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Reviews
Terminator Salvation (2009)
Very disappointing.
I went to see this film with high hopes but in my opinion it comes nowhere near the first two films in the series. Arnold Schwarzenegger's character was well developed in both films - as the unstoppable,menacing Terminator who even in the flesh was frightening before being stripped down to his metal skeleton that just wouldn't give up.Also in the second film in his character change to protector of young John Connor and his mother there was humour and a bond between them. The scene where Linda Hamilton as Sarah is watching her son teaching the robot colloquial phrases is touching as she muses that he is like a father figure to the boy and will die to protect him.
Linda Hamilton was wonderful in the two films and did the physical and mental transition in her character from ordinary if brave woman to a much tougher person very well.
Michael Biehn played John Connor's father with depth and there was a real feeling of connection between him and Sarah.
The earlier films had feeling, humour in the characters which is entirely missing from the latest film. It is grim,completely devoid in humour of any kind, and the characters are not at all likable or well developed. Christian Bale has one deadpan expression of misery all through it.He really seems not to enjoy his work these days and should lighten up - personally as well.
Special effects were good, but it is far too noisy and doesn't have the memorable musical soundtrack of the first two films.
Not up to the hype - I would rather watch 'Transformers'.
Mirin
P.S. I Love You (2007)
Wonderful Film, with outstanding Music.
I really enjoyed this movie and cannot understand its trashing by some critics.Perhaps they didn't like the fact that it doesn't fit into the usual rom-com pigeonhole,and many also seemed to disapprove of Hilary Swank's change of acting genre. The film is romantic and touching but also shot through with astringent humour - just like life itself, which can be disjointed and unpredictable. The music all through the film is excellent, with a variety of artists and moods and the 'P.S I love You' CD that has been released brings it all back to you - the only regret I have is that 'Mustang Sally' and 'Galway Girl' sung by Gerard Butler in the film, are not included. (He really can perform a song well and you can see his rock singer background.) I liked Hilary Swank very much as Holly and admire her for taking on the challenge of such a different role. She had depth suited to her character. Gerry Butler was wonderful and completely nailed the rogueish,charming,mischievous Gerry Kennedy. The chemistry between them was palpable and produced the best screen kisses for some time - especially in the Irish scenes. They ranged from tender,tentative first kisses in a country lane, to the scene in a pub where he sings to her,circling her, moving in closer until he abandons his guitar and sweeps her into his arms in a passionate embrace.(No wonder Mr Butler has the female following he has!) The chemistry was also there in another scene where Holly sings just for him and all his feelings for her show in his eyes. The other members of the cast were also excellent - Jeffrey Dean Morgan as sexy, gentle William: Harry Connick Junior's Daniel, the bartender with problems of his own:Kathy Bates, wonderful as Holly's protective,practical mother:the two best friends,Lisa Kudrow and Gina Gershon who brought much of the humour to the film. The locations were an additional plus. New York looked great, especially dressed up for Christmas, and Ireland was stunning and probably reminded Gerry Butler of Scotland and the country walks near his mother's home. One further comment on this actor's amazing range and the gallery of such different characters he has played so convincingly, even in films which were not box office triumphs. I had watched '300' on DVD the night before I saw 'P.S. I love You' and after seeing Leonidas cutting a bloody swathe through Xerxes' army, it was comical yet bizarre when Holly scolds Gerry and he asks plaintively 'Do I have to sleep in the bathtub again?'
So I hope you go and see the movie and judge for yourself - I am sure you will enjoy it.
Beowulf (2007)
Missed chance, this is not the poem.
This film has impressive special effects and would be okay as an adventure fantasy but it should not be marketed as the epic poem.Also it has been given the wrong rating and should be an R. Why all the changes? Grendel's mother was not a gold painted,nude,Barbie doll in stiletto heels.Grendel was not Hrothgar's son. Beowulf killed the witch he did not have sex with her.The dragon was not Beowulf's son and had no connection with the witch.Beowulf was not made Hrothgar's heir,nor did he marry his widow and become king of the Danes.In the poem Beowulf returned to Geatland after slaying Grendel. He remained the Geat king's best warrior,supporting him and the son who succeeded him. Only after the new king died did Beowulf become king of the Geats until his own death in later years.Also, why all the nudity in this film? This was Scandinavian northern Europe in the Dark Ages - folk would have Bean in furs and heavy woollens most of the time.The cartoon-like actors didn't help either with bland faces and expressionless eyes.
A far better movie 'Beowulf and Grendel' was made in 2004,filmed on location in Iceland,with an excellent cast of real actors and no CGI. The Iceland born Canadian director,Sturla Gunnarson,tried to get back to what could have been the original story that evolved over the centuries into the legend.It was gritty,made on a shoestring and had only limited cinema release,but thankfully it is available on DVD and is well worth a look.There is also an excellent companion DVD documentary called 'Wrath of Gods'which tells the incredible story of the filming of the movie, and the struggle to complete it with financial problems and the absolute hell of shooting it at the start of the Icelandic winter.
The new 'Beowulf' has also tried to ride on the coattails of '300', but again it suffers by not having real actors showing their courage and emotions.'300' scenes were like paintings come to life and the Spartans' impressive physiques and fighting skills were real,after hard training,with no computer enhancement.
An interesting point is the actor who links these three films - charismatic Gerard Butler.He was fiery yet also sensitive as King Leonidas and the earlier Beowulf and made the roles his own.
This 2007 film is a missed opportunity to bring the epic poem to life.
Beowulf & Grendel (2005)
An absolute gem of a film
I bought the DVD of 'Beowulf and Grendel' recently and it is a wonderful film - each time I watch it I find something else to appreciate. The poem in its original English is quite difficult to understand,even for college students,and can be pretty heavy going. I suggest you read the Rosemary Sutcliff book 'Beowulf:Dragonslayer' which tells the story simply in beautiful language and shares many details with this movie.It also fills in the background and follows up what happens to Beowulf in later life. No doubt the animated film'Beowulf' with its bigger budget and special effects which is due out next year,will stick to the simplistic 'good versus evil' mystical tale. Impressive,but not as interesting as 'Beowulf and Grendel's attempt to show what could have been the original basis for the legend before it was adapted and sanitised by Christian monks. I don't see anything wrong with introducing a female character,Selma,or a Christian missionary monk,Brendan,to the mix - it all adds to the story. And the humour in the film is unexpected and welcome. Thorkel,the Geat poet/narrator,is constantly exaggerating his leader's exploits and Beowulf has to tell him to tone it down - he is a great warrior and fighter,yes,but still only a man. Much has been said criticising the swearing in 'Beowulf and Grendel',but there really isn't all that much - nothing like 'Deadwood' or 'Sopranos' for instance. And as the director and writer explain in their commentary,when a group of guys get together their language is salty! Four letter swear words used nowadays are actually very old (Anglo Saxon) and are therefore not out of place in this film.The F word originally meant plowing and sowing seed,and the C word was simply the name for a particular part of the female anatomy. Selma uses it matter of factly when asking Beowulf if he wants her,and when he doesn't respond she teasingly calls him a warrior monk. The cast are excellent especially Stellan Skarsgard and Gerry Butler who is Beowulf personifies,showing his feelings in his eyes and body language - as this actor always does - and with beautiful tangled locks of hair. The Icelandic scenery is wonderful and has so many moods. I wholeheartedly recommend this film. Watch it with an open mind and just enjoy the tale. It is not meant to be a blockbuster with lots of special effects,nor is it a reenactment of the original manuscript. It is its own unique take on the story and wonderfully acted and photographed. The music is good too.