 So after starting and then abandoning so many shows on Apple TV, I finally found one that I’d happily keep watching!
The Studio was the perfect antidote to a Hollywood that no longer seems to know how to make good movies, and this satire on the industry, by people in the industry, is reassuring because it shows that at least some of them have a clue! The show is incredibly well written, well-made and funny! The second episode alone is pure cinema!! (Seriously, it’s the best bit of filmmaking in film or TV that I’ve seen in YEARS!) If you love cinema, and are a fan of Seth Rogen humour, then this is a no-brainer. Best show on Apple TV by a country mile, and the best show this year on any platform, with ease.
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 I watched this film for the first time (again, it was late, I was tired, so I needed to watch something under 90 minutes), and I actually really enjoyed it!
Firstly, the artwork is gorgeous to look at. It’s one of the great tragedies of the modern era that Disney no longer produce hand-drawn animation. These films of the past posses so much character and are far more innovative than the slop that Hollywood serves us these days (a running theme in my criticisms of modern cinema). Secondly, the characters are utterly charming, and the setting of Paris is perfectly depicted! Yeah, the story is nothing to write home about, but for the visuals and characters alone, it’s worth watching. The ‘comedic’ bumblings of the butler, and his storyline, were utterly boring though! Still, check it out and admire the artwork and risk-taking of a bygone era.  I saw Inside Out years ago, and for the life of me, couldn’t remember the story, but I remember that I wasn’t overly impressed. Still, I’m a fan of animation, and so I thought I may as well check out the sequel.
While I was watching it, I was thinking ‘this ain’t great’. The art was the usual, boring Pixar plasticky style; literally zero innovation or experimentation, which is sad for a company that was founded on those principles. Pixar is now a byword for playing it safe. But then, during the second half of act two, the story took a different turn, and by the end, I felt I had been delivered a profound experience about growing-up and losing what makes childhood so precious. It’s true what they say: an audience will forgive anything for a great ending. Watch it, it’s not only touching, but for all you parents out there, it will give you more empathy towards the challenges facing your adolescent children, and remind you of what it was like when you were that age. Being a kid is probably the most joyous experience you will ever have, and we have to keep it that way.  I wasn’t expecting much from this film, and that’s exactly what I got!
As with many films these days, the problem lies in very basic storytelling mistakes. The John Wick character worked because his motivation was so strong; it was a classic Western archetype, the retired gun-slinger. John Wick never wanted to return to a life of violence, but when he’s attacked, he has no choice but to avenge his loss (it’s not just the dog, it’s what the dog represents). Therefore, his vengeance is a noble quest, and not merely to satisfy his egotistical need for revenge. As an audience member, we’re completely sympathetic to a character that is a killing machine, but has no desire to be one, and fundamentally, just wants to return to a life of peace. The protagonist in Ballerina is the opposite of this. She’s on a mission of revenge to satisfy her own egotistical desire for ‘justice’, innocent lives and peace be damned. As an audience member, I don’t really find myself rooting for her, or her quest. What’s worse, they sully the John Wick character by bringing him into this miss! What makes matters worse is that the person she’s getting revenge for, is no angel either! Her father was a member of the clan, and thus an assassin too! One could argue that his death is an occupational hazard, and she would serve his memory best by having nothing to do with that world; instead, she follows in his foot-steps, becoming a contract killer, which doesn’t exactly make her a righteous character, and one that we can empathise with. I could look past the inconceivability of a petite woman beating the sh!t out of men three times the size of her, after all, these movies aren’t exactly grounded in realism, and less so with each film. The action was ok, but again, if you’re not invested in the character or their quest, it’s all just noise. The film also felt way too long. All in all, a lacklustre and forgettable experience. The John Wick franchise peaked with number two and has been in a steady decline ever since.  Hadn’t seen this film in decades!
I clearly remember when it came out, and eagerly reading the comic book adaptation in anticipation (because in those days, films would come out in the UK months, and sometimes even a year after their US release). The first Predator was a staple of my childhood, and I so wanted to see Arnie return to do battle with the Predator one more time… except, they went and pulled a Nightmare on Elm Street part 2, and made a movie that barely has anything to do with the first one! At the time, it was a major disappointment! (Although, not as much as ‘Nightmare on Elm Street part 2’, which at the time, was the most disappointing sequel ever! ‘The Last Jedi’ has since stolen that crown) Seeing it now, you realise that it’s actually not that bad. Danny Glover does a good job as the lead, but he was never going to be able to fill Arnie’s shoes, and the supporting cast doesn’t compare to the original film’s either. If the film had a cast of heavyweights, then it would definitely stand up to scrutiny, because the concept is pretty solid. Replace an actual jungle with a concrete one, and have the Predator hunt down violent, gun toting drug dealers, with plenty of civilians caught in the cross fire! The Predator is actually the good guy, cleaning up the city more than the cops, which is probably why the cops wanna get rid of him! He’s making them look bad! The film also featured the first ‘Easter Egg’ that hinted at a shared cinematic universe (decades before Marvel movies normalised the idea), by showing the skull of a Xenomorph from the ‘Alien’ movies. I remember everyone being excited by the idea, which lead to the Alien vs. Predator comic book, and eventually the abysmal movies. Speaking of which, Predator 2 is by far the best sequel to the original masterpiece, with every subsequent iteration being utterly sh!t! There’s a lot to like in this movie, and although it doesn’t stand up to the original, it’s definitely worth revisiting.  In Britain, we can’t talk about the negative aspects of high immigration levels without being labelled a racist, or discuss the benefits of a state owned industries without being called a communist; the result of which is a country in perpetual chaos and denial. We can’t fix our problems, because we’re never allowed to discuss them honestly; instead, our politicians obfuscate their ineptitude and incompetence by keeping the electorate fighting amongst one another. All of this orchestrated by our completely untrustworthy media and (right wing) news barons.
To add to our problems, we’re trapped here! Scandinavia looks like a great place to live, even temporarily, but none of us will be able to, thanks to bloody Brexit! Anyway, this was another great series by the always affable Simon Reeve! He keeps it honest and charming, highlighting the positives (such as the aforementioned state-owned industries), but not shying away from acknowledging the negatives (violent gangs brought in by mass migration). In other, completely unrelated news, I need to find me a Danish chick so we can get married and live happily ever after in Copenhagen!  I first watched this film on BBC2, on a random Sunday night in the 90s. Man, those were the days.
Earlier in the day I was flicking through Taschen’s ‘Movies of the 90s’ (I’ve got their books for every decade from the 1950s onwards), and there’s definitely a case to be made for the 90s being the best decade for cinema, in terms of the variety and quality of films that were made, globally, during that time. One of the main reasons for this was a boom in ‘Indie’ filmmaking. The technology and distribution was more affordable, and accessible than ever before, although still out of reach for the masses. Ironically, filmmaking is a million times more accessible today than it was back then, and yet films are probably worse than they’ve ever been (a discussion for another time!). When it came to American cinema, there were movies that defied the usual genre labels; films that focused on disparate groups of people, which were dialogue/conversation heavy, attempting to recreate how ‘normal’ people talked, instead of only saying things that moved the plot forward. The Real Blonde is a film that treads the line of that type of movie, whilst still having enough of a plot to satisfy mainstream tastes. I really liked it back in the 90s, and seeing it again for the first time in decades, I still like it! The 90’s were full of movies that didn’t fit neatly into genre boxes, and this film is one of them, which is probably why it never really found its audience. It’s not a romcom, or a slice of life; it’s not even quirky enough to be called ‘quirky’. It’s just a film about a bunch of characters making their way in life and trying to survive show-business. A film uniquely from the 90’s and definitely the type of film they simply don’t make anymore. Also, how the hell did Max Caulfield not become a major star? He’s got that smarmy charm, as well as the good looks, to have been a brilliant villain! The cast is full of great actors, and all of them are great in this film. If you fancy watching a quintessentially 90s movie about a rag tag bunch of adults trying to be adults, then look no further! Ignore the low rating on IMDB; this film’s good!  Man, this film really hits the spot.
I watched it for only the second time, and it left me with the same vicarious feelings as it did the first time I watched it. The artwork, the music, the story; everything about it filled me with the feeling that I was living the life I yearned for when I was a younger man (and still yearn for?): Being a successful twenty-something, living in New York, in love, and just winning in life. Especially as I’m currently the exact opposite of all those things! I think I’ll need to revisit it very soon, and you should too! Great film.  I remember when this film first came out and how it was completely savaged by audiences and critics alike; I think it was Jim Carrey’s first flop?
Anyway, I didn’t bother watching it. Since then, however, it has gained a bit of a cult following, so I decided to watch it for the first time ever… Aaaaand, it was crap. Fundamentally, it just wasn’t that funny. The situations, the gags, the characters; they were at best, mildly amusing, but nothing more. Also, the protagonist wasn’t very likeable either. The director’s commentary featuring Ben Stiller (the director), Judd Apatow (the producer) and Jim Carrey (the star), was actually much more entertaining than the actual film! So if you’re gonna watch this, be sure to get it on blu ray! But seriously, it’s not worth watching.  I love dance.
I love to dance, but I haven’t really explored it much as a viewer, so Paul from my dance class suggested I go check out The Royal Ballet and Opera House in Covent Garden; a place I’ve passed a million times, but have never seen a show at (I’ve been inside and on the balcony a few times). Anyway, it was bloody good! I chose this show because I love musicals and musical theatre, and this was a kind of reinterpretation of sorts, so probably more accessible for the casual viewer. In total, the show was 2 hours long, with two, twenty-five minute intervals! Bit of a rinse if you ask me, but luckily I didn't splash out, otherwise I might have felt ripped off! Definitely going to make it a habit to watch more dance performances! Honestly, it’s always enthralling to see performers at the top of their game, and with dancers, more so! If you wanna feel good in mind and soul, join a dance class, and then go see a dance show! |
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A chronicle of films, shows, and theatre I've seen, as well as books I've read, and talks I've attended. Archives
August 2025
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