Aug 25 06
This story has been told before, and told better. A guy loses sight of what is important in life, gains wealth but is abandoned by his family, and only realises his mistake on the brink of death.
I really wish Sandler would stop relying so heavily on “dick and fart” jokes. He would be a better comedian without them.
The best part of this film, without a doubt, is Kate Beckingsale. Not a great actress but second only to Nicole Kidman in beauty.
Rating: Good.
Jan 27 06
Internet Movie Data Base link.
Much better than I expected, The Chronicles of Narnia is a well made, atmospheric and entertaining movie. The kids put on a good performance, the special effects are not top-notch but do the job, and it manages to create tension and suspend disbelief.
I’m especially thankful that Disney didn’t mess with the original story and didn’t try to water it down by including silly, cuddly characters. Even Peter Jackson was unable to resist the temptation to do so in The Lord of the Rings.
The beaver in chain-mail alone is worth the price of admission. Recommended.
Rating: Excellent.
Nov 24 05
Internet Movie Data Base link.
A story of life in a small village in the French countryside during World War II under the collaborationist regime, this movie is so stiff you won’t break it with a battleaxe.
Cate Blanchett makes an honest effort but her acting alone can’t save this wreck. The writing lacks any imagination and follows strictly predictable and conventional paths. What sinks this movie, though, is that it doesn’t take any risks, doesn’t really makes an effort to provoke any kind of feeling in the spectator. This movie comes straight from a first-year cinema school manual.
Rating: Avoid.