Expectations. It can kill a movie. Sam Raimi had a big job ahead of him. Big boots to fill.The 1939 film is everybody's treasured film.
Remember the very arty but dark/drab "Return to Oz" from the 1980's? Probably not.
I watched this film with small expectations, probably because of the negative reviews. I was pleasantly surprised, as was my wife and very cynical 19 year old daughter. Okay the CGI was over the top, the colour very "Willy Wonka'"but it's a fantasy film. It was perhaps 20 minutes too long, but I had fun.
The black and white sideshow prologue was delightful, spotting the cast members in later pivotal roles. When the screen stretched to full size and went to glorious Technicolour... come on .... it's the movies....enjoy.
The China Girl and her smashed town - quite poignant. James Franco was a big surprise, a very engaging shyster.
Lots of clever links to the original film/book. Sam Raimi put Bruce Campbell (his original "Evil Dead" hero) in a cameo as a Winkie guard. Lots on Raimi relatives in bit parts.
It was great to see Meg (Mila Kunis) from "Family Guy" kick some butt as the Wicked Witch of the West. Danny Elfman's music is always a joy.
Come on guys, it wasn't that bad!
Showing posts with label The Wizard of Oz. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Wizard of Oz. Show all posts
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Friday, 17 May 2013
Why are movies so damn L-O-N-G these days?
Is it to sell more pop corn and crap?
It is rare for a Hollywood movie to be under 100 minutes, usually around 2 hours, even comedies. Take Judd Apatow's "This is 40".This very slight movie went on for 134 minutes!!!
Hollywood movies in the 30's, 40's, 50's could tell a story in 100 minutes or less. "The Wizard of Oz" 101 minutes, "Casablanca" 102 minutes, "His Girl Friday" 92 minutes, "The Maltese Falcon" 100 minutes.
"Warm Bodies" (2013) is an example of economical film-making. We had a zombie apocalypse, a love story and post apocalyptic redemption and rebirth, all in 97 minutes (including 2 minutes of end credits).
Another example "Philomena" (2014), a beautifully told tale in 98 minutes.
More please.
It is rare for a Hollywood movie to be under 100 minutes, usually around 2 hours, even comedies. Take Judd Apatow's "This is 40".This very slight movie went on for 134 minutes!!!
Hollywood movies in the 30's, 40's, 50's could tell a story in 100 minutes or less. "The Wizard of Oz" 101 minutes, "Casablanca" 102 minutes, "His Girl Friday" 92 minutes, "The Maltese Falcon" 100 minutes.
"Warm Bodies" (2013) is an example of economical film-making. We had a zombie apocalypse, a love story and post apocalyptic redemption and rebirth, all in 97 minutes (including 2 minutes of end credits).
Another example "Philomena" (2014), a beautifully told tale in 98 minutes.
More please.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
1939 - the year of the classic movies
Check out the incredible films released in 1939, in no particular order:
Stagecoach, Goodbye, Mr Chips, The Wizard of Oz, Ninotchka, The Roaring Twenties, Of Mice and Men, Wuthering Heights, It's a Wonderful Life, Beau Geste, Destry Rides Again, Gunga Din, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Women, Dark Victory, The Cat and the Canary, The Rules of the Game (Jean Renoir, my only foreign pick), Only Angels Have Wings, Mr Smith Goes to Washington,
oh, and a little movie called Gone with the Wind.
Stagecoach, Goodbye, Mr Chips, The Wizard of Oz, Ninotchka, The Roaring Twenties, Of Mice and Men, Wuthering Heights, It's a Wonderful Life, Beau Geste, Destry Rides Again, Gunga Din, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Women, Dark Victory, The Cat and the Canary, The Rules of the Game (Jean Renoir, my only foreign pick), Only Angels Have Wings, Mr Smith Goes to Washington,
oh, and a little movie called Gone with the Wind.
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