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vane117
Reviews
Upstart Crow (2016)
Possibly the Worst Review Ever Written For a Good Show
I read the first 3 words of Dale R's review and knew immediately that the review was the worst thing ever written. It wasn't even a compete sentence! One might think it was unfair to only read 1/60th of his review - but Dale felt it was fair to judge the entire show based on 1/60th of the first episode . . .
Upstart Crow is light, but very enjoyable. Interesting blend of modern humor and 16th century life. Love the casting!
It definitely helps if you are familiar with the works of Shakespeare. Otherwise, you will miss many of the references made in each episode.
My favorite episode is "Love Is Not Love"
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2 (2011)
David Yates managed to kill the end of the series
SERIOUS SPOILERS INCLUDED ***************************** David Heyman, the Producer of the Harry Potter films, made the single biggest mistake of his career when he decided that the Director of each film would be offered the opportunity to direct the next. Chris Columbus did a great job working with the young inexperienced actors and actresses in the first 2 films. Alfonso Cuarón and Mike Newell did good jobs with the next 2 (I wish Goblet of Fire had been split into 2 films to include many more subplots, but the primary emotional content was maintained). For various reason, each of these three directors stopped.
Then David Yates entered the scene and proceeded to dramatically change the feel of the films. For lack of a better word, the "magic" was expunged and everything took on a more "realistic" look. Films 5 and 6 were terrible compared with the books. I initially blamed 5 on the fact that Steve Kloves did not write the screenplay, but I now know I was wrong.
The film of Deathly Hallows, Part I was OK, but it was simply the setup for the emotional second half.
I just saw Deathly Hallows, Part II this evening and I was speechless. In addition to adding useless parts to the narrative, critical emotional scenes were eliminated (e.g. final conversation with Dumbledore and the final conversation between Harry and Voldemort/Tom Riddle where Harry gave Voldemort on last chance to find remorse).
Yates even managed to suck the life out of one of the most exciting moments in the book, where Molly Weasley intervenes to save Ginny from Bellatrix and yells "Not my daughter, you bitch!" In the film, Molly calmly makes this statement as if she is some western gunfighter.
The final scene between the 3 main characters (not including the epilogue) had NO life at all.
David Yates - shame on you.
Thank goodness we will always have the books.
Global Frequency (2005)
I must have seen a different pilot than other reviewers
I find the glowing reviews of other reviewers difficult to understand. I absolutely love the original comics of Global Frequency. However, this pilot is a weak shadow of the source material. Specifically, the actress playing Miranda Zero lacked energy and was completely uninteresting. In addition, the characters had an almost "Fringe-like" ability to remember the one crucial piece of 30-year-old information in a matter of seconds. In essence, they are walking, talking deus ex machinae.
I completely understand why WB chose not to proceed with the series.
I'm glad someone else is writing a new pilot.
Declaration of Independence (2003)
Stunning and Wonderful
I first saw this at the New York Public Library, where it accompanied an exhibit of several versions of the Declaration of independence. It is an absolutely marvelous video of movie actors and actresses reading the ENTIRE Declaration of Independence. While they would not necessarily be the celebrities I would have selected, they do a commendable job. It was filmed in Independence Hall in Philadelphia, in the actual room where the Declaration was debated and approved.
There is also an introduction by Morgan Freeman that sets the stage well. Of course, he was a great choice.
Truly marvelous. This needs to be available on DVD - the internet version is not high quality.
Highest possible recommendation.
Guys and Dolls (1955)
Missed opportunity
"Guys & Dolls" on stage is one of the three great classic musicals (the others are "Music Man" and "Oklahoma." Unfortunately, the transition to the screen is a disaster.
The casting is abysmal. With all the talented singers in the world, casting Jean Simmons and Marlon Brando as the singing leads was a tragedy. I like both of them as actors and I once had the pleasure of seeing Jean Simmons as Desire in "A Little Night Music" (a role originally played by Glynnis Johns. . .), but they simply cannot pull off the ballads. I put these casting errors up there with Audrey Hepburn in "My Fair Lady."
In addition, apparently the stars had too much pull with the filmmakers. Cutting some of the songs from the stage production (especially "Marry The Man Today"), yet adding the dreadful "Adelaide" is unfathomable.
The pacing is slow and there is no energy.
For those of you who like this film, I beg you to go see a professional stage production of this show if you ever have the chance -- you will be truly blown away.
Much Ado About Nothing (1993)
Extremely approachable Shakespeare
A fabulous film. The cast make the language seem so "normal" that I assumed Branagh rewrote large portions, so I went home that night and read the play. There were very few changes from the play to the screenplay -- the actors are simply outstanding.
Extremely approachable version of a Shakespeare play.
Rating of 10