simhedges Reviews

Hogfather (2006 TV Movie)

Nicely Done but Too Long

[6/10 · 27 December 2006]

Beautifully made, excellent effects (both visual and practical) and design, enjoyable acting (especially from 'Susan'). The plot was good, once it got going. And there's the rub - it was just horrendously long and draggy at the start. It would have benefited immeasurably from having a good hour cut from the running time: 4 hours was too long.

That's really all I wanted to say, but as IMDb insists I write more (ot it won't let me submit my perfectly reasonable comment), I'll also add that I very much liked Death's head being an immobile skull rather than being animated. I even liked the jaw not working. And I liked the eyes. The Hogs were most enjoyable. I suspect the narrator was Joss Ackland (Ridcully would be an appropriate narrator), though it may be have been Ian Richardson. The ending was good, and I liked the speech about the little lies and big lies.

Sweeney Todd (2006 TV Movie)

Historical Evidence?

[7/10 · 19 August 2006]

This was a reasonable production of an excellent musical, but I recommend the George Hearn / Angela Lansbury version every time.

In a previous comment, alan_cricketman4 from Belfast UK, states: "I can understand producers using artistic licence and having to cut details and chronologically alter events etc., but to change the facts of such a well known and well documented case is just downright silly. I suggest that very little research has been applied here (by producers and reviewers alike) and a good website to browse, and learn further details on the case, is "Court TV CRIME LIBRARY"."

I fact, Sweeney Todd was universally accepted to be an 'urban myth' up to about 1993, due to the lack of other evidence. In 1993, a new book, was published. Of this book, Wikipedia says:

"In his 1993 book Sweeney Todd: The Real Story of the Demon Barber of Fleet, the horror and crime story writer Peter Haining argues that Sweeney Todd was a historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800. However, other researchers who have researched his citations find nothing in these sources to back up what Haining claims they said".

I realise that Wikipedia is not always entirely accurate, but I think it is fair to say that what Mr Haining has done is researched a theory about the origin of Sweeney Todd, which is worthy of consideration, but far from accepted historical truth.

A Knight's Tale (2001)

Anachronistic Music?

[8/10 · 5 September 2004]

In another comment in this movie, someone said:

"In a movie supposed to be from the middle age you should not use music made hundreds of years forward in time. "lowrider" and "we will rock you" should not have been in this movie."

But I assume that this person would have been happy with standard 'classical' movie music as was used in, say, "The Lion in Winter" or "Becket" or "El Cid". Do people complain about the Korngold score for 'Robin Hood' because it is anachronistic? No. But it is highly anachronistic - someone from the Middle Ages would be as likely to find 'Robin Hood' as unintelligible as 'We Will Rock You' - or possibly more so.

I thought that the use of modern rock music and football chants to be inspired and funny; and I found the movie overall to be quite enjoyable.

Dave (1993)

Great combination

[10/10 · 25 August 2004]

This movie is a great combination of romance, feelgood politics and a few laugh-out-loud moments.

I can watch this over and over again and enjoy it every time. Kevin Kline puts in a pitch-perfect performance in both his roles, but Sigourney Weaver, as ever, has genius.

The minor roles too (Wayans, Linney, Grodin) are good too. As is Frank Langella.

My only quibble is the ending - like no-one's going to notice that the First Lady is going with a guy who looks exactly like the dead President? Eeuw.

But the rest of the movie is so great, I'll forgive it!

Highly recommended.

Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)

Perfectly Funny

[9/10 · 9 November 2003]

I watched this movie again last night. It still makes may me laugh, and there are some top notch acting performances too: notable Kristin Scott-Thomas and John Hannah. I didn't only laugh at these people, I cared about them too. There's the occasional false note from Andie McDowell, but apart from that, it's all pitch perfect.

Sweet Home Alabama (2002)

Good Fun

[8/10 · 31 December 2002]

This was an enjoyable run-of-the-mill romantic comedy. Reese Witherspoon is good (though as a designer, her character has awful dress sense!), and I liked that fact that no-one was made out to be really awful (I even liked Candice Bergen!).

Back to the Future (1985)

Perfectly Plotted, Perfectly Played, Perfectly Paced

[10/10 · 8 April 2001]

There are no loose plot threads in this movie; the time travel aspects are handled consistently (I won't talk about the sequels...); the acting (from the entire cast) is excellent; the characterisations are good; the thing is well paced; and (congratulations America!) it's not over sentimentalised.

Congratulations to all involved in the perfect 80s movie.

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)

Just the best

[10/10 · 23 June 2000]

This is an absolutely excellent film. It blends comedy and suspect with a great script, good direction and a perfect cast. Dennis Price is superb and manages to match up to Alec Guinness at his most versatile. This is a must see critique of the British class system. And it's very very amusing.

Twelfth Night (1996)

Good looking & well acted effort at an implausible Shakespearian plot

[28 December 1998]

As with most Shakespearian comedies, the plot is deeply implausible. However, the excellent Cornish locations at St Michael's Mount & Lanhyrock give a good sense of place and the winter setting (apart from the scene of apple picking!) comes across well - it really does look like an English winter, rather than a picture postcard snow-scene.

The play is cut down to a manageable length without losing the sense of it, The broad comedy aspects (Toby Belch et al) are thankfully limited.

The acting is well done by a cast of British stalwarts. Amazingly, Viola and Sebastian actually do look broadly alike.

This film is best viewed as an amusing light romantic comedy rather than a side-splitter.