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Reviews
ShakespeaRe-Told: Much Ado About Nothing (2005)
An interpretation does not need to have the words from the original play to retain its spirit
As with other Shakespeare retold episodes, this one captures the essence of the story really well. Benedick and Beatrice are just awesome, there is such a strong chemistry between the two main leads, they are perfect on screen and their performance is subtle, underplayed but so very powerful that it gives you goosebumps. They have a history-or rather Beatrice has a history of being hurt by men and Benedick proves a great guy. Such chemistry is rarely to be found on screen. A great pairing! The story is there, the wit is excellent, the ending: really nice. The only weak side is Hero/Claudio storyline..BUT what I did like about Heeo was that she was made stand for herself not merely faint. She is shown as a woman who can respect herself. Claude is an idiot. But then again he was;t much wiser in the play itself.
Overall, details may be changed but the spirit is there, and I think Shakespeare might have liked it.
Oh, and the music, as in other of the four (especially Macbeth!!) enhances the mood really well.
This was just great.
Oh and some reviewers noticed the similarities between This Benedick and Kenneth Brannagh- I agree-I think it might have been a tribute of some sort.
Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story (2000)
not accurate but
OK so it;s not a masterpiece but if you watch it on its own, you might like it. All the harsh comments on the sites are starting to annoy me. I am a fan of the books myself and I realise that this was far from the books but there is no need to be so blatantly hard on the film makers. I guess perhaps the introduction if Jack Garrison was a bit unnecessary but you know..the books are so perfect that perhaps it is better that the film was made this way. I think all the comments I have read try t force too much the faithfulness to the books. This really isn't necessary. As for changes..war changes people and people age. Jonathan Crombie was actually surprising, I kinda liked him that way as a fully grown handsome man no longer the kid he played in previous movies. I have a soft spot for Megan so I will not comment on her, except that he looked wonderful. Let me say again: it;s only natural that the characters have grown and as grownups, no longer the kids, they are just fine.
But. In Road to Avonlea the TV series there is one episode in which Gul returns to Avonlea after Marilla;s death. He is already married to Anne at that point and I do not understand why the film was not faithful to that..a blunder on the part of the creators, no doubt, and a big one for anyone that followed the series.
I kinda liked Jack Garrison. I mean he wasn;t necessary but as far as I remember the books Anne at the university did have other men interested in her..so in this aspect I think there was some faithfulness.
As for the war, well time progressed, it was the setting that might have seemed natural for the film makers.
Yes, it wan;t perfect but forget about the books when you watch the film, you might find it pleasant on its own. Its a very loose adaptation.
Life or Something Like It (2002)
does your life have meaning?
It is not top notch but this film should definitely be given more credit. it tries to remind us, yes, yet again (but I think no matter how many reminders we get, we still don't get it,) that we should live our life as if each day was our last because one of them will eventually be the last nd also that we should hurry to say our dear ones that we love them indeed. Lanie is a woman representing the typical ugly duckling insecure type turned into a beautiful career shark. She lives with the illusion of a perfect life, with a seemingly perfect career and a perfect boyfriend until the prophet foretells her imminent death. she sets about to change the texture of her life, discovering how empty her life really was and rediscovering her true self, dropping the quest for self-approval which dominated her whole life.
The actors did a great job. I didn't see Angelina Jolie in such a role before but I must say she handled it with talent. Her acting very much added to the emotional part of the story. Ed Burns did a nice job too, although I had the impression that by the time the movie ending he got slightly weary. also, the music choice was really great.
Overall, the story balances between humour and drama, and while it does have its dose of typical elements, it presents the events technically very nicely. There is a sense of completeness to this thoughtful story. Plus it carries a meaning which cannot be stressed enough. Does your life have meaning?
A very good job indeed!
Cake (2005)
a very enjoyable flick
It definitely does not deserve all the low ratings. Take it for what it is and it's a very pleasant, well-written, well-developed and also very well-casted movie. Weird, but good natured and likable characters appear throughout. The plots turns a couple of times, revealing more about characters as we go on. Yes from one point of view it could be seen as sappy or cheesy, all the stereotypical elements are all there. Its character was rather unique, though, there was something fresh about it that made the film as a whole very likable. The leads were very good and convincing. Heather Graham and David Sutclife did a very satisfying job at portraying their characters and they should get more exposure in different films. Supporting cast were pretty nice too.
In short, an enjoyable flick for a wintry evening, especially when you want nothing else but to sit back and relax watching harmless and good-natured piece of entertainment.