Misstory

Hyde Park on Hudson (2012)

Directed by Roger Michell this film based on real events stars Bill Murray, Laura Linney, Samuel West, Olivia Colman and Olivia Williams. On the eve of WW2 the King and Queen of England travel to visit with President Roosevelt.

This is one of those films that is not really sure what it wants to be, a look into historical events or a look into the human side of those involved and does not really do either properly. It seems that there are some liberties that have been taken with history as the film takes that which is speculated about and sketches a much larger picture based on it. Casting Bill Murray as FDR is an odd choice but actually works pretty well unlike the rest of the film.

2/5

More bullets than a gun factory

Hard Boiled (1992)

Directed by John Woo this film stars Chow Yun-fat, Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Teresa Mo and Philip Chan. A police inspector and an undercover policeman clash over an investigation into gun smugglers in Hong Kong.

Compared to Woo's earlier The Killer (1989) this is a weaker film with less character and less artistic depth. The story is fairly simple and particularly Chow Yun-fat's character takes it's inspiration from a number of western detective stories. What makes this film worth watching is Woo turning the action all the way up with plenty of massively over the top action sequences to keep you entertained.

4/5

Young Swords

The Three Musketeers (1993)

Directed by Stephen Herek this film based on the classic novel of the same name stars Charlie Sheen, Keifer Sutherland, Chris O'Donnell, Oliver Platt and Tim Curry. In 17^th century France a young man travels to Paris to become a musketeer like his father before him.

While this film may take it's cue from the classic novel there are a number of departures in the plot which turn this into a pretty standard action adventure story. There is plenty of swashbuckling along the way but the story is kept simplistic and does not have much character development. Tim Curry does his best to ham it up as the villain of the piece but a lot of the other actors are out of place in a period film.

2/5

The President goes on a date

The American President (1995)

Directed by Rob Reiner this film stars Michael Douglas, Annette Benning, Martin Sheen and Michael J. Fox. A widower President of the United States starts dating an environmental lobbyist.

If you are a fan of the TV series The West Wing it is easy to see the foundations of that series in this film, both of which were penned by Aaron Sorkin. The plot of this film is fairly simple with the central romance being slightly rushed at times and the conclusion heading towards slightly preachy cheese. In general the film is well made but is largely unremarkable being neither a full romance or a full insight into the political workings of the US.

3/5

Horrible monster

Deep Rising (1998)

Written and directed by Stephen Sommers this film stars Treat Williams, Famke Janssen, Kevin J. O'Connor and Anthony Heald. Smugglers and mercenaries end up trapped on a cruise liner with a sea monster.

Essentially the script of this film steals from a lot of places but is mostly a third rate Alien (1979) knock off. Like many 90s action films this film does not have any character arcs, character motivations that make sense or much personality either. When it comes to the monster the film relies heavily on early CGI that is not really up to the job it was being asked to do at this point.

1/5

And they all regretted laughing

Carrie (1976)

Directed by Brian De Palma this film based on the novel of the same name stars Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving and William Katt. An innocent girl with telekinetic powers and an over bearing religious mother is picked on by the girls at school.

The plot of this film is a good combination of high school bullying and religious oppression of female sexuality. While it may be obvious that the events are going to end terribly the film is so well made that right up to the last minute you are hoping all will go well for the protagonist when that is impossible. There are some trademark De Palma touches in the big action sequences that work well and the whole film is well done from start to finish.

5/5

Fuck you too

The Thing (1982)

Directed by John Carpenter this film based on the novella “Who Goes There?” stars Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley and Keith David. An alien shape shifter attacks scientists at an American research base in the Antarctic.

While there may not be a lot original about this film it does a good job of combining parts of Alien (1979) and Invasion of the Body Snatchers with a remote, hostile environment. There are some good moments of tension and action but the plot does not tie into some universal fear or comment on the way we live. At the time it was released this film was over looked by audiences and while some of the effects are no longer cutting edge it is still well worth a look.

4/5