Amazon.co.uk Review
You are now entering Interzone, William S Burroughs' phantasmagorical land of junk, paranoia and crawly things. Best travel advice: "Exterminate all rational thought". In David Cronenberg's superbly shot, unnerving warp on the Burroughs novel, Naked Lunch, the novelist himself becomes a main character (played in an implacable monotone by Peter Weller), with elements from Burroughs' life--including the shooting of his wife during a "William Tell" game, and bohemian friends Kerouac and Ginsberg--added to frame the book's wild visions. This is, ironically, a somewhat rational approach to an unfilmable book (and it makes a hair-curling double bill with Barton Fink, another look at writerly madness, with both films sharing Judy Davis). Cronenberg is a natural for oozing mugwumps and typewriters that turn into giant bugs, of course. But in the end, this is really his own vision of the artistic process, rather than Burroughs' hallucinatory descent into hell. --Robert Horton, Amazon.com
Customer Reviews:
Cronenberg Mark-1 Saliva Swab.......2007-08-11
This isn't the book, Caveat Emptor. I can understand that filming thousand's of drug-addled hipsters storming through the United Nations whilst defecating on "pacts and treaties" may be a little expensive at the least (and, considering that this is a more sane phrase from the text, possibly prohibited by law). So, what's Canada's own Monster-From-The-Id to do? Ah well, take the framework from "Videodrome", and elucidate on that. Take elements from "The Fly" and de-construct that. Ad nauseum.
That's why this movie is less laudable than Cronenberg's other works - He's basically ripping himself off. And that's not something to be applauded. Watch "The Brood" instead - At least he's only ripping Larry Cohen off for that film. An improvement.
Umm, I didn't get it..........2005-10-13
I was anticipating great things from this film, but unfortunately I just didn't get it. Way too weird for me - sorry
Out to Lunch.......2005-07-11
Less a literal translation of the novel (an almost impossible feat) more of a mood and feeling evoked by much of Burrough's work, Naked Lunch manages to be both perverse and witty in it's exploration of the dark arts at the heart of the twin worlds of writing and hard drugs. Taking extracts from many of Burroughs' books and staging the more surreal elements of the life of the man himself (the bizarre William Tell style shooting of his wife Joan, which happens to be true) Cronenberg's film covers all bases in it's attempt to portray accurately the genius of both the novel and the author. Even Kerouac and Ginsberg turn up in the guise of Willam Lee's fellow writers Hank and Marvin. The scene where the two try to piece together the fragments that would later become the novel in a Tangiers hotel room, while a seemingly disinterested and drunken Burroughs looks on, is particularly wonderful. The more visceral elements of the book are also displayed as the grotesque lizard-like creatures known as mugwumps that permeated Naked Lunch, come to life in true Cronenberg fashion. Many of Burrough's exquisitely written passages from a variety of sources are also developed upon, the unforgettable tale involving the Duc De Ventre's carriage (providing an example of his truly original black humour) as well as the moving piece on the author's discovery of his latent homosexuality are just two of many highlights. The acting is also notable, Roy Scheider as the ubiquitous Dr. Benway is a standout and Ian Holm's performance as the Paul Bowles-like character Tom Frost in particular. But it is Peter Weller who nails William Lee with a deadpan and dry-witted turn on whom so much of the film rests, and the actor manages to pull it off brilliantly (helped no doubt by the fact that he looks a lot like Burroughs). Highly recommended for fans of William Burroughs, Naked Lunch also happens to be director David Cronenberg's finest, achieving a rare psychological depth and insight that many of his more horror based films fail to. The DVD also features a superb LWT documentary on the making of ... as well as an interesting and informative interview with producer Jeremy Thomas.
Highly original.......2004-04-14
Like many previous Cronenberg outings 'Naked Lunch' deals with ideas on how by affecting the body, you alter your reality. In fact there probably wasn't a better director around who could so accurately evoke Burroughs visions.
Although 'Interzone' is set in Tangiers, the film crew had to shoot all the interiors in Toronto as North Africa was off limits during the first Gulf War. Films about writers usually involve a static quality where the writer spends a lot of their time in front of the typewriter. Cronenberg has made his writer live the hallucinatory situations that made him put pen to paper. 'Interzone' becomes William Lee's hallucinatory state of mind, where his writings are not just musings on past events, but 'reports' on everything he sees and experiences around him at that moment. Like Max Renn in 'Videodrome', Cronenberg sees Lee's imagination as a disease, as a mind constantly 'on', unable to turn off the constant stream of images that prevades his reality.
Cronenberg totally reshaped the original book for the screen, most noticably in playing down the homosexual aspects of the original novel. The 'bug powder' and the black stuff given to Lee by Dr. Benway were used as a euphamism for drugs. Obvious references to coke, heroin and crack weren't used so that there wouldn't be a 'Just Say No' campaign against the film. Although even if named drugs were overtly mentioned, it's difficult to see a mainstream audience coming to a movie like this. 'Naked Lunch' is unlike any movie you've seen before or anyone you're likely to see hence and for that reason alone, it's worth the admission price.
Twisted drug induced fantasy.......2004-01-06
If you are expecting a film with an understandable story, then sadly you've come to the wrong place. it started in a strange but understandable way, but by the middle it had lost me completely. however, with this being a film about drug addiction and hallucination you can see that when you think about it it is all fantasy. there are just some brief moments of clarity and the rest is entirely wierd. quite disturbing.
Customer Reviews:
Playing God is good!.......2005-02-09
I wasn't expecting too much from this film, but I was surprised to find that Playing God is good! It centres on David Duchovny's drug addicted and disgraced surgeon who saves the life of a chap in a bar, only to find himself befriended by the chap's criminally-inclined boss (Timothy Hutton) and his girlfriend (Angelina Jolie). When the FBI realise that they can get to the boss via the doctor, things start getting very dangerous for both Duchovny and Jolie who spend the last half of the film trying to get away from bonkers hippie Hutton and the FBI with their lives intact. David Duchovny and Angelina Jolie were excellent as our tainted heroes and I was surprised at how likable Timothy Hutton's baddie was. Personally, I would not have dumped him for Duchovny but, hey, they never asked for my opinion!
Playing God.......2003-04-23
This is a film with a great plot and a must have for any Angelina Jolie fan. The film centres on a surgeon(David Duchovny) who's license has been terminated after his drug abuse causes him to collapse during surgery. He becomes involved in an illegal scam which is allowing him to continue practicing and saving victims of vicious attacks. A fair amount of gun fights and a hell of a lot of blood are in this film and there is a clever twist to one of the characters!!!
On the whole, pretty good.......2002-10-19
Being a huge Angelina Jolie fan, I naturally had to check out Playing God. Not knowing what to expect, I was kinda open to any story, but wasn't quite expecting this. The storyline wears a little thin during the last part of the film, but it's definately worth watching, just for the amazing performance by Angelina. Quite a well made, entertainning film, definately read the synopsis first - cause if you're after a good action/suspense movie, don't rent this, however, if you like Angelina Jolie and think Timothy Hutton is cute, this is the one for you.
Customer Reviews:
One of my favourite films ever - Truly Brilliant.......2003-12-23
This is the A1 archetypal reason European cineam wipes the floor with Hollywood every time. Bornedals Nightwatch is an exercise in true brilliance. Its takes a fun premise, and expertly weaves a tale of horror, revulsion, sex, relationships, love, friendship and the best sense of humour in modern european cinema.
Its cast is far superior than the remake, and watching the US version first makes you appreciate how good Bornedals original is. The three central characters are far superior in wit, talent and execution, and are unforgettably charming. The black sense of humour contrasted with such effective and intense chills leaves you gobsmacked.
It is unforgettably frightening, with a conclusion which leaves you talking as the rest of the film so aptly does. You must see this phenomenal picture.
Watch Alone For Maximum Effect.......2001-10-13
I never had the patience to sit and watch a subtitled film but I could not move during this ! It is disturbing but with black humour thrown in. The worst part was waiting for the red alarm light to sound in the morgue security desk when the main character was studying. The camera work was inspired and the inference that a corpse could be on the move in the hospital was truly frightening. Buy this NOW !
Dark, Disturbing, and ...Danish.......2000-08-15
Like the Vanishing and La Femme Nikita before it, the original Nightwatch makes its American remake (with Ewan MacGregor) pale in comparison.
The power of this version is its ability to shock, to take you unawares. It's intrinsically dark, and, be warned, definitely not for the faint-hearted.
To tell you anything of the plot would ruin the whole effect of the film. Let's just say that murder, necrophilia, and a drunken bet are at the heart of the story.
My advice is simple, turn off the lights, pour yourself a stiff (no pun intended) drink , and prepare to be scared witless. Oh, and another thing, don't even think of watching this film on your own.
DVD Review:
- American Muscle Cars
- Arsenal - Magic Hat [2002]
- Ashes Clashes
- Backstroke for Every Body by Total Immersion Swimming
- Biggest Wednesday
- Boxing Top 10 [2000]
- Brewster's Millions [1985] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Budo - The Art Of Killing
- Celtic Pride [1996] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- C.H.U.D. [1984] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
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