Change Your Image
paulewharris
Reviews
Solaris (2002)
Worthy but dull
This remake of Solaris is ultimately unengaging and cold. Whilst the look of the film is good and Clooney's performance is strong, the script is wholly inadequate. Soderbergh claimed that he had "gone back to the source novel" for this film - he has categorically not done so, unless he read a very different translation to me. The book was NOT about "a second chance to correct a mistake" but about Man's inability to understand himself or the universe.
Even though it's 90 minutes shorter than Tarkovsky's snail paced treatise, it feels even longer. Whilst it is a laudable attempt to produce an intelligent, non-mainstream science fiction film, it is ultimately a big disappointment.
King Ralph (1991)
Truly dismal
It would be hard to make a film as witless as King Ralph without really trying. It's a shame, because the set-up (gauche, unclassy American takes over the stuffy British aristocracy) has good comic possibilities and Goodman is generally a fun actor to watch.
Most of the problems are directly due to the feeble script and weak direction. There are no surprises and none of the comedy set-pieces are handled with any wit or skill.
Avoid this film like the plague.