Death at a Funeral by Mikey

Those of you who know me well will understand why I was hesitant in seeing this film down here. Firstly, because I usually don't go to the flicks by myself and secondly, because I am not a huge fan of pommy humour........

Having said that, let me say that I did find this rousing British farce was filled with many antic moments and huge embarrassments. In fact, I believe that I laughed out loud (must to the discern of the pompous Canbareians around me) on more than 2 occassions.

I found the flick was fast, furious and at times a riotously funny british farce in the tradition of Monty Python (not that I am a big fan of this either) and Peter Sellers.







Death at a Funeral has its flaws, but I am willing to forgive the flaws when a movie makes me laugh as much as this one.

I give this

Post Movie Roll Call

Hairspray by . r o s s .

What an awesome movie, and what a great night. I love musicals, and my DVD collection basically only has this genre.

I have seen Chicago hundereds of times. And this movie follows in the footsteps of this awesome movie, which was also produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.

The original Hairspray move was created by John Waters (who has a great cameo as a flasher in the opening song "Good Morning Baltimore"), Ricky Lake playing Tracy Turnblad (who also has a cameo in this version as a talent agent), and her mother was played by Divine (ten days after the premiere, Divine died in his sleep). I was worried that John Travolta would not be able to fill Divine's massive heels, but he sure did a great job.

Nikki Blonsky, who unsuccessfully tried so hard to get the part of Tracy Turnblad in the Broadway version was discovered working for an ice cream shop in New York where the staff are renowned for singing for their tips. Nikki did a fantastic job of playing the pleasantly plump Tracy, and her voice is heavenly.

I have been like totally such a major fan of Queen Latifa since Chicago when she played Mamma, and her role playing Motormouth Maybelle was awesome, man that girl can sing, she is Big Blonde and Beautiful.

The heartthrobs Zac Effron and James Marsden were great. Especially Marsdens killer smiles, and Effron's amazing eyes (were those contacts he as wearing?). I could swear he was winking at me. The Corny Collins Show is based on the real-life Buddy Deane Show, which was canceled because the producers wouldn't integrate black and white dancers.

Allison Janney was my favourite character, she was always my favourite in The West Wing, and is perfect for this over the top, camp role. Michelle Pfeiffer was great plating the über bitch too. My least favourite character was Christopher Walken, his interpretation of his character was so similar to the role he played in Catch Me if You Can.

The costuming and sets were all over completely the top, along with the hair.... just the way I like it.

This gets a toe-tapping 10/10 from me.

hairspray review

Well as musicals go this one left me a little dazed, travolta played an execllent role but his singing voice has bio degraded since his last effort in this particular frontier grease, the eye candy was delectable ie young Zac yum yum and some of the humour was particulary funny in all it's politicly incorrect glory, phiffer played the stereo typical bitch and seems to be type cast into this role for all etenity but when markus made the appropiate cat call it semed to make her more barable, my favourite part of the movie wasn't even in the movie but when young Zac did his versoin of blue steel and every gay boy in the cinema all made the aHHH noise very funny, least favourite part was the political agenda for black rights altough a serious issue it had no bussiness being in a comidic take on highschool dramma of the early 60's all in all though it get a 6 out of 10 cause i couldn't stop laughing at the gaggle of school girls sitting next to me who's laughter was extreamly amusing opps thats was markus, ross and obe lol

Hairspray By Mud Guts

James - My Fav Actor for this One - Can't wait for the DVD to come out, really enjoyed the movie - I'm sure everyone in the cinema could hear me laugh!!! - 2 Fav Parts of the Movie R - When Michelle P enters the Shop. I'm sure if you were sitting in the cinema with me u would know why.... - 2ndly - When She is caught on Candid Camera...

Hairspray 18/09/07

There were a number of things about this movie that appealed to me.

Firstly, I love musical theatre (having sung and acted on stage in NQ many, many times while growing up) and this movie is based on a stage show (which I would now love to see. Anyone else wanna go to see it on Broadway this weekend with me?).

Secondly, as a larger guy who has, at times, shyed away from doing things because of my size (which, hard to believe used, to be a lot bigger) and been ridiculed by people because of it, the original mindset of Tracy's mother in not wanting to go outside and her desire to protect her daughter from people who would put her down because of her looks, hit a chord with me.

Then there's the "leftie" social activist in me which hopes for a totally integrated community and equality for minorities. So the attempt to integrate the Negro Day into the regular Corny Collins show also added to me enjoyment of the film.

I would have to agree with my fellow TAT bloggers in praising this film. Excellent music, excellent storyline, excellent acting. It is hard to fault it, really. The performances by Travolta, Walken and Latifa (particularly ... what a voice!) were standouts. I thought Blonski shone in her introductory role as Tracy Turnblad and yes, I think it it widely agreed that Efron is very handsome and a great singer and actor.

As Daniel will testify, I went into the cinema in the pretty bad mood but walked out laughing and joking after watching a movie that made my laugh (and even cry) and got my toes tapping and my hands clapping.

Five stars! I'll not only go and see this again, but I'll probably buy it on DVD and download the soundtrack on to my Ipod.

Hairspray

Based on the John Waters film (which are normally strange at the best of times) this musical had me tapping in my seat. Most enjoyable movie I have seen in a long time, if references to the original themes but what has been left out is the subtle plays on gay nature , more then made up by singing. This movie is SO good its not getting a score.

Hairspray by MikeY

OK – So I didn’t see Hairspray with the Tighty Arsy Tuesdays bois, but whilst in Canberra I had time out and took it in.

This movie is is a playful, kitschy, sweet but snarky tribute to the era of sky-high bouffants, TV dance parties and desegregation - Trust me I am old enough to remember this era! It is a Grease for the new millennium, just the kind of bubblegum musical that keeps your toes tapping, except this time John Travolta is wearing a fat suit and nylons. Shiver.

Hairspray arrives as a big, bundle of fun, infectious to the core and accomplishes more often than not what the best musicals are prone to do. It’s got a feel-good quality that stretches from here (Canberra) to Brisbane. It's got a heart-massaging message about white brothers and sisters learning to dance with, and love, their black brothers and sisters. It's got mother-daughter bonding at odds with the parent-child animosity that more often pops out, acne-like, during a girl's adolescent years. Plus it's got a regard for the pulchritude of the plump. The opening number ("Good Morning Baltimore") was great.

Overall, the music was fun and lively. The dancing, as you might expect from a show about teenage dancing, is terrific. I found this a delightful way to spend a little time out of the Canberra cold and enjoyed the movie immensely

Three cheers for this jubilant, funny, and phantasmagorical musical!

5 of these thingos for sure!

Hairspray - Obe Mossop

Ladies and Gentlemen of all ages welcome to the most enjoyable movie I have seen in quite some time!

The movie "Hairspray" set in the 1960's is centered around a plump teenager Tracy who has a crush on the most dreamy guy I've seen in quite some time. She also loves to shake that groove thang.

This movie.....dare I say it.....could not have been improved in any way. It was just the right length of time. It did not leave me hanging. The laughs were plentyful. There was a heart felt moment. There was a number of opportunities to oogle the beautiful Zac Eferon. And lastly John Travolta in drag was not a trainwreak I was expecting. Quite the contraty, he was pretty good.

Best part: When Blake (Zac Eferon) did his glamour shot winking into the camera and the entire panel plus the cinema audiance let out a lovestruck sigh.

Worst part: belgen dog dropping chocolates.

Overall rating: 5/5

Hairspray

6.55pm South Bank Cinema tonight. See you then.

Bowling

Black Sheep by . r o s s .

This is the funniest movie I have seen all year. Think of a cross between the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Watership Down. The SFX were awesome, and completely over the top. The cute little sheep fetus was my favourite character, closely followed by Oliver Driver. This film is almost like an homage to one of Jackson's first movies Brain Dead ( A young man's mother is bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey. She gets sick and dies, at which time she comes back to life).

Just before Mike (Mick Rose) is attacked by a killer sheep, he is seen reading "The Penguin History of New Zealand", a well known book written by the late Dr Michael King, the father of "Black Sheep" director Jonathan King.

The Wairarapa scenery is stunning, and I felt homesick (and somewhat horny) watching this film.

Five NZ Sexworkers from me

Black sheets?

Well, I really enjoyed this movie. One thing that I noticed about NZ films is that they dont take themselves to seriously, something that Australian films are pushing. I'm not saying we lack that humor, but I seem to miss it.

Best line in the movie. 'Fuck those sheep' .. 'Nah... no time for that bro!'

Worthy of adding to my dvd collection.

Bah Blah Blek Sheep - by Frostydog

OK, so I missed the TAT screening with the bois, so I decided to view a copy from Switzerland………Shhhhhhhhh – so here with are my thoughts:

Stunning vistas of New Zealand's rolling countryside aren't enough to carry this lame 2006 horror spoof about a lab experiment gone awry. It is never very frightening, but I can see how some my think it's clever and fun, with a memorable amount of humor and gore. Imagine if the Monty Python folks made the killer rabbit part from Holy Grail into a full-length movie!!!!

Anyone lacking a taste for red meat will likely say bah to the one-joke juiciness of Black Sheep, but ovine enthusiasts will be licking their chops I am sure!

I realise that Jonathan King's film is an intentionally moronic mash-up of horror clichés bound to delight all fans of grade-Z entertainment, it’s a cute idea with poor execution with the human characters nothing more than tired stereotypes... But the sheep are fabulous!

The picture is really a a vibrant advertisement for the scenic glories of New Zealand – more like a Triumph of the Lambs.

I give this 1 rotten apple

Black Sheep - Obe Mossop

If you enjoy zombies and jokes about Kiwi's this is the movie for you!

I regretfully was unable to attend the group viewing of this movie but I understand from reliable sources it was a hoot!

No rating this time guys as I wasn't there :-)

This clip of Marco Dapper taking it all off was taken down from YouTube. Thankfully, it has been reclaimed!

Poll Closed

This weeks poll is closed and the winner is Black Sheep. This is only playing at 9.15 at Balmoral.

There is a lunar eclipse from 7-8pm tonight, so if anyone wants to watch it with a glass of wine and have a peek through my telescope, join me at my place from 7 and we can then trot down to the movie.

Ross

What shall we see on the 28/08/07

IMDB Links:
Next
No Reservations
Live Free or Die Hard
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Fracture
Black Sheep
La Vie En Rose
Sicko
The Boynton Beach Bereavement Club
Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix

Pic for Pic

Would the moderator please advise if there is a choice of pics for next Tuesday - I've come up with a few for your consideration:

NEXT
Las Vegas showroom magician Cris Johnson has a secret which is a gift and a curse which torments him: he can see a few minutes into the future. Sick of the examinations he underwent as a child and the interest of the government and medical establishment in his power, he lies low under an assumed name in Vegas, performing cheap tricks and living off small-time gambling "winnings". But when a terrorist group threatens to detonate a nuclear device in Los Angeles, government agent Callie Ferris must use all her wiles to capture Cris and convince him to help her stop the cataclysm.

NO RESERVATIONS
Master chef Kate Armstrong lives her life like she runs the kitchen at upscale 22 Bleecker Restaurant in Manhattan - with a no-nonsense intensity that both captivates and intimidates everyone around her. With breathtaking precision, she powers through each hectic shift, coordinating hundreds of meals, preparing delicate sauces, seasoning and simmering each dish to absolute perfection. Kate's perfectionist nature is put to the test when a brash new sous chef joins her staff, the high-spirited and freewheeling Nick Palmer .

LIVE FREE OR DIE HARD
Bruce Willis reprises his signature role as the New York City cop who always finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, in a new installment of Twentieth Century Fox's "Die Hard" action franchise. In the new picture, an attack on the vulnerable United States computer infrastructure begins to shut down the entire nation. The mysterious figure behind the shattering scheme has figured out every digital angle - but he never figured on an old-fashioned, "analog" fly in the ointment: John McClane.

PS: I have seen The Bourne Ultimatum - awesom flick- contact Obe if you want to see it from his server.

Sonny Bing speaks about ... Licence to Wed

Well gents, sorry for the delay in making a contribution to the blog about 'Licence to Wed'.

I would have to say that I agree with the overall mood of the posts so far. A predictable storyline that depended on Robin Williams to carry it through. And as good a comic as Mr Williams is, not even he could make a go of it.

That said, there were some funny parts to the movie ... the robot babies being one and the scene where the groom-to-be insults his inlaws ... not they are few and far between.

Two stars.

License to Wed by Adam

Well.. I know Americans have no faith in Marriage, but this movie goes to show how unsubtle that style of humor is. A couple of throw away  lines for a laugh. in the second part of the movie the characters totally changed... whats with that???

Anyway I did like John Krasinski, cute and quite thin (esp his arms).. Although I watched Jarhead last night and noticed he had a small role.. his eyes stood out! 

2/5 from me

License to Wed

By Mikey - aka Frostydog

No matter how hard I try, I'm finding it difficult to write anything positive about License to Wed. This movie is bad from top to bottom, front to back, and start to finish.

The movie is a pastiche of tortured slapstick, groan-inducing dialogue and a lethal dose of treacle, apparently awaiting one of Williams' trademark sprees of riffing and vamping to save the day. That moment never comes.

The creepy-faced robot twin babies are funny (for a while); the rest of the film is not. It's like Meet the Parents with Dr. Phil as the officiant from hell.

Williams, who seems to have shown up for a payday, lacks any of his typical spontaneity and might actually be sleep-joking through some scenes. An utterly uninspired movie that will leave you not wanting to get married, ever.

The story ends with a sentimental clunk. To say the picture isn't funny is putting it mildly. It isn't tolerable.

At the waterhole I gave this 2 tight arses. Glad to say I now give it 1 muva fuka tightie arsy.

Licence to Wed - Obe Mossop

14/08/2007

In a nutshell I believe this move is Anger Management meets The Wedding Planner. A romantic comedy with a very predictable plot.

Robin Williams is by far the most amusing character in the movie. The lead actor although very attractive has some terrible lines.

With the ending I feel the writers just wanted to go home for the night. It seemed disjointed.

I don't regret seeing it but no way is it making its way into my DVD collection.

Best line: "anyone who is willing to kick the crap out of a reverent is ok in my book"

Worst line: "hmmm, you're dad I'd describe as a pompous ass"


Overall rating: 3/5

License to Wed by Ross

Well this is my first review- here we go.

I am not really a Robin Williams movies. I enjoy his stand-up comedy, and have enjoyed a few of his more serious roles too.

John Krasinski as Ben was hot, and he handled his role the best as well. There were a few funny bits, but after an hour things went downhill and the film was poorly tied up. Ending with a tacky dancing scene.

This movie gets 2 ** tite arses from me.

Poll for Tue 14/08/07

Here are links to the movies on IMDB:
Live Free or Die Hard
Sicko
Fracture
Black Snake Moan
License to Wed
In the Land of Women
Evening

For possible cinemas and screening times check out www.cineplex.com.au