DVDizzy Forum

Not a movie as such, but I've just finished the second series of Nighty Night.

Well... Em. How do I begin? On the DVD there's a small "making of" where writer/actor Julia Davis reveals two key facts about her writing.

1. It took her over three years to write the first series.
2. She writes scenes which amuse her and then fits them into a longer narrative.

Which probably helps to explain the fall from grace of Nighty Night S2, turned around in 12-18 months (I'm not sure of the timing). But the main reason that S2 is a shadow of it's former self is that the story of Jill was told and finished with the conclusion of Nighty Night S1.

She went from manipulator to murderer, but got away with it scott free, because we, the audience loved/hated her. It was a perfect conclusion for a perfect story. In hindsight, continuing it was bound to disappoint.

But... for all that... If you just want a few guilty laughs at bad taste humour Nighty Night still delivers.

There's still some stand out scenes in this which will either make you laugh or boggle in surprise (and possibly disgust). S2 is much closer to the knuckle than the first series was. Initially I thought a couple of the acts crossed the boundary of taste, but I've since changed my mind back again. Everybody watching Nighty Night should know what to expect.

But its telling that for all the physical bad-taste stunts (I won't even mention what happens in the hospital ) the true humour, like the first series, is Jill's relationship with and manipulations of others. Its at times like this we once again find ourselves actually rooting for Jill, one of the most vile and evil human beings created for a comedy, rather than her victims. We end up hating her victims for being so easily deceived and weak. And that's down to the spot-on writing and acting from everyone involved. (Talking of acting, Julia is freakishly good when Jill's trying to murder Glenn – the expression on her face each time is chilling, just for a few seconds in-between her laughs and smiles).

If the whole series was built on the relationships, and ditched some of the physical stunts, it would have been much more consistent and focused.

It's not a total disaster like some reviewers have stated, but it falls incredibly short of the groundbreaking original series.

Wikipedia: Nighty Night

I am currently in the process of watching Mary Poppins in her 40th Anniversary Edition glory.

Just watched Ghostbusters

After watching Scobby-Doo and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed, I decided to watch Toy Story and Toy Story 2 again...even though I've watched it 20 times since I bought it. After watching, something came up to my head...
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Aeon Flux
The Family Stone

*tlm

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The Naked Gun 33 1/3

The Incredibles

This is a Pixar movie that for some reason, I always skip. Don't know why with how good it is.

This morning I watched Jacques Tati's Mon Oncle (My Uncle) (1958). Although this is one of those films where nothing actually happens, and it is content to drift from one elaborate joke to another, it is really a joy to watch. Tati's laid-back character of Mr. Hulot - last seen in Mr. Hulot's Holiday - is contrasted wonderfully with the literally plastic world of his sister and her husband and their automated 'modern' house. The humour is largely visual, with only minimal dialogue throughout. However, one could hardly call this a 'silent' film, as the audio jokes and pops and whistles are just as important in Tati's world as the visual humour. Like some of the best comedies today, all of it ties together nicely at the end. The only (minor) complaint I could make is that the meandering lack of direction may turn off some viewers, and feel a bit 'samey' after a while. Absolutely an A Rating though.

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Spymate - Reviewed here: http://www.ultimatedisney.com/dvdroundu ... 06.html#sm

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The Devil's Advocate - It was nice to revisit this, which I liked as much this time as I did the last time many years ago, though this time I really noticed how horrible the DVD transfer is. Great acting here, and a pretty good story. A few weak points here and there but overall a solid delivery.

-Aaron

Don't often rent a movie, but I rented Munich and found it to be a very disappointing movie. Eric Bana is just not a very good actor. I liked the story, but was distracted by Mr. Bana. Would have been a better movie with someone else, I think.

Just got back from Mission: Impossible 3... quite a fun movie with a suspenseful narrative and awesome special effects. Loaded with spectacle, this one requires the least amount of thought of the three produced thus far, but still keeps you on your toes. It was also less about "the" mission than the last two if I recall. It's been quite a while since I've seen the last two, and I never cared much for the first, so I think MI:2 remains my favorite. Still,

-Aaron

AwallaceUNC wrote:Just got back from Mission: Impossible 3... quite a fun movie with a suspenseful narrative and awesome special effects. Loaded with spectacle, this one requires the least amount of thought of the three produced thus far, but still keeps you on your toes. It was also less about "the" mission than the last two if I recall. It's been quite a while since I've seen the last two, and I never cared much for the first, so I think MI:2 remains my favorite. Still,

-Aaron

Saw it too yesterday. That pretty much sums it up. I'll just add that it seems this one has the most emotion, whereas the other two focused (as you said) more on the mission, rather than the people. Also, anyone notice a few J.J. stuff he also did on lost? That resurrection scene of Ethan was awfully familiar!

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I just watched the Aladdin Trilogy. No one can beat the original film. Both sequels aren't bad. They're um...mediocre especially Aladdin and the King of Thieves. I think The Return of Jafar is a better sequel for Aladdin.
Right now, I'm currently watching The Notebook.

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I just finished watching Newsies.

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Dead Ringer (1964)

I watched Hoodwinked. What a stupid stupid piece of crap.

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