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jas_webb
Reviews
Accused: Tracie's Story (2012)
in a word? brilliant
I really didn't know what to expect when i tuned in to watch tracie's story, I openly bat for the rainbow team and believe to my core there is a place for all in this world, gay straight black white pink blue - all of the above, so long as its not illegal and doesn't have a detrimental effect on others then people should be able live their lives how they wish. In saying all that i have had very little experience or contact with transvestites, I've seen them out in clubs, and admit i have had the odd discreet giggle over shoe sizes and bad wigs, i suppose its difficult to understand what we don't know but I have to say this drama has been a revelation to me, it has opened my eyes to the person behind the make up, the bravery it must take to just be yourself, something we all take for granted. It has also shown the darker side of their lives, I've known for years that "straight" men will go to gay clubs and pick up a woman, I've never given much thought to their other lives, with wives and kids til now, the lies and heartache that goes with it. anyway, put aside your prejudices if you have any and immerse yourself in a seedy messed up world for an hour. brilliant writing and performances from everyone
Sean bean and Stephen Graham you should be very very proud of yourselves. excellent.
Dallas (2012)
oil is thicker than blood
beautiful cast.. dastardly schemes.. family feuds.. and sub plots galore throw in a few familiar faces.. a pout from sue ellen and a few heart stopping glares from JR. mix it all up with lashings of crude oil and some slightly questionable acting and what do you get? DALLAS that's what! I wanted to hate it but I cannot lie its just great TV. Im already hooked, i was from the first episode. and that theme tune. boy oh boy it brings back memories, who shot JR, bobby in the shower.. dusty.. and poor old cliff barnes.. will he ever get one up on JR? tune in next week to find out ;-) If you enjoyed the original then do give the new one a chance, you wont be disappointed.
welcome back. fab stuff ;-)
Snow White and the Huntsman (2012)
oh so nearly but not quite..
hmmm just finished watching and what to say...
lets begin with the good things.
Charlize Theron is great, she really gets into the evil queen role and pulls it off with some wicked style. the visuals are dark and foreboding, there is a sense of gloom and despair throughout the film which is really in keeping with the gruesome fairytale that the original actually is. And while they were there throughout, it was nice to see a film not relying on special effects and cgi to tell the story, they felt just right and not overdone at all. throw in some nice bright look there is light at the end of the tunnel moments and a good score and it was a job well done.
Im also not going to slate the storyline for not following the fairytale to the letter, Disney managed to totally get away with it so why shouldn't this adaptation. I really did enjoy the story as it unfolded, the pace was OK, few slow bits here and there but overall it kept me engaged.
The casting on the whole was pretty good, not enough time spent exploring the story and characters of the dwarfs for my liking, would have been nice to see more of bob Hoskins, Ray Winstone and Ian McShane. and the prince charming character... well it seemed a bit of an after thought, like the director got to the end and thought, oooh i better put in a prince or people wont like it.
what i didn't like was the casting of snow white, I mean really? Kristen Stewart playing the fairest of them all? unfortunately as pretty as she is (and she is lovely looking) Kristen will never be in the same league as Charlize Theron who really is stunning in this film at times, kinda makes you wanna say out loud when she is saying mirror mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all.. you are charlize.. you are.
Kristen Stewart has one style of acting, she's like a moody goth child who has been grounded and while that is absolutely perfect for twilight she does not have the depth to keep up with the rest of the cast. when she smiles it reminds me of Sheldon cooper in big bang smiling.. its just not real or right. such a shame, i found her performance dull, even the big inspirational speech to rally the troops was erm.. blah.. i didn't care. Though in saying all that, right at this moment i cannot for the life of me think of another young actress who could have pulled off being the fairest of them all competing against charlize.. so maybe.. just maybe it was the queen that should have been recast.. ooooh controversial ;-) overall its a good film. i enjoyed it a lot and would recommend it. I will add after reading back my review i feel i should say that i have nothing against Kristen Stewart, i quite liked her in into the wild and she is perfect in twilight but.. she really shouldn't have been cast as snow white.
just my opinion of course and you know what they say about opinions..
everybody's got one
Real Steel (2011)
rocky with robots.. awesome
Seems a few reviewers here are taking themselves and this film a little to seriously.. schindler's list this isn't and it should be rated accordingly, that said... what a thoroughly entertaining film. I watched this with a friend and by the mid way point we were both shouting come on "rocky" get off the ropes..come on hit him.. 5..4..3..2..and he's up ;-). I got that same great feeling i had when i watched rocky fighting Apollo creed, awesome feel good fun. Is it predictable? absolutely! but who cares. We enjoyed every minute. it ticks all the boxes for an all round action packed family film. great cast, great effects and an old as time everything will be OK in the end storyline. in the words of jimmy krankie (voted most Scottish person 2003) it was faaaaandabeeedozee. watch and enjoy.. it will make you feel good ;-)