lindsey_konrad Reviews

Tall Tale (1995)

Sweet, innocent, and wholly satisfying!

[10/10 · 28 April 2006]

I saw this movie years ago when it came to the theater in my small hometown in northern Saskatchewan. It was my sister's birthday and I decided to treat her to "a night on the town," which basically consisted of a trip to our one-screen theater! Armed with our popcorn and twizzlers, we sat down to one of the most enjoyable movies either of us had ever seen. (We still talk about it and it was almost ten years ago!) All of our favourite fairy tale characters came to life and were transported to a place where heroes lived and dreams came true. For all the cynics out there, take a moment and remember what it was like to read the stories by Hans Christian Anderson and others and how they transformed the world around you and made you believe in the world of the imagination. Then watch this movie again and see it for what it is; a child's imagination on-screen. For the actors in this movie, thank you for showing us that there is a world of innocence out there and for reminding us that entertainment doesn't have to be bloodthirsty. It's nice to know there are movies out there that my niece and nephew can watch from start to finish without an adult having to reach for the fast-forward button.

The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)

Better if you haven't read the book!

[6/10 · 26 August 2005]

Before I get into the review, may I just say, "Read the book!" It is phenomenal! I could not put it down and I now own it. That said, I must say that the first time I saw the film version starring Jim Cavaziel and Guy Pearce, I was terribly disappointed. Not that the performances were bad, but it was quite unlike the book and I, unfortunately a purist, had major issues with all the divergences from the original plot. I have no desire to spoil the movie for anyone, so if you would like to see what I mean, please read the book. I went away from the movie quite upset, but I have seen it a few times since then and I have to say that, though it is no match for the book, it does stand quite well on its own. If one were to go into the movie knowing nothing of the story, it would be quite enjoyable. The performances by Cavaziel, as the vengeful Count, and Pearce, as the villainous Fernando, are without equal. Cavaziel smolders with pent-up rage and Pearce slithers his way through every scene like the snake his character is. Wonderful! To be honest, I do have to say that the woman playing Mercedes was not convincing, nor was the actor who played her son, Albert, but in the face of the other great performances, this is not really a big issue. It is unfortunate that the leading lady felt her character needed to be a weak, sighing woman, which in the book she is decidedly not, but I choose to forgive this because really, the rest of the movie is fantastic. Every human emotion is captured in this picture, from rage to disappointment, love to hate. I would recommend this movie, though with the proviso that if you have read the book, don't expect the movie to overly faithful. In fact, you may want to watch a few times so you can fully appreciate the differences!

Gosford Park (2001)

Not a Saturday night popcorn flick!

[6/10 · 4 August 2005]

This film takes a lot of concentration, so the faint of heart should not attempt it! I have seen it about five times now, and I'm still not sure how I feel about it. I think the British actors all turned in terrific performances, but Ryan Phillipe was just dead-weight. Unfortunately, every scene he is in falls flat or has a seriously sour note. In my opinion, he tries to hard to inject a sex appeal that is ill-suited to him. Far better is the understated acting by the British actors, who nail the nuances of their characters' personalities every time. Maggie Smith is a joy to watch, as is Jeremy Northam, and who knew he could sing! Kristin Scott Thomas' icy performance perfectly captures her character's mood. This is definitely the role she was made for. The comic relief provided by Stephen Fry is well worth waiting for as well. Despite the previous accolades, however, I cannot help but feel that the film is missing something. The camera work is very good, but there is always a sense that there is something lurking off to the side. But, this could be the whole point, that someone is always watching. If you can get past the slow beginning and follow all the story lines, this one's for you. If not, avoid the headache!