Sometimes there's a problem when you watch the original movie several years after you see the remake. In this case,the problem was I couldn't remember the subplot with Jim Brown as being in The Beat That My Heart Skipped.
I also remember The Beat as being a lot more a straight-forward crime film and less about seventies angst. Am I wrong? I also don't remember laughing so much. I thought the original was hilarious at points. Harvey seemed like he had been overly influenced by Taxi Driver. And Tisa Farrow overly influenced by Mia's acting style..
Now I liked both versions, but the The Beat blew me away. Fingers didn't although it might have thirty years ago. Can any of the film buff reading this comment on it. How about it Todd?
Now I liked both versions, but the The Beat blew me away. Fingers didn't although it might have thirty years ago. Can any of the film buff reading this comment on it. How about it Todd?
Is it me or if The Flight of the Conchords the same episode every week? Oh, HBO, what have you done? John from Cincinnati and now this?
Does Jim Winter know this guy?
Does Jim Winter know this guy?
12 comments:
I'm somewhat torn on Flight of the Conchords. On the one hand, it's like Tenacious D meets Extras. On the other hand, it's like Tenacious D meets Extras without Jack Black or Ricky Gervais. On the third hand, I have enjoyed some of the musical numbers, particularly the robot song. On the fourth hand, I wonder if the production costs will eventually be sunk into Westeros sets.
I love Extras and the comparison is apt. And you're right. The acting isn't up to that level. And there is something so lethargic about it, so colorless.
Couldn't get past the first episode of Flight. And what can one say about John? Big Love will have to be enough for me.
Do you get the BBCA shows?
Love Big Love. It's really turned more sinister this year. The relationship between the three wives is so nuanced.
ON BBCA, the only thing I've watched is Life On Mars, which I loved. Any recs?
I'm afraid I'll have to unmask my unbuffed state when I admit to not yet having seen FINGERS nor THE BEAT..., though I'll get to them eventually. I've moved away from my HBO membership and haven't made the budgetary allowance to get it back, but when visiting my parents, I've been known to catch up on ENTOURAGE, EPITAFIOS, and THE WIRE on HBO On Demand before sleep...I've liked BIG LOVE, and haven't seen JOHN nor CONCHORDS yet...though the Conchords' songs, in their FRESH AIR interview, certainly had me quite happy. Sorry to read that the rest of the show can't match them (the Smothers Brothers had a similar problem as a sitcom act).
Did you give WIRE IN THE BLOOD a tumble?
By the way, has anyone else noted how FX follows HBO around, with THE SHIELD being THE SOPRANOS turned around, THE RICHES rather resembling BIG LOVE, RESCUE ME rather like a more self-absorbed variation on THE WIRE, the slightly arty/bohemian but still neighborhood-guys sitcoms ENTOURAGE and IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, etc.? I generally like the FX shows, but even their new slate seems as if they don't dare make a move without Time Warner charging for something similar first.
Oh, Epitafios was as scary as hell. I got frustrated with its length--thought fewer epispodes might make it stronger. I have Wire on my Netflix list next. I think I actually saw the first season when it was out.
Also gave up on the Riches. Maybe I shouldn't have. Your point about FX is well taken. Adore Rescue Me despite its sexism as times.
Well wait for your eventual read on the Fingers/The Beat comparison.
The hubby and I have been watching Rescue Me on DVD, and he commented how surprised he was that he enjoyed a show where he hated the majority of the main characters. I hadn't shared his feeling of surprise, which really just speaks to the high percentage of anti-heroes in my recent entertainment choices.
They can all be despicable but we get to blame it on 9/11. It feels so right for firehouse patter, doesn't it?
I haven't seen Fingers, but The Beat That My Heart Skipped had more than enough angst and self-pity for me. I usually lack the patience to analyze something I don't like, but I think Tonino Benacquista is heavy on action, heavy on angst, and bad at binding the two into a coherent story.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/
Peter-If you watch the original Fingers, who will see where the combination of angst and violence came from and it's an uneasy fit there too. But since the movie is far less slick, it doesn't stand out as much. Keitel plays it as a bumbling kind of guy, full of sudden outbursts.
Hmm, I like your speculation about Fingers, that its rawness may obscure the conflict between angst and violence. I may rent it one day. If nothing else, the Benacquista connection may give me the excuse to make a blog post. Thanks.
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Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com
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