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Film & TV on DVD - John Doe News & Reviews

 
Greetings Film Fiends and welcome to John Doe's Film Blog. 30 years of dedicated celluloid obsession has meant that I have seen a few films. Drawing attention to some of the lesser discussed gems that I love. Cult classics, obscure curios and quality genre pictures. This blogs purpose is to translate some of my passion for these films and with luck, inspire you the reader to go check em out.

Swingers (1996)-Footage Included

October 25th 2006 22:48
Swingers

Swingers
DVD Cover
Directoroug Liman
Writer:Jon Favreau

Starring:Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn, Ron Livingstone, Heather Graham, Alex Desert, Patrick van Horn

“Look, we're gonna spend half the night driving around the Hills looking for this one party and you're going to say it sucks and we're all gonna leave and then we're gonna go look for this other party. But all the parties and all the bars, they all suck. I spend half the night talking to some girl who's looking around the room to see if there's somebody else who's more important she should be talking to. And it's like I'm supposed to be all happy 'cause she's wearing a backpack, you know? And half of them are just nasty skanks who wouldn't be nothing except they're surrounded by a bunch of drunken horny assholes.”- Mike


A throwback to the rat pack era of hip, kool kats and a world of cocktails, cigars and broads, Swingers is a semi autobiographical tale that’s hilariously funny and surprisingly touching.

Opening to the ice cool warbling of Dean Martin singing “Somebody to Love”, the credits instantly cement the tone and theme of the film.


Aspiring actor Mike (Jon Favareau) is fresh to L.A and trying to lick his wounds after a heartbreaking split with his long term girlfriend.
“She won't call because you left. She's got her own life to deal with and that's in New York. She's a sweet girl and I love her to pieces, but fuck her, man. You got to get on with your life. You've got to let go of the past Mikey, and when you do, the future is beautiful.”-Rob

His loyal, never say die buddy Trent (Vince Vaughn) refuses to let his friend be dragged down, so he talks Mike into a late night Vegas mission. Hitting the casinos and working the dames Trent is endlessly positive and unflappable while Mike drags his feet and stumbles trying to get his mojo back.
“You take yourself out of the game, you start talking about puppy dogs and ice cream and of course it's going to end up on the friendship tip”.-Trent

Back in the city of Angels Mike and Trent are joined by Charles, Sue (a boy named) and Rob. Travelling in a pack they bounce from party to party, hotspot to hotspot, drinking, smoking stogies and giving us a first hand guide to the club scene etiquette, after dark rendezvous’ and a lot of witty pop culture banter and homage’s to cinema.
“That was so fucking money. That was like the Jedi mind-shit.”-Mike


Swingers
"We look so money, we are going to hipsville"

















John Doe says:
Often I slip this film in the DVD before I go out for a night on the town, just to get in the mood. Truth be told, more often I put it on to reminisce about the good old days when me and my buddies used to cruise Sydney till daybreak.

Starting life as a show reel (Resume) for Director Doug Liman(Bourne Identity, Go) and his acting buddies, once completed the studio put it in limited release.

The soundtrack is a jazzy concoction of the old and new school, blending like a smooth martini with the happening yesteryear slang of Frank, Dean, Sammy, Joey Bishopand Peter Lawford.

The script is the driving force measuring comedy and tenderness and the tailor fitted roles allow the energetic cast to slide into their characters.

Vince Vaughn(Made, Thumbsucker) has never been this good again, though he did come close in Clay Pigeons. Trent is a loud mouthed, arrogant, self absorbed fool that we should hate but Vinnies charm and confident delivery win us over, no small feat

Jon Favareau (Made, Elf, Zathura, The Big Empty) obviously knows his strengths and wrote himself a role that makes you wonder where the real Favareau ends and the acting begins. The same can be said for all the cast, you can tell they enjoy the chance to show their stuff.

Keep an eye out for a nod to Scorsese’s tracking shot in Goodfellas and a re-enactment of the credit sequence from Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs.

As with most things I review this isn’t to everyone’s taste and certainly caters to a niche market. If you enjoy smart comedies that have heart, or want a good date movie fans of Entourage will find much to rejoice about.


The DVD:
Tragically the Australian release is presented in a cropped 4:3 (Pan N Scan) transfer with only a 2.0 soundtrack. I suggest ordering the U.S version if your looking to own a copy, it comes in Widescreen/5.1 with extra features.


Below is a Scene from the film Swingers







Here is an amusing fan clip that uses dialogue from Swingers in the cantina from Star Wars.




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Comments
13 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Cibbuano

October 26th 2006 22:41
ha, Vince Vaughn looks so damn thin!

Actually, I think Vaughn has been playing the same character for years... his roles in Frat-Pack comedies have all been grown-up echoes of this movie...

Comment by Lizard68591

October 26th 2006 23:53
Nice post...if you ever want to read some reviews of current movies, just out my site

http://www.orble.com/saturday-morning-movie-club/

Comment by JohnDoe

October 27th 2006 23:00
Hi Cib, Im not a big fan of Vaughn, I really liked Swingers, Made and Clay Pigeons but after that he has done some terrible films.


Hi Lizard, thanks for dropping by,
I also do reviews for current movies, if you go to the in cinemas section of my blog, you will find a few. I havent been getting out as often as Id like....will check out your site soon.

Comment by Bryn

November 29th 2006 01:37
Dude,
this is like one of my all-time favourite comedies. It's up there with Withnail and I and This is Spinal Tap for sheer character brilliance, razor-sharp dialogue, and generally superb cumulative comedy writing.
I rate the screenplay very highly and own a cpy, as well as a Region 1 Special edition copy of the movie with shitloads of extras!

Comment by JohnDoe

November 29th 2006 04:14
Hi Bryn,

I got the US edition of this too, I refuse to watch it in Pan n Scan and the extras are a must.



Have you seen one called Free Enterprise, it has a similar vibe and is also very funny.

Also The Tao of Steve, all about a wanna be player who looks to the king of cool Mcqueen for guidance with the ladies.

Comment by Bryn

November 29th 2006 04:36
Free Enterprise sounds familiar. Best look it up at the local vid store, huh? Tao of Steve is a funny title ... will look that up too ... cheers mate!
I'm about to watch a movie highly recommended by my bro called Overnight about the screenwriter of The Boondock Saints who went to Hollywood and completely shot himself in the foot. You heard of it? Seen it??

Comment by JohnDoe

November 29th 2006 04:43
Sadly you can't get Free Enterprise or The Tao of Steve in Australia, the US DVDs are awesome Special Editions with glorious extra features.

Saw Overnight a few weeks ago and as a Boondock fan enjoyed it.

As an aspiring filmmaker though it is essential viewing, I was captivated at the practical examples of what not to do and how too much confidence and ego can destroy talent and charisma.


I just added Video clips to this post, above.

A fave scene from Swingers and a fan made Swingers/Star Wars salute

Comment by Bryn

November 29th 2006 05:43
Yes! I noticed that! The Star Swingers is bloody hilarious! I told friends to check it out!
So how do you upload youtube vids directly onto one's post ...?

Comment by JohnDoe

November 29th 2006 06:10
Star Swingers made me smile too.


Just message Cib and he will tell you exactly how to embed Youtube into your posts.....its simple once you know how.

So much more fun visiting the site too.

Comment by Cibbuano

June 18th 2007 23:04
jd, I've seen Tao of Steve, a long time ago.. I always quote it to guys trying to get their game on. A lot of clever writing in that one...

just rewatched swingers the other day and going to write a review...!


Comment by Bryn

June 19th 2007 02:13
What scares me .... I just had a vision of Swingers being remade in the next 8-10 years ... it's already 11 years old!

Comment by JohnDoe

June 19th 2007 08:19
Hi Cib,

Very sweet, I want Tao of Steve on DVD, just havent order it from the U.S yet.

Look forward to reading your review

Comment by JohnDoe

June 19th 2007 08:26
Don't talk that way Bryn! Though the time has flown.

Creepy you guys tap into this thread today, I was just setting out to do a review of Free Enterprise. It similar to Swingers in vibe and tone, cinephiles dealing with relationships, a quest to direct blended with a cascade of sci references and movie geekdom.

I think I just found the opening of my review....JD turns and exitsss, stage left. Heaven's to mergatroid!

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