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Playing By Heart, a review by Rich

Playing By Heart





Confusing and torturously slow build-up, but once the various stories start inter-mingling and you get a better idea of what is happening, the quality of the acting takes over and the final feeling was that it was a cleverly crafted film.
An adult movie, the blend of comedy, compassion, enlightenment and discovery is wonderfully handled, and the cast line-up is very enviable. I'd have liked to see more interaction between some of the main players, but alas not.
Best thought of as an above average made for tv movie.
 


**Angelina Jolie mini-marathon


(From Riches Random Reviews on August 11th, 2009)

The Shawshank Redemption, a review by Rich

Title: The Shawshank Redemption

Runtime:137
Certificate:15
Year:1994
Genres:Drama

Plot:Nominated for seven Acadamy Awards including Best Film and Best Actor, this film is an extraordinary tale of hope, friendship and survival inside a maximum security prison.
City banker, Andy Dufresne, (Tim Robbins) arrived at Shawshank Prison in 1947, convicted of two brutal murders, he received a double life sentence.
He discovers that when they send you to Shawshank State Prison of life... that is exactly what they take.
Within the confines of Shawshank, Andy forms an unlikely friendship with the prison "fixer" Red (Morgan Freeman). He also becomes popular with the Warden and the prison's guards, as Andy is able to use his banking experience to help the currupt officials amass personal fortunes.
With an extraordinary twist in the tale, Andy finds that survival comes down to a simple choice, get busy living or get busy dying.

My Review:
As a break from the horror marathon, I picked a title that always hovers in my top 10 movies, a film that oozes class and whos appeal never wanes.
Very moving and sentimental, a great adaptation, with Robbins and Freeman putting in their best ever performances. As I am sure everyone has seen it, I won't do a full review, but would just say I believe it is nearly faultless and a modern classic.


(From Riches Random Reviews on October 25th, 2009)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Tom

1.19 Heaven and Earth (1995-03-25)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Phil Bedard (Writer), Larry Lalonde (Writer)
Director: David Warry-Smith
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Daniel Kash (Detective Louis Gardino), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Jonathan Banks (Garret), Ramona Milano (Francesca), Alex Carter (Agent Ford), Djanet Sears (Caroline Wilson), Mark Melymick (Agent Deeter), Karyn Dwyer (Mary Ann), Bill Macdonald (Kidnapper), Ken Quinn (Chili Cook), Roy Lewis (Manager), Jack Jessop (Cook # 1)

A good episode. Though I am not sure if it's a good idea that they did a Johnny Smith here. Also fun is how Ray tries to find out, if Fraser slept with Francesca.

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on July 26th, 2009)