Reviews

One of the finest British TV comedies. Superb performances from both Callow and the very versatile Brenda Blethyn. Each episode managed to combine the most far-fetched coincidences with beautifully crafted dialogue, resulting in mini masterpieces. Blethyn's portrayal of librarian Alison Little should have dispelled all ideas of them as stuffy old maids! The Library Association really should have signed her up as a recruiter. It just baffles me why this hasn't been released on DVD yet. There are enough examples of the typical weak sort of stuff that passes for sitcoms being produced on DVD - time for some real quality. If there are no recordings in the archives the culprit should be hunted down and forced to watch endless episodes of Sorry.

One of the funniest films you are likely to see about the cold war. But it doesn't matter if you only watch this for the comedy because the characterisations are excellent. Arkin in particular demonstrates what a fine actor he is. The plot may seem a bit far-fetched, but if you remember how close the world came to disaster during the Cuban missile crisis, it could well have happened.

My wife has asked me to place this comment for her! She watches the film principally for Sam Waterston but is captivated by the stunning and convincing performance of De'voreaux White as Jack.

If you like cello music, sobbing and great acting, make a point of watching.

A TV movie that deserves to be better known - in Britain it tends to be an afternoon movie on Channel 5 with a probable audience of a few dozen.

Until I was dragged kicking and screaming to see this film, I thought I didn't like opera.

If you've been avoiding this because you think it will be a dull, static stage production then think again. Filmed on location in Spain, the film is as visually stunning as it is musically superb.

Placido Domingo deserves to be recognized as this century's best tenor on the strength of this performance alone. Julia Migenes is quite remarkable to watch - and she can sing too!

He may have been 62 years old with only one lung when he made True Grit, but John Wayne fills the screen with energy. His portrayal of Rooster Cogburn deservedly won him an Oscar.

Cogburn seems an unlikely Western hero: he's old and fat, wears the wrong colour of hat and likes to pull a cork. Yet he's the marshall that Mattie Ross hires to bring her father's killer to justice. The fact that she insists on coming along to help him is perhaps the weakest aspect of the story but the end result is so enjoyable that we can forgive this.

Robert Duvall, as Lucky Ned Pepper, makes a great job of playing the leader of the outlaw band Rooster, Ross and Ranger have to confront.

The action culminates in a scene that no other western has matched before or since.

Guarding Tess is a film that relies on character and dialogue for its impact rather than flashy special effects or frenetic action. The humour is subtle rather than sledge-hammer, a rare achievement for a modern comedy.

The interaction between the eponymous Tess (Shirley MacLaine) and her chief minder (Nicholas Cage)is well scripted and beautifully played. There are also some fine supporting performances from the likes of Richard Griffiths.

Well worth investing 90 minutes of your time to watch.