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Moore masters the medium of cinema on his second major outing
13 August 2004
‘Fahrenheit 9/11' is the most effecting cinematic experience of the year. It is super-liberal, far-left, borderline propaganda at times, from an exuberant film maker and personality who himself has some hypocrisies to answer for but the film's quality cannot be overlooked.

The opening 10/15 minutes sums up the basis of Moore's book ‘Stupid White Men' in which he claims Bush rigged the 2000 election in which he gained power, the way in which the election is shown and the protests in the Senate are played out is genuinely upsetting and shows his side of an argument he has mastered arguing for the past four years at its most passionate.

That is the best way to look at the film, not to judge it on right or wrong or constantly considering the other side of the argument, save that for afterwards at the pub with the usual alcohol-inspired debate team. This is Michael Moore's argument and rarely has a side to a debate been so fantastically put across.

Moore masters the medium of cinema on his second major outing after 2002's Oscar-winning ‘Bowling for Columbine'. After a wonderful title sequence Bush is ridiculed, his every move as a president quashed from all sides, Moore brings out all the evidence to prove the incompetence of Bush Jr. but the film hits its most impactual moment when the title-date arrives. The screen goes entirely black and all we are left with is the haunting sounds of planes crashing into the Twin Towers and the chaos that ensues – a perfect example of what you can't see being far worse than what you can, the image is not only unnecessary as we have seen them so much we are almost de-sensitised but it is far more impacting without it.

Moore brings out the tear jerker moments again when he shows a staunch war supporter proud of her son in Iraq before the war then her change of feeling after he has died. Mixed in with this are moments where the audience collectively shakes their head in disbelief as the web of deceit and corruption inside American is shown for all to see alongside moments of hilarity as Moore shows Bush at his most repulsively idiotic.

Overall ‘Fahrenheit 9/11' is the most audacious presentation of Michael Moore's one-sided argument, it is not a fair review of George W. Bush and his government but its' not supposed to be. As long as you realise this and accept it you will find here a superb piece of documentary film making which thoroughly deserves its Palme d'Or. It transcends its most obvious themes of Bush, Iraq to make a fair greater and more haunting damnation on capitalism as a whole – its super left-wing; it's an idealistic liberal viewpoint but its one hell of an argument. This should be seen by everyone.
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10/10
I Love this Film
7 August 2004
'The Spaniard's Curse' is no masterpiece, its an easily forgotten 'thriller' with an unbelievable plot and no real pace but despite this i still love it.

It is lovable in its stupidity without realisation much like my passion for Bollywood films with their over the top zoom-ins and backlit beauties with hair blowing in the wind. 'The Spandiard's Curse' presents an over-the-top London where all people either speak the Queen's English or Cockney Ryhming Slang, a world where a ancient curse can be used to murder people and a world where people can seriously wear a bathrobe with a cravat.

There are also a few moments of genuine quality here, I like the scene where the murderer runs through how 'the murderer' would have done the crime - a stunning moment of good performance - stunning because for a brief moment you realize this guy can act and really should be doing something better. I also like the ending because it certainly is surprising and actually gives the film a kind of resonance it was otherwise lacking.

Overall a great film that you really must see to understand its appeal.
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A Dazzling Array of Quality
30 April 2004
A dazzling array of editing technique's and camerawork alongside Jim Carrey at his most refined and Kate Winslet at simply her best combine to create a wonderful little film from the writer of 'Being John Malkovich' and 'Confessions of a Dangerous Mind'. Despite the high regard in which I hold the previously mentioned two films I was still a little worried by ESSM thanks to an unhelpful advertising campaign that has obviously thought - Carrey + serious role + weird concept = 'Truman Show 2' and subsequently played to that film's fans. It is an understandable ploy as the film is actually more like a cross between 'Lost in Translation' and 'Being John Malkovich' - not exactly something to pack in the average collection of 'rude boys' who tend to assemble outside my local (Aylesbury)cinema even if it would draw it more favourably to the attention of the independent film fans. The film buzzes through lovable prologue, confused first act, even more confusing and weird complication in the second and then, surprisingly for Kaufman, a wonderful third act which gives us resolution and shows a mastery of non-linear narrative within the fantasy genre. Fantasy, I hear you cry? Well don't worry its not your Oscar-stealing 'Lord of the Rings' / Brad Pitt in skimpy old school clothing faire (yes I'm already dreading being dragged to see 'Troy' by overzealous females who I fantasise about bedding) instead the more stylish modern conceptual fantasies - the basic premise is the ability to erase memories of people. Carrey is solid and impressive but Winslet is even more so (though I still believe the show is stolen by one of Carrey's friends who's two or so lines are fantastic including his stoned excuse for not helping his wife - 'I'm making a birdcage'). A well directed independent film which will hopefully do a little bit at the box office thanks to Carrey fans who travel expecting to see Mr. Ventura contorting his face for kicks. You never know they may leave the cinema as happy as I did.

9/10 one of the best of the year so far.
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Withnail & I (1987)
Top Stuff
18 March 2004
'Withnail and I' is THE cult film of the 1980's British film industry, whilst some look to the more flashy and up to date 'Trainspotting' as Britain's best cult film 'Withnail' is without a doubt a contender despite being as old as I am.

The comedy loses little with age thanks much to be set in the 1960's thus the audience expects to be looking through historical goggles rather than nit-picking the Thatcher-era details which would now date it.

The jokes are timeless though without a doubt Richard E. Grant is the star of the show. Lines such as 'We've Come on Holiday by mistake' and 'Liar! Where's your toolbox, you've got Anti-Freeze' are ingenius and should not be under rated.

The two lead protaganists are much like a male version of the girls from 'Absolutely Fabulous', minds filled with urban garbage trying to fit in with their polar opposites in the Dales, its an old trick but one pulled of with steely perfection thanks to the acting delights of Grant and McGann in delvering such an iconic script of genius.

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