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You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.

You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.

Chopper

the verdict:

Watched "Chopper" last night. It's the dramatisation of Mark Brandon Read's bestselling books about his lunatic life. It's quite an experience. There's something about the Australian inflection that makes the stabbing and shooting somehow comical. Don't get me wrong, this guy is a psycho of the highest calibre, and the film is very serious in a fruitloop kind of way, but it's made enjoyable by the slightly humourous take they've done with it. Eric Banana (of Incredible Hulk fame) does a good job portraying Chopper. Classic moments include Chopper saying (after he's been stabbed 7 or times by his best mate) "Ah, that's alright mate." and giving him a hug. And when questioned why he'd driven a bloke to hospital (who he'd incidentally just shot) saying "No I didn't drive him to hospital. That sort of negates the reason for shooting him" (or words to that effect).

It's blatantly clear that Chopper is a media hungry madman, living off any scrap of fame and stardom he receives from his antics. It's quite amazing that a film like this, which essentially glamourises one man allegedly killing 19 people and getting away with it, who now lives scot free in a farm in Tasmania, was ever made. The interviews with him (in the special features on the DVD) say it all really.

He makes an interesting point... about students. How some people spend 4 or more years of their life at University getting degrees and going nowhere with their life. And he can't even spell yet he's a bestselling author. Interesting.

It's a good film, and worth a watch.