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Reviews
Bright Young Things (2003)
A classy combination of comedy and drama.
Films depicting early eras of the 20th Century, are always insightfully made by film makers. They do not always appeal to mainstream audiences; therefore, they are very risky too produce. Obvious examples of this are films such as "Far From Heaven," "The Cat's Meow," "Down with Love" and "Chicago." Consequently, the final product of films is always compelling and engaging for audiences.
"Bright Young Things," adapted and directed by British comedian Stephen Fry, spans over ten years and sends you back into the jazzy, wealthy, gay, alcohol and drug smuggling 20s and 30s.
The powerhouse performances by an excellent British/American ensemble cast, make it impossible for your eyes to be taken off the screen.
Film buffs, historians and anyone who loves to have a good time, will appreciate "Bright Young Things."
A worthy contendor for the 2003/2004 Award Season, but will no doubt be overlooked by Hollywood entrants.
Chicago (2002)
The Return of The Movie Musical
Starring Catherine Zeta Jones, Renee Zellwegger and Richard Gere head a very talented supporting cast in Rob Marshall's movie musical treasure "Chicago"
Chicago is the story of Cabaret starlet, Velma Kelley (Zeta-Jones) and starlet wannabe Roxie Hart (Zellwegger.) Both murder their partners on not guilty grounds and are represented in court by Billy Flynn (Richard Gere.) Because as they say, "If You Can't Be Famous - Be Infamous"
Breathtaking costumes and sets make Chicago a spectacular musical, soaking up the fame and popularity of last year's musical comeback Moulin Rouge.
Days of Our Lives (1965)
Interesting, escapist plots.
Carly's burial alive.
The Jack and Jennifer Saga.
Marlena's possession under Satin.
Kristen (Susan, Sister Mary Moira), Marlena and John's triangle.
Hope's Four year past as Princess Gina.
Some of the most popular storylines explored through the long-running Soap Opera "Days of Our Lives." As Soap Operas go, the show provides interesting plots with the suitable acting style displayed by many veteran actors. The overacted, exterior/interior monologues are delivered with sharp emotional power. The melodramatic style is not an easy method of acting - and the cast should be commended for keeping storylines that can run lengths of two years, fresh and intriguing for new audiences, and veteran audiences.
One of the best Soaps of Network Television.
Chicago (2002)
The Return of The Movie Musical
Starring Catherine Zeta Jones, Renee Zellwegger and Richard Gere head a very talented supporting cast in Rob Marshall's movie musical treasure "Chicago"
Chicago is the story of Cabaret starlet, Velma Kelley (Zeta-Jones) and starlet wannabe Roxie Hart (Zellwegger.) Both murder their partners on not guilty grounds and are represented in court by Billy Flynn (Richard Gere.) Because as they say, "If You Can't Be Famous - Be Infamous"
Breathtaking costumes and sets make Chicago a spectacular musical, soaking up the fame and popularity of last year's musical comeback Moulin Rouge.
Chicago (2002)
The Return of The Movie Musical
Starring Catherine Zeta Jones, Renee Zellwegger and Richard Gere head a very talented supporting cast in Rob Marshall's movie musical treasure "Chicago"
Chicago is the story of Cabaret starlet, Velma Kelley (Zeta-Jones) and starlet wannabe Roxie Hart (Zellwegger.) Both murder their partners on not guilty grounds and are represented in court by Billy Flynn (Richard Gere.) Because as they say, "If You Can't Be Famous - Be Infamous"
Breathtaking costumes and sets make Chicago a spectacular musical, soaking up the fame and popularity of last year's musical comeback Moulin Rouge.
Catch Me If You Can (2002)
A Good Catch
In the tradition of high-paced crime movies like Ocean's 11, Catch Me If You Can is the story of a teenage conman who succefully disguises himself as a pilot and doctor.
Apart from its lengthy running time, the strong performances of DiCaprio, Hanks and some good supporting talent; this is another Steven Speilberg treasure.
Two Weeks Notice (2002)
It Didn't Work
Suprisingly, I found that Two Weeks Notice didn't appeal to me as a good movie. While Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant are both excellent at their work, together, they just didn't cut it. This is a shame because you would think that they'd be absolutely pleasurable on screen - but there is just no spark. See it anyway. There are still plenty of good laughs! Rating: A dissapointing B-
Red Dragon (2002)
Review.
Warning: this review contains spoilers.
It's a shame. Both Hannibal and Red Dragon had such great potential to be excellent sequels to the oscar-winning The Silence of The Lambs. They were fantastically directed, however, both lacked in other areas.
In Hannibal, we sorely missed the presence of the real Clarice: Jodie Foster. Julianne Moore was good, but did not play the role with the intensity that Foster did. Lecter, in this picture, was a completely different character. That was understandable, he's been free for a decade now and soaking up the scents of Italy. But Anthony Hopkins seems bored in the role and doesnt play Hannibal with any enthusiasm. The supporting cast of this movie, while well known, just dont fit together.
In Red Dragon, Clarice is still running around on the high ropes course training for the FBI. So her absence is understandable! We see the arrival of Lecter's capturer Will Graham searching for the Tooth Fairy. The storyline is similiar to that of Silence of the Lambs. That works for me. However, the chemistry between Norton (Graham) and Hopkins (Lecter) is far away from the intenisty between Starling and Lecter. Again, Hopkins seems tired with the role - he needs to go to bed.
I've forgotten the point of this review - so in conclusion, Go Hannibal!
Absolute Power (1997)
Absolute Power in Performance.
With an all-star cast, Absolute Power is a slick, political/crime thriller. It tells the story of Luther Whitney, a professional burglar who witnesses the president murdering a political big guy's wife. Things happen and then the story finishes, leaving you somewhat satisfied.
Clint Eastwood (Space Cowboys) and Gene Hackman (Superman) lead the ensemble cast including Ed Harris (Stepmom), Laura Linney (The Truman Show), Judy Davis (Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows) and Scott Glenn (The Silence of The Lambs)
Overall, well acted, well directed and well done.
Georgia (1988)
Brilliant.
Judy Davis returns to the Australian screen in an almighty role. She plays insurance investigator, Nina Bailey and her mother, Georgia White. After a recent photo gallery presentation at an Art Gallery of Georgia's work, Nina becomes suspicious of her mother's sudden death.
Davis leads an all star Australian cast, strongly supported by a solid plot and well written story. Georgia is another Australian classic.
About a Boy (2002)
A Grant Success
Will is the almost middle-aged man who is living a sugar coated life on the fortune of his father's only number one song. Will thinks he's happy until he meets a boy...
Marcus is a pre-teen boy who lives with his manic-depressed mother in suburban London. Marcus is the school joke and is very unhappy until he meets a man...
About A Boy is a heart warming story of a boy and a man missing something from their lives, until they meet when everything changes.
Excellent performances by Hugh Grant (who gives a wonderful performance as Will) Nicholas Holt as the boy, Marcus, Toni Collette as his mother and Rachel Weiss as Grant's love interest support a well written story that is not coated in any way and is realistic even to the very conclusion which is still a happy one.
From a score of 10, About A Boy is 9.5.
Lantana (2001)
Lantana: Winner.
Lantana is gripping and suspense filled. The magnificent acting gives this movie a realistic edge and therefore brings great depth to the situations.
The story is simply five situations involving different relationships and are interwined together when a woman is goes missing one night.
The principal cast (including Anthony Lapaglia; Geoffrey Rush; Barbara Hershey; Kerry Armstrong and Rachel Blake) are excellent and believable.
If it were not for its Australian Made tag, Lantana is a Best Picture film. Very much worth seeing.
Out of 10, Lantana is a solid 9.
Little Voice (1998)
Little Big Voice.
Little Voice is an extravagant, wonderful, but also touching and moving story of an impersonator of classic movie stars.
Jane Horrocks is Little Voice(LV): the overly shy girl who lives with her loud mother. Brenda Bethlyn is LV's mother, Marie Hoff - a loud (loud in every sense of the word) widow, who spends most of her time talking. Michael Caine is Ray Say, the smooth-talking manager of D Grade performers. Jim Broadbent is Mr. Boo, a Cabaret owner where Say's performers play to everything but perfect. Ewan McGregor, while in a minor role plays LV's love interest.
LV spends her time in her Attic room listening to her late father's showtune records, she has also developed a talent of impersonating the great signers of these showtunes. Her mother spends her time in bars with "gentleman" her age. Hence one night, she brings home another middle aged gent, who happens to be a manager and hear's LV's incredible voice. It's from this point the movie gets some momentum going, but soon slows again. LV sings in Mr Boo's Cabaret and is an instant hit, however - because she agreed to only do it once as a tribute to her father, she refuses to do it again. This is where the characters and the movie begins to crumble into a less-than satisfactory ending.
However, Horrock's amazing impersonation of singers such as Monroe, Garland and Deitrich is breathtaking as she belts out "Get Happy" and "Over The Rainbow." Bethlyn, hams up the mother's arrogance with humour and some depth where you can also sympathize with her situation. Caine as Say is great (however, he appears somewhat out of character in this sleazy role.) Supporting is McGregor and Broadbant who are both good.
Overall - an excellent film.
Out of 10, Little Voice is a solid 8.
Modern Times (1936)
Without breaking the silence...
Only Charlie Chaplin could sustain his boycott against talking pictures (over ten years)with classic, fall-down-funny treasures such as Modern Times. Principal characters Chaplin and Paulette Goddard (his then wife)play homeless, pennyless hobos who join forces in the search for work during the world's greatest depression, political and industrial revolutions.
A well done screenplay, direction and production on Chaplin's behalf make this a joyful movie. Some topics included in the picture did cause some controversy after its release, (as did most of Chaplin's films from this point onwards.)But today, we can appreciate the satire and good humour his movies ultimately embodied.
Out of ten, Modern Times is an 8.
The Cat's Meow (2001)
Modern Classic
After waiting for its release for some time, I enjoyed a quiet Saturday afternoon at the cinemas viewing "The Cat's Meow." While in some parts, the pace is slow and does not seem to be moving anywhere; ultimately, the movie is a triumph in re-creating the suave, classic murder mystery.
The story is one of the most talked about scandals in Hollywood. Involving the death of cowboy legend, Thomas Ince (played by Cary Elwes. It also includes the love affair between Charlie Chaplin and Marion Davies (played with superb excellence by Kirstin Dunst and Eddie Izzard) and the crazed jealously of William Randolph Hurst (played by Edward Herrman, perhaps being his performance of a lifetime.) Of course, the spectacular 20s craze is kept alive with the wonderful supporting cast including Jennifer Tilly as the soon-to-be most feared gossip columnists in the US, Louella Parsons. And slightly out of usual role, but nonetheless dazzling, Joanna Lumley as acclaimed author Elinor Glyn.
With beautiful scenery, costumes and cinematography, "The Cat's Meow" is a certified winner - bringing back with style (and of course the Charleston) the sensational era of the 20s. (A)