Articles tagged "john cleese"

Performing Arts Feature

The Secret Policeman’s Balls

by Emma Simmonds

[11.Mar.09] :. The seemingly smutty and initially baffling title is the collective moniker for a series of Amnesty International benefit concerts, held in London.

Recent features

Film DVD Review

The Art of Soccer with John Cleese

by Erik Hinton

[15.Feb.09] :. Cleese seems to be well aware of his pandering, as he plays a caricature of himself.

Recent DVD reviews

Short Ends and Leader

Obama & More Critical Commentary on Cultural Imperialism in 2008’s ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’

by Diepiriye Kuku

[28.Jan.09] :. The Day the Earth Stood Still was rich in contemporary and relevant social criticism despite the regurgitating an apocalypse narrative and re-hashing Keanu Reeves as another prophetic savior.

Short Ends and Leader

Film Review

The Day the Earth Stood Still

by Cynthia Fuchs

[12.Dec.08] :. On its face, casting Keanu Reeves as Klaatu, that most thoughtful visitor from another planet, seems inspired. Or maybe just obvious.

Recent Film reviews

Film Review

Igor

by Lesley Smith

[19.Sep.08] :. Igor fences Eva into a very old-fashioned position: literally a man’s creation, she helps to "civilize" the all-male society.

Recent Film reviews

Talk, Talk, Talk: December 2008

by Bill Gibron

[12.Sep.08] :. Just like the end of an inspiring speech that may or may not succeed in making its point, these final four weeks before 2009 tend to define or defeat the entire awards season purpose.

Talk, Talk, Talk: September 2008

by Bill Gibron

[9.Sep.08] :. From wars both past and present to a number of nail-biting thrillers, September is sizing up as a potentially profitable one.

Part 2 - Outsider Influences

by PopMatters Staff

[9.Oct.07] :. TV was at a standstill. On one side -- the status quo. On the other -- the innovators from outside the mainstream. Guess who ended up winning the 'classics’ argument?

Shrek the Third

by Kevin Garcia

[6.Jul.07] :. Is there a rule that decrees all movie-based games be mediocre?

John Cleese Comedy Collection

by Dan MacIntosh

[11.Jun.07] :. Much like Fawlty Towers, this three-DVD collection finds John Cleese stepping outside the Monty Python troupe and all its unique historical / political obsessions, for a little straight comedy.

Kids’ DVDs: June 2007

by Roger Holland

[6.Jun.07] :. Given that babies and young children love nothing more than repetition, repetition, and... um.... repetition, I can't understand why even the pointiest of heads would think children between the ages of six months and three years could possible need 23 different Baby Einstein DVDs.

Charlottes Web (2006)

by Daynah Burnett

[14.Dec.06] :. Surprise! There is nothing even remotely offensive or ironic or postmodern about Charlotte's Web.

The Personal Best of Monty Pythons Flying Circus

by Sean O’Neal

[26.Sep.06] :. A nostalgia-tinged scrapbook satisfying to only the most ardent of collectors.

At Last the 1948 Show

by Michael Buening

[22.Sep.05] :. Despite a deft mixture of traditional polish and youthful verve, At Last the 1948 Show doesn't quite cross the line from good to great.

Valiant (2005)

by Roger Holland

[26.Aug.05] :. Though Valiant is cheerful enough, its actors, animators, and audience have all been let down by its lack of ambition.

Around the World in 80 Days (2004)

by Cynthia Fuchs

[1.Nov.04] :. 'Actually,' Frank Coraci begins his commentary for Around the World in 80 Days, 'I never wanted to do a director's commentary.'"

Around the World in 80 Days (2004)

by Cynthia Fuchs

[17.Jun.04] :. The absolutely scariest scene in Around the World in 80 Days features Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Shrek 2 (2004)

by Cynthia Fuchs

[20.May.04] :. Cute, confident, and utterly stylish in his feathered hat, Puss confronts Shrek and Donkey in the woods: 'Ha ha!'"

Monty Python’s Life of Brian (1979)

by Bill Gibron

[29.Apr.04] :. This time around, Life of Brian might be seen for what it is: an icon of irreverent comic brilliance.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

by Jesse Hassenger

[21.Oct.03] :. The extras in this two-disc set are ample and appropriately Python-y.

Die Another Day (2002)

by Cynthia Fuchs

[29.Nov.02] :. Bond's issues have to do with self-identity.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

by Todd R. Ramlow

[15.Nov.01] :. The makers of 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone' are banking on the fact that so very many people 'have' read the books, so that the confusion of those Luddites who haven't read them matters very little.

The World Is Not Enough (1999)

by Beth Armitage

I can't help it; whenever I hear that opening theme music to a James Bond film, I get a tingle. I can't help but to hope for the best. This time out, my hopes were raised by a great opening sequence to The World Is Not Enough, which involves a thrilling highspeed boat chase. What's more, TWINE gives us the premise for a most excellent villain.

Rat Race (2001)

by Cynthia Fuchs

A balls-out stupid summer comedy where no one cares about special effects or plots making sense or even about characters winning or losing is not a bad thing. It is, rather, a representative thing.

Rat Race (2001)

by James Snapko

It's full of pratfalls, sight gags, and irreverence toward 'I Love Lucy', Nazis, body piercing, a very unlucky cow, and a dog. Fortunately, Zucker executes them all like a ringmaster.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975/2001)

by Susan Glen

The social/political commentaries . . . are still relevant and imaginative, and the inventive physical and verbal humor is still the stuff that bladder accidents are made of.