Film Review: A LIFE LESS ORDINARY (1997)

Director: Danny Boyle
Writer: John Hodge
Running time: 103 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Comedy/Romance/Drama
UK Release date: 24^th October 1997

Watched on Sky+ Thursday 5^th January 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I have to admit that for some time now I have been a bit of a fan of the work of Danny Boyle. As such, I’m made it a bit of a mission to take a look at as much of his back catalogue as I can whenever they are shown on TV. So this is how I came to watch this one. I have to say it’s not the best film I’ve seen associated with his name, but it’s passable. More of my thoughts after this very brief summary.

We start in heaven (where else), where two angels, O'Reilly and Jackson, are given their last chance to, let’s say, facilitate a couple falling in love. It’s a tough case; two people from very different backgrounds. First there’s Robert Lewis who’s a cleaner (& a writer in his spare time) who has just lost his job and been dumped by his girlfriend. Then there’s Celine Naville a rich socialite whose father wants her to go to work for him. They are thrown together when Robert goes to see Celine’s father to demand his job back and things go slightly wrong. He ends up kidnapping Celine and taking her to a cabin in the wilderness. He really doesn’t have a clue and Celine ends up taking the lead; deciding she may as well try to get some money out of her father. Meanwhile, O’Reilly and Jackson are hired by Celine’s father to find them. As you can see, it’s getting a bit complicated already and we’re only part-way through! I’ll leave it there though or the Spoiler Police (confusing plots division) will have me kidnapped in amusing circumstances (again).

A well made film that has the beginnings many of the hallmarks of Boyle’s latter works. Some interesting ideas thrown in, some that worked and some that didn’t, but then I see it as a bit of a stepping stone for Boyle. Nice performances all round; Ewan McGregor did a decent job as Robert Lewis, although his haircut is pretty bizarre! Cameron Diaz did a great job as Celine; it’s the kind of role she’s pretty comfortable in. I thought both Holly Hunter as O’Reilly and Delroy Lindo as Jackson were excellent. Honourable mentions must also go to; Ian McNeice as Mayhew, Frank Kanig as Ted, Stanley Tucci as Elliot Zweikel, Tony Shalhoub as Al and Ian Holm as Naville (Celine’s father).

Although I’m a fan of Danny Boyle’s work, I’m afraid this one failed to hit the mark (for me). I found the plot far too over-complicated, almost like they were trying to fit far too many ideas in all at once. To me it would have been much more interesting to see the story from the point of view of O’Reilly and Jackson, but then I guess I’m not a screenwriter (yet). Yes, there were some nice touches, for instance, I loved the song and dance routine in the bar; very funny. Over all though, it’s one I’ll have to sit on the fence as far as recommendation goes; it’s kind of in the middle there somewhere.

My score: 5.7/10

IMDb Score: 6.3/10 (based on 20,915 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0119535/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 39/100 (based on 36 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 56/100 (based on 52,726 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/life_less_ordinary/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Celine: Remember what they didn't teach you at Harvard Business School.
Robert: I didn't go to Harvard Business School!
Celine: That's a figure of speech, Robert.

Celine: If word got around that I had been liberated for half a million dollars, I could never show my face in polite society again. Diamonds have no value except that which is placed upon them.

Tod: Do you think that I'd talk to a dog? Do you think I'd ask a dog whether you're good or evil? What do you think I am? Some kind of crazy backwoods lunatic with a barn full of human skulls and a scythe that I sharpen every day in readiness for Armageddon?
Robert: No, no, not at all, I'm sure you're just a regular kind of guy.
Tod: Right, I'm regular, I am a regular man. I want... but that's not the point! The point is, who are YOU? WHO ARE YOU?

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: SHREK FOREVER AFTER (2010)

Director: Mike Mitchell
Running time: 90 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Animation/Comedy/Adventure
UK Release date: 2^nd July 2010

Watched on Sky+ Monday 8^th August 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I must admit that I have a bit of a soft spot for the Shrek films. I don’t know what it is; I guess I just like the brand of humour in them and (for the most part) the likable characters. The third one (I felt) was a bit of a mess, but they appear to have got it nearer the mark for the final instalment… until they decide to make some more, that is. I will give you my thoughts after this brief summary… sponsored by ‘Pete’s Potions’, available at all major ‘Fairy Godmother’ outlets nationwide.

Shrek is finding it hard to cope with the routine of everyday life, the children, the visitors, the tour bus… it’s all getting on top of him. This all comes to a head at the kids’ first birthday party where he has a big row with Fiona and storms out. He meets Rumpelstiltskin on the road and they start talking about their woes. Not knowing Rumpelstiltskin has an ulterior motive, Shrek signs a contract that sees him projected into an alternate reality, one in which he had never existed… until now. He finds that nobody knows him, not Donkey, not Puss in Boots… not even Fiona! It then dawns on Shrek that Rumpelstiltskin has conned him. Fortunately there’s a get-out clause in the contract, but can he fulfil it before sunrise? Of course, I’m not going to tell you here or them Spoiler Police will have me back on the farm working for that no good Old MacDonald.

Favourite Character – Puss in Boots (…made me laugh)

The animation is just what we’ve come to expect in these films, and, as usual, it is excellent. Just for reference, I stuck to my principles and watch it in 2D. As usual, some great tunes, particularly at the end, but generally, a decent score. All the usual voice talent was on show, and the all did a good job. So honourable mentions go to; Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey, Cameron Diaz as Princess Fiona and Antonio Banderas as Puss in Boots. I should also give a special mention for Walt Dohrn who did the voices for Rumpelstiltskin, Priest and Krekraw Ogre.

Favourite Quote – Donkey: “Wow, that’s a big kitty!... Can we keep him?”

I’m quite glad this franchise has reached an end, not because I think they’re no good any more, but I can see a day when that will be the case. As I’ve already said, I really get the humour in these films and I wish there were more comedies made in a similar vein. I half expected this one to be awful, if I’m honest, after the… let’s say… less than warm reception it got from the critics. It was a pleasant surprise to find it wasn’t all that bad. Yes, the Rumpelstiltskin character needed more development, but I didn’t really mind. It entertained me for ninety minutes and that’s all you can ask… Recommended.

My Score: 6.5/10

IMDb Score: 6.6/10 (30,431 votes when this review was written).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0892791/

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 57/100 (187 reviews counted when this review was written).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/shrek_4/

LINKS:
Official Site: http://www.shrek.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: GANGS OF NEW YORK (2002)

Director: Martin Scorsese
Running time: 160 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 18

UK release date: 9th January 2003

Watched on DVD Thursday 18th November 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This film has been lurking in my DVD collection for some time now. The trouble is, it’s hard to find the nigh on three hours required to watch this epic. Fortunately, having been ordered to take my holidays, or lose them, a day off provided the necessary timeslot. It’s a movie with tremendous scope that shows a side of New York history I wasn’t aware of. Although not perfect, it still has a lot going for it. But more of that later, here’s a very brief summary first (summary haters please assume the crash position for the next paragraph).

We begin in 1846 at the Five Points, a district of New York notorious for its poverty and for its gangs. A clash between two gangs, the ‘Native Americans’, predominantly white, who were born there and the ‘Dead Rabbits’, predominantly Irish immigrants, leaves the leader of the ‘Dead Rabbits’, ‘Priest’ Vallon, dead. His killer, leader of the other gang, Bill ‘The Butcher’ Cutting shows mercy on his young son and sends him away. Sixteen years later the son, Amsterdam Vallon, returns to the Five Points seeking revenge, but prepared to bide his time. He decides to get close to Cutting and manages to do so with some great cunning. He meets Jenny Everdeane and falls for her, but she is indebted to Cutting and so Amsterdam, at first, spurns her, but we all know that isn’t going to last. This is all told against the backdrop of the American Civil War and President Lincoln’s plans to bring in a draft on the citizens of New York. There is a lot of feeling about this and the citizens are getting restless. Also, a politician, William ‘Boss’ Tweed is always trying to buy the votes of the residents of the Five Points by siding with Cutting on certain matters, a situation that doesn’t go down to well with certain factions. Now, having infiltrated Cutting’s inner circle, it’s time for Amsterdam to strike… and it’s here I’ll leave my short summary… what? You didn’t really expect me to give the ending away did you?... Shame.

This is a beautifully made film; everything from the cinematography to the set design to the costumes is all really well done. Some great performances too, especially from Daniel Day-Lewis, as Bill ‘The Butcher’ Cutting, it is a pleasure to watch every scene he is in. Also praiseworthy are; Leonardo DiCaprio as Amsterdam Vallon and Cameron Diaz as Jenny Everdeane. Honourable mentions also go to; Jim Broadbent as William ‘Boss’ Tweed, John C. Reilly as Happy Jack Mulraney and Henry Thomas as Johnny Sirocco.

I was afraid at first that this was going to be just another of those damned “America loves everything Irish” kind of movies, which I totally despise! Fortunately Scorsese knows better than that and what we get is a more balanced view of things (for a change). The film is a little too long for my liking and I found it quite easy to draw parallels with the likes of ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Once Upon A Time in America’, but I can forgive that. It is enthralling throughout and a great visual spectacle, if just for the height of the top hats and Daniel Day-Lewis’s moustache and trousers! They are tremendous! Over all, if you can make the time… Highly recommended.

My score: 7.6/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0217505/
Official Site: http://video.movies.go.com/gangsofnewyork/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/screenplay/vi518717721/