Drama > 30 GBP and more Drama > Parental Guidance

All The Austen Without The Read

Advantages: Excellent entertainment
Disadvantages: Some of the productions are better than others

Jane Austen needs little or no introduction to both modern readers and viewers. She was one of the pioneers of the modern novel and her work continues to be read widely - not just for its historic value but for its entertainment too! Whilst some consider it to be "women's literature" this is simply because her heroines are young women. Frankly it is a gender-inspired argument as ridiculous as to say that Shakespeare is for men. Her novels are carefully ...
...potential suitor for Emma and Jane Fairfax (Ania Marson) is thought by some to be a peer, or rival, for Emma herself in her role as uncrowned Queen of Highbury. However, it's a a game of two halves and it ain't over until it's over! Although Emma is a meddler and a teeny-weeny bit snobbish she is really well-meaning and her mortification as things go awry is thus tempered with other, happier, developments. Doran Godwin is perfect as the engaging ...

JoePoirot 12.12.2006 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Jane Austen (Box Set) (DVD)

An unexpected guest

Advantages: Superb story, great dramatisation
Disadvantages: Just that it ends

...just the simple tale of an investigation, because it looks at class differences and the way that people of a lower class are treated. Inspector Goole is played by the brilliant Alastair Sim, who I remember primarily from the St Trinian's films. This role is anything but funny and in fact is perfect for Hallowe'en - although purportedly a police officer, there is something very creepy about the way that he seems to know everything about everyone. ...
...to be a doormat. Wenham, an actress with whom I am not familiar, does Eva proud; it is clear that she is suffering, but refuses to accept charity or defeat...until the last moment that is. Of the others, there are two performances that stood out for me. One is Olga Lindo as Sybil Birling, a woman who is proud of her status and much too proud to think of the feelings of the lower classes. Her behaviour is reprehensible and utterly convincing - I wanted ...

sunmeilan 03.11.2007 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of An Inspector Calls (DVD)

Hard love

Advantages: interesting view of how it must have been in the 50's to be gay. Some good period scenes. Good acting.
Disadvantages: Filming must have been difficult so that modern things were not seen

...only would it have made the film longer but quite honestly the omission of the more lengthy scenes made the storylines stronger. What wasn't said was more important than what was said in some instances. Reading between the lines sometimes enhances the experience rather than something being "in your face". ...

ginger59 08.05.2006 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Between Two Women (DVD)

Jurassic park But cuter

Advantages: CG effects
Disadvantages: None

This Mix of both action and comedy is i think a great family film. It's about two brothers who get trapped on a island after a storm. They try to get home but then get Then us to life in Dinotopia. But One brother Is willing to die to get of the island. S they are getting onto big trouble and Then find then have to save they new world. This film is like Jurassic park but no deaths and cuter. But this film lags on a bit and get very boring after around ...

Rugbydan 04.05.2006 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Dinotopia (DVD)

"There's Only One Maltese Falcon"

Advantages: Great acting, great dialogue
Disadvantages: May not be for those who prefer lots of action

...I wouldn't say I'm the world's greatest fan of Film Noir or even of Humphrey Bogart. I like them, but other genres are higher on my list. When I first watched this, although I had heard of Humphrey Bogart, I had no idea what he looked like. I hadn't seen terribly many black and white films either. One fine day, some years ago, my mom got Turner Classic Movies. I can't remember why I turned it over onto TCM or even if it just happened to be on when ...
...and when I got to the end, I realised I needed to see it from the beginning as it was that good. And when I watched it again from the beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed it and have since watched it several times. The Story Humphrey Bogart plays Sam Spade, a private detective in 1930’s San Francisco. One day a woman walks into his office asking him to take on her case. She says that her sister has got involved with a man and that she wants him ...

Rebeccs 14.12.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Maltese Falcon (DVD)