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Reviews
Me & Mrs Jones (2002)
Predictable and fun
I didn't know who Robson Green was until I'd seen the "Wire in the Blood" series. I did know Caroline Goodall. I have seen her in several things. She is a great actress.
This is a very predictable story of a tabloid journalist, Liam Marple(Robson Green), who is given the assignment to find something dirty on the interim Prime Minister, Laura Bowden(Caroline Goodall) after the death of the previous Prime Minister.
Using the name Harry Fletcher, Marple takes Bowden on a whirlwind romance, inadvertantly falling in love with her in the process. Marple does find the "dirt" in the family, but in an unique altruistic action, Marple reveals his true identity. After Bowden discovers who he really is, she breaks off their relationship.
But as Liam says in their final meeting; "Boy gets girl, boy loses girl. Then they realize they can't live without each other and fall into each others arms and live happily ever after."
She counters with; "How about boy smiles at girl and girls smiles back, then the boy says goodby and disappears from her life forever."
All of the quotes are paraphrased, but I do recommend this movie if you want some harmless, romantic fun.
Take Me (2001)
Unexpected
I don't know what I expected with series, but one thing it is, is thoughtful. This series is multi-layered that work together in the end to form one ending.
The main story deals with Jack(Robson Green) and Kay(Beth Goddard) Chambers who have moved to Hadleigh Corners, a suburban area, to try to save their marriage. Kay has been unfaithful. Jack is a hard working, mellow man who knows that keeping his marriage together will take work. The problem is; Kay really doesn't want it too. Less than 3 weeks after moving into their new home with their two children; Maggie(Julia Mallam) and Dan(Sean McMahon), Kay returns to her relationship with Kevin, Jack's best friend. Like many who move into new neighborhoods, the Chambers try to fit into their new surroundings. Enter Doug(Danny Webb) and Andrea(Olga Sosnovska) Patton. All the action is at their house. Doug and Andrea have regular sex parties with wife swapping etc. Jack feels that it is wrong, but goes along anyway. Kay has stopped seeing Kevin by this time and is enjoying her new life in the neighborhood.
Although, Doug works with the police as a forensic photographer, Jack begins to suspect Doug in the disappearance of one of their neighbors, Lillian Stokes. Jack begins to believe that Lillian is dead. He finds mail that should have been forwarded to Lillian who is supposed to be in New Zealand. As Jack becomes more and more suspicious of his neighbors, the police become involved. One night during a sex party, Doug and the woman he is with, experiment with autoerotic asphyxiation. The woman dies and Doug asks Jack for his help in burying the woman. Jack helps him bury a woman, but later discovers that it wasn't the one he had thought it was. It turns out that the dead woman is one of Doug's regulars. Kay, of course, doesn't believe him. Jack finally gets courage enough to phone the police and tell them where to find the body.
During the course of his investigation, Jack and Kay become more and more estranged until Jack moves out. Also, it the process, Jack becomes attracted to Andrea who tells Jack about her miserable life with Doug. Her life had gotten so bad, she put herself in care at a local mental hospital. Doug explains that Andrea had tried to take her life because she had been dumped by a man she had had an affair with. Doug becomes more and more jealous of their relationship and eventually loses it, culminating in a fight.
There are two sub stories that are worth noting which lead Jack into self discovery. He reconnects emotionally with his estranged father and discovers that his marketing firm is buying troubled businesses and selling them for a profit. He chooses not to participate any longer and loses his job.
In the end, because of the parties: Jack and Kay kill whatever was left of their marriage, Kay becomes pregnant with her brother-in-law's child, Doug and Andrea lose everything.
There are questions at the end. I learned who killed Lillian, but who killed Janet? Jack and Andrea leave together, but I wondered about Jack's future with Andrea after seeing her history with Doug.
All in all, I would recommend this series, but it is "TV Mature" and not for young people below the age of 18. The series presents some very adult themes. I gave this series an "8", so I did enjoy it.
Grafters (1998)
Very good
I've only been a fan of Robson Green's since I started watching "Wire in the Blood", so I'm playing "catch-up". Grafters is the story of two brothers and the trouble they get themselves into, mainly due to the younger brother Joe's(Robson Green)machinations. He wants his new firm, "Purvis and Purvis"(the new construction business he has started with his brother Trevor Purvis(Steven Tomkinson), to a screaming success. Trevor is not simple-minded as the viewer is led to believe, he just has a code of contact, which includes telling the truth and nothing but the truth. There is a wonderful scene as Joe, while eating baby cereal with a baby spoon. swears on the sweet smile of his nephew that he will be more honest in dealing with customers. When Trevor leaves the room, Joe quietly tells the baby that he will take the client for everything he can.
The greatest thing about this show are the characters. The characters are fleshed out as though someone was sharing with the audience, his own dysfunctional family.
Joe is a slut; he gives bored housewives some of what they are missing. Sex, basically. Then he connects with the wife of a Police Superintendent Inspector. The man is eceptionally jealous and Joe takes a construction job in London to get away
Trevor, his brother is a family man has realized that his marriage is in trouble and goes to London, taking his wife and family with him. That leaves 4 people living in an RV, one of which is a 1 year old child.
We are introduced to Lennie(Maurice Roeöves)Alan(Berwick Kaler)father and uncle. The story is same and at Alf's wake Alan and Lennie get into a fight. Alan finds out that Lennie has been "comforting" his(Alan's) wife. You can see the repeat of history with Joe and Trevor. Joe taking after his father and Trevor taking after Lennie's wife just like Alan took after their mother's.
All the characters are wonderfully fleshed out, even down to Joe's estranged daughter and ex-wife.
I do recommend this series. It has strong drama and hysterical moment of comedy.
The Gambling Man (1995)
Wonderful film
I guess the only real review I can give this movie is to tell everyone that I've watched it twice since I got it 2 days ago. I really enjoyed the growth of the Rory character from an unsophisticated **, to a kind and loving man. Charlotte taught Rory the difference between child-like lust/infatuation and mature love. Even though Rory died in the end, the ending was completely satisfying. Rory's death at the end seemed to put a metaphorical "period" due to Rory's growth.
I really enjoyed Robson Green's performance as Rory. He took the character from an unsophisticated clod to a self-sacrificing mature man. Sylvestra Le Touzel(Charlotte) was the perfect counterpart to Green's mature Rory. These two actors brought a simple sympathy to their characters which transfered to the audience.
It do recommend this movie. At one point I wanted to slap Rory around, but at the end I cried when he died. A very satisfying ending.
Mulberry (1992)
A Hoot
Why is it that we must rely on our PBS stations to bring us some fun, witty comedy from Britain. Right now, BBC America is trying to fix up: homes, bodies and sell houses in the countryside.
Mulberry(Karl Howman) is the cute and funny story of Death's(John Bennett) son's first "assignment". It comes in the form of Miss Farnaby(Geraldine McEwan). Realizing that Miss Farnaby hasn't really had a good life, he gets an extension from his father and takes it upon himself to liven up her life. Along with his affect on Miss Farnaby, he crosses path with her servants, the Finches: Albert(Tony Selby) and Alice(Mary Healey). The Finch's were war orphans from London in 1940 who eventually marry and go to work for the Farnabys.
The chemistry between the actors is incredible. When the actors in a show love working together, the viewer can tell. I could definitely tell that these people enjoyed working together. I do recommend this show for the light comedy for anyone who enjoys British humor. There is nothing like Mulberry falling off a cliff and waking up in the morgue because he can't die. As he returns to Miss Farnaby's home, he causes havoc. It's hilarious.
In fact, when it aired on PBS we taped it. We have all but 2 episodes. Our video cassettes are wearing thin. Right now, BBC America is deciding whether to add it to it's catalog. I would hope that anyone who has enjoyed this show to request it so others can enjoy what my family and others have enjoyed.
Laura
Sliding Doors (1998)
Not Rocket Science
This movie is definitely not rocket science, but it has a charm all it's own. It is thoughtful about what might happen in a different reality if we make different choices or "fate" aligns just right for whatever reason.
There were some very funny moments, especially when Hannah let loose with his version of Pythons "Meaning of Life". Gwenyth Paltrow brings her character across as mousy. I just wanted her to jet angry and throw her boyfriend out. You know, the stereotypical, clothing on the front steps, changing the locks etc. But it was good she had a pal to take her in.
I do like this movie and consider it a "keeper". I recommend it for some "light and fluffy" entertainment on a night after a long day.
And for the record: scene in boat by the bridge. I liked Donny Osmond, David Cassidy and Mick Jagger. :)
Take Me (2001)
Unexpected
I don't know what I expected with series, but one thing it is, is thoughtful. This series is multi-layered that work together in the end to form one ending.
The main story deals with Jack(Robson Green) and Kay(Beth Goddard) Chambers who have moved to Hadleigh Corners, a suburban area, to try to save their marriage. Kay has been unfaithful. Jack is a hard working, mellow man who knows that keeping his marriage together will take work. The problem is; Kay really doesn't want it too. Less than 3 weeks after moving into their new home with their two children; Maggie(Julia Mallam) and Dan(Sean McMahon), Kay returns to her relationship with Kevin, Jack's best friend. Like many who move into new neighborhoods, the Chambers try to fit into their new surroundings. Enter Doug(Danny Webb) and Andrea(Olga Sosnovska) Patton. All the action is at their house. Doug and Andrea have regular sex parties with wife swapping etc. Jack feels that it is wrong, but goes along anyway. Kay has stopped seeing Kevin by this time and is enjoying her new life in the neighborhood.
Although, Doug works with the police as a forensic photographer, Jack begins to suspect Doug in the disappearance of one of their neighbors, Lillian Stokes. Jack begins to believe that Lillian is dead. He finds mail that should have been forwarded to Lillian who is supposed to be in New Zealand. As Jack becomes more and more suspicious of his neighbors, the police become involved. One night during a sex party, Doug and the woman he is with, experiment with autoerotic asphyxiation. The woman dies and Doug asks Jack for his help in burying the woman. Jack helps him bury a woman, but later discovers that it wasn't the one he had thought it was. It turns out that the dead woman is one of Doug's regulars. Kay, of course, doesn't believe him. Jack finally gets courage enough to phone the police and tell them where to find the body.
During the course of his investigation, Jack and Kay become more and more estranged until Jack moves out. Also, it the process, Jack becomes attracted to Andrea who tells Jack about her miserable life with Doug. Her life had gotten so bad, she put herself in care at a local mental hospital. Doug explains that Andrea had tried to take her life because she had been dumped by a man she had had an affair with. Doug becomes more and more jealous of their relationship and eventually loses it, culminating in a fight.
There are two sub stories that are worth noting which lead Jack into self discovery. He reconnects emotionally with his estranged father and discovers that his marketing firm is buying troubled businesses and selling them for a profit. He chooses not to participate any longer and loses his job.
In the end, because of the parties: Jack and Kay kill whatever was left of their marriage, Kay becomes pregnant with her brother-in-law's child, Doug and Andrea lose everything.
There are questions at the end. I learned who killed Lillian, but who killed Janet? Jack and Andrea leave together, but I wondered about Jack's future with Andrea after seeing her history with Doug.
All in all, I would recommend this series, but it is "TV Mature" and not for young people below the age of 18. The series presents some very adult themes. I gave this series an "8", so I did enjoy it.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1988)
I loved it!
This fable is wonderful. We have 4 young children: Peter(Richard Dempsey), Susan(Sophie Cook), Edmund(Jonathan R. Scott) and Lucy(Sophie Wilcox); taken from London in 1940 to avoid the onslaught of the German Luftwaffe. They arrive at an old manor house in the country where they meet a kindly old professor(Michael Aldridge). The boys aren't thrilled by the empty and damp house, but the youngest, Lucy, is enchanted. They decide to explore the grounds, but have to explore the house instead of the grounds, due to a rainstorm. Lucy discovers a large, decorative wardrobe which appears to be made out of oak or some other hardwood. She goes in and is transported to another world. A world of witches, nymphs, talking fawns and other wonders. She can't convince her brothers and sister, but eventually as they are trying to avoid the stern governess, Mrs. McCready(Maureen Morris), they follow Lucy into the world. Then the real adventure begins.
This fable is layered with metaphors and symbolism. C.S. Lewis became a dedicated Christian late in life and the symbolism in the story shows his faith, as well being a good story.
All of the young people and others portray their roles with gusto. A couple of the actors go over the top, but it adds to the story. But the one that caught my eye was young Sophie Wilcox who played Lucy. This child was so animated. The range of her emotions traveled from joy to sadness to anger and back again. Lucy was portrayed as an innocent defending her family and loyal to her friends. There was no guile in her. Then there was her brother, Jonathan R. Scott(Edmund), who betrayed the family to the "White Witch"(Barbara Kellerman), because of anger and greed. The love of his family and King Aslan(William Todd Jones) saves him.
The special affects were the affects that were popular during the late 80s. Not as spectacular as in the Harry Potter movies, but the engineering of Aslan as a large male lion was wonderful.
I'm 44 and I recommend this film to anyone who wishes to go back and relive some wonderful childhood moments.
Laura
Stargate SG-1 (1997)
A surprisingly fun ride
I'm usually too busy or I have my favorite obsessions to watch, but my brother, who is obsessed with Stargate, had to change to the evening shift at his job. He asked me to tape the shows for him. I said ok, not thinking it was going to be a big deal. It wasn't until he started to get the box sets that the house became overwhelmed with Stargate SG-1. To show how obsessive my family is about this show, as soon as they purchased S6 of the series, they nagged me that the next time I'm on the computer to check to see when the box set of S7 will be released. Last night I found myself actually asking to borrow the Season 1 and 2 box sets. The show is just fun and Richard Dean Anderson's tongue-in-cheek jokes are bad and funny at the same time. They are even more hilarious when Christopher Judge tries them, because his character, Teal'C, is so serious. Judge does a wonderful job making his character, Teal'C, a sympathetic character.
I do recommend this series because of the endearing qualities all the actors put into their characters. Richard Dean Anderson's "Col. Jack O'Neill" is far from Angus McGyver. Anderson felt that he should dumb down his character in opposition to McGyver's intelligence and has added some silly humor. Both Amanda Tapping(Major Samantha Carter) and Michael Shanks(Dr. Daniel Jackson) have researched the specialties of their characters in order to sound intelligent. Which, for me, is great and adds intelligence to the program. If the program isn't intelligent as well as an adventurous, it won't keep my attention. This series does that. Don S. Davis is wonderful as Gen. George Hammond. There are other semi-regular characters that bring smiles to my face as they show up. Would you believe my mother loves Jacob Carter/Selmac(Carmen Argenzanio)-I hope I spelled that right.
This is a fun series.
Me & Mrs Jones (2002)
Predictable and fun
I didn't know who Robson Green was until I'd seen the "Wire in the Blood" series. I did know Caroline Goodall. I have seen her in several things. She is a great actress.
This is a very predictable story of a tabloid journalist, Liam Marple(Robson Green), who is given the assignment to find something dirty on the interim Prime Minister, Laura Bowden(Caroline Goodall) after the death of the previous Prime Minister.
Using the name Harry Fletcher, Marple takes Bowden on a whirlwind romance, inadvertantly falling in love with her in the process. Marple does find the "dirt" in the family, but in an unique altruistic action, Marple reveals his true identity. After Bowden discovers who he really is, she breaks off their relationship.
But as Liam says in their final meeting; "Boy gets girl, boy loses girl. Then they realize they can't live without each other and fall into each others arms and live happily ever after."
She counters with; "How about boy smiles at girl and girls smiles back, then the boy says goodby and disappears from her life forever."
All of the quotes are paraphrased, but I do recommend this movie if you want some harmless, romantic fun.
Doomwatch: Winter Angel (1999)
Enjoyable
Though not outstanding, this was a decent thriller to get involved with. I suppose it would have been easier for me to understand if I had watched the original series, "Doomwatch". The gist I got, was that the Doomwatch team was a watchdog group watching governments and private industries for illegal and immoral practices.
The leader of the group, though retired is Spencer Quist(Philip Stone) who is the mentor of Neil Tannahill(Trevor Eve) and Toby Ross(Miles Anderson). The story begins in 1999. Quist is retired and Tannahill teaches post-graduate Physics at the local university. As he was drawn into the Doomwatch project, he draws his students into it as well asking for help to decipher cryptic notes from Quist. In another part of England, Ross is working with the Pandora Corporation to develop clean energy. They develop a Black Hole, which goes out of control. Ross is prevented from asking for help by the government and the corporation. He is out of his league and the hole is losing stability. Because the project is so secret, the security forces seek out and kill those who have knowledge of any part of the project. The only ones standing in the way are the members of Doomwatch and a local police officer(John Vine).
When Quist is killed under suspicious circumstances, Tannahill seeks out Ross to find out about the project and forces Ross to accept his help. Between the two Physicists, the hole is brought under control, but will remain in it's current position for the rest of time.
I have discovered that this was supposed to be the pilot of a new series of "Doomwatch" episodes called "Winter Angel". It was a shame it didn't sell, because as I finished watching it, I decided to check to see if there were any other episodes made. I found only the series from 1970, of which several episodes are missing. I then looked to see if anyone had written any books or if the series itself was based on a novel, like so many are. There weren't any novels or novelettes.
This is a disappointment because with the quality of actors involved in the project, it would have been an enjoyable series to watch.
The Corsican Brothers (1985)
Well done
I guess there is very little I can say about this movie. The one word that describes it for me is "Wow." I'd never read the book. Classics in high school are to be avoided, right.
The story is based on the novel by Alexander Dumas. It tells the story of two brothers born as Siamese twins. In an age when separation meant certain death for the children, the father forces the doctors to separate the twins. The surgery is successful. The brothers are Louis and Lucien de Franchi(Both played by Trevor Eve). They are identical twins, but of different temperaments. Louis is gentle and mild and refuses to take part in a Corsican feud between his family and the de Guidice family. There is also a complication with the feud. Both brothers are in love with Annamaria de Guidice(Olivia Hussey), but she loves Lucien and not Louis. Louis decides to go to Paris where he can work with the government to stop the feud while his brother, Lucien, continues it. Louis is asked by a friend, George, to watch over his wife Emilie(Patsy Kensit) while the man is out to sea with the Navy. The wife's mother is a widow and gets her daughter involved in the night life of Paris where she meets the Count Chateau-Renaud(Simon Ward). Renaud is a cad, who has ruined the reputations of many married women and he does ruin the reputation of the friends wife. Louis is challenged to a duel and Renaud kills him. Because they are twins, both Lucien and Louis are connected physically and emotionally. When Louis is killed, Lucien feels it and sets out from Corsica to Paris to find the killer. There is a sword fight and Lucien gets his revenge. Renaud dies in the same spot that Louis did. But the act of his brother dying for peace, touches Lucien and he begins the process of ending the feud between his family and the de Guidice.
I'm sure the novel has more depth, but the film makers decided to concentrate on the relationship between the brothers and the feud. Though there are some wonderful actors in this movie, the majority of them are lost in the background behind the main concentration of the story. The story was very balanced between action and dialogue sequences. The sword fight was very enjoyable to watch. It probably has to do with the presence of actor Mark Ryan as Bernardo de Guidice. Ryan has a well known reputation as an actor and stunt coordinator with a specialty with swords.
But of all the actors, Trevor Eve, stole the show. He played two people who were different in every respect. Louis was mild to the point that very few persons would notice him in a crowd. Lucien was emotional and charismatic. And it was Lucien who grew the most as a character.
I do recommend this movie, if you can find it. My copy was a gift from a friend. There has to be a way for the fans of this movie and others to get the BBC to understand that there is a market out there for much of it's tv single and mini-series.
Screen Two: Black Easter (1995)
A Relevant Movie
Black Easter is a very relevant movie of today. It starts out like quite a few cop movies. A "loose-canon" cop is called out of suspension to solve the murder of an illegal immigrant. But that is where this movie moves off from the norm. The story revolves around the European Union, specifically Germany. The European Union countries are wealthy and wonderful places to live, while the Eastern European countries are economically depressed. In order to save their families many citizens of the eastern countries jump the border in order for a better life. Refugee camps are created on the Germany Polish border as these refugees are caught. Detective Alex Fisher(Trevor Eve) is brought off suspension to find the murderer of the woman and this takes him into the refugee camp. There he meets a woman, Anna(Amanda Ooms), who is trying to make the refugee's life easier. She is also part of an underground movement, that gets refugees out of the camp to a better area, but it's not much better. It is also monitored by the police and little food is dropped to help. As Fisher and his partner look through a building, an illegal makes a run for it. They can't catch her, but when Fisher returns home he finds her in his trunk. He feeds her, gives her food and sets her back on the road. Throughout this, he's terrified, because he could be imprisoned. Fisher begins to find out more about the refugee problem and realizes that the local eastern police are in league with the Russian Mafia and that the dead woman was killed because of her knowledge about the connection. The illegal woman that he had helped and left on the side of the road returns to his home and with the help of his partner, he gets the woman to the border check point. When his car is searched, the woman is missing. She has been taken and killed. He begins to investigate this, but gets stuck behind the border in the refugee camp. His police force is now looking for him, thinking he killed the second woman. He meets up with Anna and together, with the son of the second woman and an old man they join a group of refugees trying to cross the border into Germany.
One of the other reviewers thought this movie was a bit confusing, but I live in Southern California and it was perfectly obvious to me what this movie was about; Illegal Immigration. Fisher started out with the perspective that alot of us have. The illegals come to the US and "steal" jobs from hardworking Americans. This isn't true, of course, because the illegals tend to take the jobs that most American's don't want, due to the working conditions or wages. Fisher learns this in his trek back to Germany. That the immigration problem is more complicated than it appears and that many criminals take advantage of the refugee's desperation. As drivers in Southern California get closer and closer to San Ysidro on the Mexican border we start to see yellow signs of the sillhouettes of a man, woman and child darting across the freeway. It works perfectly with the ending of this movie.
The movie was poignant and the actors were a great ensemble. Trevor Eve and Amanda Ooms led the way with their wonderfully emotional performances. They were backed up by some wonderful actors as well, Bruce Meyers, Peter Stormare, John Shrapnel and Shaun Dingwall are on the top of the list.
This movie, like many on the BBC or ITV have not been released to the public at large, except for several copies at the time of the release of the film. This is a case of sharing the wealth. I got mind from a young woman on ebay who had cleaned out her closet and sold it to me in her "yard sale".
I know I'm whining again, but I wish the BBC and ITV would understand how starved Americans(me) are for quality drama, that we'd sort through someone's yard sale to find it. There is a definite market out there for the products. This movie is a keeper and I will watch it until it collapses and hope I can find another.
K-19: The Widowmaker (2002)
Brilliant
I love Harrison Ford's movies, but I have never seen one that I would say is brilliant until now. "Air Force One" was serious, but it was fun too. K-19 is different. From the first scene, I knew this would be a serious movie. The movie is based on actual events with, of course, dramatizations, for entertainment purposes. Liam Neeson is Captain Polenin, the Captain of a submarine. He is loved by his men and in a moment of tenseness, he chooses the safety of his men over the State. He is demoted to executive officer and a new captain takes over. Harrison Ford is the new Captain; Vostov. The two men don't get on from the beginning. Their styles are completely opposite. After tense training drills, the crew begins to form around it's new Captain, except one. Because the ship was sent to sea without being ready, machinery all over the ship begin to break down, including the reactor. Eight men die bringing the reactor back on line. Of course, the movie ends with the ship being saved and returning to port. But it really isn't a happy ending. A total of 28 men die from radiation poisoning which could have been prevented if the commanding generals had taken the warnings by Vostov and Polenin seriously.
The most impressive part of this movie for me was the performances of Neeson and Ford. Neeson has a reputation for fine preformances, but often Ford plays the fun action hero. In this film, it is obvious that Mr. Ford can hold his own. This film was well put together. Directing and editing were on line with the movement of the story. The music was outstanding. But it was the performances of Ford and Neeson that made this movie.
This movie was like a 7 course meal that, when it's over, you have to sit back and say, "Now, that was satisfying." This was a very satisfying movie and I do recommend it.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Incredible!!!
There isn't too much to say about this latest installment of the Lord of the Ring's trilogy. INCREDIBLE!! Is probably the only description I can come up with. I thought this was the best of the three. All the acting, directing, editing were great. The scenery was breathtaking. With all the work and heart that everyone put into this movie, I saw one person who topped the pile. Throughout all 3 movies, Sean Astin, portrayed Sam Gamgee with sensitivity and heart. But in this third movie, it was as though a damn opened up and Astin let loose with everything he had inside of him. I cried with him on the mountain above the ghouls castle. Of all the characters, Sam grew the most and Astin led the way with his performance of the young sensitive, shy and insecure Hobbit who became a hero in every sense of the word.
Shadow Chasers: Shadow Chasers: Part 1 (1985)
Compete silliness
The first thing to remember about this film is that it is a spoof on the serious ones based on the subject.
Geological scientist from the George Washington Institute are in the small Californian town of Fartham studying earth movements. Suddenly flares begin to go off and fires start. The locals believe it is a ghost who is rampaging.
Back in Washington DC, at the Institute, Dr. Jonathan MacKensie(Trevor Eve) is giving a lecture on anthropology. His most important concern is whether he will get a grant to continue a research project. The Dean over his department, Dr. Juliana Moorhouse(Nina Foch) knows she can bully him. She tells him that Mackensie is the new head of a new department which investigates the unexplained and paranormal. She makes MacKensie a deal. If he looks into a couple of the cases she has chosen, she will give him the grant for his research project.
So MacKensie heads to Fartham. He witnesses the Fartham entity in action as it blows up cans of paint and burns symbols into the houses of the people on Briarwood street. In searching a cemetery he comes across the grave of Robert Pence. Pence is a local who had been delving to closely, according to the locals, into the occult. He is killed in the process of conducting an incantation. MacKensie also meets, Edgar "Benny" Benedek(Dennis Dugan). Benedek is a free lance writer who specializes in the paranormal. He also writes for a tabloid magazine. MacKensie is completely unaware of this side of Benedeks investigations until he is informed by Dr. Moorhouse. Moorhouse reluctantly gives MacKensie permission to use Benedek as an assistant. Together they discover how Pence was killed and what is causing the "hauntings".
This is a pretty straight forward predictable film, but there are some seriously funny moments. Hermione Baddeley is very funny as Mel Lacy, the "wall feeler" from Liverpool, who feels walls to find where the ghosts are hiding. In order for her to be in sync, she has to drink an old family recipe. This is not the usual alcoholic drink. It has boiled mice in it. There is a scene in a restaurant where MacKensie is eating a nice dinner and his privacy is invaded by Benedek who introduces him to a unigue dish from Eastern Europe. Chocolate ice cream, garlic and turnips.(I haven't gotten the courage to try that one yet.) In the middle of this scene, enters a young blond woman who is claiming her cash from Benedek and is obviously a prostitute, creating a very awkward moment, which is enjoyed by MacKensie. There are other moments that made me smile.
This is a very silly movie and probably deserves only 2 to 2.5 stars, but I enjoyed it and watch it when I can. All the actors did well, the directing and editing were great. I haven't seen the series, that continued from this pilot movie, but it didn't finish it's first 13 episodes, so it was probably pretty bad.
Like so many things in Hollywood, ideas get worked and reworked and 8 years later this idea got reworked into one of TV's most successful science fiction series, the X-Files.
Dracula (1979)
A fun movie
The Dracula story has been done and overdone. Some versions are campy or horrific. This one was fun. I think it had to do with the actors who played in the film.
The film begins with a sailing vessel crashing against the Yorkshire coast. Up on the cliff above lies a mental institution. The storm rages and upsets the patients where Dr. Seward(Donald Pleasance) and his assistants try to calm the patients. A guest, Mina Van Helsing(Jan Francis) witnesses the ship crashing. Though she is ill, she goes into the storm and finds Count Dracula(Frank Langella) washed ashore. They take him to his new home at Carfax Abbey to recover.
Seward's daughter, Lucy(Kate Nelligan) is a modern flirty woman who is having a relationship with a local solicitor, Jonathan Harker(a very young Trevor Eve in his first feature film.), who is in charge of Dracula's legal papers. Dracula uses his charm to ingratiate himself into the inner circle and proceeds to set his "heart" on Lucy. When Mina is killed, Dr. Seward sends for her father, Dr. Abraham Van Helsing(Lord Olivier). Van Helsing researchs the events of the death of his daughter and comes to the conclusion that Dracula is the vampire and he is trying to possess Lucy. From that point on Van Helsing, Seward and Harker set out to get Lucy back and destroy Dracula. There are several exciting chase scenes.
This is a fun movie, because it treats the subject litely and as I watched I got the feeling that the actors enjoyed doing the film and working together. The acting was great, the editing was smooth, the music by John Williams was fantastic.(It usually is). There was a nice contrast between black and white and color. There was only one draw back that I could see and it was the rubber bats.
I do recommend this movie. In fact, it took me forever, but I finally was able to buy it from a used video store.
Performance: A Doll's House (1992)
An interesting period play
***SPOILERS*** ***SPOILERS*** Like so many of the British films I've seen, I've been introduced to them by friends. This one is the same and once again I was not disappointed.
The only Ibsen I'd ever read was back in High School, which was eons ago, so this was a new experience for me.
The story is about a flighty woman, Nora Helmner(Juliet Stevenson), who has no real concept of responsibility and the importance of money in her society. Her husband, Thorvald(Trevor Eve) is a generous man who spoils her rotten. He doles out the money she needs like he is giving candy to a child and he enjoys the idea that he can spoil her through his hard work. In an anxious moment, Nora decides she needs to borrow 4800 Kroners from one of Thorvald's childhood friends in order to "save" Thorvald's life. When Thorvald finds out he goes into a rage and forces her to understand that she has put his integrity as a bank manager in jeopardy. In a hysterical moment, she offers to kill herself, so everyone would know it wasn't Thorvald's fault. He explains that the damage was done and killing herself wouldn't help. But at the last moment, the childhood friend forgives the debt, because his fortunes have improved. Relieved, Thorvald reveals that he must watch over his "songbird" more carefully, so that she doesn't make such mistakes again and he blames himself for not taking better care of her.
In an epiphany, Nora realizes that Thorvald sees her as his "doll wife", someone to care for and spoil, just like her father saw her as his "doll child". Nora comes to believe that she and Thorvald have been living in a "Doll's House", where she had become Thorvald's doll and likewise, their children had become hers. She realizes that she never had an opinion of her own and decides she needs to "understand" herself. In an emotional scene she explains to Thorvald that she didn't understand that she wasn't doing anything wrong by "saving" his life and must go out and discover what life is really like. Finally she tells him that she doesn't love him anymore.
This play affected me on several levels. I am a modern woman who was appalled at the way Thorvald spoiled Nora and treated her like a child, which added to her flightiness and her lack of understanding of her responsibilities. But I was more disgusted with Nora. After finally realizing at the end that she didn't know what life was really like and had to go "in search" of it, she abandoned her husband of 8 years and her 3 children. In her search for responsibility, she abandoned responsibility for her family and shoved it onto the maids of the household because she didn't feel capable of taking care of the children and that the maids knew better. That happens way to often in today's society for similar reasons.
Nora was filled with self pity and selfishness. In the end she was calm and collected as she left her husband emotionally devastated. He lived in a society where he had done everything right. Everything he did was what was expected for a man of his period, yet it wasn't enough for her.
This play could also be considered a metaphor for men and women's relationships in the modern. Many men are still confused by the desire of many women to seek out "life", especially when they are raised in rural areas where gender roles are defined.
I do recommend this movie because it is an intelligent movie and sucked me in. Juliet Stevenson was fantastic as Nora and several times I wanted to jump through the screen and slap her around. Trevor Eve was great as Thorvald. I never saw Thorvald as a bad man as was listed in the plot outline. I just saw him as a man of his times. I had a great deal of sympathy for him.
The Politician's Wife (1995)
Fantastic
I watched this movie because a friend recommended it and I was not disappointed. Trevor Eve is incredible as the *********** Duncan Matlock. I could come up with tons of nasty words for this character. He is a spoiled man who is the "darling" boy of the Tory Party who has begun to use his position as district politician to advance his career. He doesn't really care about his constituants. He lies to his constituants or does just enough to get re-elected. He begins to have an affair with a former prostitute(Minnie Driver). When his wife, Flora(Juliet Stevenson), finds out she is devastated and enraged. He begs her for forgiveness for this one indiscretion and that the affair was entirely sexual in nature. All the members of his party except one, Mark Hollister(Anton Lesser), also beg for her forgiveness for the sake of the Party. Hollister reveals that he and others in the "inner" circle are disgusted with Matlock and want to get rid of him. Hollister gives Flora several audio tapes with phone calls between Matlock and the prostitute. These tapes reveal that the affair was not a one time fling, but had been going on for a year.
**Note**: The audio tapes are played uncut and can be offensive to some people.**
Listening to these tapes continues to feed Flora's rage and she joins Hollister in a mission to destroy Matlock's political career. One thing after another occurs and slowly Matlock's career is destroyed. By the end of the movie he knows that his destruction has been plotted, but is unable to deduce who it was. He relies on one person, who has stood by him through out the difficult times, Flora. Then one night, after his career is destroyed, she reveals that she was the one who was the enemy within. It is his turn to be devastated and enraged, asking her why she didn't just leave him if she was so disgusted. She tells him that she believed he needed to be stopped as a political entity.
The last scene between these two major characters is difficult to describe. Matlock continues to maintain that the relationship with the prostitute was sexual in nature, because he wasn't satisfied in their marriage. He demonstrates what he believes sex actually is, by shoving his tongue down her throat in a violent kiss. She tries to insult him, but he gets the final say as he turns and spits a large glob of mucus at her, leaving her silent.
As said previously. Trevor Eve was magnificent as Duncan Matlock. Throughout the movie I felt the Matlock was a jerk(polite usage). He alienated everyone he cared about, especially his family. His son didn't want to stay in the same room with him. But at the end, with the disgust I also felt sympathy. Flora maintained a supportive demeanor, while, at the same time, becoming a vicious and vindictive woman. Matlock's punishment was to be assigned to a minor political job in Brussels, Belgium. Part of me wonders if he didn't get the better deal.
Juliet Stevenson was also fantastic as Flora Matlock. In the beginning of the movie I felt alot of sympathy for Flora. She was the dutiful housewife and supporter of her husband's ambitions. But at the end, after destroying her husband's career, she was assigned the position her husband had been fired from. She had become, what she had despised. Standing beside her, as she accepted the appointment and encouraging her, was Mark Hollister making me wonder if he had planned the whole thing himself and using Matlock's indescretions as a vehicle for his own rise.
I do recommend this movie if you can catch it. There were strong performances by all, with Eve leading the way.
Shoestring (1979)
A fun series
Shoestring, starring: Trevor Eve, Doran Godwin, Michael Medwin and Liz Crowther, is a fun series. Fans, being the resourceful people that we are, share things we enjoy. I would have never gotten to see some of the great British TV series, if I had not met someone on the internet who had introduced me to something that intrigued them. Shoestring is one of those series.
It is the story of a frumpy, private investigator called Eddie Shoestring(Trevor Eve). He had a nervous breakdown while working as a computer analyst and smashed his computer with a hammer. He was instituionalized. After a short period of counseling his psychologist taught him to use art as a stress releaser, so when he begins to get nervous he draws caractures of the object of his stress. Eddie lives in the upper room of a terraced house in Bristol, England. His landlady is the Solicitor Erica Bayliss(Doran Godwin) who works with the police. Eddie is often out of work and owes Erica back rent, but she has a soft spot for him, if not an available g-spot. The fact that these two have a sexual relationship is obvious from the beginning.
Following a widespread British pattern, the local radio station, Radio West, occaisionally invites local people on for interview. The station manager, Don Satchley(Michael Medwin) invites Erica for an interview to help locals with dealing with the police. Radio West is in the process of it's own scandal. It's star Presenter, David Cairn(William Russell), is having a relationship with a young, local prostitute. In the process of visiting one of her clients, she cracks up, steals Cairns Rolls Royce and dies of hypothermia on the beach due to a drug and alcohol overdose. Satchley is at a loss of what to do and asks Erica for help. She introduces Satchley to Shoestring and Eddie solves the mystery. Satchley is impressed with Eddie's abilities and after a suggestion by their receptionist, Sonia(Liz Crowther) hires Eddie to be the station's "Private Ear". Eddie now provides a free service to the public. They write to him and if the need is interesting, he investigates it and the relates the stories on the aire, leaving out the real names, of course to protect the privacy of the listener.
The chemistry between all the actors makes this a fun series. It is lite entertainment that I wish would be available to the general public. There is a large fan base for it and even an unofficial website for fans.
Mr. Eve left the series because of a fear that he would be stereotyped. He had a valid concern. This series would have run for several years. It was that good. But now Mr. Eve has a wider fan base, both in the US and Great Britain, because of his excellant work in film and stage. I hope, now that he has the rights to the show, he might consider releasing it on vhs or dvd.
Rebus: Mortal Causes (2001)
Incredible
There are 4 episodes in ITV's 1st series of the crime drama, "Rebus". I really didn't know who John Hannah was before this series. I had heard he was in "The Mummy" or "Four Weddings and a Funeral", but had never really paid attention. I watched "Rebus" just because I had nothing better to do and was "blown away". John Hannah was incredible as "DI John Rebus". He is a haunted man trying to decide which side of the law he's on. In two of the episodes; "The Hanging Garden" and "Mortal Causes", he actually goes to a gangster he had put in prison; Morris Cafferty(James Cosmos), to solve a case. In "The Hanging Garden", Rebus' daughter is run down by a car. Rebus goes to Cafferty to identify the driver. This begins an odd friendship between the two and we can see that Rebus is on the "slippery slope". In "Mortal Causes", he actually gives the names of the men involved with the killing of Cafferty's son. This leads to the deaths of one of the men and a police officer. I've heard that fans of Ian Rankin, feel that John Hannah wasn't right for the role. I've never read Rankin. I can only go on what I've seen from the films. Now I can't see anyone else in the role. It probably has to do with the fact that Hannah was a fan of the novels before hand and as Executive Producer, put his heart into the project.
As "Mortal Causes" ended, I found myself saying, "I can't wait for the next episode.", but there wasn't going to be another episode. I hope John Hannah and Ian Rankin can convince ITV to make another series.
Very much recommended for those who love intelligent crime drama.
Circus (2000)
Intelligent drama
"Circus" is an intricate tale of a married couple who are scam artists. The couple get involved with a Scottish gangster who begins to control the husband, Leo. As the story progresses the couple works desperately to release themselves from the grip of the gangster. I had great sympathy for the couple, but at the same time unsympathetic about the fact that they had gotten themselves into the mess. I was riveted by the story and was extremely satisfied with the ending.
Definitely recommended.
Emergency!: The Wedsworth-Townsend Act (1972)
Ahead of it's time.
Jack Webb was a genius. He had real world ideas. This is the movie that started a wonderful series. Of the series, it is my favorite. It was the forerunner of series like ER and Third Watch. Before 1972, it was common not to want anyone to take care of you except a doctor, but doctors couldn't be everywhere. Even in the few years after the paramedic program started, it was still a novelty and difficult to trust those firemen and policemen who had been trained. Not only was this series fun to watch, but it broke important ground to make the public aware that a new public service was a available and safe. It was because of this series(it was a romantic vision, to be sure.) that I became an EMT and since my training I have enjoyed assisting several people. There is nothing in the world to compare with giving CPR to an injured person and that person waking up.
Poirot: Evil Under the Sun (2001)
Enjoyable
As with the late Jeremy Brett and Sherlock Holmes, I can only see David Suchet as Agatha Christies "Hercule Poirot", though Peter Ustinov was a great actor. "Evil Under the Sun" is much as the Poirot mysteries of the past. The wonderful characters of Hastings(Hugh Fraser), Miss Lemon(Pauline Moran) and Chief Inspector Japp(Philip Jackson)join Poirot in the solving of a mystery on England's South Coast at a health spa. As the story continues, each character reveals a little bit more of their personalities, and the watcher sees each has gotten a reason to kill Arlena Stuart(Louise Delamere). There are several twists and turns and the ending is surprising, yet as the ending appears all the answers were already there if the watcher looks closely.
I do recommend this film for all those who love Agatha Christie and David Suchet. My only wish; I would hope that David Suchet would think seriously of making "Murder on the Orient Express".
Parnell & the Englishwoman (1991)
Enjoyable
I enjoyed this film. The story begins when Kittie O'Shea(Francesca Annis) is challenged by the refusal of the Irish Politican, Charles Stewart Parnell(Trevor Eve), to appear at her many dinner parties. She swears that before the next month is out, she will serve Parnell dinner. Kittie goes to Parnells lodgings which he uses as an office. She asks to see him in the palace courtyard. Frustrated at her appearance, Parnell goes to see her to send her away. When he meets her, he realizes that she isn't the woman he expected. The two flirt and she wins his appearance at her next dinner, where she introduces him to her husband. O'Shea, the minor politician, offers his services as liason between the Home Rule Party and the British Liberals. Then he prepares to return to town, against Kittie's wishes. Kittie had asked him to stay to prevent scandle, but he does not. After walking the halls, Kittie finally gives in to her desire for Parnell. That night Parnell and Kittie begin their relationship.
The following story continues to show how Parnells connection to Kittie led to his downfall. Parnell isolated himself from one of his staunch supporters, when his assistant, Timothy Healy(Lorcan Cranitch), opens a letter from Kittie to Parnell, telling him of his new born daughter. Parnell's enmity to Healy grows into a pure hatred as Healy, still believing that Parnell is the only chance for Irish Independence, comes to the realization that Parnell is a liability to the party, which might turn the Catholic Church away from the party, which would lead the Catholic voters away. This eventually happened.
I had mixed emotion about the story. David Robb as Capt. O'Shea was detestable and I couldn't blame Kittie for looking for another man. At the same time, I liked, then disliked, then liked again the character of Parnell. He was single minded man who was devoted to Irish Independence. He was charismatic and tough. He believed that he was the only hope for Irish Home Rule. Parnell had united Ireland under the umbrella of the Irish National Land League. Under his leadership, several important Land Acts were approved by the House of Commons. When it came down to it, he was right. After his death in 1891, his prediction that Irish politics would devolve into factions without him, was proved right and only united once again under the leadership of Michael Collins.
The relationship between Charles Stewart Parnell(Trevor Eve) and Kathryn O'Shea(Francesca Annis) began in 1880 and lasted until his death in 1891.
I thoroughly enjoyed this film due to the major actors involved. I am a fan of Trevor Eve and this was an example of his many talents. His performance led me to dislike and like the character of Parnell. At one point, I wanted to shoot him and at others I admired his passion. Francesca Annis was also very good. She played the staunch public wife figure for her husband, still feeling lonely and unloved. When she first meets Parnell, she sees in him
everything she wanted in life. Annis takes the woman who, at first, selfish and scheming to a unselfish woman devoted to Parnell and Irish Independence. David Robb was icky and detestable.
Though, the three main cast members could have carried the story by themselves, I would be remiss, if I didn't include the wonderful performance by Lorcan Cranitch, who portrayed Timothy Healy. Even as his dislike for Parnell grew, he continued to support him as leader of the Party. Cranitch led his character from a dew-eyed worshipper to an angry man disillusioned by his heroes behavior.
I definitely recommend this film to anyone who wants to see strong performances and a good, emotional story.