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Bringing history to life!

Advantages: Brilliant, Briliant, Brilliant!!
Disadvantages: A bit graphic in places, not suitable for younger kids

...be the first reveiw for Mary Bryant I will try my best to describe fully. Set in the late 18th century, The Incredible Journey of Mary Bryant, tells the true story of a 19 year old convict, one of the first to be sent to Botany Bay - a new penal colony that is what we now know as Sydney, Australia. Mary (played by Romola Garai), originally from Cornwall, was forced by hunger, to steal a bonnet and bag from an innocent passer by. Sent to prison to ...
...During the 9 month voyage, Mary manages to get into the good books of one of the officers (Lieutenant Ralph Clarke - played by Jack Davenport) and for a while is his servant and student. Lt. Clarke was to be accompanied by his wife but after seeing the ship, she decided that sea life wasn't for her and stayed behind. One day Lt. Clarke gives Mary one of his wife's dresses. Mary tries it on but as her belly has grown it won't do up and tells Clarke ...

maroonmoo 24.10.2006 · Read full review
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Review of Mary Bryant - The Incredible Journey Of Mary Bryant (DVD)

Living history from the inside of The Tudors' court

Advantages: historic truth, great soundtrack, exceptional acting
Disadvantages: none

I was reading the work of one of the finest British historic novelists, regarding Henry VIII's six marriages when I heard about the TV series itself. I purchased the DVD immediately and watched the first part, season one, over and over again. For me it was a unique sensation, like travelling back in time. The locations, the costumes, the lively, natural acting are at least astonishing. I enjoyed the high quality of the images and the exceptional ...
...actually experiences and feels at the same time with the characters. The series starts with King Henry's youth. Jonathan Rhys Meyers was the perfect choice for the king's character, because historically speaking, Henry VIII was indeed until his late 30s a prototype of male beauty. He is a young, dashing king, who's married to Catherine of Aragon, the daughter of Isabela of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon, six years his senior. The film gradually ...

Fleur_du_Mal22 31.05.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Tudors - Series 1 - Complete (DVD)

Great collection for people who like thrillers.

Advantages: Three excellent films in one set
Disadvantages: None I can think of

...of three films directed by Roman Polanski. 1. Rosemary's baby This is a 1969 film starring Mia Farrow and Ruth Gordon, based on the novel by Ira Levin. It is one of the best horror films ever made, in my opinion. It is a story of young married couple living in NY and trying for a baby. Rosemary's husband is very ambitious, but unsuccesful actor. When Rosemary is finally expecting, she starts to suspect, because of the strange behaviour of her husband ...
...This film is brilliant, and Roman Polanski manages to make a blood-chilling horror movie based on purely psychological things, rather than using blood and saws, which is a popular option for horror movies nowadays. The acting is brilliant, I believe Ruth Gordon won an Oscar for her perfomance in this film. Overall rating: 8/10 2. The Tenant This film was made in 1976 and stars Roman Polanski himself and Isabel Adjani. This film is a psychological ...

cersei 30.03.2007 · Read full review
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Review of Roman Polanski (Box Set) (DVD)

Crazy Ivan, great beard though!

Advantages: Excellent ensemble cast
Disadvantages: Weak ending

...lost his wife and was the trainer for all the Soviet sub fleet Captains in the movie adapted version of the novel by Tom Clancey set firmly in the latter part of the Cold War between the US & Russia back when America & Hollywood in general were still frightened by the idea of "Reds under the bed". He is given the job of testing the newest addition to the Soviet Fleet, The Red October. It has a prototype caterpillar drive that is totally silent. He ...
...& never tells any of the crew apart from his carefully chosen senior officers that he intends to defect. James Earl Jones (probably best known as the voice of Darth Vader) plays a senior CIA officer who was "never there & never did anything". The ship is guided by Jack Ryan (played on this occasion by Alec Baldwin) & the Captain of the Dallas Submarine. This is an excellent film with a few good twists & the "destruction" scene is brilliant. I saw ...

atytyut2434 20.03.2009 · Read full review
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Review of The Hunt For Red October (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
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Review of The Maltese Falcon (DVD)