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Reviews
Strictly Sinatra (2001)
Brings back Glasgow memories...
The cast in this film is terrific. Ian Hart gives a knockout performance as poor Tony, Alun Armstrong is, of course, superb, and Kelly Macdonald is a hidden gem - since Trainspotting she's been consistently excellent. And yet.....this film is diverting. Its not boring, but its not gripping, and though it leaves you with a warm glow inside and purring 'ahhh', there's nothing life re-defining in it. However, as a mildly homesick Scot, just the sight of normal Glasgow was refreshing!! I'd say, rent it, enjoy it, but lower expectations first. As usual for a British film, this has the parts, but simply cannot manage a spectacular finish. Regrettably, we still have to look to the Americans for that. Damn!!
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Ohhhhh so good!! See it. Right now.
I was so cynical when this was recommended. I mean, a plant that sings? But it is so great, funny, kind of sweet too. I was so surprised when Rick Moranis sang. I saw Honey I Shrunk the Kids and can cheerfully say I'd suffer many things before being induced to see it again, but this was a revelation - oh my God, he can sing AND act!! Steve Martin is fantastic - if you don't hire it for any other reason, hire it for his Dentist song. It's one of my favourite songs ever! I could list the things great about the film, but its one of those films where everything about it sounds so daft written down, so here are your orders people: abandon all prejudices and reservations and hire it immediantly. For anyone who likes it: see the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Weirder, wilder and just as good, it's Little Shop's big brother!
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001)
Good film, great cast, the Philosopher's Stone is well worth watching
OK, first off I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the book, so perhaps I am biased! However, I went with people who knew nothing of Harry Potter et al but they enjoyed it as much (if not more than) myself.
The children in the film are amazing. Probably Harry Potter himself is the most colourless at times, but this too is in keeping with the flawless character - Hermione and Ron are both excellent, and not at all 'stagey'. The adults, of course, are of the very highest calibre, even if you do come away with the feeling that Alan Rickman didn't have enough to do as Snape. Robbie Coltrane is very memorable as Hagrid.
I loved practically everything about this film, the special effects, whilst very good, do not intrude too much, even though I do feel the Quidditch match did go on for a bit too long. The start of the book, when Harry is with the Dursleys, is heavily abridged, but then you cannot include everything.
The film is long, and by the end I have to admit a few of the younger children in the audience were getting restless. However, an eight-year-old boy I know was absolutely enchanted for the whole two and a half hours. The pace is fast, but then there's a lot of book to get through!!
I am not a big fan of book adaptations, however I can easily say this is one of the very best. Of course, as usual you come away thinking about your favourite bits that they missed out, but that just encourages you to re-read the book.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is a wonderful film, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It's imaginative, and if it doesn't bewitch you, nothing will!!