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The Damned United, a review by Rich

Title: The Damned United

Runtime:94
Certificate:15
Year:2009
Genres:Drama, Sports

Plot:THE DAMNED UNITED tells the confrontational and darkly humorous story of Brian Clough (Michael Sheen) and his doomed 44 day tenure as manager of the reigning champions of English football; Leeds United. Taking the job without trusty lieutenant Peter Taylor (Timothy Spall) by his side, and with a changing room full of what in his mind were players loyal to his bitter rival Don Revie (Colm Meaney), would lead to an unheralded examination of Clough's belligerence and brilliance over 44 days. This is that story. The story of The Damned United.

My Review:
Not a great deal of interest to anyone who didn't know or lived through the reign of Brian Clough, but with young Michael Sheen once again proving his versatility and impersonation skills (Blair/Frost), a lot of Uk viewers will find this film an enjoyable look back to 70's football and one of it's leading and most controversial lights.
Not the most impactive storyline, or dramatic, but the characterisations of the lead roles, and there wonderful portrayals, helps this film cut the mustard. The feel of early 70's is convincing, the state of the game at the time and how clubs were run accurate. There was a lot of controversy on this movies release in the UK, Cloughs family refused to be involved in it, and dismissed it as being inaccurate. But as a film it entertains without any glitz or glamour.
The greatest manager England never had.


(From DCO third annual November Alphabet Marathon - discussion/review/banter thread on November 5th, 2009)

Harold and Maude, a review by Antares

Harold and Maude





Year: 1971
Film Studio: Paramount Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Length: 91 Min.

Director
Hal Ashby (1929)

Writing
Colin Higgins (1941)...Written By

Producer
Colin Higgins (1941)
Mildred Lewis
Charles Mulvehill

Cinematographer
John A. Alonzo (1934)

Music
Cat Stevens...Song Writer

StarsReview
       When the term is mentioned in regards to film most people think of The Rocky Horror Picture Show or The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but my thoughts turn towards the best of all the , Harold and Maude. Released in 1971 and directed by Hal Ashby, the film introduces us to Harold (Bud Cort), a privileged but neglected young man whose fascination with death has morphed itself into an endless series of staged phony suicides for the benefit of his mother (Vivian Pickles). He hopes that she will show him the attention he craves as she once did when an accident at school had Harold presumed dead. By now his mother is used to these
       The scene then cuts to the two of them in a military cemetery, surrounded by endless rows of white, homogeneous headstones. As the camera pans back away from the couple, director Hal Ashby uses the metaphor of the daisies to point out, that behind every white tombstone is an individual, unique and full of promise, but whose life was squandered for the sake of political or religious ideologies. It is one of the most powerfully visual anti-war statements ever put on film.

       This is not a film I would recommend to everyone, if you are a fan of Adam Sandler or Will Ferrell, it is not a film for you. If This is Spinal Tap or Kind Hearts and CoronetsRatings Criterion
5 Stars - The pinnacle of film perfection and excellence.

(From Harold and Maude (1971) on December 14th, 2009)

Tom's TV Finales marathon, a review by Tom

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Black Adder IV: Black Adder Goes Forth (1989/United Kingdom) IMDb | Wikipedia (United States) Length: 178 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Subtitles:

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Plot:
The Western Front 1917: There's disorder in the ranks when that numb-headed ninny, Captain Blackadder, stumbles onto the battlefields of WWI and discovers that people are trying to kill him. The British may be able to defeat the Germans, but it's unlikely they'll ever survive a comic assault by Blackadder.


Black Adder
Series 4.06 Goodbyeee
Writer: Richard Curtis (Writer), Ben Elton (Writer)
Director: R Boden
Cast: Rowan Atkinson (Captain Edmund Blackadder), Tony Robinson (Private S Baldrick), Stephen Fry (Gen. Sir Anthony Cecil Hogmanay Melchett), Hugh Laurie (Lt. Hon. George Colthurst St. Barleigh), Tim McInnerny (Captain Kevin Darling), Geoffrey Palmer (Field Marshal Haig)

The fourth and last series of Blackadder is also good. Although I like the second and third better. But this series has a very well done ending. Probably the best of all series.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Finales marathon on February 17th, 2013)