gfast Reviews

The Beatles Come to Town (1963)

This Pathe Pictorial short was added to the Pathe film 'Pop Gear'

[10/10 · 14 October 2009]

The Pathe Pictorial of the Beatles in concert was added to the Pathe feature 'Pop Gear' (aka 'Go Go Mania'), also shot in CinemaScope. This makes this footage of the Beatles extremely rare, as very little of their concert material (if any) was shot in CinemaScope and Technicolor to boot! It seems that this was the only Pathe Pictorial ever shot in 'Scope. Most (if not all) of the acts in 'Pop Gear' were managed by Beatles manager Brian Epstein, hence the decision to tag on the Beatles concert footage just as their meteoric rise was peaking. Thank you to the previous contributor for pointing out what concert this footage was from, as I often wondered where and when it was filmed.

RV (2006)

One of the Worst, Bad films EVER made.

[1/10 · 6 July 2007]

How this pile of c**p had millions of dollars squandered on it is a great mystery. Did someone think it would be funny to have a gigantic, gas guzzling vehicle that was plastered all over with the words "Rent Me"? We are not allowed to forget this image, as it is shown over and over until you are about to throw up. It seems that the "writer" of this dredge was confident that this one visual gag would carry the whole film. This film encapsulates all that is wrong with Hollywood. I hope at least that Robin Williams makes good use of his pay check because after this abomination he may as well kiss his once-bright career good-bye.

Ed Wood (1994)

Fine tribute

[10/10 · 9 June 2007]

If you love movies, you've got to see ED WOOD, Tim Burton's brilliant portrait of the 1950s "B Movie" director - an odd, unique figure in the harsh world of Hollywood, who was responsible for such gems as "Plan 9 From Outer Space" and "Glen or Glenda". Working with nothing but blind faith and conviction to his cause Ed, against all odds, forged ahead with his dreams. Although much is fictional, the film captures the essence of Wood and the era in which he worked. Ironically it took a budget of 18 million dollars to recreate the look and feel of an ultra low budget Ed Wood film. Martin Landau is superb in a well-deserved Academy Award performance as Bela Lugosi. Landau, in his Award acceptance speech said that he "was grateful that everyone who saw this film is here tonight!" Pull the strings, Bela, Pull the strings.

Murder on Flight 502 (1975 TV Movie)

So Bad It's Great

[2/10 · 5 April 2007]

This film falls firmly in the So Bad You'll Love It pile of bargain-bin wonders, a TV feature film, of the type made for audiences assumed to have an IQ equivalent of a retarded chicken.

The corny Dialogue reaches new heights of hilarity only matched by the Airport series, and its spoof Airplane! (Flying High). Cheap sets - an "airport lounge" that looks like the set of a cheap office where some equally cheap 70s show had just been filmed, the "aircraft" with impossibly wide expanses, giant square door, "hundreds" of passengers of which we only see a handful and sometimes the cabin seems empty, the TWO, yes TWO stewardesses, disappearing passengers (Danny Bonaduce stops appearing in the cabin half way through) a cockpit where nothing ever seems to happen except hilarious radio exchanges, a plane that takes off and in the next shot is shown landing (different models, different colour schemes even used in consecutive shots of the supposed airliner taking off), not to mention the impossibly ridiculous "script". Its hard to believe that this film was intended to be taken seriously. One of the priceless lines (about a bogus priest who wears nail polish - what???!!!)comes from a psychologist attempting to analyse why someone would impersonate a priest: "A clinical manifestation of religious hysteria!" - I kid you not. See it and prepare to laugh yourself silly.

Duplex (2003)

Nice Little Comedy - an updated tribute to Ealing

[6/10 · 1 March 2007]

Duplex did not make much of a splash in the box-office stakes, and seemed to have breezed through cinemas un-noticed. Perhaps the producers lost faith in its potential. It should have been given a greater chance with publicity and promotion, as it is a worthwhile, albeit slight, adventure comedy. The story line is well spelled out by other writers here, but what is the most extraordinary about this film is the actress Eileen Essell, who plays the over 80 little old lady. Amazingly she only seems to have been acting since 2002. Also incredibly, she seems to be the re-incarnation of Katie Johnson, the 76 year-old who played Mrs Wilburforce in the 1955 Ealing Studios British black comedy, The Ladykillers - the similarities of her appearance, voice, actions and body language, are uncanny. Duplex in general has some similarities also to The Ladykillers, its plot in a reverse-engineered kind of way, and a general feel of the tension driven by the shrewd old lady. If you've seen one of these films it would be a good idea to catch up with the other to see what I mean. All in all Duplex is a worthy comedy with a surprising twist at the end. Worth a look.

Son of the Mask (2005)

Why do most hate this film?

[7/10 · 13 February 2007]

Am at a loss to explain why this film gets so much hateful criticism. In my opinion it is an entertaining, inventive film. The main mistakes were linking it (loosely) to the original The Mask, the criticism seems to be centred around how UN-like The Mask this film is, that it DOESN'T have Carrey etc., so perhaps this link works against it and the film-makers should have thought of another title and synopsis that distances this effort from The Mask.

This film is pure cartoon, and any appreciator of cartoons should recognise the many tributes and cute links to the cartoon world. (The singing frog for example). Loki was hilarious and the baby effects well done, and Otis the Dog a stand-out (the shot where he gives up what he's doing to get the bone is a gem) Overall, some of the effects were overly-laboured, such as the urinating and exorcism vomit scenes. But, hey its a cartoon!

Shall We Dance? (2004)

Even if it's for Free Its No Good

[2/10 · 13 February 2007]

Saw this film on free-to-air TV and even then felt gypped. Staying the course till the end I was interested to see if it got better - but it didn't. The main problem is Gere - he seemed to be sleep-walking through this part, and he and Jennifer Lopez were totally unengaging. It's as if both main performers accepted these roles to pay off a new house. The middle-age-infatuation-with-youth theme is not new, but in this film, what could have been innocent becomes somehow creepy. I did not see the original Japanese version that this film is supposedly based on, but I would hazard a guess that it it leaps and bounds better than this limp effort. The only redeeming factors are the performances of Tucci and Sarandon (when the script allows it) and some of the contest dancing.

The Great Raid (2005)

One of the Great War Films

[7/10 · 2 February 2007]

Why this film failed at the Box Office is a mystery. It can stand proudly as one of the greatest war films ever made. Certainly not in the league of Paths Of Glory, or The Thin Red Line, but an important addition to the genre, as it depicts the not-so-often told story of the Asia/Pacific theater. THIS film should have had the success that the pathetic Pearl Harbor got. Technically it is a knock-out, with its large budget of $us70m right up there on the screen; huge set-pieces, authentic period re-creations, excellent cinematography, editing and casting. The inclusion of archive footage of the actual survivors a nice tribute, and a reminder that what we have just seen was real. As real as the onrushing World War Three that we are allowing to unfold, today, before our eyes. When will we realize that ALL wars are rich-man's folly, that send millions of innocents; soldiers and civilians on all sides, to their needless deaths?

The Brothers Grimm (2005)

Not one of Gilliam's best, but still amazing.

[7/10 · 1 February 2007]

As a fan of Terry Gilliam's films, (he and Tim Burton two of cinema's most inventive directors)I was looking forward to The Brothers Grimm. All you would expect from a Gilliam film, is here, but somehow the story (overall) is un-engaging and its like watching a dog chasing its tail; plenty of action, but it doesn't really get anywhere. Compared to say, The Princess Bride, also a fairy tale, this somewhat pales by comparison. However notwithstanding this shortfall, this is a must-see for any lover of real cinema. The art design, cinematography, costumes, sets, lighting and all things technical (except some dodgy CGI work with some of the creatures) and fantastical imagery are mind-boggling and this film must be seen on a large theatre screen for proper impact. Some sequences literally are jaw-droppingly good, for their sheer visceral appeal and absolute beauty. The Red Riding Hood sequences in particular a knock-out. A forgiving 7/10.

The African Queen (1951)

African Queen in B&W

[9/10 · 29 August 2006]

In reference to Elentari's query about why this film appeared on TV in B&W - it was a common practice for early TV to have prints that were in B&W even if it was originally a color theatrical release - usually in the era before color TV - it would have been cheaper to produce B&W film prints. These were generally 16mm prints released to the TV studios in B&W. Some of these "TV Prints" still survive in collector's hands today. African Queen was made in the Technicolor process and all theatrical screenings would have been in color. Generally speaking it is possible to tell which (originally b&w prints) have been "colorised". They have an un-natural appearance about them, and there is a general repetition of the same color - example hats, coats, cars, all seem to the one shade of brown, or all vegetation seems to be the one shade of green. In artificial colorization prints there is not the subtle tonings of different shades of color associated with natural (original) color productions.

Sleeper (1973)

The Future Is Here

[8/10 · 8 August 2006]

One of Woody Allen's "funny early films" (to quote the alien in "Stardust Memories"). Sleeper is quite prophetic as we find the world hurtling toward a globalized (ie fascist) dictatorship not unlike that which is depicted in "Sleeper". Even the head of the Empire is called "Our Leader" (sound familiar?) Some memorable scenes: A party where Allen is a robot with a disfigured head; he helps the guests pass around the drug-"orb". He becomes increasingly intoxicated to the point of launching himself in a drunken stupor at anything that moves. The guests then go for a swim and lament that they would have had sex, but there were not enough people, so they decide to use the "orgazmatron" machine instead.

Allen finds himself in a gay household as he flees from the police-state. They have a gay robot called Regan, who complains that he can't find a hydrovac suit that will enable Allen to escape, because the bedroom is such a mess.

While Allen is being measured for a suit by two Jewish robots (with appropriate noses) they start arguing about why one of them ordered so much velvet.

This is a must-see for all fans of great comedy.

The Great Race (1965)

The Great Waste Of Time

[3/10 · 24 May 2006]

At nearly three hours this confection of delirious overkill starts to grate on your nerves after about 10 minutes. When you realize just how many countries there are between New York and Paris (the race's path), and how many more pie fights, fist fights, sword fights, bar-room fights, ballroom scenes, blizzards, car breakdowns, yelling and over-acting there are left to endure, you feel a need to question why you decided to watch this film. Sure, there obviously was a large budget, an all-star cast and sumptuous sets and locations. But it is being hauled through this interminable barrage of above-mentioned obstacles and assaults that prevents this film from being an entertainment, and turns it into an endurement.

It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World (1963)

Its a Mad Mad Mad Mad film - that's for sure.

[7/10 · 19 May 2006]

A fully restored brand new 70mm print in it's original format of "Super Panavision" (the image on the 70mm frame was squeezed which resulted in a much wider picture than regular "CinemaScope/Panavision") - was recently produced, and for which to present it, theaters had to hire special lenses from Panavision - and re-configure their screens, BUT the pleasure of witnessing this comedy gem in its original theatrical format far outweighed the logistical hassles of its presentation. From the deliriously choreographed opening titles and memorable music, you knew you were in for a treat. Although some of the plot line and dialog are now dated, the performances were spot on the mark. In particular Ethel Merman's demented mother-in-law character will leave you in stitches. For those lucky enough to have seen this in a 70mm Super Panavision theatrical screening - you have witnessed a vanished part of Hollywood history.

The Star Dreamer (2002)

An extraordinary documentary about an extraordinary, unsung talent.

[9/10 · 28 January 2004]

Just saw this amazing documentary on australia's SBS network. I'm glad I did because I had not heard of this director before. Goes to show how unrecognised his life has been as I am in the film business and unless I had seen this doco his story would have perhaps escaped me. It is a sad indictment of the soviet era where political motivation was more important than the individual. This ideology is more suited to ants than humans. Klushantsev's work was embraced in the height of the space race where it was seen as a valuable propaganda tool. When the usefulness of this concept faded he was summarily dismissed from the studio he helped make a success and died in 1999, blind, penniless and virtually forgotten. He had developed many key, innovative technical and visual concepts that were totally original in scope and execution, many of which were subsequently used, or stolen, by future film-makers. There are some startling similarities with ideas embraced in such landmark western films as "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Aliens", "Terminator" and many others. Klushantsev's amazing "Planeta Bur" - 1962 (aka "Planet Of Storms")was literally ripped to pieces and used in two C-Grade US productions, "Voyage To The Prehistoric Planet" - 1965 - directed by Peter Bogdonovich and the other "Voyage To The Planet of Prehistoric Women" - 1968 - directed by Roger Corman. Klushantsev was uncredited in both these films. All sci-fi fans should see this doco and find a way to view Klushantsev's main films.