This is a bizarre presentation. There is a minimal framing story as the cast of two Offenbach one-act operas are about to go on stage, but the majority of the running time is taken up by the performances of those operettas. While it's nice to see performances of Les Deux Aveugles and Croquefer, they are presented in a rather odd fashion, with black and white drawn sets that look more like Caligari than Offenbach. Add to this the fact that the English language option on the DVD mixes languages at will, switching from dubbing to subtitles and you have a very odd piece of work.
Reviews
7 Reviews
Friends Forever
(1986)
Not Aged Well
26 March 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of those films that I liked very much when I first saw it about fifteen years ago, but then on rewatching it now find it more than a little problematic. On the face of it, it's a reasonably cute film, but character motivations are more than a little questionable, as are some of the situatons.
We are, presumably, meant to forget the bullying incident where the protagonist helps to strip a girl in a school classroom and throws her top out of the window. Presumably this was no big deal as they're all happy by the end. And what about the forty-five year old woman who thinks it's ok to bed a sixteen year old boy? And the thirty-ish man who does the same? Considering I don't remember these things bothering me fifteen years ago when I first saw the film, it only shows how far we have progressed in the intervening years.
Those kinds of issues aside, the cast is generally likeable, even if the characters treat each other badly and don't get any comeuppance for it. Despite everything, it's oddly naive and innocent - and there is really nothing to say about the strange decision to have a fourth-wall breaking song and dance number at the end. The film often sells for £50 and upwards on DVD these days - and at that price, it's not worth it, albeit an interesting curio.
We are, presumably, meant to forget the bullying incident where the protagonist helps to strip a girl in a school classroom and throws her top out of the window. Presumably this was no big deal as they're all happy by the end. And what about the forty-five year old woman who thinks it's ok to bed a sixteen year old boy? And the thirty-ish man who does the same? Considering I don't remember these things bothering me fifteen years ago when I first saw the film, it only shows how far we have progressed in the intervening years.
Those kinds of issues aside, the cast is generally likeable, even if the characters treat each other badly and don't get any comeuppance for it. Despite everything, it's oddly naive and innocent - and there is really nothing to say about the strange decision to have a fourth-wall breaking song and dance number at the end. The film often sells for £50 and upwards on DVD these days - and at that price, it's not worth it, albeit an interesting curio.
Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss
(1993 TV Movie)
A Sad Ending
10 January 2018
The Perry Mason TV movies that ran from 1985 to 1993 were not always as good as they could have been, thanks to the formulaic scripts, and the reliance on cases that involved celebrities of some kind, which made them even more repetitive. But they were always entertaining, and Raymond Burr and Barbara Hale's characterisations as Mason and Della Street developed nicely as the series went on, and along the way we get to find out more about them than we ever did in the 271 episodes of the original TV series. The penultimate TV movie, the Telltale Talkshow Host, ends with a poignant kiss between Mason and Della, suggesting a romantic relationship of some kind, and this would probably have been developed slowly but surely had Burr lived. Sadly, though, he only made one more appearance, and that was in the Case of the Killer Kiss.
This is one of the worst of the series - if not THE worse. The acting seems to mirror that of the daytime soap opera at the heart of the story, and the writing is little better, although the motive for murder is more complex than normal. Burr was so ill on set that he is always seen sitting or leaning on something - a double is used on the one occasion he is seen walking. It is such a shame that he put such effort into a script that is so poor. Even Burr himself seems to struggle to deliver his cliched and repetitive lines with any enthusiasm. The Perry Mason series were always, even at their worst, watchable, but this final episode pushes the viewer's patience to the limit in that regard. It is notable only for Burr's final screen appearance and the inflated role for Della Street - again, probably a result of Burr being ill. A testiment to Burr's professionalism and love for the character, but otherwise a sad final bow for both him and Perry Mason - both of which were extremely classy gentlemen.
This is one of the worst of the series - if not THE worse. The acting seems to mirror that of the daytime soap opera at the heart of the story, and the writing is little better, although the motive for murder is more complex than normal. Burr was so ill on set that he is always seen sitting or leaning on something - a double is used on the one occasion he is seen walking. It is such a shame that he put such effort into a script that is so poor. Even Burr himself seems to struggle to deliver his cliched and repetitive lines with any enthusiasm. The Perry Mason series were always, even at their worst, watchable, but this final episode pushes the viewer's patience to the limit in that regard. It is notable only for Burr's final screen appearance and the inflated role for Della Street - again, probably a result of Burr being ill. A testiment to Burr's professionalism and love for the character, but otherwise a sad final bow for both him and Perry Mason - both of which were extremely classy gentlemen.
Spud 3: Learning to Fly
(2014)
Perfectly Decent 3rd Outing
1 September 2016
I'm not quite sure why the other two reviews hate the film so much. True, it doesn't have quite the sense of fun of the previous two movies, with the Crazy 8s up to far fewer antics, and there is indeed too much of the running time dealing with Spud's family, but for a third outing in a film series, this isn't really letting the side down. The script - by the author of the books, it should be noted - is less focused than previous and jumps around all over the place, but still has its moments - and there is a rather nice poignant scene between Spud and The Gov (played by John Cleese) towards the end of the film which is surprisingly touching. Elsewhere, things are a little repetitive if you've seen the other movies in quick succession, with the usual romantic liaisons, spliffs, alcohol, and school plays - not in that order necessarily.
It seems likely this will be the last film in the series, which is a bit of a shame, as I'm guessing most audiences would want to see the final book made into a film too. That said, these movies have been something of an easy-going, unexpected treat, with a decent mix of comedy and poignancy and, perhaps best of all, John Cleese doing his best Robin Williams/Dead Poets Society impression and pulling it off. He even gets a bit of love interest in the final film, which is a nice touch.
So yes, it's not quite up to the standards of the others, but it's certainly not the mess that some would have us believe.
It seems likely this will be the last film in the series, which is a bit of a shame, as I'm guessing most audiences would want to see the final book made into a film too. That said, these movies have been something of an easy-going, unexpected treat, with a decent mix of comedy and poignancy and, perhaps best of all, John Cleese doing his best Robin Williams/Dead Poets Society impression and pulling it off. He even gets a bit of love interest in the final film, which is a nice touch.
So yes, it's not quite up to the standards of the others, but it's certainly not the mess that some would have us believe.
Better than you've Heard
3 January 2015
I'm not quite sure why this is getting all the bad reviews that it is. I went along tonight, expecting a creepy ghost story...and got a creepy ghost story. Of course it repeats some elements of the first films, but most sequels do. And no, it doesn't come over as such a "worthy" film as the first one - but that's not such a bad thing. By having far more characters within the film, it is in many ways more entertaining. There are far less scenes of someone walking around the house with a candle in this effort.
There are moments where the script does let the side down and it sinks into cliché, which is a shame. But, on the whole, the direction is more than serviceable and the acting is generally good. Jeremy Irvine is rather wasted in a rather one-dimensional role, but he performs well enough.
I'm not quite sure what people are expecting from a sequel such as this. It does what it says on the tin, and there's nothing wrong with that - and it's a damned sight better than many horror sequels that are simply remakes of the first movie. Yes, it could have been better, but it zips along quite briskly and yet still manages to pack a punch when it needs to. Not bad at all.
There are moments where the script does let the side down and it sinks into cliché, which is a shame. But, on the whole, the direction is more than serviceable and the acting is generally good. Jeremy Irvine is rather wasted in a rather one-dimensional role, but he performs well enough.
I'm not quite sure what people are expecting from a sequel such as this. It does what it says on the tin, and there's nothing wrong with that - and it's a damned sight better than many horror sequels that are simply remakes of the first movie. Yes, it could have been better, but it zips along quite briskly and yet still manages to pack a punch when it needs to. Not bad at all.
Splashing Through
(1927)
A Bit Wet
19 June 2013
I confess that I enjoy The Collegians series of films very much. There are around eight or nine kicking around amongst collectors and, while they vary in quality, all are a fun watch. The series basically follows Ed Benson (George Lewis) through his four years at Calford, and each of the 44 episodes see him up against his nemesis, Don Trent, and trying to win over his sweetheart, June Maxwell.
Splashing Through is no exception to this rule, but lacks the sense of fun that most other surviving entries in the series deliver. As with most episodes, the story centres around a sporting event, in this case various water sports, and Benson even finds himself in jail at one point. The print in circulation sadly has French intertitles, and so the word-play often used in the series was no doubt missed by my rudimentary knowledge of French. That said, it's not needed to follow the plot. The ending was also rather different from the other episodes, which normally end with the coach delivering a short speech (via intertitles) to camera. Whether that was missing from this print, simply didn't happen in this episode, or whether a new ending was included for overseas audiences is unclear. While it's worth watching, this episode is ultimately a bit of a damp squib, and certainly not the one to judge the series on.
Splashing Through is no exception to this rule, but lacks the sense of fun that most other surviving entries in the series deliver. As with most episodes, the story centres around a sporting event, in this case various water sports, and Benson even finds himself in jail at one point. The print in circulation sadly has French intertitles, and so the word-play often used in the series was no doubt missed by my rudimentary knowledge of French. That said, it's not needed to follow the plot. The ending was also rather different from the other episodes, which normally end with the coach delivering a short speech (via intertitles) to camera. Whether that was missing from this print, simply didn't happen in this episode, or whether a new ending was included for overseas audiences is unclear. While it's worth watching, this episode is ultimately a bit of a damp squib, and certainly not the one to judge the series on.
Poster Boy
(2004)
Unfairly Maligned
15 July 2011
This film seems to have come in for much criticism from the reviews on here, so I'm hoping to redress the balance here. As a film, it's OK, but compared to other gay indie films from America it sits near the top of the pile. The acting is generally good, the directing is competent. The script seems a little outdated for 2004, but I remember reading somewhere that there had been delays to the making of the film and so i wouldn't be surprised if the script was actually written in the late 1990s.
What makes this particularly interesting is that it is a far cry from other gay films out there. It isn't a love story, it doesn't try to woo in the punters by having stunningly handsome men who go full frontal or through strong sex scenes. That isn't what this is about. It has a message, though, and some of the scenes are a little clunky (especially the linking sections with the journalist), but that's a small price to pay for a good solid story that is well told.
The two young actors play the leads without making them into stereotypes and there isn't a screaming queen in sight. Thankfully. What makes the two protagonists most appealing is that neither of them are perfect human beings. The senator's son is cocky and arrogant at times, and the boy he meets has his own faults. The supporting cast is also very good, with some nicely drawn characters.
For a low budget gay effort, this is really good stuff.
What makes this particularly interesting is that it is a far cry from other gay films out there. It isn't a love story, it doesn't try to woo in the punters by having stunningly handsome men who go full frontal or through strong sex scenes. That isn't what this is about. It has a message, though, and some of the scenes are a little clunky (especially the linking sections with the journalist), but that's a small price to pay for a good solid story that is well told.
The two young actors play the leads without making them into stereotypes and there isn't a screaming queen in sight. Thankfully. What makes the two protagonists most appealing is that neither of them are perfect human beings. The senator's son is cocky and arrogant at times, and the boy he meets has his own faults. The supporting cast is also very good, with some nicely drawn characters.
For a low budget gay effort, this is really good stuff.
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