Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Sites | Writers | Advertise | My Orble | Login
 
Reviews, previews and chuckling and snorting...

20/20 Filmsight - September 2006

Bohemian Rhapsody in 25 Voices

September 30th 2006 23:06
From the wickedly amusing Montreal Juste Pour Rire comedy festival: Rick Miller sings Bohemian Rhapsody in 25 different, incredibly annoying voices.




Rick Miller proves himself to be a decent singer - why doesn't he record an album? Or is there that much future in musical impressions?

I guess there is, since he's playing to a packed house in Montreal.

His Ozzy Osbourne impression leaves much to be desired, and when will people stop laughing at Guns N Roses? They once were heavy metal kings.

I'm just a poor boy, nobody loves me.
68
Vote
Comments (2)Comments (2) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: C'est la vie!
   


The Devil Wears Prada

September 28th 2006 22:56
The Devil Wears Prada movie poster
Based on the 2003 novel by Lauren Weisberger, The Devil Wears Prada seems to focus on an intern, played by Anne Hathaway, working at a ficticious fashion magazine, Runway, under the cruel, icy grasp of the editor-in-chief, Miranda, played by Meryl Streep.

Comparison's have been drawn to one of Vogue's previous editors, Anna Wintour, who the writer of the novel interned under.

I don't want to talk about that, really. It's been done.

Lavish praise has been heaped on this fashionista's chick-lit adaptation, and as I sat in the Palace Cinema on Norton, surrounded by women, I wondered if I could ever really enjoy it. Could I snap my fingers with an arrogant 'You go, girlfriend!'?

Where were the car chases? The gunfights? The rousing pre-war speeches?

Would Anne Hathaway go topless, to further distance herself from the good-girl image?

In the end, I enjoyed the movie immensely, with the satirical look at the fashion industry and the over-the-top ridiculousness that pervades everything about the magazine. My Orble collegue, Sisi, liked it a long time ago, for the crazy fashion set pieces that illuminate the screen.

Miranda Priestly - Meryl Streep from The Devil Wears Prada
Most of all, I was bewildered by Meryl Streep's performance... she's always been lauded as one of the most talented actors of this time and has more Academy Award nominations than any other actor.

In my opinion, she's really hit all the 3-pointers in recent times, with fantastic performances in Adaptation and The Hours.

But this? This is unreal... Director David Frankel takes a backseat to the action and give Streep extraordinary closeups that make you shiver with imaginary terror.

Streep's character is icy, severe and - as the title would suggest - bordering on Luciferian sadism. Of her role in this film, she's been praised with 'a fabulous minimalist performance', and it is something to behold with awe.

From cruel, Streep effortlessly shows a hint of humanity, then snaps back to General Macarthur-like precision. There are casualties in her wake, but she's long ago become more 'machine than man', like the Lord of the Sith himself.

In fact, Streep does such an admirable job, that it becomes hard to hate her vile, evil spirit... and the script supports her, giving her eloquent monologues that defend the vanity of the fashion world.

On one hand, The Devil Wears Prada seems to poke fun at the superficial world of haute couture, but, by casting Anne Hathaway as 'the fat girl' - with her big, beautiful eyes, long legs, thin waist and impressive chest - the movie has already sold out to the idea of image above all else.

Predictably, the movie concludes. And we're left wondering about the message... would it have turned out differently if the protagonist was not Anne Hathaway, but a chubby, plain-looking girl with intelligence?

I'm sure it wouldn't... The Devil Wears Prada wants to empower women by showing them that being yourself is enough to be successful, but, sadly, Hathaway's character succeeds only because she looks stunning in Chanel and Valentino. What have we learned from this? We don't fit it, and fame and fortune are held a grape branch above our heads for the rest of our tiresome, average-looking lives.

I say: See it at the Palace, and suspend yourself in a world where blue isn't blue, it's cerulean. I learned that from the movie.

See it for: Streep's fashion lieutenant, played by Stanley Tucci, is a gay masterpiece of the fashion equivalent of Yoda. With less ear hair.




* the movie poster is from the Independant Critics review, and the publicity still of Miranda Priestly is from the Slate review of the film.


134
Vote
Comments (19)Comments (19) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Americanas
   


Jungle Fever

September 27th 2006 18:34
Jungle Fever movie poster
Who doesn't like a good Spike Lee joint? Not me - I could watch a different one every Sunday for a half-year, and still be itchin' for more.

Yes, Lee has drawn his share of critics for his unabashed views on race relations, gun control and Hurricane Katrina... but what keeps the movie-going public happy are his earnest films about Black America and the fringes beyond them, with the heartstopping characters and silky smooth dialogue


[ Click here to read more ]
81
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (3)Comments (3) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Americanas
   


Tiny Bollywood Dancer

September 26th 2006 18:23
When people think of Bollywood, they think of those vainglorious song-and-dance numbers, with the spectacular costumes and the saccharine romance.

But what about the Indians that break it down with the toprock? You know those cats are out there, doing the moonwalk and the worm to the latest Bombay beats


[ Click here to read more ]
117
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (10)Comments (10) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Asian
   


Frank Miller's 300

September 25th 2006 17:47
300 concept art - Sparta vs Persia

After the success of Sin City, Frank Miller appears keen to put more of his trademark style on celluloid..

[ Click here to read more ]
91
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (10)Comments (10) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Preview
   


Roxorloops, Belgian Beatboxing Champ

September 24th 2006 17:58
Sure, we all thought beatboxing started and ended with Rahzel, especially after 'Did Your Mother Ever Know?'...

But then fly cats started up the movement up again on the streets, and now, beatboxers are coming in outta the woods in every country


[ Click here to read more ]
84
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (3)Comments (3) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Short Films
   


Perfume - Film Preview

September 21st 2006 18:08
Perfume Patrick Suskind movie image

I knew this was going to come out eventually... several years ago, I read an incredible book that had sold millions of copies worldwide, Perfume by Patrick Suskind.

[ Click here to read more ]
114
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (12)Comments (12) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: European
   


Butter Fried Krispy Kreme Donuts

September 20th 2006 18:41
One of the blogs that I frequent, Zen Wizard, had a great little post on HOWTO make a Luther Burger, the now infamous meal that was a rumoured favourite of Luther Vandross.

Basically, a Luther Burger is a greasy bacon-double-cheeseburger, except for the fact that the bun has been replaced by Krispy Kreme donuts


[ Click here to read more ]
150
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (19)Comments (19) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Bizarre
   


Cool as Ice - Film Review

September 19th 2006 18:33
Cool as Ice movie poster
Actually, I lied a little bit. This isn't really a review, because I've never seen this movie.

What this post represents is a plea - no, a desperate admonition - for you, me, EVERYBODY, to see this movie


[ Click here to read more ]
109
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (14)Comments (14) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Americanas
   


Al Gore calls for a freeze on CO2 and no more payroll tax

September 18th 2006 23:21
An Inconvenient Truth movie poster
Al Gore, former Vice President of the U.S.A. and recent sore-loser of a suspiciously close election, recently put out a movie, An Inconvenient Truth, which is currently drawing big crowds in Australia.

Generally, Australians are very environmentally conscious, I think, and the movie resonates on many levels with the population here


[ Click here to read more ]
81
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (3)Comments (3) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: C'est la vie!
   


Chinese government cracks down on pirated DVDs

September 17th 2006 21:45
The Chinese government confiscated and destroyed almost 13 million illegal DVDs this weekend. The international community puts pressure on China to enforce copyright regulations, but it's a nearly insurmountable task.

From my own experience in China, it seems like rolling a boulder up a constantly shifting hill... even the government uses pirated copies of software, and most people own hundreds of illegal DVDs


[ Click here to read more ]
133
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (11)Comments (11) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Asian
   


Domino Billiards Trick Shot

September 16th 2006 18:18
Aw, if you're up against a French guy in a pool game, watch out for his dirty tricks. He might have an 8-ball up his sleeves, or bump the table when you're shooting, or, if he's got racks and racks of dominos, will get up to this dirty business:


[ Click here to read more ]
65
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (2)Comments (2) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: European
   


C.R.A.Z.Y. - Film Review

September 15th 2006 00:40
C.R.A.Z.Y. Movie Poster
My friend Annette Hollas has been recommending this film for several months, vehemently encouraging me to see this, the next great Canadian film.

I didn't have a chance to see it at the Sydney Film Festival, so I was nearly running down Oxford street to the Verona Theatre when I heard it was playing


[ Click here to read more ]
108
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (20)Comments (20) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Americanas
   


Argument Clinic - Monty Python

September 14th 2006 18:34
With the release of Spamalot on Broadway, and the Monty Python crew getting fresh in everyone's mind again, here's a clip from their infamous TV series, Monty Python's Flying Circus:


[ Click here to read more ]
95
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (4)Comments (4) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Short Films
   


Shootings in Montreal Dawson CEGEP rampage

September 13th 2006 22:56
As I was eating breakfast, I heard the stomach-turning news on the TV:

A lone gunman has entered a college in downtown Montreal and shot 20 people...
[ Click here to read more ]
95
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (5)Comments (5) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: C'est la vie!
   


John Henderson Will Eat Your Children

September 13th 2006 18:34
Australians like their sports, and they like rough, violent sports. Hence, the popularity of AFL, Rugby League and Union, and even Warthog Hunting.

In America, rugby mutated into a different game, becoming American Football in America and Canadian Football in Canada (naturally). There are traces of rugby still in the games, and the violence has carried across rather well


[ Click here to read more ]
68
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (2)Comments (2) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Short Films
   


Pro-Jesus Boycott List is a great place to find things you'd like!

September 13th 2006 05:34
This website, called Pro-Jesus.com, is a Christian website that Christians can use to know what products and companies to boycott for not adhering to a Christian agenda.

From the site


[ Click here to read more ]
83
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (10)Comments (10) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: C'est la vie!
   


Ball Buster - The Game?

September 12th 2006 18:22
'Whaddya bustin' my balls for?'

-Robert de Niro, playing Jimmy Conway in Goodfellas

[ Click here to read more ]
74
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (2)Comments (2) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Bizarre
   


Last Tango in Paris

September 11th 2006 18:40
Last Tango in Paris movie poster
This film was famously coined "the most powerfully erotic movie ever made" by Pauline Kael, and has attracted leagues of detractors and adorers. Featuring Marlon Brando as a tormented middle-aged man that enters into a violently casual sexual relationship with a young woman, Last Tango in Paris was banned in Italy when it came out, and the director, Bernando Bertolucci, was arrested by the Italian court.

It has been said that the film was based on Bertolucci's impression of a Francis Bacon painting, using the motif of a tortured figure, lost in despair
[ Click here to read more ]
123
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (15)Comments (15) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: European
   


EW's 50 Best High School Movies

September 10th 2006 19:06
Napoleon Dynamite hiding in a field
I don't like Entertainment Weekly. For starters, it's a pulpy magazine with inane articles glorifying consumption of anything to do with celebrities and Hollywood movies.

Lately, they've been pumping out the 'Top 50' Lists in an attempt to grab traffic an attention


[ Click here to read more ]
92
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (9)Comments (9) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Americanas
   


Super Troopers - Film Review

September 7th 2006 18:32
Super Troopers Movie Poster
When I first heard of Super Troopers, it was when a friend recommended it to me. He said it was 'the funniest movie [he'd] ever seen', and tried to tell me about some of the jokes.

Two guys chug maple syrup


[ Click here to read more ]
98
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (4)Comments (4) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Americanas
   


High Moon - Werewolf Spaghetti Western - Film Preview

September 6th 2006 18:04
An anonymous comment on my post about an animated clip of a zombie-themed spaghetti western:

"How about a werewolf spaghetti western? One is underway in Austin, TX. www.texanthrope.com (animatic also on youtube and ifilm


[ Click here to read more ]
100
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (4)Comments (4) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Preview
   


28 Weeks Later - Preview

September 5th 2006 18:58
The sequel to the much-loved British 'zombie' flick, 28 Days Later.

Danny Boyle, director of the first movie, will not return to the directing chair on this project, instead relegating himself and writer Alex Garland to handle the production reins


[ Click here to read more ]
73
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (3)Comments (3) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Preview
   


South Park Steve Irwin Parody

September 4th 2006 22:26
The best tribute to Steve Irwin would be this parody of his insane, reckless TV antics on South Park.


[ Click here to read more ]
180
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (28)Comments (28) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Australian
   


Head Crusher TV Ad

September 3rd 2006 22:25


This TV spot for a fitness center rips off the Kids in the Hall with deliciously vibrant effect


[ Click here to read more ]
52
Vote
Read MoreRead More Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Short Films
   


Trojan Horse - What have we learned from history?

September 1st 2006 18:49
If you're Australian, this is no big news, but for the rest of us, this is side-splittingly, knee-slappingly funny.


[ Click here to read more ]
98
Vote
Read MoreRead More Comments (4)Comments (4) Add CommentsAdd Comments
[ Link ]
Posted By: Cibbuano - Category: Australian
   


More Posts
August 2008
13 Posts
July 2008
22 Posts
June 2008
22 Posts
Older Posts
747 Posts dating from March 2006
Email Subscription
Receive e-mail notifications of new posts on this blog:
[ View Blog Summary ] [ Create A New Post ]

Cibbuano's Blogs

1142 Vote(s)
23 Comment(s)
13 Post(s)