Change Your Image
MonteViste
Reviews
Sanctuary (2008)
Interesting idea but contains British English script errors
Everything that can be said about this program is more than likely already lurking among these pages. However, having just watched the first episode, I was once more struck by a recurring problem with Canadian/American productions that feature characters that have English accents. Why oh why can't they be bothered to employ mother tongue British script editors to check the script before recording them? The fact that Amanda Tapping's character has an English accent is at once compelling and of course she was born in England which is also quite interesting. Being raised in Canada however she has, reasonably enough, a Canadian accent and so speaking with an English accent must have been a little odd for her - British viewers will certainly be able to hear that oddness every now and then. Not to detract from her very obvious talent of course, she is very good and totally steals every scene. She's certainly the only reason why I might consider watching episode 2! The telling problem however lies, as ever, with the script. In this first episode there were three glaring errors: Magnus remarks to Zimmerman, "I could use your help". We would never say that, instead we would say, "I could do with your help".
Magnus proposes to Zimmerman, "...having a hard time accepting it...". We would never employ such a 100% American expression. Instead we would say, "...having difficulty in accepting that...".
The character Druitt, also supposedly English, remarks "...put her someplace more dangerous..." Not in a million years would we use the inexistent word someplace. The word, on this side of the Atlantic, is "somewhere".
So come on American producers, sort yourselves out. If you can't find anyone else give me a call I would be more than happy to proof read your English character scripts for you. Anything to help avoid these horrendous gaffes that you keep making.
Rant over....
La vida que te espera (2004)
What was Rai thinking?
I must admit to being drawn to foreign films. I only wish I'd seen all of this one last night on GBR (Italian fta channel). As it was I only caught the final hour or so. The cinematography is beautiful and the acting excellent. The direction too is absolutely fine - no problems there, Marta Etura and Clara Lago who play the two sisters Val and Genia are superb.
The story, having just read-up a little on the film, now makes more sense - you know what it's like trying to piece together a film half way through it. The one thing that has left me a little annoyed though is the ending. If Rai knew, from the moment he fell in love with Val, that it had been her all along then why on earth was he so hard on Val's father? Perhaps in order to unravel that particular mystery I will need to see the whole film from the beginning - but where to find a copy in Italy? Hmm...
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)
Fast Paced Romp in the Sands of Morocco
Gemma Arterton is lovely and Jake Gyllenhaal is loads of fun as the prince. I was left with the impression that the film could have been really excellent, certainly the actors are all superb. I think at the end of the day if anything the film was let down in the direction department - too much going on, too many improbable events leading into each other.
The principle cast is mainly British and so, much to his credit, Jake Gyllenhaal adopted a British accent for his part and made a fine job doing so. There is one point though that has left me absolutely perplexed. Richard Coyle who plays Prince Tus, what was he thinking? On the morning of the invasion of Alemut he remarks about Dastan, 'He's 'gotten' in'. I beg your pardon? There is no such past participle in British English - we would never use that word in a million years. Now why on earth didn't Richard Coyle simply mention that fact to the script writer changing it to something like, 'Dastan has succeeded in entering the city'? There's a second blatant error later on when Dastan says to Tamina, 'You know, you've got quick hands, but so do I'. But so HAVE I not DO I. It's not sufficient to garnish a film with British accents you have to employ British grammar as well otherwise it just sounds stupid.
However, to end on a positive note, the sound-track is superb, the actors are believable and visually the film is stunning. Well worth a view.
Respiro (2002)
Just Beautiful
I bought this film back in 2002 when I was first learning Italian, it's absolutely fabulous. Francesco Casisa and Filippo Pucillo are superb as Pasquale and Filippo and of course Valeria Golino as usual gives a perfect performance in her role of Grazia.
The DVD that I bought has American subtitles which are desperately awful in places but manage to convey more or less what's being said.
The soundtrack is very unusual, I love the original incidental music and its recurring theme which is repeated throughout the film.
This is also where I first heard La Bambola by Patti Bravo.
Some complain about the ending but I love it; watch the film to see what you think....