dirty you can take him out and beat him.

Timon: Geez! It's a lion! Run, Pumbaa! Move it!
Pumbaa: Hey, Timon, it's just a *little* lion. Look at him. He's so cute and all alone! Can we keep him?
Timon: Pumbaa, are you nuts? We're talking about a lion; Lions eat guys like us!
Pumbaa: But he's so little.
Timon: He's gonna get bigger.
Pumbaa: Maybe he'll be on our side.
Timon: A - huh! That's the stupidest thing I ever heard. Maybe he'll b-... Hey, I got it! What if he's on our side? You know, having a lion around might not be such a bad idea.

Timon: What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: TAXI DRIVER (1976)

Director: Martin Scorsese
Writer: Paul Schrader
Running time: 113 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 18

Genre: Drama/Thriller
USA Release date: 8^th February 1976

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 5^th February 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Believe it or not but this is the first time I’ve ever seen this film. It’s one that has always been on my radar but I never got around to it until now. What’s galling about it is that the film is so very good and I feel bad that I hadn’t watched it sooner. But there’s no use worrying about it now, it’s a great film and no mistaking, Scorsese was really on form back in the ‘70’s and it really shows in this one! More of my thoughts after this brief summary.

Travis Bickle is an ex-marine who has trouble sleeping and in order to relieve the tedium he takes a job as a taxi driver. He works all hours and doesn’t mind which parts of New York City he visits. He sees a girl he likes, Betsy, who works in the campaign office of Charles Palantine, who is going for the nomination to be President. They go out a few times but things don’t quite go according to plan. Bickle begins to get worse and focuses his attention on a young prostitute, Iris, who he decides to save from the life she’s found herself in. He gets himself a gun and deals with the situation in the only way he feels he can. I will leave it there or the Spoiler Police will be impounding my cab (again).

A really well made film with all the hard edges you’d expect from a gritty 1970’s drama. I love the look and feel of it and it’s all nicely knitted together with a hauntingly melodic musical score by Bernard Herrmann. On the performance front, well, Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle was breathtaking. I can see why many say this was his finest moment on film! Jodie Foster also did a great job as Iris, as did Cybill Shepherd as Betsy. Honourable mentions must go to; Peter Boyle as Wizard and Harvey Keitel as Sport.

This is a film that many have given high praise to and I can see why. It has everything you would want from a drama; not only is a story that sucks you in, but the performances are so good they make you believe in the characters. It does seem a little flat here and there, but you never really know just what’s going to happen next and I loved every minute of it!... This one comes HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My score: 9.2/10.

IMDb Score: 8.5/10 (based on 217,939 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0075314/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 98/100 (based on 60 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 93/100 (based on 207,339 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/taxi_driver/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
WARNING: STRONG LANGUAGE:
Personnel Officer: Wanna work uptown at nights? South Bronx? Harlem?
Travis Bickle: I'll work anytime, anywhere.
Personnel Officer: Will you work on Jewish holidays?
Travis Bickle: Anytime, anywhere.

Iris: God, you're square.
Travis Bickle: Hey, I'm not square, you're the one that's square. You're full of shit, man. What are you talking about? You walk out with those fuckin' creeps and low-lifes and degenerates out on the streets and you sell your little pussy for peanuts? For some low-life pimp who stands in the hall? And I'm square? You're the one that's square, man. I don't go screwing fuck with a bunch of killers and junkies like you do. You call that bein' hip? What world are you from?

Sport: See ya later, copper!
Travis Bickle: I'm no cop, man.
Sport: Well, if you are, then it's entrapment already.

Travis Bickle: All the animals come out at night - whores, skunk pussies, buggers, queens, fairies, dopers, junkies, sick, venal. Someday a real rain will come and wash all this scum off the streets. I go all over. I take people to the Bronx, Brooklyn, I take 'em to Harlem. I don't care. Don't make no difference to me. It does to some. Some won't even take spooks. Don't make no difference to me.

Travis Bickle: [Travis is trying his guns on the mirror] Huh? Huh?
[Draws]
Travis Bickle: Faster than you, fucking son of a... Saw you coming you fucking... shitheel.
[Reholsters]
Travis Bickle: I'm standing here; you make the move. You make the move. It's your move...
[Draws]
Travis Bickle: Don't try it you fuck.
[Reholsters]
Travis Bickle: You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? Then who the hell else are you talking... you talking to me? Well I'm the only one here. Who the fuck do you think you're talking to? Oh yeah? OK.
[Draws]

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: PRIEST (2011)

Director: Scott Charles Stewart
Writers: Cory Goodman, Min-Woo Hyung (graphic novel series “Priest”)
Running time: 84 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12

Genre: Action/Horror/Sci-Fi
UK Release date: 6^th May 2011

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 5^th February 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is one of those films that got slammed by the critics and didn’t do all that well at the box office. I did still want to see it though. Having never read the graphic novels I was totally open to what the film had to offer; I knew there was a sci-fi element to it (very obvious from the trailer) and I guess it is that which attracted me. Anyhow, having watched, and enjoyed, it I’m very happy to add it to my growing list of ‘guilty pleasures’. I will tell you more after this brief summary.

Set in a future where the world had been overrun by vampires and the only weapon humanity had was ‘The Priests’, a group of people with super-human abilities that match and surpass those of the vampires. When the war was won and the vampires locked away the church disbanded the Priests and took away their status. After his niece, Lucy, is kidnapped by a renegade band of vampires one of these priests disobeys his superiors and goes out into the wastelands to find her. He meets a law man, Hicks, who knows his niece and wants to come along to find her. The priest agrees and they are soon on the trail. They discover the vampires have been busy in the wastelands and they are more of a threat than they ever were. They have a new leader, a former Priest, Black Hat, who is something very different and very special. A priestess is sent out to find our priest and bring him back, but she ends up joining their fight. Will they find Lucy before it’s too late? Well, you probably guessed I can’t answer that one here or the Spoiler Police (Priest Division) will be setting their sights on me (again).

A well made film with some very nice CGI and gadgetry, a lot of care obviously went into this aspect. Performance-wise, well everyone was pretty good actually; Paul Bettany was as good as ever as Priest, Karl Urban was mean, moody and menacing as Black Hat, Cam Gigandet did a decent job as Hicks and Maggie Q was also good as the Priestess. Honourable mentions go to; Lily Collins as Lucy Pace and Christopher Plummer as Monsignor Orelas.

There is a very good animated sequence at the beginning of the film that nicely sets up the history behind the storyline. I thought it was very well done and saved a lot of time in the narrative of the film itself. Talking of time, I thought the length of the film was just right; at just under 90 minutes there’s not enough time to get bored as the action does move along at a decent pace. One thing it did suffer from though was its 12 (or 12A in cinemas) certificate, I don’t see how you can make a half-decent action movie and keep the violence down to that level. For me it tamed it down a little too much and I would have liked to have seen at least a 15 certificate version. I watched it in 2D, 3D is lost on me… I don’t see the point of it I’m afraid. I have no religious affiliations and so was not offended by references made to the church. I know some might be, so please bear this in mind if you feel inclined to watch it. Over all, despite a few niggles; I quite enjoyed this film and would happily watch it again at some point. For me, it’s recommended, but I know there are many out there who may disagree.

My score: 6.8/10.

IMDb Score: 5.7/10 (based on 39,510 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0822847/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 17/100 (based on 90 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 37/100 (based on 48,431 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/10009274-priest/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Black Hat: [With an evil smirk] After all, if you're not committing sin... you're not having fun.

Priest: [Hicks has finally grown a pair and saves Priest's life] You would have made a good priest.
Hicks: Thanks!
Priest: [Small pause] Don't let it go to your head!

Hicks: [Priest is carving crosses into bullets] What's with all the bullets? I thought priests didn't use firearms.
Priest: We don't. They're for you.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.sonypictures.com/homevideo/priest/
Official Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/PriestMovie
Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PriestMovie?sk=app_107916972622270
Trailer:

Film Review: MAN ON THE MOON (1999)

Director: Milos Forman
Writers: Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski
Running time: 118 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15
Genre: Biography/Drama/Comedy
UK Release date: 5^th May 2000
Watched on Sky+ Saturday 4^th February 2012.
PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.
This is a film I have seen three times now and I must admit I love it! Apart from his portrayal of Latka (I know I spelt that right) on the TV show ‘Taxi’, I knew very little about Andy Kaufman. Of course much of his work was focused on the US and so we didn’t really hear much about it here in the UK. He was quite a character who had a very controversial career, some of it worked and was brilliant and some of it was a bit too wide of the mark for many. Either way, I found it a very interesting and entertaining film with a stand-out performance from Jim Carrey. I will tell you more after this brief summary.
We begin with a very young Andy Kaufman putting on shows for his kid sister. Moving on, he’s doing stand-up in a club when an agent, George Shapiro, sees him and offers to represent him. This leads to him landing the role of Latka in ‘Taxi’, a role which, we are lead to believe, he didn’t really want to do. Another character, Tony Clifton, puts in an appearance at this point. He is a cabaret singer and a very good friend of Andy’s; in fact, Andy would only agree to play the part of Latka if Tony could also appear in the show. Moving on, Andy and his writing partner, Bob Zmuda, turn their attention to wrestling and Andy begins to play the bad guy, wrestling women. One of the top wrestlers in the country, Jerry Lawler, doesn’t like it and challenges Kaufman to a fight! It all comes to a head when they come to blows live on the David Letterman chat show. Little did people realise, but it was all staged and Kaufman and Lawler were really good friends. Andy eventually meets Lynne Marguiles who becomes his partner and they move in together. Sadly, it’s not long after that he is diagnosed with cancer. Whilst fighting it he fulfils his lifetime ambition and puts on a show at Carnegie Hall in New York. I will leave it there or the Spoiler Police (Biopics Division) will be making my biopic a little shorter.
A well made film with many people playing themselves which is either a testament to Andy Kaufman… or they needed the work (that’s a joke by the way). For me, the stand-out performance came from Jim Carrey as Andy Kaufman; his best performance to date (IMO)! Danny DeVito did a great job as George Shapiro, as did Courtney Love as Lynne Marguiles and Paul Giamatti as Bob Zmuda. But, for me, a film that can bring together the likes of; Marilu Henner from ‘Taxi’, Judd Hirsch from ‘Taxi’, Carol Kane from ‘Taxi’, David Letterman and Christopher Lloyd from ‘Taxi’ has to have something special.
I think the reason I like Jim Carrey in this so much is that it gives him the opportunity to play the crazy zany stuff he’s famous for while at the same time giving him the chance to show the audience what a fine dramatic actor he is as well. The title comes from the REM song about Andy of the same name, refrains of which can be heard throughout the film, which I thought was a nice touch. As I said at the beginning this is the third time I’ve watched this film and it’s the third time it’s touched me emotionally. Not many films do that these days and so I have no problem in giving it a higher score than many and also deeming it ‘highly recommended’.
My score: 8.6/10
IMDb Score: 7.4/10 (based on 59,843 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0125664/
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 62/100 (based on 117 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 74/100 (based on 89,423 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1093579-man_on_the_moon/
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http://facebook.com/andy.steel3
FAVOURITE QUOTES: George Shapiro: You're insane, but you might also be brilliant.
Andy Kaufman: I am from Caspiar, an Island in the Caspian Sea. It sunk.
Tony Clifton: Can I use the bathroom? I may have shit my pants.
Security Guard: Not on the lot.
Tony Clifton: Drink of water?
Security Guard: [shakes head]
Tony Clifton: Aspirin?
Security Guard: [shakes head]
Tony Clifton: Moist Towelette?
Security Guard: [shakes head]
Tony Clifton: Well, in that case, a good day.
George Shapiro: Andy, you have to look inside and ask this question: who are you trying to entertain - the audience or yourself?
Andy Kaufman: Since you've all been such good boys and girls, I would like to take everybody in this entire audience out for milk and cookies. There are buses outside. Everybody follow me.
Tony Clifton: So... ya wanna see Andy? Anybody gotta flashlight and a couple of shovels?
LINKS: (Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.universalpictures.com/manonthemoon/
Trailer: