Recensioni di frenchmonkeys

So, in 500 years, we'll all still be driving petrol/diesel vehicles that look a lot like models seen on the road today. Despite fossil fuels being phased out now...

Guns - well, a lot like those we have now, and seems somewhat unlikely the technology.of weaponry hasn't improved somewhat in 500 years.

Incandescent light bulbs that are pretty much already phased out, and neon galore.

Within a few minutes it fails to suspend your disbelief, but I persevered and watched another 20 minutes before I raised the acting, the script, and the entire premise doesn't offer any reprieve from the pit of crap you already found yourself in.

And come on, Bruce Willis playing an action role? Still? Because when you run into an aggressive alien species, we're going to need a geriatric has been to save us all...

I watch a lot of sci-fi, and I'm prepared to forgive a low budget production if the idea, the story, and/or the script have some merit. But there's nothing at all here to commend it. Nothing.

When I read the plot line I wasn't overly enthralled, just figured I'd give it a go. So glad I did.

There are some really interesting characters here, most of whom are deliciously flawed, with interesting relationships and interactions between them.

Visually pleasing, an interesting extension of technology and software that we already take for granted (and the slightly darker big brother aspect to it with the developers using it for their own ends without conscience) is a believable near future that makes the more esoteric sci-fi storyline feel more natural.

The plot for the first episode was a bit 'seen it before', but I think a necessary lack of invention in order to establish the story and give us an immediate understanding of the prime characters. I expect the plots will thicken up nicely.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how this develops; early days but has serious potential, for me, the best show so far this year and I'm eager to see more.

There seems to be a trend at the moment for comedy shows (particularly those from out cousins across the pond) to show situations that are painfully embarrassing for the protagonist, and then dragging those moments out far too long to remain interesting or even amusing - they're just painful and sad.

This show is different. Sure, there're similar moments, but they remain funny by not being overly laboured and they're mixed in with other types of humour - I have a smile on my face throughout, and genuinely laugh out loud frequently - that's not typical for me; I'm really enjoying this show.

The basic premise is, of course, utterly ridiculous, and is both ridiculed and legitimised by other characters in the show. It's predictable, but in the most delightful way, doesn't demand too much of the viewer, but still doesn't come across as dumb, or that it expects the viewer lacks the intelligence for more sophisticated humour. It just works, and after watching an episode I feel entertained, happier, more upbeat; it does everything a comedy show should, and I can't wait for the show's return in the new year.

This is a really interesting history programme, well researched, informative, and presented with authority and appropriate excitement and wonder by Neil Oliver.

There's some overlap with the previous Ancient History series which is a little tedious at the beginning, but it's a useful introduction for those who haven't already seen that.

The only real problem is the camera work. It's frequently shot with narrow depth of field - a technique that can be extremely effective, but only if you can keep the subject in focus. The subject drifts in and out of focus frequently, especially on moving shots, because the depth of field is too narrow and the cameraman is not sufficiently skilled to pull off this style. This is particularly irritating when the presenter is displaying a specific artifact, and the camera spends the time hunting backwards and forwards, crossing the focus point only occasionally - the result being that you don't get a proper look at the item concerned, and that's frustrating.

Still, the content is excellent, right up to date, and gives a realistic, broad view of Celtic life, and for that, I must still give a 7.

I look forward to more history presented by Neil Oliver - as long as he takes a different cameraman.

Others have said this is a worthy western, but not great. I disagree. Tipping it's hat to any number of US westerns, it surpasses them on almost every level, introducing elements that have never been seen before in this type of movie, and approaching it in a different way.

US westerns tell a story like they don't know we all guessed the whole story within the first few minutes, but here, the director has acknowledged we're not morons, and gently unravels the story in the most entertaining and engrossing way possible, building tension intelligently, with some additional breath-holding moments from a rather curious side plot which isn't overdone.

Some truly tender moments are managed thoughtfully, with no sense of awkwardness, and are meaningful parts of the story rather than painfully tenuous attempts to show the softer side of the characters as one has come to expect from US westerns.

Ryan Kwanten is excellent, but Tommy Lewis steals it with a truly chilling portrayal of the 'bad guy'. The use of aboriginal attifacts as the film closes is perhaps a little OTT, but could also be seen as poetic justice bearing in mind the cause of the trouble - and that's a hallmark of all good westerns after all. Steve Bisley always plays a believable part, but the interesting depth his character promises early on fizzles out a bit as the movie progresses and becomes rather two dimensional - but even that kinda fits.

Beautifully filmed, there are some exceptional cinematic sequences that will stay with me a long while, and the sound effects are exciting without compromising realism.

I loved it - an impressive first feature for writer/director Patrick Hughes, and I'll be eagerly awaiting his next.

I didn't see the original series so this isn't a comparison.

I found this series to be quite compelling, and keenly await the second, though not at all what I expected.

There was more consideration of personal stories relating to the horror of fascism in Europe than being a story about the running of an upper class household, but it was utterly compelling. I think that three episodes wasn't enough.

Eileen Atkins gave an authoritative role as the lady dowager, but wasn't permitted sufficient screen time to make the role as intriguing as it could have been. The same is true for her secretary, played by Art Malik. Two star performances that were unable to fulfil themselves properly. I hope that the second series addresses this.

Adrian Scarborough fitted the role of the butler, Mr Pritchard, with aplomb, and I'd like to see his other credited roles.

Like others, I find the score to be more than a little weak, and in addition to the truncated nature of the story being covered in a mere three episodes, and of course, the lack of Maggie Smith, was why this wasn't the success that Downton Abbey is.

Hopefully the four episode second series will provide a better score and more chance for characters to develop, because there's a lot here that's worth exploring. In the meantime, I'll be viewing the original Upstairs, Downstairs: I want more, perhaps not in such a rush to tell a long story in a short time.

She's a smart, dedicated professional, hot of course, and emotionally vulnerable. He's charming if a little socially inept, hot of course, and a voyeuristic closet psycho (wine closet psycho?). Naturally, she rents an apartment from him.

Sound familiar? It should do, it's a Hollywood cliché that gets explored every two years. Quite why it's a cliché seems odd to me, but I guess there must be a lot of psychopathic landlords in NYC, or why would they keep coming back to this idea?

As the story progresses, you'll find that it remains familiar: the same plot, the same result, the same camera angles, the same sound effects, the same 'it's over, NO IT ISN'T, yes it is' type finale that really doesn't deserve another outing though I'm sure we'll see it again and again... boring.

What persuaded Hilary Swank to become involved with a tired project like this I'll never understand - even a Million Dollar Baby can't do anything to lift this stinker. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is, well, Jeffrey Dean Morgan: as uninspiring as most of the other actors who feel the need to use three names to get themselves noticed. The straight-to-video performance from Lee Pace is typically forgettable in a role that was almost entirely unnecessary. The scariest thing in the movie is the merest glance from Christopher Lee, such a pity his role was so short and wasn't more sinister.

I stuck with it as I kept hoping it would improve, but it didn't. Don't waste your time. Go see a real movie instead.

It's hard to believe this movie was released fifty years ago, barring its distinctly non-PC references to ethnic minorities.

Prophetic in its portrayal of the trade unions versus the establishment and the exploitation of the individual in favour of political power and enrichment for those few pulling the strings (as they shake hands behind closed doors), this is a story that manages to be provocative whilst maintaining a pleasantly light-hearted air, broaching subjects that continue to be relevant in Britain today.

Classic performances from Peter Sellers, Ian Carmichael, Terry Thomas and Richard Attenborough, and smaller but equally commendable appearances of Margaret Rutherford and Irene Handl.

Deliciously classic British comedy that remains fresh and immensely enjoyable today.

The first season of Prison Break brought us a new kind of character in a new kind of drama, and the main characters were brought to life with a magical combination of great actors, great script, and a story line you desperately want to follow.

In season two, the story changes. It's not such a new idea, but it's brilliantly performed and we get to see more interesting plots develop. In short, it continues brilliantly.

Season three, is just silly. It feels very much like the writers were shocked at their own success of making it to a third season, and threw up their arms and said, 'OK, well what now?'. Sadly what they came up with is unconvincing, uninteresting, slow, pointless, and well, just plain silly. The plot moves on a bit, and some questions from the second season are answered, but in a ridiculous and unsatisfying way.

Season four is worse still - it really does hit rock bottom. Nothing of interest remains here at all: all the actors know it and have lost interest, and it shows in the quality of their acting. It's a great pity that what started as such a fantastic show came to this.

My vote of 9/10 is for Seasons one and two, which remain excellent viewing. My vote for season three would be a 5, and for season four would be a 1. There are some plot points raised in Season 2 that will go unanswered if you don't watch beyond that season, but believe, me, it's not worth finding out. Quit after season 2, and you'll love this show.

I loved Battlestar Galactica. I was chuffed when I saw this spin-off announced and eagerly awaited its release.

There are some fine story lines here and some good acting, but it's kinda slow. It's not helped by a rather lacklustre score from Bear McCreary. The music he made to BG was a stirring mix of world music that makes you tingle. Here, it seems he has gone for a 'B-Movie boring@ type style - dull, dull, dull. I just don't 'feel' Caprica. I want to like it, but I just can't. It doesn't have that 'grab you by the balls and squeeze' factor that BG managed to maintain in almost every episode.

And then there's a six month break in the middle of series one. Yawn! If it had continued after only a short break, I would have continued watching in the hope that it picks up, but the lack of suspense, intrigue, and excitement thus far is a virtual guarantee that I will have utterly lost interest by the time we are graced with a fresh episode.

There's definitely room for BG spin offs, but this just isn't cutting it. It either needs to come back strong as hell, or be shelved, IMHO. I'm leaning towards the latter - spend the money on a worthier offering. It can only be a major BG fan that enjoys this show.