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chris-brazendale
Reviews
Cracking the Da Vinci Code (2004)
Pointless documentary with poor production values
Everyone loves a mystery right? Well that I guess was my excuse for watching this, but within about fifteen minutes I had come to realize my decision was misguided.
For a start the production values are shoddy - crappy electronic music that is supposed to set a sinister mood but only succeeds in annoying and budget cinematography.
But these problems could have been overcome if the documentary (I hesitate to call it that, its really like a piece of fan worship for a mediocre novel, much like an amateur fan website) if it had any credible evidence or a coherent narrative.
The "experts" interviewed were very scant and seemed to lack any academic credentials. Often they would say things like "this could mean that" or "this must mean this" when what they really had was a lack of anything remotely approaching evidence.
This is a documentary for the type of people who are convinced there is scientific basis for astrology. It could have been a lot better if it had been an analysis of the legends of the knights templar and the priory of sion.
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004)
Entertaining film about a little known legend
Having always known about Peter Sellers from his very funny 'Pink Panther' films and his outstanding contribution to Kubrick's Dr Strangelove I was very interested to see this film.
Sellers comes across as a very selfish character in this film, mainly through his indifference to his own children and his marital infidelities. However, as an actor he was obviously very talented, but this film is no hagiography. Also on display was the over protection of his mother, who obviously over indulged her son on occasion, the film hints that perhaps this was a reason for his fierce temper when he did not get his own way.
Geoffrey Rush is outstanding as Sellers, and the film uses unusual fades where Rush takes up another character in the story and engages in direct monologues with the character, which is a dramatic device for illustrating Sellers versatility as an actor.
Peter Sellers described himself as a "cipher" - that until he adopted a character he had no personality of his own, and in this respect he may resemble Robert De Niro.
Fight Club (1999)
The perfect movie experience
Unpredictable plot, brilliant camera work, outstanding acting. This was about as good as it gets. Usually Hollywood films are so formularised, as soon as they start you find yourself going "OK, thats the bad guy, thats the hero, this is the love interest, this is how it will end...." Not so with Fight Club. Its a pity more movies like this don't get made. Helena Bonham Carter is radically transformed from her previous roles as Jack's girlfriend, while Brad Pitt and Edward Norton are perfectly cast for their roles. Meatloaf also features as steroid casualty. The Fight Club they create is perfectly juxtaposed with the support groups. Instead of seeking emotional release from catharsis, they seek it through violence, turning the support group premise on its head.