andydavis Reviews

Under Milk Wood (2015)

Pretty, absurd, ultimately pointless

[3/10 · 23 October 2015]

I wouldn't say I was into blockbusters. I would consider myself quite an arty and cultured movie watcher. However, I really could not see the point of this poetry-fuelled romp through a post-war Welsh village. If I had to compliment anything, it would be the cinematography. But that cannot make up for the fact that the film is borderline unwatchable and thoroughly tedious. Though it seems well crafted, and clearly a lot of work has gone into making the film look pretty, I felt that all that had been achieved was a gilding of the jerry-pot.

In the end, this film will prove of great value to scientists looking to explore the effects of narcolepsy and are short of subjects. I found it to be turgid, frustrating, unfathomable, pretentious and distinctly soporific.

Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

plot hole (spoiler)

[6/10 · 24 March 2006]

Bit of a howler. When Hanks's annoying child (and he is extremely annoying) catches the flight from Seattle to New York, Hanks finds out and chases. As we are shown that the flight hasn't arrived at NYC when Hanks sets off (as shown in the dashed line illustrative cut), logic would dictate that Hanks would phone the airport ahead, to make sure that the kid was picked up (probably by the police) when the plane landed. In fact, the cabin crew would be alerted and be ready for the police on landing. There is no way that Hanks as a responsible parent wouldn't do this, as who would want their 6 year old child walking around NYC by himself?

It's quite a fun film, but it's not a 10/10. The director keeps trying to make excuses for why the film isn't a great movie, by insinuating that it's a chick flick, therefore fellas won't get it (by creating the analogy with An Affair to Remember), thus invoking a sense of feminist camaraderie about the movie, which in turn possibly makes women want to like the movie more in the spirit of all things feminine. Unfortunately, that doesn't wash, as there are some fantastic rom coms and romance movies out there. (such as Le Mari de la coiffeuse, which was release 3 years before this film, possibly the greatest rom com of the 90's). When Harry Met Sally is also considerably better.

Not wanting to knock it any more, it still a good film. If only that kid weren't such a pain in the ass!