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Reviews
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Could have been good, but badly cut
I dug this out again recently and realised that the film is pretty bad, but I have to say it could have been much better had it been properly cut in the editing room.
Just take a look at the deleted scenes from the DVD. Put these in and take out the indulgent 'dune buggy vs. monster truck' scene (Anyone fancy a trip to the desert this year?), most of the scenes where Shinzon is posturing and pretending to be ill, and trim down the 'B4' malarkey and I think it would then be above passable, even good, and definitely more 'Trek'.
As it stands, it really is quite pitiable that so many people could get it so wrong. This is where the producer is supposed to step in and apply the brakes to steer the production down the right track. What happened to this principle in this case? I would like to see a 'fans cut' of this film with the necessary changes and am sure it would be much more enjoyable, especially for the trekkers! We can't just let the TNG story end in this dismal way!
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
An utter bore
An utter bore. No plot to speak of. Little character development. Hackneyed dialogue. Gratuitous and unnecessary violence. Played like a cut-down remake of LOTR except set in reality. Actors do their best, but with such bad direction they fail to make any impact. Bloom is under used. Dubiously choreographed fight scenes. Poor ending. It just makes no sense. Totally un-profound comments made to look as though they are profound. The only things I could really say in its favour is that the blood and gore looked reasonably realistic and the costumes were well designed. Avoid this film, unless you want to buy someone you hate a going-away present.
*Yawn!* Third rate in every respect.
What's New Pussycat (1965)
Sellers on top form!
This is a great film, but one you'll buy for the cast alone. Woody Allen and Peter Sellers in a film together?! Sellers is beautiful in this comic gem of a movie, fully immersed in the colourful 60s. Seller's ability to deliver his lines with that characteristic jaundiced, vague, sexually pre-occupied way, is fully exploited in what is a great role for him.
O'Toole is surprisingly good as the over-sexed Gent who cant commit. He's convincing and funny.
All this is matched by a superb supporting cast, in particular Paula Prentiss, who is exceptional for such a small amount of screen time.
Woody's first outing is uninspired at best. As usual, Woody has some great ideas, but they are shot through with a combination of bad execution and plain miscalculation. For instance , the scene where Woody is miming badly to the Italian Opera record is too contrived; too 'Woody'. Too often we are forced to watch Woody Allen play himself and just arse about on set and we are expected to laugh. This is Woody's problem. He has no versatility, unlike Sellers who could play just about anyone. As a writer and director, Allen has superb talent. But his comedy acting abilities come no where near, and this film displays it.
Highlights: Paula Prentiss (wow!) O'Toole and Sellers in the Nightclub scene dancing to 'My Little Red Book'. Delightful.
O'Toole's reply: "What in the name of all that's gracious, is a semi-virgin?" O'Toole and Seller's drunk as they try to woo Miss Lefebvre O'Toole's nightmare where Sellers appears as Richard III. So apt! Very funny.
If you can't stand classic comedy films, you will probably hate this film. One because the story is so screwy and two because it is 'of the time'. But if you can look beyond the 60s haze and realise what a special, landmark piece of comedy artwork this film really is, you will have made an indispensable addition to your movie collection.