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kristoffer-bjorkstrom
Reviews
Hotel Paradiso (1966)
Delightful period piece.
I have seen some plays by Feydeau performed by amateurs. Feydeau was a very good writer. He was familiar with the lack of morals in the upper crust society, and he could make people laugh at it. He knew because he belonged there himself. It's recorded that he had one or two mistresses himself!
In this film adaption of one of his more famous plays, the costumes and set designs are very good. The period feeling is impressive. The acting is so-so. Guiness has the best part and does the best acting. Others try hard, but the results feel half-baked. I blame this on the direction, or more likely the lack thereof.
Fans of classic farce, screwball comedy and periodic portraits will be delighted. A couple of in-jokes related to Feydeau's works can be found which will please literature scholars.
The Evil Dead (1981)
No-no, Nanette!
"Evil Dead" directed by a (then) young Sam Raimi in 1981, is a cult classic today, 25 years later. But a "classic" is not always "good".
The basic rule is: A "horror movie" has to be either frightening or funny.
"Evil Dead" is neither.
A zombie flick doesn't have to be horrifying. It can also be comedy, with the usual clichés turned in-and-out. Look how well Peter Jackson did with "Braindead". Not scary, but a jolly good fun.
But this movie lacks both horror and laughs. Sam Raimi tries hard, but doesn't succeed.
Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking (2004)
Disappointing!
Sherlock Holmes, Dr Watson and Inspector Lestrade investigates the killings of young aristocratic women in 19th century London.
Ian Hart is fine as Watson (as he was in "Hound of the Baskervlles") but - Rupert Everett as Sherlock Holmes??? No, totally miscast - right down teaming with Charlton Heston as the detective in "The Crucifer of Blood".
The plot is not too good either. Well, it IS a well-planned detective story. But it seems more like a plot for series like "C.S.I." or "Inspector Lynley" than for a movie about Sherlock Holmes. There is no Holmesian feeling at all.
This said, I enjoyed it in some moments. It's in fact rather creepy, and the sets are beautiful. 3 stars of 10.
The Hound of the Baskervilles (2002)
Very entertaining! =)
This TV crime/thriller film is a faithful adaption of Conan Doyle's novel. However, it's been shortened down, causing Sherlockian purists to go rampage.
The story is quite familiar. For many centuries, the Baskerville family of Dartmoor has been plagued by the legend of the Hound, that killed one ancestor and whose ghost always is lurking on the family members. Fast Forward to late 19th century; Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on his own grounds and there are rumours that the Hound has struck once more. Meanwhile, Charles' nephew Sir Henry comes home from America to inherit the Baskerville estate. Is the Hound after him too? Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are called in to solve the case.
Richard Roxbourgh isn't the best Holmes actor ever, but with his constant over-acting he makes a good portrait. Ian Hart is a fine Watson, loyal, but yet bitter over his friend's unwillingness to share his thoughts with Watson. Definitely a step-up from the Rathbone/Bruce formula.