The Theory of Everything

The Theory of Everything

Working Title Films

7 September 2014

Historical Drama

DVD
B-

Although I'm definitely someone who's generally more interested in the domestic/romantic/personal side of people's lives more than their accomplishments, I do feel if you're going to make a movie about Stephen Hawking, there should be more of him developing and explaining his theories.  And if you are going to go for the personal side, it would be nice if the children were more than just props.  That said, there is a lovely, complicated portrait of his eventual ex-wife, Jane, whose Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen this is somewhat based on.  James Marsh directed, about four years before The Mercy, which has good period details, like this, but a much less interesting story.

Seven Days in Entebbe

Seven Days in Entebbe

Working Title Films etc.

March 16, 2018

Historical Drama, Action
DVD
D

Considering it felt like propaganda and it's about a hijacking, it could've been worse.  José Padilha directed.

Mary Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots

Working Title Films etc.

November 15, 2018

Historical Drama

DVD
C

I know this period of British history fairly well but I'd be willing to overlook anachronisms if the way this story is told were more gripping.  Ronan does a nice job as the title character of course, but Josie Rourke's direction, including the overly bleak cinematography, do the film no favors.  This is based on John Guy's Queen of Scots: The True Life of Mary Stuart.

The Interpreter

The Interpreter

Working Title Films etc.

April 4, 2005

Crime Drama

DVD
D

Boring, violent, and somewhat racist, but it was a bit nice to see the U.N. interior.  Sydney Pollack directed.

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.

The Big Lebowski

The Big Lebowski
Working Title Films
March 6, 1998
Comedy
DVD
C

I gave this Coen Brothers movie a half hour because I just honestly didn't know how I felt about it.  I'd heard about it for years but I think that's part of why I hesitated to watch it, that it wouldn't live up to the the cult status.  I can see why people like it, and certainly I had high hopes with this cast.  The opening narration by Sam Elliott was fun, but I just couldn't connect with this particular form of quirkiness.  Note that it's technically a historical comedy, being set around the time of the Gulf War I, but that was also the '90s, so I'm tagging it as just comedy.