hatefilms Reviews

The Browning Version (1994)

Haven't seen this film

[8 June 2011]

1bilbo seems confused. The original is set in a public school (not a grammar school) and there is therefore a subliminal gay message in the pedagogue/pupil relationship (Playwright, director, and lead were all gay/bi) but also the resolution (arguably) of the cruel wife being abandoned by her lover in favour of manly friendship. Having been to a public school (in the 70s) I can also say that the study of Classics inevitably meant one became aware of homosexuality in a way that didn't happen with other subjects (Greeks, Romans, let it all hang loose and all that). I presume this is why 1bilbo favours the original as a paean to old-fashioned public school values.

I don't like remakes and haven't seen this one, but the one thing of which I am certain is that Rattigan did not mean his play to be seen as a critique of widening of the education system to all classes (or alternatively the supremacy of private education). I am equally certain that 1bilbo has no idea of whether the comprehensive system has provided better or worse educated people as he (I am pretty certain he is a he) has never looked this up. What I am sure he cannot argue with is that having a large proportion of the country considering themselves rejects at 11 and being sent to sub-standard secondary moderns that didn't even teach the same exams (the almost worthless CSE anyone?) is not a good education system.

Kings of Pastry (2009)

Fantastic Documentary and inspiration

[10/10 · 28 February 2011]

I don't know what these other guys reviewing were watching. There was blood, sweat, tears, effort, artistry, beauty (in a slightly kitschy way) and above all love. If you didn't know what made the people MOFs then you were not watching the documentary (the answer by the way is not on technical marking though that is obviously part of it). If you thought the filming was bad then you obviously did not realise that the MOF organisation would not have allowed the filming to get in the way of the MOFerie. And bravo to them and film makers for doing so - apart from anything it felt much more immediate than all these pseudo-documentaries with perfect film-making, soi-disant presenters/filmmakers and less than engrossing subjects. We loved this film as it shone a little light on a corner of the world that is purely about striving to reach perfection (see the MOF rules) with little thought about the media or hullaballoo. I wish they would have a similar award for artisans/tradespeople in my country but maybe it is a peculiarly French thing.

Starter for 10 (2006)

Entertaining piffle but passes the time

[6/10 · 29 December 2008]

Like any film its relationship to reality is limited - and having been at Bristol just before the time the film is set (left in 1984) some stuff was not what I remembered - but my main pernickety gripes are that:

1. Music - not what I remember from Epicurean/Dug out/Architects apart from Smiths/Cure/New Order - was much more punky/new wave/left field among students 2. Clothes/Style likewise - no-one I knew apart from posh people (though there were lots in Bristol) had any money, though I do remember one female student wearing white stilettos - and even the posh students didn't have new cars (even 2 CVs) or even any car 3. Not enough rain - it rained all the time

There was one very accurate bit though - slightly intimidating tutor mugging wayward student and helping them realise they could grow up and learn - almost exactly the same thing happened to me (on Whiteladies Road). It would be interesting to know if this was a common experience as I always thought it was unique to me (I am fairly sure tutor pursuing me across the road was almost unique). Apparently now students don't have tutors in most universities, sadly

Quincy M.E.: Give Me Your Weak (1982) Season 8, Episode 3

Give me your weak

[10/10 · 17 September 2008]

To Paul Andrews

Episode Aired October 1982 Orphan Drug Act passed - January 1983 QED

P.S. I am not saying Quincy changed the law but it cannot have hurt to have a prime time TV show airing the issue and politics involved presumably just as Congress and the Senate were considering the bill. As to there being no crime - in the UK a crime of omission can be just as much a crime as one of commission - surely the point Quincy was making and you have patently missed. And think of the lives saved by the bill since...(a similar measure was adopted by the EU in 2000).

PPS - Actually this was a better Quincy than normal as the scripts tend to be formulaic and clunky, as is the acting. Must do some real work though, so byeee