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rupebear26
Reviews
London (2005)
a superb directorial debut
Not that anyone would be interested but i am spending a year abroad in Buenos Aires. After checking out a few Argentine films from my local video shop, i felt the need for a decent English-language film. The shop itself is limited to say the least and the films are not in any sort of order. Hence i stumbled upon 'London'. I must say that if Jason Statham hadn't of been in it, I would not have given it a second glance, despite the presence of the sexy Jessica Biel. However, i am a fan of 'the jack of all trades' Jason Statham, who along with Vinnie Jones, has really carved out a career for himself post-Lockstock. Although i admire his muscular physique, his ability to do his own stunts and the magnificent accent he brings to his role in The Transporter, i much prefer him in smaller-scale, independents like this one. The film is set in trendy New York. Statham plays a banker (with a 'horrendous' haircut) called Bateman. The other main character in the film is Sid (Chris Evans {not the ginger limey}, soon to be appearing in the new Danny Boyle film 'Sunshine') who is a 21 year-old rich New Yorker, down on his luck and trying to get his head straightened out. Him and Bateman strike up a friendship, over a line or two, and head to a going-away party in a slick apartment. They spend most of the night in the upstairs bathroom; getting to know each other, telling a few amusing / sick/informative stories and getting some important truths out. 'Someone once said that the most interesting conversations you have in life are with strangers'. This film is no classic but for a writing/directorial debut, i think it is superb. It does not over-complicate matters. The characters are easy to identify and sympathise with. I thought Jessica Biel could have been given a bit more dialogue. The film warrants multiple watches, it has some classic lines ('a lonely, lonely drug'), and it has some good laughs in it, and a decent little fight scene. I really like the film and would recommend it to certain people, and i say that as a compliment to the director (if you know what i mean). It is worth watching just to see the swanky apartment the movie is filmed in. The bathroom, where the majority of the film takes place, is palatial and perfect for a bonding session over a Van Gogh painting. Check this out. Don't ridicule Statham's hairdo too much or you will miss out on an exciting film with excellent dialogue. Not too sure whether the director, Hunter Richards, will be able to come up with a script like this again. I reckon he may have put all his ideas into his 'London' basket.
Nathan Barley (2005)
A futuristic, layered comedy
I came to Nathan Barley one Friday night totally by accident, as i am usually out and about on weekend nights. I stumbled on it and was immediately sucked in by their world. It may have got the lowest ratings channel 4 have ever received on a Friday night, but its popularity in DVD format shows its cult following. HMV (Leeds)sold out in their first week and had to re-order another 200 or so due to unexpected sales. The comedy depicts an image-conscious world where most of the characters are working in the media spectrum, either in newspapers (Dan Ashcroft), documentaries (Claire Ashcroft) or in websites/music or anything else he can get his idiotic hands into (aka Nathan Barley). The show is the typical 6 episodes. It centres mainly around the 'friendship' between Nathan Barley and Dan Ashcroft. Barley loves Ashcroft and wants to be just like him (e.g. copying haircut, salmon/scrambled egg coffee) but Dan Ashcroft despises him for being 'the King of the Idiots' and for wanting to sleep with his sister. Just as Dan seems to be winning his little personal duel against Barley, things go wrong for him. The comedy is layered and warrants multiple watches. I have watched 'The Mighty Boosh' last week to see what all the fuss was about. I personally believe Nathan Barley to be a far better comedy. More development of characters, better use of language, more money spent on design, interesting take on London society. Futuristic yet still very accessible, i recommend Nathan Barley to anyone. Even my dad managed a few laughs. It has catchphrases and songs, and games (Barley's take on paper, scissors, stones) and slogans (Suga Rape)and a high number of laughs per minute. It is worth buying the DVD just for the booklet of stencils and slogans and 'political comments' which accompanies it. Futures yeah! Would have been nice if Vince Noir (off 'the Mighty Boosh') had been given a better part. If Peep Show was the comedy of 2004, in the words of Ricky Gervais, perhaps Nathan Barley will end up being the new comedy of 2005. Believe.