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Reviews
Metal: A Headbanger's Journey (2005)
Sincerely advised for fans and non-fans alike, even Mrs Gore
This provoking, balanced, well thought out and passionate look at metal by a self avowed metalhead encapsulates what metalheads feel about their music. We may argue among ourselves who was the first metal band (Black Sabbath of course), whether grunge or punk or even glam should be included as metal, the difference between death and black metal, etc etc but no proud metalhead would deny that this is fundamentally a very thorough look at a very difficult, complex and controversial subject. Sam Dunn, with what can only be surmised to be limited resources, has managed to interview some of the heavyweights in metal (Dio, Tony Iommi, Lemmy, Bruce Dickinson etc) and present their views on the music they play. It is a defence of heavy metal and its subgenre, but it is not a blind defence. Controversial topics like Satanism, sexuality, the sex n drugs n rock n roll lifestyle, and violence are not shied away from, rather they are tackled head on, and are addressed with intelligence, although not completely free from bias it must be admitted.
Some people here have bemoaned what the film leaves out, which is the wrong way to approach it. One commented that if he had interviewed Lemmy, why not Metallica? Where was doom metal, folk metal etc.. Well, I prefer to see what the documentary gives, instead of what it misses. Yes, Hetfield and Ulrich (my favourite band remains pre-Black Metallica) were missing, but then so were Dave Mustaine, Gary Holt, Kai Hansen, Michael Kiske, Joey deMaio, Ozzy Osbourne etc. The list goes on. But what A Headbanger's Journey have? It has Kerry King telling us about his views on religion, it has Dio and the origin of the devil's horns, it has Alex Webster telling us about the tritone, it has truly funny interviews with Dee Snider, Dio and Alice Cooper, interviews with the Norwegian black metal bands, with groupies, with girl bands, with anti-metallists, and a side splitting interview with Necrobutcher of Mayhem. I mean, what more could you ask for? Metal: A Headbanger's Journey is somewhat preaching to the converted, us poor misguided outsiders who have nothing to live for and seek strength in loud aggressive dissonant devil music. However, anyone with a half-open mind would watch this and think, hey, this metal thingy, it's not so bad after all. But while this would bring the genre a new fan base, it would also be popularisation of metal, which I for one, don't want. Metal has always been underground (hence the whole "Is Motley Crue/Quiet Riot/Cinderella metal?" debate), and should always be. It would destroy the ethos of metal to be played on mainstream radio. Metalheads I would think, ENJOY being looked down upon as "dunderheads" (quote Dee Snider). We are elitist at heart, and for me, metal is elite. This documentary is a celebration of our complexity and diversity, yet our unity as metalheads. And yes, we're doing just fine without ya.
The Family Stone (2005)
Only for the weak
It was a horrendous attempt at making an emotional movie. All star cast, but bad lines, bad acting, improbable storyline, unlikeable characters, and what do you get? The family Stone. Sarah Jessica Parker's role was so completely OTT, and the family so 'nice' that it was almost laughable. Mama Stone having cancer had nothing to do with anything except to induce a few tears from those who have reverse valves on their tear ducts. Dermot whoever was literally the worst actor there besides Sarah. He's like Keanu Reeves with Botox injections: completely expressionless. Nothing in the movie makes sense. The reverse pairing-up of Claire Danes and Sarah could be seen a mile off, and it was complete cr*p anyway. No memorable lines. No GOOD lines. No lines at all in fact. Just consists of Sarah making a fool out of herself, Dermot trying to look macho (and failing) and everyone else giving her a hard time. And the ending, the tearjerker: Mama wasn't there anymore. I'd find it easier to cry at Bush's funeral than shed a tear for this lump of rock.
Don't waste your time. Rachel McAdams is the only reason I'd watch this stinker.
Sniper (1993)
Implausible storyline, great action
Action? Not in the sense of Sly Stallone or even Die Hard, but still action nonetheless. Although I have never been even remotely close to a sniper rifle, or anything military, I have read extensively on the topic, and I have to say, it was as accurate as everything I've ever read. Down to the ghillie suit, cam cream, grenades and everything else. Although lacking a solid storyline, the tension is built up perfectly, and really portrays the role of an army sniper to the T. Great acting by Tom Berenger, although I wasn't too fond of Zane's character, or Zane himself. Thought he overacted a little, but that's just an opinion. All round good action movie.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Strictly OK
Well, it wasn't as bad as Episode 2. I thought the first hour plus was extremely slow, in spite of the much-talked about opening battle scene. But once things started getting darker it became more interesting, especially the descent of Anakin. However, the reason for him turning to the Dark Side was lame at best, and never fully developed. The dialogue was terrible as usual (Obi-Wan inserting "witty" comments into every sentence is NOT funny), and the light sabre work is getting a little wearying. And don't let me start on the love scenes. Not as Bollywood as Episode II but still quite sickening, frankly. But I feel Anakin was much better played this time, as was Obi Wan and the brilliant Palpatine. But I can only hope Natalie Portman gets better scripts, because her lines were just awful: "You've changed Anakin! I don't know who you are any more!" It WAS heck of an exciting feeling to see Darth Vader, and hear the Darth Vader theme we know so well. Plus the best and most powerful scenes, I feel, were the mass betrayals and the unfolding of Palpatine's plan. So I'd give it a 9 for action, and overall darkness, but a 4 for acting and dialogue, plot and character development. Oh and a 10 for limiting Jar Jar Binks to a five second slot!