“Pirate Radio/The Boat That Rocked”
a review by Darby O’Gill
Hands down, the feel good movie of the year! Before Howard Stern, and even before Wolfman Jack, a band of rogue deejays rocked the airwaves. In 1966, at the height of the British Invasion, rock and roll was only allowed to be played on British radio stations for barely two hours a week. The only way people in the U.K. could listen to rock or pop music was by tuning into pirate radio stations broadcasting 
from boats just off the coast of Britain in the North Sea. In Pirate Radio, previously released as The Boat That Rocked, earlier this year in the U.K., writer/director Richard Curtis tells a fictional story based on the true events of Britain’s rock and roll revolution. Broadcasting live 24/7 from an old tanker turned makeshift radio station, anchored just outside British jurisdiction, is a band of misfit deejays known as Radio Rock.
The story begins when Young Carl is sent by his mother to the ship known as Radio Rock, to spend time with his godfather Quentin, the owner of the radio station, who is played by the always brilliant Bill Nighy. It’s very much a coming of age story, and I think the British equivalent to Cameron Crowe’s Almost Famous. Once on board, Young Carl meets the motley crew of deejays. There’s The Count, the flagship American deejay that is constantly pushing the envelope and crossing the line, masterfully portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. There’s the always charismatic, and at times narcissistic Doctor Dave, played by the extremely funny Nick Frost. Another familiar face is that of Flight of the Concords’ manager Brian, actor Rhys Darby, who plays the self proclaimed funny man Angus “the nut” Nutsford. Even though all the faces may not be familiar, this is truly an all-star cast. Each performance is so masterfully executed that you can’t help but feel the authenticity of this film. However, I think one of the most unsung heroes of this film is Ike Hamilton, who plays Harold, the ship’s booth technician. If you watch Ike’s performance throughout the film, I guarantee that you will be totally blown away. Every little nuance that he brings to the character of Harold just radiates brilliantly off the screen. If you’re reading this after you have already seen the film, I highly recommend seeing it again for Ike’s performance alone. But, if you’re anything like me you’ll already want to see this movie again regardless.
The other side of this story is that of the British government and their efforts to stop the pirate radio ships from broadcasting. This task is helmed by Sir Alistair Dormandy, played by Kenneth Branagh, and his new assistant Mr. Twatt. I’m not kidding, his last name is Twatt. And, yes Richard Curtis takes full advantage of it. Twatt is played by Coupling’s Jack Davenport. Now, don’t worry. The political stuff doesn’t weigh down the story at all. Mostly because it’s not an overpowering plotline and it also lends itself to some of the film’s funnier scenes. I dare you not to laugh or at least snicker every time Dormandy says, “Twatt.”
Richard Curtis has, as always, done a masterful job telling this story. His unique vision, and heart warming style of storytelling, makes Pirate Radio/The Boat That Rocked a must see film. Every part of this film oozes 1966. The wardrobe is fantastic, the soundtrack is to die for, and even the look of the film itself sets the tone. It’s almost as if the film was shot and processed in 1966. Adding to the film’s authenticity, the bulk of the movie was shot onboard an actual ship, just off the south coast of England. 
Richard Curtis’ first cut of the film had a running time that was just over three hours. The final cut of The Boat That Rocked had a two hours and fifteen minute running time, where as the final cut for Pirate Radio has a one hour and fifty-six minute running time. I’ve seen the U.K. version of the film and enjoy both cuts, but I have to say this film is so enjoyable that I wouldn’t mind sitting though the three hour cut at some point. Most of the missing scenes from the first cut of the film appear on the U.K. DVD release of The Boat That Rocked. (U.K. DVD review will be posted soon) The two major scenes that were cut from The Boat That Rocked for the U.S. release of Pirate Radio consists of a visit to the Radio Rock ship from a large group of contest winners, and the other is the unseen stag party in London. The scenes aren’t necessarily needed, but this movie is so, as I said before, enjoyable that I don’t think you could ever get enough of these characters.
I realize this review is quickly becoming a mini-novel, but I think I would be crucified if I didn’t at least talk about the music in the film. As you would imagine, this movie is chock-full of classic rock from the likes of The Who, The Kinks, The Turtles, and so many more. Both the U.K. release, and the U.S. release of the soundtrack feature a two disc edition with 36 tracks to take you back. Also, the opening credit graphics are fantastic! The use of the radio tuner dial transitioning from scene to scene, as The Kinks’ “All Day and All of the Night” blares, instantly sucks you into the world of the movie. But, I think one of my favorite things was the use of the album covers in the end credits. It not only instills you with a fantastic sense of the history of rock and roll, but it also makes you want to listen to some great albums you might not have listened to in awhile. The bottom line here should be obvious at this point, but needless to say I highly recommend this movie no matter which version you see.
Rating:
The Boat That Rocked U.K. DVD Special Features: COMING SOON
is that we got to graduate to 
It’s Halloween night, a night full of tricks and treats. Well, mostly tricks. But, the real treat is finally getting 
Great movies like this have to fight to see the light of day, but pieces of shit like 
Trick ‘r Treat 2! I just hope next time it’ll be in theatres on Halloween night, and not just a straight to DVD blow-off. 
and you’re not going to do a commentary track for the feature film?! How about some behind the scenes footage, or maybe some deleted scenes? Hell, I’d be happy with even a trailer at this point! My only guess is that 
Well, it’s that time of year again. No, not Halloween, it’s time for another installment of the 
Much like 
but rather Hollywood, more specifically DreamWorks Animation. Last night the cast of 
We had no idea what the movie was going to be about before hand, but we both like scary movies so we were hoping it would be good. Thirty – five minutes or so into the movie, the shaky handheld camera work had my wife ready to blow chunks, and even though I was kind of digging the movie, it wasn’t the end of the world to leave. On the walk back to the car, I told her I thought the movie gave a lot of promise, but it also felt like they were never going to pay it off. I kind of liked the simplicity of it, but she said, “It’ll never see the light of day.” After a few months, I figured she was right. Now, fast forward a year later, and we start to hear people talking about this indie movie that is going to come out, and be the scariest movie ever made. Just imagine how shocked we were when we heard the title of the film. I figured, at first, it was just your basic studio hype trying to get the movie a big opening weekend. But, then I found out it was only playing in thirteen college cities, and it wasn’t even playing in Los Angeles yet! 
I started to think they must have changed the whole movie, because the one we saw was okay, but would never have people talking like this after they’d seen it. After two weeks of nothing but hearing people talk about this movie, I knew I would have to go see it again. My wife said, “Have fun, a half hour of a screening of that snooze-fest was more than enough for me.” So, I went… And amazingly… It was the exact same movie we saw a year and a half ago. However, I did get to see the end this time. Now, I’m not saying the movie is bad. I’m just saying it’s not by any means “the scariest movie ever made.” Much like 
Hands down one of my favorite books as a kid, right up there with 
In 
I think this movie is only going to truly appeal to our generation. 
feel their marriage may possibly be coming to an end, they decide to enlist in a very special couples program on a remote tropical island. The only problem, is they need to convince three other couples to join them in order to get the cheaper group rate. There’s the couple that seems to have it all together, Dave and Ronnie, played by 
a girl young enough to be his daughter. At Eden Resort West, the couples can find all sorts of activities, like couples skill building, open sea swimming with sharks, full contact yoga, and even a little “
I would like to think it’s that kind of movie Favreau and Vaughn had in mind when they wrote this. I also think director 
I think the trailers are a little misleading because they make it seem like everyone tells the truth. But, it’s more like they speak their mind no matter what, because they don’t know how to lie, and they simply just don’t know what else to say. Also, in this reality there is no fiction, and because of that the film industry only makes films about historic events. There also aren’t any actors in this world because acting like someone you’re not would be lying. So, how do they make the movies you ask? Why readers of course. That’s right, movies are just a person, in this case the brilliant 
When we first meet Mark Bellison, he’s loosing his job as the screenwriter of the Black Plague, and his blind date with Anna McDoogles, played by 
I really enjoyed this movie, but sadly it might upset some. See, there is this religious undertone in this movie that could upset some Christians; but I honestly don’t think that was the intent of 
Honestly, it doesn’t matter what religion you believe, whether it’s Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or hell even Scientology. At the core of it all, those religions are meant to do one thing… make people want to be a better person and hopefully make the world a better place. Funny, it’s the same thing that people kill each other over and start wars because of. The point is, Mark Bellison wanted people to be nicer to each other, and if telling a few lies would make the world a better place, maybe it’s not so bad. Now, I understand that religion is a touchy topic. And the last thing I want to do is upset any of you, but let’s just believe what makes us feel good, and not force those beliefs on other people. When did this turn into a rally? Go see 
are at it again, and this time they’re taking us to a small Midwestern Jewish community in 1967. Okay, right out of the gate I have to say that this is one of those subjective Coen brother movies. And with that said I’m trying to figure out the best way to review this film, without putting my take of the movie on you. So, here we go.
What do physics, blackmail, a portable radio, twenty bucks, divorce, defamation of character, 
The movie doesn’t make you think while you’re watching it, you just find yourself following the unfortunate turns of Larry Gopnik’s life. But, when the movie does end, and you find yourself saying, “What?!” And you will. Just try and not rush to judgment right away on your feelings of the movie on a whole. Let the message and the meaning set in on its own terms. I’m afraid this is going to be one of those Coen brothers movies that isn’t truly appreciated until a few years down the road, which is sad, because it really is a nice little movie.
