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The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, a review by addicted2dvd![]() The Hand That Rocks the Cradle Get ready for edge-of-your-seat excitement with the hit that rocked the nation! In this entertaining thriller, Claire Bartel (Annabella Sciorra - 'The Hard Way', 'Internal Affairs') has the perfect life and family - and exactly what Peyton Flanders (Rebecca De Mornay - 'Risky Business') desires desperately. But once Peyton deceptively becomes the Bartels' live-in housekeeper, how far will she really go when the life she wants belongs to someone else? From absorbing start to heart-stopping finish, this critically acclaimed winner delivers a lively mix of thrills, chills and surprises equaling 100% fun! My Thoughts: This is a movie I have not seen in MANY years. I think the last time I saw it was when it was first released back in 1992. I actually bought this from the video store I managed when it went out of business (This and about 200 others!) So I got it super-cheap (like $3.00)... and it has been sitting on my shelf every since... unwatched. And that was a good 5 years ago! Needless to say in that length of time I completely forgot what this movie was like... it was like watching it again for the first time. And I must say I came out of it a bit surprised. This is a damn good thriller! I really enjoyed every minute of it! I liked pretty much everything about it. I felt the entire movie was well done. I especially liked how the did the character of Solomon. They showed that yes, he may be slow... but he is far from stupid. Unfortunately this movie did not get the DVD release that it deserved. The only extra on this release is the Theatrical Trailer. I would really like to see a special edition of this one come out. (From Weekend Movie Marathon: 7/4 - 7/6 on July 5th, 2008) A Single Man, a review by JonA Single Man **** 4 out of 5 ![]() I hadn't wanted to see A Single Man; it wasn't on my radar and the trailer hadn't struck me as anything particularly outstanding. Add to this occasional reviews of Tom Ford's film that suggested his fashion background had influenced his direction a little too much, and I wasn't convinced this would be a must see. Then, on one of the podcasts from Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode, I heard a clip of Colin Firth's opening monologue. It was so simple and poignant that I suddenly had to see it. Firth plays George, a man still grieving for his partner Jim (Matthew Goode), killed in a car accident months before. Since then he has been trapped in melancholy and the film follows what is, as he says, "kind of a serious day for me". He'll reminisce with his closest friend, neurotic Charly (Julianne Moore) and be intrigued by a young student (Nicholas Hoult). Now I'm not cynical enough to believe in the idea that some films are structured specifically to win awards, but it is true that studios are cynical enough to release certain types of films to attract the right attention. This year it seems a sure bet that Colin Firth will win many awards for his performance in The King's Speech and from all accounts, they will be richly deserved. I haven't seen the film yet, but from the trailer, regardless of how brilliant he is, it seems to be the sort of role that Oscar loves. What I can say with confidence is that his moving and superlative performance in A Single Man should have received as much if not more attention. What he delivers is incredibly moving, with an affecting simplicity that is gently stripped away to reveal a complex character in quiet turmoil. If you have any experience of grief, you won't fail to identify with the elegant opening scene especially; his voice draws you in following a dream sequence and never lets you go from then on. Nor would you want to be let go! It is all the more impressive that he is never off-screen, but for the most brief moments, yet the film never feels claustrophobic and almost seems effortless. Julianne Moore also proves her substantial skill and at least Firth was nominated last year. That she wasn't recognised is criminal. It is a brief role, but again, a complex character and she bundles up a lifetime into her portrayal of Charly. Utterly superb and on a par with Boogie Nights, a film I find overrated except for her. We only see the versatile Matthew Goode (Watchmen, Cemetary Junction) in flashback as Jim and he too works wonders with less screen-time and the relationship between the two men feels absolutely genuine. Nicholas Hoult is also excellent as an unpredictable enigma that George can't dismiss. While his might be the thinnest role of the main characters to play, Hoult still finds depth and works it with the merest expression. Strange how we have Brits playing Brits, Brits playing Americans and Americans playing Brits! Regardless, it is a perfect cast. Perhaps we should consider that the lean and focused screenplay, so beautifully written, is the common factor for all of them. From the very start to the final moment, it is meticulous and focused. While it never loses it's sombre tone, it has an undercurrent of optimism throughout. The sparse dialogue, entirely free of exposition, is cleverly bolstered by various sub-texts that reflect the story. For instance, it is set in 1962 Los Angeles and America is suffering from Cuban crisis paranoia that gently highlights George's unique perspective. And what of his sexuality? Clearly it is his relationship with men that defines him, yet thank goodness that it isn't an issue the film feels a responsibility to. It is simply who he is and nothing more. Tom Ford, who also wrote the film (along with David Scearce) adapting Christopher Isherwood's novel, directs his debut with an assured style that contradicts his inexperience, aside from some loose editing. Unless, that is, you want to say it is too good and suggests little personality or interpretation, but that's cynical considering his clear understanding of such sensitive characters. Future projects might reveal more, but Ford's direction here perfectly supports this screenplay this time and he employs some beautiful motifs, such as boosting the colour whenever the sombre George finds something worth paying attention to. As whatever thing it was drifts from the scene, the colour drains a little with it. You might find it obvious, but there is no denying it works and the tone is faultless throughout. Actually a Spanish prostitute demonstrates it perfectly; Ford films him like a model and he seems just a touch overdone, but the ever consistent pace and especially Firth's dialogue in fluent and seamless Spanish puts the substance back in. The balance is never lost here or anywhere else. I usually somehow forget to mention scores, but no danger here. The final element of this spellbinding film is the haunting theme from Abel Korzeniowski and it is quite wonderful. I've left the DVD menu on while I write this so it keeps playing! Even in a short loop, it's very effective. I would urge anyone who likes a well told story to invest their time in A Single Man. It is an easy watch, but its substance will take a hold and for viewers of a certain perspective it might haunt you in a most convincing manner. (From Jon's Random Reviews on February 12th, 2011) Grey's Anatomy Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd13. Great Expectations With Richard stepping down, the doctors at Seattle Grace begin jockeying to replace him -leading to harsh words and hurt feelings. George's method of dealing with his father's death is taking a toll on Callie, and Richard is surprised by his wife's reaction to his retirement plans. The plight of a young Amish girl inspires the staff to push for a free clinic. Cristina and Burke finally speak to each other, and what Burke has to say shocks Cristina. My Thoughts: A good episode. I really enjoyed the whole Amish girl storyline. And this one ends with a bit of a surprise. My Rating: ![]() 14. Wishin' And Hopin' George and Callie return from a trip to Las Vegas with huge news. Meredith gets some big news of her own when her mother wakes up free from the effects of her Alzheimer's disease, but her excitement is short-lived when her mother is as critical of her as ever. Cristina worries that having a personal life will have a negative effect on her career, and Izzie frets that her money has gone to waste. The entire staff must pitch in when a patient's toxic blood endangers the hospital. My Thoughts: This is another one I really liked a lot. Especially the whole toxic blood thing. I also liked seeing Meredith's mother free from the effects of her Alzheimer's for a while. My Rating: ![]() 15. Walk On Water Derek worries that Meredith has let her mother's criticism affect her. Burke and Cristina discuss how best to tell the others about their engagement. Triage drills at the hospital are interrupted by a real-life emergency - a ferry has collided with a container ship in dense fog, resulting in multiple casualties. As each member of the Seattle Grace team deals with their own emergencies, Meredith finds herself in over her head. My Thoughts: Wow! What an episode! I absolutely loved every minute of it! This one definitely dealt more with the medical aspect of the show more then anything else. Which I dedfinitely love to see! And wow... the way this one ended! I was planning on making this one the last episode of the night... but after how this episode ended I had to see where the next one goes from here. Definitely one of my favorite episodes of the series that I have seen so far! My Rating: ![]() 16. Drowning On Dry Land Meredith is pulled from the water, unconscious and unresponsive. Izzie continues to fight for the life of the patient trapped between two vehicles on the ferry. Alex is put in charge of notifying friends and family members about the status of the patients, and George races to find a missing boy before his mother wakes up from surgery. My Thoughts: An excellent continuation to the last episode. Very dramatic and thrilling all at the same time. Probably for the first time in this entire series so far Alex actually impressed me. If this episode has a downside at all... it is the final moment of the episode. I think the episode would have been even more powerful if they didn't go where they did. But at the same time it was not so bad to take away from my enjoyment of the episode. The story will be continued on into the next episode. And as much as I really want to see it... it will just have to wait till tomorrow. My Rating: ![]() (From Grey's Anatomy Marathon on September 15th, 2009) |