maxwellsham Reviews

Spellbound (2002)

Really Really good

[9/10 · 12 January 2004]

I can't believe I held off seeing this for so long. I was worried it would be too american and too documentary and thus not very funny but I was totally wrong on both these accounts. It really was unexpectadly funny. I thought during the movie this is amazing I can picture myself running out of the Cinema after and throwing my hands in the air in excitment. I didn't quite do that but I was excited. The ending is great. This is a film filled with those little moments and expressions and people making faces and telling jokes which hit the mark. And I mean filled like you wouldn't believe. Its also amazingly interesting. It manages to tell you stories from all over America through the childrens lives. At times it reminds me of the Christopher Guest movies with its talking head interviews except it is actually real.

Hollywood Ending (2002)

What a Movie!!

[9/10 · 23 January 2003]

This was amazing. I watched this while my unfortunate friends endured the Lord of the rings and how glad I am that I was antisocial this time. It was from start to finish a classic. Very entertaining and clever. Not quite like most Woody Allens where you just spend the whole movie with a smile glued to your face but instead with reflective bits coming together slowly to set up an original and amazingly funny plot. He constantly fires shots at both the blockbuster and the arty side of hollywood including himself. Nobody could have done this. All the performances are great as well.

Casino Royale (1967)

Just Hilarious

[7/10 · 20 June 2002]

This is one of those movies which just makes you go. Huh? What the Hell? The scenes are so incredibly ridiculous that you wonder what planet the insane mind that concieved them came from. It's great. Everything from the earlier Bond films is shredded. There is so much to look at in this, the bond girls, Peter Sellers, Orson Welles (somehow his bewildered brilliance never gets boring), the incredible sets, the colour!!! (you though Austin Powers was colourful??? forget it, the phycadelic scenes the bond girls. It all adds up to a mind trip well worth seeing.

Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)

Wow!

[19 May 2002]

Spoilers Ahead

Well I've watched a few Kubrick Movies and I absoulutely love the artistry in the Cinematography. Its like watching (22x60xhowever many minutes the film runs for) postcards. Every single shot is perfect and nothing short of it. He doesn't play around and experiment with funny camera angles or if he ever did you never see it. It's all original and its all perfect. Thats why I was kind of disappointed this movie was in Black and White. I surpose this is good in a way though. I also wish the sound was better as well. Other then those minor gripes I loved this.

Kubrick's comedy is quite as you might expect it. Incredibly dark. You have guys shooting themselves and great action war scenes with member of the same army fighting each other. And then in the end the entire world being anihilated for...wait for it...Body Fluids. Then you also have very light comedy. "Ok but if you don't have the president on the line in under a minute you're going to have some serious explaining to do to the Coca Cola Company", And of course no fighting in the war room, "So Dr. Strangelove about the 10 Woman to each man?", and this crazy russian commander drunk as a skunk and having it explained to him in small words that America is about to attack him.

The whole nuclear threat thing I've seen in a few movies before this but I wish i'd seen this one first because it is the original although I enjoyed the others. "the third world war/der weltkrieg", a european movie using clips of the real leaders of the time of the 1980 cold war peak to suggest what a real world war might look like. Then "Fail Safe" as well which is a virtually carbon copy of this movie cept not funny.

I think I'll watch it again this week. Its just a pity that the people who this film most needs to give a wakeup to are the very people who won't enjoy it and won't understand it.

Amélie (2001)

What a Smile

[9/10 · 1 April 2002]

How on earth could she smile like she did? It was amazing. I hope to see it again and again. Really worth watching. I'm sure most here have known for a while that Hollywood can't hold a candle to the Brilliance of some of the best international films this just serves as more proof. The things she does are so funny. The Music was great as well. It had so little story as well. It was more a feeling and a adventure then a plot. The big setups you see in American Comedies were absent and it was instead a showering of subtle and clever bits of imagination which keep you wondering what was going to happen next.

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The worst movie hype ever

[1/10 · 2 January 2002]

This was a disaster. One of the least entertaining pieces of trash I've ever seen. I wish I could have given it a 0 instead of a glorifying 1 out of 10. There is nothing interesting, original, clever, amazing, beautiful or even nice throughout its nearly 3 hour duration. Thank goodness I did not have to pay for the ticket. Titanic was bad this was worse.

The Others (2001)

Really cool Movie

[9/10 · 13 November 2001]

This really surprised me. When I saw ads for it I thought what a load of tripe. Another Horror movie which makes you laugh like crazy. Seen enough of those thanks. This isn't really a horror movie though either its more of a suspense thriller. And it really did keep me in suspense the whole movie through. I do think however the experience would be greatly diminished if not seen on a big screen with great sound. As far as strong points go this had lots really I thought the story was good it really was interesting and held you just in the right place to knock you over at the ending also kept you guessing the whole way through. The Atmosphere was also very good with only simple directing and not many amazing camera shots. The acting surprised me the most because I have not liked Kidman at all up to this point. She just seems so weak and pathetic normally but in this she really holds up very well and plays a very convincing paranoid mother. Finally I think this movie deserves Brownie points just for this, I hate movies where the director and the writers all conspire against you to completely obscure a truth and send you're mind of in a million different wild goose chases to find out whodunnit or whats going on only to turn around at the end and 'surprise' you and contradict all the feeling of the rest of the film just so the director can be right you can be wrong and you can't say oh well I knew that was going to happen. However in this movie there is a big twist in the end and it does sort of bend from the feeling of the rest of the movie but with a subtle twist which is very clever and innovative if not inventive. You'll have to see the movie to see what I mean though. By the way the movie is not fast but I really like slow paced movies. I pay good money to watch films and I don't expect to be whisked out of the theatre ASAP. I gave it a 9 out of 10.

Dogma (1999)

Uncanny, unbelievable, unreal!!! in a good way

[9/10 · 22 September 2001]

Wow what a movie. I don't know what to say about it really but that it was amazing. Its so good and well directed and acted. Never mind the script. I mean wow the guy (Kevin) who wrote that has some original cool ideas. I'd highly recommend you watch this flick. well worth it. By the way I'm a Christian, not Catholic granted, but I still really enjoyed this film. It had the right balance between having a stupid message that makes you feel warm and fuzzy and pure mock up entertainment. Some of the scenes and lines are just unsurpassable. I was not offended by it at all although I didn't agree with everything the movie says (when do you ever) It still made me really laugh. I don't think its a memorable life changing film but more people should see it just for its cool lines and shock factor.

Südsee, eigene Insel (1999)

Lots of fun

[8/10 · 13 August 2001]

This movie was so much fun. I really had a good time. I saw the trailer and it looked pretty good and I'm a sucker for german comedy so I decided to watch this on TV. It was great. Really simple and well done. The plot was very funny and kept good time. The acting was up to scratch with Herbert Knaup doing better in the second half of the movie and Alex Lara very nice to look at all through. It is not serious for even a second which is great and it had me entertained all the way through. The ending is also pretty funny. What can I say I loved it.

The story is about a wealthy banker who is about to go on a holiday to the South Pacific when he loses all his money on a dodgy investment deal. He has to keep up appearances though and the lengths he goes to to do this are quite hilarious.

Chocolat (2000)

Very good

[9/10 · 31 July 2001]

This was a really great movie. I took a long time to decide to see it but when I finally did I was glad I chose it over Evolution or Tomb raider. Knowing what I know now it really was never a contest. I am a pretty big fan of Juliet Binoche (who isn't) and I've liked her in every movie I've seen her in. Most of the time though she is speaking ?French though but this time she's speaking English. She really does everything in this movie well but its not only her in it of course. All the other characters are very well played. I can't think of one exception with the stand-out performers being, IMHO the Mayor and Serge' wife as well as the little girl. The movie did not really have any huge incredible highlights it just did everything very very well and was consistent. It also held you very well. Plenty happened in that 2 hours but the pace is just right. The story was very good and well written I enjoyed it and found it to be mostly real. Then there was the chocolate. Really if there was one unbelievable thing in the film it was the effect that Juliet' chocolate had on everyone. WOW I mean it was hilarious watching more and more people fall into total dependence on this stuff after only one crumb. But hey they were sceptical to. I also enjoyed Johnny Depp although he comes on in the later part of the film he still gets plenty of time and I think besides his occasionally off accent was pretty good. I saw it on the big screen which was lucky. On DVD or Video it would still be worth a watch. Go see it.

Shrek (2001)

Very Entertaining movie

[9/10 · 29 June 2001]

Highly successful movie. Great mix of animation, characters, story, cast and music. No major weak points and the effort put into this really shows. Never seen such expressiveness in the emotions on animated faces. Hard to believe they aren't real. Some people have commented on low brow jokes in this movie but they really were not that bad at all. Just the odd fart joke. Who cares there are so many clever gags and side swipes of typical Disney type cartoon movies. Should be fun for almost anyone.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

I hated it

[1/10 · 22 June 2001]

I would love to write an essay on how bad this movie was but I won't waste your time. It just was terrible everything about it. I cold not find one single thing I enjoyed about it at all. It just was terrible. If you haven't seen it then don't unless you enjoy watching robots act like people and people act like robots. I'm never watching another Sci-fi movie again in my life. If you saw it and liked it then you must have a very tiny brain like you're pal Jar Jar.

Ridicule (1996)

Good movie but not great

[7/10 · 22 May 2001]

This really was a good movie. Not a disapointment. It was everything that could be expected from it however it did not go any further. Overall it was pretty tight and well acted directed and performed. There were some really great shots as well. eg. one near the start where a guy rides a horse along a sloping but flat hill and the horison looks to be at an angle. Great original shot and also some very nice women to look at. Other then that though the story is not that spectacular. It seems the movie suffers from the directors indecision whether to make this outrageous and hilareous and over the top or to subltly slide in well worked wit and keep it fairly serious. I would have prefered to see the latter just because I've seen a few ridiculous over the top French movies. It is a good insight into Versailles and 16th century France but again does not quite do the trick for me because it does not quite feel real. The film does succeed though in the end I think. Although I just think it could have been a tad better.

Lucie Aubrac (1997)

great movie

[8/10 · 16 May 2001]

I love french movies what can I say. This one is really good as well. Interesting story I'd never really thought about. I was worried it would be old and bad you know like many period films are but this one is pretty well done. The acting is up to scratch and especially moments when the captives are in the prison and they really are feeling the pain and torture and still managing to resist the urge to stop it. Very few weaknesses as well. Lucie is really beautiful as well a pleasure to watch. Very desparate film which is well resolved. Overall worth a watch. I gave it 8.

Kolya (1996)

pretty darn good

[9/10 · 16 May 2001]

I never saw a czeck film before this and I really wasn't sure what to expect. But it was really great and it was fantasticly balanced. Everything, the war, the russians, the home life, the job, the kid, the love interest, the mother, it was all in there and it really blended well. I hope I see many more movies as good as this. The script is great the acting great and it was really funny. Some parts were truly ROFL funny. Amazing picture.

Small Time Crooks (2000)

Really nice stuff by Woody

[8/10 · 23 April 2001]

Woody is a champion. I'm glad I saw this. Its doesn't really say much but the scenes and writing are so tight you can tell he's a pro. The plot is great it takes you so far in a short time and achieves everything with ease. It even has a moral of the story at the end. I love the way you're watching a Woody movie and you just smile for minutes on end because between the music, the way people look and act, the things they're saying to each other and the part in the plot you just can't stop yourself smiling. No other director does that to me. Consistent brilliance.

Rushmore (1998)

Sorry did I miss something?

[3/10 · 23 April 2001]

I've watched many subtle films and enjoyed them all. I am a huge Woody Allen fan. (that could be good or bad mind you) and this was not subtle or clever. Its got a monster score on the rating so I watched this after being keen to see it for 2 years. It was a huge disapointment. People reviewed it here saying its funny, subtle, clever, well acted and inteligent when it certainly is none of those things. Its a huge misunderstanding. I don't know how it came about. It doesn't say anything. Its just a meandering loony plot about a teacher who regects a kid who has a crush on her and then regects his friend the steel mogul. plain and simple. The end does little to resolve the plot either. What was max going to do next? There were some nice scenes which did make me smile but overall this film really does not say anything and does not have any hidden meaning which I could have missed I watched it twice to make sure. Its rubbish, Hollywood tripe. I dig Bill Murray always and he's good in this although its hard to justify the fact that he's brilliantly playing a bored millionare who's bored with life against the likelihood that he's really confused and bored by the plot. I hope soon I can meet a person who liked this movie and punch them in the face just like Max got punched in the face.

Final Destination (2000)

I enjoyed this even though I shouldn't have

[6/10 · 5 April 2001]

It is not a film its a movie but It could have been much worse. They kept the plot moving really fast and fairly slick also. They sort of keep surprising you almost to much so that by the end you know whats going to happen. Strange little idea and it really is as good as you could get after Scream and I know... etc. Its been killed this teen horror thing and this was a little better done. If you want to enjoy this movie then expect the worst and laugh your ass off at how stupid some of the situations are. I give it a 6 but still worth a watch. Somehow?

Magnolia (1999)

take a look at this

[10/10 · 5 April 2001]

I give it a ten for a few reasons. Its very good basically. I've never seen a film that is so perfect cept maybe "Life is beautiful" and "American History X". I get the feeling that I could talk for a few pages and still not get close to descibing how interesting this film is. I won't though because there are plenty of reviews here for you to look at. I'd rather explore the best points of this film as I saw them. Ok it is very unexpected it takes you right from the start and really makes you think. I sort of knew about those two stories described in the first scene so I think that surprised and impressed me that they used real stories. Then you get into the grit of the characters. And its real grit from real people. They make big stuff ups and you can really identify with the people in it even though I've never had a husband dying of cancer or been addicted to drugs or LOL have frogs fall from the sky. It has no weaknesses in short people who give bad reviews have not really seen it. I really think you should rent this one and sit back one evening and relax and give this a good look. I had the privilege of seeing a DVD in a theatre and the sound came through big time. I really love some of the soundtrack and after the first song by that women I was so so pleased that they got her to sing another two. I'm going to go get some more of her music. Incomparable. Heck those songs are worth the price of the rental. Do go to the toilet before watching this because it is long. (you'll see one of the morals of the story is also go to the toilet earlier rather then later) LOL anyways it is not to long. I almost groaned when I heard it was as long as it is but like everyone said its totally captivating and is very well broken up with nice gear changes and scene changes. Wow you will be surprised by this.

Sexy Sadie (1996)

High quality movie

[8/10 · 5 April 2001]

Very nice. It captivates you from the start and hardly wanes all through. Vogel is dry and calm all through. Almost resigned. Its a very strange story. Excellent in fact the way it surprises you and where they go with it. I could very easily give it away but I won't. Basically a very funny German movie.

Playing God (1997)

This is definitely not bad

[7/10 · 4 April 2001]

Like I said its a hidden surprise. It well written well acted and well cast. I liked everything in this movie. Look its Hollywood all right but the brighter side. Angelina Jolie is great in this and I'm totally watching every movie with her in that I can get my hands on. Well worth a look.

Gia (1998 TV Movie)

Pretty good overall

[8/10 · 10 March 2001]

Hey what can I say Angelina Jolie is one of my favourite actors. I really liked her in Playing God and she was great in this too. She is on the screen alot and she makes the most of it. She is I think the most beautiful woman in the world. The rest of the movies not bad it tells a story which in honesty I couldn't really relate to so it served more the purpose of enlightening me on the Fashion industry etc. At least thats assuming it really is like that. Overall watch this to see lots of Angelina and Also some good story not quite tight enough overall to be perfect but definatly credible.

Still Breathing (1997)

What? I liked a movie with Brendan Fraser

[8/10 · 10 March 2001]

I think so many people are going to miss this movie just because it had Brendan Frazer when he is one of the best reasons to so the movie. He really is nothing like previous roles and is very subtly funny. This movie does not move very fast and it really is a character drama in the truest sense of the word but somehow all the things that make you wonder why? after watching a bad movie make you think yes that was cool after seeing this one. Everything works and the film is really beautiful and totally original, I think. In all honesty this movie has helped turn me on to romantic drama just by itself. Look at the Vote and look at the movie.

Bowfinger (1999)

This is one movie where hollywood really worked

[8/10 · 1 March 2001]

This is one movie where hollywood really worked

By Hollywood I mean typical fantasy crazy plots and action scenes and real crazy funny stuff. The movie is really tight as you would expect from experienced guys like this but it really has a fresh sort of plot. I sure had never seen anything like it before. It has one of the funnyest scenes also with eddie murphy playing a complete cluts. He really is so funny you are laughing as hard as you can and you think how the hell does he act like that. Steve martin also in good form and Heather Graham is not a huge part in this but she is funny and totally well cast. I really think it got missed by alot of people for some reason but is still well worth renting.

The Marrying Man (1991)

I liked this movie

[7/10 · 1 March 2001]

Look I admit its not the greatest ever made but I enjoyed it alot. It does not really do much wrong except maybe take the idea a bit far to be believable but look it beats an action movie. I wish they had made better charactors who were more believeable but that would have risked making it less funny. I remember though most clearly on of the lines from the movie which really stood out and was hilarious and is still everytime I think about it. Alex Baldwin is getting beaten up and thrown round a room by this hotshot rich guy who he really does not like and he gets thrown into a cupboard totally destroying the room and he is busy of all things handing out insults to his aggressor. The best of which is: "that suit...it looks like the lining to a better suit"