lrulan Reviews

Oliver's Travels (1995– )

excellent series

[10/10 · 14 July 2007]

I finally got the chance to purchase a copy of this wonderful series on DVD. I had a taped copy of the PBS airing which I had watched over and over again. Now with the dvds I can watch it as much as I want without getting afraid the tape would wear out.

OLIVER'S TRAVELS is the story of two smart, funny and beautiful people (Alan Bates and Sinead Cusack) who meet while in the pursuit of a murder mystery. The repartee between the two is delicious. The acting is so good that you don't want the story to end.

These are probably two of the best actors from the UK. Just watch their faces when they are interacting and you'll know what I mean. And Sinead Cusack's quirky little smile just gets to me every time.

My favorite scene: their wedding vows at the cathedral. My favorite lines: Diane - Why did you get divorced?

Oliver - She said I never listened.

Diane - Was she right?

Oliver - I wasn't listening.

If you ever get the chance run, don't walk, to get a copy of the DVDs.

No Verbal Response (2003)

Excellent short film

[10/10 · 1 October 2006]

This is an excellent short film by writer/director Helena R Smith. Lena Headey stars as an anesthesiologist in a hospital when a young man, Martin, is brought in after a devastating car accident.

He is declared brain dead by the other doctors but Dr Megan Pillay (Headey) feels that Martin is still quite alive and can still think and feel. She feels that he is talking to her.

Martin is being prepared for organ harvesting. Dr Pillay tries everything she can to delay the procedure, as she is not quite sure that it is the right time to do it yet.

Dr Smith won an editing award for this film and watching it one can easily see why. The film is tightly edited and moves along briskly without a wasted second.

The acting all around is top-notch, especially Lena Headey's who is quite sensitive in her portrayal of Dr Pillay. Helena Smith, who herself is an anesthesiologist and an ICU physician has written a sensitive, thought-provoking story. This short film is well-worth seeing, and I wish it would be included in some short-film anthologies.

Imagine Me & You (2005)

Lena Headey is an excellent actress...

[9/10 · 16 July 2006]

Just saw this film and was absolutely entertained. After all, that's why we watch movies, right? To be entertained. The story is simplistic, but the acting is superb. Especially that of Lena Headey, probably one of the best actresses out of the UK in the last decade. Her facial expressions and her voice just MAKE her become whichever character she plays. I've seen her other films too, and in this one she certainly brings the character of Luce to full life. Piper Perabo is good too, but not as convincing. Her British accent leaves a lot to be desired. The minor roles are excellent especially Boo Jackson as the little sister and Tony Head and Celia Imrie as Rachel's parents. All in all, a very entertaining, fun film to watch. No angst about being gay, as Ms Headey says in the interview it's all about 'love and timing'. The commentary by Ol Parker is also good to listen to. I just wish they had a cast commentary, especially with the two female leads. A 9 out of 10 in my book.

Lovely & Amazing (2001)

good but....

[14 August 2003]

Excellent movie all around, good acting, good direction. But what a depressing film. One has to experience some sort of satisfaction from viewing a film in order to consider it a 'good' film. While it is excellent in many ways, one is left with quite an unhappy experience.