cmccarthy-13 Reviews

National Treasure (2004)

Indiana Jones for a new generation

[8/10 · 26 January 2008]

When you go and see a Jerry Bruckheimer film you expect a flashy and fast paced roller-coaster ride with the emphasis on fun rather than plot and character development. This film does not disappoint. The action focuses on idealist Ben Gates who has devoted his life to hunting for the treasure that has eluded his family for generation and who follows a series of clues culminating in him hatching a plan to steal the Declaration of Independence in order to protect it (and the invisible map on the reverse) from the bad guys! Unlikely I know.

This film bears great resemblance to the Indiana Jones series. Action filled with scenes of peril and a dash of romance. The events seem unlikely at best and this film does not pretend to take itself too seriously. See this and be prepared to suspend your disbelief and have a thoroughly enjoyable couple of hours.

Pretty Woman (1990)

A Hollywood Fairytale

[10/10 · 12 January 2008]

I have seen this film too many times to mention and I have never tired of this charming fairytale. The plot is very simple. A young prostitute is picked up by a wealthy businessman and after spending the night with him she is offered an exorbitant sum of money to spend an entire week living in his hotel suite. She of course accepts and the rest is history.

Julia Roberts launched an incredible career from this film and her sweet and vulnerable portrayal of Vivian Ward makes you warm to her almost from the very beginning. Richard Gere is suitably debonair as the cynical businessman Edward Lewis who is captivated by Vivian's charms. The chemistry here is amazing and was not to be repeated in the disastrous Runaway Bride. This films ending is possibly one of the most memorable in romantic comedy history.

The important thing that critics of this film should bear in mind is that it is not meant to be taken too seriously. It is just a modern fairytale that girls everywhere can relate to on some level. Real prostitutes do not have Vivian's naivety or bubbly nature and of course in reality she would be expected to be much more jaded by her experiences. This film does glamorise the world of prostitution but this is not a serious enough film for this to warrant any real concern. Young girls will not watch this film and yearn to work the streets. They will see through to the real moral of the story which is that a persons life can change for the better no matter how bad things get. This surely cannot be a bad thing for them to learn.

About Schmidt (2002)

The Thinking Persons Comedy

[8/10 · 7 January 2008]

This film focuses on a man in his 60's who upon his retirement realises how empty and meaningless his life has become. His wife irritates him, he never sees his daughter and his company have replaced him with a 20 something whizz kid. He sees an advert on the Television and decides to sponsor a young African boy called Ndugu. As well as sending cheques to the boy he also sends him letters telling him all about his life and his failed hopes and dreams.

Jack Nicholson reminds us in this film of why he has been one of the top actors in Hollywood for so many years.His portrayal of Warren Schmidt, a man facing his own mortality, is extremely realistic and we can all relate to his fear that he has failed to achieve anything in life. Kathy Bates is a great comedic actress and her portrayal of Roberta Hertzel, the mother of Schmidt's future son in law, lightens the mood in some of the films darker moments.Good supporting cast in Hope Davis and Dermot Mulroney as Schmidt's daughter and future son in law.

The ending is a little anti-climatic but very poignant as Schmidt realises that maybe he has made a difference to at least one persons life. This is a funny film but it is much deeper than the average romantic comedy that comes out of Hollywood these days. This will make you laugh but it should also strike a more serious chord with most people who will at some point in their lives be able to relate to Schmidt's worries that he has not achieved anything or made any difference to the world.

Bewitched (2005)

A Pleasant Surprise

[8/10 · 31 December 2007]

When I first heard that a film version of Bewitched was being made I was sceptical. These new film versions of old classic TV shows very rarely make the grade. However, in this case I was very pleasantly surprised.

This film offers an interesting take on the old story. Isabel Bigelow is a witch who is trying to stop relying on her magical powers and start a new and more ordinary life.A chance meeting with Hollywood actor Jack Wyatt leads to her being offered the lead role of Samantha in a remake of the TV series Bewitched.

Nicole Kidman is fresh faced and innocent as Isabel and Will Ferrell makes an adequate Jack.Michael Caine also makes a great star turn as Isabel's randy warlock dad.

This is a sweet love story which doesn't rely too heavily on special effects as many such remakes have a tendency to do. Fans of the original TV show will not be disappointed as this frothy concoction remains true to the spirit of the original series but a new perspective breathes new life into an old idea.

Let Him Have It (1991)

Compelling true life drama

[9/10 · 22 December 2007]

Convincing performances and a reasonably unbiased approach to the facts make this an intense and compelling true life film. Neither Derek Bentley or Christopher Craig are portrayed as being all good or all bad. Derek is vulnerable and just wants to fit in with the 'gang' but goes about it in all the wrong ways and Chris whilst being the more hardened of the two still cries over his brothers imprisonment.

Whatever your views on the death penalty this film will make you stop and think. Its supporters will be forced to see the issue in a new light and those who campaigned for its abolition will have their views reaffirmed.This is not an easy film to watch but it is well worth it and the conclusion will stay with you for a very long time.

Love Actually (2003)

Worth a second chance

[7/10 · 15 December 2007]

When I first saw this film I was distinctly unimpressed. I found the number of different story lines made it difficult to relate to any of the characters or to really care about any of their problems. However, recently I gave this film a second chance and I was glad I did.

The film essentially contains eight different romantic comedies. The positive side of this is that there should be something for everyone. If you don't enjoy one story the film will skip to another one in no time.

The most enjoyable storyline for me was also the most unbelievable one in the whole film. Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister and his love interest the sweet and fluffy South London maid Martine McCutcheon make an odd couple but if you suspend your disbelief they make a charming pair.

If you have not seen this film yet you may or may not warm to it. If you have only seen it once and are not a fan I recommend you give it another try. The perfect film for a winter's night in front of the fire.

Sleuth (2007)

Don't Expect Too Much

[6/10 · 1 December 2007]

The most important thing when you watch this film is to avoid any comparison with the 1972 classic. Not easy I grant you but essential if you want to enjoy this film on any level. Any comparison will not be favourable to this version.

There is an obvious attempt to give this film an ultra modern feel by employing huge amounts of high-tech gadgets and having sleek metal and chrome surfaces on display throughout the house. Kenneth Branagh has made use of various techniques such as showing the action through security cameras and filming from different angles to give this film a unique look. However, none of these things are a problem. There is a slightly excessive use of swear words which does give the impression that the writer was trying desperately to engage a younger audience through any means necessary.

The first half of this film is engaging enough and follows the plot of the original pretty closely. However, the second half is a bit of a mess. Jude Law's performance is laughable and there is a homosexual undercurrent that has no place in the plot and is in fact very damaging to the credibility of the film. The ending is abrupt and totally devoid of tension.

This film is worth a look but don't expect too much. Michael Caine takes on the role of the rich and bitter Andrew Wyke and plays it very well with no attempt to copy Olivier in any way. Jude Law is adequate but not outstanding. This film might be better suited to people who have not seen the original but in its own right this film is still not a classic of our time.

Something's Gotta Give (2003)

A romantic comedy with depth

[10/10 · 24 November 2007]

Something's Gotta Give is essentially a romantic comedy but there is much more to this film than the usual string of comic misunderstandings all wrapped up with a fairytale ending. Harry Sanborn, played by the irrepressible Jack Nicholson, is an ageing Hip Hop producer who can normally be found living the New York city high life with a string of glamorous twenty something beauties. His life is turned around when he goes to spend the weekend with one such beauty. A misunderstanding leads to the girls mother Erica (Diane Keaton) and aunt gatecrashing the party. All four reluctantly agree to spend the weekend together. Harry and Erica take an apparent instant dislike to each other. Harry is threatened by Erica's wit and intelligence and Erica finds Harry's attitudes toward the fairer sex repugnant.The film changes direction and really begins to take shape when Harry's amorous ways lead to a heart attack. Erica becomes his reluctant nursemaid and the plot develops from that point.

Jack Nicholson is essentially playing himself but does a fine job of things regardless. Diane Keaton is amazingly good as the repressed divorcée who has closed herself off from life and love. Keanu Reeves and Amanda Peet give solid supporting performances as the doctor who takes a shine to Erica and Erica's daughter respectively. The film has much to say about relationships and the rules we impose upon ourselves. Harry refuses to entertain the idea of dating someone over 30 and Erica considers it foolish to date anyone younger than herself. Many men and women alike will relate to these attitudes. We are all aware of the different standards imposed on men and women in our society and this film does put an unusual twist on the familiar theme of Agrippa relationships. The underlying message seems to be that in matters of the heart it pays to have an open mind. This film has much more depth than your average romantic comedy but for those who find its message a little too close to home this can be simply enjoyed as a very funny and touching romantic film.