Change Your Image
Eleanordent
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
The Last Temptation of Christ (1988)
Dreadful, mainly
A few years ago I saw this film from the crucifixion scene until the end and thought it was very thought-provoking. I recorded it and watched the first half a few nights ago. I thought I ought to watch all of it before making a judgement but Willem Dafoe's portrayal of Jesus made me want to throw something at the television. It wasn't his fault, though; the material was appalling. For one thing, there is nothing in the Gospels to suggest that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. At least two unnamed women have been assumed to be Magdalene throughout the centuries but this is pure supposition. I thought it was an interesting departure from the Gospel accounts to have Jesus know both Judas and Mary before His ministry began but the depiction of Mary having sex while other men watched was completely gratuitous. To show Jesus the carpenter making crossbars on which the Romans would crucify other Jews is ludicrous. No-one would have followed him or listened to anything he said if he had done this. The naked women shaking their hair around in the Jordan while John baptised also doesn't ring true. The scene in the Temple where Jesus overturns the tables of the moneychangers was one of many wasted opportunities and shows that the author of the novel and screenplay didn't know what to do with what was a good idea. I did love the scene where Jesus was tempted in the desert but it's insulting the intelligence of the audience to suggest that the 30-year-old man doesn't know who he is or what he is meant to be doing when the Gospel says that he already knew his purpose when he was 12. I turned off halfway through as it was such a disappointment.
Odd Man Out (1947)
Odd but beautiful film
I was born and brought up in Belfast. Thus I find it very irritating that all the actors in this film speak either with English accents or with accents from the Republic of Ireland. I don't recall hearing one Northern Irish/Belfast accent. It portrays a Belfast which seems to have been manufactured entirely in Hollywood where everyone is misty-eyed about 'The Organisation,' clearly meant to be the IRA, and its perceived struggle against the tyranny of the forces of law and order. Despite this the performances, locations, filming, music and the entire atmosphere are mesmerising. Belfast has never looked so beautiful. Worth seeing for that alone.
300 (2006)
A stunning movie
This is a magnificent film, spoilt only by Lena Headey's weak acting and David Wenham's peculiar accent, like a bad imitation of Richard Burton. Gerard Butler is exceptional and completely believable as a warrior king. The battle scenes are incredible and wonderfully choreographed,the costumes are amazing and the Spartans are terrifying.The lighting and visual effects are stunning. I do not know how accurate it is, historically, but it has stimulated my interest in finding out.
This film is one I could watch again and again and again. 'Remember the Spartans?' This will guarantee that they will always be remembered. A modern classic.
Keane (2004)
Wonderful, if harrowing
I watched this film because I adore Damien Lewis ((Band of Brothers.) I recorded it and was glad I did; it was so harrowing I kept having to stop the tape. Don't let that put you off; the acting, from Lewis and from the seven-year-old girl who is his co-star, is heartbreaking. I don't know whether anyone else has mentioned this, but there is no music in the film. This was a wise decision by the director. Music often tells the viewer what to think and how to feel; believe me, this is not necessary in this film. The lack of music heightens the tension and makes it more realistic. The ending isn't happy, as such, but Keane achieves a kind of closure and it is beautifully done, without being sentimental. Stunning acting is paired with stunning direction. A masterpiece.
Titanic Town (1998)
Excellent and realistic film
I notice that a lot of comments such as 'Yawn, yawn. Another film about Northern Ireland' were written by people who don't actually live there. Well, I was born in Belfast in 1960 and lived there till 1982, and I can tell you that when you were yawning at the news about people being murdered, tortured, kidnapped, beaten, burned out of their homes, intimidated and imprisoned without trial, the people I lived among were going through it. I think this is an excellent film and very realistic. Julie Walters' accent is spot on, and the humour is, too. People who suffer greatly stay sane by developing a kind of gallows humour. If you think it is a trite film, you must have had an easy life. You've probably spent too much of your time watching movies. This is a luxury accorded to those who live in peace; be grateful you do.