fharrison55 Reviews

Ice (2011)

Nipped in the bud

[4/10 · 14 November 2014]

I really wish I could give this more stars. It does start well but totally loses its way in unrealistic events and actions. Sam Neill is not convincing in this role, he simply grins, smirks and tries to look dastardly but it's classic cardboard cut-out stuff. Stephen Moyer is more convincing.

I'm doubly disappointed because I was an extra in this movie shot in NZ. I wanted it to succeed. For your information this was shot as a movie, but clearly the studio thought it was so bad it could only be released as a TV mini-series in the US and then straight to DVD. Extremely limited release as it doesn't work as a film.

Report for the director: needs to do a lot better and I agree with the previous reviews.

The King's Speech (2010)

A must see movie

[9/10 · 12 February 2011]

I saw this movie in the middle of a French audience. They watched the original version with french subtitles. We were all rapt in the storyline, the actors, the script and the historical context. We laughed in all the right places, were spellbound by the 'Royal' touches, appreciated the personal drama. Excellent cast and dignified approach though my opinion of Edward V11 is now even lower and I'm not sure if that was a fair portrayal of him or not.

Nicely uplifting. I ended up having a tear in my eye by the end, not so much because of the personal struggle portrayed but because it all happened at such a pivotal time in history ie there they were waving to the commoners from Buckingham Palace in those iconic poses. The issue of war brewing was chillingly portrayed.