March 12, 2010 - Pisutoru Opera (Pistol Opera); Pirate Radio

The baby came on the 4th, so my movie watching has taken a back seat. Did, however, manage to sneak in two today. I should have stopped at one.

(54) Pisutoru Opera (Pistol Opera) (2001): Had been waiting to see this movie for a very long time, but Netflix never had it in stock. It showed up a few days ago, so I watched it. I was delighted. Essentially this is the story of an assassin's guild and we follow the exploits of the #3 killer, Stray Cat. She has been tagged to take out #1, Hundred Eyes.

In reality this is a movie about our different phases of life as represented by the four seasons, Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Each season in the film is represented by the same woman, Stray Cat, at different ages in her life, sometimes simultaneously.

The film is a little disjointed and told in a very stylized manner, and some of the acting isn't very good, and some of the sets and props are not very good either. Still, these are forgivable things as we've forgiven them previously by greats like Godard. Worth watching, and probably worth watching again.

2.5 Stars

(55) Pirate Radio (2009): Another movie I had waited to see for quite some time. Wish I hadn't raised my hopes. This is a dreadful film about nothing, nothing whatsoever. The premise is there, the story material is there, the characters surely are there. Too bad the screenwriter and director couldn't figure out which end was up.

This movie is supposedly about the British ban on rock and roll music on the public airwaves on 1966, which prompted some savvy radio guys to broadcast from a ship out in international waters, out of the reach of the British government. Honestly, a great premise with huge story potential.

Any real filmmakers out there should consider taking a stab at re-making this film, because I think it would be a solid smash hit. As it stands, Philip Seymour Hoffman aside, it's unwatchable. Really, take a pass on this one. You can thank me later.

1 Star