about
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.
The Wicker Man
the one line review:
altogether much too weird
the overview
I got duped into renting this because I thought it was the forthcoming remake (that's not yet released). Watching it anyway thinking what the heck, I spent the whole film wondering WTF was going on. Perhaps having no knowledge of Pagan beliefs, and being a bit of a heathen myself, that affected me, but generally this is all a bit too happy clapper hippy nonsense for my liking.
the plot:
It's the 1970's, in the remote Scottish highlands the Sergeant of a the Highlands police gets an anonymous letter saying that a girl has gone missing on a remote island. He goes to investigate. When he arrives, he is confronted by complete and utter weirdness. People acting really odd, no-one making any sense, people claiming to not know the girl, even though she's registered in school and such like.
What he discovers is the Island supports a weird religious belief based on the rituals of Paganism. And in fact the missing girl is the least of his worries.
the verdict:
Objectively speaking, this film is actually pretty good. It's quite intriguing, and whilst, by todays standards, the production is terrible, it does keep your attention.
But it is reeeeealy weird all along. It feels a bit like a film version of Hi-de-hi meets The Village.
But if you like your less mainstream though provokers, if you have an interest in religion, then this is for you. If you prefer more straightforward straight down the line Hollywood blockbusters, then you're better off not bothering, or at least waiting for the remake in 2006 which is sure to ditch all the character of the film in favour of being more accessible (it's got Nic Cage in it for chrissakes).
(Having said all that, there are some scenes of nudity, as well as Brit Ekland getting her norks out.)
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