DVD: The West Wing An epic TV series, to be sure. Over 100 hours of TV in total, by my reckoning. A great drama series, raising interest in how US politics might work, and with a number of subplots that are eerily similar to what’s happening even in today’s headlines.
Category Archives: media
The Kingdom
[inflight movie] The Kingdom I found this movie about americans investigating terror in the UAE to be disappointing: it seemed to be a way of justifying the caricature of muslims, without really explaining any of the interplay between the US and the Middle East. Watch Syriana instead: it manages to make the case a little …
Eagle vs Shark
DVD: Eagle vs Shark Flight of the Conchords’ Jemaine Clement stars in this odd, indie film romantic comedy, about the romance between two hapless losers and their journey to find acceptance. Has some profound lessons buried under a lot of indie-ness.
Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure
[NZ TV] Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure It amazes me how much of the dialogue from this film I can still remember, though I haven’t seen it in years. I suspect it’s easier to enjoy this film if you’re under 20, but it’s aged reasonably well.
DVD: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off
DVD: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Still a gem, even after many viewings. This DVD was the “Bueller, Bueller” edition, and had various extra mini documentaries in it that helped in the appreciation. An 80’s classic, though I’m not sure I’d show it to kids who are the age I was when I first saw it.
DVD: Sideways
DVD: Sideways A road movie with two rogues, one who you must struggle to like, and one you end up barracking for. There’s all kinds of reasons to avoid this film, and if you’re not into independent films, or road trip movies, or questions like “what does life really mean when you hit 40 and …
DVD: The Godfather Trilogy
DVD: The Godfather (1972),The Godfather: Part II (1974),The Godfather: Part III (1990). While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend watching all of these in a single day, it certainly makes the whole thing easier to follow. Traces the life and family of Michael Corleone, a mafia boss in New York over a few decades. The first two …
DVD: Bob Roberts
DVD: Bob Roberts Tim Robbins again in a political film. Shot as a documentary, but really a parody of the electoral process, and the media-induced hysteria that is part of politics. An unusually watchable young Jack Black, and a number of other now famous names have small parts here. Worth it for Alan Rickman alone.
DVD: The Apostle
DVD: The Apostle Robert Duvall wrote, directed and starred in this piece about a southern preacher. A complex character whose faith seems sincere, despite his ongoing tendency to drift away from the life that you’d expect of a preacher. Slow moving, but not necessarily in a bad way.
DVD: The Player
DVD: The Player Robert Altman piece set in Hollywood; Tim Robbins is good as the self-interested movie executive, there are dozens of cameos, and the plot – while not as good as I remember it – stands up as one with some worthy twists and turns.