Tuesday 22 September 2009

(500) Films Of Empire - Day 7


Started the day with a morning viewing of;


470 – Glengarry Glen Ross – 4 stars

What a cast! Now this is what you call acting.  Try getting Pacino, Spacey, Harris, Arkin, Baldwin and Lemmon (ok maybe not Lemmon) together in a movie these days.  When you have actors like these with dialogue by Mamet, the result is 'Death Of A F*cking Salesman'.  Trivia fact for you - first film classified as 15 to feature the 'C' word.

Unfortunately, and perhaps unfairly given its background, I have to deduct points for being unable to escape the feeling that you are watching a play trying to be a film, but this is typical of all small, ensemble play adaptations (Closer, Doubt, etc).


Went to the cinema all jazzed up to sell some memberships (ABC – always be closing) but really ended up spending most of the day doing Pacino impressions at work “HOO-AH!”.  Saw a great clip on YouTube with a Stand Up comic doing an Al Pacino GPS, “What The F*CK are you doing? I tell you to go RIGHT, you go left”, with the secret to a good Pacino being that you shout, then you whisper.


After work, off to rehearsals for 'Red, Hot & Cole' as part of my new hobby of musical theatre.  Between that and this movie challenge that should keep my fairly busy and give me something to do that doesn't involve being at work!


Felt like I should have watched a musical when I got back but there wasn't enough time before Brazil was on BBC1, but there was enough time for;


438 - The Lost Boys – 3 stars


I will admit to being very nervous about watching this.  It can be dangerous to rewatch movies that you loved when you were growing up, as they may not be as good as you remember, especially ones made in the eighties (I'm looking at you Teen Wolf!).  Luckily, The Lost Boys has aged quite well in comparison to most.  Still a great mix of funny, scary and the two Corey's.  Must also mention one of the greatest extras of all time... the greased up shirtless saxophone player, 80's cheese at it's best, and the rare treat of a good film by Joel Schumacher.  One question though, why did Corey Haim have a poster of a pouting Rob Lowe on his wall?


Late night ahead with a midnight screening on the TV of Brazil.  Had the pleasure of attending a Q&A with Terry Gilliam at the Movie-Co weekend in August and he was a warm, funny man who was deeply passionate about what he does and very honest about how the troubles/barriers he faces in bringing his unique vision to the screen.


83 - Brazil – 4 stars  

Gosh, I haven't been this high up the list yet. Finally watching something in the top 100!  Was surprised to realise I'd never seen this before.  Unmistakably Gilliam in terms of story, style and design as Python does 1984.  It's wonderful to see what genius he is truly capable of when not held back by the studio.  Lovely turn by Michael Palin as the bad guy.

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