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dragonfli56
Reviews
The Truth About Love (2005)
Dougray Scott's sexy accent
I saw this movie because I am a huge fan of Dougray Scott and he certainly doesn't disappoint in this movie. And you could go a long way to find a sexier voice and accent than Dougray Scott's...he makes check shirts look sexy! I watched it on my computer while my 11 year old watched the TV...he wanted to know what I was laughing about, so I feel there was sufficient comedy to rate the romantic-comedy category. Perhaps I'm not as jaded as some, or just in the mood to be easily pleased, but even after watching it three days running there were still bits that made me laugh. The sub-plot of the soccer star's court case allowed for an excellent backdrop for Sam's 'my head is somewhere else' problems, it gave us insight into the friendship between Sam and Archie and showed us how Sam really only thought about himself...he did not even acknowledge that Archie had won the case for him, he just took all the credit. This movie will not go down as one of the all-time great movies but it will get plenty of playing time in my home...so that makes it a great film in my book.
She's the Man (2006)
good rainy afternoon flick
This is not the sort of movie I would usually see if left to myself but my 11 year old wanted to go to the movies and this was the only one coming up when we got there. So glad I went! We both enjoyed it immensely. My son squirmed in embarrassment a number of times when Viola/Sebastian came close to being caught out, or when his mother laughed too loudly (if you're a mum you know how easily you can embarrass your kids...but you don't care!). I was intrigued to see that it was based on Twelth Night so I did a little net-research and was pleasantly surprised to see how well the producers took an old theme and reworked it. It will be in our DVD collection when it comes out in the shops...ideal to put in on a rainy afternoon when you want some light-hearted fun. And I don't really think you ever get too old to enjoy a teen flick...somehow it only seems like yesterday even if in reality it was decades ago!
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
the best yet
I have seen Goblet of Fire twice in the last week and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. It was energetic...there are very few 'down times' in the movie. It is remarkably accurate, both in detail and atmosphere. I was very impressed by the depth Daniel Radcliffe showed in this movie...he is definitely growing as an actor (which is very interesting as he only got into this business by accident...neither he nor his parents went looking for it). All in all a fantastic 2 and a bit hours of entertainment that leaves you wanting more....I can hardly wait for Order of the Phoenix...looking forward to Umbridge!!! Bron :) :)
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
loved it - may include spoilers
Having long been a fan of the 1995 BBC version...and Colin Firth in particular, I was determined to view this movie on its own merits rather than spend my time comparing. It is useless to compare a mini-series with a movie, just as it is futile to compare a movie to a book. This version brought a different emphasis, it focused on the relationship between Lizzie and Darcy, the other relationships being secondary. The realism was terrific, showing by the state of the Bennet's home the financial difficulties Mr Bennet laboured under (which was shown as a scene in the BBC version but to my eyes was belied by the cleanliness and apparent prosperity of the BBC Bennet household). As one other writer commented, the scene with the pig was fabulous! Much criticism has been leveled at Matthew MacFadyen's portrayal of Darcy...I liked his Darcy better than Colin Firth's (I know, boo hiss!). I felt MacFadyen's Darcy was a man you could relate to on some level, especially towards the end of the movie. No kiss, someone cried...not coyness but rather credibility for the time. We have become so used to unbridled passion being played out on the screen that we find it hard to believe that people could fall in love and agree to marry without ever having kissed, let alone jumped into bed together. But it did happen then and, strange as it may seem, still happens today. Love and attraction were portrayed very circumspectly for decades on the screen, and we accepted that. Perhaps we just need to use our imaginations more! Besides, I don't think I'd be averse from seeing the man I love walking out from the mist to find me. Yes, Keira Knightly is too beautiful to play Lizzie, but then Greer Garson was not even the right hair colour but that did not detract from the joy of that version (of which I have a copy and which has been watched many times over). Jane Austen wrote her stories in the years before films and TV were even thought of. She wrote to caricature the social foibles of her day. Film and TV are just another medium for allowing us to enjoy her insights into human nature. As long as people love her stories there will be re-tellings of them...and probably at least one more version of this beloved story in my lifetime (at least hope so!)