Frances McDormand brings life to this otherwise simple and overindulgent film. She plays a Highly Moral and desperately out of work Governess who accidentally wanders into the apartment of a Cabaret singer on the eve of World War Two.
Her...
[+] Read Full Review

Frances McDormand brings life to this otherwise simple and overindulgent film. She plays a Highly Moral and desperately out of work Governess who accidentally wanders into the apartment of a Cabaret singer on the eve of World War Two.
Her sensibilities are immediately put to the test when she meets Delysia (played by Adams) who is juggling three men for different reasons.
While McDormand brings stability to the film, Adams brings the sugary sweet coating which starts to rot your teeth after the first forty minutes of the film. I have not read the book, but I would hope that it gives more substance to Delysia than is displayed in this film. I may be biased as I am tired of women being portrayed as flooseys and although Amy Adams is a fine enough actor, the direction the character was taken in for most of the film was not impressive. The cabaret scene where Adams sings is the best scene in the film.
Lee Pace played the very endearing genuine Love interest of Delysia and Ciaran Hinds a very gentlemanly interest for Guinevere. The film seems like it would be better off as a Pantomime that a feature length film. I think that if the story had been set over a longer period of time I would have considered the relationship between the women more plausible.
I would recommend this film if you are after something light with lots of bright lights and flashy costumes, but not if you are after something substantial.

The premise of this film had me interested, unfortunately the screenplay was not strong and the film ended up leaving me hanging out for the end.
I am a great fan of Dennis Quaid, but this film does nothing for him. His character, a widowed...
[+] Read Full Review

The premise of this film had me interested, unfortunately the screenplay was not strong and the film ended up leaving me hanging out for the end.
I am a great fan of Dennis Quaid, but this film does nothing for him. His character, a widowed professor who prefers to indulge himself in writing his novel, ignoring his children's needs and isolating himself from his students. Yet regardless of this he still thinks he deserves more that what he's getting.
Now there have been more unlikeable characters in the film, but these other characters always seem to grow and develop as the film progresses. The same cannot be said for Quaid's character. He certainly tries to do the best with what's he's been given to say, but it's not enough to personalise the character for the audience.
Sarah Jessica Parker's character is equally benign, but again I think that is mostly to do with poor dialog and character development. The only character which seems well developed is the Professor's daughter, played by Ellen Page (Juno). Her intensity and struggle to find herself is appreciated in this slow moving droll film. I'm given the film one star and this is simply for Ellen's performance.
I would not recommend seeing this film unless you are looking for an alternative for a sleeping pill.

This was always going to be a difficult part of the Harry Potter series to adapt to film. The book is more than 700 pages, jam packed with action, teenage angst and plenty of plot which was never all going to fit into the slender 2 1/5 hours...
[+] Read Full Review

This was always going to be a difficult part of the Harry Potter series to adapt to film. The book is more than 700 pages, jam packed with action, teenage angst and plenty of plot which was never all going to fit into the slender 2 1/5 hours alotted to the film. And I think this is the best adaptation so far.
Granted, there are plenty of classic Order of the Phoenix novel moments missing from the film; like the infamous fight between Umbridge and McGounagall over Harry's future, or the visit to the magical hospital to see what happened to Professor Lockhart were sadly missing, but I can happily say that the scene in the tunnel with Dudley and the Dementors was just as I pictured.
The tone of the film was on average a lot darker than what we've seen so far, but I guess that that's the direction the books are taking. The only element of the books which I don't think was exploited enough in this film was the connection which Harry had with Voldemort and how important it was that his "heart" was in banishing He who must not be named from his body. This was touched on lightly, and the "debrief" between Harry and Dumbledore was cut down significantly. I was a little unhappy that Harry wasn't put through a little more grief following Sirus's disappearance behind the Veil, but I liked Luna's prediction that things will always return in the most surprising places.
I don't think that they could have fitted more into the film and I didn't really think they needed to. A really decent film, worth watching again and adding to the DVD collection.

I admit that I was a little apprehensive about this film, but I have to admit that I was suprised. The story is well balanced between the military fighting the Decepitcons and Sam a young guy who is only looking for his first car who gets more...
[+] Read Full Review

I admit that I was a little apprehensive about this film, but I have to admit that I was suprised. The story is well balanced between the military fighting the Decepitcons and Sam a young guy who is only looking for his first car who gets more than he bargained for when he meets Bumblebee. There are some fine supporting cast performances, Bernie Mac is hilarious as the user car saleman and Sam's dad has some some classic lines, all the while seeming oblivious to what's really going on. However, there was a point after the remaining Autobots arrived that the storyline slowed and stalled. The dialog for the transformers was klunky and the voiceovers (even though I understand they were the original voices) were not integrated into the rest of the action well. The final scene was too long and any real benefit from the snappy beginning to the film was well an truly lost by this point. Overall, worth seeing but only if you're interested in a plot light Action flick.

I have always been wary of films which people tell me "I must see" and "It's the best film I've seen" without elaborating with any substance. But I'm glad to say that all the hype is valid - this is one fine film.
Heavily...
[+] Read Full Review

I have always been wary of films which people tell me "I must see" and "It's the best film I've seen" without elaborating with any substance. But I'm glad to say that all the hype is valid - this is one fine film.
Heavily stylised and customised for a modern audience, this slick adaptation of a ancient tale is fast paced, exciting - yet also solid from excellent casting choices and a great screenplay.
If you haven't already seen this film, you should seriously consider it.

Perhaps not as good as the holy grail, The Life of Brian was certainly one of those quotble films. I loved how the python boys took a different perspective on religion and "always looked on the bright side of life and death"

My favourite Python film! I loved the "Brave" Sir Robin and his minstrels, loved the killer rabbit and thw witch hunt. They don't make comedy films like this these days!!

I loved this film. Nick Park is a genious! I keep thinking about Pansy spray and it's real life aspirations.

This film is the greatest Australian War Film, the greatest World War One film and the greatest Peter Weir film, ever. I must have seen it a hundred times and it makes me cry everytime.

This is one of the few great stories of the 1980's. My favourite triology and totally recyclable (you can watch it over and over again without getting sick of it). Parts 2 and 3 were just as good.

For a film featuring Brad Pitt, it was incredibly good. The plot takes all kinds of twists and turns based on the memory of the main character, and his 'volunteer' mission to save the world's population from a terrible fate.

Beautiful film, so stoic and unpretentious. Paul Giamatti was brilliant as the Polic Inspector and although I found the ending a little predicatble (not as thrilling as the conclusion to the prestige) I think this film supassed the Prestige...
[+] Read Full Review

Beautiful film, so stoic and unpretentious. Paul Giamatti was brilliant as the Polic Inspector and although I found the ending a little predicatble (not as thrilling as the conclusion to the prestige) I think this film supassed the Prestige because of it's class. I highly recommed this movie ;)

I'm not really sure what I expected from this film, but I'm pleased to say it wasn't too bad. Plenty of fresh faces, and some old ones (i.e. the guy who played Pedro in Napolean Dynamtie). The story was a bit patchy at times, but all in all not a...
[+] Read Full Review

I'm not really sure what I expected from this film, but I'm pleased to say it wasn't too bad. Plenty of fresh faces, and some old ones (i.e. the guy who played Pedro in Napolean Dynamtie). The story was a bit patchy at times, but all in all not a bad film.

This film wasn't quite what I was expecting from a historically based legend. I found parts of it a little too abstract but equally found other sections deeply profound and thought provoking. I have always loved the legends of the foundtain of...
[+] Read Full Review

This film wasn't quite what I was expecting from a historically based legend. I found parts of it a little too abstract but equally found other sections deeply profound and thought provoking. I have always loved the legends of the foundtain of youth, and although I didn't enjoy the film all that much I think it had a very realistic take on the story. Much like What Dreams May Come.

I adored this film. I'm not a big fan of Renee, but it was so easy to over look her presence in the film (ironically). The story of a Upper Middle Class woman whose refusal to play by anyone elses rules and boundless imagination won over the...
[+] Read Full Review

I adored this film. I'm not a big fan of Renee, but it was so easy to over look her presence in the film (ironically). The story of a Upper Middle Class woman whose refusal to play by anyone elses rules and boundless imagination won over the world. I can't wait until this comes out on DVD!

I was quite suprised I liked this movie. Up to a point, anyway. About half way through it became a little ridiculous and didn't redeem itself until the end of the film. There were a lot of unanswered questions and not the profound kind which are...
[+] Read Full Review

I was quite suprised I liked this movie. Up to a point, anyway. About half way through it became a little ridiculous and didn't redeem itself until the end of the film. There were a lot of unanswered questions and not the profound kind which are kind of interesting - just painful logistic questions. Still, a new idea to explore for the avid Sci-Fi fan. Reminded me a little of Slaughter House 5. Wasn't as good though.

I really wasn't sure that Bridget needed a sequel, but in the modern age we can't be expected to believe in the happily ever after. Unlike the story the book was based on (Pride and Prejudice), the film looks at real issues that people from...
[+] Read Full Review

I really wasn't sure that Bridget needed a sequel, but in the modern age we can't be expected to believe in the happily ever after. Unlike the story the book was based on (Pride and Prejudice), the film looks at real issues that people from different circles face when trying to build a solid relationship. In the end, not as good as the first film but still worth having in the DVD collection!

I was really unsure when I heard Renee was playing Bridget, but she pulls of the hapless Brit to a tee. Colin Firth is as spunky as ever and Hugh Grant pulls off a respectably underhanded rival for Bridget's affections. The dummy spit at Daniel in...
[+] Read Full Review

I was really unsure when I heard Renee was playing Bridget, but she pulls of the hapless Brit to a tee. Colin Firth is as spunky as ever and Hugh Grant pulls off a respectably underhanded rival for Bridget's affections. The dummy spit at Daniel in front of the Printing Office is a classic moment of film.

One of the most beautiful and sweet romance flicks I've seen. Christian Slater always plays a good sensitive guy and the story was so well told. A must have chick flick for the DVD collection.

It's funny when you think how someone else's true perspective on your own life can make you dissatisfied with it. Stranger than Fiction wasn't the film I expected when I saw the trailer, but it was worth the $15. The only change I would make would...
[+] Read Full Review

It's funny when you think how someone else's true perspective on your own life can make you dissatisfied with it. Stranger than Fiction wasn't the film I expected when I saw the trailer, but it was worth the $15. The only change I would make would be the ending. The film needed to make a stronger point.

Wow, Will Smith's performance was the best thing I've ever seen him do. He played the role convincingly. I'm guessing he will be up for an Oscar for this role.

Graphic and Grizzly. I think this film was an interesting look at the real humanity of war. It looked at what simple actions made the men who fought heros, how that was exploited by a despereate government and how the men tried to regain their...
[+] Read Full Review

Graphic and Grizzly. I think this film was an interesting look at the real humanity of war. It looked at what simple actions made the men who fought heros, how that was exploited by a despereate government and how the men tried to regain their normal lives. I think this film is in a class above the world war two films which have come before it.

So wrong, it's right. I can hardly believe this was amoung one of the first movies produced by Parker and Stone - it's so funny and well done. Shows they have always had a natural talent for making offensive behaviour funny. The so called Indians...
[+] Read Full Review

So wrong, it's right. I can hardly believe this was amoung one of the first movies produced by Parker and Stone - it's so funny and well done. Shows they have always had a natural talent for making offensive behaviour funny. The so called Indians and the singing and dancing are the highlights of the film.

This is by far my favourite adaptation of Shakespeare to the screen. It is filmed in the naturalistic Tuscan setting, with a cleverly adapted screenplay and fine performances from Richard Briers, Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. It is also the...
[+] Read Full Review

This is by far my favourite adaptation of Shakespeare to the screen. It is filmed in the naturalistic Tuscan setting, with a cleverly adapted screenplay and fine performances from Richard Briers, Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. It is also the only film I have ever seen Denzel Washington happy in.