Change Your Image
stephenmogg
Reviews
Poltergeist (2015)
Just awful
Spielberg on form is a tough act to follow and this movie proves that. The directing is of the point and shoot variety, the script is lifeless and the actors are on autopilot with the exception of Kyle Catlett. Do yourself a favour and watch the original which is an absolute classic and forget this ever got made.
Pride and Prejudice (1995)
Excellent adaptation to television
Having first read the book a little over a year ago and currently re-reading it, I thought I would try this version first. Having been seriously disappointed with a lot of Dickens that has been adapted for the small screen, this is a revelation. It sticks faithfully to the book for much of the time and lifts decent chunks of text from it as well. No tricks, changes or gimmicks have been introduced, leaving us to enjoy the authors work as it was intended. It has been said before, but the other revelation is the casting. I have come to the conclusion that the best TV and film in any genre, is a combination of good writing and good casting. Colin Firth captures Darcy perfectly and other highlights for me are David Bamber as the excruciating Mr Collins and Benjamin Whitrow as a perfect foil for his wife, Mrs Bennets 'nerves'. I only wish that Judy Parfitt had been cast as Catherine De Bourgh as the portrayal here doesn't quite convey the force of nature that she so obviously is in the book. I enjoyed this hugely and although looking slightly dated on Netflix, the old crop ratio and grainy quality certainly give it some atmosphere. In HD & widescreen, the grand locations would have been done full justice and it would have looked as fantastic as well.
The Old Curiosity Shop (2007)
Dickens at a canter !
I was looking forward to this adaptation but despite some highlights, the story inevitably suffers from the indignity of being squeezed into a 90 minute run time. Significant sections of the admittedly lengthy book are ignored and I think the characters suffer as a result. It feels rushed and the lack of detail gives us no opportunity to get to know and crucially, care about the misfortunes suffered by Little Nell and her grandfather. I felt Little Nell was miscast, the actor looking too old and giving a fairly quiet and unengaging performance. Derek Jacobi was OK as the grandfather but the way his actions were portrayed made it hard to forgive him for their downfall. Frustratingly, other key individuals such as Mrs Jarley were given little screen time or were missing altogether as we are hurried to the end of the film. Some highlights include Toby Jones as the loathsome Quilp and Adam Godley as his subservient lawyer, Samson Brass. The production also looks quite good with some nicely atmospheric sets. It could have been great, especially with Toby Jones at its core but it should have been much longer or serialised.
The Invention of Lying (2009)
Very depressing
The premise of this film is that people cannot lie. That is OK, but just because you cant lie it doesn't mean that you have to say exactly what you are thinking. People in this film do just that and end up being cruel and dispiriting. Surely they would still have manners and if they had nothing nice to say, not say anything at all. A better and
more interesting and imaginative comedy could then be had from people trying not to hurt each others feelings and not lying at the same time. However most of this film is just people being unpleasant to each other and once the novelty had worn off, I found it one dimensional and depressing. Gervais is OK in comedy mode but In the scene in which his mother dies, just hammy. In addition to the flimsy premise of the film, it borrows heavily from other more illustrious predecessors and in the end marriage sequence, intentionally or not, The Graduate is referenced clumsily. All in all, I didn't like this film at all (in case you hadn't guessed !)
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
At my wits end !
Ever been in the cab of an out of control juggernaut with no driver ? no, neither have I but I would imagine it feels a lot like sitting through this film. Plots and sub-plots come thick and fast and are discarded in a thrice. Maybe I am asking too much, decent script, prudent editing and a less buttock numbing running time would be nice. The story is very loosely based around rescuing Jack from Davey Jones locker and waging a war for Pirates rights (I think). The humour from the first of the franchise is largely absent, the much publicised cameo by Keith Richards cruelly squandered for want of a script and its chief villain Davy Jones(and the best thing in 2nd movie) hobbled by a lack of accompanying Kraken and being under the thumb of the Brits. What you are left with is a CGI spectacle which has its moments for sure, but leaves the movie a bit like Mr D. Jones himself, without a heart.
King Kong (2005)
A truly amazing film.
King Kong probably lies as close to perfection as any film is likely to get and I firmly believe Peter Jackson and his able crew are geniuses. From the opening scenes of New York which are superbly realised, you know that this film is going to be something special. Jackson is able to combine digital effects with fine performances from his cast to create a film which engages you on so many levels. From the sense of unease in the first third of the movie to the roller-coaster middle section and finally to the unbearably sad finale, all the buttons are pushed without the film ever appearing contrived. Naomi Watts as Ann Darrow was just sensational and the bond and understanding she develops with the gorilla is one of the most moving spectacles I have witnessed on the big screen. I found the ending difficult to watch and I am not sure I could go through it again. Like Kong himself, this film towers over anything else around and is probably the best film I have ever seen.
Carry on Cruising (1962)
One of my favourites in the series.
Although missing some of the regular cast members (Joan Sims and Charles Hawtrey), this Carry On is one of the better ones in the series. The script is sharp with some great gags deftly delivered by the ensemble. Sid James plays the experienced Captain of a cruise liner in charge of a crew with some inexperienced new recruits. This is the perfect setup for a series of disasters and the film duly delivers. Cruising is one of the earlier Carry Ons (first in colour) and maybe because of this, everyone seems fresh and on top of their game. The editing complements the script and the cast seem to have an energy which sometimes flags later in the series. The newer cast members keep the mix interesting and stand out performances from the wonderful Esma Cannon, Kenneth Williams (shower scene !) and Sid James combine to produce one of the definitive Carry Ons.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Incredible Looking Movie !
After reading reviews from professional critics, I was prepared for a massively disappointing experience but for the most part ROTS delivered and in a couple of instances exceeded my expectations. Yes the dialogue is clunky and has little of the energy and wit that Episodes 4,5 & 6 enjoy but I suspect this may have more to do with the actors ability to deliver in these episodes compared to their later predecessors (huh ?). Instead, visual gags abound and I particularly liked R2D2s newly acquired dismount skills that defy continuity for Eps 4,5 & 6 as we see him leave his seat in the fighter like a cork out of a well shaken bottle of Moet. The film does look stunning with flawless CGI and at times breathtaking city vistas. The opening battle sequence has a a depth of movement lacking in the previous movies and gets you reaching for the slow-mo button to take in all the fabulous detail. The story holds absolutely no surprises thanks to the 100% saturation the marketing of this movie has achieved but that does not spoil the experience and it still does enough to hold your attention as Anakins life makes a date with destiny and a natty black rubber and pvc ensemble. This is a far from perfect film and personally I think Ep 1,2 & 3 took far too long to get to what was for me the strongest and most interesting part of the story. Even in this final piece of the jigsaw, the really interesting stuff happens in the last 15 minutes of the movie and I could have done with one less location at the front of the movie to make way for more screen time for Anakin in his new found role. Despite all this, the film is a blast and I'm sorry that it's all over. Anyone for Episodes 7, 8 & 9 ??
Finding Nemo (2003)
Pixar plumbs new depths of excellence !
Ofen reality never lives up to hype and expectation but Finding Nemo delivers in every respect. After Bugs Life, I doubted that animation could improve much and while Monsters Inc made hairs seem interesting, Nemo seems to move the goal posts so far away, I think it will be a long time before it is matched. The story is strong, the voice characterisations are just perfect with Ellen DeGeneres standing out as the Oscar winning performance and the underwater animation is simply breathtaking. I would defy anyone not to get something from this film and if ever computers needed justification for their existence, this one film provides just that. I guess one day, Pixar may produce a lemon, but on the basis of their track record so far, even a Pixar lemon will by sharper than anything else out there.
Jaws 3-D (1983)
Completely Risible Automaton Pisces
This is in the running for my all time worst film ever. Despite a respectable cast, an impenetrable screenplay and a rubber shark that would have failed an audition for Spitting Image, combined to produce a film that made me feel angry at Spielberg for kicking the whole franchise off.
The main attraction of the film, the screening in 3-D, turned out to be the final nail in the coffin as after 1/2 an hour with the specs perched on the end of my nose, I had a headache so bad that I started to wimper.
Determined to see it through, before passing judgement, I sat through an hour and 45 minutes of fuzzy images, wooly scripts and leaden direction only to discover that 1st impressions definately are right. It is a truly bad film, I haven't seen it since but I doubt it has aged well.
The Remains of the Day (1993)
Flawless portrayal of the British class system in action.
Remains Of The Day works at several levels to provide a fascinating insight into the British class system in the early part of the 20th Century. At its heart is a butler sacrificing his own feelings at the altar of duty to his master. In a performance by Hopkins that I think he has yet to better, his quiet sense of duty is magnificently drawn. Thompson arrives as a housekeeper and brings emotion to the house and a desire to question the existing order. In his duty to his master, Hopkins misses the death of his father, experiences the dissolution of the household after his master is found to be a Nazi sympathiser and loses the one object of his repressed feelings, the housekeeper. The film ends with Hopkins finding the housekeeper again and....well I shall leave the ending to the viewer. A beautiful film and wonderful performances by Hopkins and Thompson resolve into a cinematic experience not to be missed.
Clash of the Titans (1981)
Mythical Special Effects...!
It's hard to be subjective about this movie as it pushes a lot of nostalgia buttons for me - I loved the escapism it provided back in my youth. Seeing it again on terrestrial TV recently surprised me how late the movie is (1981) compared to other Harryhausen movies of the early 60's. This movie which is 5 years younger than Star Wars is really using technology from another era and it shows. Putting that aside, there are some fine cast members with Olivier providing a little gravitas and Maggie Smith camping it up as usual. Hamlin is wooden but then I suspect he was hired for other attributes. Seeing it again, I really enjoyed the film, it's a great story and some of the imagery is still pretty effective even if you can see the join between reality and 'effects'. Its out on DVD and I might just buy it to see it in the original apect ratio and to buy a little bit of my childhood back.
The Blue Lagoon (1980)
See it again for the nostalgia but expect to be let down.
It was interesting to watch this movie again recently after so many years. I originally saw it in 1981 on release in London at the age of 17. I can remember the almost mythical status the film had generated for itself and the anticipation that the ways of the world were about to be revealed to group of over sexed adolescents. Time has not been a friend to this film and it reveals itself as a real clunker with wooden performances from Atkins and Shields. The only redeeming feature is the cinematography which shows an ability probably not given free reign here. See it again for the nostalgia but expect to be let down.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Awesome film.
This film at once celebrates everything that has been achieved in this artform since the first moving pictures flickered into life while defining the standard by which all films will be judged from now on. The day after seeing the film I am still searching for words to do it justice. For the first time, special effects are so real that you simply accept that what you see on screen is real. You are completely immersed into Tolkien's world and propelled along on the most amazing adventure imaginable.
I don't think I will bother going to the movies anymore - I can't imagine anything topping this...except the next in the trilogy perhaps.
Hannibal (2001)
A terrific film which keeps the legend alive...
When you consider the challenges that were overcome to get this film made, I am surprised that Hannibal hit the screen at all. That fact that it has and turns out to be a master class in the art of filmmaking makes it all the more remarkable. Straight away I thought Julianne Moore was right for Clarice Starling and she proves this with some punchy dialogue effectively delivered ensuring the innate toughness of Starling comes shining through. Surprisingly perhaps, the major change is not in Starling, as you would expect being played by a different actress, but in Anthony Hopkins performance of Lecter. It makes perfect sense though. In 'Lambs', Lecter was imprisoned and behaved accordingly. Surely we couldn't expect Hopkins to simply reprise the performance he gave in 'Lambs'. Instead, in yet another seemingly effortless performance, he underplays marvellously to give us the appearance of benevolence cloaking evil. In Hannibal we see other aspects of Lecter's personality, notably his love of the arts and his great aesthetic sense. He is much more gregarious and provides some of the amusing moments in the film as well as the most horrific. This film provoked a range of emotions in me, it made me laugh, jump out of my seat and in the end, go home full of admiration for a great film. Certainly the ending differs from the novel but enough has been written on that elsewhere and it is not the only element of the book that has been changed in the journey to the big screen. I believe however those changes are largely necessary to make the story filmable as well as serving to keep our attention more tightly focussed on the central characters and story.
So often, sequels crash and burn as they rely on the reputation of what has gone before but Ridley Scott has paid tribute to what is obviously fast becoming a movie legend as well as making Hannibal a great, great film.