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gillard_stephen
Reviews
Lapwing (2021)
Beautiful, very difficult watch
Absolutely beautiful film. Supremely difficult watch but gripping throughout.
Wonderfully economical script stunningly performed.
Amazing shots of the coast as a bonus.
The Tudors (2007)
Could have been so much more.
Rather than disliking this show I'd just say I was kind of disappointed. Being a bit of a fan of the Tudor history I was kind of hoping for an in-depth look at a very complex time in British history, sort of like Ye Olde West Wing. The Tudors could have been a show that dramatically explored what was one of the most intelligent, erudite and politically savvy royal lines this country has ever seen. Instead I felt like I was watching a slightly more sexed up Ye Olde Hollyoakes. As a diversion there's absolutely nothing wrong with that I guess, but we just had Rome, which did it a lot better in my opinion. There's no one thing I dislike about this show, I'm just a little down that it wasn't as "clever" as I thought it could be. Maybe I'm in a minority though. Hollyoakes still runs despite my best efforts so.....
The Amityville Horror (2005)
From start to finish this movie keeps the scares coming.
Though I'm sure this film will be slaughtered by reviews I have to say that having seen all the original films none of them were as scary and shocking as this re-make. Granted the others were made decades ago but taken as a stand alone film it re-invents what had become a tired franchise. Did it really happen? Well they're still peddling that idea so for those that think it did then maybe this will shed more light on the events for you, for those that don't...just let them have their fun. Ryan Reynolds portrays George's slow fall from sanity in a convincing fashion and for someone who has made their entire career so far from playing vaguely annoying student type characters this movie marks, for me at least, his step into the world of adult acting and he makes a really good job of it. I honestly believe he is an actor that is on his way to becoming a house hold name. The child actors start out the same as so many others but by the end of the film they are not just "those annoying kids," simply due to the fact that not a great deal is required of them and they do it well. Absolutely worth a watch if you like psychological horror, especially if you have someone to wrap that protective arm around.
The Rundown (2003)
Good, really quite good, surprisingly.
Well first of the bat this is not a film with amazing brains. However what it is, is fun. Really good fun. The Rock and Scott make a good team for this comedy action buddy movie. With Christopher Walken putting in a good turn as the sort of semi-likable bad guy and some slightly darker moments slipped in there is a deeper plot lurking beneath the high action quota. Thankfully the Rock doesn't take himself too seriously and is prepared to make some fun of the tough guy Wrestler image he has built up. Not all films with Wrestlers in need to be a Hulk Hogan train wreck. Scott also moves a step or two away from his Stiffler character and you can actually care for his characters plight from time to time. Overall enjoyable fun for action fans, Rock fans and anyone else...surprisingly.
Dracula 3000 (2004)
Made by students who think continuity is a dirty word
First of all can anyone say "ejector seat ending" ? I would have loved to have been in the script meeting when they were working this one out. I can see it now: Pleb 1: Right so we've killed of the hero without so much as a whimper and made an hour or so's back story completely pointless, we've semi-defeated the immortal super strong, cat like, prince of darkness by trapping his arm in a door and just discovered that the robotic heroine prostitute CAN have sex with the most odious man on the ship, what do we do now lads? Pleb 2: A gratuitous love scene with plenty of breasts? Pleb 3: No no, we want to maintain the air of class we've built up with our witty one liners and gratuitous use of the phrase "titty f*****g." Pleb 1: I'm bored of this movie, here we go, the ship explodes, they all die, the end, now let's go and make Frankenstein 3000. Pleb 2: What will be the story? Pleb 1: Exactly the same, only this time the bad guy won't wear a hugely starched cape. Pleb 3: Genius. This is basically a summary of the entire movie but with slightly better use of the English language. DO NOT SEE THIS FILM UNLESS DRUNK.
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004)
Teenage girls with no interest in plot, scripting or character depth apply within
I will just say that the one good thing about this movie is that it's really nice to see Julie Andrews singing again. There is no debating the fact that she has an amazing voice. What does bother me is this increasing trend of teensploitation movies that are appearing regularly in the cinemas. Film makers appear to have found a genre that appeals to the teenage girl who still puts the pillow case on her head and dreams of the perfect wedding and boy are they sticking to it. Take one virginally attractive young woman, give her no brains but an abundance of good intentions, place her in a variety of bumbling situations and add one completely plastic love interest. Acting school? Only add as a very last resort if character's can't manage basic facial expression. Completely ignore the only two interesting characters and their complex love story to focus on the teen dream of the "perfect man," and the fight to win him from the dark side. Even makes the first Princess Diaries look like Citizen Kane. Very very Boring.