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Reviews
Funland (2005)
Blackpool becomes Funland
I've just returned from a four-night break in Blackpool. No - this isn't a 1-star review of our dreadful 'hotel' that makes Funland's 'Shangri-La' look like the Savoy; that's just been posted on TripAdvisor. What this is, is a nod to the 'art imitates life' principle that applies so fundamentally to Funland, but from the perspective that what was once (in 2005) an over-the-top, bombastic surrealist comedy series that seemed to amplify the worst sleaze and excesses of Blackpool, has now become matched by Blackpool's accession (or maybe recession) to that once fictitious seaside town portrayed in Funland. My fourth visit to Blackpool since Funland first aired, and Blackpool has now become that place.
The series itself has to be recommended. It's hard to describe - it's a black comedy for sure, has multiple story layers and side plots, but with the central core story arc coming back to the relationship between the brilliant Ian Puleston-Davies' Shirley Woolfe, and his mother Mercy played by Judy Parfitt. The locations are pure Blackpool - the Tower features prominently, but acts both as a reference point for the story, and an allegory about the state of Dudley and Lola's sexless relationship (the scene in Ep1 where Lola gazes fixedly on a cabinet of huge dildos whilst Dudley asks her 'is there anything you want?' sticks in the mind).
Funland must be seen, but should be treated with caution for its grotesque characters, references, and sexual imagery. Funnily enough, the same could pretty much now be said for it's life inspiration: Blackpool.
Dopesick (2021)
Exceptional
The final episode of Dopesick dropped earlier, and having watched the trials and tribulations of the characters, I felt compelled to share my thoughts in a review. Living in the UK I was only fleetingly aware of America's opioid crisis; having watched Dopesick I'm now fully informed as to the origins, strategy, greed and recklessness in the face of serious consequences for public health, that the players- Purdue Pharma, and the FDA- went about creating, licensing and selling OxyContin. The legacy is terrifying, and will haunt US communities for years to come. Dopesick itself is beautifully written, performed and filmed. Stunning cinematography that juxtaposes the corporate greed and trapping of success enjoyed by the corrupt Sackler family, against the small town life of their victims and ultimately, the depths of despair some of them fell to. The script is written carefully: clearly great care was taken to articulate the established facts without cause for challenge, doubt or misinterpretation. This at times felt almost simplistic particularly in the earlier episodes, yet by the final episodes it was impossible not to feel fully invested in the detailed story of each of the main characters, the impact in their lives and the challenges they now face on a daily basis. This was exceptional story telling and made all the more poignant that it was real, is happening, and must never be allowed to happen again.
Heat (1995)
Extravaganza
Wow...I have to give a "summary"...?! Well, extravaganza it is. Seeing this film for the first time was like opening a box of treats. And not having long enough to savour each one. So, on repeat viewings, the box exposes itself and my appetite for Michael Mann's take on the human condition is sated, more so.
Heat begins like many movies of its' genre; the opening scene-setters are very brilliantly shot and choreographed (the opening smooch between Vincent and his wife; Val Kilmer's character purchasing the weaponry from an unsuspecting Martin Ferrero etc). This movie starts well, and as it means to go on. Information is the key. The more you know about why these characters are who they are, they more you may understand why they do what they do.
Complications set in quickly; Al Pacino's Lt Vincent Hanna is plagued by guilt over his lack of commitment to his marriage, which affects his relationship with step-daughter Lauren; Chris Shiherlis is a rogue, but endlessly loved none-the-less; Robert De Niro's Neil Macauley has a pact with himself: "Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner." This is complicated city! These people have feelings! They are loved, and they do too.
As a heist movie, Heat is great. The L.A. take-down scenes are breathtaking. You pine for the guys who get shot, more so for the robbers who we've come to understand and, hell, like. The ultimate in cinematic connivance comes, however, when Robert de Niro and Al Pacino appear on screen for the first time ever. Yeah, they did Godfather 2 but, hell, a whole generation separated their characters. This is big stuff...however, the scene is so brilliantly underplayed that it takes on its own life, and becomes almost the point of reference for the whole movie. Al Pacino's cop chases Robert de Niro's robber and, Christ, they meet in a café. What do ya know...?! Suffice it to say, the climax of this movie is one of the most memorable and emotional in recent movie history. If you really feel these guys, and buy into what they do and what they say, you'll be hard pushed not to be blown away by the finale. I was. I saw this movie and realised that some people in Hollywood still know how to press the right buttons for people who are waiting impatiently for something good to come along and...well...blow them away.
Hats off to all concerned. This is one hell of a movie.