Kea-nu it could be this good? March 29, 2007
Posted by philbw in : Reviews , 1 comment so farThe Replacements
“Pain heals, Chicks dig scars… Glory lasts for ever…”
Keanu Reeves stars in this little seen, dvd-friendly sports movie directed by Howard Deutch. Released in between Keanu’s first two Matrix outings, the film tells the story of a substitute squad hired to replace a striking Washington football team. Keanu’s character is a “never-was” quarter-back who blew a big game and has never played since, who’s called up to be the backbone of the new team. Keanu hasn’t displayed as much charisma and charm in a role as he does in this since Bill & Ted, and it makes his performance in The Matrix look even more wooden (if thats possible).
Keanu is supported by a veritable feast of “I know the face, but not the name” actors starring as his football teammates - Jon Favereau, Orlando Jones, Faizon Love, and the UK’s very own Rhys Ifans. Brooke Langton, from the tv version of THE NET, plays Keanu’s love interest and substitute cheerleader, her character gives the movie more emotional depth than others in the genre… The biggest star of this movie is undoubtbly Gene Hackman, who plays the coach hired to train the team. Hackman successfully recreates the great sports-coach attitude he displayed in the classic basketball movie BEST SHOT (aka HOOSIERS) and its this Hackman I prefer to see on screen - he has been in some great movies in his career, but it will always be the more affable characters I like to see him play (see Best Shot, Enemy of the State, Target).
The Replacements is another strong entry in the sports movie genre, succesfully adding a more “screwball” element to the proceedings - the pucking huddle, the jailhouse “I will survive” karaoke, and the car-tossing/shootout play-off. The film holds it own in a sea of US football movies by virtue of its great characters, screwball comedy and excellent use of the soundtrack. And Howard Deutch hasn’t made this good a movie since The Great Outdoors back in 1988..!
Whilst The Replacements is pure escapism - it is also rather GOOD…
**** 4/5
If you enjoyed The Replacements i’d also recommend:
Neccesary Roughness
Varsity Blues
The Longest Yard
Wildcats
Self-publicity gone awry… March 28, 2007
Posted by philbw in : Blogroll , add a commentI’ve decided to branch out and set up my own design business, so heres a shameless plug for the website:
What I watched last week (w/e 24.03.07) March 26, 2007
Posted by philbw in : Watch List , add a comment- Accepted
- The Devils Den
- Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back
- National Lampoons Barely Legal
- Ultraman Next
- Kamen Rider Faiz eps 1-5
The Devils Den - From Dusk till Dawn 4 or more?? March 25, 2007
Posted by philbw in : Reviews , add a commentThis morning I decided I was in the mood for a little Kelly Hu action (and who wouldn’t be?), so I put in my DEVILS DEN dvd. This is a low budget action/horror/comedy from IDT Entertainment stars Kelly Hu, Devon Sawa, and the horror icon that is Ken Foree plus a whole heap of scantily clad and topless strippers! The film plays out like a Dusk Till Dawn wannabe, complete with demonic strippers, unlikely heroes, killers on a mission and Ken Foree’s demon hunter. Kelly Hu makes a great leading lady and it made me wonder why hasn’t she been in more mainstream Hollywood actioners in the past, Devon Sawa meanwhile is the same as his is in everyone of his movies - his character could almost be the same guy he played in Idle Hands. And, of course, Ken Foree is Ken Foree!!
There are a few faults: namely the similarity to From Dusk Till Dawn, the lack of budget, some completely expected plot twists (you’ll know who the head ghoul they’re after is straight away, the idea comes straight out of the horror movie cliche handbook), and some seriously bad acting from the ghoulish ladies.
But behind the faults I found a cool little martial-arts/horror b-movie… The action is non-stop, with some excellent martial arts displayed by Ms. Hu and Ken Foree wields his sword like an expert, the make-up on the female ghouls (these villians aren’t vampires folks, but flesh-eating ghouls) is good and at least they didn’t resort to CGI like most straight to dvd horrors these days. Oh and did I mention the wierd Zatoichi flashback??
DEVILS DEN is definetly worth a go for b-movie buffs, don’t be put off by the comparisons with FDTD and enjoy the movie for what it is…
**** 4/5
Tenacious D
Posted by philbw in : Reviews , add a commentSo I’ve just watched Tenacious D: Pick of Destiny and its reminded me of just how good their gig at the MEN Arena was - The D managed to re-enact the entire movie live on stage. I went to the gig having not seen the movie so enjoyed it for the grand stage show it was, but now I’ve seen the movie I can appreciate the gig even more…! Tenacious D: POD is definetly one DVD to add to the collection - I’ve been singing “Classico” for days 