Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Hi there, I'm That Indie Reviewer, you stay classy San Diego. Yes, the ever popular Anchorman has passed my radar and I'm determined to review it. Amassing a major cult following due to it's blend of surreal, absurd and verbal comedy, the film is considered one of the best comedy's of the past decade (not to big a deal how many good ones have actually come during this time!). It even manged to get a sequel, which I actually enjoyed more.

Starring Will Farrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell and so many more, the film takes place in a 1970's News broadcaster (Which caught me by surprise, I thought it took place in the 2000's). And like most areas of occupation post 1960's woman rights activities, it is riddled with sexism and perverts with really bad hair (just don't say that to Bergundy). Introduce a little anarchy, upset the established order and everything becomes chaos. That agent of chaos is Veronica Corningstone, the first female anchor on live news.

The entire plot follows Ron, and his friends Champ, Fantana and Brick, as they try to maintain the status quo and keep women in their "Rightful place". Laced throughout is the growing rivalry between Ron and Veronica, the war between news stations and the bizarre world of the Seventies (But hell, what a decade for film). Each character has his distinctive trope, Brick being completely dense, Champ being obsessed with sports and violence, Fantana as the ultimate schmoozer and Ron essentially acting as God despite not knowing how to appropriately speak to a woman ("I like lamp"...really?). And the story progresses the same way as a python film with surreal slapstick, quotable lines and quirky characters. 

When I say that each characters has his distinctive trope, I mean that the female characters written for the movie are few and bland. Instead of an equally quirky or strange female lead, we have a straight laced, no nonsense, quite standard mirror personality. She exists only for the sake of the plot and for jokes to be bounced off of. I was sitting there wishing, why don't you do something funny?, defy all the standard classifications of being the straight female and contribute. Also I found the comedy to be inconsistent within the movie. A majority of the film's comedy is verbal, with some good physical thrown in their for good measure. But then it breaks it's own protocol by throwing a bizarre scene or form of slapstick that doesn't relate to the rest of the film. It's supposed to be a challenge against the mans world of the seventies, as romanticized in film, and placed in a realistic environment where sexism and objectification are taken by no woman. Then we get the famous fight scene between news stations. Out of context, it's funny, within context, it's kind of confusing. 

But this is worth the rental. All manner of quotable, strange dialog exists, along with hilarious performances by Farrell and Steve (sounds like a comedy duo!), a decent plot and interesting theme on sexism in the workplace and the power men hold. We should be open to change, we should be accepting, we should compromise for equal rights. There are so many lines to choose from and too many scene's to list. Some of my favorites include "sex panther", prank calls, credits banter and "prompter malfunction". It's worth a second, even a third viewing with friends. I'd give it 7/10 stars for its memorable and funny cast, script and slapstick.

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What did you think of the film? Please leave a comment and share, I would be much obliged. So Stay classy, all you smelly pirate hookers!

Top 10 Saddest Film Deaths

Movie death's, why are they so heart-breaking? Aside for the fact that these characters don't exist, why do we care for their fate, they're not relevant in our lives, we have only gotten to know some of them within a half hour or less and then watch their life play out  on the big screen. This is a testament to the efforts of not only the actors, but the directors, writers, cinematographers and animators who managed to convey so much character, passion and emotion to the audience to make us sob our eyes dry. I am considering doing the same in July for TV month, so get your choices in quick! Without further ado, here are your top 10 picks. Spoiler's (of course that goes without saying)!

10. Maximus-Gladiator

According to many fanatics of history that I have talked to gladiator is a very accurate portrayal of life in Roman times. But one does not simply judge a film by its historical inaccuracy, but its emotional spectrum of cheering in the victory of the battle and the following tragedy of death. Maximus fought for the return to the glory of the Roman empire,  a dream and died a martyr for that cause. He earned his redemption in a scene highlighted by tense action and a haunting score by Hans Zimmer. 

  9. Roy Batty-Blade Runner

I bet Ridley Scott just loves killing of beloved and intriguing characters in the most heart wrenching way imaginable. This film not only shaped the future of Sci Fi, but also created the most thought provoking death monologues ever improvised (seriously,  Rutger Hauer improvised the entire monologue bringing the crew to tears). Listening to this you may hear echo's of this speech in everything from Doctor Who to Futurama. Poigniant in its presentation,  we finally believe that the murderous android Batty has truely become more human than us humans. Symbolic and upsetting, we truly acknowledge his attempts to extend his life as the strongest of needs and dreams found in all men.

  8. Mufasa-The Lion King

Growing up,  no child could ever miss, or even forget for that matter, the death of Mufasa. As well as being the most graphic,  disturbing and heartbreaking moments in Disney,  it also strikes a chord with those who have lost someone important in their lives. Whether it be a mother, father, grandparent, etc., we as an audience feel united and connect to young Simba's loss.

  7. Giant-The Iron Giant

Here we see a case of conflicting tears. We don't know whether to cry in anguish that a friend whom we have speng an entire movie trying to understand, is so willing to sacrifice himself for the greater good or to shed tears of joy that he could finally chose what to be and not be the predetermined destroyer of man that he was built for. As he leaves everything behind to ascend to space his final words show us the inevitable emergence of a soul bound in heart of steel.

  6.Green Mile 

You cannot imagine the power film can have on you, unless you have seen The Green Mile. As we see the progression of time, how the innocent and mystical John Coffey became a friend to the guards and saved the lives of many, his final moments are bleak and depressing. Not only for his conviction despite his innocence, but that we must continue to live in a world of greed and corruption.  

  5. Ellie-Up

Its the belief of many that if Pixar had put "The End" after the first ten minutes, the audience would have been satisfied. We recieve a montage of the shortest presented animated couple, from early age to the ripe age of maturity,  these kindred spirits portray the most tender romance recorded in film. But comes crashing down as old age catches up with lovers and nothing can be done.

  4.  Darth Vader-Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi                                From being the most ruthless and evil villains to grace the silver screen to becoming the true hero of the galaxy, the prophesy came full circle as we finally see Anikin become the Jedi he was born to be,  but at a high cost. Redeemed and content with his victory, accepting death as a friend he looks upon his son with proud and loving eye's. 

  3. Severus Snape-Harry Potter the Deathly Hallows part II

Why do the good die young, and yet the brooding antihero who misled the audience into believing he was an asshole making us all feel guilty that we misjudged him die at the age of 102 (50 in muggle years). But what we feel for severus isn't pity or anger, but sympathy, living a lie to protect those he loved more than anything. 

  2. Everyone-Titanic

I will admit, I grew up with this movie as my favourite. Mainly because of the sinking. But it's fame as the movie that made grown men cry is not undeserving. Performed and directed in good taste and with incredible accuracy. As the moving song nearer my god to thee plays on, we see just to what extent the damage that ego and frugality can have on the lives of others. Their lives were lost in vain, many unknown lost and merely a statistic to compare against.

  1. Gandalf-The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

One would be surprised to see a fantasy film top our list, but I truely believe that even though Gandalf returns, even though he did fight the Balrog from the mountains depths to it's peak,  his sacrifice to save the lives of his friends and allies is not without loss. With a powerful defence and a proclaimed YOU SHALL NOT PASS, his efforts are in vain as he is pulled to his death and my favorite piece by Howard Shore plays through the friends mourning the loss of Gandalf. But if that's not enough, then how about the ending to Return of the King, as the elves, Gandalf and Frodo part ways and Aragon is finally crowned as king of Gondor. Now that was heartbreaking to see it all end.

There you have it, my top ten.  What deaths do you tear up the most at. Please leave a comment and tell me what list or movie you would like to see on this sight in the future. Here are some runners up.

X-Men: Day's of Future Past

Freaking X-Men! What is it that makes them so appealing? I mean, we have had two films based entirely around Wolverine and they bombed with audiences and critics worldwide. The third installment of the original trilogy is considered to have pretty much butchered the famed Phoenix saga (I personally didn't mind it too much) and there are only three films that are considered great by both Comic aficionado's, film critic's and casual audience goer's; X-Men, X2 and First Class. And yeah, they were great. But who would've guessed that a film that combined both the old and new cast would be so epic!(Pretty much everybody)

Going into this film, I was excited, coming out of it I was pumped. To see in full, pristine 3D IMAX Wolverine, Professor X and Magneto was a just a jolt. I wanted to watch all the X-Men films immediately after, even Last stand (But not Origins, that was stupid). But my hype for the movie aside, was the film any good? Was the fast paced action, love letter to fanboys and homage to one of the most famous Marvel comics of all time enough to seat it's position as one of the great superhero movies alongside the Avenger's, The Dark Knight and Captain America 2?

In the not too distant future, Sentinels (Mutant hunting robot's), roam the Earth hunting humans and mutants. The remaining survivors, including Professor X, Magneto, Colossus, Wolverine, Storm, Kitty Pryde, Iceman, etc, band together to enact Plan Z. Sending Wolverine's conscience back in time to a younger form of his body. In 1973, Bolivar Trask is developing the Sentinel programme using Mutant DNA, Mystique is hunting him down and Charles has become a recluse. Wolverine and his...bone claws search out to reunite the X-Men and hopefully change the future.

Well let's see, we need to send a person back in time to change the past and the course of history, which is a Grandfather paradox, where the event which sent the victim back in time is cancelled out thus negating it's existence, so that's one problem. The other is a lack of characters familiar to us. We spent three movies getting to know the team and a little over a quarter remain. But the icing on the cake for me is a lack of Rogue. In fact, Bryan Singer explained that her scenes where unnecessary and took away tension from the film. While it may be true, many felt they could have seen more of the main character from the first movie. As for me...yeah, it pisses me off. Moving on.

The treat of seeing a film like this is seeing the characters whom we have grown to like from the both era's combine. In fact, I was actually tearing up at one scene in particular, when Charles met his older self. It was tender, inspiring and powerful, how a man can come so far to losing everything, what's always the strongest redemption is hope. I quite like hope, hope's a good emotion. Also, as usual, the acting is fantastic all round, with great performances and chemistry, especially between Magneto(Michael Fassbender) and Mystique(Jennifer Lawrence). Peter Dinklage is also superb; intimidating and calculating, yet in way over his head (No pun intended). I am still a bit disappointed that the present day heroes get little screen time compared to the first class, but the pacing of the film allows for easy transitions between past and future. We will see the future struggle and the past selves in a race against time to get this task done before they are all killed.

And I should say it, even if it's not necessary, the action is fantastic. This is the first time I see superheroes fighting using portals and lasers and ice breath. It's a true spectacle. Some great action sequences include the character Quicksilver running around the room and rearranging everything as a trap for the guards while they are firing their guns, the opening battle, and the closing battle against the sentinels. Brought to life using stellar visual effects. This is accompanied in some area's by witty dialog and great comedic moment's. My favorite is Charles's hypocritical attitude towards violence.  

SPOILERS!

Then we have the ending and by god it is fantastic! Not only does it clear the way for better sequels, but it changes major aspects of the characters we know. They were speaking earlier about how a stream if disturbed will continue to flow. Well another rule follow's, changing history has a ripple effect, distorting the image in many ways if disturbed. Who know's, maybe this universe has more colorful costumes, Rogue has super-strength and flight and the events of Last stand, origins and the Wolverine never happened. The slickest reboot of all time, right under our noses and it leaves us with such great expectations for how this story will continue. Heck, maybe they will discover a wormhole caused by Apocalypse that will lead them to meet Iron Man, Captain America and Thor.

Fantastic movie, worth at least two re-watches and buying on DVD, at least I will, Anna Paquin's lost scenes will be included.««««««««««

So have you seen this movie and what did you think? If you haven't, why don't you? Click the no comment below to post. Do you like the blog? Updates out every Sunday, given my extra time, plus another TV month in July.