oscar@utcsrgv.UUCP (Oscar M. Nierstrasz) (05/14/84)
Privates on Parade (Blakemore, Michael; GB; 1982; 95m) This looked like it would be *really* bad, but I read some ok reviews so I decided to check it out. It wasn't *that* bad, but it wasn't anything special either. The biggest problem is that it couldn't decide what sort of a movie it wanted to be -- an out-and-out farce or a semi-serious piece of satire. Unfortunately it wasn't funny enough to succeed as farce, and it wasn't believable enough to work as satire. It was Catch-22 written by an acid-burnout with nothing to say. Good points? Well, John Cleese makes me laugh no matter *what* he does. He did a perfect impression of John Cleese, so that made me happy. The allegedly risque homo-humour (which has for some unfathomable reason been compared to `La Cage Aux Folles') is exceedingly tame and guaranteed to offend no one. There are a few good laughs, but precious few, however. The fact that the level of professionalism in the acting and in the film-making was tolerably high didn't make up for the weaknesses in the script. If you go, don't go with high expectations, and *don't* expect anything even vaguely reminiscent of Monty Python. And definitely don't go if you have to spend more than 99 cents. Oscar Nierstrasz
jack@hp-dcde.UUCP (05/19/84)
re: Privates on Parade This confusing film was painful to endure. It couldn't decide whether to be a farce or a tragedy. John Cleese had a few bright moments of physical comedy, but Charlie Chaplin couldn't have saved this bomb. Don't see it even if I they *pay* you $4.50! -Jack Applin (hplabs!hp-dcd!jack) P.S.: (I feel compelled to say something kind about the movie, so here it is:) Perhaps it was full of humour that was understandable only to Britons. It sure confused us four Americans!
Curbow.ES@XEROX.ARPA (07/17/84)
I saw this film this weekend, and if you enjoy Monty Python you probably will too. It stars John Cleese as an acting-Captain of the British Army stationed in Malasia in 1948. He believes that he missed out on World War II, and believes that World War III is about to start any minute. Unfortunately, he commands a Song and Dance corps (USO type outfit). The star of this group is a middle age gay guy who calls everyone by female names, including Jessica Christ aka Jesus Christ. There is also a naive guy from intelligence who falls in love. And a gun running sargent. Very strange, perhaps offensive, not very strong on plot, but still funny. It is playing thru Thursday at the Royal on Pico in West L.A.