Change Your Image
Linda Lee
Reviews
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
Brilliant special effects and some genuinely scary moments!
I saw this film with a friend who had not read the book and she was (understandably!) rather confused! It is very much the fourth film in a sequence and expects some prior knowledge from its viewers. However, I don't think this is unreasonable - you can't keep explaining the rules of Quidditch!
It was never going to be possible to please all the book's fans but I think Mike Newell has done a great job. I don't know if it's because he's English but you certainly get a more authentic sense of boarding school life in this film.
The relationships between the young characters come across very well - I was particularly impressed by the Weasley twins who at last seemed comfortable in their roles and were genuinely funny. Ron Weasley was - as ever - a delight, spluttering his trademark 'Bloody hell!' with gusto but also revealing his burgeoning jealousy of Harry and his feelings for Hermione. Harry was excellent - much improved from the awkwardness of Prisoner of Azkaban, and showing real depths of emotion, especially after the tragic finale of the Triwizard Tournament. The real disappointment for me was Hermione - Emma Watson looked very pretty but turned in a really 'actressy' performance, every line sounding very mannered.
I did miss the other members of the Weasley family - no Molly or Percy, and we didn't get to meet Charlie or Bill. Neither Rita Skeeter nor Madame Maxime quite worked for me, though I find it hard to say exactly why. I also found it disconcerting to see the latest Dr Who as a 'baddie'!
The special effects were truly amazing in the first two tasks but I was rather disappointed by the maze. That scene in the book is very intense and the maze sets various challenges (the sphinx, the spider, the Boggart and the screwts) but none of these was in the film - just a lot of shifting conifer hedges! However, the terrifying graveyard scene made up for that and Voldemort's transformation certainly justified the film's 12A certification.
I had been waiting impatiently for this film, and I was not disappointed. I came out of the cinema buzzing and I now want to see it all over again! When does it come out on DVD?!
Meteorites! (1998)
Not a meteoric movie, but not that bad either!
This film has just been shown on TV on a Bank Holiday morning in the UK, and I think for that sort of occasion, it was just about right! Rather bland, nothing to frighten the children - an undemanding way to pass 90 minutes or so. I actually enjoyed it, though of course I was aware of the complete absurdity of the premise that the stream of meteorites constantly targeted this one small town in the back of beyond! I retain quite a fondness for Tom Wopat from watching Dukes of Hazzard all those years ago (I still like John Schneider too!). I loved Pato Hoffman as the native-American sheriff - what a gorgeous man, and his rapid healing must make him a very useful guy to have around - crushed leg one minute, barely limping the next! The teenagers were all much too pretty but no worse than your average disaster movie teens. All the 'scientific' bits were extremely low-tech, but then we've all been spoilt by the high-budget disaster films of recent years. Fairly dire script, but they did their best with it. Reasonably explosive SFX. Some very silly bits - loved the tabloid journalist getting his comeuppance!! All-in-all, quite watchable and really not as bad as some of these comments make it out to be! It didn't make any claims to be more than it was, and not every film made can win prizes, you know.
Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004)
I'm glad I've seen it but I don't want to see it again.
I saw this with a (female) friend today - there were only 6 people in the cinema! I think we laughed out loud more than the others - not sure why, because I spent a lot of time cringing and hiding my eyes as Bridget was made to behave like a complete clown. There is far more 'pratfall' comedy in this film (skydiving, skiing) than in the first one and IMHO it is overdone. Also, Bridget's habit of bursting into Mark's important meetings with international colleagues and suffering an attack of verbal diarrhoea gets more irritating and less endearing as the film progresses.
I think Rene Zellweger's English accent is excellent - she and Gwyneth Paltrow obviously studied together! Hugh Grant is improving with age; a few laughter lines (okay, wrinkles!) add a lot of character to that pretty face. Colin Firth is - of course! - gorgeous, but lacks warmth; he came over as SO reserved this time that I wanted to yell, 'Oh, get on with it, man!' Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones were good again, and Neil Pearson too, but all were underused; Shirley Henderson sounds just like her Moaning Myrtle character and I kept looking for Harry Potter whenever she was on screen.
I'm glad that I went to see this film, but I doubt I will buy it on video. It lacks the charm and spontaneity of the first film. I do hope they aren't planning a second sequel...
Love Actually (2003)
What a waste of some very good actors!
I was tempted to go and see this film because of the wonderful cast list; now I wish I'd resisted temptation! Alan Rickman, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Bill Nighy, Emma Thompson - can't be bad, I thought!
Sadly, it was. A mish-mash of 'nearly' story-lines, with some brilliant possibilities hiding among some awful rubbish. Too many characters introduced too quickly, so that I spent the first part of the film trying to remember who was who (or who was with who).
Some genuinely touching moments - Daniel (Liam Neeson) at his wife's funeral; Karen (Emma Thompson) trying not to cry in front of her children (why a lobster, for God's sake?); Sarah (Laura Linney) visiting her brother.
Some funny moments - Billy Mack's (Bill Nighy) searingly honest interviews about his dire Christmas record, and the US President's visit.
Some truly unfunny moments - Natalie (Martine McCutcheon) swearing at the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) - ooh, she said **** and **** - how hilarious! Jamie (Colin Firth) trying a random selection of European languages when introduced to someone foreign - how original!
The near-misses and unresolved relationships were the most frustrating. There were some terrific storylines waiting to be discovered - only no-one bothered. It was easier to keep it light and frothy. So many missed opportunities - shame.
Mosquito Squadron (1969)
Much Maligned Movie!
I have watched this several times, purely because I had such a crush on David McCallum in the 1960s! It is his 70th birthday today (19 September 2003) and I suddenly feel very very old!!
I agree with other reviewers - some of the acting is dire, the script is poor, and the clothing and hairstyles are very 60s. Despite all that, I still find it quite watchable! Suzanne Neve is very sweet as Beth Scott, and David McCallum - well, I always liked Illya Kuryakin! For British viewers there are lots of familiar faces to spot among the cast - and isn't that half the fun of watching old movies on a wet weekend afternoon?!
Can't comment on the flying sequences or the planes, I'm afraid, because I don't know anything about them. I do think that if reviewers are going to criticise a film, though, they should at least get the names and facts right (yes, kilroy138, I'm talking about you!).
Not the best of WWII films, admittedly, but I don't think it deserves some of the other comments on this site. If it's on again on a quiet afternoon, curl up in front of the TV and give it a chance!
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
A great follow-up to HP & the Philosopher's Stone
I deliberately went to see this film on a weekday at lunchtime, and the audience consisted of seven adults! It was great - no kids screaming or throwing popcorn or racing up and down the aisles!!
I really enjoyed the film, and would quite happily see it again - and probably again! No need for all the scene-setting that we had in HP & the Philosopher's Stone; straight into the story, and a very good start. Quite a long film, but never slow or boring. Amazing special effects throughout, too - loved the car!
A much darker film than the first HP, and definitely not for very young children. There are certainly some scenes which would bring on a few nightmares. I'm not ashamed to say I couldn't watch the slugs and my friend couldn't watch the spiders!
Interesting to see the changes in the young actors, and the shifting dynamics in their relationships. The whole Weasley family were great - and really looked like a family! Kenneth Branagh was very funny, and was obviously having a great time! I thought Alan Rickman was under-used, and a bit disappointing. Robbie Coltrane was terrific again! The big question - whatever will they do about Dumbledore in the next HP?
An excellent film, for both children and adults, and sure to be a tremendous success. I might even read the books!
Malta Story (1953)
Interesting war footage, disappointing acting
Very much a weekend afternoon film now, almost 50 years after it was made, this film gives an accurate portrayal of the wartime events which led to Malta's being awarded the George Cross. The footage of the air and sea battles is fascinating, but the acting is sadly wooden.
Jack Hawkins turns in his usual competent performance, but Alec Guiness is very bland. Flora Robson is an unlikely Maltese mother, symbolising the suffering of the island people. The other credited actresses, Muriel Pavlow and Renee Asherson, appear almost catatonic, and the two love affairs are utterly unconvincing.
A lot of the entertainment lies in spotting well-known faces in their younger days! No surprise to see Victor Maddern and Sam Kydd (whinging, but getting the job done!), Gordon Jackson (uncredited), a very young Rosalie Crutchley and an (almost) unrecognisable Nigel Stock!
Watch this to learn about Malta's wartime history, but choose another film if you want to see these famous names acting with some passion!
Miracle Landing (1990)
No surprises here
We know the outcome from the title, but as another reviewer has said, that didn't harm Titanic! Unfortunately this awful film is harmed by the appalling acting - or lack of it. The characters are more like caricatures - I was waiting for the singing nun to appear with her guitar! I appreciate that the scriptwriters tried to use as much actual cockpit dialogue as possible, but otherwise this film is a string of cliches. I'm sure the real-life flight attendants were terrific but the actresses who portrayed them were dire, and quite unbelievable. The pilot was so laid back he appeared catatonic, and the co-pilot's hair acted harder than she did. A dreadful portrayal of what must have been a terrifying experience for all those involved, though you'd never know it from this film.
Clueless (1995)
So much more than a chick flick
I've just bought this on video, having seen the film a while ago on TV, and wishing I'd taped it! It is a terrific film - funny, bright, fast-moving, full of little gems of humour which come zinging back and make you chuckle to yourself a few days later!
When I first heard that Clueless was basically Jane Austen's 'Emma' in a modern American setting, I cringed - and was very ready to be very critical! However, the film's light touch and clever characterisation soon disarmed me, and I realised I didn't need to leap to JA's defence! I love 'Emma' and this is certainly based on the theme of JA's book - bright popular girl tries to organise the lives of her less fortunate friends - but the American high school setting is (of course!) light years from JA's English village.
Cher/Emma starts the film as an empty-headed 'ditz with a credit card' but she is always much more than that, as becomes clear through the film. I think Alicia Silverstone is excellent in the title role, and I loved her caustic litigator father (the only similarity between him and Mr Woodhouse in JA's book is that they both love their daughters - otherwise, from different planets!). The other supporting roles were good too - I particularly liked Paul Rudd, Breckin Meyer and Justin Walker.
Certain scenes do stand out - I loved the PE lesson, and all the classroom 'debates' - oh, and the wedding (can't say whose!) All-in-all, a real feel-good, cheer-you-up film, good for watching on days when you want to see the happy shiny people and the California sunshine!! But it is more than just that, and I really recommend it.
Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)
A film to cheer you up if you're feeling down
I think this is a terrific film! If you're feeling miserable, this is the video to watch for an instant boost to your spirits!
Of course we all know the story, but Mel Brooks' parody gives it a new twist. Cary Elwes and Amy Yasbek are excellent leads - her 'cut-glass' accent is marvellous. The scenes between Tracey Ullman (Latrine) and Richard Lewis (Prince John) are a hoot, especially when she explains about her name! And the musical scene in the forest - wonderful!
Watch it and weep - with laughter!
The Moon-Spinners (1964)
Disappointing adaptation of an excellent novel
For me, this really is an example of how not to adapt a book to the screen. Mary Stewart's novel is an exciting mixture of suspense and romance, with the added bonus of a beautiful and exotic setting. It is also a fairly dark tale of murder and vengeance.
Unfortunately, with Hayley Mills as the principal character, the film becomes a pretty-pretty story of a teenage romance with a few rather obviously sinister 'baddies' thrown in. John le Mesurier is simply wasted - his character's role in the book is pivotal, whereas in the film he appears towards the end almost as an afterthought. He is also given a completely unnecessary alcoholic wife - a role that did not exist in the book, because he was gay!
This is a story with terrific potential for the screen (as are most of Mary Stewart's novels) - what a shame it was wasted in this production.