I came to this film on the back of the reviews which in retrospect must surely have been written by people associated with it. It is that bad. The basic premise is okay; hardly original and inspired but with the right screen writer and an alternate leading lady (one with some credibility and appeal) it might have been moderately entertaining. But sadly it has neither. The storyline is way beyond predictable - I defy anyone not to work out the ending by half way through. Keira Knightley is hideously miscast and the others just limp along with a limp script. The music is also incredibly lame. If you are looking for a film with music as its backbone head for the wonderful Rudderless and give this sorry mess a wide berth. One star is generous.
Reviews
5 Reviews
Into the Woods
(2014)
Loved it
19 January 2015
I am glad that I didn't head all the 1 star dire reviews of Into the Woods and went along and made up my own mind. And I thought it was great. Not perfect - as someone else points out the second half is rushed, losing a number of plot lines and sadly "No More". But overall it is an intelligent and beautiful looking movie version of Sondheim's stage work. In truth I enjoyed it better than the stage version (which I have seen twice, including the London production) and can only assume that many of the terrible reviews were from people who didn't realise that they were going to spend 2 hours with Sondheim, perhaps having been weaned on a diet of Hairspray and Jersey Boys and the like. Despite the absence of "No More", the score is still wonderful - how anyone can condemn a score that includes the likes of "Children Will Listen", "Agony", "Into The Woods", "On The Steps of the Palace", plus of course the ravishing "No One Is Alone", is beyond me. It is also beautifully sung - to my mind Meryl Streep sings the witch's songs far better than Bernadette Peters on the Broadway cast recording - and she is ably supported by the likes of Emily Blunt and Anna Kendricks. And that doesn't even take account of the joy of hearing Sondheim's glorious melodies performed by a huge symphonic orchestra. So if you are Sondheim fan don't be put off my all the negativity floating about. This is no "Nine" but a quality adaption of a stage work.
The Last Station
(2009)
As good as Doctor Zhivago
24 February 2010
Other 10 star reviews have already said all I would want to say.
Therefore I'll restrict my review to a few simple words.
This is a magnificent film, the best I have seen in the last twelve months (and i am a "twice a week" film goer) Great story, brilliant acting and a joy to look at; the attention to detail is breathtaking.
Great that Helen Mirren has been recognised with award nominations but sad that Christopher Plummer, arguably the finest film actor of his generation, has been overlooked.
The Last Station is as good as Doctor Zhivago and in my mind there is no higher accolade.
Therefore I'll restrict my review to a few simple words.
This is a magnificent film, the best I have seen in the last twelve months (and i am a "twice a week" film goer) Great story, brilliant acting and a joy to look at; the attention to detail is breathtaking.
Great that Helen Mirren has been recognised with award nominations but sad that Christopher Plummer, arguably the finest film actor of his generation, has been overlooked.
The Last Station is as good as Doctor Zhivago and in my mind there is no higher accolade.
Telstar: The Joe Meek Story
(2008)
Worst directed British film ever?
29 January 2010
Because I am old enough to remember Joe Meek I approached this film with real relish. That was my first big mistake. Telstar is truly appalling, largely due to the direction of Nick Moran. It is a complete mess from start to finish, lurching around at a frightening speed without any real explanation of what is going on, one minute offering up infantile farce, the next Shakespearian melodrama. It is hard to believe that anyone could have taken such an interesting and sad story and made such a dog's dinner of it. But the director is not the only one to blame. It is hopelessly miscast with not one person looking comfortable in their role. Kevin Spacey looks like he's just wandered into the wrong studio from some sixties sitcom while most of the "band" are totally unbelievable. And Con O'Neil with that horrible squeaky voice delivers a performance so over the top that he makes Brian Blessed look like a restrained actor. The whole sorry mess drags on and on for close on two hours without ever being even remotely involving. I wish there was a star rating below one. Telstar is worthy of it.
Brigadoon
(1954)
I couldn't believe how horrendous it was
25 May 2005
Recently saw Brigadoon for the first time in many years and I was truly appalled by how awful it was. A ludicrous American parody of Scotland and Scots (on par with Monty Python's French Castle dwellers in Holy Grail except that WAS supposed to be funny), ridiculous costumes, weird over the top accents (a strange mixture of American, Irish and that clown Harry Lauder), stupid story, atrocious dialogue, some dreadful songs and endless mock Highland dancing. Obviously filmed in that well known Scottish beauty spot GELN Hollywood, festooned with painted backdrops. In keeping with the story, Brigadoon should only be shown for one day every hundred years.
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