A Dog's Breakfast
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Movie Reviews of A Dog's Breakfast
Movie Review: Remar-Kibble!
Summary: 5 Stars
Being one of the lucky few to see this film at the time of writing, I am excited for everyone who hasn't seen this. I'm happy that at last that you will be able to see this at home soon.
I can safely say that this film surpassed even my expectations (unsurprisingly high) and it did not disappoint. Given that this is David Hewlett's directing debut (no doubt under the watchful gaze of long time Yoda and chum, Vincenzo Natali among others)Hewlett exhibits a creative flair that marks this film out as distinctively his own. Natali et al were not the crutch for this project that I had feared. Newbie Hewlett seems to have successfully navigated what was probably a mêlée of creative advice well.
David himself does not hide the fact that he has had to beg, borrow and steal resources to get this film made and producer (fiancée) Jane Loughman has done a remarkable job bringing this film to fruition on such a tiny budget. What this man could do given bigger budget doesn't bare thinking about . He does seem to have wet the appetite of (DVD only) distributor MGM who have commissioned a pilot of 'starcrossed' (the spoof sci-fi featured in the film). Lets hope that this relationship continues.
Hewlett demonstrates a witty, style of expression and originality unusual for a first time director. An entertainment focused screenplay, it has no pretensions and does not take itself too seriously. It doesn't make too many demands on the audience but it doesn't require you to leave your brain at the door either, a perfect balance. The film is a real testament to the director's ingenuity and understanding of his medium. I would like to see him in the future try out some different genres. A Horror does seem to be in the pre-production stages (working title Design of the Dead).
I personally love extremity of character, and Hewlett's performance as the endearing Patrick demonstrated well paced comic timing and relished in the sort of classy but not too crude slapstick that Peter Sellers would have been proud of. Similarly Paul McGillion as Ryan plays well off of Hewlett. Cynics (who have not seen the movie!) may say that their on screen chemistry is already well known and pre-established outside of the film's parameters and that this assumption is a requirement to fully enjoy the film. I would answer by saying that this film dispells the myth that you would to have seen Stargate Atlantis to appreciate 'in jokes'. There simply aren't any. Where would we be if that same argument were levied at anyone 'writing and influenced by what they know'?. Many who have never heard the word Stargate have absolutely loved it.
I also wondered whether one of the more memorable scenes involving THAT dressing gown and McGillion, had been at all influenced by Cary Grant in 'Bringing up Baby';-)?
I hope this is the first rung on the long ladder of Hewlett's directing career with preferably Jane supporting the ladder;-)
yup, the boy done good!
Movie Review: Laughing-out-loud funny!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's hard to review a movie like this without giving anything away, and I don't want to write any spoilers. So to start, I recommend everyone tries to see it.
One can already see how hilarious it is by the trailer and the few clips on the show, but let me tell you... it gets even BETTER!!
The acting is great, but if you're a fan of the Stargates, then you already know that. And Kate Hewlett, the female star, has theatrical experience, and I guess good acting is genetic in the Hewlett family. Along with the sense of humor. The sibling rivalry in the movie is great to see, and even funnier knowing that David and Kate actually are brother and sister. I can't even comment on Paul McGillion, 'cause I'd be giving away stuff, but let me pause for a second and giggle madly!! *ROFLMAO* OK, back. The other roles were fairly short, all the actors were great, and I personally hope that we'll get to see "Starcrossed" - the space opera in the movie that is to become a real TV-show soon, so we can see what Paul and Rachel can do in a comedic role (and even if that's not the direction it will take, and even if Paul and Rachel weren't in it, I'd still want to see it. It was so cheesy it was hilarious!!). A special mention goes to Mars, the poster-dog for the movie. Handsome, very natural, and apparently all he asked to do his job was a little doggie biscuit from his friends!
Again, it's hard to say more without giving bits away, and every little clip from the movie is worth watching without knowing what will happen... even though the second time you watch the movie (personal experience), you'll enjoy it even more. For one, you'll be able to hear all the lines you've missed from laughing to hard the first time around, and you'll be able to see things without the blur of tears (again from laughter). And you'll notice all the funny details that you couldn't focus the first time, when you were focused on the main story.
It is a low-budget movie, but you'd never know if they didn't tell you. The way it's shot, everything makes perfect sense, and I really don't see how a lot more money could have made any difference (expect, of course, in making people happier!).
And I wish I could say more, but again I'd go into spoiler-area.
So from giggling, to laughing out loud, from going "ewww", to seeing a lot more David Hewlett than you've ever wanted to see (or finally enough!, depending on your point of view!), you'll want to watch this movie again and again, ask for a REAL theatrical release by MGM, or at least that the DVDs come out soon!! OK, I just re-ran a little clip in my head, laughed, and the people around me looked at me as if I were nuts. Hope that if you've seen the movie you aren't reading about it in a public place!
Movie Review: Dance monkey, dance!
Summary: 5 Stars
For once, I knew nothing about the film I was about to see (other than what I'd gleaned from the trailers, of course), so it was really refreshing to sit down and be taken along by the plot. Having flown through all three seasons of SGA in two months (it would've been quicker, but Christmas beckoned), it was obvious that the acting was going to be of a high standard, but I was mainly interested in the writing and how well it translated to screen.
The plot itself is pretty simple (not in a bad way), and I'm surprised it hasn't been done before. Is a great concept that everyone can understand on some level; annoying brother/father/grandfather, it's happened enough for people to get that. I loved the impression presented that the dog kept digging up the body, not only because Mars is possibly one of the cutest dogs ever, but also because I remember my dog digging up our hamsters once shortly after we buried them - not quite the same, but believable in a surrealist way! And the unexpected ending, which I was only vaguely considering for about 5 seconds before dismissing it was a fantastic variation on a theme that only improved it.
I know some people were saying a general audience wouldn't understand most of it because of all the Stargate references - 'Starcrossed' is funny in a different way if you know who plays what in Atlantis, but that doesn't stop it from being a funny sci-fi parody in its' own right. I'm sure there are people who didn't get the clutching of "The Tell-Tale Heart" in one scene, but it hardly matters overall.
Likewise, the cross-dressing - it's always funnier if you know who the actor is, but it's still funny because it's the macho-type guy you just saw, dressed as a scary, middle-aged Scottish woman.
The shooting of it was interesting. Whether it was due to budget concerns, directing or cameraman choice, nothing was overly complicated and it looked every bit a well put together indie type film. The thing I was most impressed with (apart from the line "Dance monkey dance", because that's a daily utterance in our house) is how well the silence worked. It wasn't a bombardment of slapstick and unecessary build-up to beat laughs out of the audience, it was just... funny - you know something is going to happen eventually, and the build-up via daily routine or whatever makes you want to laugh even though nothing is actually happening. It's hard to get that sometimes, so it's probably one of the more strangely geeky things I enjoyed.
I can't really think of any downsides to the film...oh, apart from the clown. I hate clowns, and it kept freaking me out, just being there. Watching.
And Paul McGillion's legs, but I mostly put that down to jealousy.
Movie Review: This puppy has real bite!
Summary: 5 Stars
Patrick is a peculiar man with very particular habits. When Patrick's sister comes visiting with a fiancé, Ryan, in tow, and disturbs his perfect little world, Patrick is not a happy camper. When he overhears Ryan plotting to murder said sister, he's even less so. Cue a not-quite-fatal-enough comedy of errors as Patrick tries to off Ryan, then cover up his crime, with his best friend, Mars the dog, looking on hungrily.
A Dog's Breakfast marks the writing and directorial debut of actor David Hewlett, proving without question that he's a man of many talents. If you're already familiar with Hewlett's award-winning character, Doctor Rodney McKay of Stargate Atlantis, multiply McKay's neurotic personality by about a billion, and you'll have a notion of what Patrick is like. You may already be familiar with Patrick's sister, Marilyn, as well: her portrayer, Kate Hewlett, David's real life sister, has also appeared alongside him (again as his sister, Jeannie) on Stargate Atlantis. (Can I just say I loved her wardrobe in this movie?) If you enjoyed their bickering in the episode "McKay and Mrs. Miller", I promise you that you will love this film, as their sibling rivalry, too, is magnified immensely. I really hope to see Kate in other projects -- the Hewlett family seems gifted with a humour gene! And Mars, David's dog in real life, appears just enough to satisfy those who love animals in movies (like me -- what a cutie!) without upsetting those who hate that sort of thing.
The film also features another Stargate Atlantis alumni, Paul McGillion (Dr. Carson Beckett on the series) as sci fi soap actor Ryan -- and in drag, as Ryan's wickedly funny Scottish detective aunt! Stargate SG-1's Christopher Judge (Teal'c on that series) puts in an amusing cameo. (It's so interesting to see the "real" Judge, without Teal'c's somber, deep-voiced affectations!)
But you don't have to be a Stargate fan to appreciate this film, which is really of a very different genre (dark comedy) -- I like it far better than the genre's "classic", A Fish Called Wanda, too! A Dog's Breakfast is chock-full of great little twists, delightful absurdity, and brilliant comic timing, certain to please any true moviehound's palate!
(Please note, this review -- which yes, I did write -- originally appeared, with some minor differences, in the webzine Sequential Tart.)
Movie Review: Old-fashioned fun with a kick - and the next great dog star
Summary: 5 Stars
I confess, I am a David Hewlett fan ("McKay" is one of my favorite characters of all time), also I'm a Stargateophile (gatephiliac?) and pretty serious fanatic, however, I don't automatically and blindly "love" everything out just because it's attached to Stargate, either SG-1 or Atlantis. I like to think I have an independent mind to some extent.
A Dog's Breakfast sounded like a cute project, and I enjoyed reading the Hewlett "dgeek" blog and watching the squirrels (his self-named fans) spin an ever-widening and impressive marketing buzz like never seen before. But I still reserved my opinion until I could view the film. I love the old screwball comedies, Cary Grant, Tracy & Hepburn, and I loved Peter Seller's Inspector Clouseau. These were comparisons Hewlett made for his film, and it caught my interest on a level other than sci-fi (spoken reverently).
So, when I popped this little indie film into my DVD and started watching, several things happened. 1) I fell in love with Mars the dog, totally and completely! 2) I adored Kate Hewlett (even though she'd already won me over in "McKay and Mrs. Miller" (Atlantis reference)) 3) Discovered Paul McGillion was hilarious 4) Tried to mimic Chris Judge's fantastic facial expressions, and 5) I totally loved the screwball, far-fetched and often exceedingly clever film
Silly? Oh ya. Goofy? Most definitely. Over the top? You betcha. But, it also had this core of sweetness (not sloppy, icky, sticky sweetness, but good, warm, real sweetness), a warmth running through it that was subtle and unmistakable. The behind-the-scenes stuff on the DVD opened me up to the Dog's Breakfast "inner circle" so I felt a part of the movie and the inside jokes, which is not only a clever marketing angle, but it also increased my enjoyment and gave me a real connection to the crew and the film...and made me salivate (my homage to Mars) in anticipation of their next film.
So, bottom line: fun movie with a lot of energy, nice subtle yet warm "moral," laughs galore, a few groans of mock-agony as it went over the top here and there, and I grinned, giggled and laughed out loud through the entire film. And I wanted a signed photo of Mars in the worst way! LOL
I own the movie and have watched it multiple times. I'm thinking it's going to be a great Christmas gift....