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With that near perfect impression of an aeroplane maybe you can extend your repetoire of machinery sounds such as a saw grinding metal, a trash compacter, machine gun fire etc. Michael Bay would not have to look any further for a sound designer, he could just have you to create the sounds for the Transformers sequel.

Cease and Desist!

On another topic I hear you are going to view some Curb Your Enthusiasm episodes. I would just like to advise you to get the earlier series episodes. I know how you media types have to be oh so current but dont get the recent series (series 5 was weak) and dont pick out episodes from different series because people say you have to watch this episode or that episode. There are developing themes within each series as well as the characters get shaped over time (e.g. Suzie) although you may not get too much of a sense of that if you are only going to watch 4 episodes.
Just thought I would pass that on. Happy viewing.

Well Dr.K.

That was probably the most pointless blog ever.

Besides that bloody good impression of Clint Eastwood.

Keanu Reeves. You gave him too much credit. You made it look like he was attempting to act.

Good Dr. K.

Regular watcher, listener, reader of your work, occasional poster...

Sorry to dig up an (recently) old topic, but also on the re-makes theme, I recently watched possibly my all-time favourite movie, The Magnificant Seven, which boasts in it's credits that it is based on a Japanese movie called The Seven Samurai. I was wondering firstly, do you share my enthusiasm for The Magnificant Seven, (and incidentally, all-things Steve Mc Queen), and secondly, have you actually seen, or even heard of, The Seven Samurai? I ask because I'm roughly the same age as you, and I'm sure you remember as a boy watching The Magnificant Seven along with James Bond, The Great Escape, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang et al every Christmas on Ö÷²¥´óÐã. Another of my boyhood favourites was of course The Italian Job which was completely ballsed up in the remake. Can The Magnificant Seven be modernised, and also if you've see The Seven Samurai, how does The Magnificant Seven compare?

I love the impressions. Kermode wouldn't be Kermode without them. Simon only complains because he's only got one good one - that of Fozzie Bear/Douglas Hurd (yes, that's how down with the kids Simon is - an early '80s puppet and a late '80s politician. Oh, the bleeding edge of satire).

And Mark didn't even do SIR ANTHONY HOPKINS!

Well, I'll give you the Renee Zellweger, the Gwynyth Paltrow and the Danny Dyer impressions. But the airplane taking off? Clearly, not even close.

On a side note, your facial impression of Renee 'hamster looking at the sun' Zellweger really is uncanny.

And also, I'm sorry, but how many times do you use that expression in this Friday's podcast?

Peter Sellers has an heir.

And forget CYE.

Arrested Development is the one to watch.

Dr. Kermode, you made my day! The Jason Statham is spot on, and I'm not joking! Gave me a belly laugh, alright.

About Keanu, I thought he was OK until I saw Street Kings - you're absolutely right about him being a talking wardrobe. Everytime he speaks, I hear Ted Theodore Logan, woah. *air guitar riff*

Renee does have that squinty eyed, pouty expression don't she? It's not sexy, love, you just look constipated!

Almost as good as Matthew Horne's impression of Mark Kermode last week ;-)

I've been working on a Jason Statham impression and I've discovered that Statham isn't actually that deep, have a listen he's more like Clint with a hint of helium.

Dear Dr Mark,

I wonder if you would be available for weddings, bar mitzvahs, or birthdays.

Failing that how about a national tour.

What a talent - but we'll have to do something about the hands though.

Gwyneth and Zellweger sound like clangers.

stephenglass is right. K, get out season two of Arrested Development. It's the best comedy show to come out the states, and the best comedy show since The Young Ones.

You forgot about the brilliant Robert Downey Jr impression! Speaking of which as you did Keanu I'd love to see a Kermode impression of Scanner Darkly.
And while your at Curb Your Enthusiasm you should check out some other HBO shows, The Wire and The Sopranos (obviously) and my newest love, Deadwood.
The Seven Samurai is one of the greatest films ever made.

I was thinking about this a while ago, and since you evoked him on a Friday and again here: I'd like to fly the flag for the Mike Yarwood biopic,that the world is clearly crying out for - and clearly Michael Sheen is ideal for the role. The only question is, will he be able to handle the naff 'and this is me...' song at the end of each show.

...and another thing - Richard Nixon and Hughie Green - separated at birth?

EuroPaddy - Seven Samurai is a 1954 film directed by Akira Kurosawa. It is true to say that The Maginifcent Seven is loosely based on it and it is a fantastic film not to be missed.

Many famous writers and directors claim to have been influenced by this film, not only John Sturges but Roger Corman, Sam Peckinpah and George Lucas to name but a few.

I definitely recommend taking a look at Seven Samurai. It's well worth it.

As for remaking The Magnificent Seven, best to leave it as it is. This plot has been used quite a few times already. Other examples being Battle Beyond the Stars, Sholay and there may be an argument to say that the Three Amigos also uses siginifant plot elements. Well tread ground best left 'under repair' for fear of permenant damage in my opinion.

Anyway none of the remakes, rehashes and updates comes anywhere near the same league as the original. No remake required. Watch it!

oh yeah, apparently tarantino's new film, inglourious basterds, is loosely based on the dirty dozen. i haven't heard kermode mention this film yet, and i'm wondering if he is even slightly optimistic, or if he is expecting more self-indulgence along the lines of death proof and kill bill (although i admit, i liked those films, although planet terror and sin city owned them both).

Please do more of these impressions. Please do many, many more of them. I also burst a kidney!

Mr Kermode

You are a hero!
Your Danny Dyer never fails to raise a chuckle.

Genius

I love your impressions as well.

But remember on the radio show that less sometimes is more.

Keanununu is my favorite because of it's perfection. I'm laughing to my self just thinking about it.

Rob

I dare the Good Doctor to attempt:

1. Orson Welles

2. Vincent Price

3. Christopher Lee

If he does this, and does this successfully, I will name an entire wing of my DVD collection after him.

Dr Kermode;
I am your Impressionist Alter-Ego's BIGGEST fan!

My favorite though (miscounting Zellweger of course) is your Angry, aggravated and jaw-locked, Clive Owen impression.

And Keanu Reeves in The Day The Earth Stood Still...??
.... I was under the impression he had been like that his entire life?

You are right. Radio does not do your impressions justice.

Justice has been done :-)

Mark, visually your Renée Zellweger is spot-on. Aurally, I can't shake the perception that its Gwyneth Paltrow again... only underwater.

The impressions are great, keep them coming! There were a couple missing in the round up though. The press release guy that talks about the characters' journey (like in 'Marley & Me' review) and the camp Hollywood producer/director.
Hope they will get their feature with all the nuances explained.

I loved the aeroplane impression - oh and I also think your Gwynny and Renee impressions are spot on.

your zack snyder does sound alot like your tarantino, and therefore, by proxy tarantino sounds like robert rodriguez probably.