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Reviews
The Ref (1994)
Just what the season needed!
Let's face it - you can only take so much of 'It's A Wonderful Life' or 'Miracle On 34th Street or the 100th version of 'A Christmas Carol' before you run screaming into the street. I watch this movie every Christmas, and laugh as hard every time. Denis Leary's frustration and fury with his hostages (and who is the hostage here?) and his hapless partner ( a - something - waste of life named Murray) and the in-laws, and his desperate efforts to assert some control over it all makes for a hilarious movie. And the Christmas eve dinner scene is hysterical. My favourite exchange: Caroline: "He sounded upset." Gus: "He should be. He's going to die a horrible f**king death."
First Knight (1995)
Any Arthur is better than none
I liked the movie - well, except for Richard Gere as Lancelot; bad, bad casting. But Sean Connery's Arthur is as regal as one could wish, and Ben Cross is villainous enough by any standards. (Well, he does kill King Arthur, people! This is unlikely to get him nominated for sainthood.)
Julia Ormond doesn't have much to do but look beautiful and be rescued now and again. The fact that her Guinevere prefers Richard Gere to Sean Connery proves the queen is no rocket scientist to begin with - did I mention what a hideous casting error Richard Gere was? Still, as I said above, any Arthur is better than none, and it is a pleasant enough tale of chivalry and swords. There are worse ways to spend a slow evening.
Sharpe: Sharpe's Rifles (1993)
Loved the books, loved the movies.
I had read all the 'Sharpe' books (those published, anyway) before I saw the series, and was more than happy to see it appear on the History channel. I was even happier when they showed up on DVD, because now I could own - yes, own! - the series and view it whenever I liked. There is so much to admire here: the actors portraying the heroes and villains (the new James Bond, Daniel Craig, is one nasty specimen), themes of friendship and loyalty and sacrifice, the beautiful voice of John Tams. My only regret are the many books that are not part of the series - I would have liked to see all of them as movies, and can't wait to see the new one that is currently in production.