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Reviews
Death Becomes Her (1992)
A Wonderful, Dark Satire on Make-Up
This film is SERIOUSLY under-rated. It has three excellent actors doing their best stuff here and their comic timing is never better than in this film. Bruce Willis is particularly good as the rather shell-shocked (wouldn't you be?) plastic surgeon - cum - undertaker.
The main reason why this film is well-known now is because of it's *still* mind-boggling special effects used to a ghastly and very funny effect. It is also has a really fantastic sense of humour which never fails to raise a smile. All in all, a good, dark family film which is guaranteed to make everyone laugh. It does have some quite harrowing scenes (Meryl Streep being rather psychotic when a shotgun is in her hand), but I think that children should like it. I first saw this when I was five and I thought it was terrifying and very funny at the same time.
Truly wonderful stuff
Brideshead Revisited (1981)
One of the heart-achingly beautiful and tragic TV Series and an absolute must
Brideshead Revisited, by Arthur Evelyn Waugh, is one of the greatest and possibly luckiest books on the planet today. A truly heart-wrenching story of a decaying, idyllic society, it is fortunate enough to have this truly excellent TV Series to accompany it. I won't spoil it as it is truly a lovely, subtle narrative, but the actors (you won't get a much better cast anywhere else) portray the characters brilliantly. From Jeremy Irons' slightly unsure Charles Ryder (his slow, even narration is superb) to the hugely likable, but sadly doomed, Anthony Andrews as Sebastian Flyte. Castle Howard, as you will come to realise, is the perfect Brideshead for the series is a character in itself in the series as it seems to change with the general moods of the characters. All in all, this is a truly wonderful series that stays very true to the book. The sad thing is that there won't be many, if any, series like this in the future.
The Little Mermaid (1989)
What Fun!!!
This may be a little biased as I am a huge fan of the Disney Renaissance. This was the one that shot Disney back to where it belongs as one of the most beloved movie studios in Hollywood. And it is quite easy to see why. From the gorgeous animation to the wonderful characters (Sebastian, the rasta crab is one of my favourite characters ever as is Ursula one of the most charismatic and funniest villains). There is also the delightful story. Its hard to beliece that a film which is slightly longer than an hour can pack so much story in. The music also makes this a must see, from the great sing-a-long Under The Sea, to the romantic cheesy ballad kiss The Girl. I have realised that the older I get the more I seem to enjoy these films as they never seem to lose their sense of fun.
Heartily recommended as a wonderful bit of animation!!!
Drag Me to Hell (2009)
A great, great horror. Something that would scare and also highly entertain you.
Simply excellent! I have just watched this film with a group of friends and I have never seen a movie that was so ridiculously over the top and yet so wonderfully enjoyable. The tag line for the movie gives you the basic premise. It kinda says what you get on the tin so to speak. Throughout the film there are scenes of intense horror. *What a freaky gypsy witch, my God!* and, to lighten it up, there are scenes of surreal weird comedy, almost to the point it was like some sadistic Looney Tunes cartoon *One word, anvil* as well as possibly the funniest dinner table/meet the parents scene I've seen in a while. The parents' reaction is very amusing.
In short, a light-hearted fun film that should scare and amuse in equal measure. Not to be taken seriously but just one large slice of fun!
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
A Sumptous, Fantabulous Feast for the Senses
Despite some reviews on this film, saying that they "didn't get the ending", and hence lowering the rating this film is absolutely delightful for the faintly darker minded.
Firstly, the story is so startlingly original that it seems incredible that Suskind thought about it for a story. I mean, who else in the world of serial killers kills for the scent of a human being? And would you believe it? The perfume, which Grenouille happens to be the most powerful and mind-bending perfume ever created.
Also the way that it was filmed is just brilliant. The smells convey so well on screen that you can almost smell it very faintly. The scene where Dustin Hoffman's character first smells Jean-Baptiste's perfume and he has a hallucination of scents is just so startling and striking it is almost possible to believe that such scents do exist! The music itself instantly adds more atmosphere to the film , played excellently by The Berlin Philharmonic, giving just that extra touch to the otherwise delicious visual feast which we are presented with.
In short, I recommend this film to anyone who wishes to watch a visually fantastic film, with a dark storyline and wonderful characters to entertain them. Truly and utterly wonderful!
The Passion of the Christ (2004)
Something to watch if you liked Gladiator
The Passion of the Christ, through extreme controversy of the press and religious sects, became one of the most popular films of 2004. Mel Gibson, successfully, uses Hollywood Techniques to make the classic story more imaginable to a "new" generation. We say this film is horrifically violent (it does have a 15-minute flagellation scene), however were we truly so unexpected? In 2000 Ridley Scott made a controversial film for its violence. Everyone I know has seen Gladiator at least twice, and that's because people ENJOY the story, probably because of the violence. Gladiator was panned by some critics for its violence but adored by the rest of the world for its epic story.
It is the same for the Passion. Mel Gibson uses characters from the bible that you wouldn't usually see in the Cartoons about the Easter story. The Devil is done particularly well, neither looking, nor sounding like a man or a woman, it haunts the scene of suffering always in a black cloak.
Another great thing about this film, which might be contradicted by some viewers, is the use of Aramaic and Latin as the spoken language. This obviously gives the film a sense of authenticity and it is quite strange to hear Latin being spoken in a probably very good Latin accent, (which is not too different from the modern Italian, accentuating the vowels) Of Course, being a mainstream Hollywood film, the effects are used almost pitch-perfectly. Early on in the film, the Devil torments Judas Iscariot for having betraying Jesus. You don't need to ask me how that turns out. I'll give you a clue: Rope. But the way the children are portrayed is excellent. The slight dream like distortions on their faces is very disturbing and frightening.
All in all, I recommend this film to anyone who wishes to find an easier way to interpret the figure of Jesus Christ, in the style of Gladiator, and the happy hopeful ending is enough to make anyone convert immediately! A highly recommended film!
The Shining (1980)
Good film but disappointing compared to the novel
Yes I have to admit this is one of the most haunting films you are ever likely to see, but if you have an active imagination and have read the book you'll find out this film is sometimes jolty and at annoying. Having seen the film last night and read the book the week before I can tell ypu quite truthfully that King had a right of not liking the film version. For a start it completely blocks out why Jack goes mad apart from his little family problem and his drinking problem, cutting out the ghostly Lloyd. In fact it cuts from right at the beginning to right to the very end and the gradual descent into madness is so much more terrifying. I have to admit that when it did deviate from the book at the end, fellow readers of the novel will agree, Kubrick unleashes his directorial skills and creates one of the most frightening dream-like sequence. I won't spoil it for people who haven't seen it but the maze sequence with the footprints is just brilliant. Now this is the question that really bugs me. Does anyone know why the party is centred for the spooks? Write a review and PLEASE TELL ME!
Ghostboat (2006)
Not the best but good fun if you want some puzzling Sunday Night entertainment
I watched GhostBoat with my mum, and I do like this sort of thing and it did intrigue med with a submarine appearing out of nowhere from 40 years missing. It also had David Jason which I thought was a good choice.
Travis was very good as the mutinous first mate, probably taken from Pirates of the Caribbean 1, or that could be just a wild guess. I do like a good madman especially when there is no escape, the Shining anyone? It did get a bit weird towards the end when the ghosts were operating Travis and all the ships compartments. It was exciting when the ship was about to cause WWIII. Yes all that from a two part serial drama on ITV. I do recommend if you like a good horror story!
Face/Off (1997)
I've never experienced anything like this before
I first saw this film when I was 15 when it first came out on DVD and I watched it at a friend's house. It was an experience I will never forget! First of all John Travolta is absolutely brilliant as Castor Troy, when he is Castor Troy. I always like it when he plays a bad guy for he always has that factor which makes the character extremely likable. Some scenes are pretty intense but I won't spoil them for you but I do warn you this film is not for the faint-hearted in some scenes. Pollux in the film is incredibly disturbing as Castor's close brother, who is mentally unstable. The film's climax is the adrenaline junkie's dream in film as an incredibly quick boat chase. It is even quite surprising how exciting it is.
This film was incredible and completely exceeded expectations. Even though this is still definitely no kiddie film and I didn't understand it completely at 15 but I still think this is one of the Action genre's best example on film
Swordfish (2001)
OK this film is not the best crime film there is but it still is wildly entertaining
Swordfish is by no means a classic caper that will be remembered after say Die another Day. The only reason Die Another Day is still remembered is because of Bond. Anyway, this is one of John Travolta's most fascinating roles as the despicable Gabrielle, I also like a film when John Travolta's a bad guy. Gabrielle, as we find out in the film, is one complex character for we have no idea if he's the prosecuted or the prosecutor, and as always extremely likable and this is one of Hugh Jackman's best performance compared to other films he has been in, eg Van Helsing. Jackman's scenes with his daughter are generally heart-warming especially with his ex-wife being an utter cow to him. The most memorable scene in the film, and believe me there are many, is one of the most beautiful car chases ever captured on film. Truly this is one of the main car chases of movie history right up there with Bullitt.
So if you're in for a slightly dark night of movie entertainment that will thrill and surprise you then I thoroughly recommend this film. A well deserved 9/10