Mona Lisa Smile

Mona Lisa Smile

Columbia etc.

December 19, 2003

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Marred by very unnatural, forced dialogue and delivery.  This view of 1950s Wellesley was written by two men and directed by Mike Newell, and it shows.

Great Expectations (2012)

Great Expectations (2012)

Lionsgate

21 October 2012

Historical Drama

DVD
C-

The direction, by Mike Newell, and production values are pretty good, but there are a lot of unpleasant characters.  (I had this issue with the book, which I gave a C+ on a different blog almost nine years ago.)

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Four Weddings and a Funeral

Working Title

13 May 1994

Romcom

DVD
C-

As with Love Actually (also written by Richard Curtis) almost a decade later, I've never gotten the appeal of this film, which I've tried to watch once or twice before.  (I can't remember if I succeeded.)  It's not dreadful but it is dreadfully coy and "witty."  I was relieved to see that MacDowell didn't annoy in the first quarter hour (she's hardly in it and her humongous hat gives a more memorable performance), since I remember needing the greatness of Groundhog Day to win me over to her after first seeing this movie.  Mike Newell directed.

Donnie Brasco

Donnie Brasco
TriStar
February 28, 1997
Crime Drama, Historical Drama
DVD
D+

Hoods in the disco era.  This is based on the real Joseph D. Pistone's book Donnie Brasco: My Undercover Life in the Mafia and directed by Mike Newell.  And it's the sixth Johnny Depp movie (so far) on this project, of which I've accepted three.