Based on a successful novel of the same name by Paul Torday, the improbably titled Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is a romantic drama comedy directed by Lasse Hallstrom. Based on a screenplay by Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours), Salmon Fishing in the Yemen is as charming as it's vistas of Scotland and Yemen that it presents. It was partially funded by a grant from … [Read more...]
Review: Titanic (1997)
James Cameron, before the release of Titanic, was considered one of the world's most daring action film-makers. His previous canon of work, including The Abyss, Aliens, True Lies and the first two Terminator films made the world stand up and pay attention to a man whose vision of action and adventure ranked with Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Then he announced he was … [Read more...]
Review: Beauty and the Beast (1991)
A Tale as old as Time¦Disney again catches the imagination of all children in the 1991 hit, Beauty and The Beast. Mindful of its audience Disney creates another film with an important message. Looks are not the be all and end all, despite what many think. Disney jumps on the band wagon to teach children that to respect people of all backgrounds is a trait no one should grow up … [Read more...]
Review: WALL·E (2008)
It is suggested that WALL·E, Pixar's 9th feature film, was developed from an idea by writer Andrew Stanton that was mentioned during the post-Toy Story brain-storming session between him and John Lasseter. Pitched as a Robinson Crusoe style story of loneliness and isolation, but set on an evacuated Earth bears more than a passing similarity to Doug Trumball's now iconic Silent … [Read more...]
Review: What Dreams May Come (1998)
What Dreams May Come a film that has slipped under many a fantasy-lover's radar. It follows one man's journey through the afterlife to reunite his family and poses the age-old question; how far would you travel for true love? Robin Williams stars as Chris, a loving father and husband who not only loses his two children in a car accident, but then tragically meets his own … [Read more...]
Review: The Vow (2012)
2012 saw the release of The Vow, not to be confused with the slightly more memorable Stalinist propaganda film from 1946. Based loosely on the true events surrounding a real life couple, Kim and Krickitt Carpenter it sees Paige Collins (Rachel McAdams) suffer a severe head trauma after a car accident that makes her forget the last couple of years of her life including her … [Read more...]
Review: The Bodyguard (1992)
In the late 1980s and early 1990s there were no bigger stars in music and film as Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner. It made sense at the time to put them together in order to increase their profiles and deliver a sure-fire box office hit. Taking over $410m, The Bodyguard did just that. Originally written with Steve McQueen and Diana Ross in mind, the script hung around … [Read more...]
Review: Jane Eyre (2011)
Jane Eyre is one of the most famous literary works of Charlotte Bronte and one that has been adapted numerous times for stage and screen. 2011 saw the release of Cary Fukunaga's take in the canonical work, using the script penned by Moira Buffini sees the casting of Mia Wasikowska as the titular character and Michael Fassbender as her Rochester. It took a healthy $32m at the … [Read more...]
Review: Like Crazy (2012)
Long distance relationships are always difficult, with couples failing to keep in touch, communication inevitably breaks down “ out of sight out of mind. Like Crazy is an art house and ˜stylishly' made film that tries to test the distance theory. When two people are so deeply in love and devoted to each other, breaking the bond is difficult; oh how naive can one be. And so … [Read more...]
Review: Love Actually (2003)
Love Actually is a predominantly British cast, portmanteau Christmas film written and directed by Richard Curtis, a man most famous for his writing credits on Notting Hill and Four Weddings and a Funeral. He has an incredible knack for creating sweet, sentimental films without them being over-bearing or too saccharine. His previous body of work deftly combines uplifting, … [Read more...]