Reviews

A complete waste of all talent especially Noomi Rapace's.

This film is quite bluntly about a bunch of sadistic freaks whose path several people have the misfortune to cross. Absolute tripe.

Well it's not as bad as some people have reviewed it, just a basic watch. However it ends abruptly- unless Netflix haven't bought the other episode?

Two of the best losers ever to appear on screen. The acting by Hoffman and Voight in this film is quite simply excellent. I cannot say either was better than the other, Voight's portrayal of the naive Joe Buck and Hoffman's street savvy cripple are both screen gems. It's a particularly touching end as well as to be honest you don't really expect to feel much sympathy. I've not read the biogs fully of each actor but were they both nominated for Oscars for their roles? I haven't seen Dustin Hoffman in any better role since that of Ratzo, and Voight is back on our screens again lately quite deservedly. I've just seen Pride and Glory and that has prompted me to put my comment against this film. You shone in it guys.

I love this series and as I now don't possess a TV am waiting for that well known download shop to load it for sale. It perfectly sums up life in the 70's and although I'm English I come from a similar background. Love the fact that it's not afraid to shock sometimes in its narration . My favourite character is Chris' mum, a good disciplinarian but fair as well. We need more like her today. Chris Rock gets a lot of stick in his stand-up for being basically honest and direct, however that's what's missing these days. This is a piece of TV genius. Finally Chris if you ever log on - FABULOUS SOUNDTRACK!!! You managed to pick the best soul tracks of the 70's well done!

I am currently watching this on digital TV having rented it on DVD for the first time round. It still stirs the same anger and compassion in me. Geraldine McEwan is particularly good as the borderline insane Sister however I really wanted to reach through the TV and thump her into oblivion, ditto the nuns in the shower scene. Please do not watch this film if you have a poor opinion of the clergy and their 'women folk' your views will be reinforced no end. Watch it however if you want to see excellent performances from both the established actresses and the upcoming younger ones. I didn't realise Anne Marie Duff was in it by the way.

My God, this film is just so wonderful! Let's look at the physical aspects, beautifully set and filmed to begin. Privileged boys in a privileged setting but rich boys can be unhappy too as is demonstrated by both Robert Sean Leonard's character and that of Ethan Hawke, two very fine leads in this film. I'm not a parent but like the Virgin Suicides this sent a very strong message to me - let your children pursue their dreams not yours. Robin Williams' teacher embodies all that teaching should be, yes you need to pass exams to an extent but education is also about learning about your peers, yourself and appreciating if that is your thing great books, art and performance and tolerance of other beliefs, viewpoints etc than yours even if you don't accept them. What a wonderful thing it is and how it can enable you to see life in such a different manner.

I still cry to this day at the final scene where the boys - they still are really, know an injustice has taken place and finally learn to stand by what they believe in. Seize the day, the moment whatever it never comes again!

Along with The Rotters Club which was also screened last year this ranks as one of the best series depicting the 70's. It has a fine lead actor lead in the ever excellent John Simm, a vastly under rated young actor who chooses his projects with great care and doesn't seem to lend his name to anything but quality drama. I haven't seen Phl Glenister in anything before so can only judge him on this series. He plays Gene Hunt with fervour and has the added advantage of delivering some of the funniest one liners. Well done script writers.

Highly nostalgic as well for me personally as I grew up in he 70's and can still see many positives to the decade although some of the sexism and racism contained so accurately recreated in the programme is not missed at all. Strongly apparent is the sense of community, especially in the episode in the first series about the cover up of a death in a factory where the introduction of new machinery means loss of jobs. A character's words to his son are "you are not on your own unless you want to be". Modern communities are not so welcoming. The chosen soundtrack is first rate featuring bands like Free whose music is now rarely played and I sometimes doubt is remembered, but who were one of the best bands of the 70's. Full marks all round.

As the previous post said a truly excellent cast and a superb adaptation of the book. I was very young at the time of the original 1960's series, so can't remember too much. I therefore sat down to follow this production with interest. Damian Lewis was absolutely outstanding as the cold, emotionally barren Soames. One British reviewer commented that his portrait of Soames made you feel pity for the character - absolutely not! It was it seemed to me a very accurate portrayal which is a testament to his ability as an actor. It was the first time I'd seen him in anything but his performance ensured I would in the future watch him in anything first time without question. Apart from Dreamcatcher he hasn't put a foot wrong.

I am very disappointed with this film, perhaps it should have been left at Funny Girl. I echo the comments of another post, I too loved the emotion, the humour and the naive innocence of Fanny. It is inevitable that she grows and matures, but it simply does not cut it at all. I adore Barbara Streisand she manages to cross the divide as actress and singer perfectly and I cannot listen to People from Funny Girl shall we say needing a tissue. However, her character although still meant to be self effacing and endearing and humorous is certainly not the latter in Funny Lady. Also sorry any James Caan devotees, he is no where at all as near as sexy as Omar Sharif, I can see why Fanny did not want to divorce him, he has charm and class or rather Nick Arnstein does that is Omar Sharif gives Nick Arnstein those qualities.

One of the most atmospheric, truly chilling films of the 90's. It doesn't need to try and prove itself with slasher scenes and the like, and it is a worthy equal to the excellent Don't Look Now made in 1973. Tim Robbins is another Hollywood actor who chooses his roles very carefully and refuses to toe the line, keep the status quo, do a film for the sake of a box office hit, however you choose to express it and it has paid off. This film also sensitively portrays how a parent copes with the loss of a child, and the final scene is very moving even to me as a non parent. I keep waiting for something to equal or surpass it and as yet nothing has.

I just really love this film. I grew up in the 70's so made specific point of watching it when it came out. Very fine acting by Christian Bale, I love his vulnerable character and the fact that he still has a British accent despite living in the States for a while. Another fine performance from Toni Collette and Jonathan Rhys Myers also. Todd Haynes seemed to have created a 1970's Gatsby, with the clothes and make up in some scenes. Like most films you have to think about it was greeted with mixed reviews here in the UK, however, but of course the best actors are those who are willing to diversify. I like Ewan McGregor but don't think this was his best role.

As British TV is so bad at the moment I'm re-watching many of my DVDs. I dug this out. Wesley Snipes is a very underrated actor just like his peer Laurence Fishburne. He is excellent in this, and as another user has commented, you see especially in the trial scene that his character isn't quite the dumb-head he appears to be just misguided. It has a fine cast. I dug the film out to watch Judd Nelson's performance again in it as I've just re-watched the Breakfast Club and wanted to compare. I can't remember who directed NJC but it's very reminiscent of a Spike Lee film and just as hard hitting. It is just as relevant today as it was back in 1991 in fact more relevant here in Manchester, United Kingdom as we have seen over the past 7 years some serious divisions within the black community.

My all time favourite school type film is Grease however although BC is set in different times it still has the same message. It's tough to be different but it can work. I am English and went to a Catholic all girls school in the 1970's of which I have great memories and without wishing to make it sound perfect there was practically none of the 'you are different so it's OK to pick on you" type mentality. What was taught was tolerance which the five characters in this film eventually learn as well as four falling in love a little. Also for me as a lady who appreciates individual type actors I wasn't looking at anyone but Judd Nelson all the way through. I like him in New Jack City as well an equally fine film with a fine cast. The Breakfast Club is a very watchable film and we have little of such calibre these days.

This is one of my all time favourite films. Grease is just a sheer feel good film, a reminder of more innocent times and freer days. I can still watch it over and over 27 years later and not get bored with it halfway through. It had a fine cast who even though they were much older than teenagers - think Stockard Channing was 35 at the time and hers is one of the best performances of the film, - played their roles with conviction.

With regard to John Travolta for me personally it's not his most major role, I think he hit the jackpot in this respect with Saturday Night Fever, however it's the role many people remember him for and will probably continue to do so. A classic it is and so it deserves to be

I went to see this film primarily because I rate most of the work Ed Norton has done and like it has just done with Phil Seymour Hoffman, Hollywood will recognise not just a face for a box office draw but real talent. I think his time will really come there soon. Mixed thoughts on it though, it took awhile to get going for me. However I suppose that might be the whole point of the film - slow burn. Perhaps I'm just too thick to not recognise that sooner!

Beautifully shot though and Ed Norton does what he is best at - playing off the wall, occasionally dangerous but above all very real people. Not seen any other of Evan Rachel Wood's films so can't really compare.

I've seen a lot of Ed Norton's films and he's one of my list of actors whose films I'd watch initially without bothering to read who thought what of it etc. He was completely scary in this film great acting but scary! I do wonder why he didn't get an Oscar or nomination for this rather than Primal Fear. He was good in Primal Fear but much better in X. It was a little like seeing Sean Penn in Dead Man Walking, totally convincing performance. Also made me think how frightening it is when you are faced with those who are so narrow minded as were a lot his friends in the film, and proof of how much peer pressure is a strong influence on not just the young but on us all.