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The Wicker Man, a review by goodguy

The Wicker Man (UK 1973) Written by: Anthony Shaffer Directed by: Robin Hardy Starring: Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland DVD: R2-UK Optimum (3-Disc CE, 2006) My rating: -

Cover blurb: Since its release in 1973, The Wicker Man has held an enduring fascination for audiences, commanding a devotion that most films can only dream of. A unique and bona fide horror masterpiece, the film can now be seen in its original theatrical version and Director's Cut including 15 minutes of footage that was thought lost for decades!
When a young girl mysteriously disappears, Police Sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) travels to a remote Scottish island to investigate. But this pastoral community, led by the strange Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) is not what it seems as the devoutly religious detective soon uncovers a secret society of wanton lust and pagan blasphemy.
Brilliantly scripted by Anthony Shaffer (Sleuth, Frenzy) and featuring an astounding performance by the legendary Christopher Lee, director Robin Hardy's atmospheric use of location, unsettling imagery and haunting soundtrack gradually builds to one of the most terrifying and iconic climaxes in modern cinema.

This is the second time this year that a much-hailed masterpiece of British '70s cinema falls a little flat for me. A few months ago, I watched "O Lucky Man!" (also made in 1973) for the first time and was similarly underwhelmed. But I digress.

All my warning bells should have gone off as Jon called this the "Citizen Kane of horror movies" in his recent LTROI review. They didn't, because Jon turned that phrase into praise for LTROI, and I happen to agree with him on that.

First of all, The Wicker Man isn't really a horror movie. It's a thriller that goes a bit on the weird side, but isn't overly imaginative. A bit folk-singing, lyrics with corny sexual subtext, a bit nude dancing - those wacky pagans! The main problem: all of this is more funny than poetic and remains so as the creepiness is supposed to slowly increase. Still, Edward Woodward and Christopher Lee give mostly solid performances and I suppose I shouldn't complain about Britt Ekland being naked (although there is a body double involved in addition to her being dubbed).

Anyway, I was amused for about the first half of the movie and I got a bit bored during the second half as it became pretty clear where this would all end. As for the ending itself, I didn't found it terrifying as so many have claimed, just again a bit silly.

I'm not sure why this movie is regarded so special. It lacks the haunted and poetic atmosphere that, for example, Picnic at Hanging Rock has. It lacks the true weirdness and beauty that you can find in Czech surrealist movies of that time, for example Valerie and Her Week of Wonders. It might be an improvement over the usual Hammer horror stuff Christopher Lee was doing at the time, but seriously, that's not a big achievement.

DVD Notes

I watched the two documentaries included in this release (The Wicker Man Enigma and Burnt Offering) and found the production history more interesting than the movie itself. I didn't bother with the Lee/Hardy interview or the commentary.


(From goodguy's Watch Log on October 27th, 2009)

Garden State, a review by Tom

Title: Garden State
Year: 2004
Director: Zach Braff
Rating: 14A
Length: 102 Min.
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35
Audio: English: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital Surround, Commentary: Dolby Digital Surround
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

Stars:
Zach Braff
Natalie Portman
Ian Holm
Peter Sarsgaard
Jim Parsons

Plot:
Twentysomthing, emotionally detatched Andrew Largeman (Braff) returns home to New Jersy after nine long years. Now, as he tries to re-connect with his past, a series of chance encounters with Sam, (Natalie Portman) – a free-spirited girl who's everything he isn't – sets the stage for a fateful, mind blowing take on what his future might hold. Co-Starring Peter Sarsgaard, Ian Holm, and Method Man, GARDEN STATE is “hilarious” (ROLLING STONE).

Awards:

Empire Magazine Awards	2005	Nominated	Best Newcomer	Zach Braff
Grammy Awards	2005	Won	Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media	Zach Braff (compilation producer)
Independent Spirit Awards	2005	Won	Best First Feature	Zach Braff; Pamela Abdy; Gary Gilbert; Dan Halsted; Richard Klubeck
Independent Spirit Awards	2005	Nominated	Best First Screenplay	Zach Braff
MTV Movie Awards	2005	Nominated	Best Female Performance	Natalie Portman
MTV Movie Awards	2005	Nominated	Best Kiss	Natalie Portman, Zach Braff
MTV Movie Awards	2005	Nominated	Breakthrough Male Performance	Zach Braff
Online Film Critics Society Awards	2005	Won	Best Breakthrough Filmmaker	Zach Braff
Online Film Critics Society Awards	2005	Nominated	Best Picture
Satellite Awards	2005	Nominated	Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Comedy or Musical	Peter Sarsgaard
Satellite Awards	2005	Nominated	Best Actress – Comedy or Musical	Natalie Portman
Teen Choice Awards	2005	Nominated	Choice Movie Actor: Drama	Zach Braff
Teen Choice Awards	2005	Nominated	Choice Movie Actress: Drama	Natalie Portman
Teen Choice Awards	2005	Nominated	Choice Movie Blush Scene	Zach Braff
Teen Choice Awards	2005	Nominated	Choice Movie Breakout Performance - Male	Zach Braff
Teen Choice Awards	2005	Nominated	Choice Movie Liar	Natalie Portman
Teen Choice Awards	2005	Nominated	Choice Movie Liplock	Natalie Portman, Zach Braff
Teen Choice Awards	2005	Nominated	Choice Movie Love Scene	Zach Braff, Natalie Portman
Teen Choice Awards	2005	Nominated	Choice Movie: Drama
Writers Guild of America Awards	2005	Nominated	Best Original Screenplay	Zach Braff
Young Artist Awards	2005	Nominated	Best Family Feature Film – Drama

Extras:
Closed Captioned
Commentary
Deleted Scenes
Featurettes
Outtakes
Scene Access
Trailers

This movie is written, directed and stars Zach Braff, the guy from Scrubs. I never followed Scrubs, so I mainly know him from this movie. He did a good job here as a first-time director. I bought this movie because of Natalie Portman. She did a great job here.
I didn't know him the last time I watched this movie, but "Sheldon" is a small part in it

Rating:

(From December Marathons - DISCUSSION AND REVIEW THREAD on December 23rd, 2009)

Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

13. Athens City Academy...
Gabrielle forsakes a new odyssey with Xena in order to audition for the Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards at their annual storytelling competition.

My Thoughts:
This is a fun episode... though I found it odd that so soon into the first season they decided to do a clips episode that revisited the earlier episodes. I just don't think it was needed this soon into the series. Especially watching it on DVD like this. But it was fun watching Gabrielle tell all the stories about her and Xena... as well as see the other styles of storytelling from the other people in the competition.

My Rating:

14. A Fistful of Dinars


My Thoughts:
Another good episode... had Xena and the others figuring out clues to make it to the treasure. It almost had a feel of an Indiana Jones movie where he always had to figure out the correct way of doing things to get further.

My Rating:


15. Warrior...Princess
The Warrior Princess learns life as a blue blood can be a royal pain when she stands in for a princess whose life has been threatened by assassins.

My Thoughts:
This episode I liked very much. It was just plain fun... and I found myself laughing on more then one occassion in this episode. Not only did I think it was fun seeing Xena try to act like a princess and fight in the princess's dress... but I thought it was hilarious seeing the princess trying to be a convincing Xena.

My Rating:

16. Mortal Beloved
The ghost of her beloved Marcus prompts Xena to travel to the Underworld - where a madman has stolen Hades' Helmet of Invisibility, causing total chaos in the realm.

My Thoughts:
Another excellent episode... but this time much more serious then the last episode. I liked the more fantasy driven storyline. I also liked how they did Hades' guards, The Harpies.

My Rating:

(From Xena: Warrior Princess Marathon on December 7th, 2009)