Change Your Image
General Comment
Lists
An error has ocurred. Please try againReviews
Ôdishon (1999)
Over-rated
Audition is the kind of film that you have to see if you've ever experienced the sinister delights of Ringu, Dark Water and Ju-on.
It suffers badly in comparison to those films, however. Audition is basically a film of two halves. The first half consists of a painfully slow moving drama, while the second contains the meat of the story, which essentially involves extreme sadism and torture. Nice if you're into that kind of thing. While this is served with a modicum suspense, those who have experienced the delights of Ringu et al will find it a little lacking.
The film is may not be without artistic merit, but it's not as good as many would have you believe.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Best Movie Ever Made?
It's interesting to scan the list of comments and note how some people seem to hate this movie, while others love it. A similar pattern can be found in the external reviews. This mirrors the books themselves: Tolkien once famously wrote that many derogatory comments had been made about Lord of the Rings by literary critics, but this did not bother him, because he had similar opinions of some of their works, or works that they enjoyed.
I think it's fair to say that the "thumbs up" somewhat swamp the "thumbs down", and we see on the IMDB vote table that the film is second only to The Godfather (and actually has a higher arithmetic mean than that classic). This universal acclaim was by no means guaranteed, despite the mass support base already in place, long established by the best selling trilogy. You only have to look at Bakshi's attempt in the 1970's. While that work was never finished, and so comparison is perhaps unfair, it was also attacked on many other levels by reviewers, fans and non-fans alike. Making Lord of the Rings was a courageous and risky venture.
Having seen it, I can honestly say that it well deserves the acclaim. I entered the cinema wondering whether or not the film would live up to expectations, and came out thinking that it was the best film ever made. Perhaps that's an overstatement, but it illustrates the movies' power. Even now, I cannot think of a better film I have ever seen, and I've seen quite a few.
Time will tell how great a movie it actually is, but I well suspect it will be long revered as a ground breaking classic, and will wield uncanny influence over future generations, just like the books themselves.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Very good, but not the best.
It's all been said, so I'll be brief. This film was very, very good. but after seeing the first two films of the trilogy, I feel that this was not quite so good, primarily because it seemed to go off track. Having read the books, I was aware of significant changes that the director made which seemed to me to diminish the story.
These changes seemed designed to me to "hollywoodise" the story, so that greater emphasis was placed on the all conquering Aragorn. i actually though he was going to fight Sauron himself at the end! other characters were portrayed unnecessarily badly, such as Denethor. Gollum was treated without pity, he simply became a villainous ghoul. And i shuddered at the bit where Gandalf assaulted an unarmed man with his staff. That was quite simply not Gandalf!
But despite these little disappointments, the movie still rates a still a nine.
Ringu (1998)
This movie scared me witless.
(NB: There are 2 versions of this film, Ring and Ringu. I have made the mistake of confusing the two. Ring is a Korean version and I haven't seen it. This is a review of the Japanese version).
I've seen a lot of horror movies in my time. I remember the days when I used to watch a fang-toothed Christopher Lee from behind the sofa, or shudder with horror when Oliver Reed howled at the moon.
But then I grew up, and horror films were never quite the same again. Until yesterday.
Yesterday I watched Ring on channel 4 television, and, believe me, I was scared.
I don't claim to know the secret of making good film, but I do know when I'm scared witless. Ring was spooky throughout - disturbingly so - but the ending is the stuff of nightmares. It freaked me out. Even now, thinking of it, I feel the cold touch of fear.
This is not a film you should watch if you are feeling depressed or emotionally vulnerable. And I wouldn't recommend you watch it alone, unless the sun is shining and there are plenty of distractions. It is very, very frightening.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Best Movie Ever Made?
It's interesting to scan the list of comments and note how some people seem to hate this movie, while others love it. A similar pattern can be found in the external reviews. This mirrors the books themselves: Tolkien once famously wrote that many derogatory comments had been made about Lord of the Rings by literary critics, but this did not bother him, because he had similar opinions of some of their works, or works that they enjoyed.
I think it's fair to say that the "thumbs up" somewhat swamp the "thumbs down", and we see on the IMDB vote table that the film is second only to The Godfather (and actually has a higher arithmetic mean than that classic). This universal acclaim was by no means guaranteed, despite the mass support base already in place, long established by the best selling trilogy. You only have to look at Bakshi's attempt in the 1970's. While that work was never finished, and so comparison is perhaps unfair, it was also attacked on many other levels by reviewers, fans and non-fans alike. Making Lord of the Rings was a courageous and risky venture.
Having seen it, I can honestly say that it well deserves the acclaim. I entered the cinema wondering whether or not the film would live up to expectations, and came out thinking that it was the best film ever made. Perhaps that's an overstatement, but it illustrates the movies' power. Even now, I cannot think of a better film I have ever seen, and I've seen quite a few.
Time will tell how great a movie it actually is, but I well suspect it will be long revered as a ground breaking classic, and will wield uncanny influence over future generations, just like the books themselves.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Best Movie Ever Made?
It's interesting to scan the list of comments and note how some people seem to hate this movie, while others love it. A similar pattern can be found in the external reviews. This mirrors the books themselves: Tolkien once famously wrote that many derogatory comments had been made about Lord of the Rings by literary critics, but this did not bother him, because he had similar opinions of some of their works, or works that they enjoyed.
I think it's fair to say that the "thumbs up" somewhat swamp the "thumbs down", and we see on the IMDB vote table that the film is second only to The Godfather (and actually has a higher arithmetic mean than that classic). This universal acclaim was by no means guaranteed, despite the mass support base already in place, long established by the best selling trilogy. You only have to look at Bakshi's attempt in the 1970's. While that work was never finished, and so comparison is perhaps unfair, it was also attacked on many other levels by reviewers, fans and non-fans alike. Making Lord of the Rings was a courageous and risky venture.
Having seen it, I can honestly say that it well deserves the acclaim. I entered the cinema wondering whether or not the film would live up to expectations, and came out thinking that it was the best film ever made. Perhaps that's an overstatement, but it illustrates the movies' power. Even now, I cannot think of a better film I have ever seen, and I've seen quite a few.
Time will tell how great a movie it actually is, but I well suspect it will be long revered as a ground breaking classic, and will wield uncanny influence over future generations, just like the books themselves.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Best Movie Ever Made?
It's interesting to scan the list of comments and note how some people seem to hate this movie, while others love it. A similar pattern can be found in the external reviews. This mirrors the books themselves: Tolkien once famously wrote that many derogatory comments had been made about Lord of the Rings by literary critics, but this did not bother him, because he had similar opinions of some of their works, or works that they enjoyed.
I think it's fair to say that the "thumbs up" somewhat swamp the "thumbs down", and we see on the IMDB vote table that the film is second only to The Godfather (and actually has a higher arithmetic mean than that classic). This universal acclaim was by no means guaranteed, despite the mass support base already in place, long established by the best selling trilogy. You only have to look at Bakshi's attempt in the 1970's. While that work was never finished, and so comparison is perhaps unfair, it was also attacked on many other levels by reviewers, fans and non-fans alike. Making Lord of the Rings was a courageous and risky venture.
Having seen it, I can honestly say that it well deserves the acclaim. I entered the cinema wondering whether or not the film would live up to expectations, and came out thinking that it was the best film ever made. Perhaps that's an overstatement, but it illustrates the movies' power. Even now, I cannot think of a better film I have ever seen, and I've seen quite a few.
Time will tell how great a movie it actually is, but I well suspect it will be long revered as a ground breaking classic, and will wield uncanny influence over future generations, just like the books themselves.
Falling Down (1993)
Excellent
Falling Down is a comedy which highlights some of the pressures we face in life. It successfully represents various points of view, and we can sympathise with both D-FENS and his wife, and with both Prendergast and HIS wife. Although a comedy, it is a very sad film, but with an ending which seems just and right.
It's good enough for me to want to own a copy.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
I'm afraid I laughed in the wrong places.
Pearl Harbor was a very disappointing film.
Here was one of the most significant moments in American history, and Hollywood has desecrated it. There was no need for all the distortions, elaborations and cheese. No need at all.
The film does have nice visuals, and so I gave this movie 6 marks out of 10, but I was being generous (after all, it is the weekend!)
Dungeons & Dragons (2000)
Ok, I admit, it was pretty bad.
But hey, forget about the awful script, the inane direction and the terrible acting. This film has dragons! (True, they're not very convincing, but at least you get two colour types - Gold and Red).
Yes, the plot was full of holes, and yes, they somehow managed to drain the movie of any suspense, but there was a lot of raw material here that "jumped out" at you.
You leave this movie itching to take the same material and direct your own sequel. Let's face it, you could hardly do any worse.
Mission: Impossible II (2000)
More realistic than Mission Impossible One
Well, maybe not.
But who cares? It was good simple entertainment, even if it did sometimes resemble fantasy more than fiction.
The film contained stunning action sequences. Most of these were a bit too unbelievable, though, for me to recommend the film as a classic. There was no tension, no suspense, but it was a nice visual feast for the eye.
The female lead was not a particularly strong part, and Ethan Hunt had to do most of the world-saving single handedly. If I was him, I would definitely buy a few lottery tickets, because he must have a high luck quotient to have avoided all those thousands of bullets.
The head of IMF was not identified in the credits, but I think it was Hannibal Lecter.
Braveheart (1995)
Overrated
Several people recommended this film to me and I was looking forward to watching it. But I was disappointed.
For a start, I found it difficult to take the hero seriously. That wasn't William Wallace fighting English tyranny. It was Mel Gibson. The film had "Made in Hollywood" stamped all over it, taking crowd pleasing liberties with the historical truth. Crowd pleasing liberties can be forgiven sometimes, but these were just so, well, *corny* is the word that springs to mind.
Good battle scenes though, and the evil king played a good part. But I wouldn't watch it again.
End of Days (1999)
Entertaining movie
Arnie goes back to his roots, so you know what to expect. Lots of action, sharp one-liners, big budget special effects. And you get the feeling that, in Satan, Arnie has finally met a worthy opponent.
Gabriel Byrne is excellent as the fallen angel, oozing malice and evil confidence. Hyams direction is sharp, and you'll find yourself sometimes shocked, sometimes revolted by the turn of events.
The plot does contain a few flaws, but if you can ignore these you're in for an entertaining couple of hours. I would recommend it to all action and fantasy/sci-fi fans.
There's Something About Mary (1998)
A very funny movie, with a good heart.
This is one of my favourite films.
Although it is primarily a comedy, the story behind the film is actually very sad. It is the tale of a young student, who falls in love with a pretty girl, but who's chance of wooing her is dashed by a cruel (but very funny) prom night disaster.
For the next 13 years, he leads a lonely and empty existence, his life (to all intents and purposes) ruined by the tragic loss of his one true love. And then one day, a chance remark by a friend makes him decide to do something about this...
What happens next is a study of the demons that haunt those obsessed by something that seems unobtainable, and the pressures that face those who are the objects of such obsession.
The film is also very funny. Some of the comic situations are undeniably basic (some would say juvenile), but they are done so well that I found myself howling with laughter, when more usually I would have turned my nose up (usually I'm not overly fond of adolescent humour).
The message that I took away from the film was about perspective. As individuals, we can often lose our perspectives, and this can lead to unbearable emotional suffering. But, if you can act with honour and with dignity, you will eventually be rewarded, one way or another.
Some people may be offended by this film , and some may not like it. But I think that the majority of ordinary people will thoroughly enjoy it.
Model by Day (1994)
Easy on the eye
This was shown on the TV last week. Unusual movie, nice to look at, but predictable.
It's easy to call this movie absurd. Well, I suppose it is. But then, so is a plot about a bloke getting dressed up as a bat and fighting another bloke dressed up as a penguin. (Not that I'm drawing any kind of comparison with the Batman movies. But therein lies the inspiration, I think).