»»Owen-Wilson Movie Reviews««

No one does humor like the Brits

This was one of my favorite Brit coms, and I'm only sorry that there were so few episodes. I was delighted to find this tape for my library,and I particularly love the theme song:

They say I might as well face the truth
That I am just too long in the tooth;
Though I'm an old 2way being relieved
But I have notyet quite gone to seed.

I may be over the hillnow that I have retired
Fading away but I'm not yet expired
Flapped out, run down, to old to save--
One foot in the grave.

They say I might as well face the truth
That I am just too long in the tooth,
I've started to deteriorate
I've passed my own "sell by"date;

Oh, I'm no spring chicken it's true,
I have to pop my teeth in to chew;
And my old knees have started to knock,
I just have too many miles on the clock.

Though I'm wrinkly, crinkly, set in my ways--
It's true that my body has seen better days,
But give me half a chanceandI can still misbehave:
One foot in the grave--One foot in the grave.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre,

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

Unusually poignant yet hilarious.

In the beginning, PBS' Saturday evening, English, comedy explosion was just another fun evening with sitcoms. Now, I can barely wait for "One Foot in the Grave." Until you see a show with Mr. Mildrew and his wife, there really is no explanation worthy of it. It took a while to realize how hooked I've become to the next episode and now I wait patiently for the entire series to come out on DVD. Mr. Mildrew's temperament bounces between a childish, naive, little boy to a playful, sometimes fiendish prankster. At all times, he manages to remain excited while his wife manages to remain extremely tolerant.

One of the best comedy series ever made.

Three episodes of the award-worthy series featuring the ultimate grumpy old man, these are a good example of what makes the series so unmissable. Victor Meldrew, at first glance, comes across as the kind of person you would go out of your way to avoid, but in fact he is quite a sympathetic character - plagued by bad luck, constantly harassed by difficult and often rather odd people, often feeling he is the only sane person in the world (something we all feel at some time or another). What makes the series stand out from the usual sit-com is their serious undertones. In fact I'd go so far as to suggest this is a drama series which just happens to contain comedy. There is plenty of humour and hilarity, but also moments of sensitivity (Victor's wife having to pretend to an elderly blind man that junk-mail is actually a letter from his family rather than risk him realizing they've forgotten all about him, Victor and his wife sadly wondering how their son might have turned out were he alive today). There are even moments of thought-provoking philosophical musing (nothing exists because the future hasn't happened yet, the past has already happened and as soon as the present happens it's over).

One of the very best creations of recent years, Victor Meldrew will surely join Basil Fawlty and Del Trotter as comedy's household names.

Fascinating Story!

I was just surfing the shelves at Borders today when I stumbled over Queen Kelly on DVD! I couldn't believe it. I have just been getting interested in silent films (I'm 18) and of course I'm a Gloria Swanson fan (who isn't?), having seen her brilliant performance in Sunset Blvd. Anyway, I had always heard rumors about Queen Kelly - the incomplete, forgotten masterpiece. I had to pay a whopping [money] for this DVD, but it is definitely a piece of art and worth every penny. First of all, this film is old. You can hear it creak and moan at times and the orchestra soundtrack has not aged well - let's just say the music is annoyingly intense. But the age of the film just makes it more haunting to watch. The story takes place in the 20s, but you could almost believe it was hundreds of years ago. Now I want to concentrate on the story and the performances. Gloria Swanson's performance in Queen Kelly has to be one of her best - she was every bit as good in this film as in Sunset Blvd. We can easily see why she was such a huge silent star - her emotions and beauty carry the film just as much as the fascinating story. This was really melodrama at its best. People tend to forget, I think, that melodrama can be an art form, stressing wistful idealism and instead of cynical realism! The main event here is the story - wow! It's tragic that the film (and the story) were never finished. But who knows? It's just begging for a megabucks remake with Nicole Kidman. Now that the musicals are back, maybe silents will be next.

A Rare Classic

The great silent film QUEEN KELLY, is Swanson's most popular film, aside from SUNSET BOULEVARD.

Swanson plays Patricia Kelly, a naive and innocent convent girl, who catches the eye of a Prince (Walter Byron), when her underpants accidentally fall down. He falls in love with her, despite the fact that the demented and jealous Queen Regina (Seena Owen), is after the Prince herself.

The scene where Regina chases Kelly out of the palace, whip lashing and her feathered robe flaying, is truly memorable.

One of the most sought-after silents, this great tinted version is backed by a full orchestra soundtrack.

This film is proof that the "studio system" ruined US films

Financed by Joseph Kennedy, Stroheim was hired by his old friend Gloria Swanson, but when talkies came in and it was apparant there would never be a market for a silent Swanson vehicle, production stopped and the film was unreleased for decades. Almost completed, and later restored with stills replacing lost footage, the film has a unique power like all of Von's work. This was Von's swan-song (no pun intended.) He would never complete another film, but go on to immortality as a great actor, ignored in the U.S. but worshipped in Europe. This film is proof that there was a brief period in which American films could be held up against the films of the world as great works of sophisticated filmatic art. Von's films make even the best products of the "studio System" look like bad soap operas. It is impossible to fully appreciate Billy Wilder's "Sunset Boulevard" without seeing this film (Von referred to his performance in Wilder's film with contempt as "that butler role." The world of course knows better. As Elenor Roosevelt said, Von was the greatest director in the world.

Fascinating Story!

I was just surfing the shelves at Borders today when I stumbled over Queen Kelly on DVD! I couldn't believe it. I have just been getting interested in silent films (I'm 18) and of course I'm a Gloria Swanson fan (who isn't?), having seen her brilliant performance in Sunset Blvd. Anyway, I had always heard rumors about Queen Kelly - the incomplete, forgotten masterpiece. I had to pay a whopping [money] for this DVD, but it is definitely a piece of art and worth every penny. First of all, this film is old. You can hear it creak and moan at times and the orchestra soundtrack has not aged well - let's just say the music is annoyingly intense. But the age of the film just makes it more haunting to watch. The story takes place in the 20s, but you could almost believe it was hundreds of years ago. Now I want to concentrate on the story and the performances. Gloria Swanson's performance in Queen Kelly has to be one of her best - she was every bit as good in this film as in Sunset Blvd. We can easily see why she was such a huge silent star - her emotions and beauty carry the film just as much as the fascinating story. This was really melodrama at its best. People tend to forget, I think, that melodrama can be an art form, stressing wistful idealism and instead of cynical realism! The main event here is the story - wow! It's tragic that the film (and the story) were never finished. But who knows? It's just begging for a megabucks remake with Nicole Kidman. Now that the musicals are back, maybe silents will be next.

A Rare Classic

The great silent film QUEEN KELLY, is Swanson's most popular film, aside from SUNSET BOULEVARD.

Swanson plays Patricia Kelly, a naive and innocent convent girl, who catches the eye of a Prince (Walter Byron), when her underpants accidentally fall down. He falls in love with her, despite the fact that the demented and jealous Queen Regina (Seena Owen), is after the Prince herself.

The scene where Regina chases Kelly out of the palace, whip lashing and her feathered robe flaying, is truly memorable.

One of the most sought-after silents, this great tinted version is backed by a full orchestra soundtrack.

This film is proof that the "studio system" ruined US films

Financed by Joseph Kennedy, Stroheim was hired by his old friend Gloria Swanson, but when talkies came in and it was apparant there would never be a market for a silent Swanson vehicle, production stopped and the film was unreleased for decades. Almost completed, and later restored with stills replacing lost footage, the film has a unique power like all of Von's work. This was Von's swan-song (no pun intended.) He would never complete another film, but go on to immortality as a great actor, ignored in the U.S. but worshipped in Europe. This film is proof that there was a brief period in which American films could be held up against the films of the world as great works of sophisticated filmatic art. Von's films make even the best products of the "studio System" look like bad soap operas. It is impossible to fully appreciate Billy Wilder's "Sunset Boulevard" without seeing this film (Von referred to his performance in Wilder's film with contempt as "that butler role." The world of course knows better. As Elenor Roosevelt said, Von was the greatest director in the world.

Fascinating Story!

I was just surfing the shelves at Borders today when I stumbled over Queen Kelly on DVD! I couldn't believe it. I have just been getting interested in silent films (I'm 18) and of course I'm a Gloria Swanson fan (who isn't?), having seen her brilliant performance in Sunset Blvd. Anyway, I had always heard rumors about Queen Kelly - the incomplete, forgotten masterpiece. I had to pay a whopping [money] for this DVD, but it is definitely a piece of art and worth every penny. First of all, this film is old. You can hear it creak and moan at times and the orchestra soundtrack has not aged well - let's just say the music is annoyingly intense. But the age of the film just makes it more haunting to watch. The story takes place in the 20s, but you could almost believe it was hundreds of years ago. Now I want to concentrate on the story and the performances. Gloria Swanson's performance in Queen Kelly has to be one of her best - she was every bit as good in this film as in Sunset Blvd. We can easily see why she was such a huge silent star - her emotions and beauty carry the film just as much as the fascinating story. This was really melodrama at its best. People tend to forget, I think, that melodrama can be an art form, stressing wistful idealism and instead of cynical realism! The main event here is the story - wow! It's tragic that the film (and the story) were never finished. But who knows? It's just begging for a megabucks remake with Nicole Kidman. Now that the musicals are back, maybe silents will be next.

A Rare Classic

The great silent film QUEEN KELLY, is Swanson's most popular film, aside from SUNSET BOULEVARD.

Swanson plays Patricia Kelly, a naive and innocent convent girl, who catches the eye of a Prince (Walter Byron), when her underpants accidentally fall down. He falls in love with her, despite the fact that the demented and jealous Queen Regina (Seena Owen), is after the Prince herself.

The scene where Regina chases Kelly out of the palace, whip lashing and her feathered robe flaying, is truly memorable.

One of the most sought-after silents, this great tinted version is backed by a full orchestra soundtrack.

This film is proof that the "studio system" ruined US films

Financed by Joseph Kennedy, Stroheim was hired by his old friend Gloria Swanson, but when talkies came in and it was apparant there would never be a market for a silent Swanson vehicle, production stopped and the film was unreleased for decades. Almost completed, and later restored with stills replacing lost footage, the film has a unique power like all of Von's work. This was Von's swan-song (no pun intended.) He would never complete another film, but go on to immortality as a great actor, ignored in the U.S. but worshipped in Europe. This film is proof that there was a brief period in which American films could be held up against the films of the world as great works of sophisticated filmatic art. Von's films make even the best products of the "studio System" look like bad soap operas. It is impossible to fully appreciate Billy Wilder's "Sunset Boulevard" without seeing this film (Von referred to his performance in Wilder's film with contempt as "that butler role." The world of course knows better. As Elenor Roosevelt said, Von was the greatest director in the world.

Beware!

The show is excellent. But beware if you are buying this video - it only contains two episodes...I thought "Vol 1" would contain the first season, but I was wrong. It only has 2 out of 8 episodes from the first season. If you want the entire series on tape, it's probably cheaper to subscribe to the BBC America channel through your local cable company and tape them...they are running the first 3 series. (Series 4 is running in the UK now but not the US yet.)

Stunning and inviting!!!

With Vol. 1 & 2 in my video library, I have become a true fan of this series. The beautiful landscape of Scotland has arrested my heart. We are invited into the lives of modern day Scottish royalty, with all of the current life challenges, showing a wounded son who returns to his family home to rescue them out of financial problems; the development of his relationships with the people of the community in which he has become Laird (much like being an English Lord), a role he had not planned to play; the separation from his newly opened restaurant business in London and his prior love relationship; restoration of the father-son dynamic; and his search to find ways to restoring financial solvency; and the development of feelings for another, are challenges that have become grist for the success of this series.

I am currently on the waiting list for Vol. 3 to come out in 2003, and I can hardly wait until that anticipated day when the postman arrives with the package. If you like stunning scenery; the terseness of the human dynamic; and the sense of a new horizen, I strongly suggest that you begin to add Monarch of the Glen to your video library.

Great British Movie!!

This is a great British movie about 2 men who con the mafia out of a fortune.It's a must see movie!!

One of the less knownbut funniest Brit Coms

There were not many episodes in this series, and that is too bad, because it was hilarious.

British comedies, I think, far surpass American sitcoms for pure humor. Their character development is superior, and their scripts seem to reflect life more realistically while at the same time showing its hilarious incongruities.

This one is about an older retired man and his wife, and the trouble he gets into at every turn--and her patience in dealing with him.

If you have not watched this series, you are indeed fortunate to have it still to do.

Joseph (Joe) Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books

they hear you scream with laughter

This is an exemplary example of how comady should be done. Victor is a cranky and bitter old man and nothing ever goes his way. I you like to laugh get this tape you will not be disapointed.

One of the Very Best British Comedies

This is an episode of "One Foot in the Grave", one of the very best British situation comedies. It stars Richard Wilson as Victor Meldrew, the ultimate mean old man, and Annette Crosbie as his long-suffering wife Margaret. Bill Cosby's last TV show was based on this, but there's little resemblance beyond the situation of a frustrated, retired guy. Victor Meldrew can be hilariously nasty way beyond what would be allowed on an American sitcom. The brilliant writing by David Renwick and Wilson's angry but vulnerable performance make this a bracing look at the so-called "golden years." Renwick writes beautifully intricate, surprising plots: in the middle of uproarious farce you can get poignance or even tragedy. This is the pilot episode, and the Meldrew's flat burns down--and that's just the beginning. A great combination of side-busting humor and something more besides.

a glimpse of things to come

Bottle Rocket is a film by Wes Anderson, who, along with actor Owen Wilson wrote this fantastic film full of smart humor and unique directing. Everything done in the film is intentional, such as the outfits worn and the colors used in the background. Anderson's unique visual style along with Owen Wilson's hysterical comedic delivery make this film an absolute keeper. It stars 3 would be criminals who hold up a bookstore and then run off and hide in an unknown remote hotel. The trio leaves at a burst of catastrophe which involves one of the characters brother who has trouble with the law. The end result is a final commission from a big wig thief (James Caan) whom Owen Wilson's character idolizes to rob an old factory. The story drags a bit at the hotel sequence, but the hysterical finale makes it all worthwhile. I must mention as well that the characters are great and very unique in that each of their personalities has something massively easy to remember.

The dvd has no extras, and seeing as the film is spawned off of a 30 minute short of the same name, it would have been great to see some extras treatment. Comparitively, the commentary track and extras that were piled onto the Criterion Collections "Rushmore" dvd make you wish even more that "Bottle Rocket" could have gotten at least something(Anderson and Wilson's commentary in "Rushmore" open the eyes of the viewer to so many great things that most likely would have gone unnoticed..how much more for this one!). Yet as it stands, I think we are lucky this film is on dvd at all.

The music is wonderful, completely unique, and adds to every scene. The humor in the movie is comparable to Anderson's other film "Rushmore" as well as the hidden gem "Safe Men" in that it is very dialogue driven. Fans of "Tommy Boy" or "Ace Ventura" may not enjoy the humor quite as much. It is like "Waiting for Guffman" in that the first time you see it you may laugh out loud a bit, but you will quote the movie for weeks after. The second viewing is always the best, and each time after I have noticed different expressions from the characters and laughed in many different places. So give it a try and check out something new. This is Owen Wilsons first movie, Wes Anderson's first feature film, and it is the first of (hopefully) many collaborative efforts to come. Also check out "Rushmore" and the soon to be born "Royal Tenenbaums".

I gave the dvd 4/5 stars due to the lack of the extras, but the print is clean, it can be viewed in either wide or full screen, and the movie-though not flawless-is one of a kind.

A FINE EXAMPLE OF INDEPENDENT CINEMA.

The movie "Bottle Rocket" was widely ignored in 1996, but after a few years, the film has gradually gain respect and fans. "Bottle Rocket" was directed by the great indie director Wes Anderson, who wrote the screenplay along Owen Wilson, one of the main characters of the movie.

"Bottle Rocket" tells the story of a small time thieves trio: Dignan (Owen Wilson), Anthony (Luke Wilson) & Bob (Robert Musgrave). One of the strongest points of the film is that the characters are so well developed that it's easy to feel identified with them. Plus, the story is a breath of fresh air, something that is difficult to see frequently in these days.

Definitely this is a sweet little movie. Recommendable for indie films lovers.

Subtle, Cerebral Humor, A Classic Film From The 1990's!

This movie grabbed my attention the first time I rented it at my local videostore for it's low key atmosphere and entertaining storyline. The highly persistent (if not entirely insane) Dignan, played by Owen Wilson has got to be one of the most memorable character portrayals in any movie I've ever seen. The slow pace of the movie makes everything just right (you won't be blown away by special effects, unless you consider an altogether cerebral script pyrotechnic) but you will come away from this movie with a sense of adventure and a deep desire for one yourself. The fact that this movie is practically a remake of an earlier project adds even more to its appeal. The caper scenes are hilarious, the dialogue will make you think as well as laugh, and you will come away from this movie with a new appreciation for film making in general. It's not all about explosions after all. And you will find yourself scaring the hell out of your friends when for no reason at all you start screaming "Ka-Caw, Ka-Caw!". If you like this movie check out Rushmore, also directed by Wes Anderson.

a glimpse of things to come

Bottle Rocket is a film by Wes Anderson, who, along with actor Owen Wilson wrote this fantastic film full of smart humor and unique directing. Everything done in the film is intentional, such as the outfits worn and the colors used in the background. Anderson's unique visual style along with Owen Wilson's hysterical comedic delivery make this film an absolute keeper. It stars 3 would be criminals who hold up a bookstore and then run off and hide in an unknown remote hotel. The trio leaves at a burst of catastrophe which involves one of the characters brother who has trouble with the law. The end result is a final commission from a big wig thief (James Caan) whom Owen Wilson's character idolizes to rob an old factory. The story drags a bit at the hotel sequence, but the hysterical finale makes it all worthwhile. I must mention as well that the characters are great and very unique in that each of their personalities has something massively easy to remember.

The dvd has no extras, and seeing as the film is spawned off of a 30 minute short of the same name, it would have been great to see some extras treatment. Comparitively, the commentary track and extras that were piled onto the Criterion Collections "Rushmore" dvd make you wish even more that "Bottle Rocket" could have gotten at least something(Anderson and Wilson's commentary in "Rushmore" open the eyes of the viewer to so many great things that most likely would have gone unnoticed..how much more for this one!). Yet as it stands, I think we are lucky this film is on dvd at all.

The music is wonderful, completely unique, and adds to every scene. The humor in the movie is comparable to Anderson's other film "Rushmore" as well as the hidden gem "Safe Men" in that it is very dialogue driven. Fans of "Tommy Boy" or "Ace Ventura" may not enjoy the humor quite as much. It is like "Waiting for Guffman" in that the first time you see it you may laugh out loud a bit, but you will quote the movie for weeks after. The second viewing is always the best, and each time after I have noticed different expressions from the characters and laughed in many different places. So give it a try and check out something new. This is Owen Wilsons first movie, Wes Anderson's first feature film, and it is the first of (hopefully) many collaborative efforts to come. Also check out "Rushmore" and the soon to be born "Royal Tenenbaums".

I gave the dvd 4/5 stars due to the lack of the extras, but the print is clean, it can be viewed in either wide or full screen, and the movie-though not flawless-is one of a kind.

A FINE EXAMPLE OF INDEPENDENT CINEMA.

The movie "Bottle Rocket" was widely ignored in 1996, but after a few years, the film has gradually gain respect and fans. "Bottle Rocket" was directed by the great indie director Wes Anderson, who wrote the screenplay along Owen Wilson, one of the main characters of the movie.

"Bottle Rocket" tells the story of a small time thieves trio: Dignan (Owen Wilson), Anthony (Luke Wilson) & Bob (Robert Musgrave). One of the strongest points of the film is that the characters are so well developed that it's easy to feel identified with them. Plus, the story is a breath of fresh air, something that is difficult to see frequently in these days.

Definitely this is a sweet little movie. Recommendable for indie films lovers.

Subtle, Cerebral Humor, A Classic Film From The 1990's!

This movie grabbed my attention the first time I rented it at my local videostore for it's low key atmosphere and entertaining storyline. The highly persistent (if not entirely insane) Dignan, played by Owen Wilson has got to be one of the most memorable character portrayals in any movie I've ever seen. The slow pace of the movie makes everything just right (you won't be blown away by special effects, unless you consider an altogether cerebral script pyrotechnic) but you will come away from this movie with a sense of adventure and a deep desire for one yourself. The fact that this movie is practically a remake of an earlier project adds even more to its appeal. The caper scenes are hilarious, the dialogue will make you think as well as laugh, and you will come away from this movie with a new appreciation for film making in general. It's not all about explosions after all. And you will find yourself scaring the hell out of your friends when for no reason at all you start screaming "Ka-Caw, Ka-Caw!". If you like this movie check out Rushmore, also directed by Wes Anderson.

Owen-Wilson Movie Reviews

Related Subjects: Nicolas-Cage
More Pages: Owen-Wilson Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Search VHS Movie Review

Owen-Wilson Movie Reviews

Related Subjects: Nicolas-Cage More Pages: Owen-Wilson Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Search VHS Movie Review

Related Subjects: Nicolas-Cage
More Pages: Owen-Wilson Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8