Reviews
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
An excellent adaptation
I've read the book(s), and reading some of the other reviews, it seems that is necessary to fully appreciate this movie: what the heck are elves doing there? In the book, all the characters have a long and intricate history, and there are other books Tolkien wrote where he expanded on them.
I really enjoyed the movie: almost everything about it was as I imagined from the book. The special effects were stunning, especially the battle scenes and Isengard. The movie was very true to the book, tho it cut out some of the best lines (my favourites: "But it is not your Shire. Others were here before you and others will be here after you are gone" [Gandalf to Frodo]; {when Frodo complains that Gollum deserves death, Gandalf chides him with these lines} "Many that live deserve death. And many that die deserve life. Can you give it to them?"[Gandalf to Frodo]. Also, the entire Tom Bombadil and the Old Forest section is left out, as is role of Fatty Bolger and the house in Crickhollow.
I noticed a couple of scenes which were almost exactly the same as in Ralph Bakshi's 1978 animation: when the first Black Rider nearly finds the hobbits on the road just out from Bag End, he looms over the edge of the road while the hobbits hide in terror in the exposed roots of a tree; while the hobbits are sleeping in the Prancing Pony (but not in the room they were originally assigned), 4 Black Riders appear in the Hobbit Room and stand by each of the beds, then they raise their swords high above their heads, pommel uppermost, blade pointing downwards. Both these scenes are shot from the same viewpoint and almost with the same movements as in the animation. Jackson's tribute, perhaps?
The scene in the snow on the slopes of "cruel Caradhras" is almost exactly like that of a painting I saw in a book of paintings based on scenes from Tolkien.
The women in Tolkien's stories are all rather wooden. I thought the movie did a good job of making Elrond's daughter Arwen less remote and more interesting.
Pleasantville (1998)
A fun movie that's also food for thought
I enjoyed this movie. The premise is a little old (time travel, back the 1950s America) but it's treated in a novel way - characters go back to a 50s sitcom - that makes for an interesting ride. Tobey Maguire is good in this, more interesting to watch, I thought, than in the later Cider House Rules. Once the initial novelty of the situation has started to wear off, the movie starts to change - now the focus is no longer how to get the heroes home, but how they affect the sitcom characters. It's a culture shock that affects both sides. The gradual introduction of colour into the black and white world is wonderfully done and has dramatic meaning. Some reviewers have seen a political statement in the movie: apparently their brains switched off the second they saw the sign in the shop window "No coloreds". However, I saw this as a kind of joke, and the point is not pursued, certainly not belaboured. The point, rather, is the age-old story of how people react to change, and how they deal with the inevitable fear and uncertainty it brings. A fun viewing for all, teenagers and older (there are a couple of simulated sex scenes). By the final showdown, the focus has become emotional sterility and how to break through to a more fulfilling experience of life: a lot of themes for a "comedy", and on the whole very well handled.
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994)
Best Hugh Grant movie
In this movie, Hugh Grant creates the role he does best. OK, let's be honest, the ONLY role he does!. The dialogue is sharp and funny, the various characters are on the whole realistic and interesting (Andie McDowell's is the weakest), and the story works well as a simple vehicle for the characters to reveal themselves in. The pathetic attempt to do a sequel (Notting Hill - gimme a break!) pales in comparison to this movie. The two gay characters are especially well done; no-one notices they are gay until the funeral. Simon Callow is brilliant as Gareth, and John Hannah's eulogy had people flocking to bookstores in Britain to buy copies of Auden's poem. The ending is kinda obvious and I thought a little too drawn out, but that is minor. A comedy the Brits can be proud of.
Stanley & Iris (1990)
A so-so movie made great by the stars
Excellent acting by the 2 main stars, De Niro and Fonda, make this a movie well worth seeing. A story about an illiterate, and a woman who helps him learn to read. In return, he helps her stop clinging to her past husband and learn to enjoy life again. It was interesting to see a slice of American life that's different from the glamour (huge homes with swimming pools) that is so often the backdrop to Hollywood movies (yawn).
Secrets & Lies (1996)
A must-see
I don't often cry at movies, but I did at this one. It's not a tear-jerker with all the manipulative stuff that entails (sweeping strings, zoom-ins, etc to bludgeon you into feeling what you're supposed to feel). After watching this, I want to see everything director Mike Leigh has made. It reminded me somewhat of Redford's "Ordinary People", but is a hundred times better than even that good movie. (It's set in London, UK, and all the actors and actresses speak with British accents.). Brilliant! A must-see for all who like good movies.