The acclaimed stage play from Brian Friel has been successfully adapted for the screen in this visual treat from Pat O'Connor. The beautiful landscapes of Donegal do not smother the intelligent performances such as from Meryl Streep (Kate Mundy), Catherine McCormack (Christine Mundy) and Rhys Ifans (Gerry Evans). Those critics who have condemned the movie for being simple and about ordinary people seem to miss the point. This is meant to be a simple story about ordinary people - and that is why it is so moving! More importantly though - 'Dancing at Lughnasa' is also entertaining and really deserved better than the mixed reviews on initial release.
Reviews
4 Reviews
Gladiator
(2000)
A welcome return to the Roman epic!
13 May 2000
'Gladiator' has been hailed as the triumphant return to the era of the big Hollywood Roman epic and that it was to rank alongide such cinematic monuments as 'Ben Hur' and 'Spartacus'. Russell Crowe plays Roman General Maximus who leads his war-worn troops to victory in Germania only to find that his emperor has been murdered by his son, Commodus (Jacquin Phoenix). Maximus becomes a condemned man, his family is butchered and he becomes a gladiator, intent on striking revenge on the evil emperor.
'Gladiator' is an enjoyable blockbuster boasting splendid performances especially from Crowe and Phoenix. However, the action sequences are wasted through modern trickery camera effects and therefore are unsuspenseful. The computer graphics of the colosseum are impressive and the photography is visually striking.
It is great to know that this is a big summer blockbuster which is more intelligent than what we have experienced lately (remember 'Wild Wild West' last year?). It is an impressive movie, but at the same time contains no memorable moments which must mean that it can not be in the same stable as 'Ben-Hur or 'Spartacus'. It is simply unfit to untie their Roman sandals!!!!
'Gladiator' is an enjoyable blockbuster boasting splendid performances especially from Crowe and Phoenix. However, the action sequences are wasted through modern trickery camera effects and therefore are unsuspenseful. The computer graphics of the colosseum are impressive and the photography is visually striking.
It is great to know that this is a big summer blockbuster which is more intelligent than what we have experienced lately (remember 'Wild Wild West' last year?). It is an impressive movie, but at the same time contains no memorable moments which must mean that it can not be in the same stable as 'Ben-Hur or 'Spartacus'. It is simply unfit to untie their Roman sandals!!!!
Live and Let Die
(1973)
'Live and Let Die' passes - but only just!
13 February 2000
'Live And Let Die' is often regarded as the first of the "jokey" episodes in the successful Bond film series, but the rather dreadful 'Diamonds Are Forever' deserves to take that honour. Roger Moore gives a refreshingly comic interpretation to the Bond role, but everything is played for quick laughs that the tension is non-existent. Despite the popularity of the musical score, it is only the lead song which is good and that is by Paul McCartney and Wings. The musical score was not written by the masterful John Barry but George Martin, who created a rather dull score. Overall, a reasonably enjoyable movie which heralded the Roger Moore era - which meant the the intregity of the bond movies went into decline! Marks of out ten: 6/10
Mutiny on the Bounty
(1962)
A highly entertaining and unrated sea classic!
13 February 2000
The 1962 remake of 'Mutiny On The Bounty' has received many scathing attacks from some of the most prolific film critics throughout the years. It has been regarded as an overlong, overblown epic, which boasted an outrageous performance from Marlon Brando as the heroic captain's mate, Fletcher Christian. I believe that these initial reviews have been nothing short of harsh.
The 1935 version boasted a superb cast and was then regarded as a epitome of the classic story film-making. It is now regarded as a slackly told adventure, yet highly entertaining. So when the remake was in production in 1960, the critics' began to relish the possibility of another "turkey". The 1935 version was still clear in the memory. The rumours of discontent on the set and other production follies only assisted in tarnishing the reputation of the movie long before it was even released.
This movie is in fact a highly entertaining sea story. It is sweeping and visually beautiful, with a haunting musical score from Bronislau Kaper. It is in my opinion that Brando's performance was a brave if unsuccessful attempt to show a different side of Fletcher Christian. Brando's performance expresses a hero who suffers personal turmoil with the problems he experiences on the HMS Bounty. It is also unfair that many English critics have leapt upon Brando's accent. I am Irish and I have to listen to a multitude of strange Irish accents from many classic movies. It is in my view that Brando's accent seems to be a genuine foppish English accent which may not have been too far removed from the truth. The real Fletcher Christian was only 22 years of age when the Bounty sailed and he was a renowned ladies man.
Trevor Howard's performance of the rogue Captain William Bligh is masterful, even if he was another over-aged star to take on the role (The real Bligh was only 33 years old). The other performances are excellent especially from Richard Harris, Tarita and Hugh Griffith.
This movie is no worse than the 1935 version. It does have faults, but it is a genuinely beautiful movie to watch. The 1962 version of 'Mutiny On The Bounty' is not a testament on the problems of remaking of a classic adventure movie but of the real fact that critics really do get their facts wrong.
The 1935 version boasted a superb cast and was then regarded as a epitome of the classic story film-making. It is now regarded as a slackly told adventure, yet highly entertaining. So when the remake was in production in 1960, the critics' began to relish the possibility of another "turkey". The 1935 version was still clear in the memory. The rumours of discontent on the set and other production follies only assisted in tarnishing the reputation of the movie long before it was even released.
This movie is in fact a highly entertaining sea story. It is sweeping and visually beautiful, with a haunting musical score from Bronislau Kaper. It is in my opinion that Brando's performance was a brave if unsuccessful attempt to show a different side of Fletcher Christian. Brando's performance expresses a hero who suffers personal turmoil with the problems he experiences on the HMS Bounty. It is also unfair that many English critics have leapt upon Brando's accent. I am Irish and I have to listen to a multitude of strange Irish accents from many classic movies. It is in my view that Brando's accent seems to be a genuine foppish English accent which may not have been too far removed from the truth. The real Fletcher Christian was only 22 years of age when the Bounty sailed and he was a renowned ladies man.
Trevor Howard's performance of the rogue Captain William Bligh is masterful, even if he was another over-aged star to take on the role (The real Bligh was only 33 years old). The other performances are excellent especially from Richard Harris, Tarita and Hugh Griffith.
This movie is no worse than the 1935 version. It does have faults, but it is a genuinely beautiful movie to watch. The 1962 version of 'Mutiny On The Bounty' is not a testament on the problems of remaking of a classic adventure movie but of the real fact that critics really do get their facts wrong.
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