Drama > Dench, Judi Drama

Advantages: An enjoyable, beautifully made film.
Disadvantages: Depth of characterization not always perfect.

A wonderful adaptation of the famous novel by Jane Austen for the screen. The film has been expertly directed and produced with a marvelous soundtrack to accompany it. Quality actors abound in this production, the lead character- Keira Knightley plays Elizabeth and does a brilliant job in portraying the character.Donald Sutherland plays her father and with his usual subtle charm. All actors give an accurate and professional portrayal of the characters, ...
...The production and direction is superb- using awe-inspiring photography in parts- that well-known picture of Elizabeth standing on one of the Pennine peaks, accompanied by by that recognizable theme music in full flow. A beautiful piece of filming. This soundtrack is available on CD and has been in the Classical charts for long periods of time. Flowing and dramatic, it really does make the film one of even more quality and emotion. The story's characters ... Read review

Advantages: you get two great movies
Disadvantages: In My books none

Shakespeare In Love/ Pride and Prejudice Two disc (DVD) Having read and fallen in love with both Shakespeare In Love and Pride and Prejudice i was afraid to buy this DVD. Have you ever found that after enjoying reading a book you found that the Film just didn’t live up to the book? i have, so i didn’t want to be disappointed after watching the Film of both these books so i didn’t buy the DVD. My partner knew how much i loved the book so last Christmas ...
...my movies. What is Pride and Prejudice About? For those of you who haven’t read pride and prejudice which i doubt are very few of you won’t know what happens in the story. Pride and prejudice is mostly based on the five Bennet sisters, as they go through their life looking for the potential suitors for them to marry, their mother aspires to marry her five daughters into wealth, their father is a more simpler man, he lets his daughters choose on ... Read review

Advantages: Wonderful cast, great storyline and so rich in human observation.
Disadvantages: You'll want to watch it again, even if you don't have time!!

Chocolat - A Richly Decadent Film! There are some films which seem to be designed entirely to relax our minds, soften our souls, and allow a little comtemplation on the constant flux of life. This, I am happy to say, is exactly one of those films. So utterly French that you expect it to be subtitled (though it is not) and so gentle and flowing that you feel as though you are submerged in a warm and scented bubble bath for the most part of the film, ...
...be cast over this sumptuous and almost edible film. The story is of a woman (Vianne, played by Juliette Binoche) and her daughter (Anouk, played brilliantly by the young Victoire Thivisol), and her daughter's pet kangaroo (yes, that's right, kangaroo...) The story tells of their way of life, being blown (quite magically) from one place to the next at the grace of the North Wind, to spread the knowledge of the ancient Mayan secrets of cacao. Chocolate ... Read review

Advantages: A moving and very human portrayal of Iris Murdoch's battle with Alzheimers
Disadvantages: A few unanswered questions

...reading anything about, or by Iris Murdoch. Of course, I remember hearing about the film 'Iris' when it came out in 2001, but the only reason it sparked my interest was down to the fact that the main character was portrayed at different stages of her life by both Judi Dench and Kate Winslet, who happen to be two of my favourite actresses. Given that I had also worked in a Nursing Home for Alzheimers sufferers, I must admit to being ever so slightly ...
...need to know anything about Iris Murdoch in order to appreciate it, as it is less about her life as a writer and more of a husband and wife story based on the memoirs of John Bayley (Iris's main carer and husband of fifty years) beginning with the time when she began to lose the battle to Alzheimers. Having said that, those who do know a little about her background, or who have read her novels may well find it insightful. In some ways, I think knowing ... Read review

Advantages: brilliant ending, great cast
Disadvantages: hard to understand the beginning

...Barbara has been writing these notes in her diary, and when Sheba moves in with her, thinking its her only option, its not long before she descovers the diary, and all the horrors that lie in it... CAST: The characters performances are all flawless, providing a very realistic account of the tale. Judi Dench plays Barbara Covett Cate Blanchett plays Sheba Hart Andrew Simpson plays Steven Connolly MY OPINION: I think that the film did the book great ... Read review