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Reviews
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Brilliant
This film is no less than a 10 out of 10 for me. The acting was incredible, story was appealing, characters was lovable and even though the plot was slightly unusual the film never left its roots and it all felt so familiar. See this film!!!!!!! Although Steve Carrell is usually a funny man he was totally believable in this role and the other members of the cast were perfect. I really felt for Dwayne in this movie although the actor is not one I know he was brilliant, and Alan Arkin, Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette were up to their usual fab standard. This film made me laugh, cry, laugh some more and then fall in love with the Hoover family. Watch this film. You will too!!!
The Scarlet Letter (1995)
Too Quick
When I saw adverts for this on sky i decided to investigate it further watch you tube and then record the film and I had expected so much but what i found was a bit of a disappointment. Im not saying the film was bad it was just not as good as I thought. Hester and Arthur meet about four times in the space of a few days and then about a week later they are declaring undying love for each other on a cliff and are prepared to risk their whole life for each other?? It happened to quickly. Once the film got going and it focused on Hesters struggle I found it intriguing but it still was too quick i felt for the main characters to have fallen in love. Gary Oldman was superb although Im not quite sure what accent he was trying to master and Demi Moore was surprisingly good in this role yet the whole thing lacked due to it being too quick. Overall I do not feel I wasted two hours of my life but I did record over the recording.
Brokeback Mountain (2005)
Mixed feelings about this
I sat and watched this movie a while ago with my sister and have to say we were both disappointed with it. We had read that it was going to be sweet and tender and a depiction of forbidden love. To begin with I was dazzled by the beauty of the countryside that Ang Lee had chosen to set the movie in, and Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal looked very promising in their roles. They began their relationship it seemed to me as two friends who just got on well. But before you knew what had hit you they had had their "meeting" in the tent and were thrown in to this forbidden love that just seemed uncomfortable. It did pick up however when they both went their separate ways and began to get married and have kids etc. After that it began to be a relationship and not a fling, a part of themselves that they had to hide to prevent horrific things happening to them. The acting in this movie does have to be praised as the two protagonists broke barriers even of what two men acting in a movie can do, and it was convincing enough that by the end of the movie I found myself crying when Heath Ledger found the shirt that he had lost twenty years earlier kept by Jake Gyllenhaals character. Overall this film was impressive in set and acting but the way that love was handled to begin with ruined what I felt could have been a really tender relationship build up.
Just Like Heaven (2005)
Just plain sweet. A good flick for a girls night out.
When I first saw the advert for Just like heaven I thought I wanted to see it but to be honest I had my doubts about what the story line appeared to be about. A man falling in love with a ghost? come on, even me as the hopeless romantic I am though that was a little bit too much of a stretch but i was sooo pleasantly surprised. It was charming, romantic, although a little predictable and the cast was fantastic. Reese Witherspoon begins as a young beautiful doctor who is completely dedicated to her job and pays no attention to any other aspects of her life such as her love life. Mark Ruffalo who is a quiet charmer begins the film as a reclusive widower who believes he can never find love. Enter now a few romantic clichés and you have a Rom com. The pair meet in an apartment that Reese Witherspoons character believes is hers and Mark Ruffalo believes is his, but after discovering that Reese Witherspoon's character was in a tragic accident the pair join forces to try and retrace her life, whilst falling in love. The ending to be honest is not a surprise but despite its predictability it still left me with a warm glow when I left the cinema. Overall with good acting, good casting and charm a movie worth seeing if you want to be positive about love.
Rob Roy (1995)
Appreciated but not liked
Overall my opinion of Rob Roy as a film thinking of all aspects of it is poor. I found it very slow to start and in some ways overly gratuitous, the story primarily is a very good one but due to aspects of the film it turned into a bore. The main thing that I noticed within the first 5 minutes that carried all the way through was the endless amount of sexual connotations and needless sexual "violence" which after a while became frustrating. The violation of Mary scene however I will admit was played well and the desired affect was achieved as I did feel really disgusted for Mary and for me it was when the film began to become interesting. As previously said the start was very slow and for the first 30 to 40 minutes the only thing that stopped me from turning it off is the principal I have that I cannot pass judgement on a film unless I have seen all of it, but i persevered and watched it in its entirety. OK, enough with the moan. There were a few things that really were good in the film and as well as criticize the bad i must praise the good. Firstly Tim Roth was absolutely outstanding in his role as the evil Englishman who robs, rapes and beats to get his way. His acting really left me with a hatred towards his character that I have never felt with a movie villain and it really was deserving of praise. Secondly the duel at the end between the hero and the villain was amazing. I felt 99% sure that Rob Roy would win but the film was played that it may be the other way, and with this in mind i felt the need to scream at the TV when the duel was won. Overall as said I do appreciate the film but did not enjoy it as a film to watch and couldn't really watch it on a regular basis.
Jaws (1975)
Fantastic Thriller
OK, so 30 years after the film was made and released and 18 years into my life I have finally sat and watched the film Jaws. Usually a coward when it comes to thriller movies i was persuaded as a film fanatic to see the classic by my cinema showing the film on the big screen in its original glory to celebrate 30 years of it terrorising children out of the water, and after all the build up to the film i am pleased to say I wasn't disappointed. I think this film really is a testament to Steven Spielberg's directing talent and a true suspense thriller. The acting in this is superb and although some scenes were rather predictable it did not spoil the suspense and thrill you feel when you hear that famous music. Richard Dreyfuss is well cast as the young scientist who along with Robert Shaw and Roy Scheider save Amity Island from the killer great white shark. And although the mechanical shark may look ever so slightly dated it is also a triumph technically. I am very pleased that finally I have sat and watched Jaws and even though I know now who dies and who survives i could watch it again and again.
The Longest Yard (2005)
One of the first movies I have seen in a while that makes you care
I very rarely as a girl and therefore not a sports fan go and see movies based around a sport but this was really worth it. I went initially as I am a an Adam sandler fan and thought it would be a laugh. I was really impressed however as the movie went on to actually find some depth to this movie and not solely a surface comedy. After Adam sandlers character Paul is sent to a prison in Texas after being caught drink driving he is asked by the warden of the prison to aid the football team of the prison which consists of the sadistic guards. He refuses but suggests that as a warm up game they play the prisoners. This the warden takes on board and so Paul goes out looking for a football team amongst the inmates of the prison, and soon discovers that they can not only warm up the guards team but beat them. I found myself throughout the course of the movie feeling more and more part of this team and when the end game was played felt the urge to cheer and shout every time they scored a touch down. The longest yard did not only deal with the sport but actually had a backing story that struck a chord with a majority of the audience and when one of the characters suffered a terrible death many of the viewers in the cinema were welling up with tears. Overall this movie was well cast with sandler and even d12 and Nelly making an appearance, the story was quite lighthearted and fun yet did have a realism to it that was good to watch. I would give this movie a 10 as I could watch it again and again.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
A fantastic adaptation of the book. (Tim Burtonified)
When i came out of the cinema after having watched Charlie and the chocolate factory for the first time i was really not sure what to make of the movie i had just used the last two and a half hours of my life for. Firstly it is a very Tim Burton perspective of the book and even the trees in the chocolate room are reminiscent of his previous work but in this particular case i think it took a visionary like Tim Burton to bring the children's fantasy world of chocolate to life. Secondly i thought that the oompa loompas were fantastic. The songs they sing were not quite how i had imagined but were entertaining none the less, and thirdly and finally on the plus side the casting of a majority of the characters was fantastic, however unsurprising it is to see Helena Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp on the list. On the negative side of the movie and only a few points here, i felt that the issues Tim Burton tried to bring in with Willy wonka and his father did not appear to fit in with the rest of the fantastical world of Willy wonkas factory, it was a tad too much realism amongst such vision. I felt also that Johnny Depps portrayal of Willy Wonka was flawed. I was impressed with his ability to appeal to children but his accent at times was poor and he seemed somewhat sadistic in his wish to get rid of the children one by one the way a madman would. Overall I would give this movie a 9 and three quarters As it was thoroughly enjoyable enough o sit through twice in as many days but with minor annoyances, but then who and what is perfect.
The Wedding Date (2005)
fun lovin and harmless entertainment
OK so maybe the ending of this film is a little predictable and perhaps some of the characters are clichéd but i think this movie is up there with four weddings and others of its kind. The idea of this movie is very pretty woman and would never take the originals place, but it is a fun fresh movie that make feel good about love as my mate said when we came out of the cinema the other nite. Sarah Parishes character was the funniest of them all, with all her comments again being slightly clichéd but funny to the last. I really enjoyed this movie and its definitely one to see with the girls on a good nite in or out. The one small problem i have with this movie is the fact that half the family appear to be American and the other half very obviously English. It does not seem to add up in my mind that Holland Taylor would be the mother of Debra messing? a good fun movie.xxx
The Lawnmower Man (1992)
Too loaded with special effects
I give this movie a 5 out of ten as the acting was good enough to make you feel for the characters you actually felt sorry for JObe when the priest is beating him with a belt, however in general the whole movie is too loaded with special effects and i soon found myself lost in the plot. A second thing which really i found totally out of place was the overly gratuitous sex scenes between jobe and his girlfriend. It was sweet to think that somebody could like jobe and that he was new to the experience of kissing women and sex but it is totally over the top to then show what it did i feel anyway. The ending was very clichéd and not the ending that was needed at all i felt. I did however like the acting of the two leads and so watched this film till the end. Not a terrible effort but could have been a lot better.xxxxx
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Dogs overrated
Was I the only one who saw this movie and thought it was actually just an excuse for excessive violence with hardly any story or any relevance to anything? I watched this movie as I had been told by so many people it was a classic film that could never die and I have to say i was seriously unimpressed. I am a movie viewer who on principal will watch all of a movie and then judge it because I think its unjustified to comment if you haven't got the whole picture but it basically ended up a pointless bloodbath.I can see why this movie got its violent reputation as with all tarantinos movies yet the others such as kill bill and pulp fiction do not seem quite as pointless as this. The acting however was of a good standard but with lines like this and a story this bad you have to be fantastic to even seem OK as an actor. Tarantino himself who appeared in the movie seems to much of a wet blanket to be connected in any way to this Mafia like gang and to be honest it was obvious to me who the policeman was before you found out. I only give this movie a two as it wasn't soo bad i HAD to turn it off but it was pretty close.xxxxxxxxxx
Reality Bites (1994)
Brilliant
I watched reality bites about two days ago and have had it on repeat since. firstly i would like to say that those who do not like this movie are entitled to their own opinion but i was really annoyed to find that some of the users have actually insulted people who do like the movie so firstly by all means have your own opinion but let others have theirs. I thought reality bites was brilliant. In my view it depicted well the struggle that teenagers can face when leaving school college or uni. Some of the parts were cast awkwardly but I do have to say my surprise at seeing Ethan Hawkes depiction of Troy Dyer. I had to be honest typecast him in the role of saintly good guys but found this a refreshing change. Others may not agree but the film really spoke to me and i do not believe for one minute it was because of my shallow personality but simply for the fact that, that is where my life is right now. I give this movie a 10 and in regards to the debate of Winona Ryder's character picking the wrong bloke I disagree. She went for a genuine bloke not a co-orporate clown. A movie to at least watch once even if you don't enjoy it.
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Stunning adaptation
When I was first asked to go to the movies to see the phantom of the opera with my mum i agreed to go just so she didn't go on her own. However, after seeing the movie i cant wait for its release on video and DVD. The sets were fantastic with the scenes in the bottom of the opera house eerie, that acting was phenomenal and as for the singing it was excellent. The one fault and one fault alone I found with the film was the phantoms singing. It has been mentioned on previous reviews that the phantoms singing was not up to scratch and I have to say I agree. Gerard Butlers voice was not terrible to listen to but was not to the standard of predecessors of him for the role of the phantom. His acting however was absolutely brilliant and he really drew me in to the point of feeling sorry for him at the end. Overall I would give this movie a 9 out of 10, Even if you think you wont like it, its well off going to see it. xxxx
Top Hat (1935)
Typical Class and style of the best
Top hat with Fred Astaire and ginger's rogers is surprisingly enough a story of mistaken identity. However despite this its flaws are few. I find it really refreshing these days to watch a movie where you know the ending will be happy, all the characters will find out who each other really is and the two lovers will end up happily married and totally in love. The dancing is sheer class as is always Fred Astaires style and the supporting cast provide that extra little something you need in movies of this sort to keep the will they wont they suspense sustained. I enjoyed this movie a lot and have subsequently bought it on video. I would say 9 and three quarters out of ten. The last quarter is for a plot that has been done so many times.
Paint Your Wagon (1969)
Old Fashioned fun
I first watched Paint your wagon at the age of about ten when my dad who incidentally loves this movie had it on in the lounge. At ten years old it is a film that seems to rather drag and seemed so old to me I could barely watch, but now watching it again many years later have come to appreciate it as quite a comic take on the old west. Its characters are amusing and despite some criticism on clint eastwoods performance as partner i enjoy all the actors performances including his. My favourite song of the film would have to be 'no name city' as i remember as a child being amazed at how low the reverends voice goes during that song. Overall I enjoy this movie and will watch it if it is on television. An 9 out of 10. Good old fashioned fun.
Guys and Dolls (1955)
Entertaining
I will admit as many others who have placed reviews here that this movies biggest problem is the attempt at singing by Marlon Brando. However, I think it is wrong to include Jean Simmons in the same boat. despite this I do find the film really enjoyable and Marlon Brando is convincing as the gambler who repents. His smooth talking character Sky is everything he should be but as mentioned earlier his singing lets him down. The rest of the cast manage to bring a certain amount of class to this film when so many stage versions have made it appear dull and lifeless. I find Frank Sinatra a brilliant Nathan Detroit and his co star a brilliant Adelaide. As for the cutting of some songs from the stage musical in the film I think they were justly left out. The films pace would have been to slow if they were included. Overall I watch this movie a lot and givie it a 9 out of ten. The last mark is for the late Marlon Brandos singing.
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)
Harmless Fun
I had read reviews of the day after tomorrow some to its praise and others not, so when I spotted the video of it when out shopping decided to give it a look. My overall impression of the movie was that it was harmless fun to watch. I did not finish the movie feeling that 2 hours of my life had been stolen from me yet I felt I wanted to see more. The special affects were no less than astonishing in my view yet this is not the movie to watch if you want a deep and meaningful storyline and characters interesting to watch. As well as the story lacking in detail in lacked in my view any sense. It was hard to believe and follow that at the start of the movie the main character [Jack Hall the climatologist] was predicting the affects of global warming to be seen in hundreds of years and therefore urging the US Government to act, yet by the end of the movie had reduced his prediction to a matter of hours. However one small redeeming factor of this was the fact of seeing a trade mark disaster movie dog. The one dog that survives when millions of civilians die. The slight attempt at romance fell a little short but any movie containing Jake Gyllenhaal cant be too much of a disaster. Overall I would give this film an 8 out of 10. Another good watchable disaster movie.
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)
Hilarious
I always thought the first Bridget Jones movie was fun and quite harmless entertainment, and i would watch it as something to do, but it does not compare in my opinion to the sheer comedy that is the second one. I went to see the movie with a really good girl mate and me and her have never laughed soo much in a movie for a long while. The story behind it was quite basic and the story did rely solely on people finding Bridgets mishaps funny, however this did not mean the film lacked in any way. I was laughing from beginning to end and found the ending very sweet. My favourite scene is a recreation of the first one and is the scene where Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver are fighting in a water fountain for Bridgets affection. This along with the perfectly timed music that comes in was a lot better than the first ones fight sequence. I could not fault this movie in the slightest and I look forward to its general release on Video. xxxxxxxxxxx
Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
Weird but wonderful
Now i have sat and read all the comments for this version of Dracula and I have to say I totally understand how a movie created from a novel can shatter your images of that novel and cause anger at the way the film was made (for me an example of this would have to be lord of the rings), yet as a person who has never read the book I found this movie fascinating. As a rule I do not normally view movies of this kind yet after hearing a song from it by annie lennox decided to give it a go. I watched it and have since found it incredible. There are a few moments I will admit worthy of a cringe or two for example the scene where lucy goes out ito the garden etc ( those who have seen the movie can fill in the details) however despite these minor scenes it really shown through as a truly intelligent and individual take on Dracula. The soundtrack is excellent and I have since become a great Fan of Gary Oldman whose acting in this I find both menacing and romantic. The only thing I will fault the film on was the absolutely appalling attempts at a British accent by Keanu Reeves and winona Ryder. why not cast a British person to play those roles, we do have actors and actresses over here. Overall a strong 9 and 3 quarters out of ten. The last quarter is for the accents. xxxxxxxxxxxx
Sabrina (1954)
Romance as it should be
I bought this movie when I found it in a high street shop for three ninety nine. Being a fan of the old classic movies i thought i should give it a go. I did and enjoyed every minute. As is traditional for Humphrey Bogart or Bogie as he is known he plays a smooth, charming sophisticated character with ease and this is apparent throughout. He also reveals in a very believable way his soft side when he admits his reasons for remaing single in the movie and his hurt of a past girlfriend, and of course he is the only actor who can produce the line "its all in the family" in such a way as I find it sweet yet amusing. Willian Holden also shines in this movie as the rich and wealthy playboy yet is slightly unconvincing in the role of playboy turned to lover. He does however make the film amusing with a scene when he is having glass removed from you know where. And also implies humour when asking Lynes what rhymes with glass when later trying to compose a poem to Sabrina. Audrey hepburn shows her acting talent aswell as her beauty in this movie as she wraps the two larabee brothers roung her fingers. Its fun to watch and is another film that shall remain a great tribute to the great Billy Wilder who has given us movies like this and some like it hot also a well worth movie.
Troy (2004)
Muscles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sun, sand and sexy men what more could a girl want from a movie. Eric Bana to me and my friend was the main attraction in this movie as he stole the screen in every scene he was in. His character was believable and the portrayal of his turmoil was well acted. Brad Pitt shined in more ways than one as the best warrior in history "Achilles". Not only did he have a body not easily forgotten but the love story added depth to his character and made him seem the ideal man on and off screen. Orlando bloom who in the past has also shined in movies like "Lord of the Rings" was slightly disappointing in this role. He played a coward well yet this made his character less appealing than the others and his acting was let down by the lack of depth in the character he played. Paris' character ended up seeming selfish and a stupid romantic. Overall the movie was fantastic and well worth two and three quarter hours of your life.
All in a Night's Work (1961)
Romantic comedy at its finest!!!!!!!
All in a nights work shows everything I love to watch in a movie. Its fun, sassy and has the great one liner, Oh Mr Ryder. Dean Martin and Shirley Maclaine have obvious chemistry in this flick and its just a classic example of how romance used to exist. Although it is a typical mistaken Identity plot for a film of its age it has more wit than others seen at that time. Dean Martin really shows in this film his sophistication as an actor and is at all times Mr Cool. Shirley Maclaine is an actress I have never really watched in the past but she sparkles in this. The ending would have to be my favourite scene, I love this movie and its a classic I can watch again and again.
Some Like It Hot (1959)
This is hot!!!!!!!
Some Like it Hot is an all time classic movie that will go down in history and deservedly so as one of the funniest comedies of all time. It begins a little slow with us being introduced to the characters Joe and Jerry working in a mortuary and witnessing the St Valentines day Massacre whilst trying to pick up a car. Despite its slow beginning it picks up from the point where the two agree to disguise themselves as women to join an all female band on their way to Florida. From then on in it is one of the best movies I have seen to date. However with one element of confusion Jerry played by Jack Lemmon appears to be the one interested in Marilyn Monroes ditzy sugar Cane with Joe telling him to keep clear, however as soon as they arrive at the holidaying destination Jerry appears to have lost his infatuation passing it to Joe who then carries on to seduce her. Despite this I find this fil very enjoyable and watch it on a regular basis. Osgood Fielding the third is the show stealer of this movie as you have to laugh at his absolute stupidity at falling for a man with the high light being the last line. I hope it goes down in history as being the last line ever. The reviewer gives this movie ten out of ten as it is harmless fun I could watch again and again.