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Reviews
Le dîner de cons (1998)
Very very funny
That is all I have to say for this movie. A very ungimmicky film, no special effects or anything. Just who is the idiot at the end - M.Brochant or M.Pignon? By the Dinner Game is a very poor translation for Diner de cons and like any foreign film it does help if you know the language so you don't have to rely on the subtitles, as you always miss out a bit on the humour.
Clubbed to Death (Lola) (1996)
Disconnected, fragmentary and not really very engaging
A very odd film this - is it about the club scene or a boxing match. The decaying urban setting is quite apt for this group of semi-estranged characters. There is an unreal atmosphere about the whole film which makes it just about watchable, just the thing to watch on Channel 4 at 12:30am on Sunday/Monday. But there were immense problems with continuity, how did Lola end up in this warehouse party in the first place. She didn't know about it when she was on the bus at the start, what was she doing - just going on the bus for no particular reason. None of the characters were particularly engaging and I did not have much idea where the plot was going. However, a big thumbs up for the soundtrack particularly the soaring orchestral Clubbed to Death track, one of MoWax's greatest ever releases. Overall 4.5-5/10
Pro urodov i lyudey (1998)
The freaks overcome the men
One of these films probably best enjoyed as a solitary pleasure, seeing that it is so far removed from mainstream cinema. And pleasure is the word.... from the grainy yet warm black and white silent cinematography to the relentless Johann's efforts to infiltrate and degrade two middle-class St Petersburg families into his porn filmaking business. The siamese twins represent a sort of duality - there is the 'pure' one who detests alcohol and abhors the sordidness he has been dragged into and there is the 'corrupted' one who takes to the wine that Johann offers him with relish and seduces the middle-class girl. After Johann dies and his network dissolves, no one can find happiness. The girl goes west and the twins go east - both are isolated and excluded. It is interesting to see how early 20th century Russia took and adapted the trappings of European Victorian social mores.
Saiyûki (1978)
Buddha said - with our thoughts we build the world
Monkey Magic is just the best childrens(?) series in the world. I remember watching it on Children's Tv when I was 5 or 6 years old - despite the time gap, I could still vividly remember the music, Monkey's kung-fu fights and his magic staff. As soon as the videos came out, I was determined to buy a copy..... and I was not disappointed! The fact is, Monkey is an oaf who wants it all (he's still likeable just because of his effrontery - challenging Buddha, what chutzpah!), but as he sets on his mission with Tripitaka you can see that he does have plenty of good qualities. Pigsy is amusing because of his lustful nature, Sandy is a bit earnest and Tripitaka is just untouchable. The soundtrack is funky man! The dated nature of the fx just add to the appeal of Monkey and the fights are still wicked. You do learn a bit about Buddhism as well. Buy the videos and have a good night in with your friends.