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ironduke1975
Reviews
Newsnight (1980)
Great Newscasting
This is a British gem and also a late night wake up call - because they do not let the politicians get away with anything and chase up an answer until the politicians go blue in the face (or red with embarrassment) Paxman is a legend and Gavin Hesler is a great 2nd in command - and believe me these boys are in command of their world and space! Michael Crick makes a quirky addition to the team and also pumps in an original energy but also there is mark Urban, the analyst and respect by US Generals when talking about Iraq and its battles/hot spots. I hope one day that they make a film about the legend that is Paxman - Yeeeesss!!!!
Keep up the good work BBC2 - that's what you were created for!!
Excalibur (1981)
Brilliant take on a legend!!
I thought the costumes (althought not historically accurate), music, acting and atmosphere were top notch!! The accents were a mixed bag of classic west-country and RP (recieved pronunciation) with great dialogue and understanding of chivalry. The sex scenes were brutal and yet strangely erotic at times and Merlin is played by N Williamsomn with utter relish but making it really entertaining. The images from Boorman and the use of water as an obsession are extremely well shot and there is fabulous hope in the use of Wagner's music. The battle scenes are realistic and harsh - water, blood and mud mixed together with pain and suffering. Great flick!! Ironduke
About Schmidt (2002)
Fab and touching, also funny.
I loved this movie - esp. the way it starts and Nicholson is thrown away (retirement) by his company and life appears grim and undefined. The film shows us also that we don't appreciate what we have until we loose it (in this case the death of a loved one) and also that we are not perfect (affairs and misunderstanding abound). It's a story of discovery and they state of a man's mind when in retirement - like a child almost! We also can to relate that we all need relations/time with our loved ones or even someone we don't know via letter or email. Kathy Bates is also a breath of fresh air and i ended up thinking 'i wanna be like her' LOL Also, the ending is amazingly touching and made me smile inside as well as shed a tear!! Great solid work from Jack.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
One of the classic sci-fi's
This has to be one of the most classic sci-fi greats! From the story line arc which is very similar to moby dick and it's quote-worthy script and fabulous (pre-aliens) soundtrack from James Horner. It is a classic story of one man's obsession with vengeance and all around him will die in order to achieve his objectives! The supporting cast and the leads play with equal relish and this is the film that truly launched the Movie Franchise that is now Star Trek. There is also great space battles and a very touching ending with that fab bagpipe scene at the end with the beautiful sun shot. All in all a great sci-fi film and one of the best Star trek movies... "Khan!!!!!"
Saxon (2007)
Original with deffo cult potential Brit flick!!!
I think after watching Saxon, you will either love this film or hate it...of course I loved it...why?? It's freshness and originality (and it's damn right madness at times!) will grab other parts that the norm cannot reach.
It is so good to see British talent making an effort to create a piece of 'art' (which i believe this film will become) and show the film biz and the UK TV biz that they should be backing artistic talent and not the dross that is Big Brother or cooking shows. I make this point because it is so sad that the Director and Producer had to re-mortgage their house to make this film - a sad reflection upon the 'men in suits' methinks! The film follows 'fast eddie' returning to Saxon (a grim housing estate) (Sean Harris on excellent form) - just out of prison and on a journey of redemption and trying to make some quick cash of which he owes to a local fishmonger. If he does not pay he will loose an eye (the other was cut out by the head fishmonger) to a psycho, almost perverted, fishmonger as payment - played very scary and with force by newbie Stephen Manwaring (Molly). Also, there are ruthless bailffs (head bailiff Russell exellently played by Drew Edwards) to contend with, mad Tramps, a vengeful father, an angry young Asian lad, a mad lighter lady, his Mother who is on the game and various ex's and an excellent soundtrack. Also, sarah Matravas is great with those (in the words of Tony Soprano) "Charles Manson Lamps" (crazy eyes) - great stuff!
There are twists and turns galore and to be frank - the characters are barking - and i loved them for the shear entertainment value. There is also nice pace changes...sometimes slow but then 'bang', we get an explosion of action...this kept me on the edge of my seat.
I hope for British Film's sake that this gets a good release in 2008 and thank god this is not another Gangster film!!! Most of the cast you will not of heard of but I hope you will by the end of 2008!!! If you like David Lynch and A clockwork Orange and you want to see a Film that has Cult potential, then go a see Saxon. Barking and Bonkers but brave!!! IronDuke