Top Ten and Desert Island flicks...

[Mid Life Crisis Marathon Man]

No, not a top ten film, but I can't let this one pass...

I have had Master and Commander in my collection for over a year now, and have not been able to bring myself to view it ... until tonight. Frankly, naval movies bore me, and with the notable exception of A Beautiful Mind, I rather intensely dislike Russell Crowe and his movies. This was made only more so by the rather appalling reviews this movie received from people whose opinions I respect.

However, I have to admit I was very pleasantly surprised with this film. It is in fact very, very good, although why Crowe was cast in the lead role is anybody's guess. Maybe he's a mate of the director Peter Weir. His ridiculous Kiwi/Aussie accent jarred badly in what is a quintessentially British flick. That aside, it's a hoot. I love it. Not exceedingly clever, but very well made.

A chick flick for blokes is about the best way I can think of describing it. There's no romance (in fact no female actors at all) but there is plenty of mateship and camaraderie. Beaut!

(Nearly) four stars.

And in case you're wondering about the "two weevils" reference, well you'll just have to watch it. It's a rather bad pun best viewed on the back of several pints of strong ale or a bottle of red. Or maybe even a mug of grog.