don’t make me sing Barry

Friday night I saw Hellboy II: the Golden Army. It was hilarious. Amply stacked with fighting, mushiness, comedy and fantasy, what more could you want? Guillermo del Toro did a fantastic job and I can’t wait to see what he does with the Hobbit. Ron Perlman as Hellboy has an uncanny resemblance to Ted Danson.

The most touching scene has to be the male bonding between HB and Abe over a few beers. When they start singing “I can’t smile without you” I couldn’t help but hum along. I didn’t want to – that’s Barry Manilow – that’s not right but the song was perfect for that moment in the film. I cringe at the thought of a Barry revival off the back of this film.

My favorite creatures? The tooth faries for sure. Instead of some sweet benevolent creatures which take fallen teeth and leave money behind these little beasties devour you from head to toe, prizing your teeth above all else.

Watch this clip if you dare.

last of the fest

Max & Co.

Okay, so I saw my last film festival movie a couple of weeks ago so this is late.  My final pick was the delightful Max & Co. This is a stop-motion puppet animation film from Switzerland which was simply delightful. It cost over 18.5 million Euros to make.

Max, a half boy half fox is searching for his dad. The journey has him experiencing the best and worst of life and love.  The feature-length animation is in French with English subtitles. A number of parents had brought quite young children to see the film, there was a visual feast to amuse even if they couldn’t understand the dialogue.

I saw the film at the Penthouse in Brooklyn and I do wonder why I don’t go there more often. It has to be one of the nicest and most comfortable theatres in Wellington.  The suburbs are well catered for between this one and Island Bay.

Overall the movies I saw at the film festival this year were good. Last year’s were spectacular and I felt there were more “must sees” last year. An enjoyable feature of winter in Wellington none-the-less.

could it be any happier?

Since I’m almost the last person on the planet to see the Sex and the City movie I’m not sure why I’m writing this – my own amusement maybe. The New York gals, Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda return to the big screen with the various hangers-on in their lives to tie up a few loose ends.  Honestly I thought it was all just a bit too happy.  Sure it had its upsets along the way and that moment they tried to make you think it was all turning out horribly but you just knew the ending was going to be happy.

The film had its quantity of frocks and shoes and the handbag moments you’d expect and threw in a living channel decluttering episode for a twist. Still, it was a little tired around the edges.  The one breath of fresh air was Louise from St Louis and even that they ruined with just a few too many St Louise jokes.  As much as I’d looked forward to it I felt they should’ve left it at the end of the TV series.

an afternoon with Meryl and Pierce

I’ve just seen Mamma Mia and it was spectacularly naff but I loved it in all its sparkly abba goodness.  As one friend said, the movie was middle aged but there-in lies it charm.  Meryl Streep was fantastic and my goodness is that lady flexible.  I guess we all secretly knew Pierce couldn’t sing but you felt like he really did try and I’m pleased there was no stunt voice.  I think he’d do well in a karaoke contest.

There was barely anything which passed for a story but there were enough swedish numbers decked out with ridiculous choreography and more glitter than we saw in the 80s.  I’m sure half those beach numbers were simply there to up the quota of nake male bronzed torsos.

Admittedly I went to a saturday afternoon screening but I was really surprised to see the numbers of kids there. There was no bad language and naked buttocks was as risque as it got visually but there was a lot of adult humour.