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The film is actually based on real life events that took place in Los Angeles in 1928, wait that is wrong, it's not BASED on the story it actually is the true story, even the names have stayed the same.
I have to admit to starting to watch the film with a little aprehension, as Angelina ... Read review
John Russell (Scott) a composer and music professor loses his wife and daughter in a ... more
tragic accident. Seeking solace he moves into an old mansion unoccupied for twelve years. But a child-like presence seems to be sharing the house and trying to sha...
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After his wife and daughter are killed in a tragic car accident, composer John Russell ... more
moves into an old Victorian house to continue his work and reflect on his despair. But John Russell is not alone. Something is roaming the halls at night. A restless spirit is determined to let its presence known. But what is at the root of these chilling, frightening occurrences? What dark secrets remain embedded within the house's foundations?John Russell is determined to discover the horrifying truth of THE CHANGELING.Directed by Peter Medak (The Krays, Let Him Have It) and starring Oscar winning actor George C. Scott (DrStrangelove, Patton), THE CHANGELING is a horror classic. With all the disturbing elements that make a good Ghost story and the gripping pace of a mystery suspense thriller, THE CHANGELING is an unsettling exercise in masterful story telling.
The next good mood I find my father in I'll get him quite discarded With these chillingly ... more
offhand words Beatrice-Joanna the spoilt daughter of a powerful nobleman plots to get rid of the family servant who has crossed her once too often. The Changeling remains one of the most compelling tragedies from the 17th century. Exposing the vexed relationship between servants and masters setting notions of 'change' against the revelation of psychological 'secrets' as ways of explaining human behaviour and exploring the idea of love as a 'tame madness' the play reveals the terrifying consequences of ungoverned sexual appetite and betrayal. Despite its seemingly domestic focus The Changeling has much to reveal about the gathering social and political tensions that were to plunge England into a destructive civil war within twenty years of its first performance. This new student edition contains a lengthy new Introduction with background on the authors date and sources theme critical interpretation and stage history.The New Mermaids plays offer:* Modernized versions of the play text edited to the highest textual standards* Fully annotated student editions with obscure words explained and critical contextual and staging insight provided on each page* Full Introductions analyzing context themes author background and stage history
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Advantages: A Very emotional and moving filmm very well acted. Disadvantages: It happened in real life.
THE CHANGELING (2008)
"I used to tell Walter, "Never start a fight... but always finish it." I didn't start this fight... but by God, I'm going to finish it."
This review is a 'film only' review as it is a film that I watched on Sky Movies.
It is the 2008 film, 'Changeling', directed by Clint Eastwood and written by J Michael Straczynski.
The film ... ...wrong, it's not BASED on the story it actually is the true story, even the names have stayed the same.
I have to admit to starting to watch the film with a little aprehension, as Angelina Jolie is not an actress I am particularly fond of and I was a little in the dark about Eastwood's direction.
As soon as the film started I have to say that I was very impressed with the setting and the vehicles, it certainly looked ... more
THE CHANGELING (2008)
"I used to tell Walter, "Never start a fight... but always finish it." I didn't start this fight... but by God, I'm going to finish it." This review is a 'film only' review as it is a film that I watched on Sky Movies.
It is the 2008 film, 'Changeling', directed by Clint Eastwood and written by J Michael Straczynski.
The film is actually based on real life events that took place in Los Angeles in 1928, wait that is wrong, it's not BASED on the story it actually is the true story, even the names have stayed the same.
I have to admit to starting to watch the film with a little aprehension, as Angelina Jolie is not an actress I am particularly fond of and I was a little in the dark about Eastwood's direction.
As soon as the film started I have to say that I was very impressed with the setting and the vehicles, it certainly looked very authentic.
THE STORY
The story was about a single mother - Christine Collins, she worked as a supervisor at the telephone company.
Christine (played by Angelina Jolie), who's husband had left her when their son as born, lived in a comfortable home in Mt. Washington, Los Angeles with her nine year old son -Walter (played by Gattlin Griffith).
Life looked like it was pretty comfortable for the mother and son; they lived in a nice neighbourhood, had a large comfortable home, Christine seemed organised at juggling the job of mother and fulltime wage earner.
Their life was turned upside down one Saturday when, as they prepared to go to the cinema, Christine got called in to work.
I have to admit watching the film in 2009 I was shocked that this woman went to work all day and left her son listening to the radio, with a sandwich in the fridge; but this seemed a normal thing for that day, neither the mother or son seemed disturbed at the incident.
When Christine returned home that night, Walter was missing.
Distraught, Christine searched the neighbourhood with no luck; when she contacted the Los Angeles Police Department she got little help. The officer on the phone seemed condescending and told her that they would investigate his absence when he had been missing for 24 hours. The weeks and months that follow show a lot of the farcical and incompetent way in which the LAPD is run, and a long running battle between the police department - mainly police chief (Colm Feore)'and police captain (Jeffrey Donovan), and the crusading Presbyterian minister (played by John Malchovich). Christine tries to get on with her life, but with the constant nightmare of her lost son always there. After a few months, the chief of police tells a jubilant Christine that her son has been found safe and well and he organises a big reunion with the press waiting Unfortunately that .a reunion turns out to be between Christine and a boy who is evidently not Walter. Christine repeatability tells the authorities that the boy is not Walter - the boy's teacher and dentist back her up; she is however treated first as a hysterical woman in shock even though the boy is three inches shorter and has been circumcised. The doctor's answer is that in the five missing months: "His spine might have shrunk."! The more fuss she makes the more of a threat she is see to be, she is classed as a lunatic and a threat to both herself and the public. What happened next I couldn't believe and if this film hadn't been taken from a true story I would have said that the story was far too unbelievable.
I really enjoyed the film and was very glad that I decided in the end to watch it. It was a very disturbing story, more so for the fact that it was a true one. The cast were all good, Jolie really surprised me, and gave an absolutely brilliant performance, and you could really feel her pain and frustration. She certainly deserved her Oscar nomination for this role.
When John Malchovich's character first started his preaching and 'bible bashing', I didn't like him, but he became more and more important in the story. All the police officers and the authoritarian characters came across in an annoying and frustrating way; their actions and attitudes made me want to scream at them.
I do not want to say any more about the character of Gordon Stewart Northcott, but Jason Butler Harner played the part very well, although I would really have liked to have seen a little more about his story.
After Angelina Jolie the next best performance came from 14-year-old Eddie Alderson who played another character I do not want to expand on here - Sanford Clark.
More than the characters though it was the set, design, costumes, vehicles etc that stole the show.
The whole era felt truly believable, Ms Jolie's clothes were beautiful, the vehicles and the 'trolley' bus' were enchanting and I just loved the shots in the telephone exchange with the roller skates.
I thought that the main thing that came through the film was the corrupt and inefficient police department that was present at that time in Los Angeles, and the dreadful Rule 12.
I found this to be a very watchable, enjoyable but emotional) film, the timing was perfect and all in all Mr Eastwood did good!!
AWARDS
The film received Oscar nominations for
Best Achievement in Art Direction James J. Murakami (art director) Gary Fettis (set decorator) Best Achievement in Cinematograph Tom Stern Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role Angelina Jolie
Advantages: Scary but very watchable Disadvantages: Probably wouldn't watch alone
...this is undoubtedly one of the scariest Haunted House horrers i've ever seen. Gerorge C Scott is fantastic as a father in mourning for a lost wife and child who discovers that his house is haunted by a child who also met a terrible end. The movie turns into a bit of a detective story and there are some really scary scenes in the attick room and the scene where the Medium contacts the dead child who is not at rest. However by far the most frightening ...
cheekyegg 03.10.2008
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Advantages: greta acting, good story, emotional and moving Disadvantages: Some scenes were hard and horrid to watch
something different to the plot which actually managed to give it a bit of depth. The one which really stood out for me was James Butler Harner, I am not going to tell you which part he played as I feel that will be a bit of a spoiler but her did such an outstanding and creepy performance which really does deserve a mention.
The film was set in 1928 in Los Angeles and I think that all of the costumes and clothing was very authentic for the year and a lot of attention to detail went into getting this right. The music throughout that film was nothing special but it all helped with the emotions of the film and setting the scene.
I was surprised when I found out that Eastwood Directed this film and that was another factor which made me want to watch this as I have enjoyed his previous film and this one was no exception.
The DVD which I have ...
Advantages: Strong performances and great period detail. Disadvantages: It's too long and plays like a made-for-TV movie.
with guitar flourishes. Disillusionment is accompanied by rising strings with sharp notes and grisly discoveries by rising cellos and guitar flourishes with dark, discordant piano and strings. Overall it?s an accomplished, but by no means original score.
?Changeling? is a reasonable film that has a top-drawer cast to help paper over the cracks in the writing. It is melodramatic in places and Eastwood?s direction tends towards the unoriginal, making it likely that this will sit better with a small-screen viewing. If you?re a fan of the original women?s pictures or you enjoy a factually-based story or period piece, then this could suit you. But personally I found it underwhelming and probably wouldn?t watch it again. ...
Advantages: Well paced and acted Disadvantages: Poor finish
As from next year ten films will be up for the Oscar on the night and not the normal five, the Academy reverting to its pre-war criteria. This is not to give five extra films the chance to win the big prizes but a commercial exercise that allows 'Oscar nominated' to be printed on twice as many posters or dust-covers, bumping sales and so more films like the Changeling benefiting. Although this didn't win much its nomination seemed to evolve from Clint Eastwood and Angelina Jolies involvement, rather that it being a great movie, the only reason it did good box-office. If it had neither the director nor star in question, but still the same movie, it would have disappeared quicker than a young British player at Wimbledon.
Films like this are so meticulous at targeting the big awards with their releases dates and hyperbole publicity that ...
thedevilinme 13.09.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Changeling (DVD)
John Russell relocates to the country after he loses his wife and daughter in a tragic accident. Soon the old mansion that he has moved into starts to expose it's secrets...
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT; ELEVATION SALES; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, MOMENTUM PICTURES; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES
Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo English Mono German Italian Spanish
Special Features
Trailer, Exclusive Audio Commentary By Director Peter Medak, Animated Photo Gallery
DVD Description
This horror story stars George C. Scott as a music teacher who loses his family in a car accident and moves to Seattle in hopes of starting a new life in a grand old mansion. Unfortunately, his new home turns out to be haunted by the troublesome ghost of a murdered child bent on revenge after 70 years of torment.
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