Vanity Fair (2004)

Vanity Fair (2004)

Granada Productions etc.

September 1, 2004

Historical Drama, Historical Comedy, War Drama, Romance

DVD
B-

I have read the long novel many times (reviewed here https://rereadingeverybookiown.blogspot.com/2012/01/vanity-fair.html) and when I first saw this movie in the theater, and yesterday when I watched it again, I found it a pretty good adaptation.  A lot gets left out, especially on the Amelia side, but the performances are generally solid and the costumes are sumptuous.  Julian Fellowes co-adapted Thackeray, and directed by Mira Nair.

Little Nicky

Little Nicky

New Line Cinema

November 10, 2000

Comedy, Fantasy

DVD
F+

This is one of the most offensive, unfunny comedies I've ever seen, and it makes me greater appreciate the South Park movie of the previous year, which covered some of the same territory but had genuine laughs.  Sandler plays the title character and co-wrote with director Steve Brill and one other person who I am refraining from shaming here in hopes that he wrote the Namath joke that almost single-handedly saved this from an F.

Enduring Love

Enduring Love
Pathé
26 November 2004
Drama
DVD
C

A man becomes obsessed with a freak balloon accident he witnessed/participated in.  Based on the Ian McEwan novel and directed by Roger Michell.  This is the 100th "drama" I've posted about on this blog, although as always my tags are not firm.

Danny Deckchair

Danny Deckchair
Lionsgate
31 July 2003
Comedy
DVD
D+

A loser's live-in girlfriend cheats on him, which presumably inspires him to strap helium balloons to his deckchair.  Jeff Balsmeyer directed and co-wrote.

Dancing at Lughnasa

Dancing at Lughnasa
Sony
25 September 1998
Historical Drama
DVD
B-

I saw a pretty good local stage production of this a few years, and I find this a pretty good big-screen adaptation.  The performances are for the most part solid and I like the touches of humour.  That the film never becomes magical is OK.  Pat O'Connor directed.  I've tagged the cast that I recognized, even if some, like Kathy Burke from the previous year's Tom Jones miniseries, aren't exactly household names.