... It's the real deal.
'It Was An Accident' is quite an unknown film, and only three of the characters within the film are well-known actors (Thandie Newton, Max Beesley and James Bolan) and is an adaptation of the book with the same title. (It is currently showing on Sky Box Office, and is ... Read review
Fresh, sweet and back on the street - that's Nicky Burkett, just out of jail and never ... more
planning on going back. But life has other plans, and from his first minute of freedom he can't seem to help but make trouble for himself despite the incentives of h...
(+) Because of the new series the box set isn't complete, which means it will be cheaper! (-) It isnt the complete box set so you'll have to buy the new dvds seperatly or wait for the new set!
Production Year: 2003 - Comedy - Director: John Crowley - Original Language: English - Classification: 18 years and over - Starring: Colin Farrell, Shirley Henderson, Cillian Murphy, Colm Meaney, Rory Keenan, Laurence Kinlan
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Advantages: Realism, true to London life Disadvantages: none
...have quite forthright opinions when it comes to films about East End Criminality, such as Lock Stock and Snatch, which whilst being thoroughly enjoyable, annoy me greatly.
My reason for this?
Middle Class preconceptions (namely Mr Madonna; aka Guy Ritchie) of what and how East End criminals and the underworld operate and live, and their so-called 'realistic' portrayals of this.
As a relative of the older generation ... ...and in terms of storylines it is a bit. The magic of this film however, is the way in which all this is acted out. Emphasis is not put on these storylines as such - there is more focus on the relationships between all the characters within the film, and how their actions affect and intertwine with each others lives, deliberately or otherwise, including Nicky's quest to go straight.
The characters are instantly recognisable to nearly ... more
As some of my more regular Ciao readers will know, I have quite forthright opinions when it comes to films about East End Criminality, such as Lock Stock and Snatch, which whilst being thoroughly enjoyable, annoy me greatly.
My reason for this? Middle Class preconceptions (namely Mr Madonna; aka Guy Ritchie) of what and how East End criminals and the underworld operate and live, and their so-called 'realistic' portrayals of this.
As a relative of the older generation of people who were brought up in the slums of the East End, had dealings with criminal gangs, and lived the reality of what these films portray, I can tell you now that reality this is not.
I have, however, just watched a film which is set in present day Walthamstow, London, E17 that was so brilliantly acted, directed and put together that of all the East End 'Criminal' films I have seen, this has to top the lot.
There are no gangs of men wearing dapper suits, no glamorous tarty-but-faithful wives, no top of the range cars being driven by all. It's the real deal.
'It Was An Accident' is quite an unknown film, and only three of the characters within the film are well-known actors (Thandie Newton, Max Beesley and James Bolan) and is an adaptation of the book with the same title. (It is currently showing on Sky Box Office, and is on video release.)
I am not going to give a run down of everything that happens within the film, to do so would be to spoil it!
Nicky has just been released from prison, where he has been serving time for 'an accident'. Upon release, Nicky decides that he is going to sort himself out, be a better father to his son, avoid any more trouble and try to capture the heart of a girl he's crazy about.
Now I wouldn't blame you for thinking how cheesy and cliched this all sounds, and in terms of storylines it is a bit. The magic of this film however, is the way in which all this is acted out. Emphasis is not put on these storylines as such - there is more focus on the relationships between all the characters within the film, and how their actions affect and intertwine with each others lives, deliberately or otherwise, including Nicky's quest to go straight.
The characters are instantly recognisable to nearly all viewers of the film, whether it be the single mother of Nicky's child, living in a council flat raising their son, Nicky's friend who nicks car stereos for a living, the love interests' dad being a policeman and so on. The difference in this film is that even though we have these characters who in themselves are 'stereotypical', they are not portrayed as such. Although the 'single mum' lives in a council flat, she's got a nice pad, and is happy. She's a good mum, and isn't downtrodden, a chain smoker and broke! (Nope folks, that's me!!!!!)
All the characters are a mixture of races, as is the case in London, and they are all normal people!!(Unlike other films where you have one or two black blokes who are so extroverted compared to the other characters, and not an Asian person in sight - how can an absence of Asians in the East End be reality for gods sakes?!!)
Nicky encounters problem after problem since his release, beginning with him doing a 'good' deed and saving a post office from being raided by robbers. This good deed brings him more grief than the reward was worth!
Different local criminal gangleaders all want to get hold of Nicky, whether it be for past indiscretions, to do 'jobs' for them, or to get revenge.
The film watches Nicky struggling to do the right thing and generally get on with his everyday life, whilst constantly battling against bad influences and friends, and being drawn into bad situations, usually with dire consequences. The film also examines his relationshps with his Sister, Child's Mother and new girlfriend.
For reality, depth, enjoyment, quality acting and great views of London's real East, see this film as soon as you possibly can. This is the best movie I have watched in a long, long time, and yes, even Thandie Newton acts well in it - she's not all pathetic and dewy eyed!!
Advantages: An incredibly accurate DVD of the Hindenburg & the disaster Disadvantages: May feel like a history lesson to some people
where broadcasted all over the world.
Another huge factor that contributed to Hindenburgs fame was the court case afterwards. Who done it? What done it? Wasit a bomb? Wasit an accident? This caused worldwide debates and theories occured. The DVD discusses different theories very well.
**The Mecanics Of the Hindenburg**
This incredible machine had an incredible amount of design and science put into it. First was the length which i have discussed which was 245m/805ft. Itwas stagerring that something that big could go in the sky. And with a width of 41m/135ft itwas just huge! The gas used as i described before was hydrogen. The original design was to use helium. But itwas a more expensive. Another point interestingly pointed out that helium had to be imported from USA and it had banned shipments to Germany. It however does not ...
Advantages: An intelligent, well written film that defies normal Hollywood genres Disadvantages: The performance of some actors, particularly Juliette Lewis
It seems that intelligent films often slip through the Hollywood net. To back up this theory you only have to look at this film, Way Of The Gun. In 2000 it seemed to slip the net with no huge Hollywood hype and even the release on DVDwas a rather quiet affair. I discovered it somewhat by accident having been looking for films staring Benicio Del Toro I came across it and thought it sounded rather good. It isn't a media friendly film and that is perhaps the reason why it wasn't really promoted as much as it should have been and it shows Ryan Phillipe isn't just another pretty boy actor.
Phillipe and Del Toro star as a pair of criminals who take advantage of any opportunity they can find to make a bit of cash. When they hear about a young woman (Juliette Lewis) who is having a rich couples child it seems like the perfect opportunity ...
Advantages: Cheap, historical and quite fun Disadvantages: Old, Filmed in video so not DVD quality
at break neck speeds.
The commentators also interview many racers and teams in the pits at the Grandstand, which is nice to see some familiar faces who unfortuanetly are not in the later TTs due to accidents or retiring. I'm definetly enjoyed this DVD though, as '99 was a good year for the TT (or as much of it as I can remember!)
My main problems with this DVD were the fact that its just not as high quality as some of the later videos of the TT in 2002 onwards, and it doesn't focus on the crowd and spectators very much , who are definetly the characters behind the TT itself. It does give a glimpse of Mad Sunday though, where the entire track is opened up as a one way road to general users, and the roads are packed with loads of bikers doing crazy things, such as riding nude or with strange costumes on. Which is nice!
From what I can ...
Nicky has just been let out of jail and intends never to go back. Life, however, has other plans for him despite help from his son Danny and dream-girl Noreen.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
PATHE DISTRIBUTION; 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Release date
28/07/2003
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
P 9009 DVD
Barcode
5060002830161
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Wide Screen
DVD Description
Nicky (Chjwetel Ejiofor) has just been released from prison. However, he can't seem to stay out of trouble. After a series of bizarre incidents, both cops and criminals are out to get him--and all he wants to do is meet up with his dream girl, Noreen (Thandie Newton).
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