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Reviews
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Truly, one of the finest comedies ever put on film...
Do not listen to naysayers or refuters, the incredible Monty Python and the
Holy Grail is the real deal. The more you know about the legend of King
Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the more it pays off in the long
run. The film is absolutely hilarious, and repeated viewings only make it
better and better. The wonderful cast of Monty Python are all here and
absolutely in prime form.
If you've ever been curious about Monty Python, this is the place to start.
If you've seen the series, or parts of it, but never seen any of the films,
again, start here. This is the best of all the films, in my opinion, and
still is as fresh and funny today as it was when it came out.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)
Truly, one of the finest comedies ever put on film...
Do not listen to naysayers or refuters, the incredible Monty Python and the
Holy Grail is the real deal. The more you know about the legend of King
Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, the more it pays off in the long
run. The film is absolutely hilarious, and repeated viewings only make it
better and better. The wonderful cast of Monty Python are all here and
absolutely in prime form.
If you've ever been curious about Monty Python, this is the place to start.
If you've seen the series, or parts of it, but never seen any of the films,
again, start here. This is the best of all the films, in my opinion, and
still is as fresh and funny today as it was when it came out.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
Different from the original, but still good.
When I first heard that the seminal 70s grindhouse classic, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, was being remade, I have to admit I was more than a little apprehensive. I mean, we're talking about a film whose reputation alone could cause people in polite society to gasp and become quite upset. So, when plans were announced for a remake, I was sitting here imagining another disaster of 'Psycho' proportions...
However, I needn't have worried. Of course, being Hollywood-ized caused some of the gore to be left on the cutting room floor, (see the deleted scenes on the 2nd disc of the collector's edition dvd) and writer Kozar's original idea for an ending, well, yes I can see why it wasn't supported, although it certainly would have been quite an ending. However, it's still a pretty no-holds-barred film for all of that.
The plot changes are fun, and make the film interesting for those of us who are students of the original, we aren't sure what we're going to get, same as all the newbies. The cast is roundly good, from all the kids to the amazing R. Lee Ermey. The cinematography, provided by original TCM DP Daniel Pearl, is incredible. All in all, whether you're a fan of the original, or you've never seen it, it's worth giving this new vision of TCM a shot.
Well, that is, if you think you can stomach it. I mean, when I said there was some gore left on the cutting room floor, I by all means meant all of it was there. This is still a very visceral film by normal standards, and certainly by the standards of anyone who is only a casual viewer of horror films. Just a warning. This isn't your typical 'Freddy Vs. Jason' kind of film. The violence doesn't happen like that. And it's not really 'funny'. So if you're expecting any of those things, look elsewhere. If you want a good, scary, visceral horror movie, the kind of thing we haven't seen for a while, then definately check this out.
Candyman (1992)
One of the best Clive Barker adaptations for screen
Candyman is an elegant little gem of a horror film, combining the best elements of the Clive Barker story it's drawn from with the imaginings of the director/writer of the film.
Starring Virginia Madsen, who is at her absolute best in this film, which is reason enough to see it in my opinion, Candyman tells a wonderfully dark tale of love, death and revenge. This is brilliantly set against mirrored worlds in Chicago, Virginia Madsen's character's posh upscale condo and its twin, the project Cabrini Green. There is much going on within this film, beyond just the surface tale of horror, as there is in any good horror film. It's a morality play, a story about how we deal, or rather don't deal, with race relations, and a really beautifully twisted love story as well, as all of Barker's works are.
If you've never had a chance to see this wonderful film, please give it a chance. Tony Todd's voice will tingle your spine, there's enough gore for slasher film addicts to keep interested, but don't let that blind you to the smart, elegantly crafted story underneath. This is one 'Candy' that only gets sweeter with each repeated viewing.
Nightworld: 30 Years to Life (1998)
Possibly amusing if you've been geriatrified for 80 years...
I suppose if you've never seen an episode of any science fiction series, read any books from the genre or done anything within the genre, this might seem original. However, if you've had any exposure to the genre at all, the only entertainment to be found here, besides Robert Hays and the rest of the cast's hilariously wooden acting, is in the utter stupidity of the dialogue, special effects, (and boy are they 'special') and 'plot'. If you're really bored and this is on, and your only other choice is Garden Club or Ready, Set, Cook!, watch this. But otherwise, steer a clear path unless you're well and truly inebriated.