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The Musketeers (2014)
Entertaining adaptation with fresh story lines.
I am a big fan of all Musketeers related adaptations. However, it was refreshing to see the characters in the spirit of Dumas's novel, but with new story lines rather than the original story which in my opinion has been done to death!
Having watched the first two episodes, I have been enthralled and entertained. The acting is good and each character is already forming with a ladies man gentleman Aramis, a slightly misanthropic Athos, Porthos, brave and strong and loyal, heroic D'Artagnan.
Also of note are Milady and the Cardinal, who is a character more loyal to his motivations in Dumas's novel, rather than just being an out and out villain.
Nice detail in sets and location and a modern twist on the swashbuckling. A lot better than some of the recent Hollywood adaption. (Which would not be difficult though!)
8/10.
Agora (2009)
Visually stunning and a strong message about fundamentalism
Firstly, I will say that the cinematography of this movie was beautiful. It's a shame that more viewers did not get to see it on the big screen in a cinema because here I'm sure it would have been even better.
I first stumbled across this hidden gem on Netflix. I had never heard of the movie or heard of Hypatia but enjoy period movies so I decided to give this one watch.
Its an unusual movie for the genre in that the lead is a woman and the casting of the primary male characters were all from virtual unknowns. Having said that, I thought all the acting was top notch across the board.
The story is set in forth century Alexandria in a period of great religious change in the city. While at first glance the story seems to be about Hypatia, a philosopher and scientific pioneer, the story is rather seen through the eyes of her young slave Davus, who is played by Max Minghella. I had seen him play in the Social Network prior to watching this and here he was a revelation. His near mute performance is delivered primarily through looks, expressions and body language. Some of the scenes he shares with Rachel are stunning and very touching.
The first act delivers strongly, but as the second act unfolds, the main characters seem to get lost in the the up swelling of religious upheaval. Part of the problem is the script here seems to relegate the interesting characters of Davus and Ammonius to spectators while Hypatia studies and the very one dimensional Cyril plots.
Oscar Isaac as Orestes was very good in the second half. A powerful scene with his childhood friend Synesius is a strong one.
The final section of the movie is completed by a beautifully passionate, violent but heart wrenching scene featuring the leads which is excellently performed.
Aside from the scripting problems and some painful lines at times this movie could have been even better. I would class it as a very strong movie with excellent acting, beautiful visuals portraying a very interesting time in history.
While many Christians will think of this as anti Christian, I think the overall impression I was left with was the moral of anti fundamentalism. Neither Christians, or Jews or Pagans were sold as good in this movie. All groups committed atrocities which parallel the tensions in our world.
Overall worth a view on Netflix at least. 9/10.
The Departed (2006)
Black humour and Head shots! Scorsese at his best....
The Departed is the best movie I have seen in years. It's gripping, shocking and hilarious all in one movie. Like the best roller-coaster ride, one second you're laughing, the next you're 'Oh my God!' as something really shocking happens.
Yes this movie is a remake of the classic Hong Kong 'Infernal Affairs.' I loved the original but somehow the movie seems to sit even better among the Boston Irish.
The performances in this movie are all standout, the leads DiCaprio, Damon and Nicholson as well as the support Wahlberg, Baldwin, Sheen and Farmiga. It is their work which makes the Departed special and absolutely gripping. From the hilarious one liners thrown by Wahlberg's Dignam and Baldwin's Ellerby to the intense fear and vulnerability shown by DiCaprio's Costigan as he tries to survive in the world of Nicholson's colourful and terrifying Costello.
Surely this movies deserves some acting nods at the Oscars? I would certainly recommend 'The Departed.' You do need to be prepared for Goodfellas type violence and language but if you can live with this then The Departed will be one of the best movies you have seen in a long time.
10/10
The Queen (2006)
A compelling watch...
Having vivid memories of the events surrounding Princess Diana's death, I was instantly interested in the subject matter of this movie. I saw it tonight and was not disappointed, primarily due to the wonderful performance Helen Mirren gave. She captures the mannerisms and character of the Queen wonderfully, giving a truly award worthy performance.
The script is well written and balances the sadness of the events of 1997 with some wonderful moments of humour - from Prince Philip, the Queen Mother and regarding the peculiarities of Royal protocol.
I would definitely recommend the movie, it ranks high in my top five of movies so far this year.
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Extremely moving depiction.
This movie was amazing to watch. It brings the Passion so much to life that you feel as though it is real in every sense. I think that in hearing the Passion told every Easter when I was a child I'd kind of become desensitized to the true brutality of the events leading up to Jesus's death and only in watching this movie has it struck me how aweful it truely was.
I'm not really very religious but this telling of Jesus's last 12 hours really affected me. I don't class it as the best movie I've ever seen, in fact in reality were it any other subject I think I would class it as mediocre, but for any Christian it is certainly a must see. I cried most of the way through the movie.
If I did have any criticisms they would be: 1. Why did we not get to see the events of Easter Sunday onwards aswell? Surely this is really the most important part of the story?
2. I found the presence of the devil in many scenes as rather unnessessary and off - putting.
That said, The Passion of the Christ is a movie that cannot be missed.
I give it 9/10.
The Pianist (2002)
GREAT Film!
Just saw this one at the weekend...I's an excellent film and I can see why Polanski and Brody won the Oscars, I suppose. (I still thing it should have been Scorcese and Day-Lewis mind you...)
Definately one to watch, for so many reasons.
My second favourite of the year...
The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
All for one and...
I am a massive DiCaprio fan - I have been for about ten years now, and Phillippe in The Man in the Iron Mask is one of his better performances. Sure there are a few cringy lines in the script, a couple of the scenes are a bit unbelievable and as for the twist at the end - Hands up who did not see that one coming in the first ten minutes or so? It is the performances that save the film and make you believe the pretty unbelivable dialogue and action.
All of the leads are fab, but DiCaprio shines as Phillippe. As I said, I honsetly think it is one of his best roles, up there with Arnie in What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Frank in Catch me if You Can and Amsterdam in GONY.
As for the film as a whole, well if you just go with it, and don't dwell on the flaws, it's pretty enjoyable really! I can't help but like it in spite of the bad bits.
7/10 - Would be less, but I just love Phillippe. Awwwhh!!!
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
Catch it!
It is the 1960's when Frank Abagnale Jr runs away from his crumbling family and begins the life of a fraudster, inpersonating a pilot, doctor and lawyer, and cashing millons in bad cheques all around the world. All before he had even turned eighteen.
So begins a game of cat and mouse where the teenage Frank tries to stay one step ahead of the bumbling FBI Agent Carl Handratty who is trying to track him down. The escape scenes are a lot of fun, the father /son moments between Frank and his father are filled with heartwarming drama. But it is the relationship between Frank and Carl that is special. Right from the opening scene you know Frank is going to prison but you wonder how Carl will eventually catch him. And what a scene when it comes!
Walken is great as Frank Snr.
Hanks's Handratty is far from his best work, but that certainly does not mean he's bad. He's just not in Forest Gump mode.
DiCaprio steals the show after being eclipsed by Day Lewis in GONY. He is outstanding in the role of the supremely confident fraudster Frank on one hand, as well as the vunerable kid who justs wants his family back together. It's a shame that he will probably miss out on an Oscar nomination , because he hasn't been this good since What's eating Gilbert Grape? Definately worth the ten year wait.
9/10 - Great film - Based on the true story of the life of Frank Abagnale Jr, Catch me if you can is a treasure of a movie. The action moves at a pace, without seeming to move at all, and you are drawn in a moment from laughter to sadness and back again just as quickly. How refreshing to see a film that shows some originality! Thank you Mr Spielberg. Thank you Leonardo. You are both forgiven. (A.I, Minority Report, Titanic, The Beach....) More of the same PLEASE!!!
Gangs of New York (2002)
Great Film!
I just saw GONY, the long awaited movie when Leo (finally) shows the talent he has! We haven't seen it for a while: not since Romeo and Juliet and possibly parts of Titanic, but its definately back here! Can't wait for Catch me if you can.
Having said that it is Daniel Day Lewis who steals the show here. Bill the Butcher was a great character. Really scary.
The opening battle seqeunce is really quite gory, but it could have been worse! The only thing that grates here is the modern sound-track that accompanies it. I feels as out of place as the Leo voice over which is at times Irish, but mostly some kind of strange New York dialect.
The rest of the movie is great though! Almost Shakespearian. Amsterdam is, as Bill keeps reminding us, just a kid! That is why (spoilers ahead) there cannot be any great showdown between them, because Bill would have to kill Amsterdam. But he won't, as in the really horrible 'scar' and hatchet scene! Amsterdam, unlike his father, is not a worthy victim of the great Bill 'the Butcher' Cutting. (end spoilers.)
Easily the best film of the year. Lots of Oscar success ahead. Just don't go in there expecting a huge ending. Its not going to happen. It can't happen, if you watch the rest of the movie!