Which Films Have You Been Watching in April 2012?

[Fresno Bob]

Aptly, also available in Blu...

Really?
I had no idea. Cheers John, I shall put it on my wish list!

[John Hodson]

...in Oz; sure to be released a little closer to home (and more cheaply). Great film; blimey, Robert Blake...

[Martin Ball]

Funny how different people's opinions are, this was the film that finally made me give up on Von Trier!

Yes, normally I have no time for what could essentially be classed as pretentious films which I can see that many people would class this as. But as I said I really don't know why but something about this really grabbed me.

The world would be a dull and scarey place if we all the same.

[Fresno Bob]

It really is quite a film. Even the slightly naive uses of the "Ford" vistas become something I loved.
I'm fascinated how the landscape is presented down the decades. Here's it's treated with respect at times, and total ignorance (from the characters) at others - queuing for an ice cream while hitting on girls in front of that backdrop.
Or - in a film some of the style reminded me of - Zabriskie Point, couples rolling through the landscape copulating.

Love the final 6 minute shot. Really gives you time to take it all in and mull over the message.

[rickcurz]

Buckaroo Banzai (1984) US DVD, 104 minutes
3.5 out of 4k

A notorious box offcie failure in it's day but the critics were mostly kind; Gene Siskel correctly predicted it would become a cult item.

This is a bizarre tribute to the old Doc Savage-type pulp literature / adventure serials of the past starring Peter Weller as the tite character (who is also an astrophysicist, rock star and neurosurgeon). Backed up by his team and his girlfriend Penny Priddy (Ellen Barkin), this rolicking, sci-fi comedy is well worth seeing. It all revolves around a device called the Oscillator Overthruster which allows things to pass through solid objects, and a mad villain called Lord Whorfin / Dr. Lizardo played by John Lithgow in OTT mode who is trying to steal it. There are also some goofball aliens called Lectroids who are umming up the works. Although this is essentially serious, it is very goofy and tongue-in-cheek at times with some decent, imaginative special effects.

In addition to the stars, there is a great cult cast: Jeff Goldblum, Christopher Lloyd, Rosalind Cash, Ronald Lacey, Clancy Brown, Matt Clark, Vincent Schiavelli and Dan Hedaya. Also, Jamie Lee Curtis appears in the prologue unbilled as Banzai's mother.

[richard l]

I love Buckaroo Banzai. Still waiting for the sequel!

[Livius]

They Won't Believe Me (1947) - R2 DVD
Surprisingly good film noir from Irving (The Most Dangerous Game) Pichel. I'm not a big fan of Robert Young but he's fine as the professional louse that both Jane Greer and Susan Hayward have the hots for. The tale unfolds in flashback as Young narrates events from the dock at his murder trial. It's a little slow at first but really picks up as it goes along. The plot hinges on one of those slightly irritating "why didn't he just tell the truth and avoid the hassle" devices that tend to crop up in the noir world, but it's very well put together.

The Italian DVD from Sony is just passable in terms of picture quality; if Odeon could source a better print for their RKO collection I'd pick it up instantly.

[John Hodson]

Oops