aidan-29 Reviews

Once (I) (2007)

Once is not enough!!!

[10/10 · 18 March 2008]

A gentle unpretentious story of loneliness, love and finding yourself through friendship and music and what music? There is a beautiful naturalness about the acting and the film that makes it really authentic in its story telling. It doesn't fall into the trap of Hollywood films in big sentimental scenes or contrived endings instead it goes for "less is more" and it works beautifully. Great performances from Glen Hansard and Marketa Irgova who act so naturally and sing/perform so well together as they did at the Oscar ceremony. Go see this movie or buy the DVD as I did and savour a little gem.

Aidan

Coming Down the Mountain (2007 TV Movie)

Excellent Drama

[9/10 · 4 September 2007]

I was intrigued by this drama from the start and was rewarded for watching it. Great performances from Nicholas Hoult and Tommy Jessop and excellent writing from Mark Haddon following on from his brilliant novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime. I empathised so much with Ben and how he was treated by his horrible parents and yet the film portrays so much about human relationships particularly relationships with children/adults with special needs. I know from working with adults with special needs how much that interaction has added to the richness of my life experience. I highly recommend this drama to anyone bored with the some of the dross churned out by Hollywood.

Go for it!!

Born Equal (2006 TV Movie)

Great BBC Drama

[18 December 2006]

Spoilers ahead.

This had me glued from the beginning. Although I found the Nigerian couple's input a bit confusing and disjointed. Colin Firth, Ann Marie Duff and Robert Carlyle were all brilliant. I liked the sense of hope/ pending menace created by the Robert Carlyle and Ann Marie Duff relationship, although I found the fact that a battered woman would link up with another man who'd been in jail so easily a bit far fetched. Colin Firth's character was very believable and his guilt understandable. Nice scenes with the young vulnerable girl who sticks to him like a limpet. Did anyone else feel the ending a wee bit predictable? Bit of trivia Robert Carlyle and the girl in the hotel were previously man and ex wife in The Full Monty. Colin Firth and Emilia Fox (his wife) were previously brother and sister in Pride and Prejudice

The Street: The Flasher (2006) Season 1, Episode 3

An ordinary story told brilliantly.

[28 April 2006]

I saw this episode last night and it was riveting television. The acting and cast were superb and the tension was palpable. The story is that after a seemingly innocuous incident in the park Brian, a respectable teacher, finds his life going into a tale spin. Once the microscope is shone on his life all sorts of inferences begin to be drawn causing pain not just for him but for his family. He is deserted by friends and his family life starts to fall round his ears. Neil Dudgeon is excellent as Brian and the little cameo roles by Tim Spall and Jim Broadbent are wonderfully creative touches. BBC drama at its best. Its why we pay the license fee.

Aidan

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002)

Disjointed movie

[3/10 · 6 July 2005]

Spoiler ahead. I got lost many times in this movie and I have to say that perhaps the book was difficult to adapt to film. It seemed to lack any real depth in telling a believable story, it was too fragmented. Also the issues of abuse and the reasons behind the abuse were clouded in mystery and then when they finally are shown I feel they are not treated with the seriousness that they deserve. Also what is such a good cast doing in this movie. It doesn't compare with Fried Green Tomatoes which is one of my favourite movies. Also Angus Macfadyen's Irish accent is just the worst Irish accent since Tom Cruise in Far and Away which was dreadful. Not one of Sandra Bullocks best movies either. All in all rather disappointing

The Honeymooners (2003)

Great low budget movie

[7/10 · 25 May 2005]

I really enjoyed this movie. It kept me interested throughout and I liked the two leads especially Alex, really nice. I'm sure we'll see more of her in the future. I also liked the use of facial expressions and body language in some scenes instead of dialogue, it added to the atmosphere and told me more about the characters. Some good characters in the Donegal scenes which were very funny. I am grateful to the Sunday Times for this freebie as I had heard about the movie and of course it would never feature in a local cinema. By the way there are lots of big budget movies with plenty of $ and hype that don't come near this little gem despite the shaky camera-work.

Aidan