Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

StudioCanal etc.

16 September 2005

Historical Drama, Historical Comedy, Romance

DVD
C+

I found this disappointing at the time, particularly in contrast to the BBC production of a decade earlier.  I've watched it once or twice since then, before today, and it's not like I hate this version, but I do feel it's over-rated.  Today I tried to figure out what was lacking, and I couldn't help comparing it to Bride & Prejudice, which has a shorter runtime and yet manages to include several memorable song & dance numbers.  B & P also leaves things out (including the Kitty-equivalent) but I've never felt that it fails to develop so much of what it does include.  To take one example, by giving us hardly anything of Wickham, and changing the circumstances of his involvement with Georgiana, the weight of his elopement is lessened, as is his character as a counterpoint to Darcy.  Furthermore, I don't really get any sense from this movie of the bonds between characters, especially the Lizzy & Jane sisterhood.  Verdict: this remains watchable but unsatisfying.

Joe Wright directed, a couple years before the also flawed, C+-earning adaptation Atonement, which has Keira Knightley as well.  Emma Thompson apparently contributed uncredited dialogue.

Milton's Secret

Milton's Secret

Momentum Pictures etc.

30 September 2016

Drama

DVD
C-

A bit depressing but the soundtrack is nice.  This is based on the book by Eckhart Tolle and Robert Friedman.  Barnet Bain directed and co-wrote.

The Leisure Seeker

The Leisure Seeker

Indiana Production

October 6, 2017

Dramedy
DVD
C-

A potentially interesting story marred by consistently off line readings.  This is based on the Michael Zadoorian novel and directed by Paolo Virzi.  Trump is tagged because the movie is set in the summer of '16 and we hear him on the radio.

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within

Columbia

July 11, 2001

Sci-Fi

DVD

D

Boring early CGI, co-directed by Hironobu Sakaguchi and Motonori Sakakibara.

The Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen
MGM
June 15, 1967
War Drama
DVD
C-

Although this is very much not my genre, I do have to say that the first quarter is well done, especially the acting and the clever way the (late) opening credits appear.  The movie is based on the E.M. Nathanson novel and directed by Robert Aldrich.

Astro Boy

Astro Boy

Summit Entertainment

October 23, 2009

Children's, Sci-Fi

DVD

C

This Hong-Kong-American production is based on the manga series, which I've never read, although I feel like I saw some of the 1963 TV series growing up in the '70s, but it wasn't as memorable as Speed Racer.  This movie isn't bad as these things go, and I like the touches of political and other satire, especially in the opening "educational film" sequence, narrated by Bell.  Still, I didn't feel enough invested in the characters or story to continue beyond twenty minutes.

David Bowers directed and co-wrote.  I tagged the voice actors for characters I'm sure I heard in the scenes I watched.