This is a cracking film! A top notch script and a fantastic cast combined to create a funny, moving film that seems to have been overlooked by most. Cary Grant is always worth watching, and the entire leading cast made this an easy film to like. I didn't find this film flat at all; I found the screen sparkled with the interplay and the script. A fine film; catch it on the telly if you see it on!
Reviews
4 Reviews
An Ideal Husband
(I) (1999)
The reports of this movie have been greatly exaggerated
30 October 1999
Having read other users' reports of this film, I must say that I don't share the almost complete "Love it of hate it" feel. Yes, there was too much plot and not enough witty Wildeness, which is, lets face it, what makes Wilde's plays such a joy to behold. I didn't think that is was too complicated or it was such a bore that you had to concentrate to the max all through the film (although the reviewer is a remarkably intelligent individual :) and I certainly didn't think it was "too nice" as has been described; Wilde tended to write stuff that was too weird to happen in real life, and lets face it, most of Hollywood would be guilty of the same crime, if indeed it is a crime.
However, don't expect too much, and you'll get quite a bit. My Everett is fantastic in it, and as Wildean as your gonna get, and Minnie Driver, is as nice as a nice person could be as the standard "strong woman" that Wilde is compelled to introduce to all his plays.
All in all, a decent 7 1/2 out of 10. Fine for a laugh, but don't expect a Victorian documentary or a brand new Wilde reading, because this film certainly is not.
However, don't expect too much, and you'll get quite a bit. My Everett is fantastic in it, and as Wildean as your gonna get, and Minnie Driver, is as nice as a nice person could be as the standard "strong woman" that Wilde is compelled to introduce to all his plays.
All in all, a decent 7 1/2 out of 10. Fine for a laugh, but don't expect a Victorian documentary or a brand new Wilde reading, because this film certainly is not.
Brighton Rock
(1948)
Fantastic!
24 October 1999
This film is great! It was on Channel 4 the other day, and I switched over just in time to see the start - and I sure was glad I did. Richard Attenborough is, as always, in fine fettle and mob leader Pinky Brown, and although not many people will see this film, those wise enough to catch it when it's on the telly will certainly not be disappointed. It surprisingly quick for an old film, and the ending is a cracker.
All in all, watch this film if you've got the chance, because I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
All in all, watch this film if you've got the chance, because I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
The Matrix
(1999)
Weird!
10 July 1999
I went along to this film expecting to see a run-of-the-mill, standard the-big-guys-are-out-to-get-me affair - it's all been done, hasn't it? Wrong!
The baddies are bad, the goodies are good, and there is no grey area. It's a perfect film in that way, in that you don't have to think for it to tumble along. That leaves it open for the ratehr complicated and frankly terrifying concept at the heart of the Matrix to come to the fore, and it does, with electrifying pace and sparkle.
Yes, it's deep. Yes, it's intellectual. But hell, what cool fight scenes! The plot works in such a way that people can do Nike-ad-style jumps over buildings and the sort of martial arts moves that aren't usually seen outside of Mortal Combat, and they look SO cool!
This is one of the few films I've seen that affects you for a while AFTER leaving the cinema. All films affect you in some way - but this film made me look about and go "Is it all real?" It's great, and very enrtertaining.
Incidentally, be prepared for the Star Wars blags. Most notable of these are when Morpheus is talking about the Matrix "It binds us, and holds the universe together" and "It also obeys your commands!", as well as the obvious "You must go to the Degoba system for your training!" These get laughs when they're not supposed to, but only for me, 'cuse I'm like that!
Bad points? Well, It may be a little slow for some people - I personally didn't think so, but it takes a while to get to where it's going. Mind you, when Keanu wakes up in that tank - it's just such a shock that it's worth the wait.
All in all, a very good film. At the time of writing, it's rated as the 20th best film EVER on the IMDB rating - a bit high, but it's understandable. I found myself humming Strawberry Fields Forever "Nothing is Real" through the film - when I start humming tunes, you know it's a goodun!
In summary, go watch this film if you like to think a bit, but like cool fight scenes and plenty of drama. The romance knackers it, but hey - it ain't a love story!
The baddies are bad, the goodies are good, and there is no grey area. It's a perfect film in that way, in that you don't have to think for it to tumble along. That leaves it open for the ratehr complicated and frankly terrifying concept at the heart of the Matrix to come to the fore, and it does, with electrifying pace and sparkle.
Yes, it's deep. Yes, it's intellectual. But hell, what cool fight scenes! The plot works in such a way that people can do Nike-ad-style jumps over buildings and the sort of martial arts moves that aren't usually seen outside of Mortal Combat, and they look SO cool!
This is one of the few films I've seen that affects you for a while AFTER leaving the cinema. All films affect you in some way - but this film made me look about and go "Is it all real?" It's great, and very enrtertaining.
Incidentally, be prepared for the Star Wars blags. Most notable of these are when Morpheus is talking about the Matrix "It binds us, and holds the universe together" and "It also obeys your commands!", as well as the obvious "You must go to the Degoba system for your training!" These get laughs when they're not supposed to, but only for me, 'cuse I'm like that!
Bad points? Well, It may be a little slow for some people - I personally didn't think so, but it takes a while to get to where it's going. Mind you, when Keanu wakes up in that tank - it's just such a shock that it's worth the wait.
All in all, a very good film. At the time of writing, it's rated as the 20th best film EVER on the IMDB rating - a bit high, but it's understandable. I found myself humming Strawberry Fields Forever "Nothing is Real" through the film - when I start humming tunes, you know it's a goodun!
In summary, go watch this film if you like to think a bit, but like cool fight scenes and plenty of drama. The romance knackers it, but hey - it ain't a love story!
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