Date watched- 14th February 2011 (Happy Valentines Day)
Genre; Comedy
Year; 2004
Running Time; 1 hour 34 minutes
Director; Adam McKay
Written By; Will Ferrell and Adam McKay
Actors; Will Ferrell, Christina Applegate, Paul Rudd, Steve Carell et al..
Acting 3/5
Keeping my attention 2/4
Visuals/Direction 3/5
Story/Plot 4/6
Total 12/20
Plot
“There was a time, a time before cable when the local anchorman reigned supreme”
Ron Burgundy (Ferrell) is San Diego's top rated newsman in the male dominated broadcasting of the 1970's, but that's all about to change when a new female employee (Applegate) who has the drive and ambition to become an anchor arrives at the station. Follow Ron and his friends and enemies (some of whom may be mad!) to see the cut through industry that is the news.
My Personal Views
Well where do I begin?
I watched this movie the first time with one of my friends at Uni, she had it on DVD and we had nothing to do, she said it was funny so we watched it. Funny it is in places but it is also over the top crazy in places which leads to it being cringe worthy at times.
Will Ferrell looks, sounds and acts ridiculously throughout the whole thing, he has this sort of naive adult innocence of the world around him that is just funny. This I have come to find through the years is the main way in which Ferrell acts.
Steve Carell as the character Brick is…… funny beyond belief, he is just crazy in this unimaginable way that I don’t think any other actor could full off (but then I am a big fan of his).
In all everyone’s performance on some level is funny and depending on who (or should that be whom) you are you will find the different characters humorous on a different scale. Christina Applegate is the balance bringing this crazy lot together and giving a more grounded feel.
Burgundy’s dog is also a lovely touch, also very funny. The dog is Baxter who Ron talks to and has also given his dog a pair of panamas.
This next sentence might not make a lot of sense to a lot of people but it would have been nice to have Owen Wilson in this movie to complete the ‘Frat Pack’ but maybe that is just something that us fans are going to have to hope for a later date.
In all, crude, crazy, moments of madness and over the top but very funny. And to conclude, two words - JAZZ FLUTE.
But saying all of this above I did go out and buy a copy of it myself so my opinion can’t be that low of it.
Watch out for Seth Rogan in there.
Outcome
Staying for now
Sunday, 27 February 2011
An American in Paris
Date watched- 13th February 2011
Genre; Romantic, Classic
Year; 1951
Running Time; 1 hour 49 minutes
Director; Vincente Minnelli
Written By; Alan Jay Lerner
Actors; Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron et al.
Acting 3/5
Keeping my attention 2/4
Visuals/Direction 3/5
Story/Plot 3/6
Total 11/20
Plot
Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) an ex GI who loved Paris so much that he stayed behind after the war was over falls for a perfume seller (Caron) who also falls for him. Unbeknown to Jerry his girl is already engaged to someone else, a man he actually knows through a friend of his. Through dance and song there story is told againt the backdrop of Paris.
My Personal Views
I originally bought this DVD in my first year at University (way back in 2004 or 2005). I bought it because I wanted to see a movie I could remember from my childhood set in Paris and all the other detail I could remember was a lot of different coloured doors at the beginning, turned out it was not An American in Paris but Funny Face which I bought some years later. I have to say I don’t think I have seen this movie other than once all those years ago when I realised it wasn’t the movie I was really after. Though maybe the purchase of this movie is one that I should praise as this was one of the very first (of literally hundreds) DVDs I bought and it was through my time at University in the North West of England that I found my passion for movies and wanted to know more about them, it was also when I discovered IMDB which allowed me to do so.
I have to say that the age gap between the two main stars is quite noticeable (19 years) as Carson looks very childlike in this movie even though she was 19 or 20 years at the time. This fact may have put me of the movie a little bit but I think it is a factor of other things that made me lose my attention when watching this movie.
Gene Kelly was the choreographer for this movie and in the most part is very good, apart from the 17 minute ballet routine at the very end of this move. Don’t get me wrong I like dancing and it is really lovely dancing but 17 minutes is a little too long, especially at the end of a movie. I am a fan of Gene Kelly's acting, I am a big fan of Singin' in the Rain and also watched a lot of his other movies when I was 'studying' for my GCSEs, good old TCM; but I'm not sure if this quite hits the spot for me,
This movie is filmed well with a good introduction for the main character and his friends who live near him but the polystyrene Paris is a little off putting in places.
Another issue I have is the speed of the story, for instance it takes over 30 minutes for the boy to even meet the girl and when he does he gets a little bit too excited and is almost dare I say a bit of a stalker! This added to the age gap made me feel a little bit uncomfortable.
On the positives the music of Gershwin is amazing as always, in fact after watching this I had to find the Gershwin music I have on my iPod and played it as loudly as I could manage (rock on!). Jerry’s pianist friend also adds some comic relief and the dream sequence where he is playing the piano and many other members of the orchestra, does make me chuckle.
The songs in this movie are also very good including ‘s’wonderful s’marvellous’, which comes from Funny Face.
In all, music good, dancing a bit long winded in places but exceptional if you can get over this issue, acting ok, plastic Paris a little off putting at times. Oh and a sweet ending which makes you glad you stuck it all out.
Outcome
Surprising even to me it is staying in the collection for the time being, hopefully I can give it another go and maybe improve my opinion of it.
Genre; Romantic, Classic
Year; 1951
Running Time; 1 hour 49 minutes
Director; Vincente Minnelli
Written By; Alan Jay Lerner
Actors; Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron et al.
Acting 3/5
Keeping my attention 2/4
Visuals/Direction 3/5
Story/Plot 3/6
Total 11/20
Plot
Jerry Mulligan (Gene Kelly) an ex GI who loved Paris so much that he stayed behind after the war was over falls for a perfume seller (Caron) who also falls for him. Unbeknown to Jerry his girl is already engaged to someone else, a man he actually knows through a friend of his. Through dance and song there story is told againt the backdrop of Paris.
My Personal Views
I originally bought this DVD in my first year at University (way back in 2004 or 2005). I bought it because I wanted to see a movie I could remember from my childhood set in Paris and all the other detail I could remember was a lot of different coloured doors at the beginning, turned out it was not An American in Paris but Funny Face which I bought some years later. I have to say I don’t think I have seen this movie other than once all those years ago when I realised it wasn’t the movie I was really after. Though maybe the purchase of this movie is one that I should praise as this was one of the very first (of literally hundreds) DVDs I bought and it was through my time at University in the North West of England that I found my passion for movies and wanted to know more about them, it was also when I discovered IMDB which allowed me to do so.
I have to say that the age gap between the two main stars is quite noticeable (19 years) as Carson looks very childlike in this movie even though she was 19 or 20 years at the time. This fact may have put me of the movie a little bit but I think it is a factor of other things that made me lose my attention when watching this movie.
Gene Kelly was the choreographer for this movie and in the most part is very good, apart from the 17 minute ballet routine at the very end of this move. Don’t get me wrong I like dancing and it is really lovely dancing but 17 minutes is a little too long, especially at the end of a movie. I am a fan of Gene Kelly's acting, I am a big fan of Singin' in the Rain and also watched a lot of his other movies when I was 'studying' for my GCSEs, good old TCM; but I'm not sure if this quite hits the spot for me,
This movie is filmed well with a good introduction for the main character and his friends who live near him but the polystyrene Paris is a little off putting in places.
Another issue I have is the speed of the story, for instance it takes over 30 minutes for the boy to even meet the girl and when he does he gets a little bit too excited and is almost dare I say a bit of a stalker! This added to the age gap made me feel a little bit uncomfortable.
On the positives the music of Gershwin is amazing as always, in fact after watching this I had to find the Gershwin music I have on my iPod and played it as loudly as I could manage (rock on!). Jerry’s pianist friend also adds some comic relief and the dream sequence where he is playing the piano and many other members of the orchestra, does make me chuckle.
The songs in this movie are also very good including ‘s’wonderful s’marvellous’, which comes from Funny Face.
In all, music good, dancing a bit long winded in places but exceptional if you can get over this issue, acting ok, plastic Paris a little off putting at times. Oh and a sweet ending which makes you glad you stuck it all out.
Outcome
Surprising even to me it is staying in the collection for the time being, hopefully I can give it another go and maybe improve my opinion of it.
An Affair to Remember
Date watched- 13th February 2011
Genre; Romantic, Classic
Year; 1957
Running Time; 1 hour 59 minutes
Director; Leo McCarey
Written By; Delmer Daves, Donald Ogden Stewart & Leo McCarey.
Actors; Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr et al.
Acting 4½/5
Keeping my attention 4/4
Visuals/Direction 4/5
Story/Plot 6/6
Total 18½/20
Plot
Two people, Nickie Ferrante (Grant) and Terry McKay (Kerr), meet on a cruise liner on their way to New York to be with their partners, settle down, marry, the works. But on the ship they form an unlikely romance. They agree that if they both feel the same way about each other to meet at the top of the Empire State building, Will they meet in six months time? Or will their love for each other fade?
My Personal Views
I have wanted to watch this movie for years, since watching Sleepless in Seattle and seeing it through out that movie. Only thing is I never got around to seeing it let alone buying it. So for the purposes of this A-Z project I though “I know what I will add to my collection”, so here it is. I watched it for the first time in April (2010) in my parents caravan in the north of England. I was not disappointed. I absolutely love this movie, and it has very quickly become one of my favourite movies.
There are some really lovely moments in this movie, especially when the main characters are still on the cruise ship, especially the moment on the stairs where they are trying not to make it look like they are talking to each other.
Throughout the second half of the move there are a lot of ‘ahh’ moments and I have to say I even had a tear in my eye at the end.
This movie is pushing 2 hours long but it keeps your attention with the chances in location without it being choppy or rushed, the ‘will they won’t they’ aspect and the superb performances of everyone involved. The acting is strong and you really believe the relationship between the two main characters. I have never seen anything else with Deborah Kerr in, though obviously I know she did a lot of other classic movies, The King and I to name but one and so I am quite keen to watch more of her work now. Any suggestions would be greatly received. Cary Grant as always is the perfect English gent and I think it is amazing in this with great depth of character (especially at the end). I understand from wikipedia(!) that this wasn't the only movie made with Grant and Kerr in main roles so I am really interested in giving those a go as well.
The movie is well directed and everything looks wonderful, especially considering that this was shot in the 50s without all of this modern technology that has crept into cinema these days. I don’t think I have a remastered copy of this so things do look a little dated by today’s standards and the colours aren’t bright but I like that, I have a real affection for old movies so I really don’t mind at all but I thought I would give a heads up to anyone who might find that an issue.
It also has extra points for being partly set in New York!
All in all a treasure among movies in my opinion, but I will let you decide for yourself. So the reason for the short-ish review is that fact that I cant find serious fault with it.
Outcome
Staying right where it on my DVD shelf (well it’s more a wall with loads of shelves on it!).
Genre; Romantic, Classic
Year; 1957
Running Time; 1 hour 59 minutes
Director; Leo McCarey
Written By; Delmer Daves, Donald Ogden Stewart & Leo McCarey.
Actors; Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr et al.
Acting 4½/5
Keeping my attention 4/4
Visuals/Direction 4/5
Story/Plot 6/6
Total 18½/20
Plot
Two people, Nickie Ferrante (Grant) and Terry McKay (Kerr), meet on a cruise liner on their way to New York to be with their partners, settle down, marry, the works. But on the ship they form an unlikely romance. They agree that if they both feel the same way about each other to meet at the top of the Empire State building, Will they meet in six months time? Or will their love for each other fade?
My Personal Views
I have wanted to watch this movie for years, since watching Sleepless in Seattle and seeing it through out that movie. Only thing is I never got around to seeing it let alone buying it. So for the purposes of this A-Z project I though “I know what I will add to my collection”, so here it is. I watched it for the first time in April (2010) in my parents caravan in the north of England. I was not disappointed. I absolutely love this movie, and it has very quickly become one of my favourite movies.
There are some really lovely moments in this movie, especially when the main characters are still on the cruise ship, especially the moment on the stairs where they are trying not to make it look like they are talking to each other.
Throughout the second half of the move there are a lot of ‘ahh’ moments and I have to say I even had a tear in my eye at the end.
This movie is pushing 2 hours long but it keeps your attention with the chances in location without it being choppy or rushed, the ‘will they won’t they’ aspect and the superb performances of everyone involved. The acting is strong and you really believe the relationship between the two main characters. I have never seen anything else with Deborah Kerr in, though obviously I know she did a lot of other classic movies, The King and I to name but one and so I am quite keen to watch more of her work now. Any suggestions would be greatly received. Cary Grant as always is the perfect English gent and I think it is amazing in this with great depth of character (especially at the end). I understand from wikipedia(!) that this wasn't the only movie made with Grant and Kerr in main roles so I am really interested in giving those a go as well.
The movie is well directed and everything looks wonderful, especially considering that this was shot in the 50s without all of this modern technology that has crept into cinema these days. I don’t think I have a remastered copy of this so things do look a little dated by today’s standards and the colours aren’t bright but I like that, I have a real affection for old movies so I really don’t mind at all but I thought I would give a heads up to anyone who might find that an issue.
It also has extra points for being partly set in New York!
All in all a treasure among movies in my opinion, but I will let you decide for yourself. So the reason for the short-ish review is that fact that I cant find serious fault with it.
Outcome
Staying right where it on my DVD shelf (well it’s more a wall with loads of shelves on it!).
Sunday, 13 February 2011
America's Sweethearts
Date watched- 6th February 2011
Genre; Romantic, Comedy
Year; 2001
Running Time; 1 hour 39 minutes
Director; Joe Roth
Written By; Billy Crystal and Peter Tolan
Actors; Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Cusack and Billy Crystal.
Acting 3/5
Keeping my attention 3/4
Visuals/Direction 4/5
Story/Plot 4/6
Total 14/20
Plot
Gwen Harrison (Zeta-Jones) and Eddie Thomas (Cusack) were Hollywood’s golden couple, both on and off the screen. Now that they’ve gone their separate ways and with their new movie set to premiere it won’t be easy getting them back together to promote their last venture “Time Over Time”. The new movie is being held back by the odd-ball director Hal Weidmann (Christopher Walken) making the life of the press agent (Crystal) a nightmare. Can the press be convinced thtat Gwen and Eddie have made amends with each other? Will the film be a success? And is there more than friendship between Eddie and Gwen’s sister Kiki (Roberts)?
My Personal Views
Well yet again another movie I saw for the first time with my childhood best friend, most defiantly on VHS. I thought it was really good back then, so I pretty much bought it straight away, and I still do now. I was going through a Julia Roberts phase at the time so I would have found anything with her in a delight but this genuinely is a good romantic comedy movie. It’s funny; everyone does a really good job with that and it is romantic without being too over the top with it either. There are a few ‘oow’ comedy moments where you could either brawl around on the floor laughing or just shake your head and say ‘that just isn’t funny’ depending on who you are. I have to say for me that I do find those moments funny (in particular a moment with a cactus plant- if you’ve seen it you’ll know what I mean)
I think this might have actually been the first Catherine Zeta-Jones movie I ever saw, I had seen her in the Darling Buds of May and that had pretty much been it. She really is good; her American accent is believable and soft, whereas some Brits can be too harsh and end up sounding like they are trying too hard. So a round of applause for Zeta-Jones here I think. She plays the bitch so well too which just adds to her performance even if you forget the fact that she is not American. Also my dad met her many years ago when she was filming Entrapment and he said she was really nice, so to me she can do no wrong.
Julia Roberts is, how do I put it, Julia Roberts in a Rom-Com. Which to me is good but I’m sure everyone will have their own opinions which they are very much entitled to. I personally love her. Also she and Zeta-Jones could actually pass for sisters which makes the movie work better than if they had two people who looked completely different.
Cusack has his usual ‘dark’ edge but it kind of works in this movie and he is well cast as the actor who lost his leading lady in his personal life and wanted her back for so long.
Hank Azaria plays the Spanish lover (including lisp) of Gwen really well and fits well with the rest f the cast, this could have been so easy to get wrong. The moments he has with Cusack are funny but sometimes include language that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the film.
The other supporting actors are very good and compliment the main cast well. Walken is as usual weird. Crystal is just funny no matter what he does and then there is Stanley Tucci as the studio producer in charge of the movie verging on the paranoid.
On a negative there are some surreal moments (of Eddie’s imaginings) and flash backs to moments in the break-up of Gwen and Eddie which sometimes don’t work brilliantly but over all a good movie.
Note: Watch out for the Rainn Wilson cameo!!
Outcome
Staying well put in my DVD collection.
Genre; Romantic, Comedy
Year; 2001
Running Time; 1 hour 39 minutes
Director; Joe Roth
Written By; Billy Crystal and Peter Tolan
Actors; Julia Roberts, Catherine Zeta-Jones, John Cusack and Billy Crystal.
Acting 3/5
Keeping my attention 3/4
Visuals/Direction 4/5
Story/Plot 4/6
Total 14/20
Plot
Gwen Harrison (Zeta-Jones) and Eddie Thomas (Cusack) were Hollywood’s golden couple, both on and off the screen. Now that they’ve gone their separate ways and with their new movie set to premiere it won’t be easy getting them back together to promote their last venture “Time Over Time”. The new movie is being held back by the odd-ball director Hal Weidmann (Christopher Walken) making the life of the press agent (Crystal) a nightmare. Can the press be convinced thtat Gwen and Eddie have made amends with each other? Will the film be a success? And is there more than friendship between Eddie and Gwen’s sister Kiki (Roberts)?
My Personal Views
Well yet again another movie I saw for the first time with my childhood best friend, most defiantly on VHS. I thought it was really good back then, so I pretty much bought it straight away, and I still do now. I was going through a Julia Roberts phase at the time so I would have found anything with her in a delight but this genuinely is a good romantic comedy movie. It’s funny; everyone does a really good job with that and it is romantic without being too over the top with it either. There are a few ‘oow’ comedy moments where you could either brawl around on the floor laughing or just shake your head and say ‘that just isn’t funny’ depending on who you are. I have to say for me that I do find those moments funny (in particular a moment with a cactus plant- if you’ve seen it you’ll know what I mean)
I think this might have actually been the first Catherine Zeta-Jones movie I ever saw, I had seen her in the Darling Buds of May and that had pretty much been it. She really is good; her American accent is believable and soft, whereas some Brits can be too harsh and end up sounding like they are trying too hard. So a round of applause for Zeta-Jones here I think. She plays the bitch so well too which just adds to her performance even if you forget the fact that she is not American. Also my dad met her many years ago when she was filming Entrapment and he said she was really nice, so to me she can do no wrong.
Julia Roberts is, how do I put it, Julia Roberts in a Rom-Com. Which to me is good but I’m sure everyone will have their own opinions which they are very much entitled to. I personally love her. Also she and Zeta-Jones could actually pass for sisters which makes the movie work better than if they had two people who looked completely different.
Cusack has his usual ‘dark’ edge but it kind of works in this movie and he is well cast as the actor who lost his leading lady in his personal life and wanted her back for so long.
Hank Azaria plays the Spanish lover (including lisp) of Gwen really well and fits well with the rest f the cast, this could have been so easy to get wrong. The moments he has with Cusack are funny but sometimes include language that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the film.
The other supporting actors are very good and compliment the main cast well. Walken is as usual weird. Crystal is just funny no matter what he does and then there is Stanley Tucci as the studio producer in charge of the movie verging on the paranoid.
On a negative there are some surreal moments (of Eddie’s imaginings) and flash backs to moments in the break-up of Gwen and Eddie which sometimes don’t work brilliantly but over all a good movie.
Note: Watch out for the Rainn Wilson cameo!!
Outcome
Staying well put in my DVD collection.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Amazing Grace
Date watched 5th February 2011
Genre- Historical events/Drama
Year- 2006
Running Time- 1hr 53 mins
Directed By- Michael Apted
Written By- Steven Knight
Actors- Ioan Gruffold, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 2/4
Visuals/Direction- 4/5
Story/Plot- 5/6
Total 15/20
Plot
The year 1797, William Wilberforce (Gruffold) has been working hard to abolish the slave trade in Britain. While taking a break in the country to improve his health, and haunted by images of slaves, he meets Barbara Spooner (Garai), and shares the story of his struggle for the abolition of slavery. With a newfound energy for his cause he heads back to parliament to fight. But will he succeed in his latest quest to finally bring an end to the British slave trade?
My Personal Views
I originally bought this film for my mum for Mother’s day (and Amazon says I bought it on 25th February 2008) and in truth I haven’t seen it since Mother’s day 2008.
I know about the slave trade of course but it’s not something I am very knowledgeable about, it’s not like it gets taught in school that much. This movie doesn’t fill in all the gaps of my knowledge of the slave trade but it does go some way in helping to piece together the struggle for its abolition. When watching movies like this I always find that I end up looking further into the subject matter, and this movie was no exception, I can’t remember everything I found out though, which is such a shame.
It is nice to see Gruffold in a British role again, I was never a fan of his Fantastic Four role, and I only wish he would do more work like this, in fact if I’m honest I want to see more Hornblower expeditions. In this film his performance is believable and sound. Albert Finney’s performance iseartfelt and genuine; as a man haunted by the souls of 20,000 slaves he helped to move around the world as a captain of a slave ship turned monk. It is also nice to see Rufus Sewell in something where he is not the bad guy. And for everyone in general in this movie there are good solid performances
It is disturbing to think all of this actually happened and it is only just over 200 years ago that slavery in Britain was abolished. This film puts across this struggle in a way that isn’t too preachy and balances the sadness of the story with the positives of fighting for what you believe in.
Some aspects of this production look cheap, like the titles but all in all it is a good movie and you forget about some of the other less well produced aspects, or at least I did.
So where does this movie lose points? In the attention category, because this movie skips around it gets hard to keep up and gets confusing trying to remember who is who. It does really pick up speed in the second half (30mins from the end or so) but it’s the fact that it is quite slow and confusing getting to this part that fails it.
This is not the sort of movie to watch if you need cheering up or you’re tired. It also made me cry at the end the first time I watched it (and possibly a little this second time).
I do however love the use of the hymn Amazing Grace throughout the movie and the bagpipes during the end credits are wonderful, I love bagpipes (sad as that might be).
Outcome
Despite the fact that this film is a little gem I wouldn’t be watching it all the time. The fact that I haven’t seen it since 2008 speaks for itself; but more in a Shindlers List kind of way, excellence and involving a important yet brutal part of history that we should never forget but hard to watch as you know that the events, although they may not be 100% accurate, are actual events from our history. So on that note and in an effort to reduce the size of my DVD collect I think this may be ending up on ebay. Sorry.
Genre- Historical events/Drama
Year- 2006
Running Time- 1hr 53 mins
Directed By- Michael Apted
Written By- Steven Knight
Actors- Ioan Gruffold, Albert Finney, Michael Gambon, Romola Garai, Benedict Cumberbatch et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 2/4
Visuals/Direction- 4/5
Story/Plot- 5/6
Total 15/20
Plot
The year 1797, William Wilberforce (Gruffold) has been working hard to abolish the slave trade in Britain. While taking a break in the country to improve his health, and haunted by images of slaves, he meets Barbara Spooner (Garai), and shares the story of his struggle for the abolition of slavery. With a newfound energy for his cause he heads back to parliament to fight. But will he succeed in his latest quest to finally bring an end to the British slave trade?
My Personal Views
I originally bought this film for my mum for Mother’s day (and Amazon says I bought it on 25th February 2008) and in truth I haven’t seen it since Mother’s day 2008.
I know about the slave trade of course but it’s not something I am very knowledgeable about, it’s not like it gets taught in school that much. This movie doesn’t fill in all the gaps of my knowledge of the slave trade but it does go some way in helping to piece together the struggle for its abolition. When watching movies like this I always find that I end up looking further into the subject matter, and this movie was no exception, I can’t remember everything I found out though, which is such a shame.
It is nice to see Gruffold in a British role again, I was never a fan of his Fantastic Four role, and I only wish he would do more work like this, in fact if I’m honest I want to see more Hornblower expeditions. In this film his performance is believable and sound. Albert Finney’s performance iseartfelt and genuine; as a man haunted by the souls of 20,000 slaves he helped to move around the world as a captain of a slave ship turned monk. It is also nice to see Rufus Sewell in something where he is not the bad guy. And for everyone in general in this movie there are good solid performances
It is disturbing to think all of this actually happened and it is only just over 200 years ago that slavery in Britain was abolished. This film puts across this struggle in a way that isn’t too preachy and balances the sadness of the story with the positives of fighting for what you believe in.
Some aspects of this production look cheap, like the titles but all in all it is a good movie and you forget about some of the other less well produced aspects, or at least I did.
So where does this movie lose points? In the attention category, because this movie skips around it gets hard to keep up and gets confusing trying to remember who is who. It does really pick up speed in the second half (30mins from the end or so) but it’s the fact that it is quite slow and confusing getting to this part that fails it.
This is not the sort of movie to watch if you need cheering up or you’re tired. It also made me cry at the end the first time I watched it (and possibly a little this second time).
I do however love the use of the hymn Amazing Grace throughout the movie and the bagpipes during the end credits are wonderful, I love bagpipes (sad as that might be).
Outcome
Despite the fact that this film is a little gem I wouldn’t be watching it all the time. The fact that I haven’t seen it since 2008 speaks for itself; but more in a Shindlers List kind of way, excellence and involving a important yet brutal part of history that we should never forget but hard to watch as you know that the events, although they may not be 100% accurate, are actual events from our history. So on that note and in an effort to reduce the size of my DVD collect I think this may be ending up on ebay. Sorry.
The Amazing Adventure
Date watched 5th February 2011
Genre- Romantic/Comedy/Black and White
Year- 1936
Running Time- 1hr 2 mins
Directed By- Alfred Zeisler
Written By- John L. Balderston and E. Phillips Oppenheim (novel)
Actors- Cary Grant, Mary Brian, Peter Gawthorne et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 4/4
Visuals/Direction- 3/5
Story/Plot- 5/6
Total 16/20
Plot
Ernest Bliss (Cary Grant) is a rich young man who is finding his life of plenty boring. He consults a doctor but instead of offering medical based advice to cure Ernest of his melancholy the doctor places a wager with Bliss that he must life without his wealth for a year, living off only what he earns. Can Ernest win his wager?
My Personal Views
So this movie has been in my collection for years, I must have bought it because it was a bargain as it also came with His Girl Friday. Only thing is that I’ve never watched either of these movies in the whole time I’ve had them. I think I’ve had them since I was at University, and I finished at Uni two and half years ago!
So here is my first impression of The Amazing Aventure.
I am a great fan of old movies and I have also watched my fair share of Cary Grant movies over the years so I was actually looking forward to watching this movie and I wasn’t disappointed.
This movie is quick (only 1 hours and 2 minutes long) and holds your attention throughout. It is also the classic format of hidden identity, fall in love, misunderstanding/hidden identity revealed and a happy ending. I LOVE IT. It reminds me of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers films or Rock Hudson and Doris Day films which I also love also. I wish I’d seen it sooner to be honest.
Maybe it is not an 'Amazing Adventure’ by comparison to today’s movies but I still really enjoyed it. The acting by everyone involved is also very good. But maybe this movie is not for you if you don’t appreciate older movies or you would rather all black and white movies are made colour. If you are a fan of Cary Grant and black and white movie you should watch this (if you haven’t already). It is no way as compelling as An Affair to Remember but certainly makes a good first impression. With this only being just over an hour long even if you don’t appreciate this movie at least it has only been an hour of your life unlike some of today’s movies standing at over two or even three hours long.
Additional
My apologies once again for being slow at writing this blog. I think I have made a new resolution to watch (and blog about) at least one movie every weekend though. But last weekend that new plan went straight out of the window, instead I spent the weekend with two of my best friends in the whole world. One of them is pregnant and it was lovely to see her, I am so happy for her and wishing her all the best. But I’m back now, and hopefully I can keep to this new resolution to be a better blogger.
Outcome
To be honest at the moment I’m not sure. I will watch it again though and hopefully get around to watching His Girl Friday which is on the same disc. But whether or not it will stay permanently in the collection I do not know at the moment.
Genre- Romantic/Comedy/Black and White
Year- 1936
Running Time- 1hr 2 mins
Directed By- Alfred Zeisler
Written By- John L. Balderston and E. Phillips Oppenheim (novel)
Actors- Cary Grant, Mary Brian, Peter Gawthorne et al.
Acting-4/5
Keeping my attention- 4/4
Visuals/Direction- 3/5
Story/Plot- 5/6
Total 16/20
Plot
Ernest Bliss (Cary Grant) is a rich young man who is finding his life of plenty boring. He consults a doctor but instead of offering medical based advice to cure Ernest of his melancholy the doctor places a wager with Bliss that he must life without his wealth for a year, living off only what he earns. Can Ernest win his wager?
My Personal Views
So this movie has been in my collection for years, I must have bought it because it was a bargain as it also came with His Girl Friday. Only thing is that I’ve never watched either of these movies in the whole time I’ve had them. I think I’ve had them since I was at University, and I finished at Uni two and half years ago!
So here is my first impression of The Amazing Aventure.
I am a great fan of old movies and I have also watched my fair share of Cary Grant movies over the years so I was actually looking forward to watching this movie and I wasn’t disappointed.
This movie is quick (only 1 hours and 2 minutes long) and holds your attention throughout. It is also the classic format of hidden identity, fall in love, misunderstanding/hidden identity revealed and a happy ending. I LOVE IT. It reminds me of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers films or Rock Hudson and Doris Day films which I also love also. I wish I’d seen it sooner to be honest.
Maybe it is not an 'Amazing Adventure’ by comparison to today’s movies but I still really enjoyed it. The acting by everyone involved is also very good. But maybe this movie is not for you if you don’t appreciate older movies or you would rather all black and white movies are made colour. If you are a fan of Cary Grant and black and white movie you should watch this (if you haven’t already). It is no way as compelling as An Affair to Remember but certainly makes a good first impression. With this only being just over an hour long even if you don’t appreciate this movie at least it has only been an hour of your life unlike some of today’s movies standing at over two or even three hours long.
Additional
My apologies once again for being slow at writing this blog. I think I have made a new resolution to watch (and blog about) at least one movie every weekend though. But last weekend that new plan went straight out of the window, instead I spent the weekend with two of my best friends in the whole world. One of them is pregnant and it was lovely to see her, I am so happy for her and wishing her all the best. But I’m back now, and hopefully I can keep to this new resolution to be a better blogger.
Outcome
To be honest at the moment I’m not sure. I will watch it again though and hopefully get around to watching His Girl Friday which is on the same disc. But whether or not it will stay permanently in the collection I do not know at the moment.
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