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mike-1730
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Jane Eyre (2006)
best ever
This is without doubt the finest screen adaptation of this remarkable book. Ruth Wilson is the perfect Jane, honest, loving,loyal; not devastatingly attractive, but pretty enough. Her vulnerability when exposed to her first feelings of attachment to Rochester is beautifully observed;her determination to stand up for what she believes to be right,even in the confines of the dreadful Lowood, engages our sympathy and admiration. Stephens is simply the best Rochester ever, a man of many faces, haunted by a disastrous marriage, torn between what he sees as his duty, and his desire for love, and freedom from the chains which bind his soul. The relationship between them builds at just the right pace, so that when Jane breaks down and Rochester makes his disastrous proposal, the tension is almost unbearable. Jane's return is the best part of the series, It brought tears to my eyes, watch it and marvel. Great supporting cast.
Rear Window (1998)
The absolute pits!
What on earth was the point of this load of dross? I presume it was a vehicle for Mr Reeve? Hitchcock's Rear Window, was one of the greatest suspense films ever, the only suspense here was how long could I keep awake. Robert Forster ought to have known better, he is a superb actor and is just about the only character in this movie one can recognise as being bothered. Teleplays, with some honourable exceptions, are usually crap, but there was more wood in this script than in Sherwood Forest. Leave well alone when it comes to attempting to remake the classic movies, I admired Christopher Reeve for his heroic struggle against adversity, he will be remembered for doing many better things than this. If only I could have given it nought out of ten. DREADFUL.
The Long Kiss Goodnight (1996)
The worst movie I have seen in years!
This has to be one of the reasons why I don't go to the cinema any more. If you want American rubbish, this is it in spades. This film will appeal to people with an IQ of zero. The action sequences are about the only thing in this movie the Director seems to be able to handle,the rest is like watching traffic go by.The script is ridiculous,the heroine is dead one minute,alive the next,dead again etc. Samuel Jackson is a talented actor, but even he can't salvage garbage. Davis is an crazed assassin,then a loving Mother,how is it going to play when she gets back to normality? The answer is too pathetic for words.There is no real characterisation in this film,just a series of violent and nasty events. Films like this are becoming all too common in American cinema,shove in a couple of stars, a big budget for special effects,and hope the public won't notice the silly storyline and the banal dialogue. Geena Davis is suffering from memory loss;quite right,I forgot all about this junk one minute after it finished.
The Hound of the Baskervilles (2002)
The best Holmes adaptation ever!
I read some of the above comments with incredulity. What do these Holmes fanatics want? I do get rather weary of hoping that one day there will be an adaptation that remains true to the book, but that is not going to be in my lifetime. Roxburgh brings a more aggressive approach to Holmes than any other actor I have seen:Ian Hart is a very independent Watson, his own man, not in thrall to Holmes, rather more of an equal. The chemistry between them is electric,almost threatening to boil over before it finally does,when they meet on the Black Tor. Richard E Grant is a splendid villain, so evil that he kills his wife for refusing to aid his diabolical scheme. This is a twenty first century version of this remarkable story that will come to be appreciated for what it is, brilliant. The rest of the cast, especially John Nettles as Dr Mortimer, give wonderful support. I have seen this film three times in the last two years and enjoyed it more on each occasion. Forget the purists-enjoy!
Hour of the Gun (1967)
Great Western...... Underrated.
I am surprised that there are so few comments posted on this gem of a western. The movie has a slightly documentary style and some reviewers have accused it of having cold and unsympathetic characterisation. I think that the Wild Bunch apart, this is the finest western of the sixties. Garner, acting against type, is a superb Wyatt Earp. Jason Robards depiction of the doomed consumptive dentist Doc Holliday, loyal, witty, infinitely deadly, is a triumph. This movie is purely about revenge, one man's determination to kill his brothers assassins. No frills, no boring love interest, just an intense pursuit until the final brilliantly executed showdown in Mexico. The score is superb, the cinematography to die for. Sturges finest movie. Not available on Video or DVD in England, which is a scandal.