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Guildfordian
Reviews
Edge of Seventeen (1998)
One of the best in the genre
I was not sure what this film was going to be like so I decided to just sit back and see what would happened: how wonderfully surprised I was! This is truly one of the very best films in the genre.
1. Despite the relative inexperience of the principle actors, the acting was on top form indeed and very convincing, Chris Stafford getting a fabulous thumbs-up from me.
2. The character of "Angie" was played to perfection by Lea Delaria several very good performances especially with the short, but very sweet "chat scene" near the end.
3. The film charts, very realistically the coming-out story of a young man, made all the more realistic by the fact that it was based on real events.
4. The main characters portrayed very well a lot of the emotions involved in such a theme, and full credit to them all.
I give this film 9/10, the ending was a little bit sudden, leaving one or two things open, but does not suffer too much for this at all.
Certainly recommended.
Regards
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Sorry, but i didn't like it!
I hate t say this, perhaps due to the obvious effort put into the film, but I didn't like this film at all! Except for three thing, I was incredibly bored by the film and had to stop myself from turning it off three times.
First the three points I liked: 1. The singing of the young lady playing "Christine", certainly inspiring. 2. The final scene under the theatre was well done 3. Simon Callow was rather good and funny, as always!
The main points I didn't like: 1. The actors may have all sung their parts however the singing obviously, in my opinion, dubbed afterwards, and this REALLY annoyed me, because Icannot stand looking at people while they are "singing" to see that they are in fact not. They may have sung well in the dubbing studio but their being unable to act and sing at the same time rather ruined it for me. I mean IT IS A MUSICAL!
2. I found the acting, with a few exceptions, to be very below standard and boring.
Basically, not one to buy. My two main complaints concern the main focus of the film.
Quite awful!
Sophie Scholl - Die letzten Tage (2005)
A Very, Very Good Film
I was able to see this film at the Berlin Festival this week and I thought that it was a really, truly magnificent piece of work. It provoked a large applause after it had finished, however, I think that this may possibly have been a little bit of a German "pat on the back", i.e. we are doing what we can to purge the past. However, this does not detract from the film itself.
The acting was really very good and "Sophie" was certainly a very interesting character to play and was done very well. It is possible to see how, when and why decisions were made, which is all credit to the actress who played her.
The film, of course, deals with very difficult subjects, the show-trial, the tearing up of the truth, basic freedoms etc. and the film handles this very well. There is even time for some humour, two particular bits stick very much in mind, which I am sure any who watch it will agree. Moreover, these points of humour were needed to "lighted" the atmosphere, because it is a rather hard going subject! The police inspector did very well, and was a good little Nazi, the Führer would have been proud of him. But we are also lead perhaps to the possibility that some of the things that Sophie was saying to him may have actually gone in and that it was he, who arranged the final meeting of the condemned. Which is a touching part.
There were tears all around and there were few dry seats (especially with the final goodbye with the parents ("Ich bin stolz auf Euch", "I am proud of you both", really makes a lump come to one's throat!) however I think that we should not cry, nor feel sad, but carry on the torch that they lit further into the future and ensure that, though their lives may have ended, their idea has not.
I am sure that they did, indeed, all meet in eternity (Ewigkeit) And why not?
Jeffrey (1995)
A very good film and a rare gem!
This was a very well thought out, film and one that deals with a tough subject quite soft-heartedly, but at the same time giving it the gravity that it requires. The acting I found to be very good, with convincing performances all round and great kudos to those who took part.
This film is IMMENSELY funny and had me in stitches,something that has not happened in a long time! I would recommend the film for that quality alone, however the fact that interwoven in the humour are also some very hard hitting scenes, the death of Darius and the attempted queer bashing for example, to name but two. Both scenes make one think what one might do in that situation, especially the queer bashing scene. What would I say if in that situation, the pain resulting of saying the truth or the pain of not admitting it? A thoroughly enjoyable film, I recommend it very much to fans of this genre! A real gem!
Alexander (2004)
Awful, simply awful not even the music could save this
Where can one begin? This film was, quite simply, the worst film that I have EVER seen, and finally "A.I" goes up in my estimation.
1. The script is simply and absolutely terrible, not one single line inspired anything in me at all, it was stilted, slow, forced, boring and lacking in any enthusiasm what so ever.
2. The acting was disgraceful. Not one single line (from such a bad script) was delivered in anyway that could be described as acting. Farrell voice seemed to strain to even give a battle rousing speech, Jolie with her accent, just turned her performance into a joke, not even Anthony Hopkins could help, though his role was too small to be of any consequence. Must I go on? 3. The battle scenes, rumoured to be some of the best ever, we patchy, far to quick and hardly even able to be seen, due mainly to the speed of the camera trying to give the premise of lots going on and failing utterly to do so. The first battle scene was over far two quickly, three moves of Darius' fingers and he is turning tail and running off in fear. The second major battle was just a huge and catastrophic mess.
4. The attempts at portraying a relationship between Alexander and Haphaiston, which though historically may well be true, here fell flat on their face: nothing looked genuine at all, the hugging the looks, the silences, nothing.
In short, I watched this film until the end merely because I had paid to see it and wanted to think, indeed hope, that it would get better: it didn't.
Awful! Simply awful, if anyone involved in the film get work again, then what a shortage of actors we must have!
Mona Lisa Smile (2003)
Weak, weak, weak.
How awful! Weak acting, weak scrip, weak everything. This was a waste of time to watch, I am ashamed to admit that I paid to do so. The only possible saving grace was the (reasonably) good acting from Julia Roberts. All I can say is that thank goodness for Robin Williams! He always seems to save the day! Come back "my Captain, my Captain"!
The whole plot had been stolen, from Dead Poets Society. It disgraced that film completely for even being compared to it!
Throughout the entire film all I kept shouting at the screen was "what a waste of talent, money and effort".
Why, why, why? The young actresses had better all make very good choices in the near future, ere they will not have one at all in film!
Beautiful Thing (1996)
A Truly Beautiful Thing
A Truly Beautiful Thing to watch. The whole film is fantastic, for all areas, the hard-working, loving, caring single mother, the shy, nervous, unsure child, the popular but insecure, frightened, abused boy, the crazy neighbours, everything!
The film has some amazing scenes in it, especially the scene in the woods with the music - makes me cry and smile every time, the two young lovers are just wrapped up in themselves with no care in the world and it really shows through the acting and reactions of the actors, who obviously have such chemistry about them - and the music as well was fabulous and so poignant.
This is probably my second ranking film of this genre (possible my second favourite in all) the first goes to Get Real that applied more to me than this film did, though the film affected me in a similar way to Get Real. Get Real changed my life, Beautiful Thing helped it along.
I give this film a very good 9/10 (I never give 10 it may prevent others from trying to match or better it!)
I, Robot (2004)
Only worth while thing is the message
Sadly the film is terrible, the only two things that save it as follows:
1. The cute Robot "Sunny" and 2. The message that in order for us to be protected we must be protected from ourselves.
This film could have been over in 10 with Sunny just saying these words standing over a world of chained human beings!
Try again Will! Bad Boys is not the be all and end all of roles! I think that unless he gets out of this habit of trying to be the tough, smart, quick in the know guy it may be to his detriment.
Querelle (1982)
Very good script
Though I found the staging and "props" quite awful, I do think that the script used was one of the best that I have ever heard, along with West Side Story, among others. The actors are very good looking as well, which for some will be a bonus, however what shines here is the script, worth a look for that if nothing more.
It is a shame that the lead "player" died at such a young age, and from such a terrible illness, however it did not effect his performance.
The film does actually deal with a number of themes, love, lust, sex, making love, friendship and family, as well as others and it is just a very rounded script, as I have mentioned above.
A Walk to Remember (2002)
A very pleasant film
I have just seen this on DVD and would like to add my comments to those already placed.
I rarely cry at a film; however this is one that I do not mind admitting to crying at. I felt that the film was very tender, quiet and sensitive, as surely the plot requires. I felt the acting was more than apt for the quality required: if anything the cast were let down by a, perhaps, stilted script, which could explain the `jumpy' stages of the relationship.
I have read a few negative comments here and would like to say that not all movies have to break the `expected', that is if the plot is a well worn one, why does it have to be different? Why can it not just be another pleasant story around a previously done outline? Why for a change can the `bad guy' not change in to a good guy: it does happen! Why is it when this happens some people do not see it for the value that it brings? Something to hope for at least.
This film is certainly entertainment value on its own merits and is pleasurable to watch and definitely worth a look at.
West Side Story (1961)
An excellent film!
I have no doubt that what I am about to write has been written many times before, thus I shall keep this brief. I wish to add my comments to this movie. This is perhaps one of the best movies that I have ever seen, and most certainly deserves the title `best musical ever'. The music and the songs are excellent, as is the choreography and the acting. Every move the actors/actresses make are made to the best possible effect.
There is also one more comment that I wish to make and that is that as I was watching the film I kept getting the overwhelming feeling that the film is very, very anti-American and anti-American way of life, which seems strange for the medium that it is brought across in. this comes across mostly in two scenes, one when the police lieutenant is racially harassing the Puerto Ricans (`PRs') but especially in the song, aptly named `America'. I found it to be very subtle and very funny.
I would recommend this film to anyone, for its entertainment and educational uses if for nothing else!
Edges of the Lord (2001)
An absolutely fabulous film
An absolutely fabulous film.
I have just finished watching this film on DVD and I would like to say that it is one of the very best films I have seen for some time. The film, I think, is based from an almost total child's eye view and is pulled of to great effect. The performances from all of them main characters were truly remarkable, and all with very convincing accents, not easy I would imagine for such young actors. However, the entire film is stolen by the performance of one actor, Liam Hess. His performance made the film for me. His acting was superb and believable (as was his accent) and indeed with such a difficult subject that the film was addressing; it makes the film all the more brilliant.
I am surprised that this film is almost three years old, and I have not heard of it before this? Was this an oversight on my part or was the film just not `pushed' at the box office?
(Spoilers?) The subject contained within the film is a very difficult one to handle and it takes a very skilled team of actors and directors etc. to make sure that the films works, here they do it very well. There are some harrowing scenes, such as the shooting of the peasants and the killing of the boy, which turned the film from a simple yarn into something much more complex. Indeed, it is quite ironic that the killing of the Polish boy, near to the end, caused the life of the Jewish boy to be saved, perhaps some poetic justice?
The holocaust is such a terrible thing in the history of the world, and is a very difficult subject to discuss today, however with films like this is makes the subject just that little bit easier to tackle.
I give this film 9/10 and would say that this is certainly one for the collection.
Wit (2001)
A must see, real, believable and distressing.
Few words need to be said to heap the praise that this film rightly deserves. Emma Thompson is believable and acts superbly, perhaps outdoing all of her past performances. As said by a previous entrant, this is an absolute must see for any student nurse or doctor. Tears flow freely at the end of the film, especially when she receives a visit whilst practically unconscious.
In sum, truly heart rendering and deserves awards. 9/10 (I never give a film 10/10, as this may deter others from trying!)
Billy Elliot (2000)
Wonderfully Inspirational!
An excellent film and most inspirational. The plot, though perhaps a little simple, is wonderfully brought to life by the acting of Bell and Walters. The simplicity of the plot, does by no mean that the film itself is at all simple, for it tackles a somewhat difficult subject of being allowed to do, not just what you are good at, but also what one WANTS to do. A question begs to be asked: Is real life really like this? The answer no, but it should be!
Though of course one can say that there have been many films on this subject in the past, "Billy Elliot", I think tackles new(ish) ground because of the stereotypical gender roles being reversed. There are many films about girls wanting to be ballet dancers and boys wanting to be football stars etc, but few films with the roles being changed, "Bend it Like Beckham" being an obvious exception to this of course!
I certainly look forward seeing to Jamie Bell's future career, especially when one of his other films, "Deathwatch", being also as well acted, if not better through acting experience.
In summation, a difficult role, but one carried off to near perfection for a first time role.
Get Real (1998)
A Life changing film!
Words perhaps cannot describe what is in my heart to say at the moment. Whilst many have criticised the film for its lack of ending, and as I did when I saw the film for the first time, and with the film not being rounded off, I think that this is what makes the film so special, because life just does not tie itself up all nicely and end with all smiling and happy, indeed when it does in a film, though it is "nice" and usually "wanted" it is just that little bit less believable. Thus if one does have a negative view of the film, I would implore you to have another look at the film with an open mind and just look and listen to what is there and not searching for what is not.
Steven's final speech at the end is a little gem, for he says it with passion and understatement, and indeed does not "drive it home" because, quite simply it does not need to be. What is furthermore great is Steven's tipsy "heart-to-heart" with Johnny after he sees him with his (Johny's) stereotypical model-girlfriend, showing what thing jealousy is, to anybody, no matter who they are.
Though, one would like to think that he lived happily ever after, he may indeed do, but that is not what the film is about, it is about the present and wanting people to accept, like a know one for who one really is and not what one is, sometimes, forced to put out.
It seems strange to some that even the simplest of question (How are you?) can make one say one thing but desperately want to say the exact opposite at the same time.
Ben Silverstone acted this perfectly and with passion and conviction, which is what after all acting, to a person not "on the stage", mainly consists of. Gorton, also acted his part well, and did indeed captivate how hard it must actually be fulfilling one stereotype whilst smashing it, albeit secretly, at the same time. The supporting cast of Charlotte Brittain, Stacy A. Hart, Kate McEnery and Patrick Nielsen is also of top quality and above all believable, so much talent from ones so young!
The humour in this film is subtle and one MUST see this film several times to actually get the true benefit of it, for it is often quiet and understated, though perhaps it is necessary to do so in order to avoid "dumbing down" the true intentions of the film.
It is a shame that films of this quality are not made that often, "Beautiful Thing" is also a must see for this genre type, which is a great film also in its own right, and just that little bit more mushy at the end for those people who want it that way!
Quite simply, "What is the problem? It's only love"
Titanic (1997)
A good film, but certainly overrated!
This was a long expected film, and indeed after the previous recent attempt/disaster, with Catherine Zeta-Jones, a much needed long expected film!
Indeed I would go as far to say that only the music and the effects deserved the awards, for anything else was only gained through the use of throwing money, lots of it, at the various areas. This is, perhaps, a classic example of "buying" an/sever Oscar(s).
However, this having been said the story is a sound one, and is a must see, purely for the attempt to re-tell the actual sinking of the boat, which may have been a good film on its own without the storyline, for I feel that the "story"line made us detach a little from what the "real" tale should have been.
The acting was not at all terrible, though DiCaprio, was perhaps not at his best. Winslet, however is and the film is made a little better because of it.
I would give this film a 7/10, purely for the effects and tale behind the story, which in places did NOT stick to historical accuracy, which is professed to do. Though NOTHING can actually make us envisage what happened upon that night, the film does try but tries a little too hard in places to "make" thing happen, when it does not need to, for just sitting back and looking at the screen would have done.