Didn't see a thread for this movie, so I thought it was fine time for one. So here we go....
Originally set for release on August 28th by Universal until given to the Independent division of Focus Features and rescheduled for release in just a couple of weeks, The Boat That Rocked was one of my most anticipated movies of the summer, and despite a change of title, studio, release date, and an article that stated it would be trimmed here in America, the film (now known as Pirate Radio) still remains one of my most anticipated for the year.
Even though I myself have already seen what International audiences have been enjoying for the last few months (thanks to a Blu-Ray I've imported from the UK. How I love region-free playback discs!), I'm still willing to pay admission to see the film on the big screen. Trimmed or not trimmed, this is undoubtedly one of the best times I've had with a movie this year and if for nothing else, the amazing soundtrack is the biggest reason behind it, featuring a lot of classic tunes (and some old ones I'll admit I've never heard of until this movie).
The cast is uniformally excellent, whith Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, and Tom Sturridge bringing in the best performances. The only slight fault I can find with the movie might be the script, which is just a little too episodic for my nature, but knowing that that was the intention (Richard Curtis has even stated in interviews that the biggest inspirations for the movie were Animal House and M*A*S*H, and it follows that formula quite well). Still, the execution of the material is so good that the script problem is just a minor hiccup.
It's hard to resist this movie. It fluctuates from being a very funny comedy to a very bittersweet film at times, and also has a finale that is just terrific. However, this is a film that will most likely split audiences down the middle You'll either love it or it will get on your nerves. Much like Love Actually did six years ago. Like I mentioned earlier though, the soundtrack is the only thing that might put it in between for some.
Which brings me into something else: The marketing Focus Features has created for the film. False advertising is the order of the day here it seems. First off, Philip Setymour Hoffman is not the ring leader. That's Bill Nighy's character. Jack Davenport's character mentions Hoffman's character is "the most famous broadcaster ever" which is not true. That reveal is for a different character entirely. and the biggest is that this is "inspired by True Events." The big problem there is not really that, but the way it exploits that information. The British government never actually banned rock 'n' roll on the radio. The truth was that BBC Radio only played about an hour or two of pop music a day (And these do not spoil anything, so I don't want to hear that I gave away anything because I really didn't). And while were at it, I feel bad that Universal/Focus is opening this as counter programming to 2012. Everyone will see that. Who know how many will actually see this? I know I will, but that might not be enough.
So....anyone else looking forward to Pirate Radio on November 13th?
Edited by Nicholas Vargo - 10/26/09 at 6:20pm
Originally set for release on August 28th by Universal until given to the Independent division of Focus Features and rescheduled for release in just a couple of weeks, The Boat That Rocked was one of my most anticipated movies of the summer, and despite a change of title, studio, release date, and an article that stated it would be trimmed here in America, the film (now known as Pirate Radio) still remains one of my most anticipated for the year.
Even though I myself have already seen what International audiences have been enjoying for the last few months (thanks to a Blu-Ray I've imported from the UK. How I love region-free playback discs!), I'm still willing to pay admission to see the film on the big screen. Trimmed or not trimmed, this is undoubtedly one of the best times I've had with a movie this year and if for nothing else, the amazing soundtrack is the biggest reason behind it, featuring a lot of classic tunes (and some old ones I'll admit I've never heard of until this movie).
The cast is uniformally excellent, whith Philip Seymour Hoffman, Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans, and Tom Sturridge bringing in the best performances. The only slight fault I can find with the movie might be the script, which is just a little too episodic for my nature, but knowing that that was the intention (Richard Curtis has even stated in interviews that the biggest inspirations for the movie were Animal House and M*A*S*H, and it follows that formula quite well). Still, the execution of the material is so good that the script problem is just a minor hiccup.
It's hard to resist this movie. It fluctuates from being a very funny comedy to a very bittersweet film at times, and also has a finale that is just terrific. However, this is a film that will most likely split audiences down the middle You'll either love it or it will get on your nerves. Much like Love Actually did six years ago. Like I mentioned earlier though, the soundtrack is the only thing that might put it in between for some.
Which brings me into something else: The marketing Focus Features has created for the film. False advertising is the order of the day here it seems. First off, Philip Setymour Hoffman is not the ring leader. That's Bill Nighy's character. Jack Davenport's character mentions Hoffman's character is "the most famous broadcaster ever" which is not true. That reveal is for a different character entirely. and the biggest is that this is "inspired by True Events." The big problem there is not really that, but the way it exploits that information. The British government never actually banned rock 'n' roll on the radio. The truth was that BBC Radio only played about an hour or two of pop music a day (And these do not spoil anything, so I don't want to hear that I gave away anything because I really didn't). And while were at it, I feel bad that Universal/Focus is opening this as counter programming to 2012. Everyone will see that. Who know how many will actually see this? I know I will, but that might not be enough.
So....anyone else looking forward to Pirate Radio on November 13th?
Edited by Nicholas Vargo - 10/26/09 at 6:20pm
