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Reviews
Sparkling Cyanide (2003)
one to avoid if you want to see Poirot and "ze leetle grey cells" at work
This movie is not worth the money they spent to make it. Poirot has gone and in his place, instead of people using their little grey cells, we have people using great big grey cells which were not in use at the time Christie wrote the book. To me, a Poirot novel is all about the psychology and the use of the little grey cells and without him and them, you just have another television murder mystery like all the rest.
Poirot has something more as do all of Christie's detectives and this movie just does not do anything for me. Even David Suchet's Yellow Iris was far better than this and even that was not a brilliant interpretation of this Christie novel.
Busman's Honeymoon (1940)
Definitely disappointing, poor adaptation of original novel
Lord Peter Wimsey has married Miss Harriet Vane and gone to live in a house named Tallboys. So far so good, although, I'm not altogether sure the house in the novel was called Tallboys. I think that was something to do with a later story.
After that it gets disappointing. First they have decided to give up crime, him detecting and her writing it???????? and then they arrive on the night after the death of Noakes, instead of a week later. Bunter is supposed to have been Wimsey's batman during the Great War so should be of an age as Wimsey but instead is here played by the ageing, Sir Seymour Hicks.
The accents are frightful, Deep welsh accents in the middle of Devon and the constable's name is changed from Joe to Tom. Added to that the whole banter between Wimsey and Superintendent Kirke, whom he has never met before going to Tallboys, regarding literary works is completely missing.
Additionally, for some unknown reason the writers changed the village name from Pagford/Paggleham to Biddlecombe and although Harriet Vane grew up in The village, her father having been the doctor, this is never mentioned. The villager's all act as if they have never known her when many of the elders in the village would certainly have known her as a child.
The acting is very good and if you can overlook the glaring inconsistencies between the novel and the movie, then it is worth watching. Do not read the book first, if you do not wish to be disappointed.
Heartbeat: Something of Value (1996)
Interesting episode considering what is coming in the next season.
For the first time there is the slightest hint of Nick's leaving the show.
When Alf asks him if he can borrow some money and suggests Kate's life insurance, Nick replies "Every CENT of that is tied up in trust funds for Katie." I wonder if this is designed to let us know about Nick's leaving and where he might be going? Or perhaps it's simply a goof! I like this episode. Greengrass found out that wine can have a value too. It's funny to see him employed by Lord Ashfordly, as well. Especially when he catches the kids. Blaketon is funny in this too. He reads Alf the riot act about owing money and you get the feeling that he knew all along what was going on.
The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising (2007)
I enjoyed this film as a stand alone film but hated it as an adaptation.
I found it very difficult to rate this movie. As a stand alone Movie, I easily gave it a 9. As an adaptation, it rates an extremely disappointing 1.
I would not recommend anyone reading the book, for the first time, before they go and see the film or they will be severely disappointed. I spent the first 20 minutes trying to suspend what I "knew" from the book and trying to allow myself to accept the film on it's own merit.
It's brilliantly cast and acted and I loved it as a stand alone film.
I absolutely hated it as an adaptation and it would have been better had they not had to give the credit to Susan Cooper for this one. It is so loosely based upon the book, it is not funny. I understand, from an interview, that she wanted a lot more of her original story and less of the changes. According to the interview, she was waiting with sadness to see the final cut.
On the whole, I would have preferred something a bit closer to Susan Cooper's novel but as a stand alone film, I really did enjoy it.
The Pirates of Penzance (1994)
I love this production
I first saw this show live with the same cast as in the movie (With the exception of the Soprano who played Mabel) in Adelaide, South Australia, for my 16th birthday. I loved it then and I love it now. Poor Frederic is the slave of duty and although he has lived 21 years is in fact a little boy of 5. Knowing this, he must return to the pirate band until 1940 and his Mabel promises to wait for him.
The show is very camp and the gags are hilarious, although some of them are very topical. Jon English plays to the audience as much as he does on the stage to great effect and the audience participation is well worth the fun.
I have only just managed to get a new copy of this production after having worn the old video out.....lol. It is my all-time favourite feel good movie, just perfect for cheering you up when you are feeling down.
The Cockleshell Heroes (1955)
Fairly accurate film showing a difficult operation for the RM Commandos in WWII
I loved this film. My father was a RM Commando and served during WWII. He knew most of the men chosen to carry out this mission. It follows the training and the mission of some volunteers who really didn't know what they were getting themselves into. The resultant camaraderie is poignantly shown.
It was not an easy mission and every one of the men knew there was little chance of them returning. Their job was to plant mines onto the hulls of German warships in France. They were, if successful to be picked up by the French resistance and secreted safely home. Only one of the original two-man crews survived. The rest were all captured and shot by the Germans.
My father always had a tear in his eye at the end of the movie as all the men were reunited, if only on screen.
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1972)
Alice follows the White Rabbit
Unlike most "Alice in Wonderland" movies, this one actually does show the story of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland instead of her Adeventure's in Looking Glass Land.
Alice is the maker of most of her own troubles. Curiosity does kill the cat and in this case makes Alice grow or shrink depending on what she eats or drinks. She learns that daydreaming is a lot of fun but can lead her into some odd situations where nothing is as it seems.
My favourite scene in this movie is the scene in the White Rabbit's house. Fiona Fullarton, as Alice's does a wonderful job of stopping the various animals from getting at her in the house after she drinks and grows......again. Michael Crawford, as the White Rabbit is excellent as he makes other people do his work for him. No matter what anyone says, the last word goes to the White Rabbit.
Saturday's Warrior (1989)
A story about LDS Beliefs and life
I've seen this movie numerous times over the years and own the DVD.
It shows the LDS beliefs in simplistic way which can be easier for some people as it can be so very different to traditional faiths. The idea of being a family from the pre-existence through to the after-life is so appealing and is shown beautifully in this movie.
Also the idea that even though we have flaws in our characters, family life is so important and family can help us through anything.
It shows that love conquers all things and even if we choose to go our own way, Our family will still want us back.
This might be idealistic but it seems such a wonderful way to live.
Yes, it's a little outdated in costume etc but it's more than 20 years on from it's conception. The story it tells is ageless.
Barney's Night Before Christmas (1999)
This is a brilliant Barney Movie!
Hannah and her friends take a trip up to the North pole to see Santa. Hannah has a really good voice and the other kids are good although they do not have the same quality of voice that Hannah does. The dinos are funny and although, I suspect that BJ's voice was breaking or that he was played by a short adult with a low-ish voice, he did a good job with his vocals.
Hannah's parents do not ever see Barney although, the carollers seem to but the parents accept Barney as a part of their lives, even to making cookies.
My youngest still loves Barney and he is now 8. I had to send to the States for this movie as it is not available in the UK. I love it too.
A Dorothy L. Sayers Mystery: Strong Poison: Episode One (1987)
Titles available on DVD now
I have seen all three of these titles.......I found them absolutely charming and very much like the books.
The way in which Harriet tries to keep Peter at arms length and then capitulates beautifully.......I loved it. The second Titles for me was a good way of developing Harriet's own abilities, not just as a crime novelist but as a detective in her own right. I would love to see these two in the new title "A Presumption of Death". They would do it inexorably well.
I have these titles on DVD, Region 1 I think. I needed a new DVD player to play them as they would only play in the US, normally.
Heidi (2005)
Definitely a must see. I bought it on DVD because I loved it so much.
I loved this movie. I love old movies but seeing this remake I found I also like some remakes. The only thing I had a problem with was the accents.......Max Von Sydow was great as Grandfather and Diana Rigg, excellent as Grandmamma. Jessica Claridge, seems a little typecast after seeing her in Five Children and it but she does a good job as Clara.
Peter Was brilliant, I can't remember who played him but he did the part justice. He was jealous when he should have been and yet the simple goatherd we all grew up loving. He was funny and so unspoilt, and when he kicked the wheelchair, he was all anger and jealousy. His Character is one of the most complex in the book, I feel and he was played brilliantly.
It brought back some lovely memories of things in my childhood I had forgotten.
I would like to see in a few years, Heidi Grows up, if possible with the same actors/actresses playing the same roles.