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Reviews
Saban Oglu Saban (1977)
Not at all Exaggerated
In reply to comments suggesting that this is an O.T.T comedy, with especially exaggerated performances from Kemal Sunal and Sener Sen, this is not at all the case. Anyone who knew about the private life of Kemal Sunal would know that in his personal life he was a very serious man. His on screen persona's (unfortunately for a lifelong fan such as myself, who had hoped otherwise) were nothing like his own personality. He continues in the role of 'Saban', the surreal, chaotically stupid on screen persona he adopted in many films. His role in this film I wouldn't regard as exaggerated at all, as a matter of opinion, it seems far more toned down in comparison to his performances in, say, the Hababam Sinifi series. I think if anything, Halit Akçatepe's performance as Ramazan spoiled the overall quality of the film, as he forgot he was merely a supporting role and instead tried to outshine Sunal with no real success. As for Sener Sen, he plays the same sturdy supporting role which he does in many films which he played alongside Kemal Sunal, this performance being exemplary. The real great performance aside from Sunal's is without doubt Sevket Altug's minor role as Yunus Kaptan. Its unfortunate that his later works didn't quite meet up to the promise he showed in this film with his madcap naval officer. Special mention also goes to Sevda Aktolga, who understated her role in this film even though she was the object of Saban and Ramazan's affections (though, to be honest, because shes so attractive I used to wish there was more of her in it!). Ultimately, although some people might find influence from other films of the time emulated in this film, to suggest that The Return of Pink Panther was ripped off is absurd, as it really doesn't fit in with the structure of Turkish humour, Overall, Turkish humour is abundant in this film, and an array of original material, highlighted by Kemal Sunal and Sevket Altug, is on show for all to see.
Salako (1974)
Salako is coming!
Salako saw Kemal Sunal's first leading role in a film. In this romantic comedy (as most Turkish comedies seem to be!) he plays the title role of Salakoglan("the fool" in English). He is the village idiot in which the boss (or Aga) of the village has a very beautiful daughter, Emine... whom Salako falls desperately in love with. Salako makes several attempts to win her over but Emine's father has already promised her to the boss of a local village and he himself isn't fond of Salako. As Salako is on the brink of suicide, Emine saves him at the last moment by announcing that they should run off together, consummate their relationship, and then return back to the village. By that point Emine's father won't be able to say no to Salako's proposal of marrying his daughter. So off they go, Salako, Emine, and Salako's only friend, Nafiye the mule, to the mountains to consummate the relationship. But every time Salako makes a move, Emine seems to make an excuse not to, why is this?... everything becomes clear as to why Emine wanted to leave the village in the first place! This film is one of Turkish cinemas best in an era when the only thing good about Turkish productions was the comedy; everything else being taccy, low budget, cringe-worthy junk!
Romper Stomper (1992)
Perseverance is Key
SPOILER!!!!! The underlying factor about this film that caught my attention, no matter what anyone thinks of it overall(I told my friends about it, they bought it and are embarrassed to admit they own it), is Hando's impenetrable belief in his lifestyle. He's an outsider, he knows it, but he is content with it. Davey is weak willed in the end, not someone who thinks Nazism is wrong. He's a drifter, moving from one group to another, and Gabe is just an excuse to leave the skinheads. Hando though, deserves respect, not because he is a Nazi, but because he died for his beliefs, and that is enough to win any critic over when you strip it down. Honestly, when I first saw this film and Hando died at the end, it was him that I felt for, not Davey.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
What's in the Suitcase
Spoiler Alert Ever wondered whats in the suitcase? Here's my theory. It's Marcellus Wallaces Soul. Here's how it came to me, first of all, on an unrelated note, I once heard that anyone who sees a soul dies soon after. Now regarding the movie, we never see whats in the briefcase, but it shines so it could be gold, but I reckon someone would have pointed it out and said, "wow, that gold is amazing!" Marcellus Wallace has a plaster or bandaid on the back of his neck through out the film and he wants the contents of the briefcase quite badly. Now, to prove my point, the following saw the contents of the briefcase and died: Vincent Vega and all the guys that him and Jules took it from on their 'errand'. Tim Roths character also saw it, BUT!.. his soul was bought off of him by Jules in the restaurant for $1500; "go on take it, but I'm buying something with that money. You know what I'm buying, your soul". Jules himself took the Kung Fu-esque wiseman route to do good, so Tim Roths character gets to live... as for Jules himself, he never actually looked into it...