Lawrence of Arabia

 

I have seen at least half of this before. I wanted to complete it

Firstly what a soundtrack. What cinematography 

The film begins with the death of the hero. We see Lawrence's funeral in Westminister Abbey-here the question is asked does Lawrence deserve his place in the Panethon of an Empire

Speaking of Pantheons. Lawrence is like a homeric epic, this films feels like something from an earlier time. Even the film mentions this- the desert being a place for Gods. 

Peter O' Toole seems to be wearing eye make up. Which adds to the feeling of this being old, ancient. 

It is a disturbing performance from O'Toole. His first starring role, and like Lawrence he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. O'Toole makes a fine Atlas

Omar Sharif, and Anthony Quin give monumental support. Omar is introduced to the audience by casually killing the guide Lawrence had hired

Oh so that's where the line a ``River to my people'' comes from

The horror of war is shown. Lawrence is violated off screen, but the intent of his captors is clear. We see destruction of a small village and women's spoiled corpses and panned over. I think we can infer a lot about the fall of Aquaba

The racism of Lawrence's time is not concealed. 

I note Alec Guinness as an Arab royal is treated favourably but the Arab clan leaders are depicted warts and all. I wonder if the death of the German soldiers we see manning and running Turkish traines was a bit of parrelling Europeans employed by Muslims to fight in the war between Arab and Turk

 I did enjoy Alec Guinness's performance- the anagram is true

This was the first time I saw Allenby on screen

A masterpiece

Punch Drunk Love

 

This was Adam Sandler's first movie where he played it straight. Indeed I had forgotten that Emily Watson was an actress 

So is Barry Egan- who Sandler is playing here. Is he supposed to be Irish?

I think Barry is supposed to be on the spectrum- and the scenes where Barry meets his sisters for a family event and loses his temper feels right. If you have not seen an autistic meltdown then this is as good as a depiction as any on film

I was pleased to see Hawaii in this film

Emily Watson is great. She doesn't do an American accent

There is a bit of social history caught on film here. 

There is a sex phone line- social security number scam here. Barry calls a sex land looking for companionship rather than sexual release. The phone sex girl tries to blackmail barry and indeeds partially suceeeds  Today it would be a cam girl

The prices of the food products a quarter for a pudding cup, and a $1.75 for a teriyaki chicken are but a dim memory

I did wonder if Barry's constantly being dressed in a blue suit. Which indeed looked the zenith of  1990s style. The price of impressing everyone over a zima would be stinking

Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays the villian. A small town hood

The film recalls a Airline miles offer - and the work of  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Phillips_(entrepreneur)

It was fine. I won't rewatch

Dune part 2

 

I have just finished viewing this film, as I type this

The film was not bad, I can see why people have enjoyed the story of a messiah coming out of the desert for decades,. There were spectacular special effects. I liked the scene when the troopers used anti gravity devices to scale a desert moutain

None of the performances are bad. There is problem of Paul Artreides sounding American when he is angry. Why is Gerald Butler doing an accent but not Timothee Chalmet 

I did enjoy Butler, Brolin, and Walken's performance.

I appreciated the fact-that the Zendaya and Chalmet love story does not end happily. Duty prevails or she is tossed aside for another woman 

The story leaves me cold, the desert sun doesn't melt my aloofness. I am pleased to have seen the film. 

If for no other reason then it will be simpler than reading the novel- and I am now more familar with the lore 

The Boondock Saints 2

 

Not as enjoyable as the first installment. There was a rough charm to the original Boondock saints, the toilet killing. It was like watching a group of lads down the pub make a multi million dollar movie

Julie Benz, stars as an FBI agent and it was lovely to see her again, and to hear her do a dixie accent, as well as dress up a cowgirl

The Father's back story probably didn't need covering. 

There is some funny banter- The Panic room joke was good. 

It feels too long, the accents are hoky- I think there is a reason why we don't see much of Sean Patrick Flahetry, as opposed to Norman Redus, Oh  and it seems to be recalling an Ireland /Boston of the 1960s. The catholic belief of the brothers is a bit unusual. They are quoting the Old Testement and the book of Revelation- which is not saintly 

Still apparently there will be a third

Nicolas Brendon

 April 12, 1971 – March 20, 2026

Actor, Artist, brother, and stutterer 

A troubled life, a troubled man 

 I first became aware of his work in Buffy the Vampire slayer. I have to say I loathed the character -Which is of course praise for Brendon. I am suprised to learn that SMG wanted her Xander to get together 

See him in the Zeppo

I do wonder knowing what we know now, that Xander's family having alcohol issuses was a dig at Nicolas 

Chuck Noris

 March 10, 1940 – March 19, 2026

Father, Airman, Martial Artist, Actor

One of the first multi media stars- aside from film and tv work, he also lent his skills to computer games, cartoons and professional wrestling

I find myself rewatching Invasion USA, as it a mirror on 1980s life. 

A Cock and Bull Story

 I had thought of going to see this, when it was released in the cinema 20 odd years ago. It is still current but I am not sure that is a good thing. Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon are playing themselves in a film about the making of a film of the novel Tristram Shandy. Which I should go and read

Brydon mocks Coogan, and his work throughout. There are numerous references to Alan Partridge

There are a lot of the mainstays of the British comedy scene of the 00s,  Stephen Fry, Walliams, Ronnie Aconda, Dylan Moran- two black books alumni as well as Byrdon and Coogan.

Coogan's wilder sex life is referenced. This is a warts and all portrayal of Coogan. He is being interviewed by Gruey to head off a story about an affair with a lapdancer. This Coogan is vain, oversexed, and anxious about being upstaged. We are treated to  a cameo Gillian Anderson-who seems to be playing an early version of Thatcher We are gifted a glimpse of Keely Hawes bottom 

There is a lot about the reality of making a film. Coogan and Byrdon having to be driven to and from the set. The costumer feeling of the strain of the constant demands of the stars. 

Mark Williams playing a film historian is having a lot of fun-despite the frustrations his character must feel

I was intrigued by Uncle Toby in this novel. Is he the first war gamer? He has apparently recreated an accurate model of the Seige of Namur. Is this the first LARP? 

The novel takes place during the clash between Dr's and Midwives. There is some medical equipment on display, which is pleasing 

I liked it, I am glad I saw it. I should just read the novel