Now, I watch a lot of movies - at least 3 or 4 most weeks. I love movies almost to the point of anorakdom. I watch a wide range of movies; the good, the bad and the indifferent. I like arthouse, blockbusters, documentaries, subtitled movies from various continents, animations - in short just about anything.
Having said all that I find that my palate is sometimes jaded, particularly when it comes to 'Hollywood' movies. I find that sometimes they've got all the money and precious little originality to go with it. For example, watch frankly anything by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away) and it knocks the spots off practically any big US animation (Madagascar anyone?) Pixar are, of course, honourable exceptions to this rule. I have found myself more and more turning to European and Asian (especially Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai) cinema. Indeed, the most astonishing (but disturbing) film of the last year or so for me was a German film called Downfall.
Yet, every time I write Hollywood off, it comes roaring back and makes me eat my words. Films like The Constant Gardener, Munich, Batman Begins, Good Night & Good Luck, Serenity and King Kong have had me entertained, enthralled and provided me with great enjoyment. Into this category I'd like to insert Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. I've just finished watching this absolute joy of a movie. I thought it was wonderful from start to finish and it was criminally ignored by the Oscars. Val Kilmer was brilliant as Gay Perry, Robert Downey Jr proved he can still act and Shane Black showed us that Lethal Weapon was not by any means a fluke. It was smart, funny and hugely enjoyable. If you haven't seen it - watch it. Go now; borrow my car to get to the video shop!
Sorry, got a bit carried away there...
P.S While I'm recommending movies... Go and see The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada directed by and starring Tommy Lee Jones. It is fantastic.
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