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Indielover1979
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The Meaning of Life (1983)
Hilariously offensive and sneeringly brilliant
Genius. Unique. That is Python's The Meaning of Life! Maybe not as populist as 'Life of Brian' but equally as good in its own darkly cynical way. I am British and this film is just soooo British! Infact, Python and this film are something that actually make me feel proud to be from these isles. They are without doubt, The Beatles of comedy.
Not only is Meaning of Life hillarious and smart but it looks fantastically cinematic. For example, I've never seen a better shot of the Grim Reaper on film than here, the cut from the rugby scene to the war scene is brilliant and the organ donor sketch is worthy of any horror gore.
They haven't toned down the surreal nature of Python either, check the utterly bizzare 'Find the fish' middle section. On top of that, there are some hillariously catchy songs from Eric Idle, "Every sperm is sacred" and "Galaxy Song" being the highlights, and numerous memorable quotes.
All the performances are excellent, particularly from Graham Chapman, but it has to be said that John Cleese is absolutely superb, really at the top of his game (which is quite strange as he doesn't seem to rate it as much as the other Pythons). Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones adore The Meaning of Life, and so they should do, it's bravely offensive, surreal, sarcastic and uncompromisingly, sneeringly brilliant!
Daniel Came Home (2023)
Atmospheric Fever Dream
I was drawn to a local private screening of this short film, as I had enjoyed the director's previous effort-Janet Devis- and was curious to see the follow up.
Daniel Came Home seems to have been inspired by Bob Clark's Dead of Night and possibly the works of David Lynch. It's obviously made on a small budget, but nevertheless packs a considerable punch for a micro-budgeter.
Director Brian Gregory has managed to create a very atmospheric and imaginative film, with unusually effective performances and complimentary music for a short. Actors David Keyes and Adam Eveson are both excellent, while the 70's style, synth-lead soundtrack works very well and sound FX are cleverly used. I have seen many short films and most are pretty forgettable, but this lingered long afterwards like a frenetic fever dream. Recommended.