Page 1 of What I watched this week (w/e July 29th)

On DVD:

The 4400 Season 2 - This had been sitting on my shelf for ages and, despite now watching season four, this was only marginally confusing and a fine drama/sci-fi series. :)

Kidnapped/Rabid Dogs - Two edits of the same film involving a gang of robbers who hijack a car with a man and sick boy inside, taking with them the money they have stolen and a woman they kidnapped. Mario Bava maintains a high level of tension and the film works despite the dodgy dubbing. :)

Queen of Blood - It was extremely ambitious of Curtis Harrington to predict in 1966 that humans would have ventured to Mars and Venus and explored them, finding no signs of life. With a cast including Dennis Hopper, John Saxon and Basil Rathbone, this is nearly a `so bad it`s good` sci-fi movie, but it`s just not bad enough! :(

The Battle of Algiers - A great movie that is as relevant as a guide on how to win the battle but lose the war now as it was in 1966. :D
Extra Features - The Criterion studio have really pushed the boat out with hours of extras spread over three discs.

If.... - Superb - full review on the site.
The Messengers - Poor - full review on the site.
Phat Girlz - Terrible - full review to follow in the next couple of days.

Television

England vs India end of first test plus second test - India were lucky to escape with a draw in the first test and used the conditions well on the first day of the second to skittle England and made hay while the sun shone to put themselves in a commanding position. England will have to bat for two whole days just to secure a draw.

O Lucky Man! - Mick Travis returns in this loose sequel to `If....` as a coffee salesman whose experiences go from bad to worse.

About time I contributed, instead of just reading.

Knocked Up - Really really awesome, managed to get into a free preview screening a couple of hours ago. Its really really funny. I`d actually go as far as saying its better than his last effort the 40 year old virgin (which I loved 8) ) and that takes some doing.
I hope this does for Rogen what it did for Carrell, as he`s got that kind of loveable charm about him even when swearing his head off.
As with the previous film its quite predictable & straight forward, but there`s some very touching moments and some great work from all involved & the best Meg Ryan joke I ever heard.

Cannot wait for Superbad, I think it might just top both.

"Dont mention the zed word"

Pretty busy week David? Normally you`re updates are about twice as long!

To contribute, i watched "On Her Majesty`s Secret Service". Interesting movie. Not sure i`d seen it before. The start feels quite modern, but then the latent (and sometimes blatent) misogyny comes through.

Although it was entertaining and i liked the ending, it didn`t really feel like a Bond film. No gadgets that i can recall, very little fighting or secret agenty type stuff. Fairly pedestrian stuff really for much of the film.

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I was watching cricket and catching up on some reading so there was less time to watch DVDs although The Battle of Algiers took me about two days to watch, as did season two of The 4400. The piles of unread books and unwatched DVDs never seem to get any smaller!