DAILY FILM DOSE: A Daily Film Appreciation and Review Blog

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25938015178915331272009-11-23T08:09:52.836-05:00DAILY FILM DOSE: A Daily Film Appreciation and Review BlogAlan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.comBlogger1092125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-76625414850490632562009-11-23T08:06:00.002-05:002009-11-23T08:08:23.429-05:00Brüno

Brüno (2009) dir. Larry CharlesStarring: Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten, Clifford Bañagale, Chibundu Orukwowu***1/2It comes as no surprise the ‘Bruno’ wasn’t as successful as ‘Borat’. While Borat cleverly poked fun at America's ignorance and hospitality, “Bruno” puts the country’s own conservative homophobic fears in their faces like a big ol' floppy dick.I doubt if the financiers who

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-6518094971752482762009-11-22T09:36:00.002-05:002009-11-23T08:07:21.470-05:00Rome

Rome (2005-2007) created by John Milius, Willam J. Macdonald, Bruno HellerStarring: Ciaron Hinds, James Purefoy, Kevin McKiddThis posting doesn’t really serve as a review but an admonition of excitement about getting to work on watching the lauded television series ‘Rome’. The series, created by muscular 70's/80's writer/director John Milius 'Apocalypse Now'), William J. MacDonald and Bruno

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-20980800140671888592009-11-21T08:57:00.001-05:002009-11-22T09:37:14.579-05:00Godzilla (1998)

Godzilla (1998) dir. Roland EmmerichStarring: Matthew Broderick, Maria Pitillo, Michael Lerner, Jean Reno, Hank Azaria*By Alan BacchusHowever silly and cornball “Independence Day”, there was a thrill in bringing back the simple earth vs. aliens b-movie plotting. And certainly watching major landmarks in New York and Washington get destroyed in such magnificent fashion was a visual delight. Thus

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-75603858295027594302009-11-20T07:59:00.003-05:002009-11-21T09:18:17.710-05:00Il Divo

Il Divo (2009) dir. Paolo SorrentinoStarring: Toni Servillo, Anna Bonaiuto, Giulio Bosetti, Flavio Bucci, Carlo Buccirosso**By Alan BacchusThe story of seven-time Italian prime minister Giulio Andreotti's controversial leadership in the latter stages of his 50-year service, which saw him accused and tried for having an alliance with the mafia, as well as being an accomplice to several murders of

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-35484103266098236292009-11-19T07:42:00.002-05:002009-11-20T08:00:28.632-05:00Cars

Cars (2006) dir. John LasseterVoices by: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Cheech Marin, Tony Shaloub**1/2By Alan BacchusAs creative director of the company, over most of the decade John Lasseter had served as a supervisory Walt Disney-like role in the Pixar family. “Cars” was Lasseter’s first feature since 1999’s ‘Toy Story”. Unfortunately while filmmakers like Brad Bird, Andrew Stanton

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-86003332453751985662009-11-18T07:35:00.002-05:002009-11-19T07:43:05.211-05:00White Material

White Material (2009) dir. Claire DenisStarring: Isabelle Huppert, Isaach De Bankole, Christopher Lambert***By Blair StewartA bitter, brittle remark on colonial Africa just before the whites all fled, Claire Denis revisits her childhood days in the great Continent. Isabelle Huppert is Maria, a prime mover, the workhorse behind a desperate coffee plantation on its last legs in a barely-democratic

Blair Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02504130573017725603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-11296493660634404482009-11-17T07:04:00.001-05:002009-11-18T07:38:56.253-05:00The Exiles

The Exiles (1961) dir, Kent McKenzieStarring: Mary Donahue, Homer Nish, Clydean Parker, Tom Reynolds, Rico Rodriguez***1/2By Alan BacchusThe reputation of Kent McKenzie’s “The Exiles” precedes it. The famous USC student film about aboriginal youths living in Los Angeles was often discussed as a landmark film in American independent film, yet its inaccessibility, and lack of a video release made

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-62096813413999075072009-11-16T07:20:00.005-05:002009-11-17T07:04:37.144-05:00Deconstructing the Cinema of the 2000’s – Part 3: Documentary

By Alan BacchusThe following is part of a continuing series of features breaking down the trends of cinema in the 2000's. Click below for parts 1 and 2:Part 1: Tentpole Franchisees Part 2: Social RealismIt’s not hard to pinpoint the exact moment when documentaries became more than just an art house or 'special interest' genre but a legitimate mass market theatrical entertainment product. It was

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-5526774758558411992009-11-15T08:48:00.007-05:002009-11-16T17:23:56.619-05:00Up

Up (2009) dir. Pete DocterVoices by: Ed Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer, Delroy Lindo***1/2By Alan BacchusThough I admired “Wall-E” and “Ratatouille” the two recent and arguably best received Pixar films since “Toy Story”, I felt a sense these films wrang out every morsel of cuteness from the little robot and the little mouse to the point of tedium. With “Up”, now on Blu-Ray and DVD, 2nd

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-54160511167071990982009-11-14T09:34:00.002-05:002009-11-15T14:43:45.876-05:00Thirst

Thirst (2009) dir. by Park Chan-WookStarring: Song Kang-Ho, Kim Ok-Bin***By Blair StewartA Korean vampire priest is tormented by Catholic Sin in his lust for sex and fineropes of arterial spray in "Thirst", the latest from Chan Wook-Park of "Oldboy" fame.You already had me at 'Korean Vampire Priest', you sick puppy Chan-Wook!Asian star Song Kang-Jo(the dopey hero in international smash

Blair Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02504130573017725603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-37895699869183907082009-11-13T07:48:00.001-05:002009-11-14T09:35:48.770-05:00Rocky IV

Rocky IV (1985) dir. Sylvestor StalloneStarring: Sylvestor Stallone, Dolph Lundgren, Brigitte Nielsen, Talia Shire, Burt Young*** By Alan Bacchus'Rocky IV' has so much going wrong with it, it’s an easy film to pick apart, chew up and spit it out as film criticism, which make it so difficult to do that when the film is so much damned fun. Why is that?First of all, the film is a huge cheat on the

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-20832478982872932432009-11-12T07:53:00.001-05:002009-11-13T07:49:02.842-05:00Passion of Joan of Arc

Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) dir. Carl DreyerStarring: Maria Falconetti, Eugène Silvain, André Berley, Maurice Schutz**** By Alan BacchusThe legend and mystique around Dreyer’s landmark film certainly helps its appreciation – the original version of the silent masterpiece was appeared to have been lost after a number of fires destroyed what was thought was the only remaining complete film

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-38845270367775203192009-11-11T08:20:00.004-05:002009-11-12T07:54:15.712-05:00Full Metal Jacket

Full Metal Jacket (1987) dir. Stanley KubrickStarring: Matthew Modine, Arliss Howard, R. Lee Ermey, Vincent D’Onofrio****By Alan BacchusWith each successive viewing “Full Metal Jacket” seems to rise the ranks of the Kubrick oeuvre. For me it sits in his top three just below “Dr. Strangelove” and “2001” A Space Odyssey”. Like his other war film “Paths of Glory” Kubrick cuts the film in two

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-75587846854027322442009-11-10T07:51:00.002-05:002009-11-11T08:21:47.926-05:00North By Northwest

North By Northwest (1959) dir. Alfred HitchcockStarring: Cary Grant, Eve Marie Saint, James Mason, Martin Landau***½By Alan BacchusDespite its sterling reputation, Hitch’s sprawling cross country epic adventure was never one of my favourites. Perhaps it was the overly-preposterous maguffin plotting, or the extensive and often distracting overuse of his rear projection process shots, or its over

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-54404041033845428422009-11-09T08:41:00.004-05:002009-11-10T08:14:46.208-05:00Where The Wild Things Are

Where The Wild Things Are (2009) dir. Spike JonzeStarring: Max Records, Catherine Keener, Mark RuffaloVoices: James Gandolfini, Maureen O’Hara, Chris Cooper***½By Alan BacchusAfter 3 years of publicized production and post-production difficulties bringing this picture to the screen which caused much gossip as to the quality of film it was all worth the wait. In fact, Where The Wild Things Are is

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-45348701513297070132009-11-08T09:44:00.003-05:002009-11-09T08:42:19.039-05:00Rocky

Rocky (1976) dir. John G. AvildsenStarring: Sylvester Stallone, Talia Shire, Carl Weathers, Burgess Meredith***1/2By Alan BacchusThe formulaic nature of the multiple sequels of this film might suggest that 'Rocky' itself is a formula film - that is, chronciling the journey of a down and out boxer from the rough streets of Philly to boxing highest stage, a shot at the heavyweight title. Indeed

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-74074024240414511762009-11-07T11:14:00.002-05:002009-11-08T09:46:21.321-05:00The Buttercup Chain

The Buttercup Chain (1970) Dir. Robert Ellis MillerStarring: Hywel Bennett, Leigh Taylor-Young, Jane Asher and Sven-Bertil Taube*By Greg KlymkiwThis dull, idiotic, pretentious bit of soft-core is not especially sexy and lacks even the tiniest shred of entertainment value. It is, however, one of the most sumptuously photographed bad movies I have ever seen.Shot by the brilliant Douglas Slocombe,

Greg Klymkiwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489498135858240033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-19255657043049390792009-11-06T07:45:00.001-05:002009-11-07T11:15:03.756-05:00Fantastic Mr. Fox

Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) dir. Wes AndersonStarring George Clooney, Meryl Streep and Bill Murray****By Blair StewartJoining Tim Burton and Spike Jonze on their forays into youthful material, Wes Anderson raids the farm with Roald Dahl's "The Fantastic Mr. Fox". Featuring a knock-out cast of George Clooney, Meryl Streep, Bill Murray and Michael Gambon, Anderson takes liberties with the classic

Blair Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02504130573017725603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-40683494153519085002009-11-05T17:12:00.010-05:002009-11-06T07:47:05.290-05:00Anna Karenina - 2009 Version

Anna Karenina (2009) dir. Sergei SolovyovStarring: Tatyana Drubich, Oleg Yankovskiy and Yaroslav Boyko**1/2By Greg KlymkiwHailed as one of the great novels of all-time, Lev Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina” has been adapted into so many film and television versions, one wonders if we will ever get the ultimate cinematic rendering of this great story. It has not happened yet, and this new Russian

Greg Klymkiwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489498135858240033noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-92186798466037679392009-11-05T08:42:00.004-05:002009-11-05T11:54:55.365-05:00Taras Bulba - 2009 version

Taras Bulba (2009) dir. Wolodymyr BortkoStarring: Bohdan Stupka, Ihor Petrenko, Vladimir Vdovichenkov, Magdalena Mielcarz and Sergei Dryden**By Greg KlymkiwVia the Kino/Art Film Festival in Toronto this weekend, audiences will be subjected to one of the vilest displays of cinematic propaganda I have seen in a long time and oddly, the charge is not levelled against Hollywood, but Russia – not the

Greg Klymkiwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489498135858240033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-33666723658551277702009-11-04T07:54:00.009-05:002009-11-05T09:10:43.027-05:00Taking of Pelham 123

Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) dir. Tony ScottStarring: Denzel Washington, John Travolta, John Turturro**1/2The original film is left untarnished and unscathed from competition from this pseudo remake. Just about the only aspect which remains from the original other than the name and the subway locale is the core relationship of hero and villain. So what. I have no problems with films getting

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-67154120887317606022009-11-03T07:10:00.002-05:002009-11-04T07:55:08.888-05:00Prince of Darkness

Prince of Darkness (1987) dir. John CarpenterStarring: Jameson Parker, Dennis Dun, Victor Wong, Lisa Blount, Donald Pleasance****By Alan Bacchus“Say goodbye to classical reality, because our logic collapses on the subatomic level... into ghosts and shadows”That's a great line from one of the great underrated horror pictures...“Prince of Darkness”, according to John Carpenter, was born in part

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-74581990103837239152009-11-02T07:40:00.005-05:002009-11-03T17:43:52.143-05:00Natural Born Killers - Director's Cut

Natural Born Killers (1995) dir. Oliver StoneStarring; Woody Harrelson, Juliette Lewis, Robert Downey Jr. Tom Sizemore, Tommy Lee Jones**** By Alan BacchusIt's about time this disc arrived. In fact, why Warner decided to release the now irrelevant and obsolete theatrical version of this film on Blu-Ray last year remains a mystery; we all knew this director's cut edition wasn't far off.The term "

Alan Bacchushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10828941303586018368albacchus@hotmail.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-43472767793842860262009-11-01T09:31:00.004-05:002009-11-03T17:44:02.313-05:00Law Abiding Citizen

Law Abiding Citizen (2009) dir. F. Gary GrayStarring: Gerard Butler, Jamie Foxx and Colm Meaney*1/2By Greg KlymkiwGreat vigilante movies are driven by a hero or anti-hero that we connect with on a personal level and where ultimately, there are few, if no shades of grey in the quest for retribution. They are also driven by a directorial style that is not only efficient, but endowed with a clear

Greg Klymkiwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489498135858240033noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2593801517891533127.post-4404032519124669432009-10-31T10:56:00.008-04:002009-11-03T17:44:11.781-05:00Night of the Creeps

Night of the Creeps (1986) dir. Fred DekkerStarring: Tom Atkins, Jason Lively, Steve Marshall, Jill Whitlow*** By Greg KlymkiwFred Dekker is a genre director who, with his first two features, “The Monster Squad” and “Night of the Creeps”, displayed so much promise, that even the toilet-bowl-plunge of his third feature, the lamentable abomination that is/was “Robocop 3”, would have led to a canon

Greg Klymkiwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12489498135858240033noreply@blogger.com0