Read + Write + Report
Home | Start a blog | About Orble | FAQ | Sites | Writers | Advertise | My Orble | Login

Flick Wit - September 2007

Tarantino - Incredible But Creepy

September 30th 2007 21:46
QT is definitely not a cutie. In fact, there is something about him that fairly shrieks ‘beady-eyed lunatic!’ However, during a recent discussion with a good friend about who we would sleep with for free (hypothetically of course, apart from the one or two (thirty) glorious ones that no woman could turn down, under any circumstances – I don’t care if they have the pox or it’s my wedding day), I was forced to admit that old Quentin would have no need to turn out his pockets.

Quentin Tarantino - more than slightly disturbing. Courtesy of deviantart.com


Now, let me reassure you, the bloke does little to snap my clapper-board, but there is something highly alluring about a man with such manic movie genius. “Genius?” I hear you sputter, “he’s nothing but a copy-cat from Ballarat!”

WRONG!

He is from Knoxville, Tennessee.

Alright, I’m hearing you. He does have a tendency to borrow a bit here and there, grab this technique, snatch this concept, seize that scene, in order to celebrate a classic, or tribute a tour de force. But he’s not plagiarising exactly. He’s just having a loan of something that inspires him in order to weave it into his own wonderful (and wacky) work of art.

Apart from that, he has integrity and munificence, of a kind. He turned down Speed and Men In Black in order to write Pulp Fiction instead – and I’m ever so glad he did; and he puts his name to under-the-radar films such as Hostel, in the role of ‘Presenter’ in order to give them more exposure. Less happy about that. He falters in these virtues somewhat when he spits on people on the red carpet or attacks them like a rabid black marmot for presumed offences.


Rabid Black Marmot. Courtesy of tunc.biz

But still! He gets it for gratis. He is just that good.

Most of his movies are among my all-time favourites, and I am very much looking forward to his remake of King Hu’s 1966 martial arts epic, and most especially to his forever-in-the-works Inglorious Bastards, in which Eddie Murphy and Sylvester Stallone are rumoured to star, despite not being among his platoon of oft-cast actors.

I also pray for the hinted third and final instalment in the Kill Bill volumes, in which Nikki, Vernita Green’s daughter, seeks her own revenge on The Bride.

Until then, I will continue to watch his other macabre, violent, visually stimulating, time-splitting, colour slashing, distinctively irresistible films over and over.

And ponder my apparent psychological issues while perusing QT’s peculiar physiognomy.

Michaelie Clark
127
Vote
   


Golden Kisses on the Silver Screen

September 27th 2007 17:49
“You must remember this, a kiss is just a kiss…” I beg to differ, Herman Hupfield! When lovers lock lips in the flicks, they are often creating movie magic – or creating history, like Jane and Regis in You’re In The Army Now with a kiss that lasted over three minutes. Below is a countdown of my top twenty memorable movie smooches.

#20 Titanic
One minute Rose and Jack are ‘flying’ in the bow of the ill-fated ship, next thing you know, love is in the air.

#19 Gone in Sixty Seconds
(2000)
The kiss between Memphis and Sway in the car is made by the music – ‘Painted On My Heart’.

#18 Pirates of the Caribbean
So jealous of Keira Knightly. As Elizabeth she kisses dastardly (and delectable) Johnny Depp (Captain Jack Sparrow) in an effort to distract him.

#17 Brokeback Mountain
Frustrated, forbidden love manifests itself in almost violent passion when Ennis and Jack reunite.

Cowboys in Love. Courtesy of insidesocal.com

#16 Spiderman
Of course, the up-side-down, half-masked man kiss had to make the list.

#15 Rain Man
Possibly the most awkward kiss ever, when Susanna gives autistic Raymond his first kiss.

# 14 Snow White (1937)
Who can forget the poisoned lass being awakened by ‘love’s first kiss’? Similar things happen in Sleeping Beauty and Beauty and the Beast.

#13 Muriel’s Wedding
Muriel laughs hysterically as she gets mauled by her very excited young man, who, Tim Tams forgotten, tries to unzip her leathers and instead releases the beans from the beanbag.

#12 Love Actually
Unrequited love, confessed and concluded, in such a poignant yet hopelessly hilarious fashion.

#11 Pretty Woman
The Hookers’ Creed – don’t kiss on the mouth. When Vivian kisses Edward, we immediately know she loves him. Or maybe she just wasn’t very disciplined.

#10 Forrest Gump
“She tasted like cigarettes”. Forrest wasn’t about to go for any old strumpet; he’d only be “like peas and carrots” with Jenny.

#9 Lady and the Tramp
Bolognese brought them together. How utterly romantic.

Very Fast Pasta. Courtesy of jossip.com

#8 Bridget Jones’s Diary
Standing in the snow in her knickers, Bridget finally kisses Mark. “Wait a minute, nice boys don’t kiss like that,” she says. “Oh yes, they f***ing do,” replies Mark, before snogging her again for good measure.

#7 The Little Mermaid (1989)
Prince Eric kisses Ariel after he realizes she is the woman he loves, but he is too late to break the spell that will keep her from his side. Luckily for them, Disney gives them the happily ever after they didn’t get from Hans Christian Andersen.

#6 Dirty Dancing
After all the clandestine business, Johnny finally declares that “Nobody puts Baby in the corner” before kissing her – and dancing with her – in front of everyone.

#5 Cruel Intentions
The ‘I’ll Teach You How To Kiss Lesbian Pash’ is certain to stick in people’s minds. Made all the more memorable for Kathryn being so malevolent and Cecile so pathetic.

#4 Grease
Danny and Sandy on the beach at sunset. It probably perpetuated the cliché, but it was mighty romantic.

#3 Ghost (1990)
Two memorable kisses in the film: ‘Unchained Melody’ and the pottery wheel, and Molly kissing Sam’s ghost in the body of Oda Mae.

#2 Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Paul and Holly kissing in the rain – finally! – after Holly realises she doesn’t want to let Paul, or Cat, go after all.

Romance in the Rain. Courtesy of answers.com

#1 Casablanca
Rick and Ilsa – anyone who has seen Casablanca will surely know the magic they create. The first time, in a flashback – "Here’s looking at you, kid", a glass of champagne, the impulsiveness and intensity, a mixture of mortar fire and the melody of 'As Time Goes By', "Kiss me, kiss me as if it were the last time", she says. And it pretty much was. Fate intervened, he knew she still loved him – she told him later after threatening to shoot him – but he had to let her go. It’s so wonderful it hurts!

So what do you think is the most momentous movie kiss, and why?

Michaelie Clark




















84
Vote
   


Death Becomes Them: The Ladies

September 21st 2007 21:36
Following on from the Dead Guys are the Dead Girls. They aren’t quite so prevalent, but when they do kick the bucket, they definitely do it with just as much gusto.

Agent Lindsey Farris in M:I – 3
He’s going to save her. He’s got a plan. Ethan Hunt will not let his protégé be killed by the explosive device planted in her head. Just a few more seconds and all will be well and – POP! Too late. Her brain – and one eyeball – are mush.

Wicked Witches of the East and West in The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The first is killed by Dorothy’s house falling on her, which effectively frees the Munchkins whom she had tyrannised. The second holds out a bit longer, but is finally vanquished – also accidentally, and also by Dorothy – when she is doused by water and melts.

Wicked Witch of the West. Courtesy of warnerbros.com

Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale (2006)
She was a villain, a traitor, the treacherous woman for whom Bond was willing to give up everything. And she betrayed him. Or did she? In trying to save the life of her boyfriend, she had drawn Bond into a deadly game, and in order to save Bond she had ultimately sacrificed herself. But not before giving him the means to find the real villain…

The Bunny in Fatal Attraction
Hell hath no fury… The pet rabbit never stood a chance against scorned woman Alex Forrest, and became bunny broth in less time than it takes to say ‘psychopath’.

Thelma and Louise in Thelma and Louise
After a wild weekend escaping from the trials of their everyday lives, two desperate women, driven by circumstance, end up driving themselves off the edge of the Grand Canyon, preferring to die as heroines than live without their liberty.

Over they go... Courtesy of vtpeakoil.net

Bambi’s Mother in Bambi
She saves her baby but not her bacon… or do I mean venison? A big scene in the film, and also an important theme, involving love, loss and renewal.

Marion Crane in Psycho (1960)
Probably the most famous death scene ever, where a young woman on the run is repeatedly stabbed in the shower of her hotel room by the manager, Norman Bates, dressed as his dead mother. Many things contribute to the horror of this scene, most notably Hitchcock’s multi-camera angles and the piercing score by Bernard Herrmann.

Which miss do you think did death best?

Michaelie Clark
73
Vote
   


I am going mad. My Sex obsession has become mania. I am officially an SATC nympho. Here’s what my fixation has garnered over the last few days:

Kristin Davis (Charlotte) and Chris Noth (Big) have just shot a scene at Lumi restaurant. According to Daily News, Charlotte storms from the restaurant, preceded by her very large baby-bump. Big chases after her, prompting Charlotte to yell “I don’t want to see you!” An argument ensues. “I curse the day that you were born”, Charlotte tells Big, moments before her breaking waters bring a halt to the quarrel. Big ushers her into his limousine and takes her to the hospital


[ Click here to read more ]
42
Vote
   


Death Becomes Them: The Lads

September 20th 2007 21:02
There’s nothing like death to make a character memorable. Brutal, humorous, symbolic, poignant, perplexing or peaceful – when a protagonist (or antagonist) meets their maker, it’s more than likely they’ll make their audience sit up and notice. Or lie down and wail. Or laugh like a loon. Or cheer for the good egg. Or bellow at the bad egg…

Here are some marvellous dead ’uns


[ Click here to read more ]
74
Vote
   


SATC: Dreamgirl and Californicator Sign On

September 17th 2007 21:42
And that’s not all. The release date for the movie has been tentatively announced, and with shooting to begin tomorrow, details are starting to emerge about Sex and the City filming locations, renowned for reflecting – and creating – the popularity of many actual Manhattan restaurants, clubs and bars – which is bound to give storyline clues to attending paparazzi.

Jennifer Hudson. Image Courtesy of warnerbros.com

[ Click here to read more ]
97
Vote
   


They Should At Least Pretend To Act, Too

September 13th 2007 21:18
As a follow-up to my last post, I’m going to carry on with a list of the worst of the worst in the acting world. These are the people who should never have gotten their hands on a script, unless that script was for medication to cure their delusions.

THEY HAVE A LOT IN COMMON
[ Click here to read more ]
128
Vote
   


They Should At Least Pretend To Act

September 12th 2007 20:33
I’ll be qualifying the above statement in regard to a few of the ‘actors’ in the list below, but most of them, I do believe, are just utterly appalling. Abysmal to the point where they could be eligible for a job on either Neighbours, or Passions.

David Caruso
[ Click here to read more ]
148
Vote
   


'Big' News: Will He Die Or Marry Carrie?

September 11th 2007 00:47
Sex and the City rumours are afloat and swirling in a whirlpool of vigorous speculation. Recent buzz has suggested that Chris Noth’s reprisal of his Big role will be a brief one, with the death of the legendary character occurring in the upcoming movie, while other reports contend that the much-anticipated film will culminate in Mr Big’s marriage to Carrie.

Mr Big. Courtesy of answers.com

[ Click here to read more ]
127
Vote
   


You know the actors that play their parts, or just one part in particular, with absolute perfection? But then you see them in an interview… or a ridiculous video clip …or a mug shot, and you realise: what translates to the big screen is indecipherable in real life.

Sarah Jessica Parker
[ Click here to read more ]
120
Vote
   


'Borat' Moves On To 'Bruno'

September 7th 2007 10:55
Sacha Baron Cohen is set to begin production on a new movie starring his third alter-ego, Bruno, an Austrian fashion reporter. First brought to fame through regular appearances on Da Ali G Show, Bruno is a luridly dressed gay man with a mo-hawk and an exaggerated German accent.

'Bruno'. Courtesy of smh.com.au

[ Click here to read more ]
76
Vote
   


Top Twenty Beaut Aussie Movies

September 6th 2007 19:46
Mate, I think Aussie flicks are just bonzer.

Some are quirky and outrageous, a visual spectacular; some have that laid-back incongruous humour that epitomises our culture; some encompass our legends, some retell our tragedies, and they all exemplify our spirit


[ Click here to read more ]
163
Vote
   


Blow-Out Budget Trash

September 4th 2007 19:56
The movies below promised a lot, but in the end, they just couldn’t get it up.

Sahara
[ Click here to read more ]
89
Vote
   


Why Baz Is The Best

September 3rd 2007 20:33
There are a lot of directors whose work I adore, but none so much as Baz Luhrmann. He is the father of flamboyance, the master of magnificence, the king of colour and theatrics! He takes something commonplace and makes it vibrant and thrilling. His work is attention-grabbing; each movement, sound, light and colour arrests you with its brilliance as it works with every other element in perfect accord, creating an extravaganza that is both overwhelming and distinctive.

Strictly Ballroom: I love the music, the costumes, the makeup, the dancing…! There are several stand-out scenes in this movie that have Baz written all over them: Scott’s Dad, made-up face right up in the camera, trying desperately to tell his son to follow his heart and dance his own steps; Scott and Fran dancing on the rooftop with a clothesline and a city view – the connection! the cultivation of perfect imperfection!; Scott dancing with Fran’s father in the backyard, learning the Paso Doble; and Fran and Scott dancing their own steps in a crowded but silent room, with nothing to guide them but the sharp, echoing rhythm of Scott’s father’s quivering, clapping hands


[ Click here to read more ]
110
Vote
   


A Very Varied Assembly

September 2nd 2007 19:08
As a follow-up to my last post of type-cast actors, I am now listing the actors I believe to be astoundingly diverse. The men and women below have performed a range of roles in all types of styles and genres.

Philip Seymour Hoffman
[ Click here to read more ]
77
Vote
   


Totally Type-Cast

September 1st 2007 06:38
Some actors seem to always choose the same roles; some actors may only be offered the same roles, and a few actors play the same role whether it’s appropriate or not. I find the first two groups to be acceptable, especially as some of them appear to be great talents lacking more diverse opportunities – but the third group really vex the hell out of me.

The Unlucky:
[ Click here to read more ]
59
Vote
   


More Posts
2 Posts
5 Posts
6 Posts
93 Posts dating from August 2007
Email Subscription
Receive e-mail notifications of new posts on this blog:
Moderated by Michaelie
Copyright © 2006 2007 2008 On Topic Media PTY LTD. All Rights Reserved. Design by Vimu.com.
On Topic Media ZPages: Sydney |  Melbourne |  Brisbane |  London |  Birmingham |  Leeds     [ Advertise ] [ Contact Us ] [ Privacy Policy ]