Drama > J Drama > up to 5 GBP

Advantages: Olliver Reed, oddly fun in a way...
Disadvantages: ... all the negatives you expect from direct-to-video films and soap operas!!

I have the strangest feeling that The Lady and the Highwayman, apart from obvious direct comparisons to Robin Hood, was an attempt to bring back the spirit of the old classic "The Adventures of Robin Hood" that starred Erryl Flynn, Olivia DeHavilland, Basil Rathbone, and Claude Rains. The feeling is strange in that, in almost every respect, that is what this film utterly fails to do. But I do think that they at least tried. Set amid the backdrop ...
...and then King Charles II, The Lady and the Highwayman stars a host of well-known British actors. Michael York (Logan's Run) plays the King, who entrusts an important mission to the gallant Lord Lucius Vyne (well okay I guess you'd have to be gallant with that name or you'd have no chance...). After Charles regains the throne, however, Lucius recognises the need for work to be done that the king could not do openly - so in the guise of a highwayman ... Read review

Advantages: Agatha Christie-like
Disadvantages: Too many characters

Introduction As soon as I heard about this film, I knew it would be right up my street. Described as a murder mystery, it is set in a stately home in 1930s England. With a large number of famous actors and actresses, including Maggie Smith, Kristin Scott-Thomas, Helen Mirren, Charles Dance, Stephen Fry and Clive Owen, it couldn't really go much wrong. And I wasn't disappointed, well, not too disappointed anyway - it takes a while before any action ...
...it's a must-see for anyone that enjoys crime fiction by writers such as Agatha Christie. The director Robert Altman, who came up with the idea for the story, along with Bob Balaban, was born in Kansas in 1925. He has written, directed and produced a number of films, although the majority of them are not particularly well-known. He is probably best-known for directing Alfred Hitchcock's TV show and writing the script for MASH. The plot Sir William ... Read review

Advantages: great story, with great actors
Disadvantages: need to know the background of the story and a bit of old english

I think Kenneth brannagh is the best 'Hamlet' since Mel Gibson, he is very funny, interesting and weird in this production. With Kate winslet as his girlfiend, they both make a good pair as they both turn mad...(not to give the plot away) i would recommend this version to anyone who needs to watch 'hamlet' for school use, private use or any other purpose.... Although every version has a different way of portraying hamlet's character, in my opinion, ...
...is in old english, you should know the background of the story and a bit of old english, otherwise it is easy to understand. I believe it is one of Shakespeare's best plays. It also sticks to the original play very well but in alot of ways it is better. Also, nominated for 4 oscars so then you know its good!! ... Read review

Advantages: Well acted, interesting version of biblical history
Disadvantages: Completely impossible to follow plot

Well I sat down to watch this film not knowing whether to expect a historical re-telling, a horror or a comedy. In the end I think it had a bit of everything. There was murders, ghosts, science, fiction, reality, myth and fantasy all rolled up in to one big confusing ball! By the end of the film, I still don't know what the hell it was about! I'll try and sum up the plot in as short a space as I can, as it was really illogical in parts. Basically ...
...he wants to destroy it before "The Order" get their hands on it. We don't find out why until he gives his son a bottle of Luminol (this kind of gives it away to me - and my guess turned out to be right by the end - note I've a degree in Forensics, so it kinda spoiled the film..) Anyways his son, and a alchemist bugger off around the world following religious clues using the world's smartest computer which manages to find a box somewhere in Greece, ... Read review

Advantages: Fantastic performances, characters, soundtrack, photography...
Disadvantages: Story meanders a lot; at 158 minutes long, it will bore many

...is what, for me, makes There Will Be Blood so great. Whilst the finale is certainly unexpected, not entirely convincing and defies most of the rules of modern cinema, I loved it. As the grotesque Plainview bellowed "I'm finished!", everyone in the audience simultaneously held their breath in a shocked silence. There Will Be Blood is one of the most ambitious, beautiful and unpredictable films of the new millennium. It's also incredibly divisive. ...
...is generally the case) or you will find it hammy. The shrieking, atonal score will haunt or annoy you. As for the ending, well, it either will blow your mind and go down as one of the best climaxes in the history of cinema, or leave you shaking your head in disbelief that the director could do something so ridiculous after the excellent preceding two hours of the film. Either way, you have to admire Anderson's audacity. ... Read review