A Walk in the Woods

A Walk in the Woods

Route One Films

September 2, 2015

Comedy
DVD
C-

I was looking forward to this, in part because I've enjoyed the Bill Bryson books I've read (not yet this one).  Unfortunately, the execution felt lacking, and if even Emma Thompson can't make me laugh, there's not much hope.  Ken Kwapis directed, six years after He's Just Not That Into You, which was a more enjoyable nonfiction adaptation.

Saving Mr. Banks

Saving Mr. Banks

Disney etc.

December 20, 2013

Historical Drama

DVD
C

I saw this in the theater and disliked the basic concept, although there were moments I liked.  The truth is, the "Mr. Banks" aspect of Mary Poppins mars that movie, so getting the backstory to it feels pointless to me.  John Lee Hancock directed, before The Founder (which I gave a B-) and The Little Things (which I gave a D).

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.

Nanny McPhee

Nanny McPhee

MGM etc.

21 October 2005

Children's, Historical Comedy, Fantasy

DVD
C-

I remember watching, or at least trying to watch this years ago and I definitely got past the quarter hour I gave it today.  I just wasn't invested in this meaner version of Mary Poppins.  Emma Thompson not only stars as the title character but adapted Christianna Brand's Nurse Matilda books.  Kirk Jones directed.

Last Christmas

Last Christmas

Universal

15 November 2019

Romcom

DVD
C-

Well, now I've got the earworm in my head so much I had "Last Castle" going through my head to that tune on the previous review.  Emma Thompson cowrote (with hubby Greg Wise and someone else) and I think plays the mom.  Paul Feig directed.  They've done better but this isn't terrible.

Johnny English Strikes Again

Johnny English Strikes Again

Universal

October 26, 2018

Action, Comedy
DVD
C-

No, I haven't seen the first two installments.  David Kerr directed.

Impromptu

Impromptu

Sovereign Pictures

12 April 1991

Historical Drama, Historical Comedy

DVD
C

Everyone is very colorful but they're not really believable as the historical figures (George Sand et al.) or even really as people.  I sort of wish the movie had just gone all out as a farce, and Emma Thompson certainly seems willing to cross over.  James Lapine directed.

I Am Legend

I Am Legend

Warner Bros.

December 14, 2007

Sci-Fi

DVD
C

One of the best post-apocalyptic movies I've rejected, this is based on the Richard Matheson novel and directed by Francis Lawrence (not to be confused with Sally Field's version of Gidget).

An Education

An Education
Sony
18 January 2009
Historical Drama, Romance
DVD
B

Nick Hornby adapted Lynn Barber's memoir of the same name, which is set in London in the early '60s and tells of a teenage girl's education in life through an affair with a charming older man.  The period details feel accurate and, unlike with Edge of Seventeen, I was drawn into the story and liked the characters even when I didn't like their actions.  (Emma Thompson has a gem of a role as the sensible if anti-Semitic headmistress.)  Special shout-out to Molina as the scene-stealing but heart-tugging father of the protagonist.  I almost added "Historical Comedy" as a tag, since the movie is sometimes laugh-out-loud funny, although the film does get heavy at times, yet thankfully never tragic.

Lone Scherfig directed.

Dolittle

Dolittle
Universal
January 17, 2020
Fantasy
DVD
C

While I enjoyed this more than the '60s Rex Harrison version, especially the look of it, I still didn't care enough about the characters to continue.  Stephen Gaghan directed and co-wrote.  And, yes, my first movie from the 2020s!

The Children Act

The Children Act
A24
24 August 2018
Drama
DVD
C-

Depressing tale of a judge (Thompson) whose marriage is breaking up as she takes on challenging cases.  Ian McEwan based the screenplay on his novel.  Richard Eyre directed.

This is the 100th C- I've given on this blog, so a high percentage of the movies I check out aren't terrible but I don't really want to continue beyond the quarter-hour mark.