smarty-11 Reviews

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)

fun summer fluff

[6/10 · 28 May 1999]

An amusing collection of sight gags and toilet humour, which I'm sure will have the Association for Fat Acceptance up in arms. Like the original, it could have been shorter. I can just see the producers screaming, "What do you mean it's only 75 minutes long? Sweep up the editing room floor and see what you can find to make it longer!" Hence, the jokes that might have been funnier as throw-aways get played and replayed to death. Dr. Evil's "Just the Two of Us" rap should have been left on the soundtrack, for example. Highlights: the ongoing dysfunctional relationship between Scotty and Dr. Evil; Heather Graham's wardrobe. Lowlights: toilet humour that goes too far; anytime Heather Graham opens her mouth to speak.

How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)

Brilliant!

[10/10 · 6 May 1999]

I cannot believe that imdb does not have any "memorable quotes" for this film! Maybe that is because the entire script is one memorable quote after another. A deliciously evil and intelligent skewering of our consumerist society. Richard E. Grant is phenomenal as always.

The New Statesman (1987–1994)

Brilliant but Evil

[4 May 1999]

I used to watch this years ago in Australia... It started out airing at 11:30 pm but was moved to some crazy time like four in the morning because it was so controversial. It's a nastily accurate skewering of a Thatcher-ite backbencher more evil than Satan himself. If you ever get a chance to see it, do!

Rat Pfink and Boo Boo (1966)

A brilliant piece of improvisation

[10/10 · 30 April 1999]

When one considers all that went into the making of this film, it truly takes one's breath away. It started out as a "serious" film about two college age chaps whose girlfriends are abducted; it is up to these fellows to come to the rescue. Steckler, like most of us do during "serious" films, grew bored and decided to spice things up a little: his heroes stepped into a closet and came out as Rat Pfink and Boo Boo, caped crusaders. Steckler even coopted a real parade by marching his heroes in front of it. Improvisation, found art, fun trash: call it what you will, it's a great way to spend an afternoon that might otherwise be wasted frolicking wholesomely in the great outdoors.

Blue (1992)

Tiny Perfect Film

[10/10 · 27 April 1999]

Brilliant. New carpet factory footage intercut with old porn creates a brief but telling glimpse into the human psyche. You'll never look at a blueberry muffin the same way again.

Tarzan and the Valley of Gold (1966)

swinging dinky

[6/10 · 27 April 1999]

It's a long time since I saw this and spent a fun afternoon watching it on the small screen; all I really remember is that the chimp usually known as "Cheetah" was called "Dinky" in this one. And that Mike Henry! What a versatile actor!

eXistenZ (1999)

go back to critics' school...

[9/10 · 22 April 1999]

Having read most of the other viewer comments, I am surprised by the number of comments on disgust and the dialogue. First of all, why is a man eating a (mutated) fish so much more disgusting to people than, say, the ultra-violence we are bombarded with daily on tv? Secondly, much of the dialogue was designed to be lame! There were many comments within the film on the lameness of some of the dialogue. They were still beta-testing the game, remember? Allegra comments on her disappointment in some of the characters. One player later comments `my character's accent was so thick, I could barely understand it.'

Okay, rebuttal done. Great film. Fast paced. Kept me on edge of seat etc. Highly Recommended.