herbiehancock

No 198 - Fargo Directors - Joel Coen and Ethan Coen When a horror film states that the film is nothing more than 'found' footage, you kinda know that it isn't true. Cloverfield , Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project are all obviously not real. We know that; but is part of the story telling. It is part of the fun. However, when a film begins with a disclaimer that it is based on a true story - you kind of expect it to be at least partially based on a true story. I think it takes a certain ballsiness and a pretty weird sense of humour to put that in - and Fargo begins with a disclaimer stating that only the character's names have been changed. But then, the Coen brothers are ballsy people with a very odd sense of humour which is littered throughout this film, despite the dark subject matter. I mean in the closing credits, Prince is listed as having a cameo in the film. He doesn't. Beyond the really odd (and essentially nonsensical) additions before and a...

No 89 - Magnolia Director - Paul Thomas Anderson My apologies again, I have been on a bit of a roll with watching films (both on and off list) and have not been keeping up to date with my blogging. So, apologies if once again my views are less concise in these blogs, as several days have passed since I saw some of them. I had only ever seen Magnolia once prior to this viewing and I remembered it being one of those films which I had to struggle through... I'm not sure if I hadn't been in the correct mind back then or if I have matured (ha!) but I found completely the opposite this time. I still found it long, but this time it was fascinating and captivating and full of characters who were incredibly interesting. The key phrase here being 'full of characters' - this is a massive ensemble cast. Massive and powerful. But not only is it a massive cast, it is a phenomenal cast full of powerhouse actors (though several of them are P. T. Anderson regulars) John C Reilly, Willi...