Drama > 10 GBP to 15 GBP Drama > Capra, Frank

Life Is Wonderful

Advantages: Strong story, strong cast, strong message
Disadvantages: None - unless you have a heart of stone

After the second world war, some strange things happened - things which should have been dead certs didn't always reach the winning post. Winston Churchill couldn't win the 1945 election such was the mood for change in this country. Harry Truman wasn't expected to win the US presidential election in 1948 and one newspaper even printed an edition proclaiming victory for his opponent - which the victorious Truman posed with the next day. And Frank ...
...only to see it flop at the box office in 1946. Time however has been kind to this movie, and "It's a Wonderful Life" has become the classic Christmas film, particularly in the United States, where it is impossible to miss on TV over the holiday season. I first saw "It's a Wonderful Life" on TV when I was a teenager and classic Hollywood movies were still shown pretty regularly. I had enjoyed previous Capra movies, particularly those he had made before ...

rosebud2001 20.12.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of It's A Wonderful Life (DVD)

A mans life needs at least 1 hour of our time

Advantages: Cleverly worked out
Disadvantages: Not action packed - some might find boring

BEWARE! THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS AND PLOTLINE! THE STORY The story starts with a young man of 18 on trial in court for murder. His life is in the hands of the jury of 12 men. If he is found guilty, he will be executed. All 12 must agree on a verdict. We learn that the boy is accused of killing his father. The father hit the young boy frequently and the prosecution see this as the motive. A witness who lived opposite boy and the father ...
...knife and an old man living below said that he heard the boy shout "I'm gonna kill you" before he heard something fall to the floor above. The old man ran to his door and says that he saw the boy running away. However, the boy says that he was at the cinema during the stabbing and did not return until 3 hours later where upon he was arrested. The men go into a room to decide if the boy is guilty or not. The men decide to take a preliminary vote. ...

rufusredcoat 31.12.2009 · Read full review

Review of Twelve Angry Men (DVD)

The finest show to ever grace the screens

Advantages: Everything, mostly the fab Ms Gless
Disadvantages: none at all

...most wanted thief in America. Cagney and Lacey are on the case, and soon discover he is up to his old tricks. Cagney becomes obsessed with catching him, after he challenges her, and the race is on as she tries to outwit the Grandest Thief of Them All. 10 - Recreational Use - Cagney, Lacey and Dory McKenna investigate the deaths of some senior citizens in properies owned by the same man, who it turns out is sabotaging all his buildings to raise rent. ...
...assist him with his work. Cagney disagrees with this and makes him aware of her nervousness about the use of drugs, but doesnt make an issue out of it - until the group have a social get together with Lacey and her husband Harvey at their apartment. It is later discovered that Dory used drugs at the home of the Laceys, which causes a rift between the partners - and Mary Beth offers some harsh, yet true advice to Christine about her love interest, ...

angel01laura 30.12.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Cagney And Lacey - Series 1 - Complete (Box Set) (DVD)

Touching but sad story set during post-WWII Germany

Advantages: Touching, Emotional, handles controversial subjects sensitively.
Disadvantages: Can be a little slow in places

...woman during post-WWII Germany, and the effect it has on him throughout his life. It is a beautifully written book which has translated well on to screen, and combined with the excellent acting from Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes and the young David Kross, The Reader is not to be missed. At the start of an illness that will see him bed ridden for many months, Michael Berg is helped home by a brusque but alluring older women names Hanna Schmitz. On ...
...he realises that it signifies the end of the affair and the loss of Hanna from his life. Moving forward, Michael is studying a law degree and when he meets Hanna again during the middle of a controversial trial, he is shocked at the nature of the discovery. During this trial, Michael uncovers a secret Hanna has been keeping her whole life and struggles to decide whether to reveal this. Choosing not to, he now must live with the consequences for ...

Bumbledot 30.12.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of The Reader (DVD)

Exquisite but very sad - the Duchess, one not to be missed!

Advantages: Very sad but beautifully shot, good acting and gorgeous costumes!
Disadvantages: Can be slow in places but other than that, it's fantastic!

This is the story of a distant relative of Princess Diana, Lady Georgiana Spencer, who married William Cavendish ,the 5th Duke of Devonshire, during the 18th Century and went on to become one of the most influential women of her time both socially and politically. It is an incredibly sad insight into the life of this fascinating women and the “duty” both the men and women of her day were obliged to fulfil. The story starts with a young and naive ...
...are negotiating with the Duke of Devonshire with regards to a marriage contract. The Lady Georgiana will be married to the Duke of Devonshire on the proviso that she provide him with a male heir. On learning that she is to become the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana is understandably thrilled as this promotes her social standing considerably within court. Following the wedding there is an uncomfortable wedding night where Georgiana is introduced ...

Bumbledot 30.12.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Duchess (DVD)