tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post7363172373444818401..comments2024-03-03T10:32:45.969-08:00Comments on Mr. Peel's Sardine Liqueur: A Double Coffin For Double DeathsMr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-14708787509685896742008-07-21T23:10:00.000-07:002008-07-21T23:10:00.000-07:00Thanks to you both for the kind words, it means a ...Thanks to you both for the kind words, it means a lot. I look forward to a third FOUR FLIES viewing now, even if I have to wait a few more years for the Egyptian to show it yet again. Maybe I'll like it even better than the second time.Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-75091008237489349152008-07-21T12:24:00.000-07:002008-07-21T12:24:00.000-07:00Great review! Very thought-provoking. I was at bot...Great review! Very thought-provoking. I was at both those Egyptian screenings, too... but I was at the second one because I loved it so much the first time! Actually, I really think Four Flies is my favorite Argento film. I'm glad you liked it more the second time round. I think you really hit the nail on the head by calling it a comedy of manners. I think you're right about the themes, and more than any other of Argento's gialli, Four Flies emphasizes the dark humor. I could see the tone seeming weird compared to the others, but judged on its own, I think those semi-awkward comic bits with God and the mailman are really signalling us on how to watch this one. <BR/><BR/>Even Michael Brandon's performance works for me. (Although I can see how it might be off-putting.)Everything about this one just clicks.Tannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03910873055922510145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-58670761727791595222008-07-21T07:32:00.000-07:002008-07-21T07:32:00.000-07:00Excellent work Mr. Peel. I have added a direct li...Excellent work Mr. Peel. I have added a direct link to this to go along with my FOUR FLIES visual tribute week at Harry Moseby Confidential. Great and fascinating read as always...Jeremy Richeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14367955308434710715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-8496672885940894722008-07-20T22:55:00.000-07:002008-07-20T22:55:00.000-07:00I'm going to guess that the problem is a combinati...I'm going to guess that the problem is a combination of Brandon not bringing much personality to it and Argento not offering much help. He doesn't make much of an impression and I don't have much to say about his performance but the style of the film throughout was almost enough to make me focus on other things. I didn't really like him or care about him but I found myself having a great time with the movie anyway.Mr. Peel aka Peter Avellinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10553482286909862975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2118574901486983093.post-17228078958337928142008-07-19T19:56:00.000-07:002008-07-19T19:56:00.000-07:00I think the problem with Four Flies on Grey Velvet...I think the problem with Four Flies on Grey Velvet is that Michael Brandon is a very weak lead in the film. He is such a passive cipher that it is difficult to care what happens to him, which in turn makes it difficult to follow the film. It is a shame because Mimsy Farmer does a good job, even if the role is similar to others she played in the past. I don't know if the problem is Brandon or it is because of the script or Argento's direction, but the same can't be said of the leading men from his other early giallos (Tony Musante, James Franciscus and David Hemmings). Each brought more energy and personality to their characterizations, and have in common an obsessive/compulsiveness bordering on almost obnoxious and assholey behavior. However, you really can't stop watching these guys. Their acting added to each of their films, which can't be said of Brandon, which may be why his career (before and since) didn't match those other actors and is mainly seen (or actually heard) today providing the narration and vocals for the American versions of the Thomas and Friends children shows.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05768886260813823765noreply@blogger.com