filmgal14 Reviews

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)

To see the world. To find each other and to feel. That is the purpose of life.

[10/10 · 3 December 2013]

I saw an advanced screening of "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" last night. To the right person, this movie is life-changing, life-affirming, and truly beautiful. No, the narrative isn't perfect. The script isn't perfect. There are narrative flaws and stretches of the imagination, but this movie is about stretching the imagination.

The concept - of an underachieving dreamer finally discovering the world - is something most of us can relate to. Accompanied by a truly beautiful soundtrack, Oscar-worthy camera work, and the surprisingly able acting of Ben Stiller, as well as an accompanying cast which includes Adam Scott, Kirsten Wiig and Sean Penn, among others, this is heart-warming and truly special.

King Lear (1983 TV Movie)

A Shakespearean Tragedy Alright...

[1/10 · 17 December 2005]

I read 'King Lear' for Advanced Higher English, and thoroughly enjoyed the play. However, I just couldn't bear this film. As a student of Film Studies also, this was really more than I could stand. Poorly acted, confusing, awful music, and terribly produced and created, I was very disappointed, especially as it is such a fantastic play, and there have been wonderful film interpretations of Shakespeare in the past. It's just a shame they couldn't quite do a decent interpretation of this one. Maybe its a call that Baz Luhrmann should call.

All in all very disappointing. If you can cope with almost three hours of Olivier as a raving lunatic and everyone else as confusing clones of each other, then go for it. Otherwise, ignore at your peril.