michawheeler Reviews

Veronica Mars (2004–2019)

This show is fantastic...I urge you not to see it!

[9/10 · 15 November 2010]

I have just finished watching all three seasons of this show, and I have to say, I've had better times. I've been moping around the house all day reading reviews, watching (mostly bad) fan made videos and thinking about Veronica Mars and how I'll never see her again. This sounds awful but this is the worst break-up I've ever had, honestly it is!

The thing is not that it ended, it's how it ended. Surely the creators must have had some idea that there might not be a season 4 so why not tie up some lose ends, let us go easy, give us some closure. The only character who got closure was Sheriff don Lamb and it was done so well that I felt sorry for him. Why wasn't this honor extended to the other, much more important and well loved characters?

The finale not only did not feel like a finale, it didn't even feel like a season finale. It looked like as season 3 progressed they were grappling with different formulas, desperately trying to find something that works. I don't think that what they did was half bad, I enjoyed the last few episodes as much as the rest, but by the end it was clear that there was no plan and they were making it up as they went along. It had to end and it was a bit messy. It left me with a bad taste, instead of remembering Veronica firing clever quips with her dad and Logan I'm picturing her walking in the rain, sad and disappointed.

I always thought Veronica as well justified in all her dubious decisions and dealings but what she did in the end was, well, a bit bitchy (hence the name I guess), and she didn't have time to redeem herself with her dad, with her friends or with us.

It was good while it lasted, but it left me heartbroken. Watch with caution and prepare your ice-cream.

Oh...I was so eager to get over with the girl talk that I almost forgot to mention that this is an excellently written, wonderfully acted, impeccably executed series. Kristen Bell carries the show but what makes this series what it is, is that the cast is great all round (except for a cameo by Paris Hilton, but it's forgiven). Special mention goes to Enrico Colantoni and of course, Jason Dohring, I'm certainly looking out for more of his work.

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

See this movie when you're in the mood of some mindless fun

[6/10 · 16 June 2010]

I don't expect much from movies like this one except for a good time. For me this means a good looking movie, likable characters and short sentimental bits.

The movie delivers these. It would have been a treat if the plot was a bit more original, the solutions not quite so simplistic (**MAJOR SPOILER** Dastan just turns back time and everything is alright?! Even the dead are gotten back!) and the conversations had a bit more wit, but it doesn't do any good to dwell on these things. I enjoyed the fast pace and even the humour provided by Sheik Amar worked. I'm not an expert on special effects but the fight sequences looked pretty good to me and these were quite frequent.

Jake Gyllenhaal makes a charming action hero. There is a certain honesty about his face that makes Dastan more real. Gemma Arterton sounded a bit wooden at times but that may be the script's fault, I also liked Seso, it's a pity that he died, oh wait...

Ultimately I felt safe watching this movie, that I wouldn't have to sit through dizzying plot twists, explicit sex scenes, gruesome bloodbaths or lame acting and boring scenes. The movie stretches to do what is expected of it but nothing more.

I must mention one last thing to be completely honest. I might have written this review under the influence...of Jake Gyllenhaal's arms, Jake Gyllenhaal's eyes and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Leap Year (2010)

Average rom-com with beautiful scenery

[5/10 · 23 May 2010]

Well, I knew I had picked a rom-com so I shouldn't complain for getting a rom-com. I just wish they would think of something different. Is it that difficult to come up with a new idea? I'm going to start to believe that city girls actually have no sense and no pain receptors in their feet (how else could they totter cross country in five inch heels?). I mean, really, we see one girl after the other being stranded in the middle of nowhere and they all, without exception, behave like spoilt idiots. Haven't they seen a romantic comedy?

I don't have anything cynical to say about Amy Adams' performance. She doesn't over-egg the city girl attitude and her character comes across as a nice and smart girl. What baffles me is why Adams would pick a film like this one, she can do so much better. I didn't alway understand what Matthew Goode was saying and his performance was OK, it improved as the film progressed and his best moments were, I felt, when he didn't say anything (which is a compliment). Overall the mediocre plot was saved by the two lead performances and their chemistry.

The supporting acts were pretty degenerate. I'm sure that Irish men have more things to talk about than just stuff that brings bad luck. The obligatory best-friend-with-an-attitude was also there, she did what was expected of her in the time at which they are expected.

My final verdict is; if you're a girl or a gay guy (I had to say gay because I have never met a straight one who is fond of rom-coms yet) who likes rom-coms, this is a very standard example and you'll probably like it. If you don't fall in the above categories, don't worry, you'll survive it.

The Spy Next Door (2010)

Mr Cyrus may not win any acting awards but he wins the award for Spy With the Best Kept Highlights

[6/10 · 21 May 2010]

I'm not about to contradict anyone who says that 'The Spy Next Door' is a bad movie but I cannot say that I didn't enjoy it. From the moment that Bob and Gillian wake up with those serene smiles on their faces (Gillian had been woken up by a squealing pig and screeching kids) you know what you're in for and the movie certainly doesn't disappoint, in that it does exactly what you expect and follows every cliché there is religiously. For me this is what actually allowed me to enjoy it, the movie seemed to tell me, 'I am a bad movie, don't try to take me seriously just laugh at every possible opportunity! I promise you I'm not harmful and I will be over before the stupidity gets the better of your suspended disbelief.'

The film rests on Jackie Chan's shoulders and there's no denying that he is a very charismatic man, very good with physical comedy and at 55 and after all those injuries, still impressively fit. I can't say the same for the kids, the youngest one (Alina Foley) is cute but the other two were a bit annoying although this may be the script's fault. What can I say about the villains; Creel wore red lipstick and black from head to toe and just in case we missed she was the villain she also wore a frozen sardonic smile too, the Russian guys wore heavy overcoats and beards and all of them spoke in this hilarious accent...I enjoyed every bit of it. In fact I think the parts with the villains were my favourite.

I think the movie did what it set out to do and entertained me, I actually burst out laughing many times. One of which was when Billy Ray Cyrus's faced popped onto the screen, don't judge me I didn't know he was in the movie and the image took me by surprise!

Mansfield Park (2007 TV Movie)

Mansfield Park?!

[1/10 · 16 May 2010]

I must say that before I watched the movie I already had low expectations of it. I must also say that although I understand that book to film adaptations must have some changes I really hate it when they completely change the spirit of the book, especially when the book is a masterpiece of English literature. Why call it an adaptation? Say you're inspired by the book but not that you have adapted the book into film.

Now that that rant is over, i will start with the next rant. I will not say anything about the miscasting of Billie Piper as Fanny (Maggie O'Neill as Mrs Norris and Jemma Redgrave as Lady Bertram were also I feel miscast), nor about the enormous liberties taken with the plot, nor about Fanny's hair, nor about Fanny bouncing about like a fairy, I will even hold my tongue about the actress's manicured eyebrows as these have already been covered by other reviewers. But there are so many other things that are wrong in this 'adaptation'.

What I really liked about the book is how Fanny is the only constant in the story, everyone around her changes their feelings, opinions even their characters but Fanny although timid and shy sticks by her strong moral standards and shows a strength of character that surprises everyone who thought who knew her. In the movie this development is completely missing. I did not see the conflicted Crawfords almost becoming good people, I did not see Sir Thomas regretting the way he brought up his children nor did I see Edmund falling in love with Fanny. (I had to stifle a chuckle when the light shined off Fanny's messy hair and Edmund was suddenly struck with love as if shown the way by the Holy Spirit) I didn't even see the seduction progressing between Maria and Henry Crawford which is a pity as this is the only Jane Austen book that touches on infidelity.

An other thing I really disliked is how they changed the characters of Mrs Norris and Lady Bertram. Mrs Norris is one of the vilest characters created by Jane Austen. She is not just an annoying, ignorant person, she controls and abuses Fanny and almost all the Bertrams psychologically in a very selfish and snide way. Lady Bertram in the book was a very stupid and lazy woman that was often infuriatingly and unbelievably aloof of everything that was going on around her. The Lady Bertram in the film was an undecided concoction that needs to be protected from the fact that her husband might be in danger in Antigua and could describe men dying at war as 'disagreeable' but has the sharpness to realise that Fanny was in love with Edmund since she was a little girl.

Last things; the opening narration was just lazy, most of the acting bland.

To end on a good note, i really liked the music, James D'Arcy who plays Tom Bertram is very good looking and my inner (and secret) squealing, girly, rom-com loving girl enjoyed the bit were Edmund runs after Fanny and they get together at last - although the joy was short lived when I remembered that this was supposed to be Mansfield Park.

Jane Eyre (2006– )

One of my favourite drama adaptations of a classic

[10/10 · 23 April 2010]

I watched this film with my mum, we are both fans of the books and we both love this adaptation. The only problem my mum and some other viewers have with this version of Jane Eyre is that the two main characters are too sensual. Some viewers have gone as far to say that the attraction between Jane and Rochester in the book is a spiritual one and arises from affinity of character.

This is all true but if you think that that is all, you have not read the book properly. The book is so charged with sexual tension that it was deemed inappropriate by many people at the time it was first published. Personally I found the complete lack of sexual attraction in other films such as Zeffirelli's version very disappointing. The scene in Jane's bedroom after the almost wedding doesn't happen in the book but it was edited beautifully and really brings out the longing and loneliness in Jane it is completely in tone with the book.

Other than that what can I say? The acting was brilliant, the locations beautiful, lighting, music, editing; all were top class in my opinion. The pacing is comfortable with all the major scenes included - a great adaptation, if you liked other classical adaptations you will probably enjoy this one!