Change Your Image
john_s_napper
Reviews
Telstar: The Joe Meek Story (2008)
Great Film
I really wanted to see this film at the cinema, but somehow it passed me by. Maybe it didn't come to my local cinema which would have been a shame.
Anyway, I forgot about it until I stumbled across the DVD online, ordered a copy and finally got to see it 8 years late! It was well worth waiting for.
If you know about Joe Meek's life (and death), you will no doubt spot a few moments of artistic licence where some details are not exactly right such as his refusal to speak to Tom Jones when in reality he did record him. However, on the whole it is the story that I was aware of.
Most importantly, it is well written, well directed, extremely well acted by all concerned and extremely entertaining despite the sad ending. It is worth noting that many of the people portrayed in the film are credited with cameo roles in the film so I think it is fair to say that those around at the time approved of the script and were happy to take part in it as well as give advice to the actors. For example, in the extra interview film on the DVD, James Cordon tells how Clem Cattini coached him in order to look convincing as a drummer – and he did a really good job in my opinion!
I would add that although Kevin Spacey has clearly been included in the cast in order to try to sell this film to the USA, plus he is a big Hollywood name that would no doubt attract a few British cinema-goers who might other wise pass this film by, his performance as the very British Major was excellent. The first time I have ever seen an American play a Brit convincingly.
I'm soiled that I bought the DVD because I can now see this film again and again, which I certainly will.
Deus é Brasileiro (2003)
I love this movie
I am English, trying to learn Brazilian Portuguese as I want to live in Brazil. I bought the DVD of this movie because the synopsis sounded like my kind of film and I thought it might help me with the language. I'm not sure if I have learnt much, but I really enjoyed the film and it just seems to be better every time I watch it! It's not exactly hilarious, but it's not boring or too predictable. Whilst the plot is necessarily far-fetched, it is well acted and I found all the characters totally convincing. It is a gentle comedy that rolls along nicely and I am happy to watch it again and again. It's the sort of film that will cheer you up when you're having a bad day.
Takin' Over the Asylum (1994)
Absolutely brilliant
I just looked this up on IMDb in the hope that it might lead me to a DVD, but it doesn't seem to be on DVD. Are the BBC crazy? I was amazed to see that Takin' Over The Asylum is now 12 years old. I remember it so clearly. When it was first shown I thought it was the best TV series I had ever seen. Periodically the plot seemed too good to be true, at which point there was a twist to bring it back down to earth. Great writing and excellent acting. When it was repeated I told everyone I knew to watch it, but they didn't. I don't know why. I watched it all through again and it was just as good. Perhaps now that David Tennent is Dr. Who, somebody will think about releasing his earlier work on DVD. Whenever I see him I remember his slogan from Takin'Over The Asylum, delivered loudly in a strong Scottish accent: "We are loonies and we are proud".