#82: Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny (2006) August 13, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Music, Comedy, Musical, 2000s, 3 stars, 2007 , add a comment2006 | Liam Lynch | 90 mins | DVD | 15 / R
JB and KG, aka Tenacious D, go in search of the Pick of Destiny, an ancient guitar pick that will make them rock gods, in their first movie. The humour is a mixture of schoolboy toilet gags, general silliness/quirkiness, and rock/culture references — undoubtedly, therefore, your mental age will dictate which bits (if any) you laugh at. Some jokes hit, others don’t, and whole sections seem to be there merely to ensure the movie gets to a decent running time. If you’re already a Tenacious D fan it’s worth checking out, but if you don’t like them you’ll never like this. Personally, I think the music’s the best bit — and that’s all on the soundtrack CD.
#56: Road to Morocco (1942) June 11, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Comedy, Musical, 3 stars, 1940s, 2007 , 1 comment so far1942 | David Butler | 82 mins | VHS | U
Gentle, silly humour abound in this comedy, the third in the Road to… series. If you remember those plays that Morecambe & Wise used to do you’ll have a fair idea what this feels like, although with a couple of added musical numbers (and pretty good ones at that). It’s not ‘great cinema’ and it won’t be to everyone’s taste, but it makes for a light, fun way to spend not much more than an hour.
#53: West Side Story (1961)
Posted by badblokebob in : Musical, Drama, adaptations, 4 stars, 1960s, 2007, Shakespeare , add a comment1961 | Robert Wise & Jerome Robbins | 146 mins | DVD | PG
“Everything’s free in America,” goes the famous line; but this film is probably more accurately summed up in its following line: “For a small fee in America”. For, surprisingly, underneath the song and dance numbers (some impressive, some embarrassing), the Shakespearian romance story, and the vibrant and beautiful cinematography, beats the heart of a gritty, political, social drama about gangs, racism, immigration, and more — issues that seem as pertinent today as ever. It’s a brilliant film, which falls short of full marks only thanks to some of those weaker song & dance bits (and I might be being a tad unfair there).
#52: Hello, Dolly! (1969) May 21, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Comedy, Musical, Romance, adaptations, 3 stars, 1960s, 2007 , add a comment1969 | Gene Kelly | 140 mins | DVD | U / G
Comedians Walter Matthau and Michael Crawford (yes, Frank Spencer!) star alongside Barbra Streisand in this comedy musical directed by Gene Kelly (yes, the star of many a musical himself!) which flopped at the box office but did well at the Oscars, and has gained in popularity since. The best bits are the very impressive dancing waiters at Harmonia Gardens, although some of the more amusing songs are worth seeing. It’s this tongue-in-cheek, sometimes-silly tone that stops it seeming too dated, although other elements of its style (and the running time) don’t help. Surely a must-see for musical fans, though others may not be as engaged.
#40: Happy Feet (2006) April 9, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Animation, Comedy, Musical, 2000s, 4 stars, Adventure, 2007 , add a comment2006 | George Miller | 104 mins | DVD | U / PG
While it might not be in quite the same league as The Incredibles or Finding Nemo, this year’s Animated Oscar-winner does have a few things going for it. There are a couple of enjoyable songs, a few exciting action sequences, and even some bits that actually make you laugh. Couple this with a positive (if improbable) pro-environment message, and an even better anti-religious one that’s only half-hidden, and you have an entertaining film for kids that grown-ups will find something in too.
#35: The King and I (1956) April 2, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Musical, Romance, adaptations, 3 stars, 1950s, true stories, 2007, Historical , add a comment1956 | Walter Lang | 128 mins | DVD | U / G
To be fair to The King and I, I was a little sleepy through most of it, and, thanks to some slightly cheesy bits at the start, my mind was occasionally locked in a spoofing mode. However, there are some recognisable songs and an Oscar-winning performance from Yul Brynner, as well as truly sumptuous sets and costumes.
#13: Romance & Cigarettes (2005) February 28, 2007
Posted by badblokebob in : Comedy, Musical, Romance, 2000s, 3 stars, 2007 , add a comment2005 | John Turturro | 101 mins | DVD | 15 / R
I was attracted to this because it was billed as a modern musical, with an impressive cast. Tsk. Some people are put off by the musical tag — well, don’t be. The characters occasionally sing along to some popular songs (and sometimes to ones you’ve never heard in your life), and sometimes do fun dance routines. This sits at odds with the gritty-ish melodrama of the plot, but that’s the fun. It’s worth a punt, but expect to dislike it.