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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.

Television - Film & TV on DVD

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TV Clip of the Moment - Joseph Gordon-Levitt's tribute to Singin' In The Rain

November 27th 2009 23:01

Joseph Gordon-Levitt just wants to make the SNL crowd Laugh

joseph gordon levitt, snl, saturday night live, singing in the rain, make em laugh

Joseph Gordon Levitt hosts Saturday Night Live

A pair of JDM TV Clips of the Moment within two days, seems it’s been a good week for the small screen.

For John Doe Joseph Gordon-Levitt ranks as possibly the best actor of the new generation. The former 3rd Rock from the Sun child star chooses his roles with a seeming indifference to convention. The bravery of his performance in Mysterious Skin is evidence-par excellence of this point. Equally pleasing was his refined presence in the film-noir-in-a-high school indie treat Brick.

joseph gordon levitt, brick, mysterious skin

Joseph looking smooth

Shamefully JD has yet to see the much lauded rom-com with a difference (500) Days of Summer but has no doubt that Gordon-Levitt will again leave an impression. It is amusing that the one time the lad has gone in for the paycheck vehicle with G.I Joe his face is masked for most of the proceedings, a sly nod to his discomfort at the whoring nature of the industry perhaps?

Regardless of what preceded it, last week the young star hosted Saturday Night Live and again delivered above and beyond the call of duty. While many who have come through the hallowed NBC halls to stand centre stage on the cult show seem content to rest on their laurels (read sleepwalk through it) the man with the hyphenated surname again was willing to risk embarrassment.

donald o'connor, singin' in the rain, make em laugh

Donald O'Connor in the original number "Make Em Laugh"

Performing in front of a live studio audience, without the use of a net he chose to perform a musical number. Not just any singing and dancing comedy act mind you, but a true classic moment of cinema. “Make Em Laugh” originally performed by Donald O'Connor in Singing In the Rain is a benchmark that few would attempt to salute in this MTV generation, but for JGL it seems to just be further evidence of his indelible cool and love of celluloid history.

Combined with his later parody of the seminal 80’s John Cusack gem Say Anything this all just adds up to John Doe being even more enamored with his work and eager to heap more praise on the thespian at every turn.

To view the complete episode of SNL hosted by Joseph Gordon-Levitt by clicking HERE

Watch Joseph Gordon Levitt backflip his way through “Make ‘Em Laugh”

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Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Television, Comedy, TV Clip of the Moment

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TV Clip of the Moment - The Muppet’s Bohemian Rhapsody

November 25th 2009 23:47

A Queenly salute to Rock n Roll Royalty.

jim henson, muppets, bohemian rhapsody, puppet, muppet show

Jim Henson and his most famous creation exposed

John Doe knows he is not alone in his love affair with the puppeteer maestro Jim Henson and all the imaginative creations that sprung from his fantastic cerebrum (The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth etc).

The ebullient response JD got to his reviewing Season 1 of the seminal variety show and sharing The Muppet Movie Poster Collection provides more than enough impetus for Johnny to post this latest musical delight from the timeless masters of childish mayhem.

queen, bohemian rhapsody, classic rock, freddie mercury

Take a good look, you may never see Bohemian Rhapsody the same way

Always aware of their parodies place in the lexicon of pop culture and respecting the inspirations obsessive fan base. Here the personality disordered, eccentric cloth creations rework Queen’s epic rock anthem Bohemian Rhapsody with hilarious results.

Pure genius, it’s hard cite a favourite moment with the “Swedish Chef”, “Beeker” and “Gonzo’s Chickens” all bringing their A-Game to harmonized hilarity. “Animal” goes off on his own mama frenzied tangent and that bovine bitch Miss Piggy naturally thinks it’s all about “moi”.

So grab a coffee, make sure you aren’t sipping it as you press play and bask in magical delight that proves truly great art never ages, it just evolves.

The Muppet’s do Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

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Posted By: JohnDoe - Category: Animated, Television, TV Clip of the Moment

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John Doe’s 15 Favourite Horror TV Shows : Part 2

November 9th 2009 22:02

Part 2: John Doe's Favourite Horror TV Anthologies.

Read Part 1- John Doe's favourite Horror Series by clicking HERE

twilight zone, rod serling, science fiction, horror, tv classic

Eye of the Beholder - A John Doe favourite from The Twilight Zone

Now that you have read Part One, which was JD’s favourite horror TV series, continuing sagas told chapter by chapter, episode by episode. Now comes the staple of the small screen genre. Compilations of short stories, only linked by their common intent, these are the Anthologies where each episode is a stand alone tale.

The Anthologies

masters of horror, dvd, john carpenter, takshi miiike, john landis, horror tv

The temptation of the Masters of Horror

Masters of Horror (2005)
With episodes Directed by John Landis (An American Werewolf in London), John Carpenter (Halloween), Takashi Miike (Audition), Mick Garris, Lucky McKee (May), Dario Argento (Suspiria), Joe Dante (The Howling), Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator) and Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) do I need to waste anymore words in telling you this a terror treat of the top tier?

Here are trailers for John Doe's two favourite episodes:

John Carpenters Cigarette Burns

Takishi Miike's Imprint

twilight zone, , night gallery, rod serling, science fiction, horror, tv classic

The most influential shows on TV?

Rod Serling’s Twilight Zone (1959) and Night Gallery (1970)
Few series have ever had as much longevity as this pair of brain mutating, social commentary laden exercises in intellectual potpourri. Every week a new mystery, every 7 days a revelation and all episodes ranged from good to classic with numerous unforgettable episodes feeding the imagination. Need I say a trip to The Outer Limits was equally enjoyable?

Cast Included: Lee Marvin, Cliff Robertson, Martin Landau
Directors included: Stuart Rosenberg (Cool hand Luke), Don Siegel (Invasion of the Body Snatchers), and Richard Donner (The Omen).

alfred hitchcock presents, horror tv, great directors, thriller

Alfred Hitchcock sheepishly surrenders to his critics

Alfred Hitchcock presents (1955)
That rotund refiner of tension and suspense Alfred Hitchcock hosted this quality selection of macabre short stories with his trademarked dark wit. Hitch also Directed 17 episodes himself and like other anthologies listed AHP contained a slew of memorable guest stars.

Cast Included: Charles Bronson and Walter Matthau
Directors Included: Steven Spielberg (Jaws), Robert Altman (The Long Goodbye)
Writers Included: Ray Bradbury, Roald Dahl

tales from the crypt, horror tv, tv on dvd

All the Crypt keeper you can handle on DVD

Tales from the Darkside (1984) & Tales from the Crypt (1989)
Inspired by the 1950’s comic books, forever entwined by their similar format and distinctly 80’s nostalgia, who can forget the extroverted Crypt Keepers cackle opening. Piled high with grotesque and maniacal intent this duo balanced wrongful giggles and genuine frights to ensure its destiny of warping a generation of young minds.

Crypt Writers Included: Frank Darabont (The Mist) and Walter Hill (The Warriors)
Crypt Directors Included; Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future), Russell Mulcahy (Highlander), Richard Donner (The Omen)

Darkside Directors Included: Tom Savini
Darkside Writers Included: Stephen King

night stalker, night strangler, vampires, horror tv, darren mcgavin

The Stalker and Strangler together on DVD

Richard Matheson’s The Night Stalker (1972), Trilogy of Terror (1975) & Dead of Night (1977)
After cross pollinating with Rod Serling on The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery writer Richard Matheson (I Am Legend, The Box) was the major creative force behind the vampire TV movie The Night Stalker and its sequel The Night Strangler. Matheson then contributed to the quality anthology series Trilogy of Terror and Dead of Night.

the hitchhiker, horror tv, hbo, television

The Hitchhiker thumbing its finger at the censors

The Hitchhiker (1983)
Edgy, erotic and graphic, all served with a slice of cheese and a side of imaginative beef. The thrilling, sometimes demented show The Hitchhiker is a perfect example of how HBO changed the television landscape forever challenging what was acceptable by thumbing a ride on the horror express.

Directors include – Phillip Noyce (Backroads) and Mike Hodges (Get Carter)

Dark Shadows (1966)
Vampires, Ghosts and other supernatural characters populate the story of the wealthy Collins family from Collinport Maine. Directed by Dan Curtis (Trilogy of Terror, Night Stalker) this gothic horror soap opera had the vibe of live theatre often filmed on the fly, there has been nothing quite like since.

Here is the opening to the Dark Shadows pilot, gnaw on the juicey overt seriousness