dunks58

If you like sketch comedy but have not yet discovered this series, take my advice - see this show. 'Portlandia' is, for me at least, the best American sketch comedy series I've seen since 'Upright Citizens Brigade'.

I don't know how accurately it depicts Portland and its denizens, but I do know that (A) it really makes me want to visit there and (B) it really, really makes me laugh.

Carrie Brownstein is new to me as comedian, though I of course know her musical work with indie darlings Sleater-Kinney. The brilliantly versatile Fred Armisen has deservedly earned a big fan base (including my family) through his work on SNL. Yet, who could have predicted that this combination of talent, in such an off-the-wall concept, could work so well? It really does, and I want to congratulate all associated with the series, notably the legendary Lorne Michaels for once again nurturing talents like Fred and Carrie and giving them the chance to do a great show like this.

Once you get the style and shape of the show, you'll be hooked. The sketches are, for the most part, really good and some (e.g. Chicken Farm, One More Episode of Galactica) are destined to become enduring classics.

The stars (in their multiple roles) are ably assisted by a fine cast of supporting performers and a BIG highlight of the series is the many surprising and hilarious cameo appearances, including people like Edward James Olmos, Aimee Mann and Greg Louganis (playing themselves) and of course the wonderful Kyle McLachlan as the Mayor. These bits work not only because of who the stars are, but also because in just about every case they are perfect for and in the sketch (c.f. Eddie Vedder's great cameo in the "boyfriend's tattoo" sketch).

Thanks Fred and Carrie and all the cast and crew - it's been a real delight to discover such a clever, quirky, inventive comedy series that consistently takes unexpected turns, gives a lot of laughs, and leaves you wanting more every time.

To quote the esteemed Mr Maltin: "A ridiculous movie - I give it a two". As his CV testifies, Sekula is clearly a cinematographer of great talent, so it's not surprising that his directorial debut looks pretty cool - lighting, composition, framing etc are distinctive and impressive, some very cool locations that are well shot. In purely visually terms this could be considered a useful showreel for a DOP whose skills have made him the lensman of choice for a number of iconic films. But visual style is the ONLY thing happening here. Although it looks great, I have to agree with my fellow reviewers - everything else about this movie is a horrible, shambolic, incoherent mess, and it's sad to see a group of fine, photogenic actors being utterly wasted on a pile of pointless, rambling, vacuous, pretentious crap that does nothing and goes nowhere. This movie's alternative title, "Voodoo Dawn", is sadly apt - you *will* think you have been cursed by voodoo if you sit down to watch it, and tomorrow's dawn is probably the only memorable thing you will take away from it ... once you awaken, hours later, after having fallen asleep on the couch in the middle of this aimless, foetid fever-dream of a movie. I give it a 2 only because it looks cool. If you are foolish enough to view it, I strongly suggest that you get some friends together, get REALLY wasted, put on some Ry Cooder or Dr John, turn the sound down and make up your own story and dialogue, cos even that is going to be WAY more entertaining than the actual content of this overstuffed swamp turkey.

A true eye-opener for film-lovers, this has to be one of the most inventive and subversive Hollywood films of the period. It's historically significant as one of the last two-strip Technicolor films, and boasts an excellent script. superb design by Anton Grot, great costumes and first-rate cinematography. Compared to the leaden pacing, framing and editing of so many other films of the era, it's strikingly dynamic in its presentation, with many very funny sequences, alongside some genuinely scary scenes. If for no other reason, it's worth seeing for the fantastic Glenda Farrell, who is absolutely outstanding and steals every scene she's in, including her hilarious (and remarkably racy) rapid-fire exchanges with Frank McHugh. Just see it!