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Reviews
Hex (2004)
Season2 far better than season 1. Now a must see show.
I watched season one of Hex and enjoyed it in an on and off kind of way despite some ropey acting and a hammy script at times. However, if you stick with it and start watching season 2, you will be well rewarded, the action kicks up several notches, the stakes are raised and a MAJOR character dies for good and a new one is introduced.
Jemima Rooper continues to steal the show as the sassy, lesbian ghost Thelma, with some great one liners such as "I may be dead, but I'm not straight" and newcomer Laura Pyper creates a whole new dynamic as Ella whilst some old faces get some much needed character development. The Nudity, violence and sex is more noticeable helping distance this show from the whole "british Buffy" tag it used to have. It really has become a must see show and one I spend an agonizing week waiting for the next installment.
X2 (2003)
X2 review
I was lucky enough to manage to get a ticket for a screening of X2 at London's Odeon Leicester Square at 10:00 am this morning. I enjoyed the first film immensely but agreed that there were some flaws in it. This film however totally blew me away.
I was wondering how they would top the opening of the last film with its clever and dramatic retelling of the Magneto origin but I am pleased to say that they managed to provide a stunning and heart stopping sequence to open the film that will have fans and non fans gasping in delight.
The film is superior in almost every aspect to the first. All of the characters get extended screen time and seem more settled in their roles. Halle Berry has thankfully dropped the dodgy accent and left us with just a slight twang that works far better than her attempt in the first film. We see a much more complex side to Storm than before and it works well. Hugh Jackman continues to develop what must be a very challenging role and manages to pull it off with a charm and flair that IS Wolverine. He, as ever, gets pretty much the most screen time and we get to delve a little deeper into his past. Alan Cumming's nightcrawker was something I had reservations of before I saw the film, but I can honestly say that he is fantastic. Every scene he is in he steals and I nearly died of excitement the first time I heard a 'BAMF'.
Famke Janssen is excellent in the film, her character Jean Grey is used very well indeed and fans will be pleased to see how Jean develops in this movie.
The effects are superlative. No dodgy glowing white balls of energy this time. All powers are rendered superbly and are used very well indeed. The set pieces are mind-blowing and received rounds of applause in the cinema, something I am not used to seeing over here in Britain. I can't wait to see this film again and it is a definite must for my DVD collection. Now I only have to wait for the third instalment.
Far from Heaven (2002)
Amazing!
I saw this film as the surprise film (you don't know what you are seeing until it starts) of the London Film festival. Not being familiar with the films of Sirk, I can't compare or understand the references Hayes talked about in his q&a session after the film. I can only say that I came out of the cinema on a high after seeing a masterful piece of cinema. Read some of the other comments for plot points but I will say that is must be one of the best examples of acting I have seen in a long time. Julianne Moore especially was wonderful as the restrained/repressed cathy. Her performance had me instantly sympathising with her situation and pulled me into the unmamiliar and un naturalistic style of the piece.
The colours and cinematography were beautiful and evocative, the score was divine and the use of occasional violence shocking and well used. Not a happy ending, not a satisfying resolution, not what I would expect from an American film.
Haynes made an interesting comment at the end about what is happening in America at the moment making the fifties look like the sixties. fascinating!
Please see it!