|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
I got 'Chopper' on dvd over the weekend, and I consider it one of the most original films ever made. It's a quasi-biography on the Australia's most feared criminal, self-confessed murderer and standover Mark Brandon 'Chopper' Read.With no explanitory scenes, Director Andrew Dominic takes a 'what you see is what you get' attitude, also leaving any judgement on the film's violent title character to the viewer. The film is very dark and contains some cringe-worthy violence, but only on second viewing did I realise how little violence there actually is - in fact, it's amazing how funny Chopper's psychotic character is, especially in the most violent scenes. Like when Chopper stabs a fellow prisoner in the neck, and then - almost in tears - offers his victim a cigarette.
Eric Bana in the title role is superb, as he evolves his character from a young, slim Chopper, into a fat, middle-aged, newly-released convict ten years later. When you see the documentary on the real Chopper Read, only then do you realise what an amazing performance Bana pulls off.
Only owning it for three days so far, I've already seen it twice, another time with Andrew Dominik's audio commentary, and once more with the real Mark 'Chopper' Read's audio Commentary (he spends most of the commentary confirming and denying the events in the film).
How dangerous is he? Well, take this into consideration. Chopper Read has had a mafia price on his head for 12 years -- and he has been free from jail (living on a farm in Tasmania) for seven years now!! Scary, huh?
I don't know if 'Chopper' is available outside Australia, but it's a well-worthwhile film to order on-line ---- I guarantee!
Follow Ups:
He one mad bastard. Fantastic film. Eric Bana did such a good job of playing Chopper. The intensity in his eyes .....aahhhhhh.
The "Weekend with chopper" is worth the price alone. Thats about as
close as you would want to get to that sort of bloke. 10/10 FILM
Seeya Tim
I read a lengthy article about him in Maxim a year or so ago. Now they made a movie about the guy...
n
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: