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Reviews
Sideways (2004)
Absolutely wonderful vision of real life.
This a film, a real proper film, one you will revisit again and again.
We all know a Miles or a Jack because they are real people portrayed by amazing actors, Giamatti is quite simply amazing.
A road trip, comedy romance with heart felt sympathy and tears, this production is priceless.
Jack (the lad) steers the film from one sexual liaison to the next with big trouble in between. This causes great angst for Miles as his new relationship is torpedoed by Jacks failings.
Its funny and sad, joyful and sorrow, happiness and guilt, all rolled up in to one big cracker of a movie.
You wont be disappointed!
RV (2006)
You must see this
Hilarious from the start, this was an excellent movie. I had serious doubts about Robin Williams in this type of roll having recently enjoyed the'cheaper by the dozen' movies. However he was mega, so was Jeff Daniels in a very strange roll.
My three kids (all very different ages) laughed more than I did. It's very unusual that I like a movie this much in the beginning, middle and end.
You will recognise the plots from several recent movies, 'cheaper' as i said, '40 year old virgin' etc but you won't be prepared for the humour. Brilliant, I'd go again.
The Book of Stars (1999)
Sorry, not impressed
I bought this on DVD only because of my interest in Mary Stuart Masterson, (Some Kind of Wonderful 1987). I try to see all her films because she left an impression on a young teenager (yes me) all those years ago.
The performances were very good especially Jena Malone, whom i hope becomes as big as Scarlet Johansson. The problem for me was the storyline, it stuttered and stalled then leapt forward in one big lurch. The almost impossible realisation of her feelings as Kristjan leaves made no sense to me. There seemed no build up to this.
Oh well, off to try Heavens Prisoners.
John in Bonny Scotland
Cast Away (2000)
Simply the Best
Any one reading my comments will quickly notice the common denominator - Mr. Tom Hanks. This might make people think my comments would be biased as I am clearly a fan but then there was SPLASH, enough said.
I have seen the film about 5 times but the last time was the best. Not only did a few loose bits fall in to place (two names above the ranch entrance at the beginning then ...) but i seemed to experience all the emotions of every character as they played out. I nearly cried when he cried on the raft over Wilson ( OK I actually did) and when Kelly was beside herself at the Airport reunion I wanted to reach out and help her do the right thing. (for us anyway) The jeep/taxi scene at the end was magnificent and the rain made all the difference. Then the way he spills out his emotions at the realisation of losing Kelly again was just superb.
As always see the film for yourself and make up your own mind.
For me, 10/10 Top of the class Mr. Hanks, Ms. Hunt a close second.
The Village (2004)
See it for yourself
I was not going to raise to the challenge of defending or promoting this film but after reading other user comments and still wanting to see it, i took the advice of one post and did as he suggested - SEE IT FOR YOURSELF. The reason therefore for this post is to pass on that advice.
Having a liking for Shyamalan's work i too always expect the story to be more different to the previous encounter than actually happens. Still in this case i was not too disappointed as it is a good story. I can see why some people expected more, why some hated it and why some don't 'get' it. (two girls leaving behind me actually said 'what a waste of £5')(it was actually £6 to get in ?) Still, it was a nice change from the summer shoot em ups, smoochy crap or absurd sci-fi.
Loved sixth sense, liked Unbreakable, didn't like Signs, really liked the Village ! SEE IT FOR YOURSELF
I, Robot (2004)
No way Libraries would close.
Having seen the film (and liked it okay) and read some postings I have a serious concern with the idea that 'simply banning the internet would have kept the libraries open'. Whether this is meant to make us think about future possibilities or is a radical suggestion af where we could be going (or simply further bad script writing) as a race, I would like to suggest that the human endevour for leisure and recreation would mean that books will last forever. In my locality, Libraries are adapting to the internet and providing access as well as preserving the need to provide a book lending service. This doesn't mean Libraries will necessarily survive but the need to have written words will ensure books do.
Back to the film, great idea, poor writing, poor actors, poor one liners, not funny, could have been so much more. (C-).
Man on the Moon (1999)
Genius
I have just watched the only Jim Carrey movie I liked him in. To say Jim Carey is a Genius would be an injustice to everyone. Especially Andy Kaufman. As an actor Carrey usually misses the spot for me but in 'Man on the Moon' he is an utter Genius.
If this movie is a true representation of Andy Kaufman's life and death then Carrey deserves every accolade he never gets. Andy Kaufman lived a life less ordinary and Carrey shows how easy it can be.
Andy, Jim and Cliff, I salute you.
DD
NYPD Blue (1993)
Give it back !
Ever since Danny went missing at the end of that season we the great British viewer have been neglected of the rest of the show.
Britain's Channel 4 has long been the launch pad for all things American on TV but it is also very fickle and demands the viewer rating. This leads to the impass we now face. Having followed NYPD Blue from day one it is a travesty that we cannot get CH4 to air the rest. Seems like crud from Ozzie & co rates more than the long standing jems that this is.
Dennis Franz is a legend in out time for the performances he gives and the odd change in partner gives the show the shot in the arm it deserves every so often.
CUMMON CH4 GIVE IT BACK (OR WE MIGHT ASK VINNIE TO TWIST YOUR ARM)
You've Got Mail (1998)
F O X
F O X , Fox thats Joe Fox, Tom Hanks' character who wants to rule the world. The Book world at least anyway. This is as fine a Tom Hanks / Meg Ryan film as you will see. Both personalities were made for this script although it is more likely the script was made with then in mind. Hanks' world is dominated with being the 'Book Zsar' of New Yorks West Side but his life is turned upside down after an encounter in a jammned elevator. Meg Ryan is the sugary sweet heroine who falters not and just about keeps it together in the face of personal disaster. The characters transformation from bitter business rivals to the inevitable lovers is both as pleasant as it is expected. This does not spoil the film however as the journey to this end is what makes this film superb. Both Hanks and Ryan seem familiar in these roles and so they should as the characters could be straight out of 'Sleepless' in another timeline.