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Gandalf the White
Reviews
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
As a film - GREAT, as a book to celluloid - OOOOPS!!!!!
Taken as if the book did not exist then this is a truly great film, with some of the best cinematography and special effects I have ever seen on the big screen. It will claim Oscars galore especially in the technical areas. No-one lets themselves down in the acting stakes, Ian McKellen is Gandalf, Sean Astin is Sam, and Christopher Lee is Saruman. 168 minutes flew by in all but the bladder. GO SEE THIS MOVIE.
BUT!!!!!! and it is a pretty big but, as an avid Tolkien fan I exited the cinema thinking not what was right with the film, but what was wrong, what was missing, what went against the spirit of Tolkien. The book is much more complex than this. It has more parallel storylines, more inter weaving of both plots and characters and a bigger vision. What Peter Jackson has dismissed as unnecessary to the telling of the story is the exact same thing that is vital to suck you in to the book. That makes the middle earth believable, that makes you care and what makes you want to know more. When New Line told Mr. Jackson, no not two films but THREE!!! Maybe He missed his opportunity to say "Well if your that keen let's make the ultimate interpretation, - make it six films"
IF ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Judge John Deed: Exacting Justice (2001)
Long winded, slow and unbelievable. But thoroughly entertaining!
This drama, about the womanizing, arrogant, larger than life Judge John Deed is extremely watchable, if not a little flawed. It does not take long for the idea that Deed's character is a little unreal, but who cares this is TV.
Martin Shaw is excellent as the judge with a high idealistic stance when it comes to applying the letter of the law, and complete lack of morals when it comes to choosing who he shares a bed with. Or desk, car, floor.....
The court scenes are a little irritating where the supposedly impartial Judge seems obsessed on becoming either the defence or prosecution depending on his quickly conceived point of view. If this is typical of the British justice system I'm not surprised that most major cases seem to go to appeal. His fight against political interference is a better storyline as his stubbornness frustrates Rochester and his cronies, who are continually plotting how next to stab him in the back.
The supporting cast is excellent, with Jenny Seagrove and Jemma Redgrave oozing sex appeal as the two main objects of Deed's desire. Also worthy of a mention is the very natural performance of Louisa Clein as Deed's product of a broken home, pro-activist, university student daughter.
Overall this is an excellent addition to the BBC's line up which has been lacking enough good drama series. Though it is not quite good enough to fill the void left by Channel 4's near perfect North Square. I will stay glued for the rest of the series and hopefully this, unlike North Square, will have another series commissioned.
8/10