greyollie-1 Reviews

Gladiator (2000)

Tomb of Roman general who inspired Gladiator

[10/10 · 17 October 2008]

Authorities in Italy have announced the discovery of the tomb of the Ancient Roman General who inspired Gladiator (reported in the The Times online website and elsewhere). Marcus Nonius Macrinus was a favourite of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, leading the Emperor's army to victory in Germania and across the Danube. However he did not end up a gladiator. Although the Emperor's son and successor, Commodus was indeed killed by a gladiator named Narcissius. After all, story-telling often involves the right o "Poetic License", so I do not get upset over minor matters in a wonderful film like Gladiator. Who knows how many younger viewers may grow up to be archaeologists because of Ridley Scott's masterful direction and the brilliant performances he inspired from Russell Crowe and the rest of the cast.

Greyollie Australia

The Interpreter (2005)

Surprised to see a US movie somewhat supportive of the UN

[9/10 · 22 October 2005]

WARNING: some of my comments could be taken by some readers as being spoilers about the film. This was not my intention.

I know this film was not well received by some US critics. I am not surprised. What did surprise me was that a US film was, somewhat, supportive of the UN as an institution.

As a person from outside the US, I see the film as making an important contribution to the international debate on the role and future, if any, of the UN. Certainly the world has changed out of sight since the UN was born out of the ashes of the most destructive war in human history. Certainly the UN has failed at times - Africa being one of the key examples. Certainly some have misused their positions for personal gain. What has always ignored by those most antagonistic to the UN is that the veto powers of certain permanent members of the Security Council have caused many of the UN's failures - as the vetoing countries clearly intended. They wanted to UN to fail as the failures made their own agenda for particular crises more achievable, and more aligned with their own national political agenda.

The film is very obviously taking using President Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and the suffering in that country, there as the model for the fictitious country in the film. However, the film's ending does not reflect what the world community is doing in response to the rule of President Mugabe.

I applaud Mr Pollack as film director, as well as the actors - especially Nicole Kidman and Sean Penn - for such a thought-provoking, but still "edge-of-your-seat", thriller. Certainly some plot developments become obvious ahead of time, but enough do not, to make the film very watchable. Some have criticised the "chemistry" between Kidman and Penn, but - given the stage in their lives that the characters were supposed to be at, as the film unfolds - in my humble opinion, I think the Director and the actors got it just right.

I sincerely recommend the film to those who like to be forced to think about the plot/sub-plots' setting, along with the characters' motivations, while still enjoying their "popcorn thrillers".

I certainly intend buying a copy of this film to add to our family's DVD collection.

Thank you Mr Pollock. Thank you Ms Kidman and Mr Penn. You have made a film deserving to be recognised and appreciated - again and again by owners of legal copies of the DVD of the film - long after the film's theatrical release. I liked the DVD extras, as well, as they prove once again a film's cinema-release version almost always is more creatively satisfying than the alternatives included as DVD extras.

Greyollie Australia.

Love Among the Ruins (1975 TV Movie)

Sheer joy as two acting legends act magnificently together

[10/10 · 26 August 2005]

This film is a sheer delight. Actually there are no words to do justice to the performances of Katherine Hepburn and Lord Olivier. What a loss that they they had not acted together before. What a miracle that they did this once - and, oh, how they did.

Rush out and buy the DVD of this gem of film making. See what true cinema is all about. See how actors, screen writer and director can make screen magic together.

No need of violence, foul language, car chases, pyrotechnics or tawdry s*x scenes {I do not want my comment deleted because a I used a word regarded as unseemly on the Internet).

How marvelous to have this film as a reminder of the genius of acting greats and as a reminder of what makes a cinema classic - talent, quality writing, & direction to draw out such wonderful performances

• and both actors were 68 years old when they performed with such talent and energy to weave this cinema magic together.

No wonder Lord Olivier described working with Ms Hepburn on this "made-for-television" film as one of, if not THE, highlight of his long and distinguished acting career.

Greyollie, Australia.

I, Robot (2004)

Interesting Condensation of Asimov's Robot Stories

[8/10 · 29 January 2005]

This comment is based on viewing the DVD of the film, including the few - but very worthwhile - DVD extras' features.

The movie is not telling any of Isaaac Asimov's robot stories, as such. However, the Scriptwriters and Director have taken key aspects of several of these stories to compose a challenging synthesis of Asimov's Three Laws. Caution: spoilers ahead! The 1001 Robots scene, the question Sonny asks of Will's Smith's Detective Spooner, and Sonny himself all come from Asimov's work, as others have said. I think he would have liked the film. It respects his Laws which actually now govern the scientific field of Robotics. The film holds true to the origin of the word "Robot" itself, from the Czech language: meaning "compulsory service", from Karel Capek's 1923 work "R.U.R.", (Rossum's Universal Robots) - citation from the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary.

Will Smith did a good job, especially in the scene about his accident that led to his attitude towards robots. Brigit and Bruce did well with what they had to work with. Interesting to see the "Gollum" film-making method taken further by the "I, Robot" film crew.

A very creditable 8/10, a thought-provoking film for Asimov readers. Certainly a far more intelligent cinematic attempt at Asimov's 'Three Laws' than the cloying sentimentality of "Bicentennial Man".

Greyollie, Australia