funny and sad at the same time
7 out of 10
When there's no more room in hell, The dead will walk the earth...
I can't believe it hasn't had further success, it still seems like a really small time film. So glad I saw it.
----------------------
Daniel Ashley-Smith
Kent, England
8\10 Great film, this may seem patriotic or mildly xenophobic,
but the UK seems to excel at mixing side splitting humour with
stark dark disturbing content, i've yet to find a film delivering
the same level of humility and gritty subject matter from the
States.
Some have come close but just miss the mark, i'm sure it's just
a matter of tastes in humour, there maybe plenty of Americans
that wouldn't connect with the characters and find little humour
in some of the UK film releases.
Here's a few others fans of this film may enjoy:-
Dead Mans Shoes
Nil By Mouth
In Bruges
Naked
Slumdog millionair
All have humour and wit in abundence along with some
harrowing scenes, to make you laugh through the
first half and cry through the second takes alot of
thought, subtlety and attention to detail, when large
budget American films try this it seems forced and too
contrived, maybe a little souless.
I've seen some fantastic films from the states don't get wrong
it's just that i've rarely been moved by them, if someone
could give me examples to prove me wrong i'll gladly check them out. :)
"...this may seem patriotic or mildly xenophobic,..."
What on earth did you watch? Please don't tell me it was this film. If so please explain in what way the film was patriotic and/or xenophobic. I'll be very keen to know what those terms have to do with an alcoholic dying of bladder cancer.
"please explain in what way the film was patriotic and/or xenophobic."
Absolutely nothing to do with the film, it was in reference to my
experience when comparing the UK and the States and the films or drama
they produce.
If you had read more than the first line, it would've made sense,
all the information is there.
I was pointing out that I'm not patriotic, though i'm from the UK and
and prefere UK films over films that come out of the states, it's just
that i relate to the characters naturally with films from my home turf.
I feel often feel removed and disconnected from the american actors, I'm
sure the same happens the other way around, where some Americans find
the acting in UK films dull and underacted, others may find it refreshing??
who knows.
Yes, I understand now what you were trying to say. At 5:30 this morning my ESP had gone to sleep. Even now, I have to say that it could have been phrased more clearly.
Must try harder, old chap. We don't want these Merkins misunderestimating us, do we now?
I don't know quite how you square the fact that you prefer British films over Merkin films without displaying a degree of bias, but I'm sure you have your ways.
"this may seem patriotic or mildly xenophobic,
but the UK seems to excel at mixing side splitting humour with
stark dark disturbing content, i've yet to find a film delivering
the same level of humility and gritty subject matter from the
States."
There's not much room for misunderstanding there.
"I don't know quite how you square the fact that you prefer British films over Merkin films without displaying a degree of bias, but I'm sure you have your ways."
Again that's self explanatory, if you grew up and lived your whole life
in let's say Manchester and a film was made acurately depicting life in
Manchester and the sort of people that surround you everyday, you'll be
much more likely to relate and identify to the characters and therefore
have a connection with them.
You could watch a film with exactly the same premise set in New York
that includes all the slang and references to people and places you
know nothing about, you are not going to have that same connection.
"Must try harder, old chap."
Do feel free to patronise me more
"Do feel free to patronise me more"
Thanks all the same, but I've had my ration of interwebs fun for the day. Good luck with those Manchester films.
[deleted]
Couldn't agree more with your list of other movies to watch. Have seen all of them and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one.
I was so pleased to hear they did not allow the Hollywood lot to take over this film, it would seriously not have been worth making if that had been the case. It is the extraordinary film it is because of its circumstances and of the special group of people who both financed and/or worked on it.
The only movie I can think that comes close to this made in the US is 'Leaving Las Vegas' a Mike Figgis film starring Nicolas Cage. However, that too was a movie thrown into a pool of problems but eventually made on a shoe-string budget. I think something has to be said about Hollywood and their big-budget movies; in these two movies, less was much, much more!!!
'freq77'... if you have not seen 'Leaving Las Vegas,' I would highly recommend it. I have a first-edition copy of John O'Brien's book which is the basis for the movie. Nicolas Cage won a well-deserved Oscar for his performance, one of the best I have ever seen. Sadly Elisabeth Shue missed out but her Oscar worthy performance is truly extraordinary. There is not as much humor in this as in 'Dangerous Parking' but in my opinion, if it doesn't move you in any way, I doubt much would.
I still watch 'In Bruges' as often as I can, brilliant film!
~ "A child of five could understand this. Fetch me a child of five." ~ Groucho Marx ~
Ah yes, Leaving Las Vegas is indeed a classic, I used to own the dvd, that was some years ago since I've seen it and since you've reminded me I must get hold of another copy, would love to see it again.
I'm with you on the whole "In Bruges" thing, think I've watched it more times than most in my collection, great humorous interplay with concrete slabs of seriousness out of nowhere.
If you've yet to see them and don't mind subtitles I highly recommend the Pusher trilogy, again with great humorous natural interplay between the characters and some gritty moments.
You can find it here -->
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117407/
Thanks for taking the time to write the above and reminding me about Leaving Las Vegas, I shall get my searching features on. :)
'freq77' ...
You are more than welcome, always like it myself when someone reminds me or tells me of a good movie and 'Leaving Las Vegas' is one of my most treasured. It's just one I own that I feel the urge to watch every now and again to remind me what's important in life.
I have to say we have similar taste as I have also seen, own and LOVE the 'Pusher' trilogy. Now they are also in a league of their own. I have no problem with subtitled films as I find they are always more engaging in that they don't hold back (Pusher trilogy perfect example) and are more than happy to push those boundaries a little. I felt 'In Bruges' did that also and was why I enjoy it so much, along with as you rightly stated, the interplay between humor and the gritty moments. These kinds of movies test and push my way of thinking in so many ways and for these reasons I find them wonderfully entertaining in all aspects.
A question: Have you seen the Danish movies, 'The Green Butchers,' 'Adam's Apples' & 'Shake It?' These are all on the humorous side but hilarious if you like that kind of comedy.
Let me know what you think of it once you've located LLV and watched it again! Such a powerful movie!
Nice talking to you!
~ "Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties." ~ Erich Fromm
I watched LLV last night, not quite as hard hitting as I expected,
but bare in mind I owned it many years ago and had watched it quite
a few times so the shock value is somewhat diminished when you know
and anticipating what comes next, also, I've seen quite a few gritty
films since, maybe I'm a little desensitized but great film nontheless.
Could've done without the incessant croonings from Sting but that's
just a personal thing,, and nitpicking. :D
"Have you seen the Danish movies, 'The Green Butchers,' 'Adam's Apples' & 'Shake It?"
Now we're talking :) I've seen 2 of those 3 and as you've recommended
"Shake It" I shall check that out also.
I was so blown away by Mads Mikkelsens performance I went on a buying
spree and purchased "Bleeder", "Flickering Lights", "Adam's Apples" and
"The Green Butchers" all of them brilliant in their own way.
One thing that struck me about his earlier performances (Bond villain aside)
he always seems to casted with a hint of victim, apart from Pusher 2
where he reeked of victim. :)
Regardless of his role or activities within the role he has the ability
to get you onside so you care about the character he's portraying and
the outcome.
Eeek wasn't this thread meant to be about Dangerous Parking lol
Always nice to chat to a movie fan. :)
I couldn't agree more with you with regard to LLV. Although it is an extremely powerful film, I think once you have watched it as many times as we have, it does lose that 'WOW/OMG' factor. I also think not knowing the ending is pertinent to the entire experience and nothing will replace that first viewing. That said, I still cannot resist watching and loving it. Stings music in this film has always been a bit like fingernails on a chalkboard for me so after many viewings, I agree.
Now, how did I know you were going to like 'The Green Butchers' & ' Adams Apples'? haha If you liked them, I have no doubt you'll love 'Shake It.' I own all of them myself and am forever grateful to the person who first mentioned Mads. Sorry, every time I think of these two and Green Butchers I can't help but laugh. We even went out and purchased a stuffed Giraffe we named Eigel after we saw this movie!!
Do you also like Nikolaj Lie Kaas with him being in so many of these movies also?
So have you seen 'Exit,' 'After the Wedding' and another one I thoroughly enjoyed with Mads, 'Open Hearts'? I own 'Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself' but have not yet seen the one you mention, 'Flickering Lights' which I just noticed has another of my favorites, Ulrich Thomsen!! Okay so my hunt will begin to find this and add to my collection. Thank you for the heads up on that one.
I'm going to watch 'Flame & Citron' in the next day or so and see how that is.
Yes I LOVE to talk about films yet it's rare that you find someone that is actually interested in talking about them; odd given it's a Movie Discussion Board!! It it wasn't for 'Dangerous Parking' we wouldn't be talking about all these other great movies!
Have you by chance seen 'Kitchen Stories' and if so, what did you think of it? I just watched the director's latest 'O'Horten'. Love quirky, odd movies, bit like me some would agree!! ;-)
Cheers... I'm off to the Butchers ... nobody in our area's died or gone missing this week!! HAHA
~ "Minds are like parachutes - they only function when open.” ~ Thomas Dewar