The People vs. O.J. Simpson; American Crime Story – TV Review

One of the mostly highly publicised cases in US history is that of OJ Simpson over the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her boyfriend Ron Goldman. This dramatisation of the events around the crime and the trial tell the story – or some parts of the story. It has a strong cast full of very familiar faces – from  Cuba Gooding Jnr playing OJ, John Travolta as Robert Shapiro and David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian- to just so many other familiar faces.

While I was old enough to follow the case, I wasn’t overly interested at the time. I saw the news updates, but there wasn’t the type of access to media there is now. I read articles and I sort of know what happened, but I wanted to see how it was going to be depicted in this series. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it felt like a pretty cheesy, true-crime re-enactment, which I supposed is exactly what it was. I don’t think I’d exactly recommend it, but I wouldn’t tell you to keep away.

The People vs. O.J. Simpson; American Crime Story – TV Review

One of the mostly highly publicised cases in US history is that of OJ Simpson over the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her boyfriend Ron Goldman. This dramatisation of the events around the crime and the trial tell the story – or some parts of the story. It has a strong cast full of very familiar faces – from  Cuba Gooding Jnr playing OJ, John Travolta as Robert Shapiro and David Schwimmer as Robert Kardashian- to just so many other familiar faces.

While I was old enough to follow the case, I wasn’t overly interested at the time. I saw the news updates, but there wasn’t the type of access to media there is now. I read articles and I sort of know what happened, but I wanted to see how it was going to be depicted in this series. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it felt like a pretty cheesy, true-crime re-enactment, which I supposed is exactly what it was. I don’t think I’d exactly recommend it, but I wouldn’t tell you to keep away.

Grease (1978) Film Review

Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) is an Australian teenager starting new at Rydell High for her last year of school. She makes friends with the Pink Ladies and laments her summer love with Danny Zuko (John Travolta)- only to discover that he’s the leader of the toughest gang in school. Can they rekindle their love? There’s only one way to find out. A lot of singing. And then the very problematic ending which doesn’t really make sense, but kicks off one hell of a singing finale.

Star-crossed lovers? Hmm… no… maybe. I mean, Sandy’s pretty middle class and Danny’s in a gang, but I guess trying to tell a class film in a bright and cheerful musical has its flaws. Seeing a recent stage production of this and then re-watching the film (which I watched almost non-stop as a child – apart from Stranded at the Drive-In, Totally Devoted to You and There are Worse Things I Could Do which I always fast forwarded) made me wonder how this same story would play out as a gritty drama. Or perhaps I should just watch gritty drama.

The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009) Film Review

Walter (Denzel Washington) is a man working for the transit authority who has been busted down to controller when a train is taken over by Ryder (John Travolta) and his crew. What do they want? Will the innocent live or die?

This is your pretty standard eighties action film with a train, only somehow it was twenty years too late (perhaps I should be watching the original from 1974?). It’s ace and there’s all kinds of running and shooting and fun times. Oh, but John Travolta? I don’t know, I’m usually a fan, and I like it when he’s a bad guy, but he just didn’t do it for me in this one.

 

 

Get Shorty vs Get Shorty (1995) Film Review, Book Review

Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard

Chili Palmer is a loan shark who is not the lowest on the ladder, but has no ambitions to be up top. After a series of events send him to Hollywood, his interest in the movies leads him to Harry Zimm, a producer of horror films who has had some success, but now is financially having some problems. But Chili’s past is not prepared to let go, and he will need to be alert to prevent his own demise.

It’s a fun read, but you need to be alert to keep all the strands in play; to remember who is doing what and why, and to try to predict what will happen next. Most of the characters are pretty flawed, yet it is only the really bad guys that you don’t like. I’ve not read a lot of Elmore Leonard, but after this I will be seeking more out.

Get Shorty (1995) Film Review

This is one of those films that is pretty much the same as the book, almost scene for scene – and it really works. It captures the story beautifully, and with a slick style that suits Chilli Palmer (John Travolta) to a t. With a cast including Rene Russo, Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito, Dennis Farina, Delroy Lindo and James Gandolfini and a script that takes the mickey out of Hollywood all the way, how can you go wrong?

 

 

Carrie (1976) Film Review

For the book review of Carrie by Stephen King, click here.

Another horror classic that me, being a total wuss, has avoided until this day. And another that, thanks to advances in technology and special effects, I found laughable rather than freaky. Although when Sissy Spacek has blood over her face and does those freaky eyes… I’ll probably have nightmares of that.

Carrie is a girl raised by a crazy religious nut who gets her first period in the showers during a strange and romantically film sequence. Not knowing what it is, she thinks she is dying. The other girls in her class throw sanitary pads and tampons at her, and are punished. One in particular, Chris, who refuses to complete the detention, is not allowed to go to prom and plans revenge, unaware that Carrie possesses telekinetic powers and will destroy them all.

It was possibly budget constraints that contained Carrie’s wave of destruction to the school dance rather than destroying the whole town. The concept of the book was true in the film, but the film didn’t work as well on several levels. First was the soundtrack that was, at times, completely appalling. I can forgive the special effects as they were limited by technology at the time, but to have the opening sequence in the showers like some soft porn/cheesy romance was awful. It’s worth watching for a laugh, but don’t expect to get freaked out. Now, if I can bring myself to watch the recent remake, perhaps I may freak out.

Carrie was nominated for Oscars for Best Actress in a Leading Role (Sissy Spacek) and Best Actress in a Leading Role (Piper Laurie).

 

Hairspray (2007) Film Review

Who’d have thought that a musical based on a film by controversial filmmaker John Waters could become both a Broadway and Hollywood hit? What’s more, it’s a musical about issues; body image and racism in particular. Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) is a chubby teenager in Baltimore in the 1960s. She loves rock’n’roll, loves to dance and is desperate to get on local television dance show the Corny Collins show. Her attempts are initially thwarted by star of the show Amber Von Tussle (Brittany Snow) and her evil mother, Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) but eventually she wins through and wins the affection of her crush, Link (Zac Effron). Once on, though, she discovers that she cannot handle the whiter-than-white station, and after meeting local African American dancer Seaweed (Elijah Kelley) and Motormouth Maybelle (Queen Latifah), she must stand up for what’s right.

The music is great. Just writing about the film brings back so many of the songs (Welcome to the 60s, You Can’t Stop the Beat, I Can Hear the Bells, Good Morning Baltimore  to name but a few). There is still a hint of John Waters dark humour in there, but it is an upbeat, fun film. Bright colours, superb cast, (not least John Travolta playing the extremely large Edna Turnblad and Christopher Walken playing the naïve and loving Wilbur). Sure, it’s a musical, but its one of those musicals that I just love.