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Elliot Burch
Reviews
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
Jay and Silent Bob Go Out With A Bang!
I got the chance to see this film at the sneak preview tonight. I have to say I was pleasently surprised by how well it all fell together. I have been a fan of Kevin Smith's work since "Clerks." I am proud to report that it is great to see a large number of Smith's former characters return to this final installment of the Jay and Silent Bob anthology. IT has a fast pace and the cameos are superb. From Carrie Fisher as a nun (truly great) to George Carlin as a h**d giving hitchhiker to Shannen Doherty as Herself on the set of "Scream 4" (perish the thought) you'll love all the appearances. It is sad that Shannen Doherty couldn't return as Rene from "Mallrats," but it is good to see her back in the Smith world! Look for some good View Askew humour and good jabs at "Mallrats" and "Chasing Amy." Its really a lot of fun! I hope you enjoy it.
Up the Sandbox (1972)
Fantastic film worth checking out!
In this small, unknown gem from 1972, Barbra Streisand plays Margaret Reynolds. Margaret is a bored housewife who wishes to do more than what her life holds for her. She has two children and a loving husband Paul (played by "Dark Shadows'" David Selby,) but its not enough. She finds out that she is carrying a third child and is scared of what might happen when she tells Paul. He feels the world is overcrowded as it is and that it would be wrong to bring another child into it. So, Margaret escapes into her fantasy life. The fantasies range from confronting the woman whom she believes is sleeping with her husband (good scene,) to interviewing Fidel Castro (which ultimatelky unvails his "secreet,") to slamming her mother's face into an anniversary cake!
All in all, the film is incredible. The only negative aspect would be the loss of so many scenes which leads the viewer to sometimes take a moment to catch back up with the fact that she is in her fantasy world. Not quite as gritty as the novel (not once does she mention wanting to leave her son at the playground or drop him on his head!,) but still a definite must see.
Overall rating: A-
Queer as Folk (2000)
Ok Americanized Telling of Fantastic UK Series
This carbon-copy of the original Channel 4 British series is tolerable, but nowhere near the original. Anyone who has seen the original, as I have, will no doubt begin to pick every scene apart. In its first episode, it engulfed the first two episodes of the original. It tries hard to win over the UK series' fans, but it might not succeed. What sounded cute and smart-assed in the Brit version sounds just plain bitchy and rude in the US Version. Only time will tell if the series will last and win over fans. I'd definitely recommend watching and seeing it for yourself. Especially if you haven't seen the original.
House of Dark Shadows (1970)
Great Adaptation of the original series!
HOUSE OF DARK SHADOWS is an excellent adaptation of the original series' plotline of Barnabas Collins' arrival at Collinwood and his abduction of Maggie Evans to make her his Vampire Bride. Originally covered on the ABC-TV Daytime Serial in episodes 210-260. This is what could be considered a "Parallel Time" Version of the events which occurred. Definitely a must see film!