The White Crow

The White Crow

BBC Films etc.

31 August 2018

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

I liked the sets and architecture.  This is based on Rudolf Nureyev: The Life by Julie Kavanagh.  Ralph Fiennes directed and plays Pushkin.

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Aardman Animations/ DreamWorks

2 October 2005

Children's, Animation, Fantasy, Comedy

DVD
C

While there are things I like about this world, like the set designs and inventions, I just have never been able to get invested in the characters.  Steve Box and Nick Park co-directed, and co-wrote with others.

Strange Days

Strange Days

Lightstorm Entertainment etc.

October 13, 1995

Sci-Fi, Crime Drama

DVD
F+

Incredibly repellent, but on the bright side it made me appreciate the Y2K New Year's party I went to.  Kathryn Bigelow directed, between Point Break and Detroit, which are better but still not good.

The Reader

The Reader

Mirage Enterprises etc.

December 10, 2008

Historical Drama

DVD
D+

Vaguely creepy.  David Hare based this on Bernhard Schlink's novel, and it's directed by Stephen Daldry, who also did The Hours and Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, quite the track record.

The Prince of Egypt

The Prince of Egypt

DreamWorks

December 16, 1998

Animation, Historical Drama, Musical

DVD
D+

Besides not being a subject I'm interested in, the tonal shifts are odd, like the joke about Rameses's kilt.  Still, the animation isn't bad.  Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, and Simon Wells co-directed.

Holmes & Watson

Holmes & Watson

Sony Pictures Releasing

December 25, 2018

Historical Comedy

DVD
D-

Aggressively unfunny and anachronistic, and I pitied poor Kelly Mcdonald as the landlady.  But, um, the costumes are nice?  I guess technically based on books, adapted by director Etan Cohen.

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.)

The Constant Gardener

The Constant Gardener
Focus Features
August 31, 2005
Romance, Crime Drama
DVD
D-

Amazingly unbelievable dialogue for an unlikely meet-cute, and then there's a trip to the morgue thrown into the muddled timeline.  Based on the John le Carré novel and directed by Fernando Meirelles.

Clash of the Titans (2010)

Clash of the Titans (2010)
Warner Bros.
April 2, 2010
Action, Fantasy
DVD
C-

I kind of liked the look of this (even in 2D) but I didn't care about the story, and, no, I haven't seen the '81 version.  Louis Leterrier directed.