Reviews

I read WotW years ago, but I know the basic plot and how the martians die (my generation in the US know well the Orson Welles radio broadcast and the 1950s version). Prior to the first episode airing, I saw an interview with Eleanor Tomlinson and they were talking about her role being 'a strong female character' -I thought, uh oh. I saw the first episode before leaving the UK for a trip to NY for Thanksgiving - on that trip home I re-read WotW. I was struck at how well and economically Wells tells this story. One point of the novel is that yes, England sustained a major blow by the Martians, but that life quickly recovered and science was able to establish how the martians died. I watched episodes 2 and 3 this week. Towards the end of the third episode I was hoping martians would come down and kill me. Endless stuff about 'Amy' being pregnant and a crying baby to save (a nice twist might have been that she was having a Martian/human baby - but no it was boring George's baby), the longest and dullest monologue ever in a sci-fi tv movie (did they think this was like Rutger Hauer's 'tears in the rain' speech? - 'cuz it ain't). The thing is - there is a strong female character in the novel. She could have been fleshed out and a love story of sorts could have developed between her and the narrator's brother. I give two stars for the martian machines - they were OK and when one gets destroyed on the beach it was good. The design of the martians themselves was wrong if one is going by the original source!

I loved Dead Man's Chest and will never forget the sensation at seeing Jack Sparrow return to the Black Pearl, Elizabeth holding tight to his leg, the amazing kiss, Jack's escape only to heroically face the Kraken. One of the most romantic scenes in cinema I can remember.

If that stirs up great memories, brace yourself, because At World's End has none of this. Into the first half-hour I knew it was going to be bad (it was bad from the beginning, but I was trying to stay positive!). The violence depicted is nasty and unnecessary. The "magic" is nonmagical (but this goes for most of today's "magical" films). It is unfunny (the audience was dead silent for most of it). There is no real emotion even though the actors emote well enough. There are some great visuals but even they left me cold.

Johnny Depp, as some have noted, seemed somewhat removed, and vacant. Keira Knightly looks good and gives a rousing speech, but her Elizabeth comes off as annoying and I did not feel for her (in fairness, some of this is the writers' fault). Orlando Bloom doesn't even get to do his best Errol Flynn, which usually redeems his weaknesses (for the female viewers, at least). Jack Davenport is great - but wasted (and he must be thankful his character gets an early exit). Chow Yun-Fat - a handsome man - is uglied up and doesn't have much to do with anything.

If only they'd stuck to the Caribbean! The last three minutes are the best part. The writers have forgotten what is means to write a decent movie, let alone one about pirates (they should have been forced to watch Captain Blood, over and over till they got it right). Whereas with Curse of the Black Pearl they revived the pirate genre, they have with At World's End managed to kill it off for good. RIP.

What a surprise - a genuinely funny movie to come out of Italy. Reluctantly, I watched this thinking it would be your average ho hum euro comedy, but I was totally taken aback at how laugh out loud funny this is. The three leads, Aldo, Giovanni and Giacomo remind me of the Marx brothers in their timing and togetherness. Even if you don't understand Italian you will enjoy it - especially the opening sequence, Killer, which should be renowned as a classic globally. The spoof horror Gothic film is also a surprise with a southern Italian Dracula comes upon a tavern occupied by "Transylvanian Leaguists", who decide that he's not one of them (inspired in how it plays upon the notion of small town persecution of the monster in horror flicks). The three comedians are given excellent support by the cute Marina Massironi as Chiara, whom they meet along the way.