mail-4601 Reviews

Ringu (1998)

Best Horror Movie

[9/10 · 6 April 2008]

Saw this on old VHS without knowing too much of the plot & the best horror movie I have seen. The subtitles enhance the look and feel as well portions in black and white. The Director does an excellent job of setting the atmosphere and builds nicely to the key point. Even watching clips of that moment still freak me out.

Reading some of the negative comments here and it is clear a lot of people had already watched the US version (not bad in its own right) so it is not surprising the comments are negative. Of course you will be disappointed if already know how it finishes. This is unfortunately typical of attitude that Hollywood is always best.

This movie is best viewed without knowing the plot.

Adaptation. (2002)

Original & Clever

[8/10 · 7 March 2008]

I must start by saying that I love Kaufmanns scripts as you always get something something completely different.

I feel this is as close to the opposite of a blockbuster popcorn movie as you can get. I would recommend to watch this without reading the plot as knowing this in advance takes away from the film. It can be difficult watching but if you stick with it the plot reveals itself. Nicholas Cage is very good & shows a rare glimpse that he really can act.

If you liked Kaufmanns previous work you should watch this. If you like being challenged & seeing something different then give it a go too.

The only criticism I could add is maybe it is too clever?

Watched this again many years after first time & I now have new found respect for this film. The ending makes even more sense & also much easier to piece all the knowing comments throughout. Don't judge this until you have watched it twice!

Being John Malkovich (1999)

Original, Bizarre & Funny

[9/10 · 7 March 2008]

Bizarre is the one word to sums up this film. The protagonists include a puppeteer & an actor playing himself which must be a first.I have never seen anything like it yet strangely it does work. For such a strange film it is not pretentious & can be enjoyed without having to think about too much.

All the cast are great & with Cameron Diaz dressing down it took me 30 minutes before I realised she was in the film.

The plot does seem to unravel towards the end but I prefer to applaud the effort of trying something different which mostly works. One of my favourites.

If you like your movies to be predictable & have Hollywood endings then this is not for you.

Prison Break (2005–2017)

Lost the Plot in Series 3

[5/10 · 26 January 2008]

This show has lost the plot that Lost.

Series 1 was great entertainment & series 2 was good too.

Series 3 on the other hand is a shadow of the other series. While the acting was never very good at least the plots if unrealistic keep you guessing. In series all the flaws of the first two series are exposed badly - acting is shockingly bad, plot is non-existent, Soma was supposed to be hell on earth but look like day spa. If someone is getting paid to write series 3 they can stay on strike! Series 3 has all the look of blatant attempt to cut costs & squeeze some more money out of what started as good idea.

I gave up half way through series as not worthy of my time any more.

Dexter (2006–2013)

Michael C. Hall is the Star

[9/10 · 26 January 2008]

Definitely my favourite current TV show but I never pick the obvious.

Liking the bit of originality to murder mystery format - a serial killer you will like. The pacing is fast enough that plot is developed in each episode. The voice over works really well & the flash backs to Dexters youth with his father are never overdone & always add to the story. I feel the success of this show is the way it takes you into Dexters head so you know what he is thinking especially when he thinks he is about to be found out.

Michael C. Hall is the undoubted star of the show as dominants from start to finish of each episode as everything resolved around him. After his performances in Six Feet Under this surely puts him in the A list of TV actors.

It is a pity this show does not greater exposure on this side of the world as stuck on limited available cable channel.

Waiting to see how series 2 develops.

Band of Brothers (2001)

11/10

[10/10 · 25 January 2008]

11/10, it is one better! Perfect! Timeless Classic!

Greatest war based TV series, mini series, film ever. This will appeal to viewers of all tastes as is so much more than just war action. The $125 million budget means no expense spared so looks as good as any big budget film.

The action scenes are excellent & provide a really good mix of WWII. The acting is top notch especially Damian Lewis. I really liked the way they developed the characters over the episodes too. The fact it is a true story & the real life characters were part of the process adds to authenticity.

To me episode 2 is the star starting with D-Day Landings & it is very difficult to stop watching then.

The DVD box set is really cheap now & will be watched for years to come. If you have not seen before you are in for a real treat.

'The Pacific' due to 2009? Can it match such high standards?