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lucygoodyear
Reviews
The Uninvited (2009)
Don't look at the IMDb comments before the end of the movie!
Unfortunately, this movie which had a pretty good ending managed so well to disguise itself as mass production crap that I read the comments halfway through the film and ruined the ending for myself. Duh! Otherwise some respectable performances - I'd watch David Strathairn iron his pants if a film was made about that. The man really can act. There was good use of setting and although the grumpy teenager routine from Alex irritated me at first, I liked her character more and more as the film progressed. I already dislike the actress who played Rachel and this film didn't make me think any more of her acting abilities - I think she should be reserved for B movie horrors and romcoms. Makes me want to watch the original though - I suspect it would be much better. Didn't have as much impact following on the heels of The Ring and The Grudge but a fair effort overall.
New Town Killers (2008)
The Game (with Michael Douglas) was far better
Having grown up in Edinburgh I expected to enjoy this film based on the comments of other reviewers. I also chose it for Dougray Scott who plays a mean if somewhat two dimensional villain in other films with entertaining results. I felt that the story was weak and rather predictable. However, that did not detract from the performance of the young male lead who I thought was excellent and utterly convincing as was his friend. Liz White continued to grow in my estimation with this performance having already seen her in "Life On Mars" and "A Short Stay in Switzerland". These actors far exceeded the capabilities of the script and the storyline and I will continue to watch for them in future releases. To be honest, their performances and the clever use of art and location in the film are the only reasons I have for giving this film a 7. If the score was for storyline alone, it would have garnered a 3.
Being Julia (2004)
Flawless performance from Annette Bening
I didn't expect too much from this film, to be honest. Although I do like Merchant-Ivory style films I was not in the mood for one tonight. What took me by surprise and had me hooked within the first 20 minutes was the fabulous script. Julia is an amazing character and Annette Benning mastered the art of being an English upper class b*tch superbly (I should know - I was brought up to be one). She reminded me greatly of Bette Davis with her rapier sharp disdain and in her fiery performance during the penultimate scene. I have seen several of Annette Benning's films but, with the exception of "American Beauty" never felt any particular affinity for her characters. I can see that I will have to go over her back catalogue of films and watch with a more educated eye.
Bride & Prejudice (2004)
A film about marriage is a successful marriage in and of itself
Having seen and then purchased "Bend It Like Beckham", I was anxious to see the next film by this director. I lived for several years in the heart of the Indian and Pakistani community in Glasgow, Scotland and had experienced life on the fringes of their culture. This film is a beautiful illustration of all that Indian culture has to offer, reminding us that the worship of all things material cannot compensate for the loss of all things fundamental to society. This film has certainly encouraged me to take a proper look at the films which come out of Bollywood instead of watching them flick past on the International Channel! Very nice and unexpected casting - surprised by the casting of Darcy and impressed to see a Hollywood based actor branching out in this kind of direction so early on in his career. Kudos to the costume designer - quite frankly I think that traditional Indian dress is far more practical, stylish and beautiful than anything to come out of Paris or Milan. The music is, I suspect, an acquired taste but I look forward to experiencing more of this melding of influences in the next film by this director.
'Salem's Lot (2004)
An insult to the book
From the opening moments, it was made clear that this remake would leave even more to be desired than the original David Soul fiasco. Despite superb casting, the production simply deviates way too far from the original text and none of the changes implemented enhance the story. The novel has sold millions of copies for a reason: Stephen King can write horror novels like no other. When will studios learn that books build fan bases which should be respected? Lord of the Rings aside, the majority of film and t.v. studios continually fail to respect the original material handed to them. If they have so little respect for the original novel, why adapt it? Surely they can find some third rate unemployed script writer who can give them an original concept to display badly instead? If I were Stephen King, I would sue.