Thursday, February 05, 2004

DVD Review: I Capture the Castle - 3 stars No, I didn't watch two films in one evening. We saw "I Capture the Castle" several nights ago. I waited to review it, to see how it played in my mind over time. Quite a few scenes, and the thrust of the movie overall, are still quite vivid in my mind. They're memorable enough for me to move my rating up from 2 stars to 3. So this isn't just oddball entertainment. There's some real value here. It does seem like an odd film. There's something about it that's more like stage drama. I believe at least some of the main actors work mostly on the live stage. Or perhaps the director takes an odd approach to filming. In any event, the dialogue often sounds oddly "staged" and overdramatic. The accents are odd too. Perhaps the English accent is exactly what's spoken in Suffolk where the story takes place, so it's just unfamiliar to me. This is really my only reservation - that it often seems so "staged" as to seem poorly acted. The story is interesting. Naturally the theme of the writer completely blocked for twelve years, while his family sinks into terrible poverty, is attractive to me. I won't tell you what happens then. I will say that it's worth finding out. And there's plenty of romance to spice it up.   9:25:02 PM    comment []

DVD Review: Seabiscuit - 4 stars Just finished watching the DVD of Seabiscuit, plus some of the feature on how it was made. No question, I love this movie. It's the kind of movie that gives one heart - the kind of heart that lasts. The director and cast made this true story into a vivid and engaging film. You'd really have to hate people, horses, and life to dislike this film. That's my opinion. At the start, we see three separate stories of three very different people. Each has his own tragedy. Soon they're woven together - by and for a horse - who's had enough tragedy of his own. This doesn't sound like a promising beginning for a bright, heartwarming triumph of a story. That's what makes the film - and the true story - special. I also love the way the film weaves in what was happening in the country (the United States) during the period of the film. For those of us who were born after the Depression, it's a compelling view of what went on before, during, and after. For those born earlier, it must be satisfying to know that these times will be remembered. Jeff Bridges plays one of the characters. I find him a delightful man to watch. He makes my heart smile. In my opinion, this is a film for everyone. You've probably already seen it. If not - don't hesitate. 4 stars for sure. 9:13:31 PM    comment []