Reviews
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Fun to watch - a Tim Burton classic
I watched this film in a packed-out theatre full of people who appreciate cinema, it seems. The crowd laughed at the jokes and double-entendres, and some even clapped at the end - quite strange behaviour for a British viewing! The film follows the plot of the book very well. I even thought it seemed to follow the dialogue verbatim, but it has been a while since I last read it. The oompa-loompas were great and even the songs didn't put me off, as I'm not a fan of them in films.
The acting talent was superb - Mr Depp made yet another memorable character - and the effects and props were first class. My only complaint was changing the currency to dollars from pounds and pence, but you can't have everything...
Altogether it was a great experience and a definite "must-see".
She's All That (1999)
Could have been done better, but good nonetheless
This film has a very similar feel to it as "10 things I hate about you". It's not as good a film, in my opinion, but it does have a certain charm and works your emotions a bit.
I have to agree with the critics that Rachael Leigh Cook is far too pretty at the beginning of the film, so the whole premise that it would be impossible to "tidy her up" is a bit thin. This plot element is still being used - see "The Princess Diaries" for the best version (IMHO) - and was probably originally taken from the Cinderella story.
Of course, a deeper meaning of the film is about making choices and coming of age, but this is not very clearly shown as it gets in the way of the main theme of the film - being proud of who you are.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Seems familiar
Is it just me or is this film very similar to "She's All That"? I watched them back-to-back and got this strange sense of deja-vu...
This is the better of the two, in my opinion, with a stronger cast and a more believable plot. Julia Stiles puts in a good performance, and she and Heath Ledger work together well.
One of my favourite scenes, however, is where the new kid is first shown around the school. It sets the tone of the film - very tongue-in-cheek - and is amusing too.
Shrek (2001)
You'll laugh until your stomach hurts!
After seeing the trailer and checking the cast list I went to see this film with some idea of what to expect. What I hadn't reckoned on was just how hilarious this send-up of fairy tales was going to be! It pulls no punches in its 'attack' on established animated tales.
Myers puts on his Scottish accent for the lead - Shrek - which works surprisingly well. Murphy performs at his usual high level for the voice of the donkey, at least as good as Robin Williams was as the genie in "Disney's Aladdin". Lithgow is superb as the evil king and Diaz has some great lines too.
The animation is excellent, with close attention to detail only seen on Japanese offerings, such as "My Neighbor Totoro". What makes this film, though, is the humour. There is one scene (and I won't spoil it by saying which one) that just made me crack up and laugh until I was crying. I had to work hard to control myself, or I would have missed the rest of the show!
Altogether a brilliant animation with a big comic element, and the best since "The Emperor's New Groove". Great for all ages, but will be enjoyed more by those who are familiar with traditional fairy tales.
Le dîner de cons (1998)
Very funny - better if you speak French
I was surprised that this film got such a low rating in France. The language is very coarse and even the title uses a strong word for "idiot" ("The Dinner Game" is a very tame interpretation). However, it is no worse than the films Hollywood gets away with making (or even Britain for that matter).
You really do need to understand French quite well to get all of the humour, and if you do then this film will have you in stitches. I haven't laughed so hard at a French film since "Les Visiteurs". The film is also mostly dialogue, so it may not appeal to people who prefer slapstick to witty repartee.
The male characters are very well defined and particularly well played by Lehrmitte (M Brochant) and Villeret (M Pignon). You find yourself feeling sorry for both characters at the same time, even though they are in a form of "conflict" throughout the film. I particularly liked the part where Pignon invites a tax inspector friend over to Brochant's apartment without knowing that Brochant is a tax-evader.
In summary this is a very funny film which will be better appreciated by those who can speak the language.
Hannibal (2001)
Few redeeming features
It's hard to figure out what Ridley Scott wanted to do with this film. On the one hand it has quite a simple, yet effective, plot, but on the other it just seems to feature extremely graphic scenes, which are intended to disgust and cause revulsion. There is no doubt that the visual effects are superb, but why would anyone want to actually see them in all their detail?
It's a disappointing effort from Scott, no way on a par with his Alien films or, more recently, with Gladiator. If you want to watch a psychological thriller featuring a serial killer then you'd be better off with Silence of the Lambs, Kiss the Girls, the Gingerbread Man or the Cell.
As for the acting: It's very much touch-and-go. Hopkins is back as Lecter, but doesn't develop the character any further than the first film. Moore is very different from the Agent Starling of "Silence of the Lambs", and borders on wooden for most of the film. The other actors, such as the FBI chiefs and the Justice Dept. guy, just seemed like stereotypes found in other films (see US Marshals, X-Files). Even Lecter's archenemy, Verger, was an uninspiring performance from Gary Oldman.
Overall this film just seemed aimed at evoking strong feelings in the audience, with little content. The only positive thing I can say about it is that it didn't fall into the trap so many other's in this genre do - of trying to lighten the atmosphere with comedy. There was always a sense of foreboding and a darkness which didn't let up at all.
The Ultimate Lie (1996)
An interesting look at the possible consequences of adultery
The dean of a university (Malcolm, played by Michael Murphy) is cheating on his wife with call girls. Meanwhile his daughter (Clara, played by Kristin Davis) - who is a college drop-out - is a prostitute working with the same agency that her father gets his girls from. One evening she turns up at his hotel room door, and they find each other's secret out.
Unable to live with the fact that Malcolm is cheating on her mother, Clara tells her and is thrown out of the house. As she is about to go to her best-friend's, she tells her mother that she is a prostitute, and how she found out about Malcolm.
The rest of the film continues to tell how Malcolm's life falls apart, how Clara and her mother are re-united, and ends with them hugging - pretty mushy stuff.
The film is quite well made, and the issues brought up (the possible consequences of adultery, prostitution, etc.) are thought-provoking.