Recent viewings: Stallone and Dario Argento.

[Neville]

Ahh, Xmas and its lousy TV schedules... I am wondering if I should plant a tent on my local DVD rental store, because I spent there more time than anywhere else. Anyway, here are the last two films I rented.

1) "Sleepless": Latest Dario Argento film is a return to the gialli that made him famous. It is the first time I watch one of his films, so I'll say that it is OK but could be better. The particular approach to the serial killer genre (style and atmosphere over plot and story) is refreshing, and some scenes, particularly the first killings in the movie or an opera scene, are really well executed, but plot holes are quite evident. Acting is also quite bad, with the notable exception of Max Von Shidow. Overall, not a bad movie, even recommended for curious viewers.

2) "Get Carter": Remake of a seventies' thriller I haven't seen yet. Stallone plays Carter, a criminal who investigates his brother's death. It went direct to video, and I am not surprised. The director tries to hide how thin the plot is by using all kinds of visual tricks, such as washed down colours, fast forwards (well, I shouldn't complain about this particular one) and abrupt editing. Problem is that if this didn't save Steven Soderbergh's "The limey", it doesn't  work here with a worse director and a worse script. Things get a little livelier whenever Alan Cumming or Michael Caine appear on screen, but their roles are very small. Real boring stuff.

[Drezzy]

Get Carter had a 2-week theater run.

[Musukogoji]

Yep. I saw "Get Carter" in the theaters. Quite enjoy it too.

[Neville]

Ahhh, I see. Here it went direct to video, and since it came about the same time as "D-Tox", another Stallone thriller, I though both were direct to video.