Random Thoughts

It’s very educational.

And subtle.

Drama!

And then… not.

I watched this via Amazon Prime, but I just noticed that it’s also available on DVD. I should have gotten that instead, because the Prime version of the film is pitiful. Not only are there compression artifacts all over the stage (descending into abstraction when there’s lots of movement in the film) (and I’m using the “Best” video setting in the player), but they’ve gotten the interlace setting wrong then they did the transfer from DVD!

The future is so sad. Instead of flying cars we get interlaced video.

Oh! The film!

The film is really, really amateurish. It’s got one of those rare 3.0 ratings on IMDB, but it has a certain charm, I think.

“Unlike many of the reviews I’ve read here, I’m in no way related to the director, but I did like this film.” That’s a solid review.

But… everything is pretty bad. The acting, the sound, the editing, the, er, person that holds the camera… (I think that’s the right technical term in this case.)

And it’s not a very Panamanian film.

Contadora is for Lovers. Jorge Ameer. 2006. Panama.

Coco Heaven

• 1 part Malibu Coconut Rum
• 1 part dark rum
• 2 parts coconut cream
• 4 parts watermelon

Mash the watermelon in a cocktail shaker. Add the other ingredients and shake with ice. Strain into an ice-filled glass.

This post is part of the World of Films and Cocktails series. Explore the map.

Another film found on Youtube.

It’s a very earnest film. There are good bits, but nothing really convinces.

Wan Pipel. Pim de la Parra. 1976. Suriname.

The Paramaribo Park Club Gin Sling

• 1 part lemon juice
• 1 part Cherry Heering
• 3 parts gin
• a dash of Cognac
• a dash of Benedictine
• club soda

Shake with ice and strain into an ice-filled highball glass. Top off with the soda and garnish with pineapple.

Man, that’s tart. There must be something off with that recipe.

This post is part of the World of Films and Cocktails series. Explore the map.

I couldn’t find any Ugandan DVDs, so this is from the Youtubes.

As this er edition of the film explains, the director didn’t have any expectations of people outside his city seeing this film: It’s more of a fun hobby project than something meant for the general public, I think.

I thought it had an interesting quirk in that there’s a voiceover breaking in all the time making fun of the film: Kinda like Mystery Science Theatre 3000. But these are apparently made by a “video joker”? VJs talking over films is apparently a thing on Youtube? Oh, VJ Emmie just said “You are watching Who Killed Captain Alex and the first VJ in English. Ever. From Wakaliwood: This is how we enjoy movies in Uganda”.

I think it’s clear that the director is talented, and I was entertained while watching this. Lively editing. But it is, perhaps, a stretch to call it a good film. So:

Who Killed Captain Alex?. Nabwana I.G.G.. 2010. Uganda.

Pineapple Buganda

• 4 parts pineapple
• 1 part brown sugar
• 2 parts milk
• 2 parts light rum
• some vanilla extract

Run through a blender with ice cubes. Pour into a glass and garnish with pineapple chunks.

This post is part of the World of Films and Cocktails series. Explore the map.

Oops! My research department has let me down. Again! This isn’t a Ghanese film: The director is Werner Herzog (not from Ghana), it’s based on a novel written by Bruce Chatwin (not from Ghana) and starring Klaus Kinski (not from Ghaha).

But it’s filmed in Ghana, allegedly.

Anyway, I didn’t realise that the Herzog/Kinski partnership continued into the late 80s. In many ways, this feels like a throwback to the 70s… not that that’s a bad thing, really. It makes me want to look up their films that I’ve missed. Hmmm… Oh, they’ve only made five films together?. And I’ve seen them all.

As expected, it’s a strange, feverish film with great cinematic moments surrounded by amorphous scenes. I don’t think it’s one of Herzog’s most successful films. After the first third it kinda meanders and weaves and boobs… I mean bobs.

Cobra Verde. Werner Herzog. 1987. Ghana.

The Midnight Rum

• 2 parts white rum
• 1 part grenadine
• 4 parts coke

Stir the rum and grenadine in a glass. Add ice and coke.

This post is part of the World of Films and Cocktails series. Explore the map.