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nzak
Reviews
The Black Dahlia (2006)
Is this a TV movie?
Unfortunately, I have just watched the Black Dahlia and sadly it is very poor.
The acting is sub par (particularly Scarlett Johansson, whose character is plain annoying) and the overall feel of the film has an air of incredulity about it (particularly when compared to the far superior LA Confidential).
With the current drought of good movies, the critics will give this good reviews and the punters will flock to see it. But, will this film be in the top 100 films in 10 years time? I personally doubt it.
The fact that this is based on a James Ellroy book, this film should have been so much better. Is it a coincidence that Brian De Palma shot this film. He has done some great films (Body Double, Scarface, Carlito's Way, Mission Impossible, Snake Eyes...OK, OK, I am joking about the last two), but therein lies the rub. De Palma is good at doing a certain genre of film but the tone of Black Dahlia is all wrong. It feels and looks like a 2nd rate TV movie. Would it have come out this way if Martin Scorsese or Spike Lee had shot this film?
I recommend that you save your money and wait for the remake.
Mixed Blood (1984)
Mixed Blood to be released on DVD - February 2006
I have already reviewed this great film and, therefore, I will just say that it is still remains one of my favourites. If I owned a cinema I would show Mixed Blood, Hanging with the Homeboys, Taxidriver and The Warriors every Saturday night! Anyway, the reason for the post is to let you know that Mixed Blood is finally getting a DVD release in February 2006. Hurrah!
I suspect that Paul Morrissey has not been pushing too hard for this as he certainly doesn't need the money. I read that he has made a mint on property over the years. Good luck to him! Anyone that can create a good fun piece of celluloid like Mixed Blood deserves a few million.
Lastly, I have to mention one of the really promising actors - Rodney Harvey - who is sadly no longer with us. He is the cool charismatic one who shoots Juan the Bullet at the end whilst puffing on a cigarette! Rodney - you are missed.