Hidalgo ~ Drama DVD Movie Review

"Hidalgo" is very loosely based on the life of long distance horse rider Frank Hopkins in the late nineteenth century. Although there is dispute whether he really did compete in a desert race such as the one depicted in the film, this movie is a very stirring and enjoyable tale. Viggo Mortensen is extremely well cast as a man who is no perfect hero, but a person conflicted by his mixed cultural background, and he easily draws you into this compelling story. The source of the word Hidalgo is from a traditional designation of persons of the Spanish nobility or gentry, and the courage and intelligence of this rugged mustang pony of Spanish origin epitomises the the strength and pride one would expect from any person carrying such a title. Instead of being master and beast, the two main characters are companions with a deep bond that enables this man and his horse to compete against Bedouins riding pure bred Arabian steeds. You can not help but empathise with the pair as they gamely struggle against seemingly insurmountable odds to prove themselves as deserving of their title of the World's Greatest Distance Horse and Rider.

Fluke ~ Fantasy Drama DVD Movie Review

"Fluke" is charming tale did not perform overly well at the box office when released in 1995 but it is a poignant story about cherishing and valuing life. Maybe it did not have the steamy sex scenes and massive special effect action fights that viewers have become used to, but instead it reveals the lives of average people and animals, depicting the grief, loss, endurance, love and happiness that most of us experience. It definitely was Very undervalued. A workaholic father is reincarnated as a dog who is eventually named Fluke, but it is not until he has experienced many adventures that he gets a chance to bond with his previous family, only to discover the part he played in their lives may have been less than perfect than he had thought. Four Stars!

The Importance of Being Earnest ~ DVD Movie Review

 

I was surprised to realise that a few unfortunate people have not yet discovered "The Importance of Being Earnest", a classic comedy of manners which I am sure must be the most well known of Oscar Wilde's plays, in which two young gentlemen pretend their names are Ernest to impress their respective beloveds. This DVD version is a splendid introduction to the work of this great playwright, and a wonderful revisit for those who have already experienced the enjoyment of his astute way with words. In this intriguing tale, it seems that everybody loves Ernest, but nobody is quite sure who he really is! I shall not try to describe the cleverly convoluted plot. Just see it for yourself, preferably in this movie version which is blessed with perfect casting. Judy Dench is the imperious Lady Bracknell. "To lose one parent may be regarded as misfortune; to lose both looks likes carelessness." Frances McDormand plays her daughter Gwendolen. "I never travel without my diary; one should always have something sensational to read in the train." Rupert Everett is Lady Bracknell's nephew Algernon (alias Ernest) Moncrieff. "The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her if she is pretty and to someone else if she is plain." Reese Witherspoon plays his love Cecily. "It would hardly have been a serious engagement if I had not broken it off at least once, Ernest."  And Colin Firth is her guardian Jack (alias Ernest) Worthing, who is forced to acknowledge that "I have now realised for the first time in my life the vital Importance of Being Earnest."

Leap Year ~ Romantic Comedy DVD Movie Review

The first thing that needs to be admitted is the "Leap Year" starring the effervescent Amy Adams is quite predictable.  When the love of her life does not propose as expected, she determinedly follows him abroad to Ireland, where he is at a professional conference. There she intends to propose to him, as it is leap year, when an old tradition gives girls the chance to make the proposal on this one day every four years. Her travel plans go awry, stranding her many miles short of her destination and in the company of a gentle Irishman willing to help her obtain her objective in time. Of course there are various misadventures that cause these to bond so what will happen when she reaches her beau and he unexpectedly proposes to her first?! Well, despite its inherent predictability, this is a fun excursion, enlivened by the charm of Amy Adams. Surprisingly, during the reluctant bonding process between the two travellers there are many genuinely funny moments. Besides, a guy with a car called Daisy and a girl with a bag called Louis must have a lot in common...

Big Trouble ~ Comedy DVD Movie Review

Sadly, the release of this truly funny comedy suffered from extremely bad timing. As "Big Trouble" came out at the time of the September 11 bombings and as the story contained a bomb that ended up on a plane, so as to cause no offence, this was quickly shoved away in a dark corner until it could eventually be quietly issued on dvd.

Tim Allen is a divorced father in Miami who meets discontented housewife Rene Russo due to a water pistol tagging game of their teenage children. Stanley Tucci is her very objectionable husband who hitman Dennis Farina is sent to rub out. The only surprising thing is that it is at the instigation of the Mob and not his long suffering wife! The children's game interrupts the hit and police officers Janeane Garafolo and Patrick Warburton are sent to investigate. Bemused bystander Jason Lee becomes involved when not too bright thug Tom Sizemore decides to rob the hit target, and if this sounds complicated, it is, but well worth it!

The great cast does a superb job filling out their characters in this genuinely laugh out loud story. One of the many many bright moments is when officer Garafolo finds Florida hating Farina in possession of a rifle at the airport. She is intent on catching the thug who is somewhere inside with his bomb, so she just removes the bolt and returns the rifle, leaving him to muse "Well, Miami sucks. But the cops are kinda nice..."

Many threads following these characters blend together in a perfectly funny story that loses no humour no matter how many times it is watched. Highly Highly Recommended. Oh, and watch out for the goats and the 'gator fans!

Stardust ~ Fantasy DVD Movie Review

"Stardust" is based on a book by Neil Gaiman and is one of those rare occurrences when the film is actually better than the source material. This film version story of a star knocked from the heavens by a last act of dying king is an amazing tale, starring Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfieffer and Robert De Niro. It is somewhat slow to start, but this gives a solid introduction to the characters. Therefore once the pace picks up, this relentlessly enthralling story that threads together the lives of this fallen star, a love sick youth, witches, princes and air pirates does not disappoint. The characters are finely detailed, even those hunting the star for more nefarious reasons. The youth plans to take the star to the girl of his dreams back home, in order to fulfill a promise so they can wed. The witches desire to kill her to then absorb the immortal life giving magical powers from her heart. The fratricidal princes at first are just following the apparently unrelated quest instigated by their royal father, and as for the air pirates... Well, you just have to find out for yourself!
Every person I have shared this movie with has been totally impressed, and they have immediately bought it for themselves to enjoy over and over. Of all my 'favourite' movies, this one is the perfect star!

The Winslow Boy ~ Drama DVD Movie Review

"The Winslow Boy" is a wonderful film written by David Mamet. Based on a true story, it follows the tale of a family struggling to clear the name of its youngest member, who has been expelled from college after being accused of theft. His gentle father, played by Nigel Hawthorne, is willing to accept the boy's protestations of innocence, but his attempts to have this lack of guilt also accepted by the community at large puts tremendous strains on the family. Even when the aid of a high powered barrister, Jeremy Northam, is obtained, the story follows the family's perspective of the events as they unfold. This lack of emphasis on court room theatrics to instead focus on how their stance to 'Let Right be Done' drains the family financially, and affects them emotionally and socially, makes this an absorbing drama from start to finish. In fact I do believe it is worthy of five stars...

Paperback Hero ~ Comedy DVD Movie Review

"Paperback Hero" is a gentle comedy starring Hugh Jackman is not anywhere as well known as it should be, unfortunately. It is a very amusing tale of a tough Australian truck driver who moonlights as a romance writer. Several of his books have been published under a feminine name, as he certainly does not want his macho mates to learn of his hobby, but his true identity comes under scrutiny when a large publishing house decides to escalate the advertising of his most current novel. Of particular delight is the encounter that his city slicker publicist has with the local constabulary. And then there is the new look his big rig gets when seen by graffiti vandals when he does venture to the big smoke. I have seen this wonderful movie so many times that when I saw it while visiting a friend in Austria, I still understood what was happening despite it being dubbed in German. Poor Germans! They might get the words, but not our Hugh's sultry voice!

My Cousin Vinny ~ Comedy DVD Movie Review

Joey is travelling through Alabama his good friend Stan when they is stopped by a police patrol. Thinking the arrest is over a mistakenly stolen can of tuna fish, he admits the error and is not overly worried. However, it transpires he is instead being charged with the subsequent murder of the assistant from that very shop. And the case against him, and Stan as his accessory, looks very grim indeed, especially as they have already apparently confessed to the crime! Unable to afford a lawyer, Joey's mother suggests a family member from the city might be able to help and so we are introduced to Sam Pesci as "My Cousin Vinny". However, although he has been to law school, Vinny has never been to court in a lawyerly role. Immediately he clashes with the conservative judge and repeatedly ends up in prison himself in contempt of court, with his long time girlfriend having to continuously bail him out. This is a very funny comedy from start to finish, a special treat being the scene in which he discusses with her the necessity for him to 'bond' with the prosecution lawyer on a deer hunt. His struggle to come to terms with the country court proceedings and the slow country town way of life, plus his attempts to get on with the judge by career history embellishments, do not interfere with Vinny's determination to have his cousin freed. After all, he knows he did not do it!

Signs ~ Science Fiction DVD Movie Review

"Signs" is an absorbing Sci-Fi thriller directed by M Night Shyamalan, that moves slowly, giving you a chance to connect with the characters. Mel Gibson is the conflicted father from a religious background, striving to look after his newly motherless children plus his younger brother. Joaquin Phoenix is that brother, somewhat gullible but eager to help with the fractured family unit. When strange events begin occurring in the vicinity of their farm, this family provides realistic reactions of people confronted by the eerie unknown. They are not scientists or world leaders supposedly up to date with the facts. They are ordinary people coping with mysterious non ordinary events, at first attributing them to the doings of neighbours, then gradually realising forces well without the bounds of their normal experience are surrounding them. The outcome of their potential survival hangs in the balance to the end, with time left alive dragging, nerves disintegrating and love helping them cope but not solving their dilemma. This is definitely a dvd to buy and watch many times without a feeling of deja vu, as the engrossing drama is anchored in a real environment without boundless special effects.
For me, this is a four star movie.