Four short films

2007 #52a
The End
2005 | Tim Clayton & Rob Crowther | download

A very brief film with a slightly silly, slightly amusing idea at its core. It doesn’t outstay its welcome, but it does lose something in that you can see the end coming almost from the start. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.

2 out of 5


2007 #52b
Bus Stop
2004 | Matt Abbiss | download

An animated, somewhat bizarre short about two people waiting at a bus stop. Done in a very simple style with sparse sound, but it’s competently executed and often effective. It has some amusing moments. Not bad, but mainly for people who like this kind of thing anyway. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.

2 out of 5


2007 #52c
Park
2005 | Andy Pearson | download

“Some humans in a park act like dogs” is essentially the premise of this film. It’s a decent enough concept for a short really, and is well executed with some nice little moments. Prettily shot in the autumn, too. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.

3 out of 5


2007 #52d
Nine 1/2 Minutes
2002 | Josh Appignanesi & Misha Manson-Smith | download

David Tennant (yes, David Tennant!) and Zoe Telford (she’s been in a variety of TV stuff) star in this comedic short about two people on an uncomfortable blind date that lasts just about as long as you might suspect. Genuinely funny for the most part, and easily the most professionally executed of these four shorts, but it does have a somewhat confounding conclusion. Currently available for free at LOVEFiLM.

4 out of 5

Hello, Dolly! (1969)

2007 #52
Gene Kelly | 139 mins | DVD | U / G

Hello, Dolly!Comedians Walter Matthau and Michael Crawford (yes, Frank Spencer!) star alongside Barbra Streisand in this comedy musical directed by Gene Kelly (yes, the star of many a musical himself!) which flopped at the box office but did well at the Oscars, and has gained in popularity since.

The best bits are the very impressive dancing waiters at Harmonia Gardens, although some of the more amusing songs are worth seeing. It’s this tongue-in-cheek, sometimes-silly tone that stops it seeming too dated, although other elements of its style (and the running time) don’t help.

Surely a must-see for musical fans, though others may not be as engaged.

3 out of 5

Hello, Dolly! is on Movie Mix today, Thursday 9th July 2015, at 6:05pm.

Over the Hedge (2006)

2007 #51
Tim Johnson & Karey Kirkpatrick | 80 mins | DVD | U / PG

Over the HedgeCGI movies are far too common these days, meaning that the quality is dropping (demonstrated by the fact that the number produced has increased massively but the number of Oscar nominations in that category has remained at three).

Over the Hedge is certainly derivative — its character arc is almost directly lifted from Toy Story, for example — but it is beautifully animated and does have some laugh-worthy moments, even if they are almost entirely in the last half hour. There are better examples of the genre, but it passes the time entertainingly enough.

(Stay with it til the end of the credits for a little bit more, although if you bother you may agree with Hammy’s assessment of things.)

3 out of 5

Ray (2004)

2007 #50
Taylor Hackford | 146 mins | TV | 15 / PG-13

RayIt’s easy to see why Walk the Line has been described as “Ray with white people”; but Ray has also been described as being an outstanding performance in an average film, and I’d pretty much agree with this too.

Jamie Foxx is indeed an amazingly accurate Ray Charles (based on the little I know of the man, anyway) and deserving of his Oscar. It would be unfair to say such a performance is wasted in this film, but it is true that no other element is quite up to the same level.

While Ray is good, I personally thought Walk the Line was a better film.

4 out of 5

Ray is on ITV3 tonight, Sunday 19th April 2015, at 11:10pm.

Spider-Man 2.1 (2004/2007)

2007 #49a
Sam Raimi | 130 mins | DVD | PG / PG-13

Spider-Man 2.1Shortly before the release of the new threequel, Spider-Man 2 returns to DVD in this newly extended form. What’s there? Not much.

There are bits so little you’ll think “I don’t remember that bit” (and it may just be a bit you’ve forgotten); there’s a new scene with MJ that’s OK but not mind-blowing; some added bits to fights; and an alternate version of The Lift Scene that is funny and (very) notably different, but just not as good as the original.

It’s still a 5-star film because it doesn’t ruin the original — but it’s not at all essential. The DVD has new extras, mind, so if that’s your thing (like me) it may be worth it.

5 out of 5

In retrospect, I probably should have rated this lower. It may still be a good film, but the fact is the original cut’s better — even if just for the superior version of The Lift Scene. I rather doubt I’ll ever watch it again.

March of the Penguins (2005)

aka La marche de l’empereur

2007 #49
Luc Jacquet | 77 mins | DVD | U / G

March of the PenguinsOne of the most surprising hits at the box office in 2005, as you’re probably aware this is a documentary about penguins. Specifically, it’s about their mating cycle — there’s little information outside of that. It does manage to touch on the sex, death and violence inherent in most nature things though, albeit in a family-friendly U-rated kind of way.

In fact, it’s a film very much about the story of the mating cycle, rather than about information-giving. Along with beautiful shots of Antarctica and cute shots of baby penguins, I suspect this is why it was more of a hit than a straight-up informative documentary would have been.

4 out of 5

2007 | Weeks 19-20

In which I don’t see Spider-Man 3, because I don’t care enough to brave the huge opening weekend crowds (and it’s not meant to be very good anyway). Just one in a list of films I’ve missed at the cinema this year anyway (300, Sunshine, The Fountain, The Illusionist, Ghost Rider, Shooter, TMNT…), though I do intend to see it there soon. And Zodiac‘s out now too! And Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End is surprisingly close! And…

Oh, summer. How you sequelise us. Now there’s a new word for you.

Also this month, I watch some stuff via free downloads — legal ones too! Check out LOVEFiLM for those, including proper features such as Super Size Me and The Cooler (as well as many more… if you pay). [2015 edit: LOVEFiLM streaming is, of course, now Amazon Instant Video.]

This time, I also came up with a way of listing Extended-Cuts-That-Aren’t-Much-Different without adversely affecting my numbering system. I’ll also use the same system to list short films that I watch.

As usual, before we embark on the reviews, I shall inform you that this period covers the middle of May, from the 7th to the 20th.

#49 March of the Penguins

#49a Spider-Man 2.1

#50 Ray

#51 Over the Hedge

#52 Hello, Dolly!

#52a-d Four short films

Stormbreaker (2006)

2007 #48
Geoffrey Sax | 92 mins | DVD | PG / PG

StormbreakerAn adaptation of the first in Anthony Horowitz’s bestselling series of Alex Rider novels. It does a good job of translating the book, aided by an extensive cast of recognisable Brits (and some Yanks) and some entertaining action sequences.

It occasionally lets itself down in its choices of which bits to adapt and which to leave out, especially in the third act — some of the best action sequences are swapped for lesser ones (quad bikes for a horse in central London? Maybe a good idea on paper, but it doesn’t work), and the climax isn’t as fulfilling as the apparent one that happens just before it.

Not a bad effort, especially for kids.

4 out of 5

Bonnie and Clyde (1967)

2007 #47
Arthur Penn | 107 mins | download | 18* / R

Bonnie and Clyde“You’ve heard the story of Jesse James, of how he lived and died; If you’re still in need of something to read, here’s the story of Bonnie and Clyde.”

Bonnie and Clyde is a significant film for several reasons, but I’m not going to give another film history lesson! It brings together several well-executed elements to create a compelling whole — good performances, showcased in at least one key scene for every actor; merging Hollywood feature and New Wave influences; themes of media influence, Robin Hood-esque antiheroism, what family is, and no doubt several more; plus a few exciting action sequences just to round things out.

4 out of 5

Bonnie and Clyde is on Sky Atlantic tonight, Sunday 19th October 2014, at 10:15pm.

* Commuted to a 15 in 2008. ^

Breathless (1960)

aka À bout de souffle

2007 #46
Jean-Luc Godard | 90 mins | download | PG

BreathlessGodard’s first and most famous film; part of the beginning of the nouvelle vague, a French movement defining a particular youth culture at the time. OK, loose history lesson over.

This is definitely what most people would call an ‘arthouse’ film, though is decidedly less so than the one other Godard film I’ve seen (1962’s Vivre Sa Vie, which goes by various translated titles); this might be down to it drawing inspiration from American movies, most obviously those starring Humphrey Bogart.

Undoubtedly not for everyone, but an obvious must for anyone with an interest in art / international cinema.

4 out of 5