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| Hippy's Favourite Film Festival | |
| Best Musical Films | |
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Billy The Kid and The Green Baize Vampire
--SYNOPSIS-- --REVIEW-- Breaking Glass
The story of a young punk singer who rises from obscurity to the peak of her profession only to be drowned under the pressure of it all. A plausible rags to riches tale which precedes, and almost mirrors, the real life story of, starring actress and singer, Hazel O'Conner. A fair number of good songs with a wide variety of musical styles. Hazel O'Conner achieved a UK hit with, "Will You", ( with its haunting saxaphone solo ) but perhaps the most poignant number is the climactic, "If Only". Bugsy Malone
A comic spoof of late 1930's gangster land with all the parts played by children. One of Alan Parker's most successful films although it isn't clear as to whether it is the children or the adults that this film is aimed at. The songs, music and choreography can be hardly faulted but there is always a nagging feeling of paedophilia at play. The casting of so many young people in such mature roles makes it both a success and somewhat dubious at the same time. Taken at face value it is one of the best films that has ever come out of the UK. It is certainly one of the most entertaining and will appeal to both children and adults at the same time. Cabaret
Singer, Sally Bowles, stars at the Kit Kat Klub in thirties Berlin Closely paralleling the play, I Am A Camera, and, more losely, the Broadway musical of the same name, Cabarat, created the iconic image of pert faced Minnelli complete with basque, stockings, suspenders and high heels; a sexual goddess against a backdrop of rising nazi anti-semitism. By cleverly interleaving the music of the cabaret, the personal romantic relationships between Bowles, her English lover and his German, gay, lover, the reality of life in thirties Berlin with the cutting wit of the cabaret MC, this is a film which can be enjoyed on many levels. The full spectrum of emotions can be found somewhere is this film which is exciting, entertaining, romantic, depressingly sad and a frightening expose of anit-semitism; and the musical numbers are great. The film has a slight air of datedness about it, and I never have really liked Michael York, but its Acadamy recognition is well deserved. It's well worth a viewing as there will, at least, be something about it which you will like. Jesus Christ Superstar
A group of young hippies re-enact the life of Christ. Melvin Bragg co-wrote this interpretation of the now, somewhat, dated Lloyd-Webber Rock Opera. A mixture of rock music, dance, scenary, fantasy and religion the film has somewhat lost its vibrance in the post-hippy era, but, as a brief, and untraditional, guide to the life of Christ, it is highly recommended. There are moments of great humour and sadness plus a couple of really good songs that make the film well worth watching. Koyaanisqatsi
Ko-Yaa-Nis-Katsi ( From the Hopi Language ) - Crazy life, life in turmoil, life disintegrating, life out of balance, a state of life that calls for another way of living A masterpiece of combined talent from Godfrey Reggio and Philip Glass. A collage of images from across America, using time-lapse and slow-motion photography, synchronised to an ambient rock composition; it is hard to tell which is the background to the other. The subsequent Powaqqatsi, giving the same treatment to the Third World, is a poor, not to say boring, imitation of this classic. Oh What a Lovely War
Word War I, with music Inspired by the stage show from Joan Littlewood and Charles Chilton, the transformation from to stage to film is not always as perfect as one would like it to be. Set primarily on Brighton's sea front, promenade and pier; the setting can be more of a distraction than a backdrop for those who know the area well. I fell in love with this play whilst involved in its production at school; the simplicity of the set, the frightening back projections of factual information, "The average life expectancy of a gunner at the front line is 45 seconds", coupled with a strong narrative and popular songs of the time made this an awe inspiring experience. The film is generally lacking in this awe and perhaps its biggest failing is in the rather chummy way in which it carries itself off some of the time. However, when it does take its serious turns, these are all the more powerful, being set against the gaity elsewhere. The final scene is extremely simplistic and emotionally painful. This is an anti-war film told in an unusual and intersting way. Whilst many who fought in the Wars perhaps dismissed the play and film as just part of the new sixties culture at the time, I can't help feeling that they will perhaps feel a little more empathy, and even sadness, these days. For the younger, or not so old, viewer; the film still carries its strong message potently and there are few other films where such a star studded cast could be found. Phantom of The Paradise
Faust meets rock in this satirical remake of the Phantom of the Opera. The traditional story is retold, set in a Rock Opera environment with the Opera replaced by a Pop Night Club. A good up-tempo alternative to the rather staid black and white horror classics. Rocky Horror Picture Show
Brad and Janet meet a transexual from Transylvania. This is the cult film. Based on the play by Richard O'Brian the film was a flop on its first release but gained phenomenal cult status due to midnight showings with the audience dressing up as their favourite charcters, chanting the dialogue and singing along to the songs. It all seems a little dated now, perhaps due to its familiarity, and the sound reproduction ( even on the CD ) never seemed to be that good. As an example of British film success it still holds its ground. Yellow SubmarineSee Animated Films | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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First published sometime before Tuesday the 16th of November, 1999
Last upload was on Wednesday the 7th of January, 2004 at 06:10:51 |
