skutbag Reviews

High Fidelity (2000)

Americanization actually works here!

[8/10 · 27 May 2005]

Yes you heard me. AND I'm a Brit. AND I've read the book.

But why? Well, if it had been made in Britain then (possibly) some morose independent director would have made it into a depressing and painful film. That's just what I reckon would have happened, and to quote the author Nick Hornby 'This is about more than geography'.

I think transplanting it to an American scene makes the whole film a bit more cheery, can you imagine Barry being played by a Brit actor? No, because unfortunately the stereotype of Brit actors in the eyes of Hollywood are villains and aristocrats, or both; not the kind of dynamo that Black pulls off to PERFECTION. He really is that good. Not forgetting Dick of course but then his role is one of understatement.

Also, having watched the deleted scenes, you wish they had kept them in but I suppose everything has to be short and sharp. Don't worry if you didn't catch it at the cinema, this film is not really a visual spectacle.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves music especially, as you probably know some characters like the ones you see here.

TNT Jackson (1974)

She's a one mama massacre squad!

[5/10 · 21 January 2005]

I managed to pick this up in a sale for one pound; thought it looked like a laugh and bought it.

Just finished watching it and would thoroughly recommend it to blaxploitation/kung fu/trash movie fans. The dialogue is frequently laughable, the plot is predictable, and there are some bad editing and post-production flaws in dubbing. Effects are generally pants, except for one slow motion sequence with butterfly knives; which I particularly liked. You also have a dodgy sex scene.

But on the other hand, the action scenes are pretty good with some innovative sequences and 'special moves'. The music is also great especially for fans of groove/funk.

This movie has everything you'd expect from a trashy kung fu movie- crime lords, Afros, revenge, flares and of course EVERYONE knows a bit of kung fu. It's only about 60 minutes long and if you can pick it up on the cheap then do so!